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Thanks for the review (it is the first I've received for this story) :D! I am glad you enjoyed the first chap and hope to improve from here too to please more readers. Your support (review) is much appreciated!
About Naruto…hehe…we'll meet him along the way. He is after all Naruto! :D
Hope to gain more of your support in future chaps! :D
I decided to write longer in one chapter (taking in an advice from readers) so prepare the eyes and enjoy!
REVIEWS at the end pls! :D
Sweet Seventy
Two…His little angel!
She is no angel!
Neither she is human!
Haruno Sakura is a little devil to begin with!
That is what Sasuke thinks; he decided to change his perception about the pink haired girl he used to admire. Now that he is sharing the same class with her and sits on her right, Sasuke didn't think he's enjoying this too much and his previous eagerness to meet her died immediately especially after how she humiliated him in front of math class!
Well, she didn't actually when she IS built with The Brains.
Setting that aside he also decided that she is awfully weird; like she has this special ability to whisk off in a blink of an eye, vanish! Just when the bell rang for recess she was already gone and there she appears in the canteen.
Sure she must have took advantage of that little body of hers to move about stealthily without anyone's notice; she is short and small after all. However her advantage doesn't seem to be too useful when it comes to direct battle among the crowd. She ended up waiting among the circumference of the crowd and hoping it to die down.
Too bad she didn't know the fact that 'survival of the fittest' lives in this place.
'Serves her right!' Sasuke thought when he witnessed her scene, like he'd care about her. 'She'll manage somehow since she is so smart!'
He whisked away to join his friends at the usual outdoor spot under the trees, it's a nice gathering place during the season where cool breeze care to sweep in.
"She gets on my nerves during the first day!" Sasuke complained then 'popped' his bread wrap open playfully. It's minor fun to hear the packet burst open by squeezing it forcefully before chomping down its contents.
"Uh huh…all I knew that she took my…yawn…seat…" Kiba couldn't quit being sleepy, he laid beside his pal with his eyes half closed while he was forced to listen to complaints.
"She's smart…and what was her name again?" Sai commented; one of the regular members of the all-boys-group with black eyes and hair like Sasuke's except he's paler and an art fan. "Oh, look this one's a beauty!" he showed Kiba his magazine on collective arts, the dog maniac showed no interest but nod groggily.
"Haruo Sakura?" another; Aburame Shino replied in shady manner. Weirdo who's an all-time sunglass boy and bug lover, what a creep!
"No, it is Haruno. Haruno Sakura," corrected the frustrated Uchiha.
"Haters do remember well, eh?" Kiba teased with his baby fangs protruding. "Watch out; the more you hate, the more you'll love." Sasuke instantaneously blushed.
"N-No way!" he harshly denied and redder he grew when the fact he actually did admired her previously.
Enough, the past is the past. His present decision is made, he dislike her disagreeable attitude.
"SASUKE-KUN!" Argh, here comes the noisy blonde again, Yamanaka Ino.
Can't she stop screaming his name for once before she enters the scene? Very annoying aside from the other red-head Karin of class 2-A, speak of the devil…
"SAASUUKEE-KUUN!" Oh, please don't drag it, Karin…
"Your girlfriends are marching this way," Sai informed; he needn't say it when everyone sees it.
"Geez…" Sasuke held his head. "And they are not my girlfriends…"
Both girls are head-splitting factors, Sasuke believe he could stand their persistent attachment if they don't call him in their annoying ways especially when they rivaled with one another in their high-pitched tones in front of him.
"Sasuke-kun! Sasuke-kun! Sasuke-kun!" Okay, okay just say it Ino. "I heard you will be representing our school for the interschool basketball match soon!"
"Aa," he answered short and dull. It is no proud matter to boast, basketball is about teamwork not him alone.
"And will you still represent our Red Team in the four hundred meter race during our school sports day?" knowingly that Karin is in the same team as Sasuke's, Ino glared dangerously as she's from Blue.
"Aa," Sasuke replied in the same manner again.
"Mou, Sasuke-kun even when we are in the same class, we are of different sport teams! Not fair at all!" Ino whined.
"Speaking of that, I wonder what will Sakura-chan's be," Kiba said, dug his nose disgustingly. Eew! And he is right, Sasuke never thought of it. He wouldn't give any care either.
"You mean the new transfer student; super small, super short and super weird pink hair?" Karin rolled her eyes in honesty to her dislike. "When I first saw her this morning I thought this 'little' girl had mistakably came to a high school. I was utterly shocked to hear that she's actually seventeen?!" she made an exaggerated expression covering her mouth showing her beautifully tended nails.
"Right, I was no less! She's so like…seven? Probably she is!" Ino and Karin can sometimes bring temporary friendship when they both agree on similar terms especially gossip or else they will be quarreling like cats and dogs.
Girls, they are complicated creatures!
"You don't say. Just now when I was heading here, I saw the poor little girl sitting all alone in the canteen staring at the crowd. I guess she had trouble buying bread or two," Sasuke's ears twitched by Karin's information, he halted himself from consuming his last piece of bread he's at.
He didn't know why that he seemed concerned about the little female and Sai's wrist watch tells him that recess is almost over subsequently he packed away the half-eaten bread.
"What's wrong?" Kiba noticed.
"Nothing," the raven male answered instantaneously. This is weird of him; he didn't know why he would start lying like this and the next he knew he shot up from sitting.
"Hey, where are you going?" his animal-friendly friend asked so does everyone looked at the Uchiha questionably.
"I have forgotten something. Go to class later, Kiba!" Sasuke left his message and left hastily into the school premise.
Sasuke ran, as fast as his feet could carry him while keeping his profile low on his case. Don't ask him why he is doing this; he would terribly like to know too. He promised himself not to care about the pink haired girl and yet he broke it the next.
How bothersome. He should have ignored the girls' conversation and snickered along with them but he couldn't do it… He need to help her not in the sense of repaying her deeds.
Rushing to the canteen at this hour was expectedly empty; the bell had already rung and disciplined students had returned to their respective classes, all there's left were cleaners and leftovers.
'Did she get to eat…?' Sasuke thought to himself.
Staring at his half-eaten bread held tightly in his grasp, he suddenly felt self-guilt. He should have helped her earlier, knowingly she might not get the chance to rival the stronger others.
Sakura is so small after all.
After all these years, she remained in that unchanged form. It is rare to see someone like that.
Sasuke felt sorry for her as he strolled along quiet corridors, the next period is about to start and he is positive that Sakura might have returned to class with an empty stomach. Then he thought,
'Is it right to give this to her?' his bread, it is rude to give someone a secondhand. Just when he was about to head for the staircase that leads to his classroom, he found her.
Green crystal-likes stared at him, her every blink made them shimmer by the day's light. They were innocent and big at the same time. Sakura continued to stay staring in her unreadable blank expression without moving an inch.
The silence they kept between them is of great force of mind battle; trying to decipher what each other is thinking at the moment as they encountered at this staircase 'crossroad'. Sasuke hate this, he dislike this suffocating silence of how Sakura kept herself still and stale.
He decided to break it as a man.
"A-Ah…Um…You ate?" past tense, Sakura understood.
"They were out of curry buns," she replied in childlike muttering, disappointed eyes gazing away. She IS a child in body, at heart. Sasuke could not help but to feel new guilt.
"H-Here," he quickly handed out the food he purposefully left for her. Sakura stared at him, understanding his deed. "I…I hope you don't mind…" bashfully he added turning his blushing face away.
Sweet bun.
Sakura smiled; a very beautiful childlike one.
"Thank you," she took it from Sasuke's hands. He didn't expect her politeness and he blushed even more by her acceptance and that smile…
He sort of like it.
Quickly, the pink-head sat on the steps to consume. She didn't bother about anything else then she just chomped down at every bite; she must be really hungry…Sasuke shared a seat by her to watch and when he finally notices one petty fact;
'Isn't that…an indirect kiss?!' his responsive adrenaline had his heart racing when Sakura bite off the part where he first did. He's blushing like crazy at his thoughts.
"You're blushing," Sakura stated cruelly.
"…?!" Sasuke covered his mouth spontaneously then turned away, he had a hard time suppressing it now that it had dominated him.
She giggled at him. The most peculiar ever yet he must admit his ears started to adapt favourably about it.
"Thanks again, Sasuke-kun."
Ah! His name, adding a polite suffix for him is rewarding. She isn't too bad after all and he took the opportunity to ask.
"How do you know my name?" he sounded wrong when it wasn't supposed to be of that question. "I mean…during Elementary school, it was you…right?" he needed to confirm.
"That was so long ago," she answered differently but definitely. "How do I know your name back then? Name tag of course," she giggled.
"R-Right...Ha…Ha…," he made a fool of himself and glad he did, he is starting to enjoy her little giggling although it wasn't the first he has heard among girls. She made herself sound…exceptional. 'She's…cute…'
Sakura then rose to her feet, dusting herself and adjusted her dress like a proper lady.
"Well, I am off," she said, assuming it was class when she started to walk off to the opposite direction.
"Erm, class is this way?" Sasuke reminded.
"I know," she kept walking in opposition.
"Where are you going?"
"Not telling," she smirked evilly. The little devil revived!
"Hey, you're not supposed to loiter. If the discipline mistress catches—"
"You there, boy!" Curse his own mouth!
Bad luck grants his wishes better than anything else. The discipline mistress and assistant to the Headmistress of Konoha High, Shizune is on the prowl and Sasuke had fallen victim!
The poor boy could wet his pants any minute when the fearsome woman hunted him guilty for loitering without a pass at this hour. Thanks to the pinky!
"What are you doing here, boy?!" the woman snarled.
"I…I was guiding a new student back to class, she's confused and—"
"You dare mock me with flimsy lies?! Who 'exactly' are you trying to help?" Shizune made him sound untrue and did his jaw hang when the sneaky pink-headed brat had whisked out of sight!
'Why that little—!' Sasuke gritted his teeth. 'She is so NOT cute at all!'
"Uncle, I am back!" Sasuke announced himself the minute he entered Brown's.
It isn't surprising to have the shop emptied at a time like this. Customers had flocked in earlier by an hour, Sasuke was actually late from school today since he got specially lectured for by the discipline mistress in person.
The Uchiha couldn't be more furious when he was 'framed' for his deeds; that little pink head!
"You're back boy, perfect timing!" a man in his late fifties peeked out from his workplace, hands occupied with dough. This is the man; Marcus Brown, the mastermind behind this small, old shop and Sasuke's savior.
"Uncle Brown, good afternoon!" Kiba who came along with the Uchiha greeted and prepared for work.
"Alright boys, I'm leaving for afternoon tea, I assume things are well in your care then," the elderly confectioner left the shop with a 'cling' of the doorbell; an old favourite for such antiques of his.
Now that Sasuke is in charge, it is time for him to put his skills to forth. Rolled up his sleeves, he had hands to work. The smell of that thick mix; a combination of flour and eggs is wonderfully scented and with a dash of vanilla essence is soul soothing. Then there comes the mixer under his sole command to draw in a harmonious blend of everything into one.
Kiba stood near to watch and far enough to avoid disturbance; his Uchiha friend truly is a skilled confectioner, he admits that though he wasn't born to be the son of the owner Brown's Sasuke does possessed the qualities.
"Say, Sasuke," the animal lover said when he sees his friend is finished.
"What?"
"Do you plan to succeed the shop?" an abrupt question and as expected his friend was silent. "I am sure Uncle Brown would be happy about that."
"Kiba quit lazing and help me out," Sasuke avoided.
"Geez, you're one stubborn head. Is it so hard for you to say 'yes'? I mean look at you, you're great in this trade!" Kiba watched his friend sighed before the air around the Uchiha turned disturbed.
"I…don't belong here…" Sasuke muttered, hands stopped temporarily at work. "I make bread and sweets in order to repay the debt to Uncle Brown even if I have affection for this, it's meaningless when the person you really wanted to show doesn't care."
How cruel of him, if word spreads into the owner Brown's ears, the elderly would be terribly heartbroken. Even so that they weren't blood related, the old confectioner was seen bearing fondness towards this Uchiha teenager, like a son.
Then there's his tiny fact sparked interest in Kiba and though he wished to ask, best not. After all it is Sasuke's choice and as a friend he is in no position to alter it? Funny, that Sasuke do want to make sweets for the sake of someone else? That person sure is lucky to gain the Uchiha's personal care.
"Moreover, I still think a man making sweets is…funny…" Sasuke said lastly.
"Are you referring to me? I like making them and in this world many men had made delicious sweets!" Kiba stood up for the world. Sasuke shrugged.
It was then the merry jingles of the old doorbell sounded, welcoming the presence of a customer. Surprisingly, Sasuke sees no one except the door closing. Whoa, that's rich for broad daylight! No, it doesn't perceive to be that way! He rushed out at once and as expected to his guessing;
"Hello," followed by a cunning smile.
"You!" Sasuke gasped loudly when Sakura's recognizable figure came to sight.
What is she doing here? It displeases him to see her especially what she had put him through all morning.
"Sakura-chan! It's great to see you!" Kiba exclaimed welcomingly. "How did you know we're here?"
"I know," she replied cheekily.
That does it, it annoys Sasuke at every second he sees the little girl though he kept reminding himself not to be deceived by her looks! She's seventeen and still acted this way!
"Whatever! Now you've come to mock me again are you? You are kind enough to disappear and leave me getting caught after saving your life!" the raven haired male fumed.
"You were caught? Why?" the pink haired female tilted her head innocently.
"School rules! Students aren't supposed to loiter after recess hours! Where have you flew off to anyway?!" he angrily said but the reaction he is getting from the Haruno female remained an innocent one; it annoys him to see her play dumb.
"I returned to the canteen," she spoke tapping her lip.
"And why would you?!"
"I wanted to buy another sweet bun you gave me." Huh? That was where she intended to go?
Sasuke wanted to give her another piece of his mind but when she made an expression, he felt words hard to escape from him. Pouting her small pink lips and had her big greens staring at him, she is all too cute for him to handle his emotions when she finally said,
"It was…nice," sincere words spewed; it only made Sasuke heat in the face. "I went to get another one in the canteen but it tastes different so I thought it must have been from some other place and the only one I could think of is here."
Sasuke turned silent.
The Uchiha didn't know why his heart started to race and he could feel his ears burn in embarrassment; these unruly emotions must have been the cause of her compliment.
Compliments; he got many from customers and he had never felt so worked up like he is currently, especially he was thrown sky high by the next she says,
"Was it you who made it, Sasuke-kun?" she specified.
Why, oh, why?
His heart could fall out of his chest for beating overly like that. He is utterly mute and stoned, he didn't have the words to speak nor had the strength to move a muscle. Her words pierced his heart and soul igniting a brand new flame within him.
He felt complimented.
"Hmm...You're all sold out I guess…" Sakura glanced around to see an empty shop. No sweet bun here to her disappointment and by her cue, Sasuke snapped back to his senses.
"Wait a while," he said then rushed into the kitchen. "Kiba come help me, bring out the sweet paste from the refrigerator!"
"Coming! Take a seat Sakura-chan, Sasuke will have it made quick for you," the Inuzuka boy winked. Sakura smiled getting the cue and it isn't the time for her to sit around when she get the chance to see what a bakery is actually like.
For the first time, Sakura watched from a nearby corner the works in the kitchen. Dough and the smell of steaming ovens filled her nose, delicious! Despite this place is old and smaller than the other confectioneries she had visited, it interest her far greater especially when that person is at work.
Jet black hair neatly tied away except for a few shorter bangs that escaped loose, the Uchiha's hands worked swift in elegance as his long slender fingers moulded the dough with finesse and his expression is no less serious when he concentrates; that frown…
Sakura stared and stared all the way as the boys worked and only at Sasuke she paid most of her attention.
"…" she continued to observe and by the time she knew it, she begin to like this place.
Time passed like a brush of a breeze, although Sakura did nothing but to stand in place to watch, her interest never once left her for a second.
"Here," Sasuke lowered himself to her height, handing her a rewarding sweet bun for her patience. "Be careful, it is still hot."
Sakura intended to wait no further; unwrapped the plastic, she took a bite though she heeded him but the hot sweet paste got her tongue. Painful but it was worth savouring it fresh.
"Are you okay?" Sasuke cared when she fanned her tongue.
"Delicious!" she exclaimed to the Uchiha's exceptional delight, he had never felt this more pleasantly. A word of compliment coming from this girl had made his day, he liked it.
Quickly, she wrapped it again. Saving it for later, he guess and he watched her head for the door. It reminds him about yesterday, assuming that she was an angel…How embarrassing.
"You're leaving?" he asks. She nodded. "Uh um, okay…Uh, see you?"
Sakura giggled then left.
Was he so funny that she had to giggle at him all the time? He sighed.
"YAAAAWWWWNNNNN…!"
"Kiba! Stop yawning like that it is…yawwnn…contagious!" Sasuke scolded. "Why must it be at every morning that you'll…yawn…Oh, whatever…" he gave up.
"Sorry, that little rascal was terrible last night even the neighbors were complaining. Yawn…" that is for adopting too many! "Say Sasuke, I've been thinking…Will Sakura-chan mention our part-time job in school?"
Now that he mentions it, the thought struck Sasuke worried but then his mouth answered countered unconsciously,
"I don't think so."
"Really? You sounded confident. I don't wanna quit Brown's, it's fun there and I felt it is destined that I'll get to meet many pups back at the shop's alley!" all for that reason?
Ignoring Kiba, Sasuke would too like to know the source of his confidence. Did he trust that pink haired female that much? A little devil she is, mischievous.
"Speak of the little devil, here she comes and cute too!" Kiba whistled admiringly as Sasuke aligned himself with the same direction.
She is small, fairly noticeable as the little pink haired girl strolled along the busy morning corridor and she is fast at it towards the boys' in her short legs. Students were at their gossips about her as she passed, no doubt it is about her extraordinariness.
About that; it is becoming an issue circulating around school and no less did Sasuke heard some when he got here. No student would not hear the tale of Haruno Sakura and her being; it goes…
"Did you see that little girl who transferred recently?"
"Duh! She is so small and to think she is actually seventeen of actual age?!"
"Really? I thought she was some teacher's daughter wondering around school. Like my seven year old sister…"
"A shorty perhaps?" they started laughing. "Too short. I think it's a physical disorder!"
"Really? It's my first to see such a thing, what a shame…"
Sasuke didn't like their talking, it gets him annoyed to hear them gossip openly like that and don't these students have any shame for themselves to whisper when she is passing?
Sakura most likely heard them when her expression tells she's doing her best to ignore.
He wanted to tell them to quit but the more Sakura got closer the more he grew stunned, only staring at her with exceptional surprise. Others may only notice about her extraordinary small build but to Sasuke it was her in her school uniform today.
The school's sailor uniform; that neatly ironed out attire brought out a petite emphasis, her long hair had it tied twos with her favourite red ribbons.
Sasuke blushed; his breath staled into holding and robbing his every memory of being angry about others' gossips.
'Cute…' his heart chanted.
"Morning, Sakura-chan!" Kiba's voice greeted the plain-expression Sakura.
"Morning," she replied when she drew near to the boys. "Morning," she next greeted Kiba's other.
"A-Ah…M-Morning…" Sasuke did his best to suppress his blushing. Sakura giggled at him and did his heart raced nervously.
Why, oh, why must he look so dumb in front of her? Moreover, why does these annoying blushing and heart racing events keep pestering him at every of her presence? He must look like a wimp!
"SASUKE-KUN! GOOD MORNING!" Ino assaulted the Uchiha from behind; clung around his neck chocking him. Kiba had to be a pal to save a bit. Sakura stood to watch, it is good to be excluded to watch something interesting but not for long.
"Eh, you're here too?" Ino was quick to notice Sakura's inferior existence.
"Can't I?" said in a cocky manner, smirking to Ino's disgust.
"Ne, Sasuke-kun. We're going to have PE today, I'm so excited. I can't wait to see you in action!" the blonde haired female squealed. Speaking of PE, it clicked Sasuke to his curiosity,
"By the way," he started by directing his gaze at Sakura. "Which team are you in for sports, red or blue?" Kiba was surprised that his friend asked, he too wished to know.
"Neither," a blunt answer; after that sole question, her behavior took a different turn. It is not like her to go cold all of a sudden perhaps the question upset her about something?
"Hey, when you're talking to Sasuke-kun show some respect at least. Just because you're smart doesn't mean you are superior, shorty!" Ino could not afford to back down without a slander.
Sasuke knew it wouldn't affect the pink head when he expects her to fight back she didn't instead she walked away, heading towards the staircase to their class.
'She…is angry…?' Sasuke concluded; he found it surprising if she is. Did Ino had the capability to hurt her or the gossips or was it him…? He asked something he shouldn't?
Neither.
Sasuke could not help but to think deeply about it; Sakura's different answer had caught him tangled in thoughts throughout the first period of class. All he did was to peek at the small female on his left, observed her everything; her expressions, her mood…they seemed unchanged.
She sat in her perfect upright posture this whole time without moving an inch and whenever she was asked a question by the teacher, she would give her answer. Precise, definite and professionally, there is no way the teacher wouldn't be pleased besides Shikamaru.
She is just so smart but she's… Sasuke could not stop wondering.
But when PE period took its turn, Sakura disappeared. Again, she vanished without a word. Was PE to her dislike, he wondered. Probably she had it bad during other PE classes previously and she was offended this morning? He is still unsatisfied with his own assumptions.
Too bad but it is Uchiha Sasuke's reign to shine!
"On your mark…Set…"
FWEET!
The whistle blew and runners sprinted off in a rocketing speed. Among the racers is Uchiha Sasuke, one of Konoha's proud sportsman and class 2-B's best; everyone expects a great deal out of the young teenager.
"Whoa! Look at Uchiha go!"
"Amazing! He's like the wind!"
"Sasuke-kun is so handsome in his PE attire."
Sasuke could hear his classmates cheer one-sidedly, seems unfair to the other racers when he is exceptionally favoured when everyone on the track is as good as another. Indeed he had no problems taking the lead and winning but what's the point…He suddenly didn't feel like giving his all, not when he sees the 'little' someone is absent and he felt kind of guilty for earlier.
Ah, his emotions are affecting him! Think again Uchiha,
Sakura is ill-mannered; rude with words to whoever she meets but she could be caring in many ways with her intention of not truly showing it. Hmm, sounds like her odds are balancing out.
'Why am I so concerned…?' he asked himself as he sees the finish line ahead.
Neither.
That word struck again in the back of Sasuke's mind especially recalling that he managed to catch that pained look of hers she tried to hide. What was the reason to her answer?
He wished to know. He needed to ask. His unreasonable curiosity is driving him crazy since this morning and when he finally realized that…
He is being rather attached to Haruno Sakura.
'The finish line…' Sasuke is only steps away, if he sprinted now he'd win when the others were just behind him but…that moment, he didn't feel like it.
He wished that Sakura would be here watching him race and win because he wished to hear her praise him; like how it was yesterday. Her honest comments were pleasing and invasive.
He…He…like them.
Why, oh, why is he being so abrupt?
Sasuke stopped at his feet allowing the other races to take victory…for now.
"What are you doing Sasuke-kun?!" his adoring classmates shouted from the sidelines to his abrupt halt in the race.
"What is wrong, Sasuke?" Gai-sensei their PE teacher approached with concern.
"Yeah, what is the matter, Sasuke-kun? It's not like you for me to take first place. We are destined rivals in sports no matter what! I forbid you to give in like that, this shall not be counted as fair win!" Rock Lee; just like Sasuke a skilled and good sportsman. They had rivaled out each other in whatever sport they take part.
"Sorry, Lee I needed to go to the bathroom," the Uchiha quickly lied.
"What?! You stopped for that sake?!" Kiba shot up annoyed but it wouldn't stop the Uchiha from leaving desperately. "Guess I couldn't be helped."
Again by impulse, he desperately raced along the corridors, searching thoroughly at every possible corner he'd think Sakura would be; he must find her. He lost his own control when his mechanism was in his separate command from him only but to follow his heart's desire to see her now.
Her petty words had caused him great turbulence within him. He just didn't know why he started to care for that small girl whose rude and all; ever since her existence in his little world, she had played a major influence in his mind. He cannot stop thinking of the 'angel' who once saved him.
Not from the bullies but from the evil of himself.
She pierced his dark barrier that clouded his path thinking that life is meaningless, lifted his sorrows and showed him an alternative way of living.
Yes, that is it! He had found his reason why he's running like a mad man to find her now…
He wanted to tell her how important she is and when she spoke the word 'neither' he could tell her sorrows. Now, it is his turn to lift that for her, no matter what had happened for the past ten years of their separation will come later.
For her to say so is completely unacceptable to him; he would not accept his 'angel' to falter in life.
In life there are filled with alternatives and choices; neither is unacceptable!
Rushing up the stairs Sasuke coincidentally overhead gossip conversations, those students are at it again. It has become one of the hot topics around since Sakura came and they find it amusing to chat about.
He will not see this through, it is enough!
"Flat chested!"
"Of course she is, look at her immature body! Haha!"
"Oh come on, don't bully the girl with words or else she'll be crying to her daddy! Haha!"
"I heard she's smart. She got the teachers stunned; another genius they call her."
"So what if she is smart when she could not even grow up? I am sure she's facing many defaults along the way with her small chaste!"
"Aww, that's mean but true, who'd ever want her when she's going to stay like that for the rest of her life…"
Sasuke listened with parted lips, he knew the first half the circulating gossip but…this has gone way too far! He didn't know that these people could make it as bad as it could go. Don't they have any shame for themselves to take it that far?
'It's not like she wanted to be in her state!' Sasuke's mind screamed. Was it the same at every other school for her? "Hey you guys should stop it!" he decided to stand up for the pink haired girl.
"Stop it? What's your business?" the boy of long blonde approach in rough manner, a third year Sasuke identified.
"Take them back," Sasuke said frowning, the offended male later grabbed him roughly by the collar.
"What's there to take back? You're just being nosy and we spoke facts! It is rude for you to eavesdrop," the blonde boy jerked hard, Sasuke countered his deadly stares.
"It is you who's rude. Gossiping for a male? That's low. Why not wear a skirt instead," Sasuke mocked. "Moreover, why don't you try being small?!" he won't accept it.
"Why you—!"
"Oi, oi. Don't get too rough there, Deidara," one of the boy's friends played peace-maker.
"I won't. I'll just have this nosy know his place," the blonde who goes by Deidara replied in rude culture while maintaining his grasp on Sasuke's collar.
"How despicable. You start rumors and yet you fear? Have you got no b*lls?" Sasuke smirked in contempt.
"Why you—I was trying to be kind but since my mood is off today. I'll show you who doesn't have it!" the blonde was about to fist it up for Sasuke when,
WHACK!
A book, specifically, a hard-covered one came flying, it struck pain on Deidara's arm. Reactively, he unhanded Sasuke.
"Hmph! What a miss, that was actually meant for your head," that 'petite' voice?!
Sasuke glanced over to the direction of that speech, apparently it was Sakura. In folded arms, she glared at Sasuke's bully like she usually did. Fearless and fearsome, that little body possessed these qualities. Admirable?
"Why you little b***h! How dare you throw that dumb thing at me?!" the rough boy raged.
"I can throw as many times as I like if you don't get lost!" Sakura showed no fear at all, in fact, she braved to confront the bully of taller build. Sasuke froze, watching.
It is happening again.
Like how it was during Elementary school. No matter how small she may be or how big the bully was; Sakura showed unwavering courage backed by her sharp tongue that spews censure, she is unconditionally brave for someone so small…
So small…
It reminds Sasuke greatly when the scene before him replayed from the past; it tells him a clear picture. This isn't the matter of physical size.
'You can be whatever you want to be if you don't sulk at your weakness…'
How ashamed could he be now, having a little girl to cover up for him at a time like this again.
"I'll have you get lost instead!" he grabbed Sakura by her sailor uniform, lifting her off the ground.
"Oi, don't, Deidara!" another tried to stop.
"Ah?!" Sasuke gasped. What should he do? She'll get hurt if this continues not when she did the most unthinkable thing…
Seeing Deidara blush and gasp, Sakura smirked contentedly at her wicked trick and the poor boy is redder by the minute.
"Boys are so perverted, one little brush and you go 'hard'?" Sakura giggled triumphantly, also cunningly. The witnessing girls went squealing and running away at the scene neither Sasuke could help but to blush and look away as well.
She had her foot struck him…there?!
Oh…this is so embarrassing! Sakura is a girl isn't she? How can she do such a thing and Deidara is stoned and still with his face flustered in reactive embarrassment. Immediately, he shoved Sakura away.
"Y-Y-You…p-p-perverted little girl! What have you done to me?!" Deidara screamed to the highest pitch. "Uwah! I'm going to tell mommy! Y-You better watch out, I'll get you for t-this!" and he ran away as well…
Sakura giggled.
"Perverted little girl? I'm seventeen alright," she smirked and laughed.
"You know, that is not a nice thing to do…" Sasuke said not to the pink-head's liking.
"Whatever, he's got what he deserves," shrugged her shoulders, she retrieved her book and was about to leave.
"Sorry…" Sasuke apologized on his own will, Sakura stared a bit before a reply,
"What for?" in dull speech.
"I am sure you have heard what they said earlier…I apologize on their behalf and this morning too…" the raven haired boy bowed deeply. She don't get him; wasn't it them who supposed to be apologizing?
Sakura giggled to his surprise.
"You're funny."
"F-Funny…?"
"I don't care what others say about me. They just gave me a reason to bully them instead," dusting her book.
She is stronger than he thinks; his worries were worthless, huh.
"You shouldn't do that, it's not nice for someone like yourself," Sasuke said caring earning a disagreeing gesture from the female.
"Ch! You looking down on me?" she threw a glare.
"No. Never. I just think that for you to act this way doesn't suit someone cute as you," he blurt out of honesty and when he realizes it, he went bright red.
However, it seems that Sakura is pretty much unaffected; glaring at him with that calm expression of hers. He really meant what he said but mostly she thinks they were mere words spoken out of humour until,
"Pfft!" Sakura started laughing on her own, Sasuke was clueless a while and soon joined her retaining his blush.
Her laughter, it was a lovely tune to begin with; in a mix of her giggling and laughter, petite shoulders shrugged accordingly and a small hand covering her laugh, like a princess.
She doesn't sound like a teenager at all.
"Like I said you're funny!" she giggled more. Sasuke scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Then come join us for PE. We're racing today," the Uchiha tried convincing. She shook her head turning down the offer.
"Thanks but no thanks. I wish I could but this body won't do… Not in this life time I guess..." she said with a slight hint of sadness, Sasuke couldn't find words to argue.
So that was her reason she got offended when he asked her sports team this morning? Her physical defect… but isn't she going against her word; sulking at her own weakness? But for now he'll leave it as that.
As the silence started to build between them, Sakura find it meaningless to continue of any conversation and began to leave, she didn't anticipate that the Uchiha would be so persistent.
"Come watch then. I want you to watch us race at least!" Trying to gain her participation.
With her back at him,
"Nah, it's pointless to watch others run," her denial again which pisses him off. Why is she turning down on every offer? "And by the way, you were cool on the track."
Her opinion.
'She was actually watching…?' curiously and she made it clear that it was only him she paid attention, the rest to her were pointless. Learning her true words got him red again, covering his mouth embarrassingly he blushed harder.
It was only a phrase of praise and did it get him to melt all over. His eyes constantly trailed her leaving figure, strolling along the hallway until she disappears into a corner.
"I was…cool…?" he felt his heart race, his face burned in intense heat and later a smile.
He is happy.
He didn't think he was secretly admired from the shadows; it is so like Sakura, always watching him without him knowing. Again, realized how silly of a man he could be. He was supposed to cheer Sakura up and instead he got cheered in return.
No matter how he wanted to hate that pink haired girl, he just couldn't bring himself to. She made herself adorable to him…
Truly an angel sent from heaven.
REVIEWS for this chap pls! (as a support?)
Update ASAP! :D