A.N.: Hey I'm back! I know I really didn't make progress with the updating-this-month thing. I'm just so busy… College life is hectic you know! So anyway, this is the second installment to 'Perfection Comes with a Price' and I hope you like it! BTW please please please do review. I'm happy that this story is getting hits but please do review. It's nice to know that people are reading them but it's better of course to have some feedback on my work (just no flames please) :D
Disclaimer: I don't own NARUTO… I'm just a really huge fan still hoping for SASUSAKU… :D
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CHAPTER TWO: LONG-SLEEVES
It's been a week after the two's ice cream encounter. Unfortunately, there has been an unexpected influx of schoolwork that Sasuke and Sakura couldn't find free time to meet up again to continue with their bonding sessions a.k.a. their little project.
Alas, on this fine Thursday…
"Oof!"
Sakura, ever the clumsy girl, collided with someone. Being as light as she is, she fell down on the floor, her things scattering around her, the book she was reading near a pair of feet that she presumed that belonged to the person she bumped into.
"Ow. Sorry…"
"Hn."
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura looked up into the blank face of Sasuke who was looking down at her. A hand was then offered to her to help her up. She took it and noticed that there was a hint of amusement dancing in her partner's eyes.
She was snapped out of her stupor when she noticed him bend down and picked up some of her things near him. She did the same and smiled at Sasuke when he gave her the stuff back, including her copy of 'Pride and Prejudice', her favorite book. (A.N.: I don't own that either)
"Watch where you're going Sakura."
"Uhhh sure thing Sasuke-kun. Thanks for helping me."
The girl was about to ask about meeting up again to continue their project when the bell cut her off.
"That's the bell. See you later Sasuke-kun."
"Hn. See you."
When Sakura got to her English classroom, she sat down in her usual seat and decided to continue reading while waiting for the teacher. It was only then did she notice a small piece of paper inside the book.
'Meet me at the library after school'
Sakura then grinned to herself.
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School had breeze. Sooner than she expected, Sakura found herself standing in front of the library. Not that she's never actually been there; in fact she spends most of the time in there. The librarian practically knew her by now. She entered, greeted the librarian and tried to look for Sasuke. She spotted him in the table by the window, far away from the other tables.
'He really doesn't like people much does he?'
She grabbed the chair across Sasuke. That was the time her partner decided to look up from the book he was reading to acknowledge his partner with a nod.
"Hey Sasuke-kun!"
"Hn."
"So what are we doing today?"
Sasuke then pushed a single piece of paper towards her. At Sakura's confused look, he said, "We're taking too long. Write everything you want to ask, and then we'll switch papers. That way we can actually move forward on this stupid project."
Sakura was not responding. When Sasuke looked at her she wore a surprised expression. She managed to blurt out, "That's the longest I've heard you say Sasuke-kun!"
With this he flicked her forehead (A.N. Major Itachi moment! ) .
"Hn. Baka."
She winced but just laughed it off. She then took the paper and got her pencil from her bag and began scribbling some questions she wanted to ask her partner.
After a while Sakura was just staring at her arm, covered by her white long-sleeved sweater.
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SAKURA'S POV
My arm stings so bad. I knew it was a bad idea to stay so late in school yesterday.
Flashback
'Shit! It's almost 7 pm.'
I raced towards my house hoping THEY aren't at home yet. After less than five minutes I arrived at my house's front door panting.
'Good it's quiet.'
Silently, I pushed the door open. The foyer was dark. I crept in and closed the door gently. Suddenly a strong force pushed me towards the door. The lights suddenly turned on. I squinted a bit, surprised by the sudden brightness of the lights. There standing in front of me were the two people I hated most in the world. Shiro and Kasumi Haruno, my so called uncle and aunt- turned foster parents. Around here they were the golden couple by adopting poor me who was orphaned at a very young age when my parents died in a car crash.
"Well, well what took you so long wench?" Shiro snarled at me.
'Great they're drunk.'
That's when the beatings started again. They were taking turns whipping my arms with something akin to a belt. Kasumi was cackling like the evil witch she was.
You see my family was well off. My father inherited a multi-billion dollar company from his father. Shiro, who was adopted into the family received a generous amount of money but he and Kasumi had spent it all on gambling and alcohol. When my parents died, everything now belongs to me but being a minor prevented me from taking control of the company. That's why they adopted me. By beating me into submission they think that they can get the money for themselves.
My thoughts were disturbed by a pretty strong kick to my stomach. Usually I don't feel their beatings anymore. I have become numb to the physical pain they inflict on me.
Seeing that they were done for the night, I picked myself up and slowly went up the stairs to lock myself in my room. Once there I got the first aid kit from my table. Looking at the welts and the cuts adorning my arms, 'It seems like I need to wear long sleeves again tomorrow. Good thing the weather has been chilly these past few days.'
I looked at my bedside table and spotted a picture of myself, and my father and mother in the park when I was five. I was wearing a pretty white dress. My father with his red hair and warm brown eyes had his hand on top of my head. My mother, wearing a pink dress similar to mine with her long platinum blonde hair and sparkling green eyes was holding a picnic basket. We were all so happy.
'I miss them. I miss them so much.' With that thought tears began to fall from my eyes. Another night spent crying myself to sleep.
End Flashback
SASUKE'S POV
Unknown to Sakura, I was taking glances at her. She seemed fine fifteen minutes ago. She just stopped writing all of a sudden. When I looked up at her, there was this blank look on her eyes. She seemed so deep in thought. Her eyes then shifted to her arm. She was wearing a white long sleeved sweater over plain denim jeans. When I looked at it closely, it seemed that her arm was shaking a bit. I reached out to touch her arm when she winced in pain. My eyes widened a bit at her reaction.
When she looked at me she seemed so scared. I decided to drop it for now.
NORMAL POV
"Hn. Ice cream?"
Sakura's eyes widened in realization when she processed her partner's words.
"Okay! I'll just give you the questions tomorrow Sasuke-kun."
The two collected their things and left the library. Good thing the park was near the library. On the way there Sakura was walking a little bit in front of the Uchiha while said male was staring at her back.
'I'll figure out what's wrong with you Sakura.'
Sakura then turned back to Sasuke with a bright smile adorning her face.
"Hurry up Sasuke-kun!"
"Hn."
'Soon Sakura.'
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A.N. And there you have it! The second installment to Perfection Comes with a Price! Oh yeah I need help with the questions for both Sasuke and Sakura. What do you think they should ask each other? Please tell me either as a review or you can PM me! Please read and review! Those who do will get cyber cookies! The chocolate chunk ones!
Again REVIEW please!
Ja ne for now!
Uchiha Saime signing out!
