Madara Uchiha in Twilight?

Bella Swan tightened her jacket as she stepped outside her house, as the air was cold and warm at the same time, but not spring either.

She glanced toward the driveway as she saw no sign of Charlie, but he had said he'd be leaving early for a patrol shift.

But someone else was there, as promised, as they had talked about it with her father.

A boy, maybe just a little older than her or her age—sharp black hair styled like the breeze hadn't touched it, and pale skin as if it was annoying—and darker eyes, dressed in a black zip hoodie and some slim dark jeans and... combat boots? Flashy in a way.

She stopped at the top step and looked at him, then tilted her head. "You're... Sasuke, right?"

He nodded once, no emotion on his face, obviously. "As said by John, I am here to walk you to school for some time."

"Right," she murmured. "Because John doesn't do morning shifts."

No response at that. His silence was not rude or awkward, just not interested.

She started walking down the stairs, glancing at him again. "So... how long have you been in Forks?"

"A while."

"That's vague."

"Intentionally," he replied flatly.

She blinked once... Huh. Direct. That's a trait shared with John, she noted.

They began walking in step as she tried again, testing a new approach. "You don't talk much either, do you?"

"Only when there's something to say."

"That sounds like something John would say."

The shadow clone of Madara, in the appearance of Sasuke, didn't react, but in his mind, he thought... Well, I am John.

"I've met him—'John'—a few times before the hospital incident. He doesn't seem like the type to ask for help."

"He doesn't," Sasuke replied.

Bella narrowed her eyes slightly. "Then why are you helping him?"

"Because I want to."

Bella's brown eye twitched, as she felt she had heard that answer somewhere again. But... that was interesting, as she shifted the topic.

"You know, you could pass for a high schooler."

Sasuke gave her a glance. "That's not compliment, or is it compliment?"

She smirked a little. "It wasn't an insult. Just... curious. Why don't you go to school if you're around my age?"

"I already know everything they teach here."

Bella raised an eyebrow that didn't believe his bullshit. "Really? All of it?"

"And more."

That arrogance wasn't defensive, but a fact, actually. But the way he said it made her believe him then.

She kicked a small stone off the sidewalk and kept walking. "So what, are you some kind of homeschooled genius?"

"Something like that."

"Let me guess. You also know seven languages and how to take down a grown man in under ten seconds."

Sasuke glanced at her again and replied, "Yes and no. Not under ten seconds—under one second."

Bella blinked, and she thought this guy's confidence was unnerving. It reminded her of Edward's stillness, but more cold than charming.

She folded her arms. "And here I thought Edward was the mysterious one."

Sasuke's eyes flicked ahead. "You're curious about a lot of things."

"I've had a few... intense days."

They were getting closer to school now. "I saw John at that abandoned house," Bella said suddenly, keeping her voice casual. "He showed up after Edward told me the truth. That was... unexpected."

"Am I supposed to know which abandoned house? But I know, actually."

"You are stalker too?"

"Usually."

"Well, that's good to know too, Sasuke."

"Excellent news," replied Sasuke.

As she asked, "John—he's not just some guy my dad knows, is he?"

Sasuke didn't answer immediately, and then said, "No. He's not, obviously."

Bella nodded, letting the silence stretch for a few steps. "But you're not going to tell me what he is, are you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to say."

They arrived at the edge of the school parking lot. The buildings loomed around here, and the students were entering in slowly as the chatter of young people was heard.

Sasuke stopped at the edge of the lot and looked toward the entrance.

"I'll wait here," he said.

Bella turned back to him. "So you're just going to stand here the whole day?"

"Unless something happens."

"That's... comforting and creepy. But thanks, I guess."

"Better creepy than dead."

She gave him a skeptical look but smiled faintly. "You're not half as subtle as you think you are."

Sasuke didn't smile back and said calmly, "Neither are you."

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. "Touché~"

Then she stepped onto the school grounds.

The halls felt different now, but it was not as Bella walked slowly past lockers of students. She didn't care about their laughter, and murmured gossips were annoying.

She didn't realize she was scanning faces until she saw his.

Edward Cullen was standing near the biology hallway, his arms folded loosely, eyes already on her like he'd been waiting.

The hallway cleared around him—or maybe it just felt that way.

Bella walked toward him, her steps unhurried but sure. She didn't speak at first.

"You made it," he said.

She looked up at him. "I wasn't going to skip, of course. Especially after the weirdest weekend of my life."

His mouth twitched—barely a smile. "Well, even bigger reason to skip, I think. But how's the head?"

She replied, "It's alright."

Female students were looking at Edward from a distance shyly, as Edward ignored it. Bella continued, "You told me last night I could walk away," she said finally.

Edward's expression dimmed slightly. "I did."

"I'm still here."

He looked at her. "You shouldn't be."

"Too late."

Another silence, but not heavy—just full of things they weren't saying yet.

"John was right about one thing," Bella said, crossing her arms. "You're a bit of a mess when it comes to rules."

Edward gave her a sideways look. "You've talked to him more than once, haven't you?"

"Uh... three times, I think? If you count the time he stared at me from the street like a gargoyle."

Edward let out a faint laugh, but it died quickly. "He's not harmless, Bella. Whatever he looks like to you... he's something old and dangerous."

"So are you. And he feels like some type of godfather to me. In fact, not dangerous to me," she shrugged. "But grumpy—he is, for sure."

"But I'm predictable. He's not."

Bella looked toward the windows as the trees swayed faintly outside. "Sasuke, from John's side—you know about him? He walked me here today."

Edward looked at her casually. "Yeah... but he's a boy."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe that."

Edward replied, "No. I don't."

"Then what is he?"

Edward thought for a bit. "My father, Carlisle, knows some things. John and Sasuke—they are connected... never mind. It's not best to talk about it here. But they are humans."

Bella leaned against the locker beside her. "Really? So they're not vampires, really?"

"Yeah. Not even close. Not werewolves like in stories either... just human. Like you, Bella."

She sighed. "Great. At least that's comforting... in a way. Edward, I have English class, so later." He nodded as Bella left, and she slipped smoothly into her English classroom just before the bell rang.

Angela Weber turned in her seat as Bella took the desk beside her.

"You okay?" Angela asked in a low voice, her expression kind and steady as always.

Bella gave a faint smile. "Yeah. Long morning."

Angela hesitated, then leaned a little closer. "I was going to ask... who was that boy you walked in with? Not Edward—that hottie—but another one..."

Bella said, "What?"

"You know, don't pretend like nothing happened," Angela nodded toward the parking lot outside the window. "Black hoodie. Dark hair... and kind of... intense? Kind of hot. That guy."

Bella stared at her. "You saw him?"

"Bella," Angela whispered with a slight grin. "Everyone saw him. He was standing there like some kind of brooding manga character waiting for his cue... and he's probably from Japan... even more unique. And he walked you all the way to the building. It was... I mean, mysterious but extremely noticeable."

Bella sighed and rubbed her forehead. "That's Sasuke. He's just a friend of my dad's friend."

Angela raised her eyebrows. "That's not vague at all."

"I'm not trying to be vague. I just don't really know how to explain him."

Angela studied her. "You don't sound annoyed. You sound... defensive."

"I'm not defensive," said Bella.

Angela smirked. "You just said that defensively."

Bella rolled her eyes. "He's not my bodyguard, okay?"

"So you do admit he's acting like one."

Bella opened her mouth to respond, then shut it again.

Angela leaned in. "Do you even know how many girls watched you walk in this morning like it was a scene from a show? It was like—Forks girl escorted by secret agent with tragic backstory. You're main character now."

Bella groaned. "That is the last thing I want to be."

Angela gave her a teasing look. "So where'd you catch him?"

"I didn't catch him."

"Bella. Please. He walked you to school like it was a mission. His hair is manga-level perfect. His eyes don't even blink normally. If that's not your mysterious new crush, then someone explain why I'm suddenly feeling like a background character in your love triangle arc."

Bella snorted. "There's no triangle. Not even a shape."

Angela leaned back in her seat, clearly amused. "Just saying. If Edward Cullen and that guy end up fighting over you, I want front row seats."

Bella glanced toward the classroom door, half-expecting Edward to appear like summoned thunder. "You're exaggerating."

"Maybe," Angela tilted her head. "But if he's not your boyfriend... then... is he single~?"

Bella deadpanned. "You're asking me?"

"You're the only one who's talked to him, to my knowledge."

Bella glanced out the window, unsure how to explain that Sasuke wasn't the kind of guy anyone could "date" in any normal definition of the word. She wasn't even sure he understood the concept of high school social dynamics.

"I don't think he's the go-to-prom type," she muttered.

"Shame," Angela sighed. "Because that's a face that belongs on the cover of a model, at the very least."

Bella gave her a look. "Have you been reading Rosalie's stash again?"

Angela laughed. "Just saying what everyone else is thinking. Besides, it's been a while since Forks had anyone new who wasn't a distant cousin of someone."

Before Bella could respond, Mr. Varner walked in with a folder full of printouts, and the morning lesson began.