AN:So many reviews on the first chapter!I'm so happy! thanks to those people...and yes, your encouragements keep my hands typing...:)
Chapter 2: Teetering Over the Edge
She wanted her hand back.
But he took that privilege away from her.
He was looking at her for god knows how long, and she was sure the skin on her face was starting to melt.
Ino, noticed this too...and not knowing what else to do, she threw herself at Sakura, knocking away Sasuke's hand in the process. Sasuke, wasn't happy about it. But he had to conrol himself, one wrong move, and he's dead.
"Sakura! You're finally here! We have so much to talk about, Sasuke darling, could you leave us for a while? Girl talk."
"Fine."
He kissed Ino's cheek and gave Sakura a nod, although...he wanted to kiss her as well.
When he left the room, Ino looked at Sakura with a glint in her eye.
"So how'd you two meet?"
Sakura, noticing the tone of Ino's voice, knew she had to alter the details a bit.
"Um...well, I was...ah...walking one day, and some guys tried to take my purse, so he...um...saved me...I mean my purse."
Okay, that was changing the story completely...she readied herself for Ino's accusations. Instead, she heard a squeal.
"See? I'm right he's perfect! He's my knight in shining armor. I am totally in love. Well, what do you think?"
Aside from wanting him for myself? Nothing much...she mentally slapped herself at that.
"I...don't know, I think he's...cold."
"That just adds up to his charm! The mysterious type..."
"Whatever."
She just rolled her eyes at her friend.
They stayed at Ino's room for the whole day, talking about her wedding, Sakura's adventures, and the old days. It was getting dark by the time she decided to go home. She was so tired, but she only realized that now, after all the excitement has passed.
"Don't be late tomorrow Sakura! You're gonna help me pick out the things needed for my wedding, specially the gowns."
"Yeah, don't worry. I'll go straight to bed when I get home."
She was almost out of Ino's door when Ino ran towards her and hugged her from behind.
"I'm really happy that your back Sakura. You have no idea what comfort your presence can give me"
She returned her hug and they stayed that way for a couple of minutes.
"Look at you, you're too emotional and it's not even your wedding day yet."
"But I'm still more beautiful than you."
"Fine, fine, whatever helps you sleep at night."
They both laughed and she went on her way home.
-------------------------------------------
What was he doing here again?
Flashback...
"Sasuke, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?"
"Well, Sakura and I have to meet today, but an important matter came up and I have to leave town for a few days."
His blood awakened at the mention of her name, he didn't want to tread on her ground again. But it seems that whenever she was concerned, there was no way to escape.
"Get to the point Ino."
"Well, take my place instead."
He was going to refuse of course, but when Sakura's image flashed in his mind, only one word came out of his mouth.
"Fine."
"Great! You can pick her up at her home, here's the direction and key, she's probably still asleep so let yourself in."
Perfect.
End of Flashback...
And so Sasuke was there, on Sakura's doorstep, he still knocked even though the key was in his hand. But of course, thanks to his wonderful luck, no one answered. He placed the key in the keyhole and went inside.
Her house portrayed simplicity. There were no antiques to adorn the living room. Just a sala set and a table. The kitchen consisted of the necessary furniture plus a mini bar on one side. He saw the stairs and prepared for the inevitable.
He counted from one to three before opening her door.
But he didn't prepare himself for the sight that greeted him.
She was lying on the right side of the bed, one turn and she'd fall...but she seemed so peaceful in her sleep, he he averted his gaze from her shapely legs and focused them on her face.
He moved forward and knelt in front of her, brushing the strands of pink away from her cheeks.
She stirred but didn't open her eyes.
He envied her...how long has it been since I slept this soundly?...
Maybe if he slept beside her, he'd be able to sleep that way again, he shook his head, there would be no sleeping involved if ever he did that. He stopped himself from tracing her slightly opened lips but he couldn't stop his mind from going places it shouldn't be in.
He watched as she slowly opened her eyes...and once again, he found himself swimming in her pools of green, noticing for the first time that it held so much emotions.
Like confusion, surprise, anger,...admiration?...
She jumped...and threw a pillow at his face.
In normal situations, he'd be furious.
But this wasn't normal, and she wasn't an ordinary person...
Instead, he found himself...amused...
It took a while before her mind could register what she had done, and when she did, she honestly hoped it was a dream.
"Sa...Sasuke! What are you doing here? How'd you get in? W...where's Ino?"
Nice going Sakura, you look like an idiot...
But to Sasuke, she looked adorable. The strap of her top was falling off her shoulders, giving him a wonderful view of her creamy skin, and her hair, it was messy...
The messier the sexier...Sasuke smirked. He held up the key for her to see.
"Ino gave this to me, she told me to take her place for today."
"Oh that...um I'm sorry for throwing the pillow at you."
He smiled at her, she wanted to melt.
"Good, so uh...could you wait for me downstairs? I'll just...get ready."
"Sure."
Sakura was able to let go of her breath when the door closed.
-------------------------------------------
She was in the shower and he was downstairs.
The mere thought of Sasuke inside her home nearly caused her to hyperventilate.
She hated this, she shouldn't be feeling...things..for him.
He is Ino's groom!
Yet no matter how hard she tried to hold it back, her attraction for Sasuke just kept on growing stronger and stronger. She felt horrible, the way things were going, she was betraying her bestfriend, and the only way she could avoid this, is if she stayed as far away as possible from Sasuke.
But just for now, while she had the chance, she'd allow herself to get lost in his dark gaze. When she gets out, she'd be an entirely different person.
She had hoped that her eyes didn't betray her when she opened them in front him.
The memory was as fresh as it could be, her thoughts a while ago remained engraved in her memory.
She remembered seeing the most beautiful face when she woke up, she wondered vaguely if it was an angel sent for her. It seemed like a dream, she was willing to stay there forever, but whenever she found something to make her happy, she would always end up falling back into reality.
If she hadn't hidden from him that day, would things be different? If she had told Ino the truth, would Sasuke be free? She laughed bitterly at herself, she barely knew the man and here she was thinking of things that could make her lose everything important to her.
She decided then and there that Uchiha Sasuke was a dangerous man, not because he was rich or powerful.
But because he was capable of making her feel things that were forbidden.
She finished her shower and went out of the bathroom, she put on clothes and prepared herself before going down and meeting the man that occupied her mind for two days in a row.
-------------------------------------------
She greeted him politely when she met him downstairs.
He couldn't quite put a finger on it, but he knew something shifted between them in such a short span of time, and he sure as hell didn't like one bit of it, whatever 'it' may be.
They checked the shops one by one, he always sat on a chair or leaned on a wall whenever they entered one. He let her do all the shopping and just paid in the end. After all, Ino gave the list to her and not him...and he'd die before someone sees him shopping for, gowns or women's shoes, not even the souvenier items. He was never good at interaction with salesperonnels.
The women tried to hit on him and the men, well they were either intimidated or hostile towards him. So to prevent further...complications with them, he avoided them.
He was contented anyway with watching her try to lower the prices because of a rip that wasn't there, an invisible spot, or any other excuse, and surprisingly, no matter how farfetched they were, she always ended up winning. He wasn't one to complain, it lessened his credit card bills.
Though what made him really interested in watching her was because of her different expressions as she asked for discounts...how her brows furrowed when she's in deep thought, how her face brightened when she got her way, how sh espoke animatedly to those peolple she knew, how her teeth showed when he smiled...it made him wonder why she's so different when she's with him, she was distant and cold, as if his presence threatened her very being.
Of course he has done all his observations without being caught. He had long ago mastered the art of watching without looking.
But back to the matter at hand, why was she avoiding him? Had he said anything? Whatever had he done to make her flee from him?
He must find out, and as much as he hated entering the complicating mind of a woman, he would do so if it was the only way.
Her behavior really disturbed him, never had he met a woman who instead of flirting with him, ignored him and even pretended he didn't exist.
Yup, he would get to the bottom of this.
-------------------------------------------
On the other side of the room, Sakura just got another discount, and this time, she chose not to smile. Her jaws were too stiff, it was tiring to put her facade up. But she can't let her intentions known to Sasuke, he was too sharp, a little slip and she'd be discovered.
They were done for the day. Sasuke insisted on carrying all the bags. They walked side by side, silence hung in the air.
It wasn't a problem for him, he was used to it, but Sakura wasn't, and her tongue was itching.
She tensed when his shoulders brushed against hers. She'd move farther to the side, but that would give her away.
"Sasuke? Could you move a little bit away? I'm not comfortable with being...crowded"
He smirked at her.
"Whatever. I just thought it would make you feel safe, someone might steal your purse again."
She grimaced at what he said.
"Sorry about that, I can't tell Ino that you were following me."
Oh no...I slipped...great, just great...
She covered her mouth with both of her hands. His eyes were asking for an explanation.
"Okay, well um...I hid in the instrument shop when I felt you following me. Then I observed you from the inside."
"What made you think I was following you?"
She raised her brow at him.
"Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't, either way it's none of your business."
"Fine."
And they continued to walk just as the sky rumbled, before they get drenched, they ran towards the shelter of an ice cream shop.
She cursed the rain over and over again, but it seems to mock her as it poured harder. She was stuck with him for god knows how long, and there was no telling what else she might tell him. Alone with the beast, could she make it back alive?
Meanwhile Sasuke was inwardly smiling, he was beginning to understand why she acted the way she did. She knew that he was somehow interested in her, and that was why she kept her distance. But most women would jump at the oppurtunity, why not her?
She was beginning to be a challenge to him...and he would never letthe opportunity pass.
Warning bells in his head told him this may not be a good idea, but he paid no heed to it.
He wasn't doing anything wrong, he was not cheating on Ino...
There was nothing to lose...
...right?