Title: Happily Ever After

Genre: Humor/ Romance

Summary: "This is all your fault Sasuke-kun," Sasuke snorted making the adult Haruno even madder. "How so?" Sasuke raised his brows. "Sakura didn't believes in 'Happily Ever After' anymore,"

TWO

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I'm tired…

Even though I've just woken up I'm feeling tired already whenever I'm thinking about school.

"Ah…I don't wanna go to school," I whined as I pulled the comforter covering my body completely.

"Sakura-chan! Are you awake? Get up now! You need to go to school!" She's happy, too happy. I sighed, why do I have to be such a responsible and sensible daughter? Why can't I just abandon her and get a transfer back to Suna? She's a grown up for god sake, she can takes care of herself. "Sakura-chan! You need to make breakfast! I'll be late!" Right… because my parent just got divorced and my mother is heartbroken…and the fact that she practically can't live without me.

Letting out a really long sigh I get out of my bed and headed towards the bathroom to wash my face.

"Kya! It's pancake today," I stare silently at the adult version of me…correction the 'non-pink-hair adult version of me'. Although I resemble my mother so much, her hair isn't pink…

…and yes the pink hair genetic came from my father (who obviously dyed his hair black since middle school…as my mother told me…yes they knew each other since middle school, my mother's obsessed with love remember?).

"Itadakimasu!" [1] I snorted at my mother's usual childish behavior and head on upstairs to get ready.

"I'm leaving now!" I replied with a simple 'kay to my mother's unnecessary cheerful screaming. I stare silently at my reflected figure in the body-length mirror which I had begged my mother to buy for me before we moved into Konoha. What is there to worry for Sakura? Uchiha Sasuke is obviously ignoring you and the fact that Yamanaka Ino is in different class makes it even better. That's right! I can definitely do this!


Okay I take that back, even though I've been positive, thinking that the day couldn't be as worst as yesterday it certainly is. Guess I can't underestimate the power of karma after all. Crap, I knew I forgot to do something before bed yesterday! Now, Kami-sama [2] is mad since I didn't even ask for forgiveness.

Right now, Yamanaka Ino is walking towards me with her unbelievable long legs (how come she got taller than me when in fact I am taller than her when we were four? I hate puberty) and me frantically thinking of a way to escape but ended up standing right in front of the school entrance looking like an idiot.

"Good morning Sakura," Ino's dazzling smile makes me gulped down my throat since I knew that smile very well.

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["Sa-ku-ra," I was silently playing by myself in the sandbox when Ino had come over to me wearing a very dazzling smile on her face.

"What is it Ino-chan?" I had asked with an innocent look in my eyes.

"Here, it's for you," Ino had handed me a very nice, sparkly piece of bracelet. She even puts it on me herself.

"Eeeeeh? Really? This is for me?"

"Yes, this is for Sakura-chan. Because you're my best friend," I flinched slightly as she said the word best friend, after all Ino's idea of best friend seems a bit 'different' than normal.

."Kids! It's time for lunch! Come in and washed your hands," a teacher had come out and few kids stopped playing and started to enter the building.

My face lit up since I've been very hungry (my mom don't know how to cook and dad wakes up late to buy me a breakfast) and I stands up getting rid of the sands that got stuck on my clothes.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" All of sudden, Ino suddenly scattered the sand castle (which took me two hours to built) and messing up her hair and clothes.

"Wha…What is it Ino-chan?" The teacher had ran over to us and tried to calm down the crying Ino. I was so surprised that I just stand there doing nothing.

"Sa…Sakura-chan…" I fall into a deeper confusion as Ino started pointing fingers at me. The teacher looked at me and I shook my head violently although I didn't know what is going on. (Guess it's a kid intuition)

"What is it Ino-chan?"

"Sakura-chan, she took my bracelet," I was more shocked when I saw tears falling down her face. My eyes went wide and I started to shook my head again as the teacher looked at me with a stern look. "I…I just wanted to show it to her…But…but she…wanted it…and just…took it from me," Ino had said between hiccup and my face turns pale. I know that the teacher is not going to believe me since the evidence is clearly pointing on me.

"Sakura-chan!"

"But…I…didn't…she…I…" that was the first time I experience Ino's dazzling smile and I would rather avoid her whenever she approached me with such smile. Guess I make a mistake about the whole ex-best friend thing about me and Ino. We were never best friend (is what I believe…Ino on the other hand thinks that we are) I'm more of a kid who is bullied by Ino back then.]

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I think it was due to lack of exposure to that dazzling smile after I left that I finds it's hard to avoid her today.

"What's wrong Sakura? Are you sick? You look really pale," I flinched slightly as Ino puts her palm on my forehead comparing it with hers. "Doesn't seem like a fever," try fear and feeling of hostility.

"What are you doing? Don't try to fool me Yamanaka, I knew you well, there's no need for you to pretend. You may be able to trample all over me back then, but I was a kid okay? A kid! Time flies, I've grown and I can bite back!" is what I have in mind, but my mouth seems to have its own words "Pale? What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine," I can feel myself shrinking smaller and smaller as she smiles at me again and again.

"Really?" I nodded frantically like a child. I was more perplexed when she suddenly let out a huge laughter. She even holds her stomach and I can see trace of tears from the corner of her eyes. All of a sudden I feel offended and blood rushes to my face making my face looks flustered. "Sorry, sorry," she stops to resume her laughter.

I was about to stomp away when she grab my wrist stopping me.

"Wait, wait, Sakura. Okay, I'm sorry, I just can't hold it you know? You're so funny and cute that I just had to," did she just call me cute? "Right, I forgot you didn't have any sense of humor,"

"I didn't have any sense of humor? Tell me Yamanaka Ino which conduct of yours during our kindergarten days actually involves humor?" I snapped

"It didn't? You know I thought they're all funny!" I turned to glare at her. "Okay wow! Touché! Fine, I admit it's not funny. I thought it was okay back then. I was a kid! I realized it now that it's not and you're hurt about it. You should have just go ahead and says it funny you know. What a way to make me feel guilty," She thought it was okay? She was a kid? Hello! I was a kid myself too and you expect me to make fun of it and not feel anything about it?

"I don't get you,"

"Well, point is…I feel sorry and I regret ever treating you that way okay. I should have treated you better and I really miss you since you left. How come you didn't tell me?"

"Don't you have a very good idea about it?"

"But I thought we were best friend. True, I tease you a lot…but doesn't mean-"

"I was bullied Ino. By you nonetheless, any normal child wouldn't think it as how best friend relationship seems like!"

"Geez, do you really need to make me feel guilty every time you speak? I apologized already okay,"

"…and I find it hard to believe. Look Ino, we're grown up already, I've moved on and you're too (probably), and I take it you're matured enough to know that bullying people do not makes you feel better, or superior. If you still want to though, do me a favor and find someone else," there's no way a single apology can make me believe her in an instance. I might have forgiven her, but a trust is something you gotta build for a long time, not from a single apology.


The rest of the day turns to be far more worst than yesterday. I had thought that should settle it between me and Ino during our 'talk' this morning but it seems it didn't.

Ino has now turned into a stalker. Every time she had the opportunity, she would come by our class and (try to) talk to me. If there were lesson going on she would simply walk into the class and took a seat beside me (forcing the guy who originally sat beside me to gave up his seat) ignoring the weird stares she's getting and asked the teacher to just resume (and she would simply walked out whenever she got a call from her classmate telling her that her lesson had started).

When there's self study, she would pull a chair (from the poor guy who sat beside me…I got a feeling that he's gonna be Ino's bully target…or is he one already?) and sit next to me clinging closely acting all friendly.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered to me as soon as Ino is out of sight. "Are you and Ino…like this?" I dropped my pencil as Naruto lift his pinky finger indicating that Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino are lovers. "Don't worry, I like it. Kinky…" I throw an eraser to his head and turn to front huffing.

"Sakura!" Do not turn around, do not turn around, do not- "Hey, Sakura! It's bad to ignore when people is calling you know," Ino had appeared mysteriously in front of me (damn her and her long legs) once again locking her arms with mine.

"Ino,"

"Come on, let's eat lunch together," without my consent, Ino just dragged me together with her to the cafeteria.


The fact that I managed to make some friends due to Ino makes me worry a bit. Even during our kindergarten days, it was also due to Ino that I make some friends (whom also make me their bully target)

"So, you guys have known each other since kindergarten?" Tenten had asked looking suspicious. I mean of course she would, concerning that I ran away yesterday.

"Yeah, we're best friend!" Ino added clinging closer to me, I feel suffocating. Maybe this is a new way of bullying?

"Hmm…but why did you ran away yesterday?" way to be subtle. Tenten looks like someone who doesn't like it when someone new entered their circle, a suspicious one at that.

Upon arriving at their table, Ino had given me a brief introduction about her friends. Hyuuga Hinata is the one that's in the same class as me, every time I saw her she was always fidgeting and it looks like she's shy with strangers (not like I know how she's like with her friends though). Tenten is the cute girl with two buns, she acts tomboyish and rough despite her appearance though. Right at the end of the table, the boy who is sleeping silently is called Shikamaru, Ino said that all he does is just sleep and it's a real mystery how he remains a genius despite the constant snooze. There's also another Hyuuga, who turns out to be Hinata's cousin, Hyuuga Neji. He seems like the type that cares a lot about proper etiquette which shocked me when Ino told me that he and Tenten are dating. The most mysterious one though is Aburame Shino. He just sits silently the whole time wearing pair of round sunglasses and half of his face was covered. Ino said that he always just keep to himself and sometimes act creepy. Inuzuka Kiba though is just like Naruto, but they're not really the best of friend, they argue at every little thing. It's pure headache I tell you. Akimichi Chouji on the other hand is a glutton…err… food lover. He would kill me if I call him that, or fatty, he's a pretty sensitive guy.

"Well…" I don't really feel like answering, but Tenten's face doesn't really give me that option. So, what should I do?

1. Tell the truth

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2. Brush it off

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3. Run away

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Well, as it seems that option 3 is out of question since Ino is clinging to me like an octopus, option 2 is most likely impossible since Tenten is looking at me with murderous intent…

In the midst of me deciding on my decision, Tenten's face turn from murderous to… is she blushing? It's like a reflex arc, my head immediately turns toward Naruto who is whispering something in Tenten's ear and like an effectors organ, my leg immediately launch a low kick (with a lot of force) at Naruto's left leg (I was aiming for his male genitalia but o well) resulting in him screaming loudly.

"I wouldn't say me and Ino as best friend," Yes, telling the truth is the most reliable option…as of now. At this point on, everyone seems to be interested in what really happen between me and Ino. Ino on the other hand just sigh.

Tenten immediately regain her composure after giving another hit on Naruto's head (that looks like it reaaaaaallly hurt). She looks at me frowning her brows puzzled with my answer. I took a deep breath and look at her seriously brushing Ino's clingy hand on the process.

"Let just say, it's pretty awkward and I wasn't ready yet," I added not really intending to tell her more than that.

Tenten doesn't seem to be satisfied though, she's looking at Ino right now making more wrinkles appear on her forehead.

"Alright, I confessed! Remember during that one slumber party we had? When you guys ask what's one thing I regret most in my life during truth or dare?" Ino finally speaks up which worries me a bit since I know how clever she is at twisting words.

"Ino-chan…you don't mean," it's the first time I hear Hinata's voice (other than the 'hi' she said during our introduction) and it sounds almost like whispering, but cute though.

"You mean she's that girl?" Tenten asked pointing at me. I feel a bit offended, didn't she knows it's rude to point at people? "The one you always bullied?" I flinched as I heard the word bully, I haven't expect Ino to tell them everything…heck, I didn't even expect Ino to talk about me ever.

"Tease! I was just teasing!" I make a face at Ino "Fine! Yes the one I bully!" Turns out that even Hinata and Tenten were making a face.

"No wonder she run away," Chouji finally speaks, I was a bit perplexed though, I thought he wasn't paying any attention to our conversation but just towards the food in front of him (in which he's still chewing…I swear it's multiplied every time I look at it). Ino just glares at him.

"Wow! I can't believed you would still befriend her despite all that," Tenten speaks, the murderous intent she had previously has been completely replaced with an amused one.

"I don't really have any option did I?" I replied reluctantly. Tenten replied with an 'I see' as she saw how clingy Ino is.

"But…I don't think…Ino-chan has any…bad intention…and…she…really regret…about everything that…she's done to you," Hinata added and Tenten just nodded.

"It isn't that simple Hinata. Don't be so naïve," Hinata flinched and agreed with her cousin rather reluctantly. I glance at Neji from the corner of my eyes, he didn't even look at our way once and have been reading the whole time and still manage to catch what we were talking about.

"Tch! You don't have to be so strict Neji. Well, what you say may be right, but it wouldn't hurt trying," Tenten added which Neji didn't retaliate and just ignore.

I turned towards Ino who have been surprisingly quiet the whole time. Although her hands were still clinging on me her face was looking down…

Is she crying?

"I'm really sorry Sakura. I really didn't think that…I-" Gah! Why the hell does she has to cry? I'm really weak against crying people because I don't really know what to do. Come to think of it, that's also the reason why I started hanging out with her. I lifted my head to seek for help but Hinata and Tenten just shook their head, apparently even they didn't know what to do.

"Well, haha what's with acting all serious suddenly Ino…" Okay I admit that, that was very bad. She's sniffling now. "Well, I guess I don't really mind all that anymore after all. It's been twelve years after all, I won't even remember about it if I hadn't met you again,"

"Really?" She replied between sobs. I nod and replied with a 'yeah'. I'm not really sure if I'm doing the right thing though.

"Plus, the reason you did all that was probably because you were stressed out right?" I ask not really bother about the answer though.

"Still…I shouldn't…" she's still sniffling and I'm starting to freak out. At this point, everyone refused to meet my eyes. (Damn them, what kind of friends are they?) "Even though, I'm jealous that you still had your mother and that your father always pays attention to you…I still don't have the rights to…" I sigh in defeat. I know that her mother died right after she was born and on top of that, her father rarely is home making her thinks that her father hates her, resulting in her hating herself for killing her mother…and that the reason she bullied me is because she's jealous of me. But, to hear it myself…actually makes me mad a little.

"Then, how about we start over?" I know that by doing this I actually lost to her, but I don't really know how to console her, I'm not that evil okay or emo at that. She may have bullied me really bad before, but she seems pretty sincere this time…plus, it wouldn't hurt to trust her now…right?

"Oi teme! [3]" I flinched as I heard the one cursed word coming out of Naruto's mouth. I knew it was too peaceful for me for Kami to just send Ino to torment me. "Where've you been," I tried my hardest not to look at him and just concentrate on the task at hand, which is stopping Ino from crying.

"What's with her?" I heard a loud 'thump' in my heart as I heard his voice for the first time of the day.

"Girls stuff," Tenten replied smiling (I think). My eyes are still looking at Ino.

"Do you really mean it?" why does Ino have to pick the worst time possible? …and of all places, why does 'he' have to sit in front of me?

"Yeah," I replied with a distort smile. Still looking at Ino, I can feel that Sasuke's looking at me.

"Why's she here?" Does he have to be that rude? It's not like I bother him or anything. Wait a minute, maybe…maybe he had finally remember me? This could be bad…I gulped as my head stay still eyes focusing on now the smiling Ino.

"Do you have to be that rude Sasuke?" Ino, who had finally stops crying and calmed down look up. Sakura, you have to get out of her…no matter what! Okay, first I'll have to knocked out Ino, then- "She's Haruno Sakura and she have all the rights to be here caused she's my best friend," erm…I only said that we could start over…doesn't mean we're best friend Ino… no that's not important, Sakura focused on your escape.

"Hn,"

"Now, that I think of it…if Sakura knew Ino since four…doesn't that mean you knew Sasuke too?" I swear my heart skip a beat as Tenten said that. If Sasuke hasn't remembered me, he did now. I haven't even thought about phase two of my escape! That's it Sakura, stop thinking and just get out of here!

"Nope," My hand stop abruptly as I was about to hit Ino… I can't believe I'm saying this, but from now on I'm going to worship Ino. "Well, they haven't really met. Sakura only have me as her friend since she moved too early,"

"Harasser," Neji corrected and Tenten snickered.

Don't take this the wrong way, I'm grateful enough that Sasuke did so, but it makes me wonder why did he just stay silent? I mean even if Ino said that, doesn't mean he has to play along…or is this their strategy of making me trust them and then they're going to hurt me again? I doubt that.

It's true that Sasuke too often bullied me back in the day (the whole reason why I want to avoid him)…but he never collaborates with Ino in doing so. Plus, he would always save me whenever someone else bullied me…however, when it comes to bullying, he's the worst. So, if you expect any kind of romance to fly in the air between me and Sasuke just because he saves me from being bullied…just keep that to yourself, I'm definitely not a masochist.

I looked at Ino suspiciously, and she in turn gives me this don't-worry-and-just-trust-me-on-this look. Although I know that look is just so wrong in every way, I decided to trust her…

…for now.


I am a hypocrite…why you ask? Because even though I've decided to trust Ino during lunch break (which is a few minutes ago), I'm still wary of Sasuke when we are back in class. Well, for once his seat is just right behind me of course I would be very worried. What if he suddenly leans over and whispers a threat in my ears? What if when he walks past my seat he would glare at me? I keep thinking these whenever I heard his chair moving. I think I'm going to die young if this keeps happening. Heck! I've lost ten years of my life every time our eyes met.

"Man, Sakura why are you always tense?" Naruto had asked during self study. Ino had stopped coming over to my class by the way.

"Err…no I'm not," I lied.

"You're weird," Oh my god! I can't even fool Naruto anymore.

"Naruto, are you…are you closed with Sasuke?" I whispered to Naruto.

"Yeah. Why are we whispering?"

"Just play along Naruto. How close?"

"Are you interested in teme Sakura-chan?"

"I'm not! Just answer me,"

"Then, why are you asking about him?"

"Okay, I am interested in him. Now answer,"

"But you just say you're not," Why the hell does he have to be so damn difficult now?

"Just forget it," I give up.

"I can't forget it Sakura-chan, tell me!"

"Naruto, go back to your seat," At this point on I've quit whispering.

"No, you must tell me Sakura-chan, are you interested in teme or not?" …and the stupid Naruto just had to say that out loud. Of course, to other students they just look for awhile due to Naruto's sudden raise in voice and look away again since they don't know who is this 'teme', however to the said 'teme' he understands it well that only one person Naruto would call 'teme'. Even Hinata is looking at me and blush furiously as I meet her eyes.

There must be some kind of foreign force possessing me because I suddenly find myself turning around to look at the Uchiha Sasuke.

He. Is. Smirking.

He's smirking…

He's smirking at me!

I'll commit suicide…

After I kill Naruto.


Notes:

[1] – a word used by Japanese, usually said before meals

[2]Japanese equivalent to God

[3] Japanese equivalent to bastard

Hah! Finally the dreaded and cursed midterm exam comes to an end. I'm FREE finally…not quite, final is beginning to haunt me T_T.

Anyway, I didn't expect myself to actually finish this by today, but I did. Also, I'm planning on updating this weekly but doesn't mean I'll be updating this at a fixed date, I might post the date on my profile though. Once again, please no flaming, constructive critics are highly appreciated.

I am well aware that there are no SasuSaku moments currently despite reaching two chapters already, but there will be, so I can only asked you to be patient.

I'm pretty much disappointed to receive only one review though on my first chapter, but I'm still happy to find out that a few of you added this story and me to their story alert and favorites list. Thank you very much (^_^) But then again, when I think back, people gotta find out more about my story to find it worth reviewing ne? Guess, so far people finds it interesting enough, but not enough to make them reviews. So, I'll be patient XD

Special thanks to Black Alice Butterfly for being my first reviewer! *throws confetti*

REVIEW makes me update