Okay, so here's the next chapter! I am really flattered about all the people who's reviewed, followed and faved this story! I'm so happy! I got more emails yesterday than I normally get in a whole week! So as some kind of reward, I used my math-class to finish the next chapter! Plus this is much longer than the first! I could've cut it in two, but... well, I didn't. Btw, I've changed the title of the last chapter, since it fit better for this one. So please don't get confused.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters; it/they all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I do not own Linking Park either, nor their songs.
*RRRIIIIIIINNGGG!* Sakura immediately stood up, gathered her things and ran out of the classroom, along with everybody else. She walked as fast as the crowd would let her as she headed for the school's main gates. She was doing pretty well at that she thought, as she reached the staircase in about two minutes. She was, of course, referring to walking through the halls together with everyone. She didn't normally do that as she usually waited for everybody to leave before she went anywhere. Today, though, was different, because today was the day. The day she had waited for so long (well, about a week). And she was not going to be late. She couldn't. She started her travel down the stairs, and that was where it went wrong. Someone bumped into her (she was sure it was on purpose!) and she tripped, causing her to fall down the last few steps and end up in the middle of the busy hallway. For a while she just sat there, watching as people rushed by in a blur, none caring to stop and ask if she was okay, or just lend her a hand to get up. Then, she remembered what day it was and in a matter of seconds she had gathered her things and was back on her feet, to continue her journey towards the main gates.
-X.X.X-
"Is there any tickets left for the-" Sakura started, but was interrupted by a loud scream.
"I WANT A TICKET FOR THE INDIFFERENCE CONCERT!"
"I'm sorry Miss," the cashier said "but this young lady was here first. You will have to wait for your turn."
"B-But-?"
"Please, wait behind the line." The man said; a stern glare in place to cut off eventual protests. Then he turned back to Sakura. "You were saying?"
"Thank you. I would like a ticket for the Indifference concert next month."
"Well, Miss, it's your lucky day! You just reached it before the price raised. The rude lady behind you won't. Here's your ticket."
"Thanks. And here's the money."
"Thank you, Miss. Have a nice day."
"Same to you."
It's so nice with friendly people Sakura thought as she walked towards her home.
-X.X.X-
Shit! I'm late! Sakura thought as she tried to run a little faster. ShitshitshitSHIT! She was on her way to the concert she had been looking forward to ever since she got the ticket. It was her favorite band, Indifference, playing in a church somewhere in the other end of the city. Her mother never let her go to any concerts or the like, so this time, she hadn't even bothered asking. When she heard about the concert she went straight home to count her money, to see if she had enough to buy a ticket for the show. Her mom wasn't really making loads of money, and she had a hard time finding enough to pay house rents and food and such, and the money Sakura got from her work after school was used to pay for her studies. So Sakura wasn't surprised to find that she didn't have enough for the ticket to the concert. Though, that wasn't enough to stop her. Instead she decided to do car-washing after school, before work, in the schools parking lot. After a little week, she found that she had just enough to pay for both the school and the ticket.
She usually wouldn't go against her mom like that, but it was her favorite band, and she knew she probably wouldn't get another chance to watch them.
Now, that the day had finally come, she was late. Very late. Actually, she wouldn't be surprised if it was over already and all she would see was the line to get an autograph – and she would probably be too late to manage to get one… She ran nevertheless, if nothing else, then just to get a glimpse of him in real life. He was the lead singer in the band and he was damn gorgeous. And he had those fascinating coal black eyes that she could drown in by just looking at them in the television. And his voice… It. Was. Fantastic! – It had to be since he was a singer, but there was just something about it that made Sakura believe in him. Believe in the words he sang. The band had made a lot of songs; many of them rather up-beat and with wonderful, pumping bass-riffs. But some of them. Some of them were slow. And when she heard those songs, she wanted to cry. Because his voice, it was so… so true that she knew that there was something behind that had made him sad. And his eyes, when he sang those songs, they were often closed, but when he opened them, when the song ended, there was something in them. Something painful she couldn't quite decipher. Something she didn't think anyone else really noticed. Something she noticed because she knew. Because she knew the pain. Because she knew how he felt. Because she felt it too.
When Sakura neared the church, she wondered why she couldn't hear any music coming from it. She wondered where all the cars that would certainly be outside were. She wondered just how late she was. As she reached the church she ran through the doors and into the holy building, only to find it empty. She ran up the aisle to the front where the band had been, to find nothing but instruments, microphones and cables. Spinning around a few times, she looked for any trace of the band itself, but found nothing. In desperation, she fell to her knees and finally let the tears that she had held back while she ran spill from her eyes.
She didn't know how long she sat there; on her knees, her body bent over and her hands at the ground, supporting her slightly shaking form. But she knew that she probably wasn't leaving any time soon. What did she have to leave for? Her mom would be pissed when she found out where she'd been. And she knew she would find out. She always did. And then she would-
"Hey?" Sakura hadn't even heard the door open, or the footsteps slowly making its way up the aisle, towards her. But she heard the voice. And she recognized it. "Are you okay?" I must be dreaming. Sakura thought solemnly. This is not happening… The footsteps got louder as they came closer. Then they stopped completely and someone crouched down in front of her. "Hey?" the voice repeated as its owner put a soothing hand on her shoulder. Is… Is this really happening?
"S-Sasuke…?" Her voice was faint and uncertain as she slowly, hesitantly turned her head up to look at the man in front of her. She was right. Those eyes were even more enchanting in real life. "This… This is so not happening" she said, not noticing that she was speaking out loud.
"You didn't answer my question" Sasuke stated calmly, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. So sexy…! Wait! What question?!
"You okay?" he asked again as if reading her mind.
"Ugh, y- yes. Now I am. Thank you."
"Hn. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I- I wanted to see the concert."
"You're a little for that, you know"
"I know. I had detention. And my mom wouldn't let me go. And then I didn't reach my buss."
"How did you get here then?" he couldn't help but ask.
"I ran."
"Where're you from?"
"The east end."
"And you ran all the way here, because of a concert?"
"Uhm, yeah…? I used all my money at a ticket" she held up the ticket as she continued. "I didn't want to waste it. Plus; you're my absolute favorite singer – I didn't want to waste the opportunity to see you live, just because my teacher doesn't think I can listen to him while looking out of the window." Sasuke scuffed a little at that, and Sakura almost smiled, before she looked down, her eyes sad. "But I did. I was too late…" Sasuke just looked at her for a moment. Then he snatched the ticket from her hand, earning a gasp and a confused glare from Sakura.
"What's your name?" he asked as he searched for something in his shoulder bag.
"Huh? Uhm, Sakura…?"
"Like the flower? Or tree or whatever?"
"Yeah…" Sakura was still slightly confused, but when Sasuke pulled out a pen, her face brightened remarkably. After a short moment of scribbling, he held the ticket out to her again, and she took it slowly, her fingers slightly brushing his in the progress. She flipped the ticket around to look at the back side and read:
To Sakura
When you've suffered enough
And your spirit is breaking
You're growing desperate from the fight
Remember you're loved
And you always will be
Sasuke Uchiha
Then she read it again. And again. "Wow…" she uttered, barely loud enough for anyone to hear. "T-thanks. Thank you! Thank you so much! And this is one of my favorite songs as well! This one and 'Numb'. How did you know?!"
"I didn't. I just thought it fit."
"Well, thank you! Again…" Sasuke chuckled lightly, shaking his head and then stood up. Sakura looked after him; sadness suddenly filling her eyes as he went to pick up his guitar. Of course. That was why he was even there in the first place. To retrieve his belongings. Though, I thought he had people to do that for him…? Sasuke felt her gaze and looked back at her over his shoulder. He then smirked slightly as he reached for the drummer's chair. He sat down and started to play. Sakura quickly identified the song as she just stared in awe. Was the Sasuke Uchiha seriously singing for her?
"When you feel you're alone
Cut off from this cruel world
Your instincts telling you to run
They'll say to your heart
Those angel voices
They'll see to you, they'll be your guide back home
When life leaves us blind
Love keeps us kind
It keeps us kind
When you've suffered enough
And your spirit is breaking
You're growing desperate from the fight
Remember you're loved
And you always will be
This melody will bring you right back home
When life leaves us blind
Love keeps us kind
When life leaves us blind
Love keeps us kind"
"W-wow…" was all Sakura could say when he had finished and the last echo had died out. "You- You really are a good singer." When Sasuke just raised an eyebrow at her, she became aware of what she just said and quickly continued. "Of course you are! But you're even better live. And this room really compliments the song. Sorry, now I'm just babbling. But-… Why?" Sakura didn't really know how to clarify her question without making it sound rude, but it seemed she didn't need to, because Sasuke answered.
"You said it was one of your favorite songs." Sasuke shrugged. "And I guess it really meant a lot to you to get to the concert since you ran here all the way from the opposite end of the city. I just thought I should reward you somehow, so it wouldn't all have been in vain." He said calmly as he stood up, stretching his hand out to help Sakura up. Sakura just gaped at him for a moment, before taking his hand and standing up. "Th-Thank you" she stammered, holding his hand just a second too long before Sasuke took it back and started to walk towards the exit. When he reached the door, he halted.
"You better get out of here before anyone finds you." Then he left.
Sakura stayed frozen in the spot for a few minutes, staring towards the door, trying to figure out exactly what had just happened. Did-… did I seriously just meet – andtalk with Sasuke Uchiha? Did he seriously just sing for me? Did I seriously get to hold his hand, even for just a few seconds? I think I'm in love… he was just so nice! I had thought he would be all arrogant and stuff…
So how did you like it? I hope I met your expectations! :D And thanks to my friend from my class, who helped me to find a name for the band :) Sasuke is a bit OOC, but you'll just have to live with it! :D Please leave a review!