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Sometime Around Midnight

Chapter 2

Sasuke groaned as he finally opened his eyes, fully objecting to the sunlight filtering through his window. His head throbbed with the mistakes of last night, and for a moment he forgot he was even back in Tokyo. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, wishing he could go back to the simplicity of being an ocean away.

His heart immediately began to race as he caught a whiff of a familiar smell, as if it had been burned onto his skin; that faint peach magnolia blossom scent that he had come to associate with comfort itself. He pulled his hand back, looking at it with wide eyes. 'Sakura...'

He couldn't stop the memories from rushing back all at once. The way her tears felt rolling over his fingers. The sound of her voice when she told him that she missed him. The way her lips felt on his, and how he would definitely never be able to drink gin again without her.

He suddenly couldn't resist the urge to shower, to scrub every remnant she left on him off of his skin. He wouldn't do this again. He couldn't do this again. She seemed so much happier without him. Why did she have to talk to him? Why did he accept this contract? Why did he think it would be different?

'What is wrong with me?'

The most frustrating part of this entire situation is the burning sensation that he shouldn't be mad about it at all. He made a choice, and he promised himself he wouldn't regret it. This industry is not for the weak of heart, and there are always sacrifices to be made. If Sakura chose to cling to the past, that wasn't his problem. She acted like she was the only one who had changed.

Sasuke sat up, biting back the feel of bile in his throat as he looked down at his phone. It didn't much help that he had fallen asleep staring at the messages she had sent him. It was like she was mocking him. He tried not to throw his phone, deciding instead to do what he needed to. After he composed himself with a shower, he was going to talk to Itachi.

(8 years earlier)

Sakura sighed as she stared off into space. Yet another boring day at the tiny little private school her parents had insisted she go to. It would be a waste, they said, for someone so promising to be stuck bored out of her mind in public school. But Sakura also knew that without any exposure to the "real world" she would never get a chance to grow.

She looked at the school and saw what it was; a manicured garden of clipped flowers. She wondered what it would be like to grow without being told how to do it.

She turned to look out the window, hoping to see trees. But instead all she saw were more buildings and concrete. She huffed, barely paying attention to the lesson in front of her. Honestly, she was still bored out of her mind. But when she hears the teacher call on another student, she sits straight up, looking over to the boy a few seats away from her.

"Sasuke," the teacher paused, obviously expecting an answer. Sakura was immediately sucked into yet another daydream about the raven haired boy when he finally spoke. She couldn't help it; he was the smartest, cutest boy at the school! How she wished she could actually work up the nerve to speak to him.

Would he even recognize her? Sakura knew she wasn't the prettiest girl in the school, and really she paled in comparison. How was she expected to go up against actual child models? She never stood a chance. She didn't even notice Sasuke had given the correct answer until the teacher returned to lecture.

Having the itching feeling of being watched, Sasuke turned to look at her. Shocked and embarrassed, she recoiled, turning back to face the front with her now beet shaded cheeks. She didn't dare look back, even though she knew he was now staring at her.

She sighed in relief as the bell rang and Sasuke quickly stood, leaving the classroom before the bell even finished ringing. She dropped her face down onto the desk in front of her, wondering how she always managed to embarrass herself around him when they've never even spoke. But Sakura didn't let herself dwell on the thought, and stood up with a renewed vigor.

"One day..." She whispered to herself.

'You'll know who I am!'

The loud whistle from the tea kettle sounded in the kitchen and Itachi took a moment to stand up and tend to it, his thoughts still distracted with the inevitable conversation he would have with his brother.

Sasuke had always been the "problem" child in his family, although he couldn't blame him entirely for that. Although he was always impressed at how his little brother was able to cause problems for him every day, even from across an ocean.

But of course, now he was back. And things would only get vastly more complicated from here on. And only half of those problems were with the girl in his guest room right now. Although, the other half he supposed were very closely related.

He lazily poured himself a cup of tea and headed back to the table, placing it down to cool while he leaned back in his chair. He wondered how long it would take Sasuke to come, or if he would choose the coward's route and just call him again.

He ran his hand through his loose hair, silently hoping he wouldn't show up for awhile, if at all. Sakura hadn't exactly had the best experience last night, and he still needed to figure out exactly what happened if he was going to be able to undo any of the damage.

He heard the shower switch off in the other room and he shot a glance over his shoulder, wondering how long it would take Sakura to run off like she always did. She always bolted when she did something she wasn't supposed to, and he chuckled to himself as he wondered when he became her goddamn therapist.

But it only took a second for him to feel guilty for the thought, remembering how much worse it could be. Knowing where she was and that she was safe and comfortable was more than worth it. There were many nights in the past few years when he would have given anything for that seemingly small comfort.

He picked up the cup in front of him, slowly blowing on it before bringing it to his lips, just in time for him to hear a banging on his door.

"Shit." He muttered, standing up quickly, but without actually moving to answer the door. He looked back down the hallway again, wondering if it was possible to get Sasuke in and out before he ever noticed she was there. Considering she normally took ages to get ready, he silently hoped that would be the case. Especially since he was sure she wouldn't want to go home yet... Considering who would be waiting for her there.

Sasuke's banging became more insistent, and Itachi finally decided to answer it. He leaned against the doorframe, blocking the entrance as he stared down at his little brother. For a moment Sasuke acted as if he would barrel through Itachi, but he stopped.

"Tch, you're not gonna yell at me out here, are you?" Itachi closed his eyes for a moment, trying not to get annoyed immediately.

"It's nice to see you too, little brother. It's been awhile." He stepped out of the way, heading back into the kitchen. Sasuke walked past him, going to sit down at the table next to the seat his brother obviously occupied.

"Tea?" Itachi called over, and Sasuke grumbled an affirmative answer, hearing Itachi already pouring the drink. When he finally joined him back at the table, they sat in silence. Itachi had both of his forearms resting on the table, but Sasuke sat back with his arms crossed. A perfect picture of when they were younger.

So this was how it was going to be; so be it. He knew how this game went.

"Sasuke..." He started in that voice Sasuke knew far too well.

"I'm not a goddamn child, I don't need you to scold me." Itachi narrowed his eyes in response before rubbing his face to try and relieve the building tension.

"Then why are you here, Sasuke?"

"Is she here or not?" The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them, and Itachi's face didn't move at all. So much for a hint.

"Who?" He responded, a small smirk finally appearing. Itachi was always one to love playing games, especially when it came to his brother's love life. But this time it wasn't only his little brother involved, he supposed. Sasuke clenched his fists, knowing there was a familiar pout forming on his face.

"So that's a yes, then."

"So you're not here for a friendly catch-up chat with your big brother, I take it?" Itachi asked before taking a long sip from his drink, obviously not expecting a response. When he looked back up at his brother he seemed lost in thought, his gaze out the window to his right. Itachi decided it wasn't worth it to interrupt him, hoping that he might actually admit why he came to him in the first place.

Sure, he was probably looking for Sakura, but there were ways to find her without admitting his intention to Itachi. As expected, Sasuke breaks the silence, abandoning the prior topic.

"Everything seems the same but I can tell it's all different." Sasuke's angry stare moved from the window to the cup of tea in front of him, and Itachi was relieved to hear the genuineness in his tone.

"It has been awhile." Itachi admitted, wondering if Sasuke would ever actually be able to accept what had happened in his absence. Sasuke nodded, as if reading Itachi's thoughts. There was no use in trying to recap the past five years with him right now. Especially not when the largest topic of conversation was in the other room.

Itachi peeked back at the hall, but silence stretched throughout the house again. Luckily, he did not find it necessary to tell his brother about the full extent of his role in his absence. In the end, it didn't matter. Sakura never really listened to him, anyway.

"I'm going to have to see her again soon, Itachi." Sasuke finally said, his voice almost uncertain as he looked up at his brother. "You can't hide her from me forever."

Itachi pondered the thought for a moment, finally shrugging with indifference. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed at the obscure gesture.

"What does that even mean?"

"We'll see." Itachi warned, his eyes narrowing into a far more threatening look. Sasuke's hand balled into a fist as he stood up, leaning over the table at his brother.

"Dammit, Itachi!" But the older brother only laughed, standing up and walking back into the kitchen at the outburst. Truthfully he just wanted to make a distance between the two of them. He was right that him and Sakura would have to face each other soon, and they would have scheduled time at the same set for the better part of a year.

Itachi wasn't quite sure how to handle that yet, honestly. He was hoping to be able to figure that out with Sakura before his brother met with her. But something about Sasuke's reactions last night told him he was already too late.

'Sakura... I told you not to go to that fucking party.'

"Why do you always act like I can't do anything right?!" His brother shouted from the other room, not yet following him. Itachi was roused from his thoughts, and he tried not to outwardly laugh at the ridiculous statement. He knew his brother wasn't a complete fuck up, but when it came to a certain pinkette he didn't exactly have the best track record.

After all, he was the one who had to put up with the mess after he left last time. He didn't plan on doing it again.

"Itachi!~" A voice sang from down the hall, and Sasuke's eyes widened for a moment before he turned in the direction of the call. "I heard a nois-" Sakura stopped as she poked her head out the doorway, locking gazes with the last person she wanted to see right now.

"... Hi, Sasuke."

(7 years earlier)

Sakura sat in the audition line, nervously chewing on her bottom lip and playing with the hem of her shirt. She was sure it would be her turn any second as she was one of the few girls left. She closed her eyes, trying to regulate her breathing to stop the hyperventilation.

Honestly, she was just happy to even get the audition! Of all the girls throughout Japan, they had called her back. She couldn't believe it. She had also heard rumors that Sasuke, the Sasuke, got a call back. She sighed dreamily, knowing that it had to be true. There was no way they would call her back but not him.

The sound of the door opening interrupted her thoughts, and she quickly turned to the boy who had come in, taking an empty seat a few away from her.

"S-Sasuke?" Sakura stuttered, a little shocked to hear the noise come out of her own mouth. She quickly shot her hand up to cover her stupid, treacherous mouth, but he looked over at her, carefully tilting his head as he looked over the nervous, excited mess of a girl in front of him.

Without responding, he turns his attention back down to the script pack in his hands. A bit annoyed at the very rude rejection, she scoots a seat closer to him, still leaving a two-seat buffer. He looks up at her again, but she can see him grimace at the obvious stars forming in her eyes.

"You're Sasuke Uchiha, right? You're in my class!"

"Hn," was his only reply, and Sakura pouted.

"If you need to study your lines, you can just tell me you know." He finally puts them down, turning to look at her with a clearly annoyed face. Her face lights up in a blush, but she holds her ground.

"Fine." She turns her head away from him in a childish manner, but still whispered, "Sorry for bothering you."

Sakura stood up to walk closer to the audition room, deciding there was no way he would ever want to talk to her. She was stupid to even try. Ino was right; he was way out of her league. But right as she took her first step, she heard him finally speak.

"You shouldn't get so upset about what I think of you." She turned to look at him over her shoulder, and the confusion must have shown across her features, because he continued.

"You should go back to how you were before I came in."

She continued to look at him with what she was sure was a stupid face, her eyebrow cocked and her head tilted dramatically to the side. When he finally looked up to fully address her, there was a smirk tugging at his lips. He chuckled a bit after inspecting her, finally looking back down.

"You're annoying."

Sakura felt her mouth drop open, sure that she must have misheard him. There's no way he could be so—so—!

"But you've got a pretty smile. You should use it." Sakura swore she had whiplash from the complete change in demeanor. And sure enough, he looked back up to her and chuckled once more at the way her mouth hung open and her face burning a bright red. What an absolutely infuriating, confusing, absolutely beautiful piece of -

"Sakura!" The casting director called from his clipboard, looking up to the girl standing in the middle of the room. "Ready?" He asked, and Sakura quickly nodded, "Yes, sir!"

She turned back to Sasuke one last time, and was shocked when he gave her one last smile before looking back down at his script. She smiled back at him, realizing he had succeeded in distracting her for those last few agonizing moments.

"Thank you, Sasuke." She said in a voice soft enough to be considered a whisper. She wasn't expecting any other niceties or favors from the boy, but right before she walked through the door she heard him call back.

"Good luck, Sakura."

"Hey," was all Sasuke said in response, and Sakura nervously combed her fingers through her bangs, suddenly regretting the decision to put her hair up. She really wished she could bury herself in it right now.

"Ah, Sakura, I hope you don't mind." Itachi said with a smile, and Sakura nodded dumbly back.

"Yeah, I mean no, of course. I don't mind." Her face was burning—since when did she go back to being that insecure little girl? With that thought, she straightened her back, deciding that if she wanted to survive this visit with any of her dignity, she'd have to get over any embarrassment from last night.

'God, why did I think drinking was a good idea. Surprised Itachi hasn't given me the "I told you so" speech yet.'

Her head was still pounding, and she wanted desperately to just go grab a quick breakfast with Itachi to offer a better explanation than she was able to last night. But there was no way that Sasuke would leave them alone, and no way that he would come with them.

She looked up at him as she approached the table, only to see that he hadn't stopped staring at her with a rather pissed off face. 'Okay, so that's how it's going to be...' She thought, rolling her eyes as soon as her face was out of his sight.

"Ah, Sasuke, did you have fun last night?" She asked as cooly as she could, sitting down at the table while Itachi brought her a cup of tea. She could have sworn she saw a flicker of insecurity in Sasuke's eyes, as well as a bit of a challenge. She wasn't sure why until she realized that her question meant something different to him than it would Itachi.

After all, Itachi had absolutely no idea what had happened last night. But Sasuke didn't know that. He was still so unsure about where her loyalties lie. The very idea caused a rather hypocritical annoyance, and knowing it was unfair, she buried it as deep as she could.

She had not told Itachi what had happened in the sunroom, and she wasn't planning on it. She knew how Itachi felt about her talking to Sasuke; he had made it very clear. Sasuke must have seen the realization dawn on her, because he quickly went from stone-faced to smirking.

"It's always fun, isn't it Sakura?" She tensed at the tone of his voice. Was he trying to be funny? Or just an ass? She tried not to let it show, though, as she could feel Itachi carefully watching her for any sign of deception.

'God, I hate when he looks at me like that.'

Sakura knew that Sasuke would never be the one to step down or apologize. It just wasn't in his nature to be vulnerable. She already knew that, but for some stupid reason she had convinced herself it was actually just because of her influence. She had hoped that after five years of her absence he would change, and finally be happy. But as she felt two sets of dark eyes boring into her, she leaned forward in her chair, turning to look directly into the younger brother's eyes.

"Listen, Sasuke, I'm sorry for how I was last night." The look on his face was one of pure shock, and Sakura couldn't help but feel a little proud she could still surprise him.

"I drank too much and I let Naruto take that picture. I shouldn't have kissed you without your permission."

Sasuke shifted uncomfortably in his seat, obviously trying to work out why she was telling him this. But Sakura only leaned forward further, grabbing Sasuke's hand from the opposite side of the table and smiling warmly at him. Sasuke wasn't sure what was more unsettling, the stark difference from her actions last night, or the fact she was being undeniably genuine. She actually felt bad.

"I hope you can forgive me. I know it probably made quite a mess for you." He felt like he was getting sucked into her eyes, and Itachi was glaring harshly at him, as if he could kill his brother with just a look. Sasuke opened his mouth, trying to speak for a moment before Sakura decided to show mercy, turning to look at Itachi. He finally relented from his glaring, and Sasuke took the moment to watch the two of them.

Sasuke had heard that Itachi and Sakura had gotten close over the years, and honestly he would be lying if he said he never read the tabloid stories about Sakura. It wasn't like he hated her or was completely disinterested in her and her life. He just had to leave.

But as he watched the familiarity the two spoke with, and the way Itachi felt perfectly comfortable touching her made him feel ill. Just what was the nature of their relationship? True, Sakura had spent the night here but she was obviously coming out of the guest room, and she didn't seem ashamed in the least to be found here with him. And besides, Itachi wasn't always the most loving brother but there's no way he would do that to him, right?

Right?

"What about you, Sasuke?" Sasuke snapped out of his internal monologue, realizing she was expecting him to answer. But honestly, he hadn't the faintest clue what they were talking about. After a moment, Sakura laughed, shaking her head.

"I asked how you felt about the movie? To finish the series?"

For some reason, hearing that in her voice suddenly rocketed him back to reality. He was back in Japan because he had unfinished business. With her (and the others, he supposed). He would have to find a way to stand in front of a camera, with her, again, and convince the world that he... Sakura interrupted his thought with a wink and a wicked smile.

"You scared?"

(7 years earlier)

A nervous Sakura stood before the set, positively shaking and nauseous with a healthy dose of excitement and anxiety. She kept flipping through her script, as if she hadn't memorized the lines months ago. She couldn't help it—she just had to make sure she got this right! But right as she was about to start reading it over again, a familiar blonde boy ran up to her.

"Sa-ku-ra!~" Naruto chimed, beaming with joy at her in a way that was almost too hard to hate. She openly groaned, looking up at him with a pout.

"Can't you see I'm trying to prepare for the first day?" But Naruto was having none of it, and he quickly snatched her script, holding it just out of her reach. Now Sakura was fuming, jumping up and clawing at him to try and get it back. How was it she could be taller than him, and still lose?

'What a jerk, wasting my time like this!' She angrily thought to herself. But right when she finally managed to grab the script and roll it up to hit him over the head with it, she saw a figure appear out of her peripheral.

"Sasuke!" It was her time to beam, and she quickly abandoned a heartbroken Naruto to run over him. But Naruto couldn't hide his excitement, either. After all, he had been trying to be a co-star with the Uchiha for quite some time. For a while, it was the only roles he would apply to at all!

"Can you believe I got the part?" She had been waiting for weeks to see him again and finally talk to him about the audition where they had last spoke. But Sasuke just shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "I guess."

Sakura wouldn't give up that easily, and she made sure to match his pace so she would be right beside him, just in case he was actually trying to get away from her. But judging by the semi-smile forming in the corner of his lips, he was a little proud of her.

"So what do you think about our parts? I mean, how they, you know." Sakura's smile had gone from composed to absolutely ridiculous, and she was obviously uncomfortable with the topic she had decided to bring up.

"No, I don't know." Sasuke's face had shifted into that smug smirk he always wore, and Sakura decided it was time he meet his real match.

'I will make you fall in love with me, Sasuke!' She cheered for herself in her own head as she stepped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks as she held up her script triumphantly.

"How we're going to fall in love, of course!" She almost didn't recognize her own voice, but she was happy to have said it all the same. Because for the first time since she'd met him, Sasuke was actually blushing.

'He's so cute!' Her inner self beamed. But now was not the time to get distracted, no. Now was time to go in for the kill. She brought her arms behind her, locking her hands together.

"To be honest, I already do fancy you, Sasuke. I won't have to act at all."

That was enough to make the usually silent, apathetic boy burn as red as the tomatoes he always packed in his lunch. Sakura channeled all of what she had to refuse to back down, and waited for his response. What was he going to do?

'Your move.' But right as she swore he was going to do something, fate intervened.

"Naruto, Sasuke, get in position. It's time to get started." But honestly, Sakura wasn't disappointed. Seeing a flustered, blushing Sasuke struggle to walk away from her was more than enough for her. Because at that moment Sakura knew he wasn't as unattainable as she always thought he was.

"Tch." Sasuke ground out from between his teeth at Sakura's question. She was asking him if he was scared? Like he couldn't handle her?

But he immediately ate his words, because when she started giggling at the incredulousness of her confidence.

She still showed that open vulnerability, that transparency that drew him to her in the first place. He saw Itachi roll his eyes, and something about the situation seemed so... Normal. Docile. As if he weren't sitting at a table with his ex-girlfriend and scorned brother. When he saw the rather snide smirk on Sakura's face, he couldn't stop his mouth from curving into a lopsided smile.

And Sakura loved that smile. The way her eyes briefly widened in disbelief betrayed her cool demeanor. But she couldn't care about that right now, because Sasuke was smiling at her.

Actually smiling, like he used to do with her all the time.

Sakura's mouth hung open for a moment, before Itachi interrupted the moment by clearing his throat, as if to remind her of the thousands of warnings he had given her before. She swallowed thickly, staring down and taking a sip of her tea as if she felt guilty.

This interaction didn't escape Sasuke. Even though his curiosity was piqued, he tried not to dwell on it for too long. The few times Sasuke had actually talked to Itachi in the past few years, he learned that his older brother had quite a soft spot for Sakura. It almost seemed too soft, but Sasuke didn't like thinking about that. Not only because there was nothing he could do to change the past, but because Itachi—and Sakura, for that matter—can do whatever the hell they want. Sasuke waived his right to her business when he left her. And that was a long time ago.

"Well, I appreciate the tea, but I promised Ino I would meet with her at the café. So I really should be going." Sakura's voice seemed more restrained that just moments before. Sasuke didn't respond to the sudden departure, but Itachi stood from his seat as Sakura did the same. He watched the two exchanged a hug, but there was something so strained in the movements. The moment did not last long, and soon Sakura was standing before him, holding out her hand.

He briefly glanced at the extended hand before shifting his gaze to her face. She looked so uncomfortable, in a way he wasn't used to. Was she scared he was going to reject her? A fair thought, as it had crossed his mind.

As he stood she pulled her hand back, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she took a step back, finally turning to leave.

As soon as she felt his hand pressing lightly against her back, Sakura jumped ever-so-slightly, as if the contact physically shocked her. He did not move his hand as he followed closely behind her to the door. Sakura looked up with those big, confused doe eyes she used to only show him. He didn't meet her eyes as he said in a deceptively confident voice.

"I'll take you."

Sasuke wasn't sure what surprised him more, the fact that Itachi didn't protest, or the fact Sakura did. Her voice was quiet, but sincere when she said, "It's fine. I don't need a ride."

Sasuke finally looked directly into those deep jade eyes, letting his hand fall from her back, stopping next to her at the door.

"We need to talk, Sakura." He whispered, not sure if Itachi was still listening, as he seemed to have gone back into the kitchen without the intention to return.

"I don't know if now's the best time to do that." Sakura shifted uncomfortably, causing her oversized grey cardigan to slide off her shoulder. She didn't even go to fix it, her hands clasped in front of her. He watched as she nervously chewed on her bottom lip, avoiding looking at him. He sighed, running an agitated hand through his hair.

Why was she being so annoying?

"Come on, Sakura. What? You want to wait until we're on set?" His eyes were narrowed, but Sakura continued to avoid his eyes.

"I mean, no... But-" He cut her off, growing more impatient, "But what? If you think you're just going to keep avoiding this so I keep coming running after you, you're wrong."

Sakura's eyes snapped up to his in an instant, and he knew he had probably been too harsh. He hadn't meant to sound so angry with her, but at the same time he really was frustrated. She had been so willing to throw herself at him twelve hours ago, but now she was avoiding him? That picture had landed him in deep shit with more than just Itachi, and she was trying to act like she had the right to choose when they discussed it.

"I'm sorry?" She spat back, her voice suddenly becoming loud. She wanted to scream at him, ask him if he thought every decision in her life had to revolve around him. As if he had cared at all about the backlash when he left her. As if he even cared about the tabloids when they were together! The audacity of him to act like he could demand a conversation, as if all of her messages had gone unanswered until it was convenient for him.

"You know what, Sasuke. Fuck you. I don't owe you anything."

She turned around, opening the door and going to slam it in his face. Sasuke stopped the door with his arm, immediately following her without even bothering to close the door. He caught up with her, getting increasingly annoyed as he saw the big tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why don't you just leave me alone? You're so good at that!" Her voice was much louder, and Sasuke hated it. But he didn't hate the volume nearly as much as her words.

"What? You expected me to just stay here?" His face was contorted, but his words remained level. This seemed to piss of Sakura even more, and she held her place as she tried to scream at her tears to not fall.

"Right, sorry, I forgot that you get to make all the decisions." Sasuke rolled his eyes at the idea, and she just scoffed at the display.

"Get out of my way, Sasuke." She couldn't bear to touch him as she walked around him, carefully wiping off the moisture that collected under her eyes. She straightened her back, reminding herself that this mascara cost more than this fight was worth.

"What? You think you're just going to walk there?" He didn't even look over his shoulder to ask, but Sakura did. She stared at his back and yelled back, "I'd rather walk for an hour than get in your stupid fucking car!"

Sasuke clenched his teeth. He hadn't planned for the conversation to devolve this fast, and he knew that it would only be a few moments more before Itachi came out to kick his ass for this display in front of the manor.

He unlocked his car, climbing in and taking a few deep breaths, trying to think about how to redirect this conversation with his pride in tact. But the more he thought about her words, the more irritated he got.

He wasn't only mad at her. Sakura's anger was partially justified. Sasuke hadn't been the best boyfriend to her before. He knew that, he had accepted that a long time ago. But at the same time, she had to know that things couldn't be like this on the set. Nothing was going to be solved if they just insulted each other over and over again.

He leaned his head back against his headrest. He should have given them more time. Why didn't he come back earlier?

'Right... I was avoiding this.'

But he couldn't help it. He was just as stupid as she was when it came to their relationship. It was crazy to him how quickly the couple went sour. The honeymoon phase was over, that's what everyone said. But he knew there was more to it than that. She had tried so hard to keep him around, to keep him happy. But in the end he chose the fame over her. She was ready to give up the world for him. But he couldn't do that to her.

After he had calmed down, to the extent possible at this point, he finally backed out his car. He drove slowly down the street until he spotted Sakura, her back to him as she forcefully mashed the touchscreen on her phone, obviously irritated. He pulled up next to her, and she looked up at him for a second, just to turn her face away with a pout.

Even more irritatingly, the childish nature of the action caused some of his anger to disperse. She could never look scary. He stared at her for a moment, and when she started walking away, he followed. His face was bored as the car inched forward.

"Sakura..." He warned through a rolled down window.

"It's literally zero degrees outside. Get in the car."

Sakura refused to look at him, her arms crossed over her chest. Sakura's hands were absolutely burning from the cold, although she was convinced she could heat herself up with her anger alone.

Sasuke leaned against the car door, resting his hand on a free fist as he occasionally glanced at Sakura. The longer they continued like this, Sasuke's lips curled into a smirk. Sakura seemed to notice the change in his demeanor, and she stopped, prompting Sasuke to as well.

"What?" She finally asked, and Sasuke just shook his head.

"What are you smiling about, asshole?" She couldn't help but feel a little warmth inside at that stupid damn smile. Something about the question felt so familiar. But of course, when she used to call him an asshole, it wasn't meant as a serious insult. She wanted to go back to that feeling, and so she clung to that warmth.

'Could we go back to that, Sasuke?'

Sasuke leaned back in his chair, looking at her with the same arrogant look. The warmth radiating from his car next to her was so, so inviting. So without more words, she groaned before opening the passenger side of his car and climbing in.

Sasuke rolled up the windows, not saying anything else. He began driving off into the general direction of the city. Sakura sat in the silence, still insisting on not talking to him. Instead, she tried to focus on the music softly coming from his stereo.

'It's been three whole years of me thinking about you every day
Sometimes for hours, sometimes in passing
Saw you from the bottom of the staircase
Stood out for hours as you complained
About how you haven't seen your friends yet
That you're too drunk to stand and
You not knowing if you can love him forever.

Bullshit, you fucking miss me.'

It was like the fates were laughing at her through the music. She went to change it, but Sasuke lifted his phone, indicating that the music was coming from his playlist.

'Of course. He's even messing with me via music. So very on trend.'

Sakura finally broke under the silence, and she looked out the window as she said, "I thought you wanted to talk." Sasuke let out an uncharacteristic chuckle, and something about it made Sakura soften her stiff position.

"I thought you told me to shut up." Sakura's face reddened, and she struggled to find a response.

"So what, you just do what I say now?" She mumbled. When they stopped at a light, he changed the subject.

"What were you thinking last night?" The question was more of a statement, and Sakura wished she could sink into the chair.

"You'll have to be more specific." Sasuke shot her a warning glance, and she just blurted out, "I didn't take the picture! Ask Naruto why he's an idiot and posted it!"

Sasuke stopped her, "You know what I'm talking about." He watched her guilty expression until the light turned green.

"I don't know." She mumbled, obviously hiding something from Sasuke. He would have gotten irritated if there wasn't something so comforting in the way she hadn't changed one bit.

"You don't know?" He repeated, expecting her to become more defensive, although she remained obstinate. He looked at her in the corner of his eyes, her nose and cheeks kissed pink by the chill outside. But that's when he looked back to her hands, her remarkably bare hands.

"You're engaged. You're getting married in a couple months." He felt his own words like a punch in the gut. Somehow, throughout the events of this morning he had forgotten.

Maybe she was right— maybe this wasn't the time to talk. The silence fell between them again. She crossed her legs, putting her hands between her legging covered thighs. He wondered if she was trying to warm them up, or hide the lack of ring.

"No, I'm not."

Her voice seemed so hollow, and Sasuke couldn't hide the look of shock cross over his features. Surely, she wasn't getting cold feet because of him. Sakura was not the kind of girl to go back on her word. Does that mean the tabloids were actually right about her fiancé? Suddenly, Sasuke felt guilty.

'He's leaving you...?'

Just as the conversation was beginning, Sakura pointed up ahead to a small cafe at the ground floor of The Yamanaka hotel.

"You can just drop me off."

Sasuke wanted to tell her no, and to continue the conversation. When had this happened? She hadn't mentioned this last night. But then again, had she? She did respond pretty harshly to his accusation of her adulterous activity.

Sasuke felt like an idiot for not asking earlier. But would knowing have made a difference? It certainly wouldn't have caused less mess to happen between them. If anything, it would have tempted him further.

He pulled off as close as he could to the sidewalk, glancing over at Sakura whose jaw was tense, her eyes looking more empty than usual. But just when she noticed he was looking, she smiled.

"Thanks for dropping me off. I guess we didn't really need to talk."

'Oh, no, you're not getting off that easy...' He thought, reaching forward and grabbing her arm before she got out. But Sakura didn't react to his grasp. Her features softened from their goofy smile to a gentler one.

"Just a joke, Sasuke."

Suddenly, she felt so far away. He felt her skin under his fingers they separated. She shut the door quietly, waving to him for a moment before she was gone, slipping into the hotel. He thought back to that look on her face. This was not what he had planned for.

Author's Notes: Well, here is the second chapter. Mostly because I had already written the bulk of it before I posted the first. It should clear up a few questions I saw in the comments. But of course, we're still mostly hearing the story from Sasuke's point of view.

Just know I am writing it in a way to leave a lot of questions. The flashbacks will eventually (quickly) catch up to the story. But for now I want you to be confused, because that's how the other characters feel for the most part. You have to constantly ask yourself who could know about those events.

I considered a lot of different formats, but none of them worked like I wanted them to except this one. I promise I thought very hard about it!

Let me know if you have any characters you'd like to see. I'll probably continue this story, although I don't plan on slacking on Flotsam for it. What can I say, I play favorites!