I know I promised to update like a week ago, and I'm extremely sorry that I didn't. You see, I'm trying to get into this awesome art school, so I end up devoting a lot of my time to my art... and... well, I'm sure you can figure out the rest.

Chapter 2-- See It

They swiveled through the crowds for awhile until they reached the much more peaceful streets. The old townhouses with clothes lines created a forest with a canopy of fabrics and colors everywhere. Sakura couldn't help but stop in the middle of the narrow street to look up in awe at the simple ways that kept these people humble.

Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her arm and realized Sasuke had chucked a pebble at her from far away. She was too far away for him to get a good look at the scowl carved into her face, so she kept it there until they were but a few feet apart. As soon as his smirk grew, she knew he noticed. But dammit, he was freaking immune or something.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked, soon giving up on being mad.

"Around the corner."

"Are we going to a secret place or something?" Her curiosity was never-ending.

"No, that would be in my pants. But I'm not taking you that far. Unless you want me to, of course." Her jaw dropped as she froze in place and he just chuckled until he slowed to a stop.

He laughed a little more when he saw how beet-red she was. "I was kidding. Man, you take everything way too seriously. You really do need a break."

She let out a frustrated sigh a slugged back to his side. They continued on in a comfortable silence for a few minutes until a few guys came walking down the street like they owned it or something. But Sakura didn't rule that possibility out just yet.

They had expensive looking blouses and big sunglasses that Sakura knew for a fact would even make Ino gawk at the price tag.

So as the guys came strutting almost directly at them, she looked over at Sasuke to see what she should do. His expression was perfectly blank and set forward, not acknowledging the men at all.

"Ah, Sasuke. I see you have a lady by your side." His Italian accent gave him a suave edge. He gracefully pulled his shades off to look her over.

Sakura's I'm-important-and-know-how-to-handle-business side kicked in and she immediately stood taller and held out her hand for them to shake, not even waiting for Sasuke to reply. "Sakura Haruno. Nice to meet you."

She was a bit shocked when he gently took her hand and brushed his lips against it. The two behind him held back their smirks when Sakura began to blush. "Lawrence Feddichi. The pleasure is mine." She pulled back slowly, trying to think of something to say...her mind went blank.

"Yes, I know we'd love to talk some more, but we have to get going." Sasuke said, sounding a bit bored by his flirting.

"I wouldn't want to keep such a beautiful lady waiting, so I understand. Sakura, feel free to find me if you would like to have dinner some time." He handed her his card with his number and winked at her before sneering at Sasuke and whisking his shades back onto his face.

Just as the men were out of ear-shot, Sakura grabbed Sasuke by the shoulders and almost yelled, "Who was that!?"

He rolled his eyes. "Lawrence is the son of Miguel Feddichi, famous wine company owner here. They make plenty of money, in case that wasn't obvious enough." He chuckled. "You interested in him?"

"I..well..uhm...!" He raised one of his perfect eyebrows out of amusement. "Okay! Okay! Maybe. I'm not sure yet." Her expression suddenly became a bit depressed.

"Don't tell me this is such a huge decision that you're gonna get all mopey now." He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for her to answer.

"No, it's not that. It's just.. I've been out with guys like him before. And.. they're hardly the nicest or most sincere ones out there."

"Well, duh. They've got the money. They can pay people to be nice for them," She glared at him. "Don't get me wrong. You seem very nice even though your pockets are full, too." She sighed with defeat again. It was very hard to stay mad at this guy.

She could feel her cheeks redden when he slung an arm around her shoulder and gave her a small squeeze closer to him as they started to walk again.

"You don't have to make up your mind now. Let's just hang out and relax right now. Stress over him later."

His arm was noticeably firm with muscle as well as his chest when she leaned into his side. Her blush deepened more when he guided her arm around from behind him to his waist. "It's more comfortable like this, right?" She could only nod, not wanting to meet this dark artist's gaze.

He led her into an alley, yet for some reason, she wasn't afraid. He still held her close, but only because they barely fit through the passage.

'Let's review the situation, shall we? I'm in a maze of back alleys alone with a super hot guy and plenty of time on my hands.. Hmm... What on earth would I want to do?' Her inner self was obviously craving the action she never really had experience in.

Still, it was useless. No matter how upfront or headstrong she was, it was always the opposite when she was with a guy she liked. Don't misinterpret this, though. She definitely thought Sasuke was hot- who wouldn't? -but she wasn't gonna just flip her skirt if he asked her to. A girl has to have values, y'know?

Anyways, she was beginning to feel dizzy from all the quick turns they made every few seconds. But out of nowhere, he released her from the loose hold he had on her and sat down right where he was.

She was completely confused and really had no idea why he suddenly chose to...well, sit. "Uhm, what are you doing?" She asked as he searched his messenger bag for something.

"Getting ready to show you art." He murmured, still plowing through his bag.

She looked around for a painting or mural, but saw nothing but the walls with bright chipped paint and the filthy and cracked path below her feet.

Sasuke finally stood with what he was looking for: a Frisbee and a water bottle.

"What are y-" He lifted his hand to silence her. He quietly walked towards the bright blue wall in front of them and began to fill the Frisbee like a dish. He crouched down to place it gently on the ground as Sakura tried to see what was in front of him.

When he backed up, she almost squealed with excitement when she noticed the fluffy orange kitten scurrying towards the water "dish".

He walked back to her and yet again sat down. This time, he pulled her down, too. She grimaced at the dirt that was now sticking to her clothes and tried her best not to think about it.

"What do you see?" He asked, breaking her from her inner moans of grief on behalf of her outfit.

"An adorable kitten."

"But look more deeply into it and the surroundings."

"Well, there's the blue wall behind it and-"

"Exactly. Now what color is the kitten?" He pulled out his sketch pad.

"Orange?"

"Bingo. Do you have any idea what that means?" He began setting up some paints on his lap and a brush.

"Uhm.. Well, I know orange and blue match."

"Do you have any idea why?"

"Not really." Her cheeks flushed a bit, embarrassed that she didn't know the answer.

"Those are called complementary colors. They're opposites, so they work together." Soon enough, he began painting the kitten and the wall.

"So why are you telling me all this?" She leaned over a bit to get a better view of his painting.

"I already told you. To show you art. It's everywhere. Even in a crappy alley that smells like week-old cabbage and socks."

"You're weird." She teased.

"You're not so normal yourself." They both were frozen staring at each other for seconds that seemed like ages until she broke the connection of their gazes.

"Wow, that's so pretty!" She looked over his masterpiece, which he just thought of more as a quick scratch, but whatever.

The colors were more exaggerated, so the kitten seemed to glow and the wall looked as if it glistened. Still, it was unbelievable. But just like before, as soon as she began to admire what was right in front of her, he threw a pebble at her. Again.

"Ow! Stop it!"

"Come on, I wanna introduce you to someone." As he was talking, she looked away, pouting in an attempt to make him regret launching the rock at her fragile self.

"Sakura, let's skip the drama and get moving." His voice was a bit more annoyed than amused, so she decided not to push her luck any further and turned back to-

"Eep!" -have her face almost directly in his crotch. She fell backwards as he snorted lightly.

"Are you gonna get up or am I gonna have to pick you up?"

"Give me a second! You could've at least given me some sort of warning that you had already stood up!"

"Sure. And I'll make a note to also let you know when I am about to sit, too." His words were dripping in sarcasm.

"Hmph! Fine, be that way." She got up and started to strut away fuming around the corner. Seconds later, Sasuke heard the next predicted words that echoed from her mouth.

"Uhm, where am I?"

'What a freak.' He mused, already walking off to get her.