Author's Note: Hope you all enjoy this chapter! The events are a little different from chapter 2 in the original. The story line is much more cohesive. R&R.


CHAPTER 2

I walked down the quiet streets of Konohagakure, towards the place that I called my 'home'. It wasn't a bad city on the outside. But beneath the surface was a lot of things outsiders never got to see. My house was about 10 minutes away from the school, so it didn't take long for it to come into view. I walked in, my parents sitting at the dining room table with my step father. My mother looked like me, only more mature. She had crows feet and slight laugh lines, but she was beautiful. I on the other hand had a long way to go before I looked like her, if I ever get there. She eyed me like she always did yet there was something different in her gaze today. My father looked at me in the same manner. He may be my step dad but I had to call him dad or father. He didn't like when I called him by his name. I slipped off my flip flops and carried them in my room wordlessly. I heard them begin to whisper, but I ignored it. Something was going on but I didn't want to think about it. I had enough going on as it was.

At 8 o'clock, it all began. I turned on my old lab top, my new one wasn't set up all the way yet. It was recently my 17th birthday and my parents decided to give me what I asked for…for once. As I waited for the damn thing to load, my phone vibrated. My heart beat increased slightly. I was hoping that it'd be from him.

Sasuke Uchiha: Hey.
Received: 8:00 PM

Me: Hey. Whats up?
Sent: 8:01 PM

Sasuke Uchiha :Nothing. Just got out
of the shower. I was skateboarding
with narutard. lol
Received: 8:01 PM

I laughed at this. Naruto was one of our good friends. He suffers from ADHA which makes him one hyperactive kid. But he was one of the funnest people to be around. I wish I could skate like him, heck I wish I could skate period. He had the most amazing blue eyes. And suddenly, they were replaced with some oh so familiar obsidian ones.

"This is not like me at all." I grumbled to myself.

Me: lol. I didn't know you guys were
going to go skate. You should have told me.
I would have came to watch. Maybe make
that video you guys have been talking about lately.
Sent: 8:02 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: Yea. I would have but I wanted to
set up tonight before you had a chance to change
your mind.
Received: 8:04 PM

Me: What's tonight?
Sent: 8:04 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: Have you forgotten that quick?
You're movin in with me tonight Saks…
I wasn't kidding earlier.
Received: 8:05 PM

He was serious about that? I stared at my phone screen, my heart pulsing unsteadily. I couldn't even think. He…wanted me there…tonight…but….what?

Sasuke Uchiha: …Is that okay?
Received: 8:10 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: Sakura?
Received: 8:12 PM

Me: Yeah sorry I'm here. I didn't think
you were serious…or at least not
today…You're parents really agreed?
Sent: 8:13 PM

How could I just move in with him? I just… I wanted to. Yet…

Sasuke Uchiha: Duh or else I wouldn't
have set up your room. That shit took
forever. Plus I'm not letting your ass
stay there. Not after what happened
last week.
Received: 8:14 PM

Me: It's not your job to take care of me,
Sasuke. I'm fine. Honestly. And…I
wouldn't even know how to tell my
parents.
Sent: 8:15 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: So what if your parents
don't like it. Screw them. They always
put you down and stuff. Just leave and
live with me. I'm coming to get you
anyways so…
Received: 8:16 PM

Me: My parents would go ballistic if they found
out. And your parents would mind after a while.
I'm kind of crazy, you know that. ;]
Sent: 8:19 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: My parents love you. Just like
I do kid. So shut up and pack.
Received: 8:21 PM

Me: Just let me think okay…I don't think tonight
is the night for me to just up and leave.
Sent: 8:22 PM

I took a deep breath. Lately all my heart did was beat frantically when I was around him. And I don't know if I could deal with that on a daily basis. And…living with Sasuke would change so much between us…maybe. And my parents? I could already imagine how that would end up…I spoke too soon though.

"NO! MAYBE IF YOU WERENT SO SELFISH WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS FUCKING PROBLEM!" My mother screamed. I jumped hearing a loud smash in the kitchen. I sprinted towards them, hoping he didn't hurt her again.

"JUST SHUT UP! YOU GOD DAMN BITCH! MAYBE SAKURA WOULD HAVE A REAL FATHER IF YOU WEREN'T SUCH A WHORE! MAYBE SHE'D GROW UP BETTER AND NOT BE A BASTARD LIKE YOU IF YOU WEREN'T SO FUCKING STUPID! BUT NO! YOU BOTH ARE IRESPONSIBLE PIECES OF SHIT THAT ARE WORTH LESS THAN FUCKING DIRT!" I felt like I couldn't breathe. He always did this and you think I'd get use to it. But it still stung just as bad as it always did.? I stared at nothing until my parent's yelling faces came into view. My "father" was holding a chair above his head. He spotted me, pausing when he noticed that I heard him. "YOU! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" He screamed, chucking the chair at me. I fell into the wall behind me. A picture of us fell, cracking in half. He grabbed a glass vase and threw it at me. It hit my head, breaking into tiny pieces. Black spots clouded my vision as I struggled to stand up.

"SAKURA!" My mother yelled, angry. "JUST GET OUT OF HERE!" She screamed. I staggered, running into my room and getting out my spare backpacks. I filled then with clothes and undergarments, knowing that I had to leave. Sasuke was right. I had no choice. I couldn't take this anymore. As I gently crammed my new lap top into my clothes, I took out my phone and held down '3'. He picked up on the first ring.

"Come get me please." He heard everything in my tone. I knew he would know.

"I'm on my way." His tone was neutral. I sighed, knowing that he was pissed and it would take everything in me to make sure he didn't do anything stupid.

Grabbing my three back packs, I opened my window and climbed out. Sasuke lived about 15 minutes away from me but I knew if I didn't leave now, things would get worse than they already were.

"YOU LITTLE BITCH! YOU WON'T GET AWAY!" I heard behind me. I sprinted as if my life depended on it…because sadly, it did. It didn't take long for my legs to start burning but I couldn't stop. Even though the tears were blinding me and even though I felt bad for leaving my mom, he would beat me until I was black and blue and I wasn't sure if he'd even stop this time. I took different turns to make sure he couldn't follow me. But it wasn't enough. Head lights illuminated me and I screamed as I heard the car get closer.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I tried to run faster but I couldn't. My things were too heavy. If I ditch them…

"SAKURA ITS ME! COME ON!" Immediately saftely washed over me. I slowed down, panting as I ran to the other side. I'm safe..Sasuke is here. I'm safe. We drove in silence for the next five minutes. When we reached his house I was still trembling, tears falling steadily down my cheeks.

"Sakura?" His voice was controlled yet sad. I looked up at him and watched as he grimaced at me. I could only imagine what my face looked like. He pulled me into him swiftly.

"I won't let him touch you ever again. I'll kill him. I swear it. You're safe now Sakura. You're safe with me." He wouldn't let go and I was glad. I hugged him back fiercely, as if I'd never let go. My tears soon dried up and he ushered me into his house. When we got into his room, he took my things. I stood there stiffly, tonight's events replaying in my mind. When he shut the door I broke out of my thoughts. He grabbed my hand, walking us to his bed. I sat down on his lap as he cradled my head on his shoulder.

"Tell me what happened." His voice was soft but demanding.

"He's started yelling at my mom. He called…me…a piece of shit and said I was worthless. Then he threw a chair and vase at me." I felt his hands ball into fists on my back, his breathing becoming heavy.

"You are a beautiful person Sakura. And you are worth the world. I hate him. You are worth so much and you mean so much to me and all of our friends." I smiled into his shoulder.

"Thank you. For everything." He held me in his arms for a few more minutes until I became acutely aware of our position. I suddenly had the urge to run and it wasn't because of fear. I got up to stretch and laughed, feeling completely ridiculous. After everything that's happened this is what I'm thinking about? This was the damndest thing.

"You…ok?" He asked, sitting back on his bed. He gave me a weird look, which made me laugh even harder.

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine now. Don't worry so much." I said, smiling at him. I knew that I'd be okay from this day forward. I may not be now but I would be and that's all that mattered.

"You know that I will anyways. You can't be…happy after that." Honestly, I didn't care anymore. I just pushed it into the deepest corner of my mind.

"I am seriously fine. Besides, that's not even true. There is always something to be happy about." I said, collapsing on the floor. When I glanced at him his expression was severe.

"Jesus Sasuke, really, I'm fine. You know me; I can't stay down for long." He got up and stood directly over me. My heart started racing in my chest. He was extremely close to my face. I looked away, trying to keep myself calm.

"Don't lie to me." He said, gently pulling my face back to look at him.

"You know I don't." He straightened himself, scratching his stomach and yawning. It was close to 10 by now.

"Come on, I'll show you your room." I got up and followed him, making a right as soon as I hit the hallway. My room was adjacent to his. In the corner were my things. When did he put those in here?

"Thanks." I said. This was suddenly very awkward. He turned around, looking a little embarrassed.

"No problem. I guess I'll see you in the morning." But he continued to stand there, looking at everything but me. I chuckled, pulling out my pajamas. I choose short black silk shorts and a skull cami. He was still there when I turned around, staring at me.

"Did you want to watch me change or…?" He made a disgusted face and walked out. I laughed, but surprisingly, and a little too painfully, it hurt to see him do that. Was there something wrong with the way I look? "UGH!" I grunted, changing. I must be about to start my period...Aha! That explains so much! My hormones are just off! I smiled and did a fist pump, feeling completely childish. There was nothing really wrong with how I was feeling. It was natural for me to feel confused when its my time of month. I started to unpack my things, realizing that today was our last day. We had a week and a half off for spring break. Lost in my thoughts, it took me a second to realize my phone vibrated.

Sasuke Uchiha: You are pretty loud you know. ;]
Received: 10:39 PM

Me: Oh shut up. Lol its not my fault you're
listening to my every move.
Sent: 10:42 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: Of you know it. How could I
not? You are amazing after all.
Received: 10:43 PM

Me: Yeah right. Stop lying. Lol and Sasuke…thank
you again. I couldn't…ask for more and this
is so much.
Sent: 10:43 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: Stop thanking me. You
would do this for me if the situation
were reversed. I won't let anything
happen to you ever again. I promise.
Received: 10:45 PM

My heart skipped beat. I kept rereading his text, feeling my smile get wider with each time. He's just way too nice without realizing it.

Me: I know. You know I'll never let anything
happen to you either.
Sent: 10:47 PM

Sasuke: You'll go ninja on their ass lmao
Received: 10:47 PM

Me: Oh you know it. ;] Anything for you.
Sent: 10:48 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: I love you, Sakura.
Received: 10:50 PM

I sucked in a breath, breaking out in goose bumps yet again. After what seemed like hours I replied, using what I called 'nervous tactics'. Whenever I got uncomfortable or nervous I would talk like I was in the mafia.

Me: Stop lyingggggg yoo. lol
Sent: 10:55 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: I would never lie about that or
say it if I didn't mean it.
Received: 10:56 PM

Me: Do you really mean that?
Sent: 10:57 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: Yes you idiot. Lol
Received: 10:59 PM

Me: I love you too bestie.
Sent: 11:00 PM

Sasuke Uchiha: I'm gonna get some sleep.
Night. Come get me if you need me.
Received: 11:01 PM

Me: I will. Goodnight. Sweet dreams.
Sent: 11:03 PM

That was the first time in our 3 year friendship that he's ever said that. He knew that he meant the world to me and that I loved him. NOT like that of course. I always said I loved him in birthday cards and Christmas cards but…he actually said those words to me. As I got myself into bed I recalled when I first told him I loved him. See Sasuke had family troubles as well, just not nearly as bad as me. His parents didn't pay attention to him at all. Only to his older brother Itachi.

We just got done changing out of our gym clothes. I spotted him standing by himself near the bleachers, waiting for the bell to signal the end of class. He looked emotionless as usual.

"Hey." I said, a little breathless from the class.

"Hey." He replied in a neutral tone. I could already tell what he was thinking about.

"Don't worry about it ok? You may think that you're not worth it and that your parents don't care but they do." He looked at me, his eyes sad. That's all we ever talked about those days. He always thought his parents didn't care about it. And he always thought badly about himself.

"They don't care. They just care about Itachi." He sighed, turning away.

"Sasuke, you don't need them. You always have me. I love you and I care about you." I said sincerely. He turned back to me, his eyes staring into mine. I pulled him into a hug, expecting him to push me away. But he hugged back.

"Thanks."

My last thoughts were of Sasuke as I fell asleep. The next morning I awoke feeling very hot and sweaty. Grimacing, I walked out to the kitchen. I grabbed a cup and filled it with water from his stainless steel two door fridge. As I took a sip, I noticed a post it note on the left door.

We'll be out of town for a few days. Behave!
~Mom~

When I finished, I quickly washed my cup. As I turned out of the kitchen I bumped into something hard.

"God damn table." I mumbled. But it talked back!

"Sorry." A sensual voice said. Since when can tables talk and with such sexy voices? I look up sleepily, my eyes trying to focus. Obsidian eyes stared straight into mine and I screamed, running out of the kitchen. His face was so close!

"Sakura?" He yelled, walking after me. I was in my room, my hand on my heart, my face hot and red. I could have kissed him!


Author's Note: :] Reviewwww please.