High School Drama. Really?
~xXx~
It was normal for him, he supposed, the weight of three sacks of flour on his shoulders was something he had steadily grown accustomed too over the years. He shifted, heaving the second sack a little higher so he could balance the third, his arms ached but, he endured. These were the last sacks and then he'd finish packaging the newly baked pastries his mother had prepared earlier.
It was a long morning of hard work and Sakurai felt like he was already covered in sweat. Which was horrible since he lived and worked in a Bakery.
"Sakurai, darling, hurry up with that flour, we need it quickly!" The voice of his mother called down to him.
He huffed moving to ascend the stairs, "I'm coming, Maman!" He shouted, wishing that they didn't keep the flour so far back in the cellar, it was so inconvenient. Especially since he was the one who had to restock all the time.
"And when you're done with those go and help your father pack the truck! We need those goods delivered before noon, do you understand, young man!"
"Yes, Maman."
"Good. Now hurry up. Too much time down there will turn you into a ghost."
Sakurai blanched when he heard his mother's loud giggle. Laughing at her own bad jokes. Haha, funny… He rolled his eyes at the woman's horrible sense of humour and climbed the stairs into the pantry, heaving the sacks of flour onto the shelves he stripped off his apron and rushed outside.
"Père, are you out here?"
"Over here, Sakurai!"
His father's blond head popped around the corner of the truck, that weird section of hair that usually fell over his forehead was held back by a series of black and purple hair clips, for a moment Sakurai imagined Ino-chan standing in front of his beloved Père, scolding him for his horrible fashion. It was an amusing thought that made him smirk on the inside.
"I just finished packing the truck. The keys are inside, you can take them to the Gardens now." Kizashi wiped his hands on the front of his apron, a small smile of approval on his lips and patted his shoulder. "Make sure you don't run any red lights. I won't be having a criminal for a son, you hear me."
Sakurai froze, staring at the truck for a few moments. His mind was racing. It was almost 11:30 and he needed to get to basketball practice by 12, he couldn't be late. Sasuke-kun had been very thorough in his warning that if he were late… well… bad things would happen. He turned just as his father opened the door to the bakery, clapping his hands together.
"Père, wait."
His father stopped, looking back at him with confusion. His tongue stuck out of his mouth as he formed what he would say. A smooth explanation as to why he couldn't make the delivery today because he had to go to basketball practice. That was what he would he say…
It isn't what he said…
In a moment of brilliant word association Sakurai lost his nerves, and instead what came out of his mouth was; "I've gotta go to basketball practice. Can you make the delivery for me instead? Thanks! I'll be back at 6! Bye! I love you. Don't let Maman cook!" And he ran from that alley before his father could even blink. A pink blur wearing a white (with cherry blossoms printed in pink dye) apron that whizzed down the block.
It was a rush. A fierce adrenaline that pumped through his veins and made him want to laugh.
He didn't stop running until he reached the Academy Gym, twelve blocks away from the Haruno Bakery.
~xXx~
Sakurai knows that Sasuke isn't gay. He's always known this, but, still, it doesn't stop him from loving him as intensely as he does.
There were times in his life when he wished he could stop. Stop and turn his affections to someone else. Because loving Sasuke is painful. It hurts so much. But, he doesn't stop, because no one else is able to erase the love he has for Sasuke from his mind. He's actually debated, long and hard, about his feelings. Analysed them thoroughly and has even consulted with Ino-chan the possibilities of forgetting a first love (she, of course, doesn't notice that he's in love with another boy, Sakurai makes sure that she doesn't even suspect it. As much as he trusts her, he doesn't want his sexual-preference to become public knowledge, he wants his life to be as private as possible).They never really got an answer, but, Sakurai felt that even if they had his feelings for Sasuke would stay the same.
He thinks of what others would say if they knew about the way he felt and chuckles when he realises it would probably turn into a great big mess if his friends were to feel things the way he did. He can already see their answers in his mind, visualises each of them as they confess.
Ino-chan would call it loyalty and smile, because she's always been the faithful one, so optimistic and honest with her heart.
Naruko would call it dumb, because she can't focus on being the best if she has to worry about such a stupidly, boring thing as love.
Shikaru would probably call it troublesome, which wouldn't be much of a surprise, as she thinks everything is troublesome, but, maybe being in love would just be too painful to face for her?
But Sakurai thinks it's surreal, because it's love and it's everything he's always wanted to know so he can't bring himself to hate it. Which is dumb and troublesome, because how far has he fallen that he now thinks that loving Sasuke is worth the pain he experiences?
Maybe that's where Ino-chan's loyalty falls in…
"Oi, quit your daydreaming and hurry up. We have laps that need running." Sasuke scowls at him from where he is on the court. His hair stuck to his forehead and bouncing an orange basketball from one hand to the other. Everyone else is still running around the gym, heaving in much needed air and some are even glaring at the large Uchiha fan printed on the top player's back. Sasuke's always been the fastest on the team, completing tasks before everyone else. Which made him a huge source of jealousy for everybody.
Sakurai rolled his eyes and huffed, "What? More running? I just ran, like, 10 blocks to get here!" He whined stretching on the bench. "Sensei! Can't I skip this exercise? Please." He asks trying to avoid looking at Sasuke. He knows that if he were to get too close he would be able to smell the ash of Sasuke's natural scent. Ash and pine, a strange combination that disturbingly suited him.
He looks to their coach, Asuma-sensei, a rather large man who sometimes reminds Sakurai of a grizzly bear, who had been coaching the basketball team since freshman year. And even though it's obvious that he would rather be doing something else (Sakurai sometimes hears him muttering under his breath about how he could be relaxing in the gardens or playing shogi with Shikaru whenever he's late for training) he's never let the team down, pushing them to their limits and encouraging them to try better.
He's also, for some reason that can't be fathomed, incredibly cruel to the young pink-haired member of his team.
"No excuses, Sakurai! Go put on your uniform and get in line with the rest of the team!"
Sakurai groaned muttering to his friend from beneath his hands, "Why's he always so mean? I swear he hates me sometimes."
"Well, that's your own fault. If you showed up more often-"
"He wouldn't get mad at me." Sakurai finished groaning into his hands. "I know, Sasuke-kun, you tell me this all the time."
"If you stopped coming late I wouldn't have to tell you." Sakurai missed the wicked smirk the crossed his lips. "You're almost like Kakashi now."
Hearing those words Sakurai flew into a hysteric panic. That was not funny. Not. At. All. He shivered suddenly feeling cold. It was fair to say that one of his greatest fears in life was becoming like Hatake Kakashi. The man was lazy, he always tried to skip out on his job, he was always late, and he never - never - took things seriously. He could write an entire book about the old man's flaws - no, actually, one book wouldn't be enough. He'd need an entire series to convey Kakashi's many, many imperfections.
He grimaces, face twisting in disgust. How dare he compare me to that man! He glared at his best friend, trying to convey how much he hates him at that moment. You… images of rage and eternal suffering float sweetly through his mind. Images he welcomes and entertains with various animals and a thick set of chains -
"Tch."
A strange sound, something between a snicker and a nasally chuckle cut through Sakurai's thoughts. His gaze flew back to Sasuke who had a large - for him - grin on his face. His dark eyes crinkled at the corners and his alabaster skin practically glowing.
Sakurai's thoughts vanish from existence, so entranced by Sasuke's smile he almost slips. Cheeks warm and feeling awkward all of a sudden, he forces his gaze away, reprimanding himself with every second his eyes linger. It cannot be. He reminds himself and that is enough to cool the hot rush of blood flowing through his body.
It cannot be. Three simple words and his mood drops.
"Sakurai? What's the matter?"
He ignores the question shaking his head, "Nothing. I'm going to go and get changed." He mutters and heads back to his locker. His chest hurts now.
He'll never love you like you love him.
He doesn't notice as Sasuke frowns at his back. Suspicious and observing. Sharp eyes narrowing as he disappears through the door.
'Just accept it, Sakurai: You're doomed.'
~xXx~
Author's Notes:
This chapter was originally a lot shorter but I added more to it. Hence, the lack of... something - I don't know what it is but I feel like I forgot something. I 'll probably remember later and add it to one of the future chapters. Also I want to inform you that the previous two chapters happened before the first chapter. So it's sort of like a flashback, I forgot to add this in before and for that I apologise for any sort of confusion it may have caused.
Thank you and enjoy - or don't, your choice.