A/N: After a long wait, here's the second chapter. Enjoy!!
Previously on To Hell with Cute Guys-
"Okay, I'll do the second floor bathrooms and you do the third floor," Tenten said, walking up the stairs. Sakura followed close behind, ready to scrub down toilets. Tenten left her on the second landing, while Sakura had to continue climbing another set of stairs. The silence that greeted her was eerie.
Sakura went towards the closest door she saw and hesitatingly opened it. It definitely was not a bathroom, but she walked in anyway. It was an art studio, by the look of it. There were canvases set up and tubes of paint littered on the floor. Only when Sakura saw the king-sized bed did she realize it was actually a bedroom. Whose ever room it was, was a messy person. There were clothes scattered around; men's clothes. And the bed wasn't even made yet.
But what interested Sakura were the paintings. She stepped closer to them, inspecting them. There was a painting of the beach during sunset. The sky was a mixture of blue, orange, pink, and purple and the waves crashed into the rocks. Sakura moved on to the painting next to it. It was unfinished, but she could tell it was of a woman, perhaps a lover? The woman had long dark hair and obsidian eyes. Definitely an Uchiha. Whoever she was, she was beautiful.
"What the hell are you doing here?" someone asked. Sakura was so surprised that she threw her hands up and dropped the cleaning supplies.
To Hell with Cute Guys
Chapter 2- You're not Rich, you're a Bitch
( LOL. We couldn't help ourselves)
"I asked what you were doing here," the guy said standing in front of her said. Sakura had to do a double-take. He looked exactly like Sasuke, only it wasn't him. His hair was different and he was much paler.
"I…I, um…" Sakura was stuttering, like she always did in weird and awkward situations like this.
"You can put your hands down, you know. I'm not a cop," the guy said, not even changing his facial expression. Sakura put her hands down to her side and noticed that the young man was staring at her. It made her feel really uncomfortable being scrutinized like that. Did she have a zit on her face or something? "What's your name? I don't recall seeing you here before. Are you new?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'm Sakura Haruno. I just started today…um, I was cleaning the bathrooms," she added.
"Last time I checked, this wasn't a bathroom," he said, sounding slightly amused. "So, what are you doing here, besides snooping around?"
"I wasn't snooping!" Sakura said in defense. "I was just…admiring the paintings. Did you paint them?" The guy nodded. "You're really good. I don't know a lot about art, but I know when something's good. Although my opinion probably doesn't matter."
The guy continued staring at her. It was unnerving. Sakura couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Uh…could you please not look at me like that?" she said.
"Why? Does it bother you? Does it make you feel nervous?" he asked.
"Kinda."
Then the guy smiled, although it didn't seem natural. "You have nothing to be nervous about, Sakura." He stepped closer to her and lifted her long bangs from her face. "You should tie your hair back so people can see your pretty little face," he said. Sakura, like any other girl would, blushed. The guy was so close to her and he definitely had stepped into her personal space.
"I…I'm not pretty," Sakura replied, looking down at the floor.
"I disagree," the man said. Sakura could feel his warm breath on her neck and shivered. "Are you cold?" She shook her head, unable to find her voice. "My name's Sai, by the way."
Okay, now Sakura could put a name to the weird guy. "I have to go," she said, quickly picking up the fallen cleaning supplies and hurrying out of the room, even though she heard Sai desperately calling her name.
Sakura took the stairs two steps at a time until she was on the first floor again. She sighed in relief, glad to be out of Sai's room. That's when she bumped into someone.
"Ow, watch where you're going newbie. You almost dislocated my shoulder," a girl said. She was wearing a uniform and had long, black hair. "What are you looking at? Shoo, go on. I don't have time to waste on you."
Sakura realized who the girl was. Kin. She was definitely going to be a problem. "Look here, I did not come here to be bossed around by some bitch who thinks she's superior to me. And, don't worry, I would never want to waste your time. Just being near you bugs the hell out of me," Sakura said. Kin gave her a mean scowl.
"Girl, you are sooo going to regret that," she said, raising a hand to slap Sakura. Just then, Tenten came down the stairs.
"Yo Sakura, the bathroom's aren't going to clean themsel- oh, hey Kin. I see you two have met now," Tenten said, noticing the tension between the two.
"Yeah. I can see why she's friends with Karin. She dresses like a skank as well," Sakura said, looking at Kin's uniform. Her skirt ended mid-thigh, at least four inches shorter than Tenten's and Sakura's skirt.
"Why, you little piece of shit, I'm g-"
"Uh…will you look at the floor? It's so dirty. I think we should mop, like, right now," Tenten said, trying to avoid a fight. "C'mon Sakura, let's get the mops." Tenten grabbed her wrist and tugged her away from Kin. They walked to a hallway in the back and entered a bedroom with two bunks in it. Sakura spotted her bag on one of the bottom bunks.
"Sakura, what were you thinking? Calling Kin a skank? To her face?" Tenten said, freaking out.
"I also called her a bitch," Sakura replied.
"You what?! Well, no wonder she looked pissed off."
"Whatever. I could totally have taken her down. Kin looks like a hair-puller and nail-clawer. I'm more of a fist-hitter," Sakura said. "But did you see the look on her face? Now, that was funny. Her nose was all scrunched up and her eyes were nothing but slits. Hahaha," Sakura laughed.
"Yeah, that's her 'pissed off' face," Tenten snorted. "But really, Sakura, do you want to make enemies in this house?"
"No. But I know that Kin and I will never be friends, if that's what you're asking. She's impossible! Someone should set her straight," Sakura said, plopping down on one of the beds.
"So, did you finish cleaning the bathrooms already? That was fast," Tenten said.
"Actually, I didn't even get started. I was sorts distracted," Sakura replied, chewing her fingernails, an old habit of hers.
"Distracted? By what?" Tenten said curiously.
"Uh…what was his name again? Oh, it was Sai. I accidentally went into his room and I was looking at his paintings when he came in," Sakura said.
"Then what? What'd he say?" Tenten asked, sitting on the bed across from Sakura.
"Not much. He seemed kinda mad at first, but…I don't know, he acted weird. He called me pretty," Sakura said with wide eyes. Tenten laughed.
"You say it like it's a bad thing," she said. Sakura threw a pillow at her, but Tenten easily caught it.
"It is to me," Sakura said. "Besides, the whole situation felt awkward to me. Sai kept looking at me with those expressionless eyes." Sakura shuddered at the memory.
"Huh…I wonder what that could mean. I don't know that much about Sai to begin with. He keeps mostly to himself and he's always locked in his room, painting. He only comes out to eat or when the Uchiha's host a party. But even then he doesn't talk to anyone. In fact, I'm not sure if I've heard him speak at all. I used to think he was mute," Tenten said.
"He looks a lot like Sasuke. Are they twins?" Sakura asked.
"No. They're cousins," Tenten replied. "That much I do know, and only because Kakashi told me. He's been working here the longest, so he knows more stuff than I do."
"I bet that bugs you, doesn't it?" Sakura said with a smile. Tenten rolled her eyes.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
"Ohmygod. Why didn't you tell me that Kin snores?" Sakura whispered to Tenten.
"Because I felt that you had the right to find out for yourself, like I did," Tenten whispered back. They were both lying on the two bottom bunks, while Kin slept on the top bunk above Tenten.
"Can you make her stop?" Sakura asked. Tenten lifted her leg under the sheets and kicked the bed above her. Kin jumped a bit but kept on snoring.
"Nope," Tenten answered.
Sakura yawned. "I'm so exhausted," she whispered. "This day seemed so long. I thought it'd never end."
"Yeah. But you get use to it," Tenten said. "So, what do you think of the Uchihas?"
"They're so quiet and…distant to each other. I mean, I had a family once and we acted different and so much more loving. Tenten, what's wrong with them?" Sakura asked, peering at her in the dark.
"Miscommunication. Apathy. Power. Money. Does it really matter?" Tenten said sleepily.
"Yeah. I don't know…I guess I want to change things. Starting with Sai. He seems cut off the family…like he's in his own little world," Sakura said. Tenten yawned.
"Sakura…"
"Yeah Tenten?"
"Can you do me a favor?" she asked.
"Sure. What is it?" Sakura said.
"Shut up and let me go to sleep," Tenten whispered.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
The next day started out fine. Sakura helped Chouji make breakfast and placed the Uchiha's food in the dining room, so by the time they came down to eat, they wouldn't have to wait. Sakura noticed that Mr. Uchiha was already sitting at the head of the table, his face hidden by the newspaper.
"Uh…good morning Mr. Uchiha," Sakura said with a polite smile. "Would you like some coffee?" He grunted back in response. Sakura took that as a yes.
When she came back with the hot coffee pot, everyone was already in the dining room. Sakura saw Mikoto greet her husband with a kiss on the cheek before she sat down next to him on his right. Sasuke sat down next to her, a scowl already marring his perfect face. A devilishly handsome man (Itachi, Sakura presumed) sat down next to Fugaku's left. Sai sat down next to him, across from Sasuke. They were all silent as Sakura poured coffee in Fugaku's mug. She was aware of the four pair of eyes watching her.
"Sakura, dear, the uniform suits you well. Tell me, are you comfortable here? How did you sleep last night?" Mikoto asked kindly. Yeah, she was definitely the most social one in the family. And probably the nicest, too. Sakura instantly felt at ease around her and smiled genuinely at her.
"Thanks for asking Mrs. Uchiha. I slept well last night, although there was a noise in the room that sounded like a clogged sink," Sakura said, knowing Kin could her from the kitchen a few yards away. "But don't worry, it was probably an animal from outside."
Mikoto stared at her, unsure whether to be amused or concerned. "Oh…well at least you're fitting in, right?" she asked.
"Yeah. Everyone's been so awesome. Kin even volunteered to clean the toilets for me today. She says she wants me to learn from the best scrubber on the planet. Can you believe that? She is so dedicated and she really gets down and dirty. It's so inspiring, you should see her sometime," Sakura said with a smile. A few seconds later, everyone in the dining room could hear an angry yell coming from the kitchen. Sakura knew that was her cue to leave. "Well, I should go now. Lots of stuff to do."
When Sakura entered the kitchen, Kin pounced on her, fuming mad. "Oh, hello Queen of the Toilets," Sakura said sarcastically, not fazed by her growling mouth.
"How dare you!" Kin spat out.
"Hey, leave Sakura alone," Naruto said, grabbing Kin's arm.
"I wasn't gonna hit her," Kin said, twisting away from Naruto's firm grasp. He let her go a few seconds later.
"Then what were you going to do to her?" Chouji asked, a whisk in his hand.
"H-Hey, put that down. Can't we all have a civilized conversation here?" Kin said with a nervous smile, eyeing the whisk in Chouji's hand.
"Kin, this is perfectly harmless," he said, putting it away.
"You could beat me with it!" she exclaimed. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"It only beats eggs, not people," Sakura said.
"Don't you sound disappointed," Kin said sardonically.
"Instead of bitching all the time, why don't you do something useful like cleaning the toilets. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Uchiha is going to check up on you," Sakura said, crossing her arms. Kin yelled again and stomped away.
"But Sakura, we cleaned the toilets yesterday," Tenten pointed out.
"I know. But Kin doesn't," Sakura said with a satisfied smile.
The kitchen door opened and a guy with a bowl-shaped haircut and bushy eyebrows came in. He took off his gardening gloves and set them on the counter. "Hey guys. Why was Kin so heated?" he said.
"Lee, dude, you missed it," Naruto said, clapping him on the back. But Lee wasn't listening to him. He was staring open-mouthed at Sakura, his love-struck eyes shining brightly. Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Lee took her hand in his and said, "Will you be my girlfriend?"
"WHAT!" Sakura exclaimed as everyone else sweat dropped.
"You're the most beautiful girl in the world. Will you go out with me?" Lee asked. Sakura's eye twitched.
"You don't even know my name," she said, trying to let him down easily.
"Is that a no?" he said.
"Umm…yeah," Sakura said.
"Yeah, you'll go out with me? Yay!"
"I mean no!"
"No?"
"Yes."
"Yay!"
"Uh…whatever," Sakura said. "I give up."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Sakura was okay with her work duties, except for one thing- she had to cater to Sasuke's needs. She was in charge of cleaning his room, making his bed, and anything else he needed on a whim. It was tiresome and aggravating to say the least.
"I think you missed a spot. Right over there," Sasuke said with a smirk, pointing to an area that Sakura had apparently skipped dusting.
"Are you crazy? You can't even tell," she said, her duster in hand.
"My allergies can. Do you want my lungs to breathe that dust and get infected so I can die prematurely? Is that what you want?" Sasuke said. He was lying down on his bed, switching T.V. channels with his remote. He was extremely bored and picking on Sakura soon became his favorite hobby to past the time.
"Maybe. If it'll make you shut up. But I think even in death you'll continue to irritate me," she said.
"Sakura, am I not nice to you at all?" Sasuke asked.
"Not particularly," she said, dusting madly.
"I like to think that I am," he said. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Is there something you want?" she asked, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Perhaps," Sakura said, turning the T.V. off. "Will you sit down?" he said, gesturing to his bed. Sakura eyed him suspiciously.
"I'd rather stand, if you don't mind," she said. He shrugged.
"Suit yourself then. Anyway, I need your advice on something," Sasuke said.
"Are you being serious? You actually want my advice?" Sakura asked, somewhat shocked.
"Yes. As you probably know, because I'm sure Tenten's been filling you in with the latest gossip around here, Karin is returning in two days from her vacation in Hawaii. Now, as always, she expects me to buy her something when she comes back. As a way to say I missed her or something," Sasuke said.
"Geez, how thoughtful of you," Sakura said sarcastically, crossing her arms. "And let me guess, you don't know what to get her and you want my help. Right?"
"That's correct," Sasuke said. "Any suggestions?"
"How about…I don't know…jewelry?"
"No. That's too obvious. Besides, she had enough jewelry to satisfy her until next year."
"I got it then. How about some decent clothes. I heard she doesn't have enough of that," Sakura said with a smug smile. Sasuke glared at her. "What? You actually approve of the way your girlfriend dresses? She dressed like a… like a tramp!"
"How would you know? You haven't even met Karin yet?" he said.
"Well, I do know that respectable girls wear shirts that cover their midriff," Sakura said hotly.
"Of course you would know all about that, since you dress like a boy," Sasuke said. Sakura gasped.
"That was uncalled for!" she fumed. "Take it back!"
"No. Why should I? Maybe you are a boy after all. You don't have much going on in the chest department," he said, standing up from his bed and crossing his arms as well.
"You pervert!" Sakura exclaimed, poking him in the chest.
"There isn't anything for me to look at anyway," Sasuke said, completely unaffected by her pokes.
"Is that it? Do you want to take a look?" Sakura said, her hands on the top button of her uniform.
"Maybe," Sakura said, trying his best to look uninterested.
"Okay, well…"
BAM!
Sakura punched his face and sent him tumbling down as he held his stinging cheek in his hand. "Shit," Sasuke swore.
"What? Are you disappointed that I didn't show them to you?" Sakura said. "Well, I'm not that kind of girl, so you better start learning to respect me because I have a whole lot of fight left in me."
"You want my respect? Why should I give you my respect, hn?" Sakura said, on his feet again.
"Because…you should get off your high horse and realize you're not better than everyone else. So what if you're rich? That just means that you're lucky to have been born into a wealthy family. But not all of us can be so lucky," Sakura said, tearing up. She was remembering her parent's death; the horrible plane crash that took the lives of 62 other people. She had been six at the time, but still she understood that her parents were never coming back.
Sasuke was ready to make another harsh remark to her, when he noticed that there were tears brimming on the edge of her eyes, threatening to fall at any sudden blink. 'Is she seriously going to cry? Was I that mean to her?' Sasuke thought, all anger gone from before.
He looked at Sakura and saw her vulnerability. She was holding herself, comforting herself. Sasuke noticed how quiet it was between them, but at any moment, it could be filled with sobs. "H-Hey…please don't cry. I was only joking about you being a boy," he said awkwardly. He was waiting for her response, probably something lewd or impertinent. But Sakura said nothing, only blinked her wet lashes.
"I'm sorry," Sasuke said, thinking she'd want an apology as well.
"Sorry can't always fix everything," Sakura said. "Sorry can't make me any richer or prettier. It can't make me smarter. And sorry definitely can't bring my parents back. So you can take your sorry apology back and shove it up your ass."
"Hey, just wait a sec! I'm sorry if I did offend you, but don't give me the guilt trip. I didn't even mention anything about your parents or their plane crash," Sasuke said, grabbing her arm and preventing her from making a sudden escape.
"You knew?" Sakura asked with slit, accused eyes. "Who told you?"
"I overheard my mom tell Sai a couple of days ago. For some reason, my cousin's very interested in you, but doesn't have the guts to seek you out himself," Sasuke said, leaning closer towards Sakura's face. "I know how lonely you must feel-"
"What do you know about loneliness, huh? You have your family and that Karin girl," Sakura said.
"Yes, I have my family, but they don't understand me. No one does. They think money can solve every problem, but all the money in the world can't help me with my loneliness. I'd rather be like you, Sakura, and have nothing. Maybe then I'd be a better person and more accepting towards people, because everyone I know is a complete fake. My own parents pretend to still be in love with each other, even when they're bickering."
"Well, it's very hard for me to pity you, Sasuke, when you go about with that snobbish attitude of yours," Sakura said.
"That's okay, because I don't want your pity," he said, releasing her arm.
"Then what do you want?" Sakura asked.
"A friend. Someone who'll be there and light the darkness I live in," Sasuke said, looking intently at her. Sakura felt the color rush to her cheeks, but couldn't understand why. She didn't even know what to say.
"Those are beautiful words," Sakura finally said, liking how poetic they sounded. Maybe that was why she blushed. But she was just kidding herself- it was Sasuke's dark stare that fired her up inside. "Are you implying that we should be friends?" she asked. A smile graced her lips.
Sasuke laughed and her smile soon diminished. "You thought…wow…friends…us two…," Sasuke said in between laughs. Sakura was getting irritated by him yet again. "Oh, Sakura, how sweet and innocent you truly are. We could never be friends," he said.
"Why not?" Sakura asked.
"Does the fact that we're from two separate social classes mean nothing to you?" he said.
"Honestly, no, it doesn't. That stuff doesn't really matter to me," Sakura said. Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"It should matter," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because it's the only thing that sets us apart," Sasuke said, gently pushing her bangs away from her eyes. "I thought I saw those eyes before…they're just like mine."
Sakura looked up at him and slowly shook her head. "No, Sasuke, you're wrong. The emptiness in your eyes is far more darker than mine. Are you even capable of loving?" Sakura asked. Sasuke turned around, offended.
"Well, are you?" Sakura taunted him. He remained still and silent, his back to her. "See, that's where our true difference lies. Our loneliness is just a disease that many others suffer with. And as someone who wants to be your friend, I want to help you. But you have this habit of pushing people, don't you?" she said. "Don't you get it, Sasuke? You're the only one who's hurting yourself."
"That's enough!" he said, clenching his teeth together. Sakura abruptly stopped talking. "I want you to leave my room and never come back."
"But-"
Leave! Get out!" Sasuke shouted. Sakura's eyes widened as she inched closer to the door. "What are you still doing here? Leave now!"
"S-Sas…uke," she said, terrified of this side of him. Her hands finally reached the doorknob and she fled. Clumsily, she tripped on the rug, but held on the wall for balance. She continued walking, when she came to the third floor landing. She bit her lip timidly and, for one fleeting moment, actually considered going up those stairs and accompany Sai. But she shook her head from those thoughts and walked on.
"Maybe Sai wants to be alone," Sakura wondered out loud. "Why else would someone shut themselves in their room all day long?"
"Maybe to emerge themselves in their past," someone said behind her.
"Ahh! Kakashi, where'd you come from?" Sakura said, startled. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry about that," Kakashi said, walking alongside her. "I didn't mean to scare you. Do you always talk to yourself?' he asked.
"Okay, now you're just making me sound like a crazy person," Sakura said.
"Again, sorry," Kakashi said, stifling a smile.
"Anyway, what did you mean by that? Emerging into your past- what's that mean?" Sakura asked.
"I only meant that some people prefer their life like how it was in the past and want to cling to those good memories," Kakashi said. "Sai, for example, emerges into his memories through his paintings."
"Yeah, I saw them once. He's really talented," Sakura said. Kakashi raised a brow.
"He allowed you inside his room?" Kakashi said. "My, my that's quite an honor, considering he's-"
"No, wait, you've got it wrong. He didn't actually let me in his room. I sorta walked in, thinking it was a bathroom."
"Not even going to ask," Kakashi said.
"Well, you mentioned about clinging to good memories. What happened to Sai that made him the way he is now?" Sakura asked, changing the topic.
"Ah, I thought you'd ask," he said. "And I'm not going to tell you. That's Sai's duty, not mine."
"What?! But Tenten tells me everything," Sakura said.
"What does is called 'gossiping' and it really is a bad habit. No wonder she doesn't have a boyfriend."
Sakura gasped. "Ooo, I'm telling her you said that." Kakashi shrugged indifferently.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
"It's finally Sunday!" Sakura exclaimed, hitting the snooze button on her alarm clock.
"Ugh. Shut up," Kin said, burying her head underneath her bed sheets.
"Wow, I'm surprised you heard me over all your LOUD snoring," Sakura said, making her bed.
"My God, what did I do to deserve this?" Kin groaned out. "I'm being verbally abused by a pink-haired freak."
"She'd hit you with a pillow, but she has really bad aim. Trust me," Tenten said, arranging her hair into two buns.
"Hey!" Sakura said, picking out her clothes for today.
"What are those? Boy clothes?" Kin asked, sitting up on her bed. A few seconds later, a pillow was thrown at her face.
"Nice one Tenten," Sakura said, high-fiving her. She slipped on her baggy jeans that had holes on the knees and wore a green and yellow jersey. She hid her hair underneath a black beanie.
"I almost forgot you looked like that," Tenten said.
"It's only been a week since I first started working here but, yeah, it seems like ages ago since I left the orphanage. I'm going there today to visit my friend Ino," Sakura said.
"Don't tell me. He's a boy who dresses like a girl," Kin said smugly.
"I'm going to choose to ignore that comment, Kin. I wouldn't want to break your nose and make it uglier than it already is," Sakura said. "And for your information, Ino happened to be a really beautiful girl."
"Yeah, you tell her," Tenten said.
Fifteen minutes later and they were all sitting down at the kitchen table, eating a hearty breakfast thanks to Chouji. "Compliments to the chef," Naruto said as he let out a big burp. "Sorry."
"No, it's okay. I bet I can make a louder one," Sakura said.
"Ew, what are we? Savages? Didn't you learn any manners?" Kin said, patting her mouth with a white linen napkin.
"Kin, you're not rich," Tenten said.
"Yeah, you're a bitch," Naruto said, laughing.
"Guys, c'mon. Let's be nice," Lee said, who was sitting extremely close to Sakura.
"Hey Chouji, do you think you could make some extra sweet buns? I want to take them to the little girls at the orphanage," Sakura said.
"Sure. And I'll make them extra sweet," Chouji said with a wink. Sakura smiled her thanks.
"Hey, what are those packages on the counter?" Sakura asked.
"They're Sai's. He ordered some new paints and they barely arrived last night," Kakashi said. "I thought I'd wait until this morning to give them to him."
"Oh. Can I give them to Sai?" Sakura said.
"But it's your day off and-"
"It's fine, I don't mind. Besides, I want to anyway," she said.
"They look heavier than you'd think."
"It's okay, I'm a strong girl."
Kin snorted. Tenten meant to kick her foot but accidentally kicked Naruto's foot instead. "Oww!" he yelled.
"Ohmigod! I'm soooo sorry!" Tenten said.
"So it's settled then. I'll take the packages to Sai," Sakura said with a triumphant smile.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
"I don't know what Kakashi was talking about? These boxes aren't even that heavy," Sakura said as she climbed up the stairs to the third floor Then she was standing right outside Sai's bedroom door.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
She heard some shuffling from inside and then his voice calling out," Just come in Kakashi." Sakura opened the door and slowly entered the room. Sai was perched on a stool, painting a bird from his window. "I apologize for the mess. I always say I'll clean it later, but I never do." Then he turned around and his eyes widened when he saw it was Sakura.
"You're not Kakashi," he said bluntly, still holding his wet paintbrush.
"Uh…hi to you too," Sakura said nervously. "Maybe you don't remember me because of my clothes and stuff bu-"
"Of course I remember you. You're Sakura Haruno," Sai said with a smile. "How could I forget that pretty face of yours." Sakura blushed.
"Well, I just came here to give you these," she said, holding out the two small packages.
"Is that the only reason why you came here?" Sai asked, taking the packages from her.
"Um…well…I…," Sakura stuttered. "I w-wanted to talk to you."
"Okay. About what?" Sai asked.
"Uh…never mind. I guess it's personal and we're not at that personal level yet," Sakura said.
"Well, we could be. What's your favorite color?" Sai asked.
"You're going to laugh," Sakura said, sitting down on a stool next to him.
"I wont. Unless it's something funny like pink. It's not pink is it?" Sai said.
"No. It's…orchid," Sakura said.
"Cool. Mine's indigo," Sai said. "Now it's your turn."
"My turn for what?"
"To ask me a question. So we can get to know each other on a personal level and we can have that talk you want," Sai said. Sakura smiled sweetly and watched him paint for a while before coming up with a question. It had been bugging her since yesterday when Sasuke mentioned it.
"Why did you ask Mikoto about me?" Sakura asked. Sai's hand stiffened.
"Who told you?" he asked.
"Sasuke," she said. "But it just slipped out of his mouth." she lied, not wanting Sai to yell at her like Sasuke did. Once was brutal enough.
Sai sighed and looked at her. "Honestly, I just wanted to know more about you. The truth is- you fascinate me, Sakura. I don't know why, but there's something about you that's captivating."
"Um…wow," Sakura said lamely, looking at her lap.
"I did it again, didn't I? I made you nervous," Sai said.
"No," she said.
"You're lying," he said. "You want me to feel better and less weird, but it's not working. I don't have good people skills and I've learned to accept the fact that I make people feel nervous."
"Sai, don't put yourself down like that. You seem like a nice guy. A little weird, maybe, but nice," Sakura said. Sai managed to laugh a bit.
"Thanks," he said. "I haven't laughed in the longest time."
"Time? Oh shit! What time is it? I really should be leaving now, I almost forgot," Sakura said, standing up from the stool. Sai stood up quickly, dropping his paintbrush in the process.
"Do you really have to leave so soon?" He asked, frowning. Sakura almost pitied him. She didn't want to leave him all alone.
"Yeah, I do. I have to visit my friend and I'm sure Chouji's finished with the sweet buns by now," she said.
"Will you promise to come see me here again?" Sai implored. Sakura nodded her head and gave him a reassuring smiled. "You won't make me wait too long will you?" he said.
"I won't Sai," Sakura said. "But I really must go now. There's a bus that leaves at two and I don't want to be late."
"Okay," Sai said, not wanting her to go, but unable to prevent it any longer. "I'll be waiting." He bit his lip uncertainly and, before Sakura could protest, he quickly kissed her softly on the cheek.
Sakura stood there, blinking, registering what just happened. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Sai said, apologizing and running a hand through his hair.
"Umm…bye Sai," Sakura awkwardly said, leaving. She closed the door on her way out and leaned against it, holding a hand to the cheek Sai kissed. Unexplainably, she smiled.
xoxoxo~end of chapter~xoxoxo
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! Oh, and no flames please. If you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything at all. :D