I just want to thank all of you who added Voice of Fate to your alerts or favorites, and thanks especially to those who reviewed. I appreciate it, I really do. I also want to apologize for my long absence from writing. School and life have hit me hard this year and it's been a torturous 7 months of procrastination, stress, and emotions. So thanks all of you for sticking with my story and sharing your thoughts. You are much more faithful reviewers than I deserve!
~RedSnow7
Chapter 7: Warning
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
Groaning softly, Sakura opened her eyes and tried to sit up – and promptly realized that she couldn't. Looking around, she noticed she was still on Sasuke's windowsill and was propped up against something warm and firm. Two tanned, muscular arms were wrapped around her waist, with two tanned, muscular legs on either side of her slimmer, fair-skinned ones. Thus, she deduced that he hadn't left Sasuke's house after they had worked on their project, and that the warm thing she was trapped against was indeed Sasuke. Sasuke's head rested on her right shoulder, his long raven bangs mixed with her cerise locks.
'How awkward' Sakura mused. 'I've become his own personal pillow.'
At this, she smiled warmly. The Uchiha prodigy was dead to the world, still asleep against her shoulder. It was times like these when she missed their friendship dearly. Things had never been the same between them after they had entered high school and their competition had escalated. Though he was never outwardly rude to her, she wasn't sure they were still "friends": tolerated acquaintances perhaps, but not friends. Naruto seemed to be the only one that could keep them together, or from killing each other.
This week, however, had been different. Sasuke had been relatively civil at their family dinner last Friday, and the locker-room incident this morning proved he really did have a sweet side. He had teased her tonight about the thunderstorms as well, but comforted her anyway. And look where that had ended up.
'Why did he bring me here in the first place? This project isn't due for another few weeks...' she thought inwardly.
"You're weird." Sakura said playfully as she poked her rival's forehead.
The man in question sighed audibly, as twin charcoal orbs fluttered open and regarded her in confusion.
"...Sak? *yawn* What timesit?"
The pink-haired girl giggled. The great Sasuke Uchiha looked so lost and helpless after just waking up.
"7:30. I should really be getting home."
Sasuke grunted, burying his face in Sakura's neck. "Nhh. Why did you have to wake me up? I was comfortable..."
"Oh get over it. You're like a cranky little two year old." Sakura laughed amiably as she flicked his forehead.
Sasuke caught her small hand in his larger one and yanked it down into her lap and wrapped his arms around hers so she couldn't flick him again.
"You're mean, Pinky." he grinned into her shoulder.
"Get off, you lazy bum." Sakura squirmed in his arms. He was far too strong for her, however, and she only succeeded in making him laugh at her futile efforts.
The Uchiha's deep melodious laughter was infectious, and Sakura couldn't help but giggle. Her own laughter increased when he began to tickle her sides.
"Stop – ahaha – Ah, Sasu – hehe – STOP! – aha – I'll kill you for this – eep!"
Ceasing his attacks, her dark-haired nemesis chuckled quietly. His breath fanned her neck, sending shivers down her spine. Butterflies began to pool in the pit of her stomach. He was such a different person now, so flirtatious and sweet. Where was she when this happened? Who was this man and what did he do with the real Sasuke Uchiha?
Sakura took hold of his hands and squeezed them gently; the contact making her skin tingle and the butterflies in her stomach intensify.
"Sasuke-kun, please let me go. It's late, I still have homework to do, and my parents will have a fit if I don't get home soon."
Sasuke relented and released his hold on her. If his parents found them sitting like this, he was sure they'd be married and shipped off somewhere for their honeymoon before the Christmas break.
Sakura jumped off his bed and landed lightly on her feet, pink locks fluttering around her shoulders. Turning to Sasuke she smiled, her bright emerald eyes sparkling happily with a hint of a blush dusting her cheeks.
"Bye Sasuke. Thanks for letting me stay." Giving a small wave, she picked up her bag and walked out the door swiftly; Sasuke nodding mutely in her wake.
'What happened to me back there?' Sakura mused quietly. 'I really have to get out of here before I start thinking Sasuke actually became nice.' Hurrying down the steps, she let herself out of the house.
The rest of September and October flew by quickly, with Sakura busy between schoolwork, cross country, karate, and trying to have a little fun with her friends from time to time. In one of his frequent bouts of laziness, Kakashi-sensei pushed the due date of their term project back again, so she hardly saw Sasuke outside of school. They were far enough along with their project that they could wait until closer to the Thanksgiving break to complete it.
Classes with Sasuke were becoming more tolerable; he still teased and taunted her, yet he rarely seemed annoyed with her existence. He remained the cold, heartless Uchiha to the rest of the class and to Naruto on occasion, but the difference toward her was unmistakable. He was more patient, supportive, and slightly more talkative – though anything was better than "Hn". Sakura could not deny that this new Sasuke was far more appealing than the past ones. His cocky, stubborn nature had become more manageable, and, in small doses, almost attractive – almost. His devilish smirk was something even Sakura could describe as downright sexy. She insisted, however, that "he's still a jerk with a stick up his – " to Inner Sakura's chagrin.
The fourth period bell rang, signaling the end of the day, and the large mass of students filed out of Konoha Academy, relieved to be done another hellish Monday. Sakura's fourth period was gym class, as was Sasuke's and a few of her other friends. She changed quickly out of her gym uniform and into her t-shirt and Underarmor® pants for cross country. The season was ending as November rolled around and Sakura was glad she brought her warmer clothes to practice. Jogging lightly across the fields to the track, she began to stretch and loosen her tense muscles. She loved the feeling of the crisp fall breeze blowing through her hair as she ran her warm up routine. Running in the fall was just so refreshing.
After completing her mile warm up, Sakura sat down and continued her stretching. Familiar black spikes stepped into her line of vision as Sasuke entered the track and sat down a little farther away. A low sigh emanated from dark-haired man. Sakura looked up questioningly, and her jade eyes met Sasuke's charcoal ones. Their normally blank stare held a troubled expression that only she and Naruto could distinguish.
"Hey, Sasuke? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." the man in question muttered sullenly, turning his attention back to fixing his track spikes.
Sakura's eyes narrowed as she pushed herself off the ground and marched over to Sasuke. He was being evasive – again – and she hated it.
"I know you too well to not notice when something's bothering you, Sasuke. Why do you always have to hide it from me and everyone else?" Her green orbs softened as she looked away and spoke quietly, the annoyed tone in her voice gone.
"Why don't you trust me?"
Sasuke looked up sharply at the girl's averted face. Her expression was downcast, and maybe even a little hurt. Grunting roughly, he stood up and grabbed her arm. Sakura's head snapped up and regarded him warily.
"Don't say that!" he hissed angrily. "I do trust you."
Sasuke turned swiftly on his heel and stalked off until a hand grabbed his own, arresting his movement. Glaring at the ground in front of him, he felt Sakura move closer and rest her head between his shoulder blades.
"Then tell me." Sakura whispered quietly as she entwined her fingers with his.
The raven-haired man sighed, defeated as he gripped her small hand tightly in his. How was he supposed to tell her this?
~flashback~
"Sasuke, I need to talk with you." Kakashi, the aloof and comical porn-reading man, was unusually serious.
"Yeah? I'm listening."
"It's about Sakura."
Sasuke looked at his mentor skeptically. What could be so serious about Sakura that Kakashi would be telling him of all people?
"The last cross country practice is today, and I know how diligently she runs on her own. You have to stay with her at all times: whenever and wherever she goes – no exceptions."
"Why?" Sasuke inquired. Kakashi's demand would be so troublesome, and Sakura would hate it. 'And why is he so serious?'
"Because..." Kakashi sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly. "We have been informed that there is a serial killer on the loose. And all of his targets are teenage girls."
Sasuke's eyes widened. No wonder Kakashi looked so worried. Sakura always runs alone, and he knew she would absolutely loathe running with him – not like he didn't share her sentiment. But if she got hurt, or worse, killed, he could never live with himself.
"Promise me you will not let her out of your sight." Kakashi prompted gravely. "Sakura's stubborn as hell, but I know she means a lot to me, and to you, too. Keep her safe."
~end flashback~
"There's a serial killer on the loose in Konoha. You are not allowed to run on your own. Kakashi's orders." Sasuke muttered quietly.
"... What?" Sakura snapped. "You've got to be kidding me."
"And I am to be with you at all times – runs included."
"WHAT?! Oh HELL NO!" Sakura yanked her hand out from Sasuke's, slamming her fist into his muscled shoulder. "Just what do you think I am? I'm 17 and I'm a black belt in karate and I certainly DON'T need you or Kakashi to baby me!"
The fuming Sakura Haruno turned sharply on her heel and stalked off. Sasuke turned around and grabbed her hand again. His blazing red eyes silenced the irate girl as he stared at her menacingly. "Where do you think you're going? Unless I'm with you, you can't go anywhere!"
Sakura hissed; her original fear of him had dissipated. "Get your hands off me. Now."
She tried to yank her hand out of Sasuke's, but he only tightened his hold and grabbed her other arm. "Sakura! Damn it what is wrong with you?! I don't like these arrangements either but under the circumstances it's not important. Look at me."
Gripping her chin roughly, he pulled her head up and forced her to look at him. "Sakura, look at me."
Sakura shut her eyes, intent on avoiding his gaze. The raven-haired man sighed audibly as he squeezed her arm tightly and counted to ten to stop himself from smacking some sense into her. She winced in pain, but he ignored it and walked away. Stopping a few feet in front of her, Sasuke turned around. The redness had receded from his eyes, but they still held his cold, hard stare.
"Don't leave before practice is over, Sakura."
"Oh I won't, Sasuke. Don't you worry." Sakura snapped angrily as she turned and headed off the track.
"Then where are you going, Sakura?" Sasuke called after her irritably.
"Locker room. I have to pee." She retorted stiffly.
Sakura slammed the locker door as she forcefully shoved all of her school clothes into her gym bag. She was furious. And if anyone so much as said 'hello' to her right now, she was sure they'd be dead within seconds. Her temper in that moment had given a whole new meaning to the word murderous.
'How dare he? I don't need or want some bodyguard!' she spat inwardly. 'Who the hell does he think he is? I can handle myself dammit!'
'Damn straight we can.' Inner Sakura agreed.
Hauling her books and track bag off the bench in front of her locker, Sakura walked irately out of the locker room and headed to her car. She didn't care one bit about what Sasuke or Kakashi said. She didn't need their help. Upon reaching her car, she threw her stuff in the trunk and shut the door with a little more force than necessary, eliciting stares from other people in the parking lot. Chucking her purse in the front passenger seat she got behind the wheel, slamming her car door as she did so. As she put her key in the ignition, an odd sound made her stop.
The voice had returned.
Cursing loudly she twisted the key and started up the car, flooring it out of the parking lot.
"This day couldn't get any worse."
A/N This is shorter than I wanted it to be, but I felt that the upcoming events would flow better if they were all contained within one chapter. And please, I know that Sakura's behavior is completely irrational - that's exactly the way I intended it. She's headstrong, independent, and brave to a fault (at least in my story she is; Kishi could learn a thing or two about her behavior) and her anger towards being 'babied' by Sasuke and Kakashi set her over the edge. Chapter 8 will be out as soon as possible.
Reviews and comments are much appreciated!
