~X~

Chapter Two: [Tomorrow.]

Disclaimer: Nuh-uh, I own nothing!

A/N: "…"

*glances at calendar*

*pales*

*throws chapter two at readers and runs away*

~X~

There are various significant aspects needed for the delivery of a successful assassination.

One would be the need to have the ability to calmly and rationally think things through, especially when you are devising a plan. You usually don't think of going all dramatic with the killing, not because its risks the possibility of someone capturing you, but assassins weren't supposed to be eye-catching individuals; they were supposed to be silent and non-existent in the eyes of many. Just like a shadow.

Anyway, assassins are supposed to have sharp minds, having to be a half or three steps ahead of everybody. Precision might as well be related or the same with this aspect, but precision and accuracy is another thing altogether in comparison to the ability of formulating a flawless plan when it comes to killing the specified target.

Secondly, there is the aspect of secrecy and perfection. Assassins aren't meant to give away anything about themselves or who they are about to kill for that matter. They're simply paid or hired for an assassination, and then they kill the target, and after that, they receive the payment for doing the task. That's all there was to it. No flashy shit from futuristic-themed weapons or some weird alien shit that shoots fireworks.

The death of the target is the only thing required and that's it.

However, that in itself is something complicated. You don't just walk right in front of your target and shoot him in the head and walk away; that would just be plain stupid and ridiculous. You should – though this method really isn't necessarily required for the assassination - stealthily trail after and follow the prey, and then think while doing so. Not only the method of assassination, but everything… There is the amount of distance placed between you and the target, the location as to where it will happen, the time given specifically to complete the assassination, the witnesses and possible interference, the background and history of your target, the identities of the accomplices of the target, the factors that will possibly cause things to go out of hand, and many other things that will require deep thinking. There was just more than to killing shit then getting money when it comes to assassination after all.

As for perfection, this aspect is quite a given. Every single thing about what you have thought of should be played out nicely and perfectly with not a single thing being overlooked. One mistake and the slightest tinge of imperfection in the plan might cause you not only your failure, but your life.

Thirdly, there is, of course, the precision and accuracy of the plan. Every minor or major detail has to be taken note of, not a single thing going past your eyes; even if it had to be the target's most frivolous mannerisms because that small detail can mess up your whole plan. It's quite obvious that accuracy would be needed when assassinating since you just don't randomly shoot at people with a random choice of weapon. Assassins have to be very careful and cautious in order for the assassination to be a success.

Fourth; levelheadedness. You don't spit shit out when you're right in front of your target. There are no words to be spoken when you are in front of your prey; you immediately pounce without a moment of hesitation. You don't boast and yell something stupid like "I am the great assassin! Fear me!" or something. Real fear is only instilled when you are to do something that would trigger terror and horror within a person such as killing.

Fifthly, an assassin should have solid and unshakeable conviction. If they were to possibly be soft-hearted to the point that they can't stand the sight of something as simple as blood, then obviously, that person isn't meant for this profession. Hell, anything related to feeling guilt or remorse – or fear - for such trivial things will be coming to bite them back in the ass someday. When you kill, you kill. There is no need for hesitation, no need for fear, and no need for uncertainty. You are to perform and carry out your plan without having to be swayed.

Next, there is the independence. An assassin can't live standing on their own two feet if they're practically always clinging at someone else's leg, telling and begging them to do shit for themselves. You are your own person and if things aren't looking so promising, you act. An assassin shouldn't rely on people for their protection or for their goddamn condition; they will have to carry everything by themselves without having to share said burden with somebody else.

Of course, these are just some of the aspects that are required and needed for the successful delivery of an assassination, but knowing better would help you in understanding just how intricate situations and things could possibly turn out to be with no apparent reason.

Especially when…

…

…

…

Silence rang out within the desolated area of the city, the mere whisper of the wind seemingly a little too loud to be considered normal. Not a single person could be seen strolling anywhere and the only sight you'll be seeing within this part of the city is the wreckage of the buildings which used to be offices or stores, some even being apartments. Trash littered the cracked and dry pavement, the rotting bodies of animals scattered around the isolated streets as if they were simply some unworthy trash that deserves not a single speck of attention.

Just around the corner where a particularly large building that was in ruins was a figure – a person, perhaps? – crouching lowly just behind said structure. It was hard to tell what it definitely was considering that the place's appearance was just so dull and lifeless that the mere shade of black would easily blend in within the shadows.

Suddenly, that figure shifted and in just a short span of moments, the black blur had quickly moved on to the closest structure and building available within the given distance; a bookstore.

The store had smashed windows, granting prying eyes the sight of the contents of the entire abandoned building. There were shelves and some desks; things that you usually see within a bookstore. However, though there were materials and some furniture inside the building, there were some questions that had to be asked. For example, considering that the condition and states of the furniture within the structure was quite good and that it was still useable, why hasn't anyone taken it yet? Sure, it was obvious that the answer was because there was no one to do it. But on the other hand, that brings up another question; where exactly are the people who used to live within this area?

A cold breeze swept over the area and the figure shifted within the shadows, dull blue orbs somewhat peeking from underneath the black clothing that the person was actually dressed in. Truthfully speaking, not much could be seen from the person. Be it the gender, or the identity, nothing could be said about the shadow. The person was wearing what appeared to be black clothing – the color of said clothing perfectly blending in within the shadows - and another piece of clothing that was just as dark as the rest of the outfit tied around the person's face, concealing everything with the exception of the person's eyes.

It made a threatening sight, seeing that it wasn't just the outfit that screamed of the person's potential abilities. The way the person moved was graceful yet sharp with a hidden cautiousness and preciseness beneath it. Just with the simple way the person held himself/herself, it was easy to see that the person was not just here to take a short vacation to mess around.

Silence continued to ring through the streets but it didn't take any much longer than that before the figure suddenly vanished from where s/he used to be. Nothing was left behind as evidence, and not a single indication of his presence could be seen from where the figure had been. The entire place appeared to be empty and lifeless as it had been right from the beginning and the emptiness heavily pressed against the area.

That was until a bloodcurdling scream reverberated through the streets.

…

…

…

Sasuke Uchiha sighed heavily as he strode through the hallways with inhumane grace, his obsidian eyes narrowed irritably in aggravation and slight hesitation. No one could entirely be named as his 'friend' so as expected; no one has yet to catch on the brief hesitation present within each step he took. He was confident and perfect, after all. Something like hesitation is just unbelievable, especially when you put said word with the name 'Sasuke Uchiha'.

Another inaudible sigh slipped past his perfectly sculpted lips as he turned around the corner, his balled fists tightening its grip when his sharp eyes caught sight of the name plate positioned on the surface of the door of Konoha High's principal. Usually, the only time that a student is called within the office of the Principal is when said student has done something unforgiveable or has done something to damage the school's reputation.

And so, this being the very first time he had to enter the 'Gateway to Hell' – as the students call it - , Sasuke was slightly uncertain and cautious.

Coming face to face with the wooden surface of the door, Sasuke steeled his face into one that was an unreadable and confident expression. As far as he could remember, he had done nothing wrong to get a ticket to Hell, and so, being self-assured with his own thinking, he reached out to briefly knock on the surface of the door.

Surprisingly, he received no reply from the other side of the room.

He frowned.

Trying once more, he knocked harder in order to somewhat get any reply from the principal who was supposedly within the office. A few minutes later, he finally realized that he was looking quite idiotic knocking on the door for 3 minutes straight without getting a single reply. Agitatedly pinching the bridge of his nose, he knocked 3 more times before pushing the door open with the knowledge that no one would be replying anytime soon.

Imagine the young Uchiha's surprise when his eyes met obsidian orbs that were the same shade as his own, gleaming with unconcealed amusement and mischief.

"…Aniki," He growled out distastefully, a little put out by the fact that it wasn't only him who was called, but also his jerk-of-a-brother who seriously was more like the spawn of Satan than a loving older brother. "What are you doing here?"

Itachi Uchiha elegantly snorted – how he even did that, humans have yet to know – with his eyes pointedly turning towards the empty chair of the Principal. Apparently, the Principal wasn't within the office as Sasuke had believed.

"I have been called just a few seconds ago, the Principal saying that we have something… urgent to discuss." He smoothly replied as he crossed his arms above his chest, ending their 'conversation' with a flourish.

And then it hit Sasuke a few minutes later.

"I was knocking and you didn't even answer it." He pointed out with a frown as he leaned on his right leg.

Itachi smirked. "Why, it's quite smart of you to notice, foolish younger brother."

Gritting his teeth in irritation, the younger of the two stubbornly refused to reply, instead forcing himself to direct his attention somewhere else. Of course, that ended the conversation yet again and they both found themselves getting slightly impatient at being forced to wait. Uchiha's never were patient to begin with so it is to be expected that putting two Uchiha's that really aren't on good terms – or at least that's how it looked like on the outside – together in a room while being forced to wait for someone who they really aren't familiar with might just cause the beginning of a catastrophe.

Looking back to it, it might be a little ridiculous to know that they really didn't know much about the Principal of Konoha High but honestly, they really didn't have much… interaction with the principal of the school. Hell, they didn't even know how he or she looked like, or if he or she is a male or a female. As far as they knew, the one who makes appearances on the meetings was the Vice Principal, who in this case, was Shizune Senju.

Shifting his weight to his right foot, Sasuke spoke without turning his head to meet the eyes of his older brother.

"Say, do you have any idea as to why the Principal would like to call us here?"

Itachi also shifted on the wall that he was leaning on, his obsidian eyes briefly darting towards Sasuke's direction before going back to the window where they were granted the beautiful scenery that overlooked Konoha.

"The Vice Principal hadn't disclosed any information about this one particular meeting." Itachi stated. "So we are left to wait in here to know why exactly we have to be waiting when we were supposed to be doing other things that may prove to be even more useful than standing around and doing nothing."

Sasuke snorted.

A few minutes more passed in silence and when the sound of the door being opened reached their ears, their heads snapped towards the door's direction a little too fast and the brothers found themselves staring at a beautiful blond-haired woman with glazed hazel-colored eyes being supported by a sheepish looking Shizune.

"I'm sorry if we took too long to arrive…" She hastily began as she proceeded to put the blond-haired woman to one of the couches available beside the Principal's desk. "As you can see, the principal has gotten herself drunk and it was up to me to take responsibility."

Sasuke and Itachi simultaneously raised eyebrows, their gazes boring through the wasted blond-haired woman questioningly. Yes, the woman was beautiful in a way, but seeing her rosy cheeks and glazed eyes – which were most probably the effects of getting drunk -, they felt the need to doubt the capabilities of the woman. Was she really the very same person who established this elite school?

Turning back to the brothers, Shizune began speaking while heading over to the refrigerator fixated near the blond-haired woman's desk to get water.

"Since we have wasted enough time as it is, I'll get straight to our discussion…" She said, filling the plastic cup in her hands with cool water. "Saying that this was an urgently placed meeting is quite an over exaggeration on my part; I sincerely apologize. I simply wanted to call you here to have a talk with regards to this new student…"

Itachi, for some unfathomable reason that even he himself can't explain, felt as if daggers were digging through the pores of his skin at the tone that the raven-haired woman had used.

There was something…

… a secret …or an ulterior motive, perhaps?

There was just something in Shizune's tone… that sounded… attention-catching…

"Anyway, this student has quite the situation and we can't risk having him get into trouble." Shizune explained as she placed the cup in front of the blond woman.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, both incredulous and a little angry. "You called us here to talk us into babysitting?"

Shizune's eyes were sharper than they had expected, and the brothers both tensed, immediately knowing that they had stepped on some sort of unseen landmine.

"Babysitting might be one term, Mr. Uchiha," She coldly acquiesced. "However, that wasn't what I meant."

Itachi's eyes narrowed.

"This person—this new student is someone who would prefer to distance himself from others. He doesn't have any ailments, disabilities or anything that would require medical attention, so this isn't much of a babysitting for some disabled child. He is capable and is independent, thus there really isn't any problem." The raven-haired woman slowly sat down, nodding towards them and the seat facing opposite her and the blond-haired woman in an invitation to do the same, silently watching as they sat down.

After a few moments of silence, Itachi asked; his voice smooth and unreadable.

"If it isn't babysitting," He said. "Then what exactly are you asking us to do with this… new student?"

Shizune answered without a tiny hint of hesitation.

"…I want you to monitor him."

Now, that threw the brothers of the loop.

"More precisely, I want you to tell me what is happening to him. As a teacher, you'd be granted the opportunity to gather information from your fellow teachers without pressuring them. You are well-liked by the faculty of Konoha High so I am quite sure that it wouldn't take that much effort to ask about how his doing in their classes, no?" Her eyes were pointedly staring at Itachi who evenly returned the stare with a nonchalant expression. "And as for you, Sasuke Uchiha, as the class president and representative of your own class where the new student will be studying in… I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard to watch over him without acting like doing so, right?" Sasuke's face didn't even twitch as he returned the gaze like his brother, inwardly feeling a little more than displeased to be asked to do such a thing for reasons unknown.

Itachi's frown was slight, but that alone brought the other two into knowing that Itachi wasn't about to happily walk away from this discussion while agreeing like a good soldier.

"Why would you specifically want us brothers to watch over this new student? You are the Vice-Principal… you have the power to do what you are asking us to do with more efficiency."

Shizune merely shook her head, "Of course, I know that. It's just that there are other things I must attend to, and monitoring the new student isn't entirely possible. Even the Principal doesn't have enough time to go sit in her desk to manage the school."

Unexpectedly, Sasuke asked, "What exactly could be so problematic that you are forced to abandon your duty as the principal and vice-principal of this school?"

As if to return the unpredicted question, the blond-haired woman who was drinking from the cup that Shizune handed her suddenly answered the question.

"First of all, we aren't abandoning our jobs, brat," She murmured lowly, forcibly ignoring the twitch that developed on the younger Uchiha's eye. "Second of all, that is none of your business."

Itachi hummed. "But I do believe it is our business, given that you are the ones asking us a favor."

The woman didn't look fazed at the slightest. "Ah, asking you a favor to watch over the student, yes. That's your business. However, this 'problem' that we are currently facing has nothing to do with the new student. This problem is a problem in my life. Thus, it isn't your business."

Itachi's frown smoothed out into a blank and emotionless mask; this woman was fearless and smart. She chose her words carefully and she was obviously used to being pressured and facing intimidation, seeing that she looked absolutely relaxed, even when he was releasing an intimidating vibe.

"Well then, let me change the subject of my statement." He replied, eyes showing a challenging gleam. "Where is this new student and who exactly is he?"

Tsunade Senju, the Principal of Konoha High, smiled arrogantly, her hazel-colored eyes showing unconcealed glee.

"Ah, you will know the answers to your question…"

She paused.

"…tomorrow."

TBC.

Me: *rereads entire chapter*

Me: "…"

Me: "…"

Me: "… this has to be the most… most… boring-est chapter I have ever written and read."

Like, seriously… I could have WRITTEN SOMETHING BETTER! WHY! WHY! WHY! *uses lamp as a sword and smashes laptop to bits* :/

I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE IF THIS CHAPTER TURNED OUT…

CRAPPY.

LIKE…

SRSLY. .-.

THIS CHAP MADE ME WANT TA DISCONTINUE THE ENTIRE STORY ALLTOGETHER! ( QAQ ) THAT'S HOW BAD IT WAS!

On a more serious note, I really am sorry if the chapter was boring and late... ^^" I had been forcing myself to type to finally put chapter 2 up so that I can finally forgive myself for posting it late… TT^TT um, I sort of promise to make up for the third chapter! *whispers* I don't know, what if it turned out to be EVEN MORE boring-er (is that even a word) than this… ah, gahd, I'll be losing readers and if I lose readers I will get depressed and when I get depressed I might stop writing and and *cries* NOOOOO!