Chapter 1
"You know, Sasuke, you are some kind of idiot." Naruto said his hands propped behind his head. Sasuke shifted his eyes to look at his friend but said nothing. "Well aren't you even going to ask why I think you're an idiot?"
"I suppose you're going to tell me I'm stupid for not dating Sakura." Sasuke answered at length.
"So you do know what I'm thinking." Naruto said.
"Hard not to since you've been bugging me about it for six years." Sasuke muttered. "Get it through your head, I'm not interested."
"Oh, you're interested; you're just too bullheaded to admit it. Mark my words, Sasuke Uhichia, you're gonna lose that girl to someone smart enough to scoop her up."
"Like anybody even pays her a second glance."
"Good grief, you really are blind. Bushy brow asks her out constantly. Gaara takes her out on friendly lunch dates everyday."
Sasuke glared into the distance. "So what? It's not like I care."
"Take it from a guy with experience. That dog Kiba almost had his claws in Hinata before I wised up and asked her out."
"I'm not you and Sakura is not Hinata."
"But she likes you." Naruto sighed. "And you know it."
"I don't know anything." Sasuke muttered just as the person of interest yelled at them.
"Hey guys! Wait up!" Sakura yelled. As per usual, Naruto stopped to wait while Sasuke kept walking. Used to his moody ways, Sakura merely got a good running start before launching her lithe form into the air and unto his back. He grunted as he bore her wait and steadied himself.
"You know, one day, you're gonna get the both of us hurt." He said not bothering to shake her off.
"Naruto will look after us." She grinned. She secured herself properly and they continued to walk down the street. "What are two doing today?"
"Practice, of course." Naruto said. "Wanna join us?"
"Do you even have to ask? I need a break from Tsunade and her rigorous training."
"Are you saying what we're doing is not rigorous?"
"Don't be silly. I just meant it's nice to train with my friends once in a while." She said ruffling the silent Sasuke's hair.
"Hmmm?" Sasuke questioned when he felt Sakura tense on his back. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Sakura?" Naruto said noticing her suddenly angry countenance. Before she could answer, a girl resembling Sakura very much blocked their path.
"Sakura, I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Well, you found me." Sakura said tightly. "Let's go guys." She said to the boys.
"Aren't you even gonna introduce me to your handsome friends?"
Sakura sighed, her hands tightening around Sasuke's neck. She stopped this action when he squeezed her legs slightly. "Naruto, Sasuke, this is my cousin Sayuno. Sayuno these are my friends Naruto and Sasuke." She said pointing to the boys respectively.
"Nice to meet you." Naruto said shaking her hand. She extended her hand to Sasuke but he only nodded his head. Sakura was for once grateful his hands were full. Not that he would have shaken the girl's hands.
"May I join you guys?"
"No. We're going to train and my mom should be expecting you since it seems you haven't gone home yet." Sakura said noting her cousin's bags.
"Oh, you're absolutely right." She bent and gathered her bags before promising to see them some other time.
"Geez Sakky, if I didn't know any better I'd say you and your cousin don't really get along."
"We don't." She said simply.
"Why not?" Naruto asked.
"She's very jealous, especially of me. Everything I've ever had she wants and usually gets because everybody thinks I'm the one not making an effort to be nice."
"How long has it been since you've seen her?" Naruto asked.
"I really don't want to talk about her." Sakura sighed. "Our last meeting wasn't exactly pretty." She shuddered. "I swear, on my life that she was trying to kill me."
"You're exaggerating." Sasuke said.
"Believe what you will but I prefer not to talk about her."
"Whatever you say, Sakky." Naruto said. "Let's go train." Naruto cheered.
The day went smoothly, Sayuno forgotten until she strolled into the ramen shop where Sakura was laughing up a storm from her seat on Sasuke's lap.
"You should have seen Naruto's face when he finally came up for air." She laughed as Naruto pouted.
"How was I supposed to know grandma Tsunade's training included super strength?" he said glumly.
"I warned you." She said. Sasuke rested his forehead on her back as his two friends carried on.
"Hello." Sayuno said taking a seat beside Naruto. Sakura immediately clammed up, her tensions relieved slightly by Sasuke's arms tightening around her waist.
"Hey Sayuno." Naruto said. "What brings you by?"
"I'm completely bored at the house so I decided to look around the town and spotted you guys."
"So you invited yourself to a private affair?" Sakura said.
"Lighten up Sakura. I just need a little company to tide me over."
"Is there room for me?" a soft, shy voice said.
"Hinata!" Naruto yelled. The girl jumped a little at the announcement but smiled at her boyfriend. She looked at Sayuno an eyebrow raised. Hinata was a quiet sort of person but she was very possessive of Naruto. "Could you move over there, Sayuno?" Naruto asked completely unaware of his girlfriend's jealous tendencies.
"Sure." No one saw the look of disdain that flashed across Sayuno's face. She plopped down beside Sakura and Sasuke. Sasuke moved away slightly when he felt Sakura's heartbeat increase slightly. He widened his legs so she slipped between them then spoke softly to her while the others carried on the conversation. They were used to this by now but Sayuno kept glancing at them.
"Calm down." He whispered. "There's no use getting worked up over it." He said. Even if he didn't want to admit that he liked Sakura, they were the best of friends. He was her wall from the world and she was his way into the world.
"I'll try." She whispered to him.
"She can't manipulate you if you don't let her." He said.
"She can't do that. She can only manipulate those around me. I'm worried about you guys."
"Relax." Sasuke said his hand flattening against her stomach, a gentle warmth diffusing her tension.
"Thanks." She said finally relaxing. "Just promise me to be careful around her."
"If I could help it, I would only talk to you and Naruto." He said. "Now let me take you home."
"Okay." She said. "I'm heading out guys." She announced to the group. The other three smiled as she and Sasuke made their way out.
"So," Sayuno said after a pause. "Tell me about Sasuke and Sakura. How long have they been going out?" she said. Naruto was about to answer but Hinata slapped a hand over his mouth.
"You'll have to ask Sakura about her and Sasuke's relationship since we have no idea who you are."
"I'm her cousin." Sayuno said.
"Then you'll have no problem asking her yourself." Hinata said her hand still muffling Naruto's words. "Not to be rude but Naruto and I have to be going."
"I-"
"Really sorry." Hinata said cutting her off. "Let's go Naruto." Hinata said pulling him from the booth.
"You didn't have to rush off like that Hinata." Naruto said slinging a hand over her shoulder and kissing her neck.
"I don't trust her." Hinata said simply grunting slightly when Naruto pushed her up against a wall and kissed her on her neck.
"She's Sakky's cousin. She seems nice enough." He said looking down into her pale eyes, made silver by the moon.
"There's something off about her." Hinata said massaging his golden locks.
"Would you feel better if I kept an eye on her?"
"I'd rather you didn't but she upsets Sakura very much so go ahead."
"Now, can I get you to myself?" he said smiling cheekily before kissing her gently.
"I'm all for that plan."
"But I'm not." A cross voice said behind Naruto.
"Oh, come on!" he mumbled loudly into Hinata's neck.
"Neji, what is it?"
"Uncle is worried about you." He said ignoring the grumbling blonde attached to his cousin.
"As you can see, I'm fine."
"Not with him around you." He said finally pulling Naruto off her.
"Give it a rest Neji." Naruto muttered. "You don't see me pulling you off Ten-Ten when you have your hand up her skirt." Naruto was pleased at the blush her drew from the usually very stoic teen.
"That is none of your business, Uzamaki." He said between clenched teeth.
"And neither is Hinata's love life."
"He's right Neji. Now go on ahead and tell my father Naruto will be escorting me home."
"Hinata-"
"Go Neji or I'll tell Ten-Ten what you were up to-"
"Fine." He said cutting her off.
They watched as he walked off then Naruto smiled. "You have something on Neji?"
"Of course." She smiled. "Now where were we before Neji interrupted?"
"I think I was right here." He said kissing her upturned lips. When they came up for air she smiled at him. "I'm glad you hit me over the head that night." He said rubbing his nose against hers.
"Me too. Now let's go home."
"Okay." He said and hugged her to his side.
"You really need to give her a chance." Sasuke said over his shoulder to the half-asleep girl on his back.
"She's evil." She muttered.
"It's been a long time since you two talked. Things could have changed."
"I don't wanna find out." She said burying her face in the side of his neck.
"You're too stubborn." He said.
"So are you." She said her voice fading.
"I wasn't the one who wanted to go swimming until near midnight." He said a smile teasing his lips.
"You didn't exactly try to stop me stripping down to my bare essentials, did you?" she laughed tiredly.
"I was given a free show." He countered.
"You pervert." She laughed kissing him on the neck. "Get me home before I fall asleep." She said her breath evening out.
"Sweet dreams, cherry blossom." He whispered.
The weeks following Sayuno's arrival were filled with highs and lows. Somehow, she had maneuvered her way into Sakura's circle of friends. She had charmed the men and befriended the women, except Hinata. Like Sakura, she couldn't stand the girl.
"…don't get me wrong, Sakura is great but when she gets angry she really knows how to tear up the place." She laughed and the others laughed.
"We know all about Sakura's temper." Ino said.
"Shut up, Ino."
"No way, billboard. I finally know someone who loves you as I do." She said hugging Sayuno.
"You two were made for each other." Sakura said. "I've gotta go." She said to Sasuke. "Tsunade's waiting for me."
"I'll meet you after." He replied.
"You and my cousin going on a date?" Sayuno asked successfully drawing everyone's attention to the silent teen. Sasuke looked pointedly at her then spoke to Naruto.
"I'm going to visit Itachi and his wife." He said. "My niece and nephew are giving them hell. Wanna come?"
"Oh, can I come too?" Sayuno asked not to be put off.
Sasuke frowned at the girl. "No." He said then walked off.
"He sure is moody." Sayuno said.
"That's' Sasuke for you." Shikamaru said in a bored tone. "Temari, let's go."
"Sure. This place is so dead." She said rising. One by one, the group left until Hinata was left with the girl.
"So-"
"Look, I know it's obvious I don't like you." Hinata said in her quiet voice. Hinata watched as the girl's face changed from the jovial mask to a face of utter disgust.
"So I guess you and my cousin are bosom buddies."
"No but I know a genuine person when I see one. You're a fraud. Stay away from Sakura and Sasuke."
"Or what?"
"I don't know what you know about your cousin's life since you two last spoke but she is not a person you want to be messing with."
"Is little Sakura gonna cry to her mommy when I steal her boyfriend?"
"So that's your plan? To steal Sasuke?"
"Maybe yes. Maybe no. It's really not your concern. But," she leaned forward. "If you get in my way, I'll make sure you feel my anger."
Hinata smiled. "Don't worry. I won't. Sakura's on her guard and Sasuke can make up his own mind. If he's smart, he'll see right through you. If he's not, he'll invite more trouble than he can handle. So do what you must. But," she leaned forward now. "Hurt any of my friends and you'll wonder what wall you got hit with." Hinata leaned back and then rose to make her departure.
Sayuno smiled to herself a she paid her bill to the cashier and left to find Sasuke. She cheered silently when she found him and the blonde kid walking down the block they first met.
"Hey guys!" she said in her best Sakura voice before running and jumping unto Sasuke's back much like she had seen Sakura do that first day.
"S-Sayuno?" Naruto said. "What are you doing?"
"Tagging along." She said hugging Sasuke tightly. He growled and she giggled, very much like Sakura. Sasuke looked at Naruto and frowned before shaking the impulsive girl off his back.
He turned to face her, his eyes darkened by anger. "You're not invited." He said. "And next time, don't touch me."
"Lighten up." She said stepping back. "I was just-"
"Naruto, let's go." He said cutting the girl off and walking off.
"See ya, Sayuno." Naruto said a little put off by her behaviour.
"Well that was weird." Naruto said to Sasuke.
"Don't ever mention this to Sakura." Sasuke said.
"Why not?"
"It would upset her. We don't want to upset her. Remember what happened the last time?"
"Yeah." Naruto said.
--FLASHBACK--
"Stay away from me!" Sakura yelled Sai.
"Sakura, I'm sorry!"
"You jerk. You insensitive clod! How could you do this to me? I trusted you." She finished on a harsh whisper.
"Let me explain-" he said moving towards her.
"No!" she screamed in terror. She was barricaded by a wall and she panicked. She screamed and he slapped a hand over mouth.
"Shhh, don't do that." He whispered. "I love you. We can work this out." He pleaded to the terrified girl. His other hand secured her to him as she struggled and then everything else happened too quickly for anyone to even try to stop it. Not that they could. "Are you listening to me?" he asked, shaking her slightly. "Sakura!" he yelled. Her eyes rolled up into her head and she slumped against him just as Sasuke rounded the corner.
"What the hell are you doing to her?" Sasuke asked lowly as he stared at Sai.
"We were just talking an then she just-"
"Give her to me." Sasuke said simply. "Sakura?" When she didn't answer her gathered her up into his arms and ran as fast as he could to the hospital, Sai keeping pace with him. "I swear, if you did anything to her you'll pay."
"She's my girlfriend."
"You'll be dead if I find out you hurt her." Sasuke said. They ran in silence with a convulsing girl to worry them both. They arrived at the hospital in less than five minutes and Sakura was carted off to the emergency room.
"Sasuke! What's wrong with Sakky?" Naruto said skidding into the waiting room. "Hinata saw you two from her father's car and called me."
"Her heart stopped." Sasuke said. "Tsunade is working on her now."
"Is she going to be okay?"
"I don't know." He said.
"How could her heart just stop? She's fifteen years old." Naruto said exasperated. Tsunade came out then with news.
"Grandma Tsunade-"
"Don't call me that you idiot." She glared at Naruto. "Sakura is in critical condition. We got her heart beating again but it's touch and go for now."
"Do you know what caused it?" Sasuke asked.
"We'll know more when we get her blood tests back or if she wakes up before."
"Can we see her?" Naruto asked.
"Only one of you today." Tsunade responded. "If she wakes up, keep her calm." Sai rose as if it was his right but one look from Sasuke and he sat back down.
He entered the room and cringed at the sight of Sakura hooked up to beeping machines. He sat beside the bed and waited to see if she would wake up. After about ten minutes, her eyes fluttered open.
"Sa-Sasuke?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired. What happened?"
"Your heart stopped." He said simply. She closed her eyes and sighed a heavy breath around the tubes in her nose.
"Keep him away from me, Sasuke."
"Who?"
"Sai." She said.
"What did he do to you?" Sasuke asked calmly.
"He-He raped me." Sasuke's head snapped up from it's downward tilt and stared at her.
"Don't worry, he'll never be able to come near you again." Sasuke promised.
"T-Thank you." She said. "I'm going to sleep now. Please be here when I wake up." She said.
"I'll be here." He said before kissing her forehead and walking out.
--END FLASHBACK--
"Is he still in the hospital?" Naruto asked.
"Yes. When he gets out, he's going to prison."
"You sure did a number on him." Naruto whistled. "Bastard deserved it. Wish you had let me get a piece of him."
"It wasn't your responsibility. And it will never be."
"Sakky's my friend too, you know."
"Look after Hinata; I'll take care of Sakura." He said with finality.
"No arguments here. Just know that I'm here if you need help with it okay?"
"Sure." He said. He used his key to open the door. A blur was seen and two tiny bundles crashed into Sasuke.
"Uncle Sasuke!" Two voices shouted.
"Hey guys. How you doing?" He said smiling at the two children.
"We're great. Daddy has a headache."
"Great job you two." Sasuke said ruffling their hair making them giggle.
"Don't encourage them, little brother." Itachi said walking in.
"I'm not here to do it so these two get to do it for me." He hugged his brother. "How's Linna?"
"She's great. Getting bigger everyday." He said smiling. Linna was expecting their third, and according to her, last child.
"I'll go say hi then take these two off your hands for a few hours."
"You're a lifesaver." Itachi said. As if he just noticed Naruto he smiled. "Didn't see you there, Uzamaki. Giving Sasuke hell for me?"
"You betcha."
"So you're the one who set him up to torturing me."
"Somebody has to do it." He smiled as Sasuke disappeared into his bedroom.
"So, how's Sakura?" Itachi asked.
"She's fine. Her cousin's in town."
"Sayuno?"
"You know her?"
"That's one girl I wish I didn't know."
"She seems pretty nice to me."
"I guess that means Sakura hasn't told you much about the girl." Itachi said. "I'll leave her to do it then. But be careful around her."
"Will do. If she is up to no good, I'm sure Sasuke has more to worry about than me."
"Watch her carefully then." Sasuke come back then and scooped up his niece, Lily, while Naruto grabbed little Itachi.
"Bye daddy!" they both yelled and waved.
"See ya later guys." He waved as the door obscured his view.
Two hours later, Naruto had been carted off by Hinata and Sasuke was walking to Tsunade's training field to pick up Sakura after dropping off the twins. His progress was impeded by Sayuno.
"Hey Sasuke." She smiled at him leaning forward slightly. Sasuke frowned at how much like Sakura she behaved she was around him and Naruto.
"What do you want?"
"To apologize for my jumping on your back earlier."
"Just don't do it again. Now leave me alone."
"Look, I just want a chance to make some friends here before I have to go home."
"You've made plenty. Now leave me alone."
"Oh come on. Sakura has great taste but I'd like to know for myself what kind of guy my cousin is dating."
"I'm not dating your cousin." He said stopping to look at her.
"You're not? You two seem really close."
"We are." He said simply.
"And you're not dating anyone else?"
"No. I'm not the dating type."
"Oh please. I bet you're the catch of the whole group."
"Sayuno, I'm busy. I'd prefer it if you didn't speak to me." He said plainly.
"Why? I like you."
"I really don't care." He said and waved her off then started to walk away. She grabbed him by the shoulders and hugged him to her.
"Give me a shot, Sasuke."
"Get off me."
"If I ask Sakura's permission, will you agree to go on at least one date with me?"
"No." he said.
"Okay, how about if I don't tell her about it and we keep it a secret?"
"No."
"You're making this difficult. How about I tell her we already did go out and you get into trouble with her anyway?"
"If I say yes, will you leave me alone?" he said.
"Yes." She said.
"Then yes." He said then walked off.
"Hey Sasuke." Sakura said walking up to him.
"You ready?"
"Yep. Let's go." She said falling into step with him.
"Your cousin is annoying." He said.
"What did she do?"
"She asked me out."
"Are you gonna go?" Sakura asked apprehension tightening her chest.
"I said yes to get her off my back but I'm not going." He looked at her. "I know you wouldn't want me to." She was completely shocked that he would do that for her. She didn't like her cousin but what if Sasuke liked her.
"You can go if you wanna you know?" she said shrugging sadness tugging at her heart.
"You're joking right?" he said snorting slightly.
"I'm just saying, if you're interested in her, you should go for it. I mean, I don't and will never like her or be her friend but if you like her, don't deny yourself for me. I won't break." She said.
"I don't want to go out with your cousin, Sakura." He said plainly.
"Just keep it in mind, okay?" he grunted in response. "How are Linna and the others?"
"Linna is very pregnant. Itachi is going crazy and the twins are the same as ever."
"I should pay Itachi a visit sometime."
"He'd like that." Sasuke said.
The next few days were a primer to a major fallout between Sasuke and Sakura. After he saw her being carried home, piggy back style, one day he refused to listen to her explanation of having twisted her ankle during training. Even seeing her ankle wrapped in gauze didn't pull him out of his dour mood.
"I'm not going to apologize for almost breaking my leg then needing help to get home." She yelled at him.
"You could have called me."
"You're upset that I didn't call you? Or is it that Gaara took me home?"
"Just forget it." He said and prepared to walk away.
"No you don't get to run away from this!" she yelled at his back.
"Listen-" he said in his usual soft voice.
"No you listen. I'm your best friend Sasuke. I know you better than anyone else does. Even Naruto."
"So what?"
"So what? So what? You're killing me." She said and he actually looked surprised. "I'm a girl and I have feelings. You can't treat me like girlfriend one minute than like-like Naruto the next. You can't look at me like there's no one else then behave as if I don't exist."
"What do you expect from me?"
"If you have to ask, then nothing." She said a tear rolling down her left cheek. "I don't expect anything. Excuse me." She said and hobbled her way on her crutches to out the door and he suspected to the riverbank, under the Sakura tree that he planted for her. He wouldn't go to her today. He'd fix it tomorrow.
The next day, Sasuke felt as if he'd been sucker punched.
"I told you." Naruto said. "Look at what happened because of your stupidity. She's going out with Lee."
"She's free to date who she wants."
"I just bet." Naruto muttered as Hinata massaged his scalp. "You're gonna lose her. Act fast."
"Leave it alone, Naruto." He said.
"Hey Sasuke. I'm here to-"
"Let's go." He said taking her hand and leading her away.
"Sakura," Lee said. "I hope whatever tiff you and Sasuke are in does not involve this date that I have had my heart set on for so long."
"Don't worry Lee. This has nothing to do with Sasuke. I went out with you because you deserve a chance."
"I am glad I got this opportunity."
"Then let's forget about Sasuke and all that."
"As you wish."