[Chapter 44: Sing Through the Pain!]

"82 bottles of beer on the wall, 82 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 82 bottles of beer on the—"

"Megumi!" Ino screeched in my ear, momentarily snapping me out of my singing. With an infuriated expression, she jabbed a finger on my chest. "You have been singing that for so long— shut up!"

With a giggle, oh I could hear her cursing out demonic sounds, I merely shrugged. "Why not? My totally awesome—"

"It's terrible!"

"—Singing is great for traveling!" I continued without a beat. The travel to suna was gonna be long and, considering the fact we didn't need to hide, I thought 'what's one way to annoy— I mean, amaze the others?' This. This was my answer.

Uh, how was I able to translate them? With a lot of tears. And a dictionary.

The blonde huffed with veins practically popping out of her skin. Whipping her head at the rest of our group (one half filed with blank faces and the other with full out exasperation), she placed her hands on her hips. "Hiro-kun, Hinata, Sakura," She pointed at them. "How the hell could you put up with her?!"

They just stared. Hard. Did they even have life in their eyes? "You get used to it."

"Unfortunately, agreed." Shiori upfront, wow does he look out of place in this, signed with a hand raised. I gawked at them— aren't you supposed to not care?!

"Augh, this is such a drag," Shikamaru mumbled out with a slouched back, shuffling with hands in his pockets.

"Not as much as your mom." I shot back.

"Ooooooooh!" With a hand hovering above his wide mouth, Kiba gasped with a huge grin, Akamaru barking along. Even Shino went along with his own smaller shout. I snorted— what kind of elementary humor is this?!

Glancing at the side— oh my. In my sight, Tenten was patting Neji's back. "Why am I here?" I could hear his faint voice. Just to suffer?

The ends of my lips curled upwards as I placed my hands behind my back. I inhaled. "81 bottles of beer on the wall—"

Ino screamed.

The crisps sounds of the bright fire were one of the many things that echoed in the starry, night. But, unlike the other sounds of the night, this one was more comforting. And that may or may not be the Uchiha, arsonist blood talking.

I cuddled my knees close to my chest, head tucked in my arms as I watched. As it became night, we decided on who will take watch and then. It just so happened that it was my time right now.

I darted my eyes at my right at the familiar source of chakra. "What's up, Hiro?"

"Couldn't sleep," The Hyuuga strode up to me before sitting beside me, one leg out with the other raised. "And I couldn't stay still."

I hummed softly, brows furrowing. "But ya should sleep, your watch is like in a few hours." I heard the boy chuckle at that, but maybe that was cuz of how silent it became.

But it was fine, it wasn't awkward. In fact... with how the warmth of the great flame made it homier and the quiet whisperings of crickets, I could even say that this was... nice.

My head turned to look at the boy beside me. My dear Hyuuga was changing, I noticed: he was much taller than me now, his hair, did it change? His body was also more toned, due to all the training he did from the past years. And his new clothes, they do suit him.

And that was only physically: when I first met him, he was very closed off, like Neji and the original Sasuke. But, he soon grew to be someone precious to me, whether it was my fault or not. The boy was extremely fun to tease and yet, he was still there for me— he still spent time with me.

Aah, my body felt warm, but I didn't think it was because of the fire. When did I start feeling like this?

In that instant, Hiro's eyes noticed mine. "What are you looking at?" I blinked, oops, I got caught!

My body trembled with a small giggle, lips curling up. "I was just thinking about how pretty you were."

"Wh—" The wide-eyed male clamped a hand over his mouth to hush his shout, remembering that others were sleeping. With tense shoulders risen to his flushed ears, the Hyuuga moved his hand over to the back of his nape, rubbing it as he averted my gaze. "Shit, uh, what the hell... stop saying weird things." He mumbled softly.

"It's not weird if it's true~!" I teased. He groaned. I laughed, head tilting to get a better view of him. So cute. Though I have to wonder, why is he so... flustered lately? Is my teasing really too much?

I shook my head, I can think about that later. Looking away from the rigid shinobi, I glanced up at the sky, holding a hand out towards— even if I couldn't even reach it. "So... sooner or later, we'll finally have a full team meeting."

"'A full team meeting'? What do you... oh, yeah." I heard him say, more composed than just a few seconds ago. "Are we just gonna do the same thing as last time?"

"Basically," I replied with the tilt of my head, placing my hand down to the dirty ground. "Except with Kugui, we can finalize some things and even get to know our skill sets!" I pursued my lips. "I wonder how she'll take Shiori, though." Probably good. I mean, she doesn't look like the type to easily get angered.

"Gah, them." I giggled at his disgusted remark, his light eyes narrowing as we did so. "They're such a dick, I don't fucking know you deal with them."

My lips quirked upwards in amusement. "Shi-Shi can be like that, especially when he wakes you with cold water but hey, it's better than being choked awake!" I snorted at Hiro's mildly concerned look. Believe me, it's better. Unless it's the times they mix in poison— that sucks.

Turning away, I swayed from side to side in thought. Well... it'll be soon that we'll find out.

"56 bottles of beer—"

"Oh my god!" Ino grabbed me with both hands and shook me like a mad man. "Please, I beg of you— just stop! It's been 2 days!"

I giggled, you think that will stop me? But looking at her desperate state, I had to consider. Well... I exhaled, pushing her off of me. "Okay, I'll stop singing that song."

The girl gasped so loud I'm surprised she didn't choke. "Really?!" Her eyes were wide.

"Mhm," She stepped back, a little too eagerly. I'm about to do what's called a pro gamer move. I suck in a breath. "This is the song that never ends—"

"Whyyyyyyyyyy?!?!" I snorted at her dramatic shriek, dropping to her knees in defeat.

The people behind her fell to a halt while the ones in front looked back. "Oi, you gonna move?" Shikamaru nudged her with a foot, as tired as ever.

"Aughau...!" Don't mind her demonic sounds, it won't haunt you forever. "Just... why? And you two!" Ino darted her head at both Choji and Lee, who were just vibing. "Stop humming along!"

The younger one just shrugged. "What? It's catchy."

"It's annoying, that's what." Neji injected, looking just as annoyed as the blonde. His more energetic former teammate made an offensive noise but was stopped by Tenten before he could say anything. "But can we just get a move on already: we've wasted enough time."

Near him, Hiro chuckled with a hand on his hip. "Try stopping her then." I turned my head at him. Are you challenging me?

Inching closer at Hinata, Sakura in the corners of my eyes gave me a suspicious look as I touched shoulders with the Hyuuga. "Hey, want to help me annoy Ino even more?"

"No!" The said Yamanaka shot up, dragging my cutie away from me. "You will not drag her into this!"

"Aah...!" The girl exclaimed with fidgety hands, an unsure expression plastered on her face. "I, um, don't even know the lyrics?"

"I can teach you!"

"No!"

"Why not?" I rolled my shoulders with a grin, giggling at her red face. "I mean, even Hiro's gonna join in!"

"I'm what."

I shushed the boy with the clap of my hands. "You know what? Let's just settle this with a simple coin toss."

The girl narrowed her eyes. "A coin toss? You're not gonna rig it with Chakra, right?"

"Mhm. You can pick heads or tails as it lands— I'll take the other. In fact," I motioned to the only adult here. "Let's have Shi-Shi do it." I glanced back at them. "You okay with that?"

The older one only sighed as he grabbed a coin from one of his sleeves. "If it will settle this."

Ino still had a look at skepticism but then reluctantly averted her gaze, crossing her arms with a huff. "Fine. If that'll end your stupid singing." I gasped dramatically with a hand on my chest, how could she say that?

But it didn't matter. Placing my hands behind my back, I tilted my head towards Shiori, who was waiting for us. The adult darted his eyes to the two of us as everyone fell silent. Placing on his thumb, he flicked it into the air.

It fell.

(Ino concentrated. At the rate that it's falling, it will hit the floor after 142 and ⅔ flips, bounce 4 times, spin for 5.2 seconds, and stop at tails.

She narrowed her eyes as they moved away from the coin to glance at the Uchiha, who stood there— I don't detect any chakra within range. Did they underestimate me?

No, that's impossible. The girl knew that even if Megumi was known to be chaotic, she was nowhere near dumb... sometimes. But... She smirked. "Tails." It's too late.

Closer, closer, it was so close to the floor. So close, she could just feel the quiet, if only—)

I slammed my foot onto the coin. Ahaha— you thought! Lifting it, I took only a peek at it before craning my head up at Ino. Oh my, look at how horrified she looks! "It's heads~!"

"Wh—" The Yamanaka stammered on her own words, hands going everywhere as she just couldn't compute with the fuck even happened. I heard someone snort and many other groans but holy shit— that was so satisfying. "You can't do that!" The kunoichi jabbed a finger at me with balled-up fists.

I raised my hands. "What? It flipped and hit the ground. You just said to not use chakra~!" I laughed like a psychopath at her despair. "Ahehe, it's your fault!" Turning around, I motioned Hinata closer to me, clearing my throat. "This is the song that never ends!"

And it was that day that Ino Yamanaka lost her sanity.

("Kazekage-sama!"

The redhead perked up from where he worked. "Please, I am not Kazekage yet, refer to me as just Gaara for now."

"Yes!" His fellow ninja bellowed out with a salute. It was a bit strange for the younger one, for people to bow down to him— even with the small fear evident in them. His younger self would have never believed this outcome— not before he met Naruto. "The representatives of Konohagakure have arrived."

Ah, how long has it been since they had met? Ever since the chunin exams, he supposed. Sitting up, Gaara excused them before heading off.

He met up with his siblings, as one had diplomatic matters and the other was simply bored. The boy could've gotten their sensei as well but, wouldn't want to ruin her date, would they?

Walking nearer to the gates, they all stopped at the sounds on the other side. "What the hell...?" Kankuro asked under his breath, glancing back at his siblings.

"Are they... chanting?" Temari rose a brow, thumbing the handle of her fan. In the distance, a huge pack of kids was treading the sands loudly, cackling as they repeated the same thing again and again.

"This is the song that never ends! Yes, it goes on and on my friends!"

Gaara could only stare.)

Man, this sounds like we're tryna summon satan. I absentmindedly thought to myself, as I sang with my arms linked between Hinata and Sakura. I somehow got everyone to sing with me (unfortunately, Shiori could not participate), even Ino!

Noticing the Subaku siblings, it's been so long, my lips formed a grin as I waved at them eagerly. "Heya!"

Blinking, they were probably amazed by our passion, Gaara raised a hand meekly, stepping forward as we all halted in front of them. "Hello to you too, Megumi." He spoke formally.

It was kinda weird, to be honest.

"Pffft, don't act like that!" Releasing myself from the huge chain, I placed my hands behind my back as I leaned in toward, smiling at the red panda. "We're practically friends at this point!"

"Is she allowed to do that?" Neji asked with a hint of suspicion in his tone.

Puffing out my cheeks, I craned my head back at the Hyuuga. "Why must you doubt me, little one?"

"I am taller than you."

"In my dreams, you're not!" I shot back. "Besides," I twisted my body around with a thumb pointed at the future Kazekage. "We've already tried to murder each other. I think we're past being friends."

"Why am I surprised that you haven't changed?" Glancing to my side, Temari crossed her arms with a brow raised.

I just shrugged, a giggle escaping me. "I don't know, why are you?" Oh! Blinking as I suddenly got reminded of something, I turned back at Gaara. "I almost forgot!"

Reaching inside my bag, I pulled out an envelope and handed it to him. "A little present for you!"

The boy raised his— oh wait, he doesn't have any— "A present?"

I hummed in a joyous tone. "Yup! Just don't open it now, in fact, don't—" Oh my god, he's opening it.

"Dearest Red Panda, Roses are red. My brother is a trucker." Fuck fuck fuck aThe guy looked a little constipated. "How'd you like politics, Fucker...?"

Kankuro snorted. Hiro and Kiba behind me barked up a laugh.

And I heard many, many groans and head palms.

"Pfffft—" I reached up to cover my mouth but it was too late: I burst out laughing. "Holy— Ahahaha...! You actually— oh my fucking god I—"

My legs gave out as I immediately fell to the ground. Ahahahahaha, wait why is my vision blurring? From what the little sight I had left, a bob of long pink hair poked out. Ah, Shi-Shi, son of a...

...worth it.

("Did she just...?" Kankuro stammered as he stared wide-eyed at the only adult.

Glancing up from the Uchiha, the Uzumaki only sighed, putting away their senbon. "Worry not, she's used to it."

...What??? Almost everyone had that through in their minds.)

∗⃙⃙

"Kh...!" Shooting straight up, my neck ached as I snapped my eyes wide up. "I'm alive..." I blinked. "Tch."

"'Tch?!'" Glancing at the, oh hey, how'd I miss the neck in front of me, guy close to me, I noticed how I was held in a piggyback ride. "The hell were you on?" Hiro questioned with his brows furrowed. Ah, that's yet another ambiguous reference down. Glancing at where we were, he was walking in a lit-up hallway, where the fuck are we?

Shrugging, I swung my legs. "I'm just surprised they did it in the first place." And it dawned on me: I was getting a piggyback ride from Hiro. Lub dub. Ah, there goes my heartbeat. Wonder if he can feel it too? "A, anyway, what are ya doing?"

I felt his hold on me shift for more comfort. "Shiori's a dick and told me to hold you to our hotel. I'm just carrying you to your room— the girls went ahead to unpack."

"Awwww," I whined, placing my head on the crook of his nape. "Couldn't you have at least carried me bridal style? Come on, you'd look more of a prince!"

"A prince that can drop you."

"Oh, I know you won't. You're too nice for that."

The boy sputtered, stumbling on his footing. "Uh—!" Awww, is he flustered? Giggling, I smiled as he let out a sigh. "Why do I bother?"

"Because you care~" I teased as his ears became red. The tsun tsun stayed quiet, grumbling under breath, but he didn't object.

Stopping in front of the door, Hiro crouched as I got off of him. "Oh, and," Just as I was about to bid him goodbye, he spoke first. "Temari told Shiori and me that Kugui would meet us at the restaurant near this hotel tomorrow morning."

I blinked, already? Well, it made sense. My lips quirked upwards as I clapped my hands together. "Thanks! I'll go prepare." And perhaps I got a little daring, cuz I then hugged him.

Hiro flinched at my hold, hand raising to his head to relax, his other arm wrapping around my back, patting it awkwardly. I couldn't help but giggle— I should've bought him hairpins a long time ago: this feels so nice. I felt the heat on my cheeks burn as the beating of my loud heart accelerated. His heartbeat's nice. "So, uh, are you not gonna let go?" He questioned with a small tremble in his tone.

"Bitch," I looked up at him, "You've denied my hugs for literal years— I deserve this." At least he looks a little guilty, I noted. He said nothing, despite the many emotions swirling in his clear eyes. But it didn't matter to me.

I guess it only took a minute or so for me to let go. Moving back, I turned around, only to glance back at him. "Nighty night!"

The shinobi blinked only to chuckle, the smile on his face suddenly making me halt, only for a second. "Good night, Princess."

I just giggled. Tearing my eyes away from him, (no, I don't want to look away,) my hand twisted the door handle, opening the door and letting me in. Shutting the door behind me, I could only sigh. Ah... tomorrow's the big day.

The day where we plan the destruction of the story.