Author: YOU GUYS ARE JUST TOO AWESOME!!! Thank you again and again for reviewing the last chapter! You are making me more inspired each time! Yes I'm all exclamation marks on you because I'm oh-so-happy with you all. And to reward that…a brand new chapter for you!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters XD

CHAPTER UPDATE: 02.5.10, Changed inspiration song (below)


And you never said
That you meant to save someone
Somebody just like me
And you never told me
You wanted to love some one
Somebody just like me

-Paramore, Just Like Me


RECAP:

Sasuke looked at the unconscious Sakura, for a moment she looked like the Sakura he met when was 10, then back to the present Sakura. He sighed as she started his car and began to drive away. He glanced at Sakura and then back at the road "Cherry Blossom" he muttered to himself as he drove back to the condo. He carried her back to the condo, and laid her to his bed and sighed.

"So it's you..." he muttered quietly "You're that girl...the one who ran and hit me when I was 10...you...Cherry Blossom..."


"SASUKE-KUN!!!" said Karin as she ran through the crowd gathered in the parking lot that began separating, and muttering to themselves "SASUKE-KUN…NO!!!" she screamed as she saw the black Porsche driving away from the school. She knelt on the floor, crying out his name like begging for mercy. Among the crowd, Naruto and Shikamaru stood there, looking at the road ahead, then at Karin.

"Sasuke…kun…" Karin said once more.

"Sasuke-kun! Sasuke-kun!" Shikamaru said, mimicking Karin "Shut up bitch…"

Naruto looked at Karin, getting angry by the minute, he walked in front of Karin, with his hands formed into fists "Why…DID…YOU…DO THAT TO SAKURA-CHAN?!" he shouted at her face "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! I AM NOT GOING TO HESITATE TO PUNCH YOU RIGHT NOW..."

Karin looked up, and smirked "Like you can…you blonde ramen-loving idiot…" she said "I'm surprised at how you even got to High School…and your Sakura-chan? I will make sure she will go down"

"You-"

"Naruto!"

Shikamaru restrained Naruto from doing what he was about to do, Naruto looked at Shikamaru angrily. "Don't stop me!" he told him "That four eyed bitch deserves a black eye! She should be thankful she's only getting that from me, when she deserves more on what she did to Saku-chan!"

"Naruto, you really are an idiot…" Shikamaru said, rolling his eyes as he held Naruto.

Naruto looked at Shikamaru "So you're agreeing with this bitch?! What are you? I thought you're my friend!" he said.

"Idiot. I'm calling you an idiot because if you continue this, Sakura will know, and she will think that this is all her fault…and you know Sakura…" said Shikamaru "Do you understand now…Naruto?"

Naruto looked at Shikamaru, and then to Karin, he closed his eyes and started to calm down. "Alright, I see your point…" he muttered as Shikamaru released him, and Naruto stood up properly "You're right Shikamaru…" he said as they walked away from Karin.

"Good." Said Shikamaru "Let's leave this bitch alone, it's all up to Sasuke in the end anyways…" he gave Naruto a pat in the shoulder and walked on, however, Naruto stood still, and seemed to be looking at something. Shikamaru looked at Naruto, and raised an eyebrow "What's the matter?" he said.

"Um…Shika?"

"Yeah…?"

"I think we shouldn't leave yet…"

Naruto pointed at something, and Shikamaru looked to that direction, and there he saw Ino, who looked really mad, and was headed to Karin. Hinata was with her, trying to stop her, but it isn't working at all. Shikamaru sighed "What a drag…that troublesome woman…" Shikamaru muttered as he lazily walked back to the scene.

"Well…you chose her as your girlfriend…" said Naruto shrugging, catching up with Shikamaru.


Sasuke sat on the comfy black armchair by the huge window in his bedroom, holding his black notebook and pen. He flipped along the pages to the latest entry, the song for their project. Sasuke noticed neat, feminine writing that must belong to Sakura. He read the words she added and smirked "It fits" he muttered, he got stuck in that part when he started writing the song…he didn't know what to put next, good thing the pink haired girl had an idea.


"Saku! Open up, we're gonna be late!" shouted Ino in front of their house "Saku? Are you there?"

Sakura groaned as she opened the window "Yes, pig, I'm coming down…just let me fix my hair, ok?" she shouted back, and closed the window shut. She sighed as she faced the mirror and combed her short pink hair, making it nice and straight. Then she heard the door open and her mom was there, leaning at the doorway smiling.

"Ino's in a good mood today…" said her mom, shaking her head "Oh well, I understand…it's dear Naruto's birthday…correct?"

"Yep!" said Sakura happily "Me, Ino, Shika, and Hinata are going to buy him a gift card at his favourite Ramen shop, that's why we're meeting up on the way to Naruto's house, because we have a share in paying the gift card…"

"You kids are only 10, yet you act so mature…you grow up so fast" said her mom shaking her head "Probably one day, I'll wake up and you're 17…"

"Yeah…" said Sakura as she pulled on her black sweater, and ran down the stairs, putting on her shoes "Well, gotta go…."

"Take care Saku…"

She went outside, only to see Ino, looking at her with crossed arms "Forehead! What took you so long?" she said "Well, whatever, let's go. We have to run though, you're lateness gave us no time for walking…" she said as she started to run.

"Sorry I'm human!" called out Sakura as she ran to catch up with Ino.

Ino was running too fast, that Sakura had to keep up, she ran so fast, that she hadn't seen the boy with his eyes closed standing at her way. She accidentally hit him, and they both fall on the floor. Sakura looked at the boy, his hair was spiked at the back, and side bangs to frame his handsome face. He was really handsome, with the bluish-black locks, and that face. He seemed to be at her age, judging by his height and appearance.

"Oops…I'm so sorry!" Sakura said as she stood up, and offered a hand to the boy, she felt embarrassed, really embarrassed.

The boy looked at and took her hand and she helped him up. She smiled at the boy to cover her embarrassment "Sorry about that…" she said.

"It's alright I-" started the boy, but then Ino interrupted by shouting at her, Sakura looked at her and saw that she was far away from her now.

"Forehead! C'mon, you have to catch up with me…" Ino shouted, waving at her "Shika and Hina are waiting for us…"

Sakura looked at the boy and said "Well, I gotta go now…see ya…I'm really sorry about hitting you" she waved goodbye to him and caught up with Ino.

Then darkness suddenly took over after that last scene, and then Sakura could hear voices…

"How dare you…BITCH!"

"You're living with my SASUKE-KUN?!"

"WHORE!!!"

"You pink-haired bitch!"

Sakura flinched, she could still feel the kicks, the slaps, the punches that Karin gave her, the insults, and the swears that Karin said to her, it was still fresh. Sakura looked up to see a blurry vision of Sasuke…who was looking at her as she looked back, then it all turned black…

"Bitch…."


Sakura opened her eyes and saw that she was in Sasuke's bedroom; she looked around and saw the Uchiha, whose eyes were buried in a book called Brisingr. He was halfway the large book, his eyes moved right to left, reading quietly.

"You're awake…" he said, his eyes still on the book.

"Yeah…" said Sakura "Why am I here?"

"You fainted." said Sasuke as he closed the book shut, and placed it on his lap "Quite the beating you got there…"

"You sound like you're happy…" Sakura muttered "Of course you are, you probably liked it when you saw me get beat up by Karin…that's why you were looking at me right? Back at school, before everything turned black…I saw you looking at me…you're probably enjoying yourself…right?"

"…" said Sasuke, unable to reply, but kept his face straight.

"So you did." Said Sakura as she tried to sit up, her body was aching from the bruises that Karin gave her earlier "I know now…well…I always knew that you didn't care…we hate each other right? Let's keep it that way…and this invite-me-to-live-with-you thing…it's just what it is…nothing personal at all…right Sasuke?"

"…" said Sasuke again.

"Who brought me here?" Sakura asked.

"Takeshi did" lied Sasuke, as he stood up from the couch, and placed the book on the table beside Sakura, and walked to the window and looked.

"Heh, Takeshi is such a nice guy…" said Sakura as she crossed her arms "At least someone's concerned…so…how long have I been out?"

"5 hours…" said Sasuke "Karin knocked you out hard…."

"And you must be really pleased…" said Sakura, rolling her eyes. Why am I like this? Did I want him to care? No. Why would I? Sakura, don't be pathetic, you hate the Uchiha…she thought You hate him.

"What about the guy in your dreams huh? That was the day when Naruto celebrated his birthday..." said Inner Sakura "And you do remember that guy who you ran into, right? He kinda looks like Sasuke…"

"What are you trying to say?" thought Sakura.

"It's a sign!" said Inner Sakura.

"Shut up."

"Whatever makes you feel better Haruno" said Sasuke as he glanced at her then back at the window. Sakura raised an eyebrow curiously, what does he mean by that? Sasuke was a mystery for Sakura, but, she might be one of the few people who can actually understand him at times, but mostly…he was a mystery…an unsolved puzzle.

Sasuke crossed his arms, and turned to Sakura "If you're hungry, there's food outside…" he said plainly as he walked out of the room and slammed the door shut.

"What's up with that guy?" said Sakura as she rolled her eyes once more.


NEXT DAY, SATURDAY:

Sakura took the subway again to the auditorium that's so far away; she walked along the side walks, sighing, Tsunade wanted a class today, and it ruined everyone's plans for the weekend. She was nearing to the school, until she heard a voice behind her.

"Sakura!" said Kiba, catching up with her.

Sakura turned to see Kiba catching up with her, she smiled "Hey there Kiba!" she said "I didn't see you back at the station when I got off…"

"I did" said Kiba smiling "So, how are you? Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine" smiled Sakura "Nice to know you care…"

"Of course!" said Kiba "Why wouldn't I?"

"Yeah…" said Sakura.

They reached the school, after a few talks and laughs, Kiba and Sakura separated. Sakura went to Hinata who was with Naruto, and both of them are waving. "Hey Naruto and Hinata, what's up?" Sakura asked, then she looked around, someone was missing…

"Hey Saku-chan" said Naruto "You feel better now?"

"Yeah, that was pretty harsh…" said Hinata

"Yeah, I'm good" replied Sakura, she looked around again, someone was really missing, then she got it "Where's Ino?"

"Home" replied Hinata, she wasn't stuttering anymore.

"Why?" asked Sakura "And Shika?"

"Don't ask" both of them said together "Ino and Shika had some matters to attend to…"

"Did they have a fight or something?" Sakura asked, worried.

"No…but Ino did…" said Naruto, then Hinata hit him on the shoulder "I-I mean NO of course not! It's nothing to worry about Sakura…nothing…really…"

"Okay. Whatever" said Sakura "I'm going to the auditorium…"

As Sakura walked away, Hinata looked at Naruto "Watch what you say Naruto-kun, we can't let Saku know that Ino almost KO Karin yesterday and Shika had to make her calm down till now, you know Sakura…she'll think it's all her fault and blame herself that we all got into this fight with Karin because of her…we are going to protect Sakura…but we won't let her know…"

"You're right…" said Naruto "That's what Shikamaru told me yesterday, Sasuke, that bastard, is he going to do anything about it?"

"Well, we saw him yesterday…he did save Sakura from the final blow…" said Hinata "Let's not judge him yet, they're both enemies…you never know what's going on in his head…"

"Well…eh…good point" said Naruto "You're right. I won't judge him…yet"


Sakura walked along the halls with her head down, she was trying to avoid people, and blend in with the crowd…she wanted to avoid Karin…and Sasuke. But then, someone slammed her to the wall, she looked up to see Karin's friend, Ami, standing in front of her. With a smirk on her face, her eyes full of mischief.

"Going somewhere…are we?" said Ami, crossing her arms "But hell, I won't let you…"

"W-What do you want?" said Sakura, she was scared, after the beating she got from Karin; she was traumatized with the experience "Didn't you already beat me up?"

"Yes. But now, you're getting more than that…it'll be our little revenge on what you're blonde friend did to Karin…the one who had the lazy boyfriend…" said Ami

"I-Ino?" said Sakura, surprised.

"That's right, Pinky. If Yamanaka beats up my friend, I'll beat up hers…" said Ami smirking "It will work that way, then back and forth…until your friends and I…will have a war…."

Sakura gulped.

"And now, to make you suffer…" said Ami "Girls…"

"Stop!" a voice said.

They all looked to the direction where the voice came from, and it was no one but Ino, who was with Shikamaru, who had his hands on his pockets. "Stop!" she said again "If you bitches still want to live, you better go…NOW."

Ami smirked "Hmph. Fine." She said to Ino, and then turned to Sakura "It was nice talking to you Haruno, it was fun seeing your fearful face…let's go girls…" she walked past Sakura and Ino and to their classes.

"Ino?" said Sakura, looking at her blonde friend "I thought you guys had matter to attend to, that's what Naruto said…and Hina…"

"Well, I saw this coming" said Ino "Knowing Karin and her bitchy friends…of course they'll go for payback, anytime…"

"What did you do to Karin?" said Sakura curiously to the blonde.

Ino looked at Shikamaru, then to Sakura "What else? I beat her up! Shika and the others didn't want you knowing, but I guess its better if you knew…you will know anyways since they will tell you…" said Ino "I'm sorry I got you into this war Saku...Shika told me she will bring you down, I don't know in what way but we will protect you Saku…."

"I'm sorry too…"

"Good thing, yesterday, when Karin was about to launch her final blow to your unconscious body, Sasuke rescued you from this…" said Ino.

Sakura looked surprised. Sasuke? Rescued her? Really sounds impossible. "H-He did? R-Really?" she said, now she was the one stuttering.

"He did! He carried you…bridal style…to his Porsche, driving away, leaving Karin crying out to him, while he left her like shit…." said Ino "I was laughing at that scene…really laughing…I never knew Sasuke would do such thing…like..saving someone he hated…"

Then Sakura remembered what she said to the Uchiha yesterday…

"You sound like you're happy…" Sakura muttered "Of course you are, you probably liked it when you saw me get beat up by Karin…that's why you were looking at me right? Back at school, before everything turned black…I saw you looking at me…you're probably enjoying yourself…right?"

Now Sakura felt guilty, and regretted what she had just said to Sasuke. Well it was also his fault for not saying anything at all…thought Sakura But still….


"Yeah…" said Sakura "I never thought he would…"


Sakura walked along the deserted hallways of the Academy, she had extra stuff to do around the Academy, so she was later to be dismissed than usual. Ino and the others were gone, and…maybe even Sasuke. But then, the so called deserted hallways had two visitors in store for Sakura. Two guys, they weren't students, and they weren't from here. Sakura knew they were coming for her.

"So this is the pinky that Ami and Karin want us to have fun with, huh?" said Guy 1 as he smiled and looked at Sakura with that mischievous look in his eyes that Ami also held when she confronted her.

"Yep" said Guy 2 "I have to say, she's hot…and we're in for a little fun tonight…"

Sakura tensed as she walked faster, she couldn't believe this, and she couldn't believe this is what Karin and Ami were planning. The school's exit was so far away, Karin and Ami must've known her schedule, and got this all planned out.

"Running away are we?" she heard Guy 1 say "Very cute Pinky…"

"Come here, let's have some fun…" said Guy 2 "No need to be shy…"

Then, she could hear them running, Sakura tried to run, but when she did, they were already behind her. Guy 1 slammed her to the wall, and restraining her from moving. "Pinky, I'm getting a little impatient, let's play now shall we…?" said Guy 1.

"HELP!!!" she cried, she knew no one could hear her, but she felt she had to.

"Get away from her, Bastards…" a voice said coolly, they all turned to see Sasuke walking from the darkness, and to the scene "I said get away…"

"Like we'd listen to you spiky…who are you anyways?" said Guy 2

"More important question is…who do you think you are?" said Guy 1 as he released Sakura from his grasp "Look at this guy, thinking he could boss us around like that. Do you think you're some prince or something? What's your name then, Prince?"

Sasuke walked forward, with his hands formed into fists, and looked at Guy 1 with a deadly glare "My name is Sasuke…" he said as he punched Guy 1 in the face, and fell to the ground "…Uchiha" he continued as he punched Guy 2 in the face too, and he too, falls to the ground.

"Bastards…" he muttered "Too easy…."

Sakura stood there, frozen on the spot, unable to say anything. Sasuke protected her, then again, she felt safe, and shocked at the same time. Shocked because of the attempt of the two guys who wants to force themselves on her in the school, and Safe because of Sasuke protecting her…for the second time, and she felt guilty for saying those words to him the other day.

"I-I" started Sakura, trying to form words.

Sasuke looked at Sakura "What?!" he said "What are you going to say?! I didn't care, that I'm pleased to see you almost get violated by these bastards…and that I'm not concerned?! Yes, that's what you want to say right?"

"…" Sakura said, she had never seen Sasuke lose his cool like this.

"Yeah. Now you can't answer" said Sasuke rolling his eyes "Guess what? I don't know why I'm doing this…I just don't know why…but I just feel it, like something was wrong…then boom, here I am, seeing you almost violated…I don't know why, but everything seemed to be connecting to you Haruno. My dreams, my past, my thoughts, my feelings…and I don't know why…"

"…"

"Really, WHO ARE YOU Haruno? What are you in my life, why does…why does everything began connecting with you?" said Sasuke, walking to her, trapping her between his arms on the wall, caging her in, then started leaning close to her face "Because I don't really know…"

Then he kissed her, deeply and passionately. Sakura, surprised by this sudden move, and felt herself kissing back. All the tension she held earlier suddenly vanished and she felt free. She opened her mouth, letting his tongue in, and pulled him closer by his shirt. She felt his hands, snaking around her waist, pulling her closer to him, and kissing her more and more.

After a few moments of passion they pulled away, gasping for air. Sasuke buried his face on her neck still gasping for air, and inhaling the scent of her hair at the same time. "I don't really know…" he whispered to her ear "But I want you…really want you…" then he looked at her, and he saw her, smiling at him, and he returned it with a smirk, because that's the only thing that he could give that is close to a smile.

Then they walked out of the school, hand in hand, to his Porsche.

"Cherry Blossom…"

"…Sasuke-kun"


AUTHOR: Yes! They want each other, but they don't know why. Both of them don't believe in the whole Soul Mate trick, and Sasuke wonders why everything just begins to connect to Sakura, will Sakura notice it too? Is this Love? Will it bloom?

They want each other, but, do they LOVE each other? Review to find out!!!

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