Summary: "Sasuke-kun, if you don't claim me, someone else will." She murmured, "You don't understand. Sakura, if I claimed you, you'd die." This is the story of 3 inseparable childhood friends that find out that their families … aren't ordinary at all – and that it might cost them their lives.

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't called SasuSaku, so I don't think I own it. Some Masashi Kishimoto owns it I suppose.

Warning: I did not re-read it. So, please excuse my grammar mistakes and mistypes.


Chapter One: The night before the storm -

"How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life" – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations


The alarm buzzed and threatened to deafen with its loud attempts at waking him up, but he only turned on his side, unconsciously cursing the device.

Seeing that so many years had passed, didn't they know better, didn't he himself know better? Uzumaki Naruto could not be woken up before 7.30 in the morning by any means.

Next door, however, the alarm had long since been dismissed as a slim figure pulled her hair into a tight ponytail and out the door she was. Outside, finishing his habitual stretches, a raven haired boy glanced to her side and his expression did not change much, expect for the obvious familiarity with her presence.

"He's not coming today either I suppose," and she stopped beside him, inhaling the fresh air of the not yet spoilt morning.

"But what can we do, Sasuke-kun?"

"Naruto, up at 6 AM? Very funny, Sakura."

And off they went, the unforgiving timer counting every second as they ran.


Knock, knock.

The gentle yet somehow impatient sound of the knock on the door was answered with a loud snore and a creaking sound of wood.

"Once more." The woman tried convincing herself to remain calm, placing her last bit of temper on another attempt.

Knock, knock.

No response.

And then, she blew up.

"Uzumaki Naruto, am I going to slam you against the wall?!" the redhead stormed into the room, her loud yelling earning a response from her fast asleep son – he lifted his head, vision blurry.

However, it wasn't for long. Droplets of sweat soon dripped down his forehead in pure fear of the ravaging beast of his mother, Uzumaki Kushina.

"How late do you think it is?" Naruto would have liked to believe this was a dream but for the sound of her cracking her knuckles being too realistic.

The blond eyed the clock on his bed table, only to gulp – 7.49 AM.

Shit.


"The time? How was… the time?" Sakura panted and followed with an overhead stretch, only to wipe her sweat after.

The Uchiha reached for the towel he'd left in his yard before going off to jog with the pinkette.

"Don't ignore me!" she giggled, pulling away his towel.

"You're energetic today, aren't you?" an ever so faint yet usual smirk was found on his face as he used his bottle to throw droplets of cold water at her.

"Meanie," she returned the towel with a gentle smile, "I guess I'll go get ready for school then."

Making her way across the street to her house, the pinkette made used of the short walk to keep stretching herself.

"It's a new record," she heard him say, "8 miles in 43 minutes."

Sakura didn't have to turn around to see his expression at that particular moment, she already felt his soft smile.


"Do you think we'll get to buy some melonpan's?"

Sakura tried inserting herself between students here and there to get to the counter of the cafeteria, pulling on her friend's hand so as not to lose her. Whether or not the Yamanaka or the Haruno were successful, that was to be seen.

"It's gotten so crowded lately, why is everyone on the hunt for this stupid bread?"

"Same reason we are, pig. It's delicious."

The stock was steadily emptying as the customers were being served; however, the pinkette was not only bad at pushing people around, but also prone to being smashed all over the crowd. Her comrade, on the other hand, might have had much higher chances than the Haruno if she actually tried, but since 'there were too many calories' in a poor melonpan, Ino was there only for mere support.

"Geez." Sakura sighed, turning on her heels.

The floor echoed with her footsteps, she was obviously enraged.

"For once in my life I forget my bento at home and I can't even get a bread."

Touching up on her ponytail, Ino sighed.

"You could get Sasuke's, now couldn't you? Since he never eats it."

"What?"

"The bento."

Sakura thought for a moment and as she gazed outside the windows, at what no one knew, and a faint touch of rose tainted her fair-complected skin.

"But he does eat it. And it seems you didn't quite think that through, because I'm the one who makes them for Naruto and him."

"Heh," the Yamanaka teased, "You enjoy showing off your closeness, Sakura?"

"Geez, it's not like that."

The few rays of light that penetrated the cloudy sky of December rested on Ino's hair, golden strands being pulled behind the hair as she once more felt like putting things into perspective.

"And that's why they call you the virgins."

A huff.

"But you know," the roseate began, hands placed on her hips, "My hands are tied."

An exasperated sigh.

"And for how long are your hands going to be tied, Sakura? Until after we graduate? Until college? For the rest of your lives?"

"I'm going to say this once more, I don't know what I can do."

Facing her friend, the Yamanaka sat herself on the stairs, eyes glued to the other's forest green orbs.

"I'm only tugging at you because I want you to be happy, forehead, and to have a fulfilling love life."

Sakura attempted looking away, but concluded that it wasn't fair to the other.

"So, you 3, the virgins, are called that for a reason, you know. Because you and Sasuke are basically an item, yet Naruto has always been head over heels in love with you and still, neither of you is making any move at all."

"I'm in love with Sasuke-kun." The Haruno stated, steady on her feet.

"That everybody knows, even Sasuke himself. But the thing is, why is nothing happening?"

Sakura began ascending, not looking back to check whether or not her friend was following, because she knew that when Ino was at it, she did not leave until she was finished.

"That's because my love is inconvenient for Sasuke-kun. That's not what he needs."

"Well, that might have been years ago when there were no … you know, tongues and hormones."

"And Naruto … It's not like it's a secret that he's like a brother to me, nor that I care about him just as much. However, I wouldn't give up the chance to be with Sasuke-kun not to hurt his feelings, because that's just not fair to any of us."


"Man, I need some ramen – " the loud blond complained for the nth time as his companion shove his hands into his pockets, eyes scanning for edible food to buy.

Naruto yawned and rubbed his belly in a self-pitying way, irritation eventually surfacing.

"I can't sleep, I don't get Sakura-chan's ramen, the hell is wrong with the world today-ttebayo?!"

"Won't you shut up," Uchiha Sasuke sneered, "this whole queue is pissing me off as is."

"Bastard."

A couple minutes later, the boys successfully returned to the hallway, the blond packed with all sorts of breads to prevent his starvation, whilst the raven haired settled for a couple karepan's and, most intriguingly, two other melonpan's.

"Thought you didn't like sweets, teme."

"Someone else does."

In spite of the slight sting in his chest, the Uzumaki munched on the first thing he found in his packed arms, act followed by a teasing 'heh'.

"Look who's been looking out for Sakura-chan."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I thought since she's always made you food, for once she shouldn't starve."

As they strolled down the hallway in half silence, half chit-chat, Naruto dismissed any negative thoughts and delved into whatever he could spot outside the large, lustrous windows and he did not regret it whatsoever, he even felt genuine happiness that the Uchiha Sasuke was finally offering his crush and second best friend green light.

On the other hand, Sasuke wasn't entirely immersed in thoughts of her, he was rather concerned with that odd feeling his gut gave – unlike a premonition, but very much similar to a determined, acknowledged prediction. He felt things were awfully quiet around and it did not sit well with him, even though it was more than enjoyable.

However, task at hand – find Sakura and hand her this damn bread because he found it disgusting; trust this particular Uchiha to eat bougar rather than sweets.

A few steps away and right round the corner on the stairs, he spotted a bundle of pink shaking furiously. As he closed in, unintentionally but unavoidably focused on it, the raven haired made out her silhouette, her flushed face as she fervently disagreed with the now spottable Yamanaka Ino. With what Haruno Sakura disagreed, he wouldn't know.

"Sakura-chan!"

And the idiot beat him to it, earning a surprised, more like completely startled pinkette to turn around, eyes sparkling even in that saturation-less light of mid-December. Despite her initial taken aback state, her features naturally softened, a gentle, usual smile replacing her former pout.

"Ah, Naruto, Sasuke-kun," she bent her head above the staircase and gazed down at them, "sorry for today. I mean, I'm sorry I forgot the bento's."

"No biggie." Naruto grinned, showing his stock.

"These'll do, and here." Sasuke said raising his hand and thus offered her the sweet bread.

A slight flush could still clearly be seen on her face as she gladly reached for her food and grinned back.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun! I really couldn't deal with that crowd but," Sakura stretched out her hand, lending the Yamanaka a piece too, "How'd you know?"

The same usual smirk.

"I know."

"Cocky bastard." Naruto replied and, kicking him with his foot jokingly, told Sakura they'd see her after classes and left, dragging the Uchiha along.


"No practice today?"

Sasuke was sitting laid back on a random chair in their homeroom as he watched her tiny figure wipe the blackboard.

"None. I was praying for a break, you know." She chuckled.

Returning to her desk and finishing up as a student on day duty, Sakura pouted.

"It's the only day I get off from club practice and Naruto decides he's going to be late."

"It's just his usual idiocy."

"Not worse than betting on that slender guy," the Haruno added, hands closing the attendance notebook, reminiscing the most recent sumo match that all 3 watched together, "Like, Sasuke-kun, who would even bet on him, what were you thinking?"

She chuckled amusedly before having her forehead flicked.

"If 300 pounds is slender to you…" Sasuke countered.

"It's sumo we're talking about. And, didn't Tsunade-san always say I was good at gambling?"

The Uchiha sneered in a defeated matter, before chuckling ironically as he was reminded of the queen of failed bets, the one and only wife of Naruto's godfather, Jiraiya.

"Very wise of you to believe what that woman says, especially after a round of saké."

And a pout. But before Sakura was able to fight back, Sasuke's phone buzzed on the desk.

"I hope it's Naruto." He hissed.

And, as hoped, it was the Uzumaki that had texted him. However, it did not please them in the least as he stated that since he failed Hatake Kakashi's class, in order to obtain some mercy from the said teacher he was forced to tend to his needs – scholastic needs – afterschool.

What really topped it off and triggered an earnest yell and dramatic gesture to Sakura was how he ended his message though – But since you're not idiots, I know you didn't wait for me this long. Catch ya guys later

"For crying out loud! Couldn't he let us know sooner?!" the pinkette boiled and the raven haired could swear he saw smoke rushing out of her ears.

"Let's just go home. The usuratonkachi'll get it later."

Fast and clean motion, Sasuke picked up his bag and headed for the door, Sakura following.

The walk home was enjoyable to both parties in the end, and the Haruno insisted that they stop by the convenience store to grab some items her mother had run out of. The air might have gotten cooler, coating their bodies with stingy numbness, but they were radiating, warmth peeking through the thick clothing. Even if there were gaps, moments of silence in which they simply fell into each other's presence, it seemed perfectly natural.

"I really wish it snowed, like heavily. I'd bury you, Sasuke-kun." She giggled, climbing the few stairs to her house.

"Make it the other way around. That, or a prank on Naruto, but that'd be pretty easy." The Uchiha countered slightly cockily.

"Totally." And Sakura was about to open the door.

Sasuke wasn't at peace – he had this thing he would regret not doing but it was pretty embarrassing for him. Brows furrowed, he debated in his mind whether or not he should proceed or wait until later, but then again, later when?

"Sakura."

"Hm," she turned around, ready to listen, "what is it?"

Out with it now, he pushed himself.

"On Christmas Day, let's go somewhere."

Taking in his words, her features softened and brightened to a grin he'd briefly thought of as cute before letting his eyes wander around nervously.

"Just the two of us?"

A nod.

A deeper flush in her already numbed by the cold cheeks.

"Like a date?"

He stammered a bit, scratching his head.

"Yeah, like a date."

Sasuke knew that she would agree to, because it was her. Still, he felt exposed and truly embarrassed to be doing that, like who even does that? Except every teenager.

Looking back at her and her straight, his orbs caught sight of a genuine smile crept on her face and she nodded excitedly.

"I'd love to."


Sakura wasn't collected whatsoever at that moment, but could you blame her? She barely managed to pull herself to finish the homework she'd been assigned and the roseate was unfortunately unable to slow her beating heart or cool down her heating face.

"Am I too excited?" she spoke to herself, collapsing on the bed and thus earning a bounce back.

Pock.

"I'm definitely too excited."

Pock.

"I'm even hearing things because of this!"

As she ruffled her hair in exasperation, Sakura's phone buzzed, startling her. As she reached out, she exhaled loudly muttering a 'pull yourself together, idiot'. She didn't feel surprised seeing Naruto's name pop up on the screen.

I swear you're growing deafer by the day, Sakura-chan. The window

"Window?"

Somehow still unsurprising she found the fact that the most idiotic blond you could ever find was excitedly waving at her from outside and what she gave him was a roll of the eyes and a 'come here' sign.

Few moments later he burst her door open, throwing his muffler messily on her bed, then throwing himself on it. She could tell he was exhausted and kind of cold, and wondered what their weird might have put him to.

"What'd you do with Kakashi-sensei though? Spent quality time together?"

"Not you too! I swear you and that bastard are sharing the same mind… Gimme a break already-ttebayo!" he snapped tiredly and rolled on his back, pillow over his head.

Sakura only chuckled at him and attempted pulling him off the bed, but was rewarded with a groan.

"That old man made me sort his Icha Icha book collection for God's sake! It's got nothing to do with school and the fact that I'm failing!"

"Real terror." The Haruno sat herself right next to him and gave him a friendly ruffle of the hair.

"Help me out here, will you, Sakura-chan! Teach me how not to fail that boring class of his!"

Stretching out her arms, the girl cracked her knuckles and sighed feeling for her dear friend.

"Try staying awake throughout them for starters." She offered, mimicking a contemplating pose.

"Very funny-ttebayo."

Naruto sprung up and sighed before sitting, legs crossed as his expression changed from exhaustion to pure confusion. He wasn't dumbfounded for long though, his eyes shot open as though a bulb had suddenly lit up above his head.

"I almost forgot!"

"Hm?" Sakura turned on her side, eying him with confusion.

"Tsunade baa-chan wanted me to give you this!"

While saying that, the Uzumaki searched in his pockets and revealed to her a pretty, intriguing diamond shaped pendant that bore the colour of plums, shining mystically.

"What's this?"

"A necklace, duh." He grinned and allowed it to slip into her hands.

The Haruno shot him an irritated glare before fully inspecting the item.

"Why did Tsunade-san want me to have this?"

"I don't know but she said it would do you good."

Hung between her fingers, the diamond shaped stone swung left and right, drawing the pinkette more and more into it, making her wonder more and more about it.

"It's really pretty."

Once again, Naruto sat there with a dumbfounded look on his face, hand cupping his chin as though he was really thinking of something.

"Maybe baa-chan thought you weren't fashionable enough?"

A vein instantly popped on her forehead.

"You just like pissing me off, don't you, Naruto?" she slowly hissed, earning the expected expression from her companion and a muffled 's-scary…'.


Sasuke never thought weight-lifting could ever get so easy. It was almost miraculous hoe easily he'd been handling this activity for a while, not to mention has rapidly he'd been escalating the quantity. Bench presses, squats, ventral raises and arm circles, it only tired him for moments – this good a physique was to be expected from the top member of the school's judo club.

Counting the last bench press, he slid up tensing his abdominal muscles. One sip of water and the Uchiha concluded that he could do with a short break, especially since he felt it hard to relax. It might've been out of character for him to be thinking that much about his date, but …

Steps causing the floor of the hallway to creak under his weight, Sasuke made his way to the kitchen where he was welcomed by a spicy, warm scent of freshly cooked food and the figure of a slim woman, pitch black tresses hanging loosely, straight down her back as she stirred in a pot.

"Ah, Sasuke," she watched him from the corner of her eye and smiled gently, "Dinner'll be ready soon."

Uchiha Mikoto pulled the spoon out of the pot and softly blew in it, act followed by her taste checking the cream-like dish. Sasuke reached for the sink and filled himself a glass that he without fail drained down his throat. As he caught his breath, his dark orbs scanned his house and sighed.

"Nii-san is rarely home nowadays."

Hesitating as though she had something else on her mind, Mikoto turned away from the oven and closed the distance between herself and her son whom had grown significantly taller than her. He was almost 18, of course he'd be growing. She moved her hand in comforting circles on his back for a couple moments before opening the fridge and grabbing a pack of fresh eggs.

"You know both your father and brother are very busy, but we're all together for dinner, aren't we?"


Sakura couldn't explain herself why she felt that anxious the following morning. It was as though she shouldn't be going to school but she could not justify that in any way. Reaching for her blazer and patting it to throw off any fallen hairs or ripped threads, the pinkette put it on and scanned herself in the mirror. What the hell did she feel nervous for?

She skipped down the stairs to freshen herself and waved at her mother. Before rushing out the door though, Haruno Mebuki loudly reminded her that she should not forget her hard-worked bento's at home again.

Few minutes later, her pastel green orbs were set on the road ahead and she wasn't particularly thinking of anything, except the fact that the walk was rather boring since both her neighbours and best friends had morning practice that day. For some reason, she also concluded that she had absolutely no concentration to muster, that's how absentminded she felt.

Perhaps I didn't rest properly, she thought to herself as she strolled down the sidewalk.


"It's my win, usuratonkachi." Sasuke said, literally looking down on a defeated, fallen on his back, Naruto.

"You cheated, I swear!" the latter sprung up, hands now crossed on his chest.

The Uchiha reached for his towel and wiped his forehead, the morning practice was rather intense that day, but it didn't tire him as it would've a few weeks before, and he found it weird but did not ponder on it. Finally reverting his attention to his friend, Sasuke smirked.

"I swear I'll beat you senseless next time-ttebayo!" the blond yelled, the annoyed expression on his face bringing his opponent satisfaction.

"In your wildest dreams, loser."

Apparently annoyed even by just the sole expression Sasuke wore, Naruto turned to the ruler of the judo club and waved his hands as him.

"Bushy brows, let me fight him again! The bastard's asking for it!"

Rock Lee, turning around, only offered him his nice guy pose, his thumb stuck out upwards.

"As much as I appreciate your burning youth, Naruto-kun, today's morning practice is over!"


During the first period and most energy consuming one, Sakura mostly looked at the blackboard blankly, thoughts wandering wherever they could. She was one of the few honour students the school took pride in so it didn't do her that much bad, but it definitely caught Yamanaka Ino's attention, the latter confronting the former about it at lunchtime.

"You get one date, forehead, and you're so all over it that you're not even paying attention to me."

Sakura offered her a slightly troubled smile and pulled a few hair behind her ear.

"It's not about that," she sat herself on the bench, "it's more like I don't have control over myself today, it's weird."

Ino sighed and dug into her lunch.

"So?"

"What?"

"Where'll the two of you be going?"

Sakura took a mouthful of rice and flushed slightly at the thought of the conversation she had the previous evening with her beloved Sasuke-kun.

"He said he'd pick me up and then I'd see."

"Heh, who knew the antisocial Uchiha Sasuke could actually be a prince?" the blond teased.

"I've been feeling this for a while, that he, no, we … reached that level, but…" Sakura stammered, averting her gaze.

"But what? If you're not the girl he loves then there isn't one."


"Sakura-chan, wait for us, we'll be walking home together!" Naruto announced with a pat on her shoulder as he passed by her shoe locker.

"Got it." She replied, wrapping her muffler around her neck.

The girl put on her shoes without a hurry and threw her bag on her shoulder, watching the students leave. As usual, her guys would probably make her wait a bit since they were assigned to lock their club room and on that particular day, Naruto had been on day duty with Nara Shikamaru, the latter ditching him eventually.

Once the hallway was cleared, sign that most students were already gone, she stretched her arms above her head and unusually enough, she felt this strong urge to go to the infirmary. So, she left.

Up the stairs and around the corner, the girl walked, briefly scanning every class. What for, she didn't question herself. And then, why am I going to the infirmary again? was what she asked herself, but to no avail. She was dead-set on going there.

And after opening the door, she collapsed.


Melonpan = is a type of sweet bun from are made from an enriched dough covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie dough. Their appearance resembles a melon, such as a rock melon (cantaloupe). They are not traditionally melon flavored, but in recent times it has become popular for manufacturers to add melon to melon bread.

Bento = is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine.

Karepan = is a popular Japanese food. An amount of Japanese curry is wrapped in a piece of dough, and the dough coated in bread crumbs, and deep fried.


A/N: Hey guys! As promised, this is the first chapter to this story and I've actually got it all planned out and am really excited myself to see it through. I know it doesn't look too dramatic or so yet, but the next chapter should be pretty hectic xD

What do you guys think this story is about?

Also, I'm sorry if the characters seem OOC or so, but I'm trying, I swear. I'm just not good at portraying them properly yet, but please stick with me!

And to those who like it so far and review it, you're so appreciated, really!

Also, this first chapter is rather short but the usual length will be around 5-6k words, promise!

See you guys pretty soon!

*Fashion means war will also get a real update soon!

/Ella