Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

A/N: Hello everybody! Sorry for the wait! At least it's not that long anymore! Hehe! Am I progressing? Well, I'm expecting more reviews, keep em' coming!

Oh by the way, these are some questions that most of the readers usually ask me. . . I hope I was able to answer some of your questions though. . .

Q: Where is Neji in this story? When will he appear?

A: Well, I did promise that Neji would appear in this story because actually he has one of the biggest roles. I just wish that some of the readers may please be patient enough to wait, this story is still well, and how can I say this? Still in it's early stages. Just let Sasuke comfort you for a while. Neji WILL appear later on. (Not as Hinata's cousin)

Q: Is Naruto part of the love triangle?

A: No! I'm thinking of having a little Hinata/Naruto here! Hehe! That is, if you don't mind. My summary is a bit confusing, I know.

Q: Did Sakura mistook Sasuke as Itachi in the first chapter?

A: No, that was really Sasuke in a bad mood. This might confuse some.

Even though, I'm currently in a State of Shock! I didn't expect my story to get so many attentions! (Which made me very happy by the way! Thanks!) I'm not used to this kind of pressure, and stuff. But its really fun writing!

Read on and enjoy the story!

Beta-reader: Skye


Chapter four

'Where are you, Sakura?'

Ino walked to and fro outside the audition room, her left hand on her waist and the other clutching her cell phone. She was trying to contact their house to check on Sakura, who was already ten minutes late. Luckily the judges had yet to call her name.

Ino walked by the window and finally stopped calling the house. She groaned, it was useless anyway. Sakura must've already left and was already on her way here. Or worse, she might have gotten lost. . . again. Ino knew following directions was one of Sakura's weaknesses; why did she leave Sakura alone?

She looked around the once-busy hallway. Only three contestants were left, the first was a girl with long, blonde, braided hair who kept going to the comfort room. Maybe she was nervous. Another one was a handsome guy who seemed very confident, if not cocky. The last was still busy inside the audition room.

Ino couldn't take it anymore; she started laughing incredibly loud. The two just stared at her with weird looks on their faces.

'Haruno Sakura! Where the hell are you! If you don't show up, I swear I'll skin you alive!'

Sakura scratched her cherry colored hair while wandering around. She asked some people for directions, but she was still lost. The sidewalk was clean and silent, which, for her, was very irritating for two reasons. One, nobody was there to help her, the other was because she was very late. She groaned, thinking about the long lecture she'd surely get from Ino. The girl really hated waiting.

"Am I really that stupid? I lost the address and I can't even remember it!" Sakura cursed to herself.

Finally, she saw a wooden bench by the corner and decided to sit down and rest her tired legs for a short while. Sakura looked at the peaceful sky above her and once again, she remembered him. . . her Gaara.

'Why do you always keep thinking of him? Move on with your life, girl!' Inner Sakura yelled.

Sakura remembered the happy times they had together, the promises of love they made. She had loved him and she was certain, he had loved her too. They have been going out for what seemed like forever. . . How could he break the bond between them? Was her love not enough? Did he really love her?

Several questions without answers. What could be more painful?

"I did love you, Gaara. . . and. . . I. . ." Tears started to form at the corners of her eyes, but Sakura kept looking up at the clear blue skies.

'No! Don't say it! Do NOT say it!' Inner Sakura screeched.

"I. . . and I . ." Sakura started shaking.

'Do NOT say it, Sakura!' Inner Sakura screamed warningly.

"I still. . .I still love you, Gaara," Sakura admitted, bursting into tears.

'NO! She said it!'

Sakura sobbed, finally. . . she cried it all out. She pretended to be strong for her friends and also for herself but it was still just a pretense and it would never come true. Inside, deep inside of her, lay a bleeding heart. She was just a normal woman in love! What had she done to deserve this!

"I need to move on, I don't know how but I need to move on," Sakura whispered. However, it was still loud enough for an unexpected someone to hear.

While she was sobbing silently, somebody was observing her from far behind. Uchiha Sasuke looked at her with pity, not that his expressionless eyes showed it. He was still holding Sakura's small paper. Glancing at it, he smirked.

Sakura wanted to have one last look at the clear blue sky before continuing her search. Yet she was rather surprised to see the daring and wonderful onyx eyes of Sasuke. Sakura yelped.

"Uchiha Sasuke! What are you doing here?" Sakura jumped up and quickly shoved the tears away from her face.

"Wow, thanks for the warm welcome," Sasuke replied sarcastically. "Were you crying, pink-haired girl?" he inquired while changing the topic.

Sakura quickly forced a grin. "Of course not! Why should I?" She stood up and pointed at him. "And why should you care!" She began to walk away.

"Warui, kedo. Where are you going?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly.

"Nothing that concerns you!" Sakura stuck her nose in the air.

"Oh, really?" Sasuke cocked an eyebrow and grinned while waving her paper. "Do you know where you're going, exactly?"

Sakura gulped and then faced him, she felt irritated when he waved the paper again, as if mocking her. Sakura walked with heavy steps to Sasuke.

She snatched the small paper. "Um. . . Arigato gozaimasu," Sakura muttered. Blushing, she turned and finally walked away.

Sasuke followed her, a bemused expression on his face. "Still aren't telling names, pink-haired girl?"

"I'm not telling!" Sakura said exasperatedly while looking at the paper. 'The building's quite near already, lucky me!'

Sakura was still walking hurriedly, she could still make it if she hurried. Sasuke was still behind her, staring and following her every move as if incredibly entertained.

Irritated, Sakura looked behind her and saw a smirking Sasuke. She knew very well that he was teasing- no, mocking her. "Why are you following me!" she snapped at him.

"Whoa, I'm not following you! Coincidentally, we're both headed the same direction," Sasuke explained. 'You'll find out soon enough.'

Sakura calmed down but kept walking. "You're trying out for the audition too?" she asked.

Sasuke paused. 'I thought so.' "Ie, better than that."

"Nande?" Sakura asked, looking out for any cars as she crossed the street.

"Tell me your name first," Sasuke grinned.

"In your dreams, Sasuke," Sakura smiled. She found him rather amusing.

Sasuke looked at her. "Finally, a genuine smile," he murmured. 'A pretty one, too.'

"Huh?"

" . . . Nothing."

Finally, they neared their destination. Sakura could already see KTV building. She smiled and glanced over her shoulder to thank Sasuke. Unfortunately, he was already gone.

"Where the hell is he?" she asked herself, befuddled. "He just disappeared, the nerve!"

She then looked at the tall building. "Hmm? Room 3 . . . " Sakura started to make her way inside the building.


"HARUNO SAKURA! What took you so long!" Ino roared at her tired friend.

Sakura groaned wearily, "I got lost, this place is new to me, and well, I got preoccupied on the way. Gomen-nasai."

'And by the way, Ino! We met a handsome dude by the name of Sasuke on the way, die of jealousy! Wahahaha!' Inner Sakura cackled.

'Sshhh!' Sakura hissed at her inner self.

Ino sighed, "I got tired of waiting, you know! You're lucky, though, they haven't called you yet. I assume you're the last one." She glanced at her watch.

"Really? Phew!" Sakura exclaimed. She hastily finger-combed her cherry colored hair and straightened her clothes; she had to look good for the audition, after all.

"I'm glad you agreed to come to the audition, Sakura. Hinata and I think it'll help, you know." Ino smiled gently.

"Yes, I know, and I'm very thankful for the two of you!" Sakura smiled back, "And I promise, I'll do my best for this audition. I will move on!"

'You are just so inspired and so in love, Sakura!' Inner Sakura teased.

"Shut up!" She whispered angrily to herself.

Sakura looked around the waiting area, they were the only ones left. Ino chattered pointlessly about the people that were still there and the ones who had already auditioned. The girl with braided blonde hair was apparently not accepted and went home, while the Mr. Confident was still in the process of doing whatever the audition consisted of.

Sakura sat down and sighed, "He seems really good, I bet he'll get in!"

Ino plopped beside her friend. "Just try your best! I know you can do it! You have the looks and the voice, trust me!" she laughed, poking Sakura's arm.

"Well, he's got the looks and the voice too, right?" Sakura asked her friend solemnly.

"Apparently," Ino sighed.Sakura shrugged.

"Oh I almost forgot!" Ino hopped back up. "Somebody told me that there were three judges in this audition, but I think one was late."

"One was late?" Sakura seemed interested. In any case, she was staring intently at Ino.

Ino sighed, "Hai, and I must admit that he is very charming, he just passed by me earlier. Right before you came, actually. He's inside the room now, judging Mr. Confident-person, and in a bit, he'll judge you. He seems very scary and well, harsh."

Sakura smiled. "Nah, I bet he's not that scary. I bet he can't even make me cry!" she joked.

Before Ino could reply, the audition door opened and out stumbled 'the guy', as they would forever remember him. It seemed like he lost his confidence and was attacked by several small missiles. He glanced at Ino and Sakura, then started to cry like a baby. That surprised Ino and Sakura, so they didn't react when he stepped closer to them.

"Which one of you is auditioning?" He asked Ino, clearly assuming she was.

"Me," Sakura stepped forward bravely. "Is there a problem?"

The guy shook his head. "Are you a great singer?" he sniffled.

"Well, I'm good, but not that great," she explained. Ino tried to protest, Sakura stopped her.

"Well, good luck. You're going to need it," he started, clearly depressed. "It was pure horror inside; I don't want to sing anymore! Even though I've been taking singing lessons since childhood and I've won every singing contest I ever joined, they just kept criticizing me! They're all so cruel, especially the last judge!" he scampered away crying.

Ino looked at Sakura. "Poor guy, I guess he didn't make it. Well, that's one less opponent for you, Sakura!" she giggled wickedly. Ino had felt sorry for the man. Fortunately, that only lasted about two seconds.

Sakura froze, nervousness crawling in her stomach. "Like you said, he was great, right? Why didn't he make it? Are they really that strict?" she stammered.

"I admit, he was good, but not as good as you!" Ino tried to comfort her friend. "Now, calm down and stop panicking! You can make it! Don't be nervous, you're next!"

Sakura protested, "But I didn't even practice!" She started bawling. "All I know how to do is paint!"

"Haruno Sakura!" A male voice from inside the room called her name rather ominously, giving her permission to enter.

Sakura gulped, she peeked at Ino with a nervous look plastered on her face. Ino signaled for her to go in. Mixed emotions swirled in Sakura's head and gut: dread, nervousness, anticipation and excitement. She wanted to go to the smallest corner of her attic, stay there and forgot about the whole thing.

It was too late for that. She nervously entered the quiet audition room, feeling her knees weaken as she slowly closed the door. Sakura was alone with three judges, all of whom were waiting for her to sing.

As she walked towards the center, the first thing she noticed was a long table with the three judges sitting behind it. The first judge nearest to the door was a blonde who looked about the same age as Sakura. He was holding a bowl full of ramen and had several empty bowls in front of him. The boy certainly seemed friendly, and he was the first one to greet her. Sakura read the name plate on the table. Uzumaki Naruto.

"Good afternoon, Sakura!" Naruto greeted her with a huge grin and acted as if he had known her since childhood.

"Oh, um, good afternoon to you too," she smiled sweetly, hiding the butterflies in her stomach.

To Naruto's left was a handsome man who was probably too old for Sakura. His name was apparently Hatake Kakashi, and he had spiky silvery hair that flopped over his left eye. He grinned lazily at Sakura and kept his 'Icha Icha Paradise' out of her line of vision.

"Good afternoon, Miss Haruno," Kakashi greeted her respectfully.

Sakura bowed slightly, still smiling nervously.

Finally, she reached the center of the 'stage' and the last judge became visible. Sakura did a double take when she saw him. His smile lightened his gorgeous face.

"Konnichiwa. I told you we'll meet again. . . Haruno Sakura," he smirked while locking gazes with her startled eyes.

Sakura was still shocked, but with some effort, she was able to whisper his name. . .

"Uchiha Sasuke. . ."

. . .to be continued. . .