Day Two
Pretend, Let's?
It was a sunny day in the hidden village of Konoha, and at seven in the morning, many people were already bustling about. There was the chirping of birds in the air, and the colorful flowers dotting the fields everywhere. There were shop owners opening up their stores on every corner, and civilians and ninjas alike strolling around, either to go to training, run errands or just dilly-dally. To most people, this was just a typical spring day, with nothing special to do, and no need to hurry.
Sakura was one of those people.
When she woke up that morning, she never really wanted to do anything, except maybe go back to sleep, and have a hearty, delicious breakfast afterwards. Then, read some medical books. Then, tidy up her kinda-messy apartment. She hadn't cleaned it in days, and she knew if she prolonged the cleaning any further, it was soon going to be unbearable to live in. She hated living in messy places, and she knew the time to clean it was today.
But of course, a few more winks were in order.
With a great, big yawn, Sakura stretched her arms in the air, working the kinks out of her muscles. She was pleased to notice that she didn't have a hangover—which was very likely, considering she hadn't really drunk that much last night. It was Naruto who had gotten unbelievably wasted—and had proceeded to yell to everyone within hearing distance (which was quite far, considering his vocal capacity) about the so-called Sasuke-and-Sakura love affair. Sai, having been drunk himself, had actually joined in. It was quite hilarious, really—if she wasn't the topic. But, because she was, she had no choice but to bop them in their ridiculous little heads, and proceed to drag them home (with Kakashi's and Yamato's assistance, of course).
She had a feeling Naruto's little announcement was going to be the talk of the town today.
Not that she minded much.
In a way, she knew it was going to be a big help in her plan of making Sasuke fall in love with her, and winning the bet. True, she didn't exactly know how it was going to help...but she was a smart girl, wasn't she? She could think of something. She could make it to her advantage.
Of course, unless the fan girls murdered her first.
Let them try, those bitches!
Ignoring her inner self, as it ranted on and on about ways to torture said fangirls (really, said inner self had such a mean streak), Sakura tried not to think about such complicated nonsense anymore, and shut her mind into oblivion. It was her day-off, and she wanted to spend it with as much relaxation as possible. She smiled to herself, lying back down on the soft mattress. She snuggled comfortably in her covers, sighing. She closed her eyes, her mind now deliciously blank, and the drowsiness coming back. The world was slowly fading away.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
She opened her eyes with a snap.
And snarled at the door.
Okay, so she wasn't really a morning person.
Who was, when the weather was this cozy?
"Ignore it," she muttered to herself, closing her eyes back and snuggling deeper into the blankets. Maybe if she ignored it, the person—whoever the stupid person knocking this early was—would just go away, and assume that no one was home. Or that the resident inside was still asleep. Or—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
—maybe she could just strangle said knocking person.
With a growl, Sakura threw the covers off her body—she immediately shivered, as the morning air swept through her thin, white tank top and soft silk shorts. Placing her feet off the bed, she shivered again, as her bare soles touched the cold, hard floor. She blindly rooted around for her fuzzy slippers, the one with pink little bunny designs on them.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The slippers weren't found. Cursing at her unfortunate luck, Sakura growled some more, standing up on her bare feet, and trying not to let the coldness get through her. She stalked outside her bedroom, shutting the door loudly. She grumbled, as she felt her apartment rattle at the force (it was her fault she was in a not-so-good mood). Sakura had a pretty good idea who was at the door—it had to be either Ino-Pig or Naruto, because no one else visited her place this early...well, except Sai. But the guy always knocked politely, not in a demanding way.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
And the knock on the door was definitely demanding.
Glaring, Sakura opened the front door, and opened her mouth, prepared to give the blond (male or female, it didn't matter) a piece of her mind about disturbing peace and sleeping schedules.
She stopped, as the sight in front of her prevented her brains from functioning, and saying a single word. She turned from glaring to gawking in a matter of seconds.
It wasn't a blond.
And it wasn't Sai either.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
The person standing in front of her doorway had the nerve to remain silent, and look at her with...nothing. No emotions.
It irritated her a lot.
With another, more severe glare (she had finally stopped gawking), Sakura put her hands on her hips, and huffed righteously.
"Hey, I asked what—oofh!"
She didn't get to finish her sentence, because the next moment, as swift as lighting, Uchiha Sasuke had swept in—and he had taken her in his arms.
Bodies close. Arms entwined.
Lips near to touching.
It was safe to say that her sleepiness had vanished completely.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
It wasn't the response Sasuke had expected, but then again, Haruno Sakura had changed so much more from the weakling he had first expected—not that he thought she was stronger than him, by any means (well, okay, except maybe physically). Just strong—not stronger.
It was a fact, and he was rarely wrong when it came to such things.
Nevertheless, he had never expected her to glare at him, then stare, then gawk, all in a matter of a few moments. Her mouth opened and closed, like a fish taken out of the water. Her eyes turned from sleepy to widened.
Before he could say anything, she opened her mouth again.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
The question was blurted out, in a tone that was something of a cross between bewildered and surprised. She looked pretty weirded out, too—and a bit irritated.
He didn't reply.
Her widened eyes instantly narrowed into a vicious glare.
"Hey, I asked what you were—oofh!"
He didn't let her finish the last sentence. Not because he didn't want to, but because out of the corner of his eye, he was already seeing movements—and said movements were drawing closer, advancing on him. With refined, graceful speed, he swooped in, and took the still-in-sleepwear Sakura in his arms. He molded their bodies close, ignoring her gasp, and the alarmed look coming into her eyes.
Sasuke hugged her, as a man might hug a lover.
She froze. He didn't let go.
"Sasuke-kun...?"
He felt Sakura's hands come up, as if intending to push him away. Not wanting that to happen, because it would ruin the plan, Sasuke did the only thing he could think of—the only thing that wouldn't look the least bit suspicious to anyone watching them from afar.
He took her hands firmly, kissed her fingers one by one. He pulled her closer, hugging her even tighter. Then he leaned down, and put his mouth at the junction of her ear.
It was soft—and he tried his very best to ignore that.
"Don't move. Fan girls are watching us."
He felt her stiffen in his hold—but she didn't budge, nor move.
As if on cue, the voices of girls started around them.
"Waaaah! Sasuke-kun is hugging the Haruno girl! So the rumors are true!"
"But look at her—she isn't hugging him back! Maybe they're going to break up!"
"But he whispered to her! So sweet!"
"Idiot! He's whispering because he's dumping her!"
Immediately, Sasuke felt the girl in his arms stiffen even more. She looked like she was about to get away from his grasp, and about to retort something nasty back to the snooping girls.
He couldn't exactly say he could blame her, but they did have something to maintain here.
"I said don't move, Sakura," he whispered again, so that only she could hear. He placed a hand on her waist to stop her.
"I do not get dumped," she hissed back in his ear. She clenched her palms on his shirt, the irritation clear in her voice.
"I am not dumping you," he shot back, gripping her hips tighter.
"You're not even my boy—"
It couldn't be helped that some of the fan girls were probably ninjas, and could probably read lips. Irritated at the thought, Sasuke put two fingers on her mouth, a silent warning.
To any observer, it looked like a man caressing his lover's lips.
There was a chorus of gasps from somewhere behind the nearby trees.
"He is so not dumping her! It looks like...like he wants to kiss her!"
"Like hell! She has fish lips! He wouldn't dare!"
Sakura stiffened again, and this time he looked like he wasn't going to be able to stop her. Not because he didn't want to—but because he knew when Sakura's temper was up, her strength was also up. And her physical strength, however much he tried to deny it, was indeed a volatile thing to mess with.
This was getting annoying.
The truth was, this wasn't even part of his morning routine. When he had woken up, all Sasuke had in mind was to go spar with his big-mouthed best friend—and make sure said best friend was inflicted with as many well-deserved injuries as possible. Then, after the spar, he would train alone some more, then maybe join in the sparring of another team—the one he hadn't seen in days (that is, if they were already back from their mission). Then, he would go back home, meditate, and have some nice, peaceful, simple dinner. Then, sleep.
Too bad none was happening the way he'd planned.
First off, the dobe was nowhere to be seen. That would have been okay, because Kakashi and Yamato and Sai were already there, on their training grounds—on regular days, he would have settled on sparring with either of his ex-senseis, because the two were definitely worthy opponents.
Heck, on regular days, even Sai would suffice—after all, Sasuke loved the thrill of beating the annoying, ever-smiling artist whenever he could.
But, before he could even contemplate about it, something else had suddenly swarmed in on him, something that he also hadn't planned on: fangirls.
To say the least, they had come in legions—all with eager, lust-filled expressions on their faces. And, along with the lust, there was also shock, and a bombarding of questions that centered mostly on the girl that he was now holding in his arms.
He hadn't come here on purpose. He had gone away from the training grounds, to avoid them—but they had followed. He had tried stealth, and basic ignoring tactics, just to dissuade them, to show that he was not interested—but they had followed. He had even tried saying that they leave him alone, to really get the point across.
But. They. Had. Followed.
It seemed that Naruto was right. He needed Sakura to stave them off. Not for real, of course—just pretend. Just to finally let those annoying girls give up, and do something else with their precious time, other than stalking him.
He needed Sakura now.
Dammit.
Why did the dobe have to be right this time?
"You see! They haven't kissed, Sasuke-kun is frozen in place! He must be disgusted because she has fish-lips!!"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Sasuke heard something like a snarl come from Sakura—then suddenly, she was starting to push him away. If she did that, he had the feeling she would blurt out something out of temper—and in blurting, she would probably blow their cover away. He couldn't let that happen, because when it came to a choice between stalkers and Sakura, he would prefer her (however annoying she still was, in her own way).
He had to stop her before she could do the blurting.
With a sigh, and an inward grumble, Sasuke did the only thing that came to mind at the moment. He pulled her back, into him.
Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
There were gasps and more indignant yelling in their surroundings, but Sakura couldn't understand a word they were saying. She couldn't hear them.
The roaring in her ears prevented her from doing so.
The truth was, she should have been prepared. Uchiha Sasuke was a smart man, and she knew, as a smart man, he wouldn't be one to deny the gossip now circulating around their beloved village. Sure, he would be annoyed at first—something which he had already shown, when he oh-so-rudely pushed her away last night. Eventually, she knew he would see the sense in what Naruto was saying. Eventually, she had a feeling he would come find her, and, in his own emotionless appeal, find a way to make her think he was doing her a favor by letting her participate in the plan. Yes, that was Sasuke for you—full of pride to the very end. Sakura knew, she knew, she should have been prepared.
But she wasn't.
She wasn't prepared for his mouth to be on hers, and for her to feel nothing but...him.
And wonder.
And...hunger.
Her lips tingled, in a way she didn't want them to. His lips were kissing hers, but not really—they were just there, warm on hers, and soft. Hard. It was a direct contrast, one she couldn't understand. Her own lips were closed, and there was no tongue involved. On the outside observer, it was believable enough to convince them that they were indeed lovers, and that this was indeed a kiss of passion—his possessive hands on her waist and their intimate position were enough proof of that. But the kiss...it was nothing. No movement. Nothing. Their lips were just...there.
So why, instead of just her lips, was her whole body tingling now?
And why did she suddenly have this want to...open her mouth and let him kiss her deeper?
To let his tongue come in, and conquer?
Their eyes were on each other. One shocked, one expressionless. His onyx eyes were dark, and darkening.
She couldn't seem to look away.
Suddenly, before she could think of anything else, his lips moved—slow, and subtle. But she felt it.
Her lips moved back.
And her eyes fluttered close.
She felt fire racing through her skin, and it took her a moment to realize that his hands had started moving. Those warm, big hands. His body was closer, the heat radiating in waves, and making her feel something she couldn't understand, much less try to analyze. Her breath hitched.
Slowly, his lips continued moving.
Their mouths were still closed, but a sound from her throat was coming...
"Oh, my...is she moaning??"
"He is kissing her! How could my Sasuke-kun kiss her!"
"Is she pushing her breasts against his chest?"
"...his hands are coming closer to her breasts! It's—"
SLAM!
It took Sakura a moment to realize that there was a loud bang, followed by her back being gently pushed against a wall. His mouth had disentangled from hers, but his hands were still on her skin. Every part of her body was now...aching.
Slowly, Sakura opened her eyes. She stared.
Onyx eyes stared back, revealing nothing.
His mouth was only inches away from hers.
His hands were just below her tingling breasts. Just below, and if he only moved them, up...just a little more...
She stared. He stared back.
Then he abruptly, quickly moved away.
"That was close. You were being stupid as always."
It took Sakura a moment to understand, due to the loud pounding of her heart, and the incoherent thoughts and images in her head. After understanding, it took her another moment to realize, exactly what he meant. Her eyes widened.
It was, to say the least, enough to shatter her temporary dazed state of bliss.
With a shocked look, Sakura's jaw dropped.
"Wha—I—what are you talking about?" she blurted out. "First off, you kissed me without my permission—"
"You were about to blow the cover," he interrupted, "That's what I said about being stupid."
She gaped. She gawked.
Then she glared.
"Blow our cover?!" she hissed, pushing herself off the wall and coming to stand in front of him. "What cover?! You kissed me, remember?"
"You started it. Last night."
"I—it was Naruto who started it!"
"It wasn't Naruto who slid into my lap."
"I—it was Naruto—"
"Or snuggled to me."
"I—"
"Or confirmed to those girls that you are my girlfriend."
"Fine!" she snapped out, then looked taken aback when he gave her a warning glance. Glaring back, she lowered her voice so only he could hear. "Okay, so I got riled up! Your fangirls insulted me, what did you expect me to do?"
"I don't care, Sakura," Sasuke replied, sighing. He gave her an annoyed look.
"Listen, if you don't like—"
"But you can't back out of this."
"—this I...what?"
"You heard me."
He gave her another annoyed look. She glared back. Glared, until he glared back at her, and irritated gaze met irritated gaze. Glared, until he stopped glaring, and simply looked at her with a silent challenge.
Glared, until she realized that she still had a bet to win...and glaring at him wasn't exactly helping.
With a sigh, Sakura stopped glaring. She forced herself to calm down, and to forget about the tingling, and the kiss, and everything that came with it. It was nothing. It was just a ploy. An act. It shouldn't even bother her.
So why was it bothering her, then?
Because you have the hots for him, you stupid girl!
She. Did. Not.
She did not!
Ignoring her inner rantings once again, Sakura sighed once more.
Then she stared him in the eye, and gave in to her resolve.
"I have a proposition."
He remained silent.
Slowly, Sakura continued. "I'll agree on the pretend thing, to drive your stupid fangirls away—but on one condition."
Silence. Then...
"What?" he grunted.
"...it will only be for eight days. After that...no more. It's over."
Meaning I break up with you.
Silence again.
She really thought he was going to say no.
"As long as you know it's pretend."
It was another shock from the Uchiha.
Jeez—was he really this desperate to get rid of his lovely fans?
"Of course I know it's pretend!" she said with a scoff. Then, realizing that it was quite amusing (he really was too arrogant for his own good!), she finally smiled (there was no sense in holding a grudge, really).
He didn't smile back. He only looked more irritated.
"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun—I'm not going to fall in love with you," she assured, the smile growing wider. "You can trust me on that."
I'll only make you fall in love with me.
"...so, is it a deal?"
A pause. A very long pause.
Then...
"Hn."
It was a yes, in his vocabulary.
It looked like she had a chance at winning after all.
Now all she had to do was convince Ino he had fallen in love with her, and all was well. Of course, that meant having to work on getting him to be affectionate with her—an impossible task, if she thought about it. This was, after all, the mighty Uchiha. He never was one for affection.
Well, except for that kiss just earlier...
Her lips tingled again. Annoyed, she tried to block the images of the kiss away.
It meant nothing.
Maintaining the unaffected look, Sakura gave Sasuke a bright smile—to which he completely ignored. Stepping closer, she took his hand—to which he resisted at first. She tried to ignore the warmth of it, or the slight spark in her hand at the contact, because she knew it wasn't a big deal. It couldn't be. She tugged harder, until he stopped resisting.
"Come on, Sasuke-kun. Let's spar."
Still smiling, Sakura opened the front door.
And once again, she wasn't prepared for what happened next.
SMACK!
Staggering backwards, she automatically put a hand on her hurting cheek—the one that was slapped so hard, she felt the slapper might have broken a cheekbone. Eyes widening, ready to snarl, she looked up. Stared.
"HOW DARE YOU STEAL MY SASUKE-KUN, PINKY!"
And found the angry red eyes of none other than Karin, staring back.
Oh, crap.
When had the girl returned?
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
a/n: Well, here it is...chapter 3! My first idea for day two wasn't really like this, but I guess my fingers sort of got possessed...I don't know why, so don't ask. Yes, you read the last few words right. It's Karin. As in Karin from Team Hebi. You see? It's gonna be more exciting!
Well, i'll post the next chapter soon. But first...review and tell me what you think of this one! :)
Note: For those who might be confused, Sakura proposed 8 days because after all, it's already day two. :)
P.S. Thank you so much for the reviews for the previous chapter!
