Author's Note: I thought about it for a long time...and you know what? Maybe I will add a few more chapters to this story. :) I know I said it was JUST a two-shot, but I know this story can't be ended so soon; not at the turn it's taking. *Smirks* Sooo...expect a few more chapters to this story. I don't know how many they will be though; but most should be kind of long...so that kind of makes up for it!

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

Neighbors Are Such A Pain!:

Chapter 2;

;;

"Sakura, I honestly don't care." Sasori smirked right after he said that; Sakura's expression was really priceless.

Konan crossed her arms and glared at Sasori, Tobi and Deidara fled the scene; because they thought things would get ugly, and Itachi merely shook his head.

"You...you don't care?" Sakura repeated. She then scowled her blood started to boil; grabbing Sasori by his shirt collar, her face flushed with rage. "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE THE WORST NEIGHBOR IN HISTORY!"

Releasing Sasori, Sakura felt tears somehow stinging in her eyes. Noticing this, Itachi fled the scene as well; he knew from his few years of witnessing Sakura argue with Sasuke, that she always ended up emotional afterward.

"...Sakura, wait."

Sakura looked away and quickly wiped the back of her eyes with her hand.

"Damn...I can't believe I'm breaking down so easily..." Sakura mumbled; ignoring Sasori.

Sasori expression didn't show it, but his eyes did; he felt bad for her. The way he said that, it really didn't come out the way he wanted it to.

"Sasori..." Konan mumbled under her breath as she took in the scene.

Sakura clenched her hands into fists and walked away. She then abruptly turned around and glared at Sasori; tears evidently being forced back in her eyes.

"Screw this, just shoot off the freakin' fireworks till New Years! I don't care! I'll just stay up all NIGHT because I won't get any WELL-DESERVED REST!"

Kisame, who was entering the yard with more fireworks, quickly mumbled a curse and ran back inside the house as he heard that. He knew not to get involved; but he didn't really want to get involved anyway.

Watching Sakura storm off out of the yard and back to her house, Sasori felt terrible about that; about he did his best to ignore it. Besides, he knew Sakura. He knew she would eventually forget it; even though she'd hate him more.

"Sasori, you shouldn't have said that."

Sasori turned around to see Konan standing in front of him with a scolding look; her arms where crossed over her dark purple t-shirt.

"You didn't mean any of that stuff you said; I could tell. Why would you lie to the girl?"

Sasori shifted his gaze to the ground; but Konan easily spotted his cheeks suddenly glow pink in the darkness.

"...Because I..."

"Love her?"

Sasori's eyes widened and he stared at Konan in shock. A very small smile was on her lips as she looked at him; positive she stated the truth.

"No. Of course not! I don't feel that way about her; she's just an annoying brat for a neighbor!" Sasori defended.

Konan rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. Sasori really wished she would just drop the subject; but she showed no signs of giving up and believing his protests.

"It's obvious you do like her. Maybe not to everyone else in the group, but it is obvious to me."

Sasori glared at her as she shook her head and walked over to the gate.

"Sorry, but I need to go home. Pain probably is going to chew me out for staying so long."

With that said, Konan left Sasori's place and proceeded to head back home. Sasori flinched briefly as he took in what she said. Pain was her boyfriend, and they both lived together since her job didn't earn her much money and she dropped out of college a while ago. But he was protective over her and got jealous of the fact that she was friends with several other guys.

[::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

"Konan really told him."

"I know, right? She's real good at doing that!"

Itachi sighed and looked over at Deidara and Tobi who had their ears pressed up against the door that led to Sasori's yard. They were both spying the whole time and had selective hearing; that's how they heard from a long distance.

Itachi had no interest in hearing what she was saying. But he knew one thing: Sakura definitely hates Sasori's guts even more...

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

That Night...

Sakura yawned and turned off the television. She was getting really tired; it was about ten at night. She knew she should have went to bed earlier though since it was Thursday and she had to go to work the next morning.

Stretching her arms, she lazily lied down on the couch and then slid her hands behind her head. The living room was in total darkness and it added to her dreariness.

"I'm so tired suddenly...and one thing is strange; I haven't heard any fireworks from the devil-himself next door..."

Closing her eyes groggily, she let her thoughts about Sasori fly out the window. She was very tired and decided to just sleep on the couch that night.

However, her sleep was short-lived; the doorbell rung twice.

"UGH! I NEVER GET A BREAK!" Sakura shouted as she sat up on the couch; her eyes snapping open abruptly.

She gritted her teeth and stomped her way to the door; she had a feeling it was Sasori. Knowing him, he was probably going to annoy, insult, or mock her to his own amusement like he always did!

She made it to the door, and violently unlocked it; then swinging it open.

"What is it THIS ti-"

Sakura cut herself off as her eyes widened slightly. The sight before her...was something she never thought she ever see since she moved to Konoha. This sight was...disturbing yet kinda great.

There on her doorstep: Sasori stood there. But no, he wasn't annoyed or anything! And he didn't seem calm and collected...arrogant...or cocky. He seemed...nervous and kind of apologetic?

...WHAT?

Sakura couldn't believe this sight. And for a minute she rubbed her eyes take make sure she wasn't having a dream! Sasori still was there. Not trying to make contact but he was still there.

"...S-Sasori?"

Sasori sighed and looked at her; she blinked repeatedly and he smirked slightly.

"Sakura...so that's the way you dress when you're at home?"

Sakura blinked again and looked at herself. Her hair was a mess and she had already taken her make-up off a while ago. She wore a dark pink night shirt that went to her knees and wore no shoes.

She then scowled and leaned against the doorway more.

"...Jerk. Why are you here at this hour?" Sakura hissed.

Sasori rolled his eyes.

"Well, somebody definitely isn't a night person..." Sasori teased.

That earned him a glare from the (naturally) pink-haired girl. Sakura felt like slamming the door right in his face and be done with this awkward moment, but she didn't. She tried to keep cool; but he was teasing her to the point of forcing her to go immature and counter them back.

"Just answer my question! SOME PEOPLE like to get rest at night; though I don't expect YOU to understand this little fact, Sasori."

Sasori rolled his eyes and then glanced away; apparently trying to think of something to say. Sakura stared at him for several seconds and could have sworn she saw his cheeks flush red suddenly. But she let that slide; she figured she was so tired she was imagining things like that.

"...I...didn't mean what I said earlier."

"..."

"Sakura, don't look at me like that! I'm serious!"

"..."

"I wasn't thinking when I said that. Sometimes, like you know, I get carried away."

"..."

"You're a very annoying neighbor, Haruno. I honestly don't think anybody in Konoha deserves a neighbor like you..."

"..."

"...But though you're annoying, I somewhat...care a little bit about you. And I wasn't actually trying to annoy you with the fireworks; this time. Deidara, he's obsessed with them and won't let me or anyone else in the group forget that."

"...Mmmm..."

"I see you don't seem to believe this. But it's true; he kept pestering me about shooting them off a little early. I had to accept; it was annoying!"

"Uh-huh..."

"So...you believe me?"

Sakura stared at Sasori for several seconds; her arms crossed over her chest and she was leaning against the door frame.

"I don't believe you for a second. I'm not a moron, Sasori!" Sakura snapped. "Get out of here!"

Sasori gasped slightly and extended his hand as she gripped the door.

"Wait a minute! You don't understand-"

"GOODNIGHT, JACKASS!"

Sasori could only stare as Sakura slammed the door shut. From behind the door, clicking was heard, and then the sound of her walking away. He sighed and furrowed his eyebrows together; cupping his hands to his mouth he suddenly called out to her.

"AND YOU CALL ME IMMATURE! AT LEAST I'M NOT THE ONE SLAMMING DOORS OFF THE HINGES AND NOT GIVING PEOPLE TIME TO EXPLAIN STUFF!"

"SHUT UP! THERE'S PEOPLE TRYING TO SLEEP! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHUT UP OUT THERE!"

Sasori's eyes widened when he heard that yelling. He sharply turned around to the right to see another house. There was a woman who looked about sixty leaning out of her bedroom window with her gray hair in curlers and a face mask on.

"MAKE ME!" Sasori countered; realizing an old woman couldn't do much to him.

"YOU BETTER KNOW A GOOD LAWYER, YOUNG MAN! KEEP YELLING AND I'LL CALL THE LOCAL POLICE!"

The random old woman huffed and went back inside; she slammed the window rather loudly.

Sasori rolled his eyes and started walking away; he realized that he never noticed that house there before. And kind of wondered where the hell it came from; along with the old woman!

Walking back next door to his house, he decided Sakura probably would be mad at him for a long time; though that wouldn't actually affect anything. She always has hated him for the seven months she's lived in Konoha. Besides, she was also known to sometimes let things slide. Hopefully, she would just let everything slide; maybe give him a chance. Deep down, Sasori did hope that Sakura would forgive him...

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

The Next Morning...

Sakura's eyes gently fluttered open and she yawned loudly. Sitting up and noticing her living room television, she realized she had fallen asleep on her couch after Sasori showed up and she yelled at him.

"Mmm...I must have dozed off last night."

Sakura smiled slightly and got up off the couch. For once; she felt rested and ready to start the day. It was kind of weird considering the fact that she's been so stressed out ever since she moved there. Sakura glanced over at the clock and noticed it was six-thirty. Blinking, she shrugged her shoulders and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat.

"Let's see...I still have time to actually eat breakfast. I wonder what I should have..." Sakura mumbled to herself as she entered the fairly-small kitchen. "Normally, I'd be running around having to choke down toast and gulp down coffee..."

She smiled again and walked over to the fridge. However, something on the counter caught her eye; curious, she walked over to the cabinet instead to see what it was.

"(Is that a note?)"

Sakura grabbed the note and started reading it to herself:

Sakura,

I was telling the truth earlier; what I said WAS true, believe it or not.

I have weird friends, okay? Of course...you probably wouldn't understand the 'friends' part...

Anyway, I just wanted to clear this up. I don't actually despise you as much as you think!

But don't go getting ideas; I don't respect you or like you like a friend.

So stop your little tantrums. And you can stop lecturing me while you're at it. But then again, I don't expect you to stop that either...

That's it.

-Sasori.

Sakura narrowed her eyes to slits as she read this. She crushed the note into a ball and threw it into the nearby trashcan.

"(Jackass. And how the hell did he get this note in here? I bet he somehow snuck in here last night! UGH! I can't believe he would do this again!)"

Sakura sighed and left the kitchen with her hands clenched tightly into fists. Her breakfast would have to wait.

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

Sakura walked out of her house dressed and her hair brushed. She didn't have time to eat, take a shower, or brush her teeth yet. But she figured she had to go yell at Sasori; pretty much like she did every morning since she's been living there.

She wore a light green tank top, some red pants, and sandals the same color as the shirt.

Finally arriving at Sasori's house, she knocked on the door rather loudly. In about seven minutes, Sasori finally answered the door: but he seemed sleepy and was wearing a t-shirt and boxers. Apparently, he was still in bed when she pounded the door.

"What, Sakura?" Sasori asked; glaring at her.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows together and placed her hands on her hips.

"I saw...your note you left." Sakura started calmly; her voice now raising as she continued. "But you didn't have to sneak into my house to give it to me!"

Sasori glared even more and seemed annoyed. He wasn't a morning person; especially since Sakura moved in. When he moved to Konoha the year before, he was a little bit better in the morning.

...The morning routines with her pounding his door and then lecturing him was too much.

"I didn't sneak into your house! I simply let myself in!" Sasori protested. "Besides, I wouldn't dare sneak into your home again since the last time..."

Sakura blinked, smirked at the memory, and then pointed at him indignantly as she scowled once again.

"That isn't true! There's no way you could let yourself in unless you had a key-"

"I do have a key. Remember? The first time we met, you dropped the spare key on my doorstep accidentally..."

Sakura's eyes widened as he said that and held out her spare key. There was silence; awkward silence. Feeling embarrassed suddenly, Sakura shook her head and walked back to her house wordlessly.

"Oh. ...See you later!"

Sakura mentally smacked her forehead and ran back to her house; not stopping to look back. Though, she should have looked back to see Sasori smile slightly and blush. He closed the door and went back inside.

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

"I'm such an idiot!"

Sakura continued ranting to herself as she locked her door and walked into the kitchen in frustration.

"How could I forget that that jackass still had the key? And how could I have even been so careless to accidentally drop it that day?"

Sighing, Sakura leaned against the door frame and let her bangs fall into her face.

"...Ugh...ranting won't get me anywhere. I guess I better get some breakfast and try to enjoy the morning!"

Sakura was about to walk to her fridge, but she suddenly heard her phone ringing. Sighing, Sakura ran into the living room and answered the phone.

"...Hello?"

"Sakura! You won't believe this!"

Sakura smiled a little bit as she heard Ino's loud voice. Feeling like her day just got turned a little bit brighter, she giggled briefly.

"Hey Ino, what's going on?" Sakura asked.

"Okay, so you know how Shikamaru's ex girlfriend Temari is dating your ex boyfriend Sasuke, right?"

Sakura rolled her eyes and brushed her bangs out of her eyes. One thing was sure about Ino, she always did point out the obvious.

"Yeah...I've been aware of that for a long time, Ino." Sakura replied. "So...what about that?"

"Did you know that Sasuke and Temari both LIVE here in Konoha? They're houses are right across from each other's on the South streets!"

"Get to the point." Sakura said in a monotone; becoming annoyed rapidly.

Ino sighed on the other line, and Sakura had the feeling that she rolled her eyes in frustration.

"ANYWAY...Sasuke's throwing an end-of-Summer party at his place! And since he's rich and has a pretty big place...you can just imagine how awesome it'll be! Naruto convinced him to invite everybody; including us! Aren't you totally THRILLED?"

Sakura's eyes widened and she nearly dropped the phone in surprise. Of course, Sasuke was always kind of a big-shot and very popular in school...and in college, though he dropped out and got a job in Konoha, he and Sakura dated for about two years.

...But they weren't the perfect couple. They always argued a lot, and disagreed on many things. They were off and on for one year of that time. And finally, Sakura just dumped him. Because she couldn't take it anymore, and realized she really didn't love him as much as she thought when the weren't fighting. Though...the break-up was very bad. It ended with the words: "I just want you out of my life, bastard!" from Sakura before she stormed out of his dorm and leaving him and a very stunned Naruto and Hinata (who had terrible timing upon entering) behind.

The fact that Sasuke would even invite her was...very shocking. Thinking about it, Sakura didn't feel thrilled about this...but she was glad that Sasuke had gotten over it. After all, water has passed under the bridge since that time.

"W-well...I can't say I'm thrilled..." Sakura replied; still shocked.

She heard Ino groan and then apparently stomp her foot.

"Sakura! Don't tell me that you STILL are uneasy about being around Sasuke; it's been a long time since the break-up!"

"Ino, he was an ungrateful bastard!" Sakura protested. "Do you know how LONG it took him to decide to let me meet his family?"

Ino groaned on the other line; Sakura was positive that she slapped her forehead.

"That's because they were SEVERAL distance away from the college campus..."

Sakura rolled her eyes and her gaze flicked over to her door.

"Alright, alright. I guess it sounds fun. But that's quite a few months away, Ino. Why are you telling me now?" Sakura pointed out.

"Because I ran into Hinata at the grocery store's canned food aisle. She told me all about it."

"I see..."

"So...you coming to the party or what? It would be fun; Sasuke's pretty rich and all...and his house is HUGE! Oh, and maybe you could find a cute guy there! Hey, Naruto is friends with this pretty hot guy named Sai-"

Ino was cut off by Sakura sighing in agony. Sure Sakura loved Ino like a sister, but she was such an annoyance sometimes! It didn't help that she was so determined to get Sakura hooked up with someone; she just couldn't the fact that Sakura didn't mine being single through her thick skull!

"Ino look, I'm fine being single. And...I guess going to the party would be fun as long as I avoid Sasuke." Sakura mentioned. "I'm in."

By hearing Ino's peppy giggle, Sakura knew she was thrilled about her answer.

"Great! Okay, there is still a long time before the party; but I hope everything turns out well! And in the meantime, you should realize that Sasuke probably has moved on from you since he's dating Temari now. Bye."

"Ino-"

"I said bye!"

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows together when she heard a click and then a dial tone. Mumbling something under her breath, Sakura hung up and sat down in a nearby chair in exhaustion.

"She is so annoying sometimes..."

[::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

In a fair-sized house that was on another street of Konoha, an eighteen year old blond girl smirked as she stared at the phone she just put down. Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief; and that wasn't really a good sign.

"This is my chance to finally get Sakura a boyfriend! I can't believe she still claims she 'doesn't mind' being single. She really does need somebody; I can tell she's lonely anyway."

Ino sighed and then quickly glanced at the clock. She cursed under her breath when she realized that she would be late for work if she didn't hurry and leave.

Ino just was fortunate enough to be able to even get a job. She didn't stay in college long; because she felt like she didn't really fit in. Like...she didn't really belong there. It was a weird feeling that she didn't understand at all. And one night when she had ended up drunk from a party on the campus and woke up in some random guy's room the next morning; that didn't help either. So she just dropped out.

[::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

"Don't you think there's something between them?" Konan asked before a thoughtful look was in her eyes. "I don't know the girl all that well, but there has to be something between them."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Konan rolled her eyes and then crossed her arms. Meanwhile, a confused Deidara stared at her while blinking.

"Look, we're both friends with Sasori; but you're his best friend. I can't believe you don't see Sasori and his neighbor's feelings for each other!" Konan snapped. Deidara sighed, then turned back to his cup of soda as a smirk made it's way onto his face. Feeling like she was being ignored again, Konan collected herself and held her head up against the counter with her hand.

"Who says I don't notice, hm? Come on, he talks about her all the time! Whenever I mention that she's kind of cute; I notice him blush and then look just a little shocked!"

"...So you do agree that he obviously has feelings for her?" Konan questioned; seemingly a little unsure as she stared at him.

"That's what I'm saying."

Finally getting somewhere, Konan nodded, happy with her answer, and crossed her arms again as she glanced around the little restaurant they were at.

She knew, from the first time Sasori told them about Sakura, that there had to be something between them. Even though there was a little bit of an age difference between them, and a lot of tension, they probably didn't really despise each other as much as they thought.

"And...I guess you want to get them together, right?" Deidara pointed out as he gave her a knowing look. Konan rolled her eyes after that and he smirked again. "If you have a plan, consider me in as well. I think it is about time to get him a girlfriend; and Sakura is actually kind of cute in a way!"

After rolling her eyes again, Konan gave her blond 'friend'(?) a quick punch to his shoulder and sighed.

"Deidara, of course you're in. Because...I'm going to need a little help. And nobody else would help; especially Pein." Konan mentioned. "I have a plan in mind already. But...it will have to be very discrete UNTIL the last day of summer."

Why the last day of summer? That didn't make much sense at all. Deidara stared at the (naturally) blue-haired woman blankly as she smirked a tiny bit.

"...Konan, that's a long time." Deidara commented. He then took a sip of the soda while Konan glanced away and rolled her eyes again before looking back and resting her arm atop the counter. "You know how I'm not good at being discrete that long. And besides, why the end of summer anyway?"

"Because. Itachi's little brother, Sasuke, dropped out of college and has his own huge place here in town. I heard somewhere; he will be throwing and end-of-summer party there. And that he has invited Sakura, because they dated for a little while."

"You mean that emo prick who once crashed into my brand new car is his brother?" Konan looked bewildered briefly but nodded. "Damn! If I had known that, I could have found a way to sue him AND Itachi and get their money!"

"Deidara-"

Konan was cut off, suddenly, Bring Me To Life by Evenescence started playing seemingly from nowhere. All the various customers in the restaurant looked up in confusion, and even Deidara had a bewildered look in his eyes as he stared at the dark blue purse Konan had on her arm.

Realizing where the music was coming from, Konan reached her hand into her purse and found her cellphone in about nine seconds. She then answered it and immediately sighed as some semi-loud ranting was heard.

"Pein..." Deidara muttered under his breath as he rubbed his forehead with his hand.

"Pein, I-what? NO!"

Deidara rolled his eyes at that moment.

"Pein...no, I'm fine. What? I'm here with Deidara at-NO! WE ARE NOT ON A DATE! STOP BEING SO INSECURE!"

At that moment, Deidara felt sorry for Konan and all the people in the restaurant that were staring.

[::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

Sakura and Sasori finally arrived at their jobs, but they weren't aware of the fact that in different parts of the town; their friends were about to put different plans of their own into action.

Things were going to be getting a little crazy.

Continued.

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

...*Crickets chirp* Sorry for the really late update! I really did want to update sooner, but then I just kept putting it off more and more. :(

I hope this chapter was fine. And like I said before: it WAS going to be a two-shot, but I think it could go on much longer now. So there should be a few more chapters to it. But I can't exactly say there's going to be a LOT or anything!

I STILL can't decide what genre to put this under. -_- No matter what, it seems like it doesn't have a particular genre. I guess it's just a mix of everything then. *Sighs* I hate when I can't determine what genre a fic is under!

Oh, and this still is a SasorixSakura fic. The couple has kind of grown on me; but I still don't support it all the way. ;) And although it's IMPLIED they hate each other in here, there's a little more to it.

I will update ONCE I have the time. But don't worry, it won't be SEVERAL MONTHS! :P

Read and review!