Author's Note: Hey guys! I am back with the third chapter of Windswept! Yay, three cheers!
Anyway, I won't bore you with an extremely long author's note - how many of you actually read the author's note? - so I'll just get straight to the point, yes?
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their support on this story, it really makes me feel good inside to know people like my story, so I thank you all very much. ^_^ I'm now on the ninth chapter of Windswept, so if you have any problems with story length as of this moment, I'm sorry, everything is practically written in stone at the moment, but I'm working extremely hard to make each chapter a bit longer than the one before. I'm not planning on making Windswept a very long story I won't ruin anything further with my plans for this stories future.
—Oh, who read chapter 652 of the Manga? The war is — blessedly — finally coming to an end! You can feel free to let me know what you think of chapter 652 in a review, if you'd like!
I got a few reviews from readers asking me if this is a vampire fic. I don't want to ruin the story by giving away anything. But no, Sasuke is not a vampire. It's a little more complicated than that, but all will soon be revealed, so just hang in there!
Right, so now, on with the story!
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Chapter Three: Better Off Staying Away
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A hand landed on my shoulder from behind me, and I took the hand on my shoulder and used all my strength to twist the arm around, making me go behind the person — obviously male — with their arm behind their back. I used the heel of my foot to kick the back of his knees, making him fall to the ground, I used my foot again to push down on the middle of his back, so he was flat on the ground. Breathing heavily, I wiped my brow before small beads of sweat could run down my forehead. At least I know I haven't forgotten my training, I thought to myself.
The person on the ground didn't move for a good fifty seconds, most likely stunned from my quick attack, before, randomly, laughing.
I let go of his arm and took my foot off his back, I stepped away slowly, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. The male got up off the ground, his back facing me and dusted off the dirt from his clothes, still laughing.
I looked over his figure. Tall, athletic build, his skin was tanned and he had spiky blonde hair; he wore an orange t-shirt and black jeans, and his shoes were black high tops. He turned around, a big amused grin on his face. I noticed the three whisker-like marks on both his cheeks, but they only added to his handsome features. He had a strong jaw, one you'd see on a male model, his eyes were a pretty blue and he had this air of power and energy that surrounded him.
I instantly recognised him as Uzumaki Naruto — Sasuke's friend, the one who grinned at me the other day at lunch.
"That was good! who taught you to defend yourself like that, Sakura-chan?!" Naruto said, smiling at me.
"Huh? You know me?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing more in my confused haze.
"Yeah. I'm Uzumaki Naruto just incase you didn't know!" he shouted, giving my the good-guy-pose.
I just smiled at him unsurely. I rubbed my hands together in nervousness, looking down at my feet and away from the watchful gaze of Uzumaki Naruto. Why was he talking to me? Did I do something to him? I'm pretty sure that I have never, ever said or even been in the presence of Naruto before, so I know it couldn't be that.
I took the chance, and looked up at him, only to see his eyes trained on my figure. Naruto had to be a good three inches taller than me, and about two inches shorter than Sasuke. He was biting his lip, his hands were clenching and unclenching at his sides. I watched him carefully from under my lashes. So this was the guy Hinata was so taken with, she sure knew how to pick 'em. I wondered if he's as nice and charming as she says he is.
"Can I walk you to school? I'd like to talk to you about something important." he piped up, his legs taking small tentative steps towards me.
Nodding my head, I waited for him to stand beside me before walking forward. We stayed in silence for a while; I didn't really know what was I supposed to say to him, I was waiting for him to start talking so I could know what he wanted to tell me. I looked at Naruto from the corner of my eye, only to see him looking straight ahead, beautiful blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight, from the angle I was looking at him, I deduced that he was even more handsome than Hinata, Ino and TenTen had described.
I should really go to sport carnivals, I'm missing out on seeing all these hot guys.
"Sasuke..." Naruto started, his azure eyes finally looking down into my emerald, "Sasuke's a complicated guy, I know he may seem nice and normal on the outside... but on the inside, Sasuke's... Sasuke's dark and mysterious. I just wanted to let you know what you're getting yourself into if you start hanging around him."
I frowned, looked away from Naruto, biting my cheek and wringed my hands. What could he mean by 'dark and mysterious'? I turned back to look at Naruto, and saw that he was watching me, taking in my reaction to his words. "What do you mean?'
"He's not someone you want to get mixed in with." he said, looking at me seriously. We stopped out the front of the Konoha High. Students were walking in and some were even walking out. A group of girls were loudly laughing and talking by the gate, and a couple were leaning against the brick wall, not caring about having a heavy make-out in front of everyone. Naruto placed his hands on my shoulders, giving me a straight and serious look. "You're better off staying away from him."
Emerald met azure in a soft heated clash. I looked deep in his sparkling eyes, trying to look deep enough to see if he was just telling me this to mess with me, or if he was really telling the truth. Hinata had told me when she first had a conversation with Naruto, that he was very outspoken, fun and carefree, but this Naruto was serious and controlled, nothing like how he had been described. Opening my mouth so ask why exactly, a familiar deep, rustic voice beat me.
"Naruto... what are you doing?"
We looked away from each other, Naruto and I looked over at Sasuke, before we turned back to each other. Thinking quickly, I smiled up at Naruto and he frowned at me. "So Hyuuga Hinata would really appreciate it if you could give her some swimming lessons, but she doesn't know I'm asking you so don't tell her I said anything to you, okay?"
Naruto frowned at me before his eyes widened and he smiled brightly. He took his hands off my shoulders, punching the sky. "Sure, Sakura-chan, I'll ask her today." He turned towards Sasuke, grinning at his best friend before he practically pranced towards him, his arms flying around him. He punched Sasuke jokingly on the shoulder. Sasuke grunted but didn't do anything else. "Sakura-chan and I were just have a friendly chat." he told the quiet Uchiha.
Sasuke's dark gaze looked me over once and I tried to hide my discomfort with a smile. He must have bought it because he nodded his head once before turning back to look Naruto. "I'll catch up with you in a minute."
Naruto nodded then walked past me, giving me a knowing look. I stared at him as he walked away, and when I felt the warm touch of Uchiha Sasuke fingers on my hand, I instantly pulled it back, the now familiar feeling of electricity pulsing through my veins every time we touched came rushing back, shocking me. I looked away from Sasuke when he frowned at me. However, he didn't try to reach out to touch me again and I was kinda thankful for that.
The silence was awkward and I felt like everyone was staring at me. Clearing my throat, I played with the strap of my messenger bag that was resting across my chest. "I have to go, I got to meet up with my friends." I turned around, my breathing heavy and my eyes clouded with unshed tears.
Why was I crying? There was nothing to cry about. I bit my lip and kept my back straight trying to keep the shutter from running through my body. I had no reason to want to cry so why did I want to? Was it because of what Naruto told me? Was it because I had to lie to Sasuke about what Naruto and I were talking about? Or was it because I knew a friendship between Uchiha Sasuke and I was never going to happen?
I was about to take a step forward when fingers wrapped around mine. I didn't have to turn around to know it was Sasuke, the tingling in my hand told me it was him — because only one person could make me feel like I'm being softly electrocuted and really, who else would it be?
Sasuke pulled me back so I was turned towards him again. I met his chest, before I craned my neck back so I could look up at his frowning, but still handsome, face. Sasuke looked down at me with a look in his cold eyes that I couldn't really understand. "Sasuke..?" I whispered.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice low and soft and deep, it made my body shiver. His fingers tightened around my hands. I looked down and that was when I noticed that I was crying. I pulling my hands out of his grasp, and turned away from him, wiping my eyes with the back of my hands, but the tears just would not stop. Sasuke's hand reached out to touch my shoulder, probably to make me turn around, but I kept my ground and refused to turn around to look at him. "Sakura... tell me."
"We... I..." I sighed, shaking my head, my hair followed the movement slowly. "What are we?" I turned back around to look at Sasuke, I didn't bother to hold back my tears. "Because you haven't made it very clear what your intentions are."
Sasuke scowled, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Whatever Naruto told you it isn't —"
"It's not what Naruto told me, Sasuke!" my voice came out louder and more forceful than I expected it too and by the growing sounds of students passing by us and into the school, I knew that no one but Sasuke heard what I had just shouted — not that I really cared at the moment . "I just want to know what we are. Are we friends or am I just gonna be someone you're gonna mess around with?" I snapped harshly.
Sasuke stepped closer to me, his hands staying firmly at his sides, but I knew he wanted to reach out and touch me, I could see he was fighting to keep his hands firmly clenched. We stared at each other for what seemed lie a very long time, everything around us just faded into the background; it was like being in our own little world where no one else was allowed to intervene. It came clear to me that I wasn't going to get an answer from him, so I turned away, heading further into the school.
"Sakura, wait!" Sasuke shouted as he jogged towards me.
I turned around, and I glared at him briefly. "Were you outside my house yesterday?"
Without any hesitation, Sasuke nodded his head. "Yes."
"Why would you do that?" I bit out rather harshly, but the words had already left my mouth, I couldn't take them back now. "What were you doing there?"
Sasuke frowned, his usual emotionless eyes showing a hint of anxiety before returning to normal, his teeth once again dug into his lip. He shrugged his shoulders half heartedly, like he didn't even know why he was there either. I rolled my eyes, then turned around, trying my best to ignore his attempts at calling my name. I pushed through crowds of people, as more tears started to run down my cheeks and onto my chin, then they dripped down my neck, staining my clothes.
I ran into the girls bathroom just as the bell rang, I checked all the stalls, and when I was sure no one else was in the bathroom, I locked the door, pressing my back to it. A sob finally caused my whole body to shudder and my legs couldn't keep me up any longer. I sunk to the floor, taking off my messenger bag then putting it beside me, my knees instantly came up to my chest, my arms wrapped around them and my chin rested on my knees, my eyes closed as cool traitor tears continued to run nonstop down my cheeks.
Why was I crying? I had no reason to cry, so why was I crying, dammit!
Sasuke and I could never be friends, why would I even try to bother with it ?! it's not like we could have been anything more either, we're just too different. He's popular and rich and he can go places and have a better future; and I'm not rich and I'm definitely not popular. I'm smart, but that alone won't get me into Med School so I can become a doctor. I can't live up to Sasuke, he will always overshadow me.
What about his family? I've heard a lot about Sasuke's father, Uchiha Fugaku. He's a real badass, he's tough, has to have the best of everything for his family, but he's loving and caring and will do anything to make his family rich and strong and protected. Uchiha Mikoto, Sasuke's mother, she was apparently a warm, kind, strong-willed, she was smart and beautiful and she would never approve of me. My mother only cared for herself and her job; sure they'd send me money for food, clothes and whatever else I needed, they also played the rent and all the bills, but Sasuke's family was there.
He's not someone you want to get mixed in with. You're better off staying away from him. Maybe Naruto is right, maybe I should just stay away from Sasuke; he's no good for me and I'm no good to him. However just the mere thought of not being able to see him and hear his deep rustic voice, or not having him touch me and feeling that electrifying sensation making my body tingle. I knew it was the right thing to walk away from him, I just couldn't though.
I let out another shaky sob at the thought, my whole body shuddered with the loud cry. Everyone would be in first period so I knew no one would hear me, but I bit my lip to keep out the sounds of my distress.
After I sat on the floor so I could try to control my sobs for a good ten minutes, I got up off the bathroom floor, and headed towards the sink. I looked at my red and puffy face in the mirror. Rough streaks were going down my cheeks in all different directions, making it obvious that I had been crying. I retrieved my messenger bag from the floor, placing it on the small bench in front of the many sinks in the girls bathroom. I turned on the tap, washed my face with water before I dried my face and hands with my undershirt; I opened my bag, pulled out the small makeup kit Ino always made sure I had in my bag, and used a small amount of concealer to cover up the red around my eyes and the streaks on my cheeks.
I'm was so glad Ino made me keep this in my messenger bag constantly.
When I was sure I looked presentable, I slung my messenger bag across my chest and unlocked the door to the girls bathroom. I stuck my head out and looked left then right, when the coast was clear, I stepped out, making sure the door didn't slam closed. I quickly and noiselessly made my way down the hall then outside onto the oval. I walked along the back wall that led to a small staircase that went all the way to the top of the school, where a janitor had created a beautiful little mini open greenhouse.
It was kinda funny how I found it.
Some time during freshman year, I had followed a janitor (out of boredom) and found him working on this place. I spent most of my breaks there, I even showed Ino, Hinata and TenTen about it and that was 'our place' — as TenTen called it. But at the end of my sophomore year the janitor lost his job, so I had promised him I'd keep this place the way he left it.
Good memories.
I pushed the door open, walked in and smiled, I looked around while I dropped my bag on the ground so I could grab the watering can by the entrance. Going over to the tap around by the door to fill it up. I took out my phone and earphones from my jean pockets so I could put my earphones in. I turned the music up loud. I lip sung along with the music, my hips swaying as I watered the plants. My mood brightened quickly, and when all the plants had been watered, I went over to the ledge and looked out over the school, a cool breeze blew, making me shiver lightly, but I closed my eyes and welcomed the cool wind.
Taking out my earphones, I sat down on a small bench and stared at the never-ending sky, the light blue and white fluffy clouds offering me some kind of comfort. It was only early in the day and so much had already happened. I thought today was going to be a good day, but it turned out to be the opposite.
Why couldn't Sasuke answer my questions? What are we? I'm not even sure if we are even friends or just acquaintances. I see us at friends, but what does Sasuke see us as? He obviously doesn't see me as a friend because he would have told me.. but he didn't. What about when I asked him if he was outside my house? He said that he was, and I honestly believed him, however how did he disappear so fast? Just like a few nights ago after the party, when he disappeared from my doorstep; like he wasn't even there to begin with.
Was he the one inside my house last night? I thought.
Suddenly someone sat next to me and I whipped my head to the left, surprised to see the body of Uchiha Sasuke beside me. I blinked, turned away and fiddled with my fingers, wringing my hands unsurely. How did he find me up here? I was sure no one followed or saw me. Not bothering to ask, we sat in silence for a while, we both just watched the clouds pass in the sky and felt the cool breeze blow around us. I took in his scent, I knew it was all Sasuke.
He grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers, he held my hand tight, his bigger, stronger, warmer hand lending my comfort. Slowly, I brought my free hand up and placed it over his, squeezing tightly. I almost cried out in happiness when he didn't pull his hand away.
"...I don't see you as someone I'm just going to 'mess around with'.." he started, his obsidian eyes boring into my emerald, I almost gasped, his eyes were so pretty. My eyes instantly looked down at his mouth, and that small quirk that I've seen only a few times was there, albeit small, but it was there. "..I want to get to know you better."
"Sasuke I—"
"I'm not sure what Naruto told you," he cut me off, looking back out at the sky. "but I know he's only looking out for you and for me."
I frowned, and stared at the side of his face, my fingers twitching. I wanted to run my fingers down his jaw. "He told me that I'm better off staying away from you." I whispered.
"He's right."
"There's something about you — I don't know what it is, but I want to find out." I squeezed his hands tighter, afraid he would pull away and leave me on the rooftop like an idiot.
I was surprised when he returned it.
"I have many secrets that I can't tell you about Sakura." Sasuke said seriously. He looked down at me, "Secrets that you can't know; that could put you and everyone you know in danger."
I bit my lip. What kind of secrets? I shook my head, smiling up at him, my smile widening ever so slightly when I saw the small quirk of his lips again.
"I don't care."
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"We should probably go down for lunch." I suggested while shifting my position against his shoulder.
Sasuke and I were leaning against the wall, my whole weight was resting against his left shoulder, his hand was resting on my thigh and my fingers were tracing his palm; he flat-out told me he liked that, so I continued, not really sure how I was supposed to act around him. What was I suppose do when Uchiha Sasuke told me he liked it when I traced his palm with my fingers?
I honestly think I should get over the fact that he's Uchiha Sasuke, because it's even annoying me.
I kept my eyes on his open palm, watching as his fingers twitched. I smiled softly and let my fingers circle his palm one more time before I let my finger trace each of his, my index finger then went back down to his palm and up and over his wrist, then up his arm and all the way to his elbow where the rolled up sleeves of his black button-up ended. I let my finger trail back down to his palm where I repeated what I did before over and over.
"We probably should.." Sasuke said after a while in a hushed tone. "..Naruto would be looking for me."
I kept tracing his palm, then his fingers, then to his wrist and up his arm, l liked the feel of his warm skin and that electric feeling. Was that ever going to go away? I looked at Sasuke too see he had his eyes closed, his head resting against the wall, and immediately I knew..
..It's never going to go away.
"We should go now then.. the bell is going to go in five minutes." I said with a sigh, I didn't really wanted to go.
I stopped tracing Sasuke's hand and made my move to get up, however, Sasuke's hand wrapped around my wrist, effectively stopping me from moving towards my messenger bag. I turned towards him with a frown, I watched as conflicted, suppressed emotions altered his aristocratic features. I opened my mouth to say his name, but went against it when he let out a shaky breath. Sitting back down next to him, Sasuke released my wrist and I took his hand in mine, brushing my thumb against the back of his knuckles.
"I'm... I'm sorry for making you cry." his voice was low; very quiet. Sasuke looked in the opposite direction, refusing to meet my gaze.
I smiled, letting a giggle escape my lips. "You're not the reason I was crying, Sasuke." I said after my giggles subsided. "I was crying because this is new. I know it sounds stupid, but I've just gone through high school, hearing that you're this amazing, smart, talented person, and I can't live up to you." I squeezed his hand before letting go so I could stand up and go over to my messenger bag. I pulled out a small green book and pen.
Then I made my way back over to Sasuke, I made myself comfortable next to him again. I placed the book on my lap, and made sure he could see it perfectly. Then I opened it, skipping a few pages. "I've had this book since I was thirteen. It's got every single goal I've ever had since then in it." I muttered while I gave the book to him and pointed to the spot I wanted him to read. "Sophomore year, four months into the year, one of my goals was—"
"To meet me." Sasuke muttered, and read over the line I pointed at him to read.
"Yeah.." I smiled, "..and now I've got to do that, I can put a tick next to it to say I've completed that goal."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
Sasuke nodded at the book in his hands, "Why did you want to meet me?"
"Like I said.. I've gone through high school hearing about how amazing you are. I wanted to know what it was like meet someone who could do whatever they wanted, be whoever they wanted... live like they had a purpose in life; you've got everything I've ever wanted." I smiled, grabbing my book out of his hands and getting back up again so I could place it back into my bag. I kept my back turned to Sasuke, I continued.
"You've got popularity, you're smart, you've got heaps of friends and a family that's always there. You're fit and have the looks that could make a male model look like they've been to hell and back; you're strong, independent and you mean something... you've got a future to look forward too.. and I'm stuck here." Sasuke remained quiet, but I didn't mind. I could feel his eyes on me the whole time I was putting away my book, I picked up my messenger bag, slinging it over my shoulder and straightening up, my posture rigid and defensive.
"Why didn't you then?" Sasuke asked. "Why didn't you try to talk to me?"
I scoffed. "Please," I mumbled, "I couldn't get past Karin and your freaking fangirl army. Plus, we haven't ever crossed paths with each other before the party, that's why I didn't recognize you straight away."
He nodded his head in understanding.
A minute past before Sasuke stood up and retrieved his bag. Not a moment later the bell rang, and I could hear students flow out of classrooms like turning on a tap and watching the water pour out. I nodded at Sasuke and we made our way down the stairs and outside. We walked in silence around the corner and blended into the crowds of people heading towards the cafeteria.
Sasuke pushed the door open for me again, then looked down at me. "Do you have money today, or do I have to buy you lunch again?" he asked with a smirk.
Smiling, I nodded my head once. "Nah, I've got a packed lunch." I turned around to head towards my table that was already seated with Hinata, TenTen and Ino, I stopped for a second, I felt people bump into my shoulders, and they sent me soft curse words, before I turned around to look at Sasuke who was smirking at me expectantly.
"You're walking me home this afternoon, okay?!" I shouted over the noise.
My eyes never strayed from his mouth as his smirk widened. "Yeah, I'll meet you after school."
Smiling, I turned back around, a huge, broad grin on my face.
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I kicked the ball to TenTen who dribbled it for a moment before she shot it off to Ataya, a big breasted brunette who had so much makeup caked on her face it made her look like a clown. Despite saying that, she wasn't bad at playing soccer. Ataya got halfway down the field before she kicked the ball over to TenTen; TenTen then kicked the ball and landed it perfectly in the middle of the goal. I laughed and jogged over to TenTen, giving her a high-five before anyone else on our team could.
"That was amazing Ten!" I smiled at my brown-haired friend.
"You're just as good Saku."
We walked back over to the Ino and Hinata who were sitting at the bench, talking animatedly to each other. Hinata caught sight of TenTen and I, she waved at us enthusiastically. When we came closer to the two girls, Hinata held up two full water bottles.
"HINATA! you're a lifesaver!" TenTen shouted, bolting forward towards the quiet Hyuuga, and took the water bottle from her hands, gulping the water down with vigor, some of the water dripped down her chin, then to the top of her shirt, adding to the lightly seen sweat patches that covered her white shirt.
I took the other water bottle off of Ino and took a seat next to my blonde best friend, leaning my head against her shoulder.
"Forehead!" Ino shouted while she pushed me off her, "You're all sweaty!"
My shoulders lifted up in a shrug. I took another mouthful of water, trying to quench my thirst. I listened in on the chatter of my friends, but I wasn't really participating very much in the conversation.
I covered my eyes with my arm, attempting to block the sunlight from shining in my eyes. I looked around the area, and spotted Karin's scowling figure marching towards us, her followers walked behind her, their faces just as twisted as Karin's. I swallowed and turned to look at my friends.
"Hey guys.. Karin's on her way..."
Their heads snapped towards me and they followed my finger, — which was pointing towards the flaming red-heads direction — there mouths twisted in disgust.
"Oi, what do you think you're doing?" a snarky voice shouted at me. Everyone cleared out-of-the-way as Karin walked towards me, her sports uniform completely different from everyone elses. Her black shorts (which would just end above the knees) ended just at her inner thighs, which showed her long legs; the white polo-shirt was twisted at the front, so it came up to show her stomach.
A definite whore.
"What did I do?" I mumbled as I stood up, standing in front of Karin so I could look her directly in the eye. She was about two inches shorter than me, so I could at least look her in the eye without having to crane my neck or practically look down on her. I blinked when her face twisted further in anger.
"I want you to stay away from Sasuke." she yelled, her face was right up in mine, her very minty breath made my face heat up and spit to land on my face. I took a step back, my mouth opened and my eyes closed. I ran my hand over my face, clearing the specks of spit Karin transferred from her stupid mouth to my face.
"Say it, don't spray it." The comeback was a natural thing, and as soon as it left my mouth, I instantly regretted it.
Everyone stood around us, watching to see what would happen next as Karin's face turned as red as her hair. She adjusted her thick, black-rimmed glasses, her red eyes blazed with anger. I took a step back, but she followed, her fist raised, as if she was getting ready to punch me. I raised up my own fists, just in case. But when I caught the figure of Uchiha Sasuke walking behind Karin and through the large parted crowd, I instantly backed down and ducked and dodged the oncoming hits.
Karin must have caught sight of Sasuke, because in an instant, she stopped trying to swing at me. Her frown instantly turned into a flirtatious smile, one that could lore in anyone. However, instead of walking up to Karin, he stopped beside me, his head inclined, his dark, hooded eyes stared at me, assessing my contention. Even though there wasn't a scratch on me, however due to my appearance from the previous soccer game I had just finished ten minutes ago, I bet I didn't look as dashing as his eyes portrayed me to be.
Sasuke turned his attention, albeit reluctantly away from me, and looked over at Karin with no emotion on his face but disgust. She beamed at him, her smile trying to make her seem innocent, but I knew Sasuke wasn't buying any of her fake smiles.
"What are you doing, Karin?"
"What are you talking about Sasuke?" her voice was high-pitched, sounding like nails on a chalkboard. Behind her, I saw Ino, Hinata and TenTen cringe at the sound, my eyes caught the sight of a bunch of others that did the same. "I was just having a ch—"
"Don't lie." Sasuke deadpanned, his hands shoved in his pockets as he stared Karin dead in the eyes, his vision unwavering.
"I-I would never l-lie to you Sasuke." She stuttered.
"Good."
Sasuke then turned around and ran his fingers over my hand as he walked past, the space between the massive group of people still parted as Sasuke walked down it in stride, like it was something he did all the time. I suppose he was famous around the school, so he's probably use to having everyone grovel at his feet.
I watched as he walked away, hands shoved in his pocket, his stride very calm and relaxed. I could see the wind blow around him, his messy hair moved along with it. I watched his back as he walked away, my heart thumped in my chest, my head started to pound, and my hand tingled. I blinked emerald eyes, time started again, the world around me faded into colour instead of the black haze I was just in. All the emotions that ran through me was like I got hit by a car; enough to leave me feeling faint, but hardly enough to make me unconscious.
Karin's shoulder bumped into mine, the force knocked me off my feet. I stumbled back a few steps, my hand reached out for something to hold onto so I would not fall down to the ground and make a fool of myself.
"Easy.." TenTen whispered in my ear, her hands were on my back, I knew she wouldn't let me fall.
"Thanks TenTen." I smiled.
Everyone began to clear away and TenTen, Hinata, Ino and I walked slowly towards Karin and her friends. All I wanted to do was get out of these sweaty clothes and lie down.
"Sasuke was here to save you this time you ugly, pink-haired bitch but—"
As I passed her, I socked her in the face hard with my fist, she was on the ground in ten seconds flat. "I'm sorry, was that meant to offend me? Right now, the only thing offending me is your face. Hopefully that bruise will make it look better." I growled and walked past my friends as they laughed loudly, even Hinata joined in on the giggles.
By the time Karin got up off the ground and Ino, TenTen and Hinata stopped laughing, I was around the corner, my back pressed to the wall, I closed my eyes, wrung my hands together and took in a deep breath through my nose and let it out through my mouth. I had to calm down.
"Haha, that was a nice hit Sakura-chan!" Uzumaki Naruto's voice said from beside me.
I opened my eyes and smirked at him, held up my fist and stared at it proudly. "She deserved it." I muttered, exhaustion started to get to me; my energy levels were low, which made it hard to even stand up straight.
"She did! I've been waiting for someone to do something to that ugly face of hers." Naruto commented. I could feel his eyes trained on me, suddenly. "I still don't think you should get involved with Sasuke, he's—"
"—Got a lot of secrets he can't tell me." I said as I looked over at Naruto with a blank look. "He already told me that, I don't care. I can't explain what it is, but there's something about him.. something that just.. draws me to him." I whispered truthfully, my gaze directed towards the ground, my mind drifted off as my mouth continued talking."I've gone through high school hearing about how Sasuke's this God and now that I've finally got the chance to actually get to know him, I'm not going to give it all up because of a few stupid secrets." I stopped, looked over at the quiet figure next to me. "Secrets comes with a price... they are never free.. so what price has Sasuke paid for his secrets... what price have you paid Naruto?"
He looked down at me with hooded azure eyes, before he smiled and put his hand on top of my head and ruffled my short pink hair. I swatted his hand away but smiled up at him anyway. "The prices are always high Sakura-chan." Naruto said as he shoved his hands in his pockets and began to walk the way I had just came. I followed behind him, wondering what he was doing. "I still have to ask Hyuuga Hinata if she wants swimming lessons from me."
I laughed. "You don't have to, I just said that be—"
"I want to though." Naruto said as he turned the corner, running straight into said Hyuuga.
"N-N-Naruto-kun.." the quiet, dark headed girl stuttered.
I turned the corner just as the words left her lips, and took my place next to TenTen, who was openly staring at Naruto. I laughed. TenTen would burst in... three... two... and... one.
"Oh my god! you're Uzumaki Naruto! You're the captain of the swim team; you came first a total of three hundred and seventy-two times — eight wins behind Uchiha Sasuke — and you went to the national championships and came first, three years in a row! You're on the track team, football team, outside of school you do taijutsu and—"
I put my hand over TenTen's mouth to try to stop the words that flowed out her mouth. I smiled awkwardly at Naruto who stood wide-eyed and stunned next to a red Hyuuga and a smirking Yamanaka. When I was sure TenTen wasn't going to talk anymore, I removed my hand and stepped away from my brown-haired friend. She didn't take her eyes from him for a second.
I cleared my throat in an attempt to change the topic. "Naruto has something to ask you, Hinata."
Hinata redden even more, if that was even possible, and turned to look at me then at Naruto and pointed to herself. "M-me?" When I nodded, she turned back towards Naruto who started grinning down at the girl, his eyes sparkled.
"Wow! I mean, I always thought Neji's eyes were cool, but yours are so much brighter than his." Naruto leaned forward, his eyebrows furrowed as he placed the back of his hand on her forehead. "Are you okay, Hinata-chan? Your face is very red." Naruto looked over her shoulder at Ino who snickered. His eyes then went to TenTen, who smiled brightly; then finally to me. I smiled at him, not really sure how I was supposed to explain without saying Hinata loves him and she gets heaps embarrassed when he's around or brought up in conversation.
"He... he... c-called me... Hinata-chan... oh... my.." Hinata giggled to herself, before her eyes rolled to the back of her head, her body fell limp backwards and if it wasn't for the quick reflexes of Naruto, she would have been on the ground with a bad head injury.
"Hinata-chan! hey, hey, Hinata-chan wake up!" Naruto shouted in panic, shaking her shoulders to try to wake the passed out girl up.
I laughed. I mean a full throw-your-head-back laugh.
Oh Naruto.. get use to it.
—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—
When I walked out of school, the first thing I noticed was the massive clouds that ominously rolled across the sky, hinting that it could rain tonight; the second thing I noticed, was Sasuke leaning against the wall, ignoring the giggling girls. I smiled and walked over to him. Sasuke had his eyes closed, so I tapped his cheek.
"Hehe, are you awake?" I giggled as I poked his cheek again, even though he had already opened his eyes.
Smirking playfully at me, Sasuke poked my forehead with his fingers. I let out a small 'ow' and rubbed the spot he poked, probably making the forming red spot on my forehead worse. I laughed and began to walk down the steps, the amount of students in front of the school was thinning as we made our way around the corner, going the direction of my house.
"I heard you punched Karin in the face after I left.." Sasuke sent me a smirk and I stared at his lips, the thought of wanting his lips to meet mine clouded my mind for a brief second, but my inner pushed the thoughts away.
"She deserved it. No one makes fun of my hair." I replied defensively, stroking a lock of my hair. There was a long pause between us. "It's natural you know... my hair." I continued. "I get it from my mother. Her hair is lighter than mine now though, but apparently my hair is the same shades as hers was at my age."
"Pink's an unusual hair colour, not something you'd seen often." Sasuke said, stopping on the driveway of my house. He turned towards me and took a lock of my hair, twisting it around his pointer finger. I stared up at him. "Did your mother name you Sakura because of your hair?"
I nodded my head. He was so close to me I couldn't think properly. His body heat and dominance radiated off him in waves, the memory of sitting next to him in the alley at the party last weekend replayed in my head as he continued to play with my hair. Hesitantly, I reached for his hand, brushing my thumb against the back of his knuckles, feeling the electric flow of his skin on mine run up my arm.
Sasuke leaned forward and so did I, our lips centimeters apart. I closed my eyes. This was it; I was going to kiss Uchiha Sasuke out the front of my house.
Just as our lips were about to touch, a voice that I knew kinda well shouted at me. "Haruno Sakura, get that boy off my driveway!" my mother screamed.
Sasuke and I jumped back with a start, avoiding each others gaze. After a few more seconds of awkwardness, I yelled back at my mother, telling her I'd be inside in a minute, I turned to Sasuke and smiled apologetically. He shrugged; brushing it off like it was nothing.
"Thanks for walking me home, Sasuke." I smiled, truly grateful. "Are you fine walking home? It looks like it might rain soon." I asked, worried that he could get sick and it would be my fault.
He shook his head. "No, I'll be fine, Sakura." He rolled the 'r' in my name, and it made me shiver in delight.
"See you tomorrow Sasuke." I turned around and started to walk up my driveway, when fingers wrapped around my wrist. I turned around and looked at Sasuke questionably.
"Can I walk home tomorrow?" he asked, anxiety laced within his voice.
"I'd like that."
—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—x—
Author's Note: Awh isn't that just cute? Hehe. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and you'll be so kind as to leave me lots of reviews! They really do make a difference, I swear! Or, if you don't want to leave a review, feel free to PM, I will try to reply when I can. You can also go to my profile and get the link to my , I love getting questions and I'll answer all of them!
Well, until next update, Ja ne, lovelies!