Disclaimer: I don't own anything, everything belongs to Kishimoto sensei :P
Chapter 7 – Peace at Last
"Are you sure you're alright?" Sakura had lost count of how many times Sasuke had asked her this. He stood in the doorway of her bedroom after he had driven them both home.
"I'm okay," she replied as usual.
The edges of Sasuke's lips pulled downwards into a frown, she was still a terrible liar and he knew she was still somewhat in shock.
"I just want to take a really hot shower and wash everything away, I feel really dirty," she whispered staring at a spot on the carpet, not wanting to make eye contact with the Uchiha.
"Okay, I'll be in my room if you need anything," Sasuke offered as he turned towards his own room. He knew she must have felt disgusting and violated and decided he would give her some space for the time being. He still wanted to break something every time he remembered the way Zaku was pressed up against her. He couldn't help but feel protective over this girl, God knows why. He had never been this angry before.
"Wait!" she didn't know what had triggered her outburst, but she suddenly felt paranoid, afraid when she saw Sasuke's retreating figure, "Can…can you stay here? It would make me feel better."
"Ah. Sure," He turned back around and took a seat on her bed while she gathered some bathing essentials and left for the bathroom.
He stayed with her for the remainder of the day. Watching her back as she lay on her bed facing the window away from him, both of them were fairly comfortable sitting in the silence. It was about midnight when Sakura finally turned around and looked straight at him.
"What happened, Sasuke-kun?" she was so quiet he hardly heard her, but he knew exactly what she was asking.
"I don't know," He answered honestly.
She wouldn't break her gaze, and he knew that she was expecting more of an answer.
He sighed reluctantly and continued, "I guess I just felt protective, it's like how I felt when I saw that martial artist talking to you, or when I heard about what Ami and Kin did to you. Only this time the feelings were so strong I couldn't push them back." He turned his head, utterly embarrassed at what he had just admitted, "I hate seeing you hurt."
Sakura realized that that was as much as he was going to say.
"Thank you Sasuke-kun, for being there for me," offering a him a small smile, she reached out and put her hand over his.
Word had travelled pretty quickly about what transpired between Sasuke and Zaku. To Sakura's relief, the next few weeks at school were relatively low-key and drama free. No one in their right mind was brave enough to harass the girl after seeing the bruises Sasuke had left on Zaku. Zaku was also careful to stay well away from the pinkette at all times, he wasn't laying charges against Sasuke, because anyone with half a brain knew you couldn't afford to win a lawsuit against the Uchiha's. Sakura found herself spending most of her time with Ino, Temari and Hinata, and to her surprise when she wasn't with the girls she would be with Sasuke. She found his presence comforting now, unlike the awkwardness they felt during their first few days together. Occasionally he would walk her to class just to remind everyone not to mess with her, and although Sakura had whinged non-stop about how she could take care of herself, she was still thankful that he watched out for her.
Just as quickly as her semester had begun, it was already halfway over. Everyone was excited for the upcoming mid-semester break.
"Hey Forehead! Uchiha!" on the last day of school Ino ran up to pair in the hallway, shoving a piece of paper unceremoniously in their hands.
"Ino's halfway soiree," Sakura read out loud.
"As usual, I'm throwing my mid-semester party to celebrate getting through another school term," she flashed her brilliant smile, "and you're both invited!" And with that she had run off to the end of the hall towards Hinata and Naruto, undoubtedly inviting them to her party too.
"Sounds like fun," Sakura smiled up at Sasuke, "we should go."
"Hn. No way," Sasuke grunted in response, he had never failed to be invited to Ino's yearly parties, but he had never once attended. Sasuke was not a social person and he preferred keeping to himself, and this year would be no different.
"Okay fine, I guess I'll just go by myself then," Sakura spoke in the most innocent voice she could muster.
Sasuke's eyes squinted a fraction, he did not like the idea of Sakura being at one of Ino's parties by herself, he heard they could get quite crazy and that she always had an abundance of alcohol ready.
"Like hell you will," he mumbled as he grabbed her hand and dragged her to her next class.
Sakura giggled at the sight of him, she thought he looked absolutely adorable when he pouted.
After he dropped Sakura off at her Maths class, Sasuke made his way to his own Science classroom and slumped down in his designated seat.
"So, teme, when are you going to make it official?" Naruto asked from the seat to his left.
"What the hell are you going on about dobe?"
"You and Sakura-chan!" The boy exclaimed.
"Yeah have you two hooked up yet?" Kiba piped up from the seat in front casually glancing back as he swung on the hind legs of his chair.
Sasuke shot Kiba a glare.
"Come on! Everyone's seen you two being all lovey dovey in the hallways," the blonde to his left wiggled his eyebrows.
Sasuke decided the best course of action was to just ignore the two idiots.
"Man, if I were you I'd get in quick," Kiba added, "I mean with those looks she could get anyone." He let out a low whistle. The ever present white dog under his desk let out a bark, almost as if he was agreeing to what his owner had said.
The low growl that emitted from Sasuke was enough to shut everyone up.
Author's Note:
This chapter's a little short guys, so I plan to upload the next chapter tomorrow, or the day after, to make up for the length :)
Also, not much happening in this chapter :P but I rekon Sasuke and Sakura needed a little break from all the intense drama that has happened recently, but don't worry guys, there is plenty more drama in future chapters to come, haha :D
Thank you again to everyone who reviewed! Please keep them coming, I love reading all your comments!
Thank you all for reading!
