Angry and upset, Kiyone went back inside. Her head was hurting from stress and the loud sounds of the party weren't helping either.

" Wooo! Yeah I got the-- Nee-chan!" Kohaku had appeared and looked surprised as his sister came up to him. He tried to deperately hide something behind his back. " You ok Nee-chan?"

He saw the concerned look on her face and stepped up to touch her forehead. Unfortunate for him, his hand slipped and revealed what he had been hiding.....beer. Kiyone gaped at it and gave him a furious look.

" Um, I can explain." Kohaku laughed nervously and put some distance between him and his sister.

" You- argh!!! Give me that!" Kiyone grabbed the pack of beer from him and took one out, drinking and wincing at the familiar taste.

Kohaku felt a shiver rise up his back. He knew how Kiyone was when she was upset...and near alcohol............

End Flashback

" Ugh." Kiyone graoned again. Alcohol was bad........very bad. She picked herself up, her head pounding while her body felt like a ton of lead.Sitting up on her bed, she remembered all the bad memories from last night. Neji asking her to be his girl, Tenten crying about something and....and Sasuke. Kiyone gripped her sheets in her fists. Why was he acting like that yesterday? Why was he so angry? I don't understand that guy. Why is it that one moment he is nice, the next a total jerk and the next a pissed off bastard? All this time I've been his friend and he still hasn't opened up to me. Come to think of it, I don't know anything about his life or what he does when he isn't at school. She punched her pillow, angry. jerk. Why won't you open up to me? Sighing she looked around, the hangover was getting to her. Suddenly she felt something come up her throat.

" Oh hell!" she got up, covering her mouth and ran to the bathroom

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He hated mornings.

He hated the sun and all its shining goodness. So naturally Sasuke was in a bad mood.He definitely wasn't a morning person. But this morning was not like the rest. Today, he was pissed.

He had woken up and pulled a shirt over his bare chest before heading toward the kitchen. Obito, who has been freeloading off his nephew, watched him as the familiar dangerous aura surround the young man. He's mad.

" What's wrong?"

Sasuke ignored him as he went straight for the refrigerater, taking out the carton of orange juice and proceeded to drink it. Obito watched in amusement.

" Had a little trouble at the party?" He grinned micheviously as Sasuke twitched at this.

" Shut up, jerk." Sasuke put down the carton. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to collect his thoughts.

" Hm, problems with the girl?"

" SHUT UP!" Sasuke growled, making the other man quiet. Sasuke wasn't in his best state. It had taken all his control last night not to go to the Hyuuga and strangle him. How dare that white eyed, girly looking freak take away his girl! He knew that Kiyone had a thing for the Hyuuga but he had always thought that he,Sasuke, had more of her attention than the senpai. For a while there, he had actually thought that Kiyone might have the same feelings for him as he does for her. Apparently, he had thought wrong.

He felt like strangleing the Hyuuga again.

" So, anyway I got a call.......it was from the elders." Obito watched carefully as Sasuke moved from his thoughts to making his jaw clenched.

" What do they want?" He picked up the carton again.

" What they've been wanting these last two years, for you to go home." Obito sighed, the complication of the matters were taking a toll on the older man.

" My home is here." Sasuke grumbled. He walked over to the small table for two and sat down, running his hand through his hair again.

" There's nothing for you here." Obito stated. Sasuke shot him a look and then looked out the window next to the table.

" Maybe not......."

Obito grinned. " Itachi will be pissed but to have you take control will be great. You are after all the heir. So, are you ready to face your future?"

Sasuke only looked at him. Kiyone flashed through his mind, making him unease. If I leave, I'll never see her again. He remembered the person she is with now. Hm, well she sure won't miss me. He looked at Obito.

" What the hell are you standing there for, then?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" You ok?" Kohaku watched his sister as she staggered down the stairs. He had seen her get drunk last night and was concerned about her walking.

" Yeah." Kiyone said, throat hoarse. She had been throwing up and now the sun seemed very evil to her.

" Where are you going?" Kohaku asked from the kitchen table. Kiyone was putting on her jacket and boots, prepared to go out.

" I need to talk to someone........." she told him absently. Kohaku could see her fighting her thoughts and knew that right now was the not the best time to try and get into her head.

" Alright, I'll tell Mom and Dad."

Thanks. Kiyone sent him a telepathic thought, sensing his hesitance on talking through their connection.

Be careful. And don't fall. I heard that theres a thick layer of ice all over town.Kohaku grinned before she opened the door. Kiyone groaned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" You wanted to talk?"

Neji came up to her, while she stood there thinking off how to let him down easy. He had his hands in his pocket. Kiyone had expected him to hug her but the was something in his eyes. She walked up to him, making him turn his face the other way.

" Neji............"

" You like him, don't you?" Neji blurted out while not looking at her. Kiyone flet guilt wash all over her. She knew what he was talking about.

" Yeah." she breathed, looking down.

" Then why? Why say yes?" Neji looked at her, eyes intensed. Kiyone flinched under his lavendar eyes. They reminded her of Sasuke's, the serious and stoic look in them. Except Sasuke's eyes are full of pain.

" I......don't know why." she turned from him and looked at the sky. It was real sunny and it made the white snow around them sparkle." I......was feeling rejected.....and ...I'm sorry."

" You shouldn't mess with people's feelings like that." Neji's tone was hard.

Kiyone felt tears start in her eyes. " I know. I'm sorry." She turned to look at him. " That's why I called you here, to tell you before I made you feel worse."

Neji sighed.He looked at her and smiled " I...was surprised when you said yes. I knew you had a thing for the Uchiha but.....I just wanted to try."

Kiyone smiled sadly. " I'm sorry."

Neji waved this away. " It's ok. Don't apologize, I'll heal."

Kiyone laughed bitterly and gave him a caring loook. " Friends?"

"Yeah." Neji rolled his eyes and moved in to give her a hug. It was awkward for them but it made Kiyone feel a little better.

" So, does he know?" Neji asked, watching her face. Kiyone blushed.

"No."

" You should. He needs to know." even though the relationship he had hoped to have with her was now gone, Neji couldn't help but feel a little hurt by the words he just uttered.

" I......know." Kiyone bit her bottom lip, looking ahead of her.

" Today." Neji ordered.

Kiyone looked at him surprised. " W-hat?"

Neji shrugged. " If you really like him, you should tell him soon. He still thinks we're together. At any rate, he probably hot with jelousy right now."

Kiyone looked at him confused. Neji smirked. " What? You don't know that he's head over heels for you as you are for him? And here I thought you were smart."

Kiyone was stunned. Sasuke likes me? " You think so?"

Neji sighed exaperately. " If you don't believe me, then go find out."

Kiyone blushed. " Thanks......senpai." She ran off, eager and a bit scared to go and confess her feelings to a certain Uchiha.

Neji groaned. " I thought I told you not to call me senpai."

Without You

" Arggh!"

Kiyone was tapping her foot in a furious beat, watching as cars pass by in the open road. If there's one thing that irritated Kiyone, its that she hated being clueless. She had no idea where Sasuke lived or how to get there.

" Dammit!!!" she growled and took out her cell phone. Kohaku should know, Sasuke did afterall drive the guys to the party last night. You better pick up, Ani-kun!!!

Ring. Ring. " Raimatsu residence, Haku-kun speaking." A smile crept up into Kiyone's face, her twin was using the nickname thay had used when they were little. While he still called her Kiyo-chan from time to time, she hadn't called him that in a long time.

" Hey, Haku-kun, " she emphasised the name, " Do you know where Sasuke lives?"

Silence. " Who the hell is this?"

Kiyone scowled. " It's your sister, you idiot!"

" Oh, its just you........hey, I'm not a idiot!!!" she could hear grumbling coming from the other end of the line.

" Whatever, just tell where Sasuke lives."

" Why?" a suspicious tone was clear in her brother's tone.

" I need to talk to him! Kohaku, please. Please?" she pleaded him.

Kohaku stared at the phone. It was a rarity when his twin begged him something. " You're....you two aren't........you know...."

" WHAT!!" She couldn't believe that he was asking that. " No!"

" Oh........just checking. It's my job as your brother and protecter and......"

" Kohaku!" Kiyone was finally losing her patience. Her twin winced at her growl. He really didn't need Kiyone hunting him down and possibly stashing him in a place where no daylight came.

" He lives north of downtown, in a place called Sound Avenue. It's the thrid aprtment across the park. Apartment 56. So what do you need to talk to him...." Kiyone cut him off before he could say more. She looked around for a bus stop.

Kohaku glared at the phone. " I try to be nice........." he left the kitchen, grumbling about crazy sisters and stupid crushes.

****************************************

" Hm, they'll expect us to arrive the day after tomorrow." Obito closed his cell phone. He looked down at the youg man lying on the couch. " i'm proud of you Sasuke."

Sasuke grunted, eyes closed. He was slightly frowning, only because a certain green eyed American-Japanese girl kept intruding his thoughts. Dammit Kiyone! Why do I care so much about you? darn you for what you've done to me!

" Itachi won't be so happy to see you." Obito was daydreaming. He didn't like the illegitimate son of his dead cousin, so the thought of removing the company from theolder Uchiha made him happy. " So, have you called Kakashi to tell him that you will be quiting his kendo classes?"

At this Sasuke's eyes shot open. The All National Matrial Arts Championship was a few days away! He vaguely remembered promising his sensei that he'll win the trophy fot the team and the bet that he made with Kiyone.

Kiyone.

He had yet to show her what he was made of. He had seen her thousands of time's practing her karate but never had he shown her his kendo skills. She had been confindent about her club winning, making him bring up a bet to decide which one was better. Kendo or karate. It was a good reason to stay but........the Hyuuga was in the Karate Club as well. I really don't want to see them together. The thought of the Hyuuga putting his arms around Kiyone made rage rise in him. I'll kill him.

Thinking of this, Sasuke groaned and covered his closed eyes with his hand. Kiyone wouldn't like that. Thinking about it, I'm being stupid. I never had any intention of making her mine, despite my feelings. Kiyone's a unique girl, who deserves to be with someone who can make her feel happy. Not with a antisocialpath like me. Maybe.........its better off this way.

Ding. Ding.

He scolwed. The thoughts he had just been thinking were making him feel bitter and right now he was definitely not in the mood to see anyone.

Ding.

" Aren't you going to get that?" Obito asked, still stuck in his daydream.

" No." Sasuke retorted.

Ding.

Ding.

Ding.

Ding. Ding. Ding Ding!!!

" What the hell!" Sasuke sat up, irritation clear on his face.

The was a pound on the door and a familiar growl. " Uchiha, open this door!!!"

Sasuke's heart skipped. Only one person had the guts to speak to him that way, weel, other than Naruto. He got up and opened the door.

" Kiyone."

There stood the one person who can make him ecperience different emotions at the same time. Anger. Anxiety. Confusion. Anticipation. And best of all, happiness. Kiyone was scowling, annoyance clear on her face. Sasuke composed his face. He was still after all Sasuke Uchiha, distant antsocial guy.

" Why do you want?"

Kiyone scowled deeper at his tone but brushed it away. She looked at him clear in the eyes and took a deep breath.

" Can we talk?"

Sasuke felt his insides tighten but his face showed nothing. " About?"

" Sasuke, who is it?" Obito came to the door and looked at Kiyone with a surprised face.

Sasuke grunted. He looked at Kiyone. " Let's go to the roof." He closed the door, leaving a bewildred Obito. He lead her to the door that went to the roof, all the while thinking about what she wanted to talk about. Is it about the Hyuua? Or is she going to quesion me about my behavior last night? Suddenly, he didn't feel so good.

Kiyone walked behind him, blushing and pondering at what she would say. Should I blurt it out? Or should I tell him about breaking up with Neji first? How will he react? What if he doesn't feel the same way?

They got to the door and climbed the stairs to the roof. Sasuke opened for Kiyone and guided her to the wall. Leaning on it, he crossed his arms and focused his attention on her. " Ok, shoot."

Kiyone blushed and began to fiddle with her figers, something she had suddenly picked up from Hinata. " Um.....um...."

" I'm leaving." her head shot up, looking at him in surprise. The truth was that Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and decided to tell her about his departure before she said anything.He needed to brace himself for whatever she was going to tell him.

" You're.....leaving?" Kiyone whispered.

Sasuke looked away and instead focused his eyes on the street below. " My family has been bugging me about going to join them in Nagasaki, so........I'm going."

Kiyone felt stunned. He's leaving. " W-what about school?" she managed out.

Sasuke shrugged, his composed face bearing no emotion. " I can finish my studies there. No big deal."

Kiyone gulped and blinked. " What about Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru..me?" she whispered. What about me?

Sasuke shrugged again. " They'll get along just fine without me." his tone had become monotone now.

Kiyone looked down, hiding the tears that were threatning to come down. " So....w-when?" her voice betrayed her, making her sound tearful.

" The day after tomorrow." he replied, refusing to look at her. He knew her voice was cracking, hurting him more. She shouldn't be like this. I'm not important.

Kiyone clenche dher fists. So soon! The same pain from last night came to her, nearly knocking the breath out of her.

Sasuke closed his eyes to calm himself. He was losing his control. Any moment now he would grabbed her and hold her in his arms, with the possibilty of confessing his feelings. I can't do that. I'll just hurt myself even more.

" So...what did you want to talk to me about?" he forced himself to say.

Kiyone's eyes widened. She had forgotten the reason she had come for. I can't tell him now! He's leaving. Anything I say is pointless now. The tears felt like they would come anytime now but she stopped them. She couldn't break now. She composed herslef before looking up and giving him a soft smile.

" I....just wanted...to tell you.......that the Championship is in a few days and....good luck." Don't break now, Kiyone. Don't break. Don't let himself see you as weak.

Sasuke felt like he had been punched in the stomach. " Oh....... I won't be going to that."

Kiyone nodded. She turned her gaze to the left, not bearing to look at him anymore. " I'll...go now. I'll come and see you off." See you leave me.

Sasuke felt a second blow. " Don't. I'm leaving early."

Kiyone nodded, tearing up inside. " Well.....then bye, Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke winced as she sniled. He knew it was forced. Why? Why does she look so hurt? She couldn't possibly care for me that much. His eyes widened as she came up to him and put her ars around him.

" I'll miss you." she whispered. His nose was filled with the scent of peaches. She leaned back, sad smile gracing her face. She gave him a samll peck on the cheek before droppping her arms and turing away.

He watched her go farther and farther, as she got to the door and opened. He was still shocked as it closed, the only thing left was the shadow of the girl he loved. Kiyone.

Walking down the hallway, Kiyone let the tears spill.