Love is a Mystery

4.

It had been a full two weeks since that night I was rescued by Sasuke Uchiha and I hadn't seen him since. As Sasuke requested I left my balcony door unlocked, though I wasn't really sure why. The first night my heart was fluttering as I turned the key. I was even surprised by the pang of disappointment I felt when he didn't show up.

That night, I was sprawled on my bed, reading a book for school. I had returned to school after a week of absence and felt like I had missed a year's worth of work. I was working all hours desperately trying to catch up. I was so engrossed in the book that I barely heard the tapping on my balcony door. As it grew louder I was drawn out of my book-induced stupor.

I felt a thrill of excitement run through me. Turning quickly, my heart leapt when I saw Sasuke leaning against the railing. I practically ran to open the door, letting him in out of the cold. I shivered in my pyjamas as the winter chill clung to Sasuke.

"Hi, I breathed. A sense of anticipation overtaking me.

"Hn," he replied, looking indifferent. My heart dropped a little, confused. Why had he come all this way to see me if he didn't even want to speak to me? "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I replied with a smile. "No more walking down dark alleys for me, though."

I thought I caught the faintest glimpse of amusement on Sasuke's face before he turned away. I sat back on the bed as he looked around my room. I was still confused as to why he was here.

"I…I thought you might have visited me before now," I began. I was hoping to coax some form of conversation out of the mysterious man, but he ignored me. Picking up my notebook, Sasuke flicked through a few pages, his eyes scanning the notes I had made. Once he had put that down, he picked up another. This continued for several minutes. "Is there something you're looking for?"

"Hn."

I sighed, wiggling my way beneath the covers to stave off the cold air that Sasuke had brought in with him. I pulled them up to my chin, feeling a little conscious of my sleepwear. The first few nights I had tried to dress appropriately, full-length pyjamas that would keep out the cold, but after a week I had resorted to my normal silk nightgown. I shivered again, drawing Sasuke's attention away from my notebooks.

"You write very well for an eighteen-year-old," he noted. Then, as if seeing me properly, he frowned. "Why did are you in bed?"

"I was cold," I responded defensively. "I didn't think you'd mind since you were so busy snooping around my room."

Sasuke shrugged, "I don't mind. I just didn't know if you were trying to suggest that I get in there with you."

I snorted in surprise. My cheeks turning a bright shade of pink, I shook my head. That was definitely not the impression I had intended to give. Though it was satisfying to know he had considered it.

"No!" I spluttered, feeling flustered. "I didn't mean… I mean…It's not that you're not…I just…"

Sasuke's eyes glimmered with amusement.

"Relax, I wasn't suggesting that we do anything," he chuckled. "It does look warm though, and I'm so cold…"

My eyes widened in surprise as Sasuke made his way towards the bed, kicking off his boots. Alarmed, I scooted myself to the other side of the bed to make room for him. As Sasuke slid beneath the covers I felt the temperature drop and then rise quickly as I blushed furiously. I desperately tried to relax as Sasuke settled next to me, but I felt frozen.

"Are you cold?" he asked. I shook my head stiffly. "Why are you so tense?"

"I just want to know what you want," I replied, trying to avoid eye contact. Why had a let a practical stranger into my room late at night? And then why did I let him get in bed with me?

"I'm cold," he replied.

"You have an apartment, why not go there? You're the one to traipsed all the way out here, so you can't complain that you're cold. I didn't ask you to come to see me," I said snappily.

Sasuke looked surprised at my sudden annoyance and backtracked, "I wanted to tell you that the men who drugged you have been jailed. I testified at their trial this morning. It was an open and shut case really."

I opened my mouth to reply and then closed it again, trying to think of what to say.

"I never gave a statement," was the only thing I could manage. It was true, the police hadn't spoken to me after the incident and as far as I had known no charges had been pressed by my family.

"I pressed charges, they attacked me too remember," Sasuke shrugged. "Thought it would be best, otherwise they might find you again."

"Oh," I was surprised by the kindness of the gesture. "Thank you."

There was a long pause. I shifted in the bed unsure what else there was to even say. Sasuke was staring at me intently. I opened my mouth to speak when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. In a moment of panic, I turned to Sasuke and pulled him beneath the covers, hoping the number of blankets on the bed would hide him from view. Sasuke tried to protest, but I shushed him frantically pressing my fingers to his lips. Laying down I pretended I was asleep just in time for my door to open. I could sense my mom looking around the room, and I prayed that she wouldn't see Sasuke's boots on the floor. It would not have been an easy situation to explain. After a moment, which felt painfully long, the door closed again.

I sat up and pulled the covers back, removing my hand from Sasuke's mouth. He looked at me with a shocked expression and just the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks. I put a hand over my mouth to suppress my laughter at the situation. Sasuke shook his head, a smile on his lips for the first time since I had known him. We locked eyes and I could feel the tension between us. My breathing hitched as Sasuke reached out and smoothed out my hair.

"I think that's my cue to leave," he said quickly getting out of bed and pulling on his boots. I watched as he prepared to leave, my body tingling.

"Bye, Sasuke," I whispered, opening the balcony door for him. He stepped out into the night, gave me a nod and a smile before swinging himself over the balcony railing and down into my garden. I locked the door behind him, sure that he wouldn't visit again that night.

I slept surprisingly well. My bed still held the warmth of Sasuke's body and I curled up in the spot he had been laying. Shutting my eyes and breathing in his scent, I fell asleep almost immediately.

A full day of school had worn away the good mood I had woken up with. I was walking out of the main entrance on time for once, Ino at my side, when I noticed a dark figure waiting outside the school gates. I stopped dead, trying to make out who it was over the crowd of school girls all eagerly pushing to get out of the gate and hoping I was right.

"Sakura?" Ino asked, waving her hand in front of my face, breaking my concentration. I looked up at her and faked a smile. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired," I replied. It was true I was tired.

As we neared the school gate the dark figure became more recognisable. It was Sasuke. My heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here?

"Who is Mr tall, dark and handsome?" Ino asked spotting Sasuke for herself. As we approached the gate Sasuke stepped forward to meet us. Ino flipped her long blonde hair behind her shoulder and smiling flirtatiously. I was unsure of what to do or say- maybe it would be better if I ignored him?

"Hey, Sakura," Sasuke called as I walked past him. It was loud enough that people around me turned to look – I couldn't just ignore him. Ino blinked at me in surprise.

"Hi," I sighed, turning around and walking back to where Sasuke was standing. I was conscious of people staring as they walked past. Many of the girls were openly gawking at the sight of Sasuke and I talking I knew I was going to be the subject of the latest gossip. Ino coughed, nudging me with her elbow. "Sasuke, this is Ino. Ino, this is Sasuke," I introduced, trying not to sound as embarrassed as I actually was.

Ino practically licked her lips as she looked Sasuke up and down. It took all of my strength to keep from rolling my eyes. The three of us stood in silence for a few moments before I blurted out a question; "How did you know what school I go to?"

"Hn, please, I've seen you in your uniform three times now. It wasn't exactly difficult to look up," Sasuke replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. That look made my stomach tighten anxiously. Ino shot me a look that meant I was in for a thorough interrogation later. I regretted not telling her about Sasuke sooner and hoped that she wouldn't be upset with me for keeping such a secret.

"I was just on my way home," I began, hoping to be excused from such an awkward encounter.

"Oh, well I have something I need your help with first," Sasuke replied, taking hold of my elbow and walking me away. I looked back at Ino in horror as we became separated. She gave me a confused look and a small wave as I was swept away.

I stumbled trying to keep up with Sasuke's long legged stride. He ignored my complaints, barely even acknowledging that I said anything.

"Can you at least tell me where we're going!?" I shouted at him, my frustration increasing.

"My place," he replied. My cheeks flushed as all the sordid possibilities flashed through my mind.

I remained silent the rest of the way to Sasuke's apartment. He unlocked the door just to the left of the ramen shop. Sasuke held the door open for me and I walked under his arm. Feeling uncomfortable I slipped off my shoes and left them by the front door, before following Sasuke up the stairs.

Sitting down on the couch, I watched as Sasuke propped his sword on a stand and took off his coat. His well muscled forearms flexed as he lifted a stack of papers on to the coffee table. I watched him, transfixed and curious at what the mysterious man was up to.

"Sasuke," I said softly. I was nervous, and a little excited, as to why he had brought me there. Sasuke looked up from the papers he was moving and tilted his head questioningly. "Why am I here?"

Sasuke put the papers down and crossed the room until he was stood directly in front of me. I closed my eyes as he raised his hand and held my chin between his thumb and index finger. I waited, expecting that any moment our lips would meet. After a few moments, I frowned.

"Open your eyes Sakura," he murmured. I opened my eyes, looking directly up at Sasuke. "You're here because I think you can help me. I need an assistant."

"A-assistant?" I pulled away from his grip, dejected and confused. "What?"

"You're a grade A student. I could use that. You're a very concise note taker," Sasuke answered his voice very soft, convincing, "I want you to help me… with research, things like that."

"O-okay?" I said. That was definitely not what I was expecting and certainly not what I thought he would have taken away from the previous night. I could have sworn there was a spark between us.

"Good!" Sasuke exclaimed, going back to the coffee table – urging me to come and join him. I followed obediently. And that was how I became Sasuke Uchiha's assistant.

There you go! Hope you like it! Please leave a review to let me know what you thought!