KHS: Words are Mightier than the Sword

-Chapter One-
Clouds crowd the sky and the air hints of winter. Cold breezes blow into the classroom, making Yui shiver. She wraps herself up with a scarf, but her freezing hand doesn't stop taking notes. She scowls at the chicken scratches underneath her pencil, cursing at the messy handwriting. Damn that annoying Kakashi. She glances up at the history teacher, frantically trying to keep up. He goes through content way too quickly, and he never uses the blackboard behind him. Yui can see that most of her classmates are sharing her distress. Only Sasuke Uchiha seems poised and relaxed, taking notes at a casual pace. Yui bites her lip, focusing on the paper on her desk. She'll make sure to photocopy his notes later, if other classmates don't get it first.

Konoha High School is one of the most prestigious senior high schools in the region, spitting out many famous people such as Mayor Tsunade and famous (perverted) author Jiraiya. It also trains many CEO's of the biggest companies, the main reason why the Uchiha and Uzumaki companies are so rich and famous nationwide. The classes are challenging and the teachers are strict, making standards and competition high at this school. No entrance exam is required to enroll, students get in solely based on their willingness to learn and to challenge themselves. However, most students cannot stand the high expectations and stress, which results in the high transfer rates in the second year. Yui's class is no exception, by the end of the first year almost a third of the class is gone.

But there is one student who has not left yet even after all these years, and Yui still wonders how he manages to survive. Ever since the first year, it is clear that Naruto has the lowest grades in the class. The following year, he is put in the lowest ranked class, and even though he is getting the easiest teachers the blonde still manages to fail every single subject. Maybe it's his rebelliousness, or maybe its the shock of losing his parents... Even now, Yui is confused on why he doesn't even try.

The bell rings to signal the end of the school day. Before Kakashi-sensei can say “class dismissed”, the whole class is up and ready to escape the accursed classroom. Lively conversations fill the room, and immediately the atmosphere is much livelier. Yui breathes a sigh of relief and shoves her history notebook inside her schoolbag. Knowing Kakashi-sensei, the content he went through today will most likely appear on the finals next week, which means another night  of studying for her. She sighs, shaking her head. Time to de-stress before the night gets the best of her.

A shadow hangs over her head, and Yui doesn't need to turn around to know who it is. “Just wait a minute, won't you? Don't be an impatient prick,” Yui requests, shuffling through the papers in her desk. Damn my big fat mouth. “I'm trying to find my worksheets for homework tonight.”

“Be quick. You know how that dobe will react if we're late,” the usually stoic Uchiha replies, unaffected by the hurtful comment, which is rare. Usually he would be  

“He should learn how to be patient then.” Yui rolls her eyes. “Besides, he can kick and punch all he wants, he'll just have to wait.”

“YUI! SASUKE! HURRY UP! I WANT TO TELL YOU GUYS SOMETHING!!” Naruto's voice echoes clearly throughout the hallway, making Sasuke and Yui cringe.

“Shut up!” Yui punches Naruto on the stomach, her hands balled up in tight fists. “I'm out, alright? Geezus, stop being such an impatient dobe.”

“I can't help it if you're so slow,” Naruto cries, rubbing the part where Yui's fist made contact. “Besides, I have something juicy to tell you two! Well, mostly to Sasuke.” They are almost out of school grounds when Naruto runs up to the front of the trio. He walks backwards, his arms behind his back.

Sasuke raises an eyebrow, looking at Naruto. “I'm waiting.”

Naruto's signature grin appears on his lips. “Lover boy, today is the day you went on your first date!”

A punch immediately follows. “Are. You. An. Idiot?” Sasuke hisses. “You know perfectly well that there aren't any girls here that interest me.”

Yui bursts out into a fit of laughter, patting Sasuke's shoulder. “Good job Naruto. Now I can see Sasuke all dressed up for a change,” she yells, clutching her stomach. “Oh gosh, I can't take it anymore. Naruto, you're such a genius!”

“Yui...” Sasuke groans and buries his face in his hands. “Why am I even friends with the two of you?”

“Oh I can think up of many reasons why,” Yui replies. “Mostly because you like the fact that we tease you.”

“I do not....”

“Oh, admit it, Sasuke. You know you like it,” Naruto says.

“That sounds so wrong....”

Yui lets out a giggle. “Besides, Naruto is right, you need a girlfriend. Your strict demeanor makes me think that you are gay, when you keep on telling me you're not.”

“I'm going to kill you when we get home.”

“Okay, I'm going to shut up now.”

Naruto pats Sasuke on the back. “Oh, come on, Sasuke! It'll be fun! Besides, with grades like yours, why do you need to study?”

“Well since you accepted the invitation with my permission I guess I have no choice but to go now, don't I?” Sasuke replies, shoving Naruto off of him. “Don't ever do this to me again.”

Naruto just shrugs and shifts his focus on Yui. “You can come too, if you want.”

Sasuke looks like he is going to blow a fuse. “Just to maintain Sasuke's sanity level, I don't see why not?”

**********

“Spotted the dobe yet?”

“Negative, he must be running late again.”

The three eventually agree to meet at the main entrance of the mall, but Naruto is nowhere in sight. Yui and Sasuke sigh simultaneously, shaking their heads.

“That dobe, always delaying our plans.” Sasuke buries his head in his hands. “And he's complaining that we are slow.”

“He's Naruto, and will always be Naruto,” Yui points out the obvious and shrugs her shoulders. “Shall we ditch?”

“Huh?”

“You know, you're the one who doesn't want to come. This is the perfect time to plan our escape-”

“YUI! SASUKE!”

Speak of the devil.

“Sorry I'm late, I helped an old lady cross the street and-” Naruto pants, obviously out of breath.

“You don't need to make up excuses you know,” Yui replies, frowning at the blond. She bites her lip when a hurt expression appears on his face but doesn't make an attempt to apologize. “Are you ready to go in and introduce us to our hosts or not?”

Naruto, still hurt by Yui's comment, silently leads the way. However, Naruto's jubilant self is back when he leads the trio to the food court, whistling along the way. The joy of going on his first date must have gotten to him, even if it is just a group date.

“Ino! Sai! I brought Sasuke with me just like you guys asked!”

Sasuke and Yui exchange confused looks. Since when was Naruto friends with the Golden Couple?

“Moh... Naruto-kun, you're always late!” Ino complains, hands on her hips. “What stupid excuse do you have this time?”

“Um, well... You see, Ino-san, this old lady-”

“This is Sakura and Hinata, the icons of this group date! Sakura and Hinata, Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura and Hinata.”

Yui shifts uncomfortably back and forth, feeling left out. She is clearly not a priority; she shouldn't have accepted Naruto;s invitation in the first place. Sakura and Ino are both familiar faces since they are in her class, but Hinata is not. Even Sai, who is more popular than the three of them combined, isn't close to Yui. Maybe, if Yui is discreet and quiet enough, she can sneak out before anybody finds out.

“And you must be Yui Watanabe. I recognize you, we're in the same class, right?”

Ino's voice snaps Yui out of her thoughts, but the latter says nothing. Yui sighs and smiles the best smile she can conjure, but through her annoyance it's hard to look pleasant. Her eyes flash towards Sasuke, but if he is feeling any signs of discomfort he's sure doing a great job at masking it.

“Well, let's not waste anymore time,” Ino declares, not waiting for Yui's reply. “Let's go eat, I'm starving.”

“You don't know anything about starving to death, but children in the poorer places of Africa do, Ino-san.”

The whole group turns and looks at Yui with surprised looks. Well, everyone except for Sasuke, at least, but it's enough for Yui to feel uncomfortable. Like always, instead of apologizing, she just bites her lips and keeps quiet.

“Yuiii! Take that back!” Naruto whispers, trying to defuse the tension.

“What, I'm just pointing out the truth,” Yui replies with a shrug. She returns Ino's glare despite Naruto's various attempts to stop them.

“Um, let's go to the Italian restaurant over there?” It is Hinata who speaks up, her voice soft and melodic like an angel's.

“Good idea, Hinata!” Sakura forcefully laughs. “Let's have a good time, okay?”

Without further objections, the group heads for the suggested restaurant. As expected, the couples sit together, or more like assigned to sit together. Sasuke and Sakura are a pair, leaving Hinata and Naruto as another pair... Yui has no choice but to jam in between her two best friends. Unfortunately, the seat is directly across from Ino's, leaving Yui vulnerable to the former's verbal insults. Can this night get any better?

“Argh! I'm so hungry I can eat a whole cow!”

“Dobe, you're always hungry..”

The group begins to engage in lively chatter, and even Sasuke is joining in (though he is still as quiet and stoic as ever). Yui jams her freezing hands into her pockets, sinking slowly in her chair. Damn that Yamanaka. And damn that Naruto.

“I like the red tips in your hair, Yui-san. Where did you get it done?”

Sakura's voice chimes up from the crowd, making Yui look up. Sasuke is staring at the bright screen of his phone, while a flustered Sakura looks eagerly at Yui. Looks like all attempts to chat (or flirt) with the raven haired boy yielded negative results. “Thanks, your pink hair is pretty as well.”

“So how long have you and Sasuke known each other?”

Her battle tactic cannot be anymore obvious. “Since kindergarten, but it's really none of your business.”

Sakura bites her lips, turning around to laugh at whatever Ino just said. Yui's comment was out of line, but to her it's more of a preventive measure. Sasuke absolutely hates it when someone talks about his past, and if the Forehead wants any chance with him then she better know about it.

“Ah! I can't believe finals are almost here!” Naruto exclaims. “I can remember the first day of school like it was yesterday.”

Finally something Yui can talk about. “Naruto, if you want to graduate next year you better start studying.”

“But studying's boring! I would rather live my life to the fullest right now!”

“I agree with Naruto, we should totally have fun before 'finals stress' kicks in.”

“Besides, parents can be so annoying! They are seriously too overprotective,” Sakura joins in. “I can't wait to graduate next year so I can go to a college far away from home!”

Everyone at the table slowly falls silent as Sasuke's face turns from a pleasant smile to a menacing glare. What Sakura said was a harmless comment, but that is proof enough that she doesn't know a thing about him. Yui shakes her head: one for annoyance at Sakura's part, two to brace herself for Sasuke's “outburst”.

“How can you say that when you have parents to love and care for you?” Sasuke hisses through clenched teeth. “You don't know a thing about being alone.”

“I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun, I didn't know-”

“Don't say things like that again, they're annoying.”

It's like a nuclear bomb has dropped onto the table. Nothing can be heard besides the constant chatter of other couples around them. Sakura gets up and runs to the bathroom, tears in her eyes. Serves her right, though. How can she claim that she loves Sasuke when clearly she knows zilch about the boy? That is a question that Yui would like answers to.

Five minutes have passed until the table is lively again, but Sakura still hasn't returned. Ten minutes pass, then thirty, but the pink head is nowhere in sight. Hinata and Ino are beginning to worry, and even Sasuke is getting antsy. Despite his strict and quiet demeanor, underneath lies a gentleman.

“You know, just go after her if you're so worried,” Yui whispers to Sasuke, making sure no one is eavesdropping.

“Do you think she'll forgive me?”

“Just do it.” And just like that the Uchiha is gone.