-Edited. 6th of August/ 23th of September 2013. Because of the editing, it's very likely to find scenes in the next chapters that do not correspond to some earlier ones. Please allow me to get some time to edit everything properly and all parts of the story will fall into place. I apologize for the inconvenience. I hope you can enjoy the story nonetheless. Please be patient for just a while longer. Thank you.


Thank you for your beautiful reviews: xXLindy-ChanXx831,Raikiri80,LadyMartel4000, Wings Of Silver Wishes, SasuSakuKawaii, ILoveSxS,Sasuchan99,LovelySakura777,OXPrimrosexAng elXO!

To those of you who have reviewed before:I have no words... you are the most loyal reviewers there are! I am glad that you (probably) continue liking this story. I don't know what I would do without you. I love you all! ^.^

To the 'new' reviewers:I thank you for sacrificing your time to review and I certainly hope to read your reviews and comments again. ;) They mean a lot to me...

LovelySakura777: Hahaha...I am glad you enjoyed it but I truly feel sorry for your cat...Poor thing...:P(I bet though that she must be a sweetheart...)Thank you for your kind words and the amazing review! I tried to kind of 'answer' to some points of your review in the end of the chapter. (^.^)

A/N: I strongly suggest that you should listen to the song All Hail Britannia from the Code Geass soundtrack for the first part of the story if you even want a 'soundtrack' to listen to while reading of course. I was listening to that when I was typing and I think it fits quite nicely. So...I would highly recommend you to open a new tab and click on YouTube. Hey...wait don't leave this tab! Anyway... Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto characters, only the plot of the story.


.:Binds of Duty and Love:.

Chapter 9

~Heart Of Steel~


Love is a serious mental disease

Plato


The wise, canny and respected man from ancient times walked imperiously, slowly, his gait never faltered.

His every breath, his every footstep was hefty and held significance and magnitude beyond measure. His black leather boots steadily and agonizingly clacked against the polished marble tiles of the hallway. Every movement was fluid, mesmerizing, it commanded reverence and at the same time it was frightening, intimidating. His dark red satin cape was trailing behind him, like it had a soul by itself and was meant to dance at his path. His long coal-black hair followed as well, his hands, which he always held into tight fists, were clad in dark leather gloves.

He was the epitome of fear and authority, beyond perilous if you even dared to stand at his glorious path.

His steps were slow, steady and decisive, dire just like his entire existence. He needed to know. He had to be informed of any changes, of any new developments on the case he was interested. He had to know. He even granted them the honor of coming here himself. They should be glad, honored, indebted, awestruck, but above all, mortified.

It was about time.

Shortly, the liege with the long ebony hair arrived at his destination. The heavy mahogany doors made of the strongest and most delicate dark wood, the most impenetrable steel, gilded with gold opened with just a simple thought of his; the gates were flanged open like they were made of light feathers. The glorified sire entered the Great Hall with unmatched regality.

The resplendent Great Hall was surrounded by ancient stone walls, the floor made of marble and the mahogany gigantic furniture increased the magnificence of the parlor. At the center stood the honored Round Bank of the Council, which they often shared with the Imperial Court. What seemed like millions of leaflets hindered the ability to detect the dark wood adorned with the artistic golden coverings. Chairs of the same coca wood and scarlet cushions to make them comfortable stood proudly around the table for the Councilmen to sit and determine the world's reaches, boundaries, the way every movement flows, the way and why every decision was made.

All sounds ceased when he appeared, all movements stopped in his tacit and yet so stentorian display of power. Everything was silent and unmoving. He looked indifferent, lackadaisical but a hint of annoyance from the hundreds of centuries he shouldered on his back could be detected on his pale face, on his ferocious and unrivaled eyes.

All creatures present bowed, molding themselves with the cold marble, nearly melting under his herculean invisible grip. Nobles and peasants had no choice but to kneel, to venerate him, to recognize his supremacy. No defiance was to be uttered, displayed.

That was how it was supposed to be...

"My Lord!"

"Welcome, my Lord!"

"My Lord, it is truly such an honor to have you here. In what we, the mere Councilmen owe the pleasure of your sudden visit?"

He only glanced once towards the man who spoke; his bewilderment was lucidly evident. The old member of the Council bowed his head once more. The cold, mind-wrecking glare he gave him was enough to make the Councilman shiver down to his very core.

He truly abhorred those crude miscreants, for the lack of better word, that so take a liking to authority, and their antics, their idiotic theatricalities and blandishments, aiming to hide their fear and trembling. He nearly felt disgusted, so very disgusted at their unpolished and vulgar pseudo-reverence as to consider their devoid compliments as crude obscenities from time to time. Those people should always remember that they could be squashed with ease, if the circumstances deemed it necessary for the liege to act as such.

"You very well know why I am here for, Yamashiro. Get on with it!" he said wryly and bitterly, poison in every drop of his saliva. His voice was dire, eerie, laced in frosty ice as it echoed inside the large room. He strode towards the throne that was placed specifically for him in the highest place of the Great Hall and relatively away from the Center Bank and the Council's highly obnoxious blabbering; a last reminder of his authority, of the respect he deserved and always received.

He comfortably seated himself, placed an elbow on the arms of the glorious and luxurious chair that was decorated with dozens of gemstones and then rested his jaw on his palm, almost impatiently waiting. Immediately more than ten low-class servants rushed to be of service. But, he dismissed them just as immediately.

He was there for a very specific reason. Purposefully stalling would only make him irate. And all knew it was crucial to keep themselves under his good favor. What a disaster it would be to have him dissatisfied, disappointed, to earn a place on his black book meant your downfall and destruction. His disapproval and dissatisfaction meant condemnation.

And he waited, until the words he needed to here were finally paid.

"My Lord, the files you have asked for~" The Councilman that came to answer his silent order, bowed once more and then handed the liege the leaflets with utmost care. The man, who was called Namiashi if the Lord recalled correctly, set his gaze right and left, up and down to secure ...privacy...Not all the members of the Council were completely aware.

The Lord only guffawed. And what if some of the Council members where not entirely familiar with the scheme? Even the ignorant ones would never dare to question anything on the matter. What they saw, heard or witnessed in any way, was supposed to be kept a secret, unknown even for the highest Court Members; especially them. They were the real threat; not those mere Councilmen. Either way he had everything under control. This influence he...developed...in the very heart of the Council's ranks was most beneficial.

The ebony-haired man abruptly snatched the files from Namiashi's hands. He hardly could ignore the pompous jewellery adorning the Councilman's finger and wrist. He had to keep his snort of contempt inhibited. Such love for authority, power and wealth. . . Pity. Pity that this very crucial contradiction of their system never ceased to exist.

He was officially only given a 'Place of Honor' for the sake of the old times. He was, after all, the only one of the Holy Ancestors left alive. The newest members dared even declare his place did not hold any actual authority, power or influence and they were the indefinite leaders, while he just held an honorable but void axiom. And yet, this was a far cry of what could have been done to limit his power. For he was the actual Leader. The fact that the Councilmen were completely under his clutches beyond the Court's knowledge was proof enough.

Was it the lack of volition to lead the reason for this, or was it all a scheme if his from the very beginning? Only he knew the answer.

Had he decided to blend with the rest of them he wouldn't be the absolute -but nonetheless silent and in a way discreet- supreme Leader and Master of all things. He chose to pull the strings from afar and hold 'the honorable void axiom' rather than being an active politician.

It was he who led this world in its current state and no one else. They will do well to remember that.

Even though his role was supposed to be nothing more than the jewel of the collection, simply standing and watch from above without the actual power to influence the flow of events, without the written and certified power to change decisions, it was more than evident that nothing could move forwards without his approval.

This is just the way it is…

He carefully read through the pamphlets. His coal black eyes, that so much resembled a vortex of blackness ready to devour anything that stood in his way, were focused on the black letters. Information, battle statistics, old records, grading systems, evaluation progress statistics and, lastly, pictures.

Mere children he saw, little virgin girls that did not know how the world is supposed to work, and yet they were given a quite important task to fulfill. He almost felt sorry for their ominous destiny. But, as long as the concept of winners exist, there must also be losers. It just happened that they would be the losers. There was no way to change that, at least no way that could also be beneficial to him.

Many of Honorable Philakes had met their end, only some of them managed to gloriously survive. And the Circle of Life moved on and on and time ticked forwards, uninterested about the lives of the Earth's beings. Lord Time moved on without mercy. And surely more Guardians were destined to meet their ends, and some of them were destined to survive. And more and more, more deaths and sacrifices, and more lives will be spared and then lost again, until the end of the World itself.

None of the Guardians was assured an easy and peaceful life. The most probable journey they were about to take is the one towards a painful and excruciating death on their line of duty. Even the Proud generation fell; they were all slaughtered that day. There is no guarantee that this generation or the next or maybe the next of the next will fare better.

He focused on the files again.

File 1: Midnight blue long hair, fair skin, pale pupil-less eyes. A Hyuuga.

He raised his eyebrows upon seeing the thorough evaluation of the girl's ocular powers. She had the potential. Would she be able to make full use of it? That remained to be seen. After all, her eye techniques were long since sealed and she could not harness their power. He had made sure of it years ago.

File 2: Blonde long hair, white skin, blue eyes.

"Yamanaka." he murmured rubbing his jaw sceptically.

"Yes sir! A Yamanaka." the Councilman rushed to certify. "This Telepathists Clan did not produce a Philax for quite some time. The Yamanaka Clan Head is really proud. It's quite frankly a~" but he was interjected by a mere frosty glare. The Councilman's breath hitched.

The Yamanaka Clan. Even though they belonged to the Beta List many Alphas had nothing but praise for their abilities. They were even considered one of the best Telepathist Clans, with an impeccable record of very useful mind reading and mind controlling powers. And this also, was yet to be seen and tested by his eyes. Then he would decide if the rumors were trustworthy.

File 3: Short unruly blonde hair, slightly tanned white skin, dark green eyes, Latent Elemental affinity: Wind.

He knew this girl. She hailed from the Sabaku Clan. Naturally, the Sabaku Clan had a very long and prominent heritage of breeding A-degree Elementals. This was surely the one who was transferred to this year's Ceremony, because no Noble male offspring needed to be assigned with a Philax that time. With disappointment he contemplated over the matters concerning the young Noblemen. They were something to worry about. Three years without the need of a Ceremony? That was very unexpected and worrying matter. Not to mention that many of the youngsters have displayed nothing but defiant behavior lately, he mentally added in annoyance.

Very carefully he studied the evaluation of the girl's dormant Wind controlling powers. He silently scoffed, partially quite pleased with his meticulous planning. The Sabaku Clan was also a Alpha Clan, like the Hyuuga. And yet, none of them dared to raise questions or protests.

Sabaku and Hyuuga, clans that long ago were considered fearsome even by the most glorified veterans. Their Clan Leaders once were adamant men. But now? Their descendants obediently give away their first-born daughters, depriving them of their species powers, so easily rendering them 'Tributes of Shame', following the Pact by letter.

This status quo suited him more than well. But he couldn't help but wonder about the very peculiar obedience their parents displayed. He initially expected many outbursts and acts of defiance, maybe even rebellions. And yet, he countered nothing of those. What is the world coming to? Once proud Clans now relinquished their rights in order to honor people of their past. The respect for their ancestors was, of course, nothing but admirable as a fact by itself. But they knew nothing of that past. The knew nothing of how the Pact was made to be.

File 4: Brown hair, brown eyes, Latent Elemental affinity, and inclination towards the use of Weaponry.

This bloodline was long lost. Lost, as many others. Commanders, Clan Leaders, entire Clans even. People passed and went. And many met their end because of the rules he introduced. But now he couldn't bring himself to care or mourn over their deaths. Many of the deceased will be replaced, even surpassed someday.

But no one had ever or will ever surpass his rival, his once dear friend, the one, whose powers he took, the only one capable to stand as his enemy.

With a faint smirk of reminiscence he proceeded to the next paper. In tepid surprise he realized his timing was perfect, because the next file was referring to a Clan very close to the one his long lost rival belonged to.

File 5: Long red hair, white skin, ruby eyes, very strong vitality

He needed no more information. The name of the Clan was enough a sigh for him to decide the girl's future. He silently moved to the next.

File 6: Short purple-blue hair, amber eyes. He also knew her. She was named 'The Deserter', since she refused to commence her active duties when her time arrived. He had specifically asked that she would participate in this year's Ceremony. He did not like her rebellious attitude, thus he issued a very specific order to make her obey. She should learn to fear authority and not defy it.

Fear is one of the strongest emotions, one of the most troublesome states a mind can ever experience. And the perfect means to achieve complete control.

"My Lord? Sir?" a timid and utterly disgusting voice called for his all too precious attention. The sire's posture remained undeterred.

"What is it?

"Sir-"

"You wish to say something?" he pressed without sparing the Councilman a glance. "Speak up and make it quick!"

The poor man gulped in fear. "My Lord, the last file-"

"What about it?"

"I- I am confident this will be of your interest, sir." he paused his trembling breath. "It's about one of them...that species...that kin..."

At these words, the Lord twitched his eyebrows and finally turned to gaze at the person before him.

"Them?" he asked incredulously, but the Councilman's eyes held no lies. "Then, why didn't you give me the damn thing first?" He wasted no time to move to the next paper. "Why was not I informed right away?" he growled, locking his gaze at the pamphlet.

"I am sorry, my Lord. We tried to, but-" the ancient Lord raised a hand making the Councilman hush.

And so. . .

File 7: Long pink hair, white skin, green eyes, and hailed from that Clan

"It's the one your highness himself chose all those years ago, my Lord."

A faint hint of a smirk crawled on his face for an infinitesimal second. "Summon Tsunade. And Jiraiya. I demand their presence here by nightfall. And fetch me the lists of the Nobles and Regulars in this area. Be quick about it."

The files came quickly in his hands. He promptly started reading. Upon seeing some particular names, he was greatly amused. He surely knew it was their time, but he did not expect his other plan to blend so well to this. Everything fell into place at last. The pawns were ready.

They were ready.

And soon this plan of his will come to complete fruition.

"Namiashi, is it?" The Councilman nodded and bowed his head deeply in honor of being called by name. "Well, then, Namiashi, this year we might encounter many defiant individuals. Are you prepared for it?" he raised one questioning eyebrow.

"My Lord, sir, I can assure you that our information control is still one of the finest. If we happen to spot even one that doubts your regulations and commands then we-…"

"You will exterminate them and all those who abide by that person's beliefs." he interrupted before the Councilman could finish. "You are responsible for keeping my plan from being revealed." The bureaucrat could only nod firmly at the ancient aristocrat's words. "In time, what I am planning will benefit you all. The irregularities are the ultimate defense against the danger of extinction and gradual weakening you claim our world is up against. I agree to those beliefs, therefore I took action. I will have no rebels against me to this. Understood?"

The Councilman gulped in fright and bowed deeply to the liege.

It was time. And the Ancestor was more than ready to destroy every one who would dare to oppose him, men, women and children alike. Letters danced at his closed eyelids. Again and again, the last file's information was more than enough to provide him with the feeling of mirth he sought from the moment he stepped foot into the Great Hall.

File 7: Long pink hair, white skin, green eyes, and hailed from that Clan.


Sakura was silent. The pinkette let the warm water cascade down her body gently. She had to wash those thoughts away. She simply couldn't bear thinking of him, of her enemy. The memory, the sensation was too vivid, too strong to be ignored and that's precisely the reason why she had to let it go. For good.

Her long hair, now completely damp and full of the fragrant shampoo, were offering the water's droplets and new path to take. The pink locks guided the water down her back, and brushed her bare shoulders. At the same time they were a soft silk rose blanket ready to cover her and protect her from harm. Her emerald eyes were closed in an attempt to achieve some relaxation at last.

The rosette made sure to put a towel around the wounded spot to secure Sasuke's bandages from falling down. She just could not bear the thought of losing even that tiny part of him, of his kind and gentle nursery.

Sakura was at an evident predicament, and in an inescapable one as of yet. Why is that everything she did or was expected to do was always so absolute, so irrevocable, so stifling?

The girl sighed and tried to remove the stench and dirt from her body. All that dancing and then running around through the woods as a wolf had her acquire one more skin layer completely made out of soil and perspiration. She tried to clean herself thoroughly and at the same time enjoy some moments of privacy and silence. Knowing the rest of the Philakes well, these were probably the last moments of tranquility she would have for a long time.

In all honesty, Sakura was now completely mortified. She had always been sure she had built strong walls around her to keep her safe from any unnecessary or unwanted emotions. And now. . .one simple interaction, one simple gesture of kindness and interest was enough to make her strong fortress collapse. That hardly seemed fair.

Trying a different approach Sakura decided to put the blame on them. Of course…how else to explain that sudden burst of emotions she had from the moment she saw them? Those unexplainable emotions came too suddenly to actually be considered normal. What's wrong with those damn Uchihas?

Have they put a spell around them? Did they chant ancient charms to imprison her? And to think that Sakura was expected to deal with Supernatural beings. . . She felt quite defeated already, just by interacting with mere humans...

Sakura tapped her feet on the bath tub with evident frustration. "Damn! Damn them!"

The Philax continued massaging her head more intensely now. Hopefully her mind would find peace eventually.

She would never have believed she could find herself in such a stalemate. She used to be a decisive and adamant girl with strong volition. But now? What was she now? A mere fan girl? No,no that was not it. She still detained her dignity, her pride. It was fundamentally different from being a stupid groupie.

Was this supposed to happen?

Uchiha…Uchiha…Uchiha…

For her sanity's and balance's sake the girl decided to weigh things properly.

She had two problems to deal with. The older Uchiha, as gentle, caring, kind and modest as ever. He did not shove her away, instead he ,somehow, called her in. Sasuke, on the other hand, had acted like an insufferable jerk at almost every chance they had to communicate. And exactly this very behavior made all the difference in the world. The sour young man just magically turned into a very caring and playful individual, who chose to abandon a human female to cater to an animal's needs.

It felt as if Sasuke was a challenge, an intricate enigma. Who was he really? What does he wish for? What does he crave for? What were his goals? Why was he always so cold and uncaring and sour, even though he could be perfectly kind and tender too? Was he a ladies' man after all? One could give an absolute positive answer after witnessing the scene Sakura saw with her own two eyes.

And yet, a playboy would never abandon a naked blonde College senior to help an injured stray animal. Why? This question rung in her head and echoed and echoed infinitely. What was his business with her? Could he have put his lover out in order to come to Sakura's aid? Would a ladies' man tear his expensive shirt apart to tend to an animal's wounds? Where did he disappear to after that? Sasuke...

Upon thinking about him Sakura instinctively reached for the towel enveloping the bandages on her right thing and sighed deeply. She felt imponderable and -for the moment unidentified- emotions gathering inside of her. She absolutely had to relinquish them. And yet she could find no way to alleviate herself.

She had no other way. Sakura was determined to unravel the mystery she was facing. She would do it discreetly, without hurting herself, without making her presence known. She would simply watch and observe.

She wouldn't talk or interact. She would simply watch and observe!

That way she should be able to satisfy her hunger for challenge, her hunger to know about the Uchiha phenomenon and she would hopefully soothe the pain in her heart. She will simply watch and observe!

And hopefully, her treacherous heart will finally understand that she longed, craved, lusted for something she absolutely could never have. There are, after all, some unattainable things in life.

Simply watch and observe.

She needed to settle things, before this side of Haruno Sakura is taken away forever, only to be replaced by a faithful and silent slave, an emotionless servant.


"I don't really get it." Sakura furrowed her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you mean, you did not clean with them?" But she was met with only indifferent faces. Not even the two senpai, that so kindly came to visit, did not say anything to explain to the puzzled pinkette.

Ino snorted in a un-lady-like manner. "Did we use advanced vocabulary, Forehead?" she sneered as she massaged her feet, that evidently were violently harassed by her new shoes.

Sakura vehemently glared at her friend and threw the nearest cushion towards her with all the might she could muster. "This is no joke, Ino-pig." But Ino only rolled her tongue out, as she evaded the object. "I don't understand. How could they fall asleep?"

"Well, rumors say. . ." Tenten started and grabbed another soft pillow from the couch, hugging it tightly in order to save it from Sakura's fury. "They say that Naruto and Kiba and the rest~"

Sakura hardly inhibited her need to scream in terror, appalled and flabbergasted. She cupped her mouth with her hands "O God! Are they okay?"

"Relax, they are not dead." Ino sighed and reassured as she continued to massage her sore legs. "It hurts! It hurts so much!" the blonde yammered once more.

"I won't say I told you. But I did tell you not to wear those freaking shoes, didn't I?"

"Shut up, Bun-Bun! I don't need your sermons."

"Please, keep it down, Ino-san, Tenten-san. It's not an appropriate time to yell." Hinata attempted to enforce some order. After all, it was nearly five in the morning.

"What do you mean they are not dead?" A sudden realization mirrored on Sakura's face. She blanched, cheeks devoid of any color. "Don't tell me. . . " she gulped "drugs?"

"For God's sake, explain to her properly!" Temari-senpai exclaimed, managing to hold her yawning at the very last second.

"They were asleep." Tenten indifferently explained. "Don't jump to conclusions!" she lifted a hand to stop Sakura from speaking. "It was just a game."

Sakura rolled her eyes in indignation. "I hardly think it was just a game if they-"

"It was an endurance game." Ino further clarified. "As it seems, Naruto and Kiba started arguing again. About who can handle his alcohol better. "

"And how did it come up to this?" Sakura crossed her arms over her chest. "What about the others?"

"It was a game all boys played, Sakura-san. Naruto-kun, Inuzuka-kun, Hozuki-kun, Akimichi-kun and some others." Hinata took the liberty to explain. Sakura only blinked questioningly. "Uchiha-kun never appeared."

"See, Hinata?" Karin, who has silently secluded herself into the corner, right next to Temari and Konan, clenched her fists angrily. "I told you he must have run off with some slut!" she complained and let out a sigh.

Sakura tried to ignore that last piece of information and pressed further. "Shouldn't you have called an ambulance if they passed out drinking then?"

"Neji was awake. And Shikamaru. And that guy who insulted you, Sai. They said not to bother and that they knew how to handle it." Ino further clarified and let out another yelp of pain upon touching a very very sore spot on her ankle.

"And you let them?" the pinkette exclaimed indignantly.

"What could we do, Sakura?" Ino heaved a weary sigh. "They said they had everything under control and that the boys take very special medication, which the Hospital could not provide. I suspect that they might be into Homeopathy*, but-"

"Ino, please continue!"

The Yamanaka grimaced lightly, but continued nonetheless. "And so we volunteered."

"Volunteered to what?" Sakura pressed again.

"To clean up, while Neji and Shikamaru took care of the boys." Tenten explained just as indifferently as before. "They were very reluctant at first, though, but we convinced them that they could repay us another time."

Sakura blinked twice. "Repay us?" she echoed in disbelief. That could probably be proved to be quite problematic. She opted to ignore it for now. "And you cleaned all by yourselves?"

Ino huffed a stand of her hair away."It was no such a big deal, really. I mean, it was a mess, in a way, but I expected worse. You will be surprised at how marvelously we handled it, even though you continuously accuse me of being messy. My feet are killing me, though!" she let out another cry of pain. "Temari-senpai and Konan-senpai were waiting for us outside. You can ask them if you don't believe me."

Sakura turned to the older women. Temari nodded affirmatively and Konan simply blinked once. In a very peculiar way, deep deep down, she could sympathize with them. If she were there, she would have been willing to help too. But hearing about this crazy decision after the fact could do anything but reassure her.

The pinkette turned back to her friends. "And you are absolutely sure the boys are alright?" Sakura asked once more.

"Sakura, don't worry. They are not five years old. They know what to do." Konan-senpai calmly and stoically reassured. "Please begin your own story. I have to get back with Yahiko and Nagato soon. Tsunade-sama has also arranged a meeting for the staff today."

The rosette heaved a very deep sign and tangled her fingers together. "So nothing happened?" she asked one final time.

"Nothing at all. Apart of course from the fact that my feet were tortured."

Strangely Sakura felt a little bit disappointed. All this fuss about cleaning proved to be for naught. Heaving a sigh she gave up on trying to be the voice of reason. After all she had no way to remedy this situation. She let her eyelids close for a moment and drew one great deep breath.

"Then. . . hear me out. Just-" she paused for a second. "Don't make a big fuss over it."

"Forehead?"

"What, Ino-pig?"

"You should have known that already. There is no damn way I am not making a fuss over it. Prepare yourself."

And Sakura could only gulp.


There was no egress whatsoever.

Where to go?

Where to hide?

Where and how to feel safe when the one betraying you is none other than yourself? None other than your traitorous and lecherous heart?

With those very thoughts, Sakura's eyes tried to close. With the pictures of her friend's incredulous faces as she narrated the story, Sakura fought against her restlessness, in order to finally get to sleep. But her silent request was never heard.

She felt so ashamed, embarrassed. Her friends also interacted with the boys, but probably none of them experienced such shock, none was as deeply shaken as she was. Sakura was sure she was the only weak one, the one that had her beliefs questioned by none other than her own self. So damn weak, she thought and snuggled under her sheets and pillows. She could almost feel their reprimanding glares, burning on her skin. Their eyes full of pity. Pity, because they also knew that nothing could be done now. Absolutely nothing.

She was a Philax. A man's kindness was not supposed to affect her, she knew that. She had to stand strong. She was a Guardian. She should have been the master of her emotions and not allow to be swayed by anything. And yet. . .

She could hear her friend's sighs. She could hear them echo again and again. She knew they did not blame her. But they did feel sorry for her.

Why everything seemed so complicated, so stifling, so ready to drain all of their mental and physical energy? Maybe living in the Academy wasn't that bad, after all. It was unfortunate that the Philax Academy wasn't a boarding school and they couldn't keep their alumni locked inside. At least until the Ceremony.

Too tired to stay awake much longer Sakura stubbornly covered herself with the bed sheets and let herself be guided into a hopefully peaceful slumber, which unfortunately...she never got to enjoy. Instead, Konan-senpai's last words before she left was the only music that played and played in her mind.

"You know the Revelation Day is close. I am sorry, but it's your call. You have to decide if you wish to care or not, Sakura."


Haruno Sakura woke up abruptly. An irritating incessant noise interrupted her silent, very hardly attained sleep. The never-ending ringing brought forth a great wave of ire within her. She desperately needed rest, so why on earth was someone so committed to deprive her of her need for tranquility and relaxation? Not to mention that her sleep was not the most relaxing one she ever got; she needed double the time to rest.

The rosette grumpily revealed her small body under the pink sheets and reluctantly reached for the doorknob. She poked her head out of the room only to find the rest of the girls with the same messy hair, looking equally puzzled as Sakura.

"What on earth is this vulgar sound?" Tenten asked with a husky voice, trying to withhold her yawning.

"I think it's probably the phone." Hinata shyly pointed out, rubbing the sleep away from her eyes.

Sakura needed some time to think about it. Phone? No one even knew their phone number. They hardly ever used that means of communication. Only Tsunade-sama and Shizune-san had kept their number, but they hardly ever made use of it, even when they wanted to summon the young Philakes. Instead, some of the teachers would come and alert them.

So, why was the phone ringing?

Before Sakura could voice her thoughts the ringing sound ceased.

"Why did the phone ring?" Ino asked perplexed and still sleepy. "What time is it anyway?"

Sakura turned to face her digital clock on her bed stand, in order to answer to the blonde. "It's 1.00." Sakura informed with a yawn.

"In the night?" Ino asked nearly shocked.

"Are you blind? Can't you see the light? It's noon!" Tenten scoffed and rested her head on the side of the door.

"Oh shut up!" Ino rolled her eyes indignantly. "Tell me why the phone was ringing."

"And how should we know, Ino-pig?" Sakura mocked and started walking towards the hallway.

"Where are you going?" the Yamanaka asked, refusing to step out of her own bedroom.

"To see 'why the phone was ringing'! Geez!" the rosette scoffed once more and rolled her eyes.

After reaching the coffee table, where the legendary ringing phone was situated Sakura sat on the floor and took the gadget on her hands. By pressing some buttons she made it to the call history where she found an unfamiliar number.

"It's from a cellphone, I think. It's not something I know." Sakura informed the rest that just now started entering the living room rather reluctantly.

"I will go prepare some breakfast."

"Hina-chan, I will help." Tenten offered and the two guardians disappeared into the kitchen.

"Who could this be?" Ino wondered as she seated herself next to Sakura and took the phone from her hands.

"No idea." Sakura shrugged. "Whoever it was though, he interrupted my sleep and that is unforgivable." she slammed her fist against the floor weakly and yawned once more.

"It might have been an advertising company." the blonde Philax suggested and yawned as well.

"Most likely." Sakura finally agreed and put their phone down.

But the silent moments were short-lived, for the phone started ringing obnoxiously again.

"Who the hell is it?" Tenten yelled from the kitchen.

"It's the same number." Ino informed and looked over at Sakura skeptically.

The rosette inhaled. Damn it!

"Let's find out!" Sakura exclaimed decisively and grabbed the phone once more. After taking another deep breath, the pinkette pressed the answer button.

"Hello?"

"Hello! Sakura-chan? Is that you?"

Sakura gasped after recognizing the voice. With rapid moves she put the speaker on for the rest of the girls to hear and beckoned them to listen. Tenten and Hinata came closer, still wearing their aprons.

"Naruto?"

"It's me, believe it! Good morning!"

The girls shared meaningful glances, eyes wide in surprise.

"Good morning to you too. Good afternoon really, but no matter." Sakura greeted as well.

"True enough. I hope I didn't wake you up."

"No, it's okay. What are you calling us for? How did you get this number?" The rosette curiously asked.

"Ino gave Kiba your number."

Eyes locked on the blonde with accusing arid glares of ire. Ino only flinched and crawled away. "I don't remember doing that!" she whispered and lifted her hands defensively. Sakura glared more frostily than ever before at her friend and after gritting her teeth and clenching her fists decided to wait a little longer for Ino's punishment. She will have time later to retaliate properly...

"Is that so? Then, what do you need?"

"First of all, you guys are amazing. We would like to thank you for cleaning up the house. Neji, Sai and Shikamaru said you did it by yourselves while we were out cold. It's true, right?"

"Yes. The girls did. I was at home." Sakura clarified.

"Ah yeah. Are you okay now, Sakura-chan? Your dress?"

Sakura opted to contain her whining -that would surely start if she happened to think about her dear late dress- and she simply gave an answer. "All is well, Naruto. Thanks for asking."

"Don't even mention it, Sakura-chan." The pinkette could almost see Naruto's grin.

"So did you guys get some rest?"

"Yeah, thanks to your friends. Thank you, really! And I am sorry for passing out. That was very irresponsible. Again I am sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I will convey your message to the girls."

"Actually, we already thought of another way to express our gratitude."

"And what would that be?"

"Say, do you remember me telling you about the cake thing? I called to see if you still want to come over."

Sakura clearly remembered Naruto talking about it, but now, especially under the light of her new findings and worries, should they meet with them? Something felt disturbingly familiar again.

The pinkette glanced at the others, who looked equally as puzzled and irresolute.

"Sakura-chan?"

"Ah sorry Naruto. Look, the girls are not yet awake, so do you mind if I ask them first? They might be too tired to get up."

"Sure! Take your time. We were, actually I was thinking of cutting the cake at 6.00 today and forced the others to comply, but don't tell them I said that,okay? Anyway, I promise it won't be too tiring. Just a 'thank you' and a get-together thing. It will be over soon."

"I see. I will ask the rest and I will call you later. Should I use this number?"

"Yeah. This is Sasuke-teme's cell phone number. If you have an answer then call here, okay?"

"I will. Bye, Naruto!"

"Bye, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura ended the call and carefully placed the gadget down, as if it was a bomb ready to detonate. The pinkette slowly swallowed and set her jade eyes on the rest of the Philakes. But, most of all, she looked at a certain blonde. Upon seeing her, her gaze transformed into a glacial glare a hundred times fiercer than before.

"Ino-pig! What. Did. You. Do?"

"I am sorry! I don't know how I slipped it out."

"That's not an excuse, idiot! You weren't that much drunk, right?" Tenten hollered in indignation.

"I don't know how, okay? I might have thought it was nothing and just blurted it out. I didn't even know I remembered our phone number in the first place!"

"That's not an excuse!" Tenten growled menacingly.

"Tenten-san, Ino-san! Please. It must have been an accident!"

"An accident? I will tell you what an accident is! Ino being a Philax! That's an accident!"

"Oi! That's too mean!"

"Then, you go explain to them what we should do now! The moment one problem is cleared, another pops up! I 've had enough!"

"Actually, we didn't refuse Naruto's offer in the first place, so he was going to ask us sooner or later." Sakura pointed out with a calmer voice.

"I don't care!"

"Tenten-san, please calm down." Hinata pleaded and the brunette tried to let her fury subside by taking deep breaths.

"So, we are back to the freaking usual question. What do we do now?" Tenten asked still exasperated.

"I say we go and get this over with."

"Of course you would say that. You were the one that gave our number away!"

"I told you I am sorry!" Ino tried to defend herself again.

"Tenten-san! Ino-san!"

"Alright, alright!" Sakura stood up decisively."Listen to Hinata and calm down a little. We have to give them an answer."

"O, Sakura is happy, or am I imagining things? Did you just get Sasuke's personal phone number by accident, Pink Forehead?" Ino smirked mischievously, trying to divert Tenten's attention in the process.

"You are imagining things, Pig! And there is no such thing as a 'pink forehead'!" Sakura flatly retorted. However, the pink-haired Guardian couldn't help but blush a little bit.

"Anyway, Pink Forehead, and I repeat 'Pink Forehead'..." Ino grinned wickedly just to tease the poor innocent pinkette. "...let's get this over with! I say we can't let Naruto down. So we try once again, ne?" the blonde suggested.

Sakura let out a sigh. "Do we even have a choice?" She knew Ino too damn well for her own good.

"No. Not really. I want to see what happens. Sasuke is going to be there, Saku. Don't you want to know how will he react with 'human Sakura'?" Ino winked playfully.

"If you put it that way-" Tenten grumpily started. "I am a little curious too. But, after that, no more stupid parties or gatherings!"

"Bun-Bun, I know you wholeheartedly enjoyed dancing with Neji. Don't lie to yourself!" Ino pointed an accusing finger to the brunette who instinctively winced a little.

"That's not it!" she tried to explain, poking her fingers together nervously. "It's just that he is smart and can actually have a proper conversation with me. He is a gentleman, but he is not overly sweet; he is kind of cold sometimes but I like and enjoy that mysterious look and-…" Tenten abruptly stopped her incriminating blabbering upon detecting the looks the rest of the guardians were giving her. The weapon's specialist soon turned a dark shade of pink. "It's not what you think!" Tenten lifted her hands defensively.

"Sure not." Sakura grinned, finally deciding to play along.

"So" Ino cleared her throat. "Where do we conclude?"she said after giving Tenten one more meaningful and accusatory look.

"I think we should say yes and end this." Hinata stated confidently.

"Yosh! Hinata has spoken, ladies and gentlemen!" Ino lifted her fist on the air. "Saku, call them say we are in! I really want to see Sasuke's face!"

"I, on the other hand, want to see all of their faces. You treated them as kings, letting them sleep while you cleaned. . ."

"You would have done the same!" Tenten's eyes narrowed at Sakura, but soon enough the girl lost her grim seriousness and playfully giggled.

"I guess you are right. I am calling them." Sakura declared enthusiastically.

"Hell yes!" Ino clapped her hands.

"Geez, you weren't that excited even when we decided to go to the party."

"I am just curious."

"Curious my a-…"

"Hush, both of you. I dialed the number already." Sakura interjected Tenten and focused on the phone.

The beeping sound lasted for a couple of seconds when an unexpected male voice finally answered.

"What?"

Ha. That rudeness was unmistakable. Despite the evident impoliteness Sakura couldn't contain the shiver of anticipation that cascaded down her spine.

"Sasuke-kun? It's Sakura. Naruto told me to call this number." Sakura gulped and inwardly slapped herself. What happened to 'Uchiha-kun'? Now he would think she was infatuated or something.

"I know. What's your answer?"

The pinkette couldn't help but release a sigh upon hearing his velvet bass voice in her ear. Before, though, it could be considered a 'late answer' Tenten nudged Sakura in the ribs, interrupting her impending inward delirium.

"We will come. Naruto said it will be at six, right?"

"Hn."

"So, where are we going to meet?"

Did Sakura have to actually force the information out of him? Was it so difficult to replace the usual 'hn' with a simple short but nonetheless coherent sentence?

"Nara's house."

"Which is?"

"Tsk. Two blocks away from the Inuzuka's."

Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed, thanking her good luck that she now knew that the boys' houses were nothing but ordinary and thus, much easier to locate."That huge mansion near the playground? Next to the forest?" she probed, hoping to be right, since Sasuke seemed very reluctant to give any useful information away.

"Aa."

"Okay. We will be there at six."

"Hn. Don't you dare bring the red-haired with you. If I see her on the doorway there is no damn way I am letting you in, is that clear, Haruno?"

Sakura swallowed slowly. Why did he sound so menacing?

"Hey teme! Be more gentle to Sakura-chan, ne!" the rosette heard a voice from the other line.

"Shut up, dobe!"

"Stop calling me dobe!"

"I understand." Sakura said trying not to let the boys' argument last for much longer.

"If anyone else gets this phone number, Haruno, you are going to regret it, you are going to pay dearly! Understood?."

"Rest assured. I will not give it to anyone. By-…" But before Sakura could finish her word Sasuke had already ended the call.

The pinkette slowly and hesitantly placed the phone on the coffee table once again and exhaled. Talking with Uchiha Sasuke was definitely nerve-wrecking and it surely took its toll on her; by phone or not. If you also count in the fact that the two had a very unusual meeting the night before...well...it makes the situation much more complicated.

"Oh man. This boy surely is sour." Tenten remarked after seeing Sakura's empty gaze.

"It doesn't matter." Sakura decisively exclaimed and stretched her arms. "I need something invigorating. I am going to wash my face." she pivoted and decided to head back into her room.

"Don't be late, Sakura-san. Breakfast is almost ready!"

"I won't." Sakura smiled at the Hyuuga and swiftly crossed the small stairway.

Upon reaching her bathroom's wash basin Sakura took deep breaths and opened the faucet. The young Guardian made sure to use the nice ice-cold water to refresh her face and wake up properly and fully, preparing herself for the new day.

When she lifted her gaze she finally faced the pink-haired woman before her. She saw vibrant emerald eyes, kind droplets of water running down her creamy complexion to an elegant white neck and then back onto the sink. Some locks of her hair were also damp now because of the contact with her full of water hands.

Sakura locked her gaze with the pink-haired creature and titled her head. "Well, Sakura, I certainly hope we'll survive this one too."


Time elapsed very quickly, perhaps more quickly than Sakura could handle. In the end, it was rather easy to locate the mansion of the Nara family mostly because of the lavishness of the mansion itself. Plus, luxurious cars were parked outside clearly indicating that a certain familiar bunch of boys were waiting inside.

Lamentably, Sakura did not see the immediate reaction she was secretly expecting from a certain young man with charcoal eyes. Most boys, even the always reluctant and cold Hyuuga Neji included, made sure to thank the girls and offer them pieces of cake and glasses with -thankfully not alcoholic- beverages. Uchiha Sasuke, in sharp contrast to his talkative friends, after making sure no red-haired menace was around, secluded himself into the corner, completely silent, indifferent and nonchalant.

The pinkette was not sure if she should welcome the usual Uchiha Sasuke or feel disappointed that the kind and caring one she met the other night was nowhere to be found, completely disappeared from the face of the earth.

Naruto, shortly after the girls' arrival, addressed to his friends in a rather unusual but nonetheless funny manner, that made Sakura giggle uncontrollably and brightened her thoughts, successfully drawing her attention away from her grim thinking.

"Welcome to my -eh. . .okay, not mine- Shikamaru's house, which he kindly offered to us."

"And how truly troublesome that was." Shikamaru commented, probably having his parents in mind, who were still nowhere to be seen.

"Ehh, thanks a bunch, Shikamaru!" Naruto rubbed the nape of his neck. "Anyway, we are about to see my birthday celebrations come to an official end with today's gathering." The blond boy tried to hold his fake tears of joy and raised his cup of cola for a toast. "Thank you for coming. Let's ravish and devour the cake ladies, gentlemen and Sasuke-bastard!"

"What the-?"

Was the last thing Sakura heard before the 'Apocalypse'. Of course the fact that Naruto did not include Sasuke into the gentlemen list was quite a sin just by witnessing the way he was punished by the said raven-haired. To be punished so harshly definitely was redemption for one of the Deadly Sins. Was Sasuke so sensitive about his manliness?

After Naruto had his 'Cake and Candles Time' –as the blond himself liked to call it- Suigetsu offered Sakura a piece the orange birthday cake. For many long moments, Sasuke had disappeared from her sight. Coincidentally, that exact moment Sakura felt the presence of something strong and sharp that scrutinized every inch of her body.

Being constantly vigilant Sakura let her green eyes drift around the room only to spot a certain raven-haired young man staring at her to the point of opening holes to her skull. For a moment the pinkette thought she was hallucinating. Wasn't Uchiha Sasuke the one who accused her of staring at him some weeks ago?

That couldn't be right...

After a second look Sakura was more than certain that Uchiha Sasuke was indeed looking at her with narrowed eyes and arms folded over his toned broad chest.

Hesitantly, Sakura escaped from the conversation she had with Neji and Shino –who were surprisingly a little more talkative than usual- and approached the sullen man, who, much to Sakura's amazement, did not move away upon seeing her coming closer.

"Sasuke-kun? Is something wrong?" Sakura sheepishly asked, but the man was yet to move a muscle, respond or acknowledge her presence in his close proximity. "You did not eat any cake?" Sakura stated more than asked, since Sasuke seemed clearly uninterested into taking a piece of the delicious dessert.

"I hate everything sweet." He abruptly declared jerking his head for his charcoal eyes to meet her jade ones, taking Sakura by surprise by his answer. Quite frankly Sakura had given up on hoping that she would finally get even a single response from the younger Uchiha even once in her life. Well, at least he got him to talk as an animal. But that one fact did not make Sakura feel better for herself.

His statement was quite cold. Which rational person did not like sweet things? Was that supposed to mean something? Maybe he wanted to imply something else. Either way, the most surprising thing was that Uchiha Sasuke never averted his frosty glare from Sakura's emerald eyes.

"Did I do something that annoyed you? Why are you looking at me like that?" Sakura tried to act boldly and demanded an answer. For the first time in her life she found herself taking a liking on such a brash and demanding behavior. Not to mention that this time it came out of Sakura herself.

Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed in slits. "That's only for me to know, Haruno."

"No, it's not." Sakura insisted. At her answer she thought for a infinitesimal moment that Sasuke seemed a little startled and bemused. Certainly he did not expect such a response. Quite frankly even Sakura herself did not think she had that in her to press such a matter.

"You are looking at me like I am some kind of irritating bug, or your worst enemy or something, when you are even kind enough to acknowledge my presence. I haven't done anything to harm or annoy you, so the least I ask is for you to tell me what on earth is wrong." Sakura slightly raised the tone of her voice.

Stunningly the Uchiha before her smirked and twitched his eyebrows.

Before she knew, Sasuke moved. He leaned closer and closer and closer to the pinkette and reached for her ear. "Acting sassy all of a sudden Sa-ku-ra?" he asked with an unbelievably seductive and husky voice while leaning even more.

She gulped. Did he just address her with her first name?

'He definitely is one hell of a bipolar person' Sakura thought while swallowing her saliva in an attempt to trap her feelings and natural urges deep within. If her emotions were now to surface. . . Sakura would rather die than experiencing that humiliation.

She felt her palms sweaty, his face leaned dangerously close to her, almost a breath away, if that was even possible. A shiver cascaded down her spine and a feeling of anticipation and excitement flooded her entire system. It almost felt like the time she was transformed, when he was close to her, when he was nursing her . . . This time though she was human, they both were human and so close and~

Before she could even manage to savor this new and enticing feeling Sasuke moved away as suddenly as he neared.

If Sakura was to state a conclusion she most definitely would say that Sasuke knew what his actions caused to her. And frankly he seemed quite content with it. Why else would he have that self-complacent smirk on his face? Did he enjoy tormenting young ladies that much?

"I have nothing against you. You actually are of no interest to me." he coldly stated while gaining back his proud posture and leaning with his shoulder to the wall once more. How much taller than the pinkette he was.

"Then why do you look like you hate me?" Sakura insisted again while crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly.

"I already told you. I am not harboring any kind of feelings for you, nor hatred, not even a small liking. You interest me not." he flatly told her after moving his bangs away from his eyes making sure that Sakura was captured from his fluid and alluring movements.

Sakura though was stronger than that. The pinkette bit her lips and clenched her fists. Like hell she was going to fall for his traps and his freaking good looks!

"Then why were you staring at me so intensely a while ago?" Sakura narrowed her eyes and lifted one eyebrow at him.

And this time, he seemed quite amused at her antics. Sakura must have hit a nail in the head. "Do not flatter yourself, Haruno. I was merely looking for something I obviously did not find."

"And what would that be?" Sakura now rested her palms on her hips. Momentarily she thought that his dark eyes followed her movement only to lock on her hips for a couple milliseconds more than they should have. And then left again.

"I have no obligation to share that information with you." he bluntly said while glaring back on her eyes. "But just because of a moment's whim I will tell you… I thought you reminded me of someone I met yesterday. That is all. Apparently you are not even close."

"Ha? So the great Uchiha Sasuke was mistaken for once in his life?" Sakura scoffed. "You said you did not find what you were looking for, thus I assume you were mistaken." Sakura stated with a hint of a smirk. "Who did you think I was? One of the sluts you were sleeping with while intoxicated? Just so you know, there is no such possibility. I am sorry I am not like the ones you pleasure yourself with!" she snorted in contempt.

Then...everything changed...

Sasuke's dark eyes emitted a cold aura more glacial than she had ever experienced, almost making Sakura wince and jitters travel around her body.

He was intimidating, scary. His obsidian eyes could easily make her frost and then break like glass colliding with diamond. Sasuke's body gave off a feeling of authority, of power, of strength and of course constant derision for a certain pink-haired Philax.

"You know nothing, you damn ignorant girl!" his words dripped poison and disgust. Sakura felt like he wished to squash her under his foot...and quite frankly that was a huge probability.

"I know nothing? You are greatly mistaken once more, Uchiha!" Sakura retorted mightily with unprecedented fervor. In all honesty, though, she felt hurt and kind of afraid being submitted under his fiery and yet so cold gaze. This whole situation was full of contradictions.

"What happened to 'Sasuke-kun' Haruno?" he scoffed after raising one of his fine eyebrows. "Am I not of your liking anymore?" he huskily spat back while placing his long white fingers on Sakura's jaw.

Sakura was probably supposed to move away, but the sudden contact paralyzed her for a couple of seconds. Sasuke gently caressed her face, brushing her chin tenderly and seductively, coaxing her to look at him straight in those perilous eyes.

It was more than clear that he aimed to mislead her, seduce her to the point of no return, until the young woman succumbed to pleasure and was trapped under his mesmerizing claws. And only then he would back away, like she was nothing more than a used tissue.

The strategy he obviously devised was evident to Sakura's eyes. Therefore, she grabbed his hand before his thumb made it to her soft puffy lips and send her to another world for good.

That also seemed to slightly surprise the young Uchiha, who quickly retracted his hand and shoved the limb back into his pocket.

"You never were. Do not flatter yourself!" the pinkette derisively used the exact same words he did before. His lips tried to hold back one of his usual smirks.

What lies was Sakura uttering right now... How many lies to the world... Lies to herself and lies to him. 'You never were?' That was ridiculous to assume, to say, given the situation Sakura was in.

"You talk too damn much. That's why stupid girls like you are annoying. You know nothing of this world and yet you dare voice your idiotic opinion. But I will grant it to you, Haruno, you have guts. No female has ever raised her voice against me before." he remarked with the same monotone masculine voice and folded his strong and full of muscles arms again. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

"Then it was high time someone should do so. Get the damn stick off your butt and face the world. Only some kind of King would be excused for being so haughty. And you are no King. You are a mere human and I am going to treat you as such. No more, no less. I am not like you stupid fandom, so don't expect me to worship you. I won't."

At Sakura's words Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows in question and doubt. "Good for you, Haruno, but you still know nothing." he scoffed and held a vicious chuckle. "You better hold you tongue. You have no idea whom you are dealing with." He indifferently said but the gravity of his words was more than overwhelming.

"Likewise, Uchiha!" Sakura retorted and frowned in anger. "Or should I call you Lord, maybe? Is that to your preference?" she scoffed, voice oozing with sarcasm.

For some moments their eyes were locked, completely glued. Each one of them lashed out flames of determination, stubbornness and faith to their own abilities, strongly resisting to succumb to the enemy's advances.

Sasuke studied the petite pinkette for many long moments. Finally seemingly bored by this intellectual war, he sent one more chilling glare towards Sakura and walked away, turning his back on her for good.

"Annoying woman." Sasuke muttered for Sakura to hear. The pinkette couldn't help but snort at that.

"Again, likewise. Annoying snotty bastard."

The last thing Sakura could hear was his usual 'hn'. She could picture his self-complacent smirk even though she could practically see only his back.

The pinkette unconsciously and instinctively reached for her wound on her right thigh under her jeans. And at the same time the girl felt her eyes ready to drip tears and her heart ready to bleed in pain and suffocation. But, fortunately none of those incriminating things happened...yet...

Where was this one man that treated her so tenderly?

Soon enough she retracted her hand and clenched her fists.

If that's the way Uchiha Sasuke wants to play, then so be it. Two can play this game of endurance! He knows nothing of true power and he dared say she is ignorant? Sakura couldn't laugh loud enough for that. The snotty bastard won't know what hit him. That's the fate of every human on this planet.

If he wants to play the tough untouchable 'Prince Charming' then who Sakura was to stop him from his wonderful daydreaming? No…the proper time will come for him and Sakura will be the one to wholeheartedly enjoy the beautiful scene.

Hmph...he didn't deserve even a tiny bit of her worries. She did well not to bother with this arrogant jerk in the first place. Right now, though, she was already plunged into deep waters. Especially after his nursery the night before, which was more than obvious an act, a scoff, a spit on her face.

She needed an immediate change of plans and tactics.

The fact that she was most likely relatively weak against his 'good side' -that apparently was a fraud, but a dangerous weapon nonetheless since it got her hooked- did not mean she should tend to his every tantrum, whim, command. She had plenty of ways to annoy the crap out of him, secure her dignity and at the same time enjoy herself without moving a single finger. She had ways and he surely had weaknesses.

He might consider himself a hefty, hard wall, unrivaled, unmoving like a rock. But the mere human Uchiha Sasuke obviously failed to realize that the Philax Haruno Sakura had volition, strength and heart made of steel.


*Homeopathy: A system of alternative medicine, based on the doctrine "similia similibus curentur"("like cures like"), according to which a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick people. If you follow Homeopathy you cannot take any antibiotics, vaccinations and you are not allowed to consume very specific foods and drinks, because they might render the substance you are getting inactive, like coffee or mint.

Anyway, it's not that big of a deal in this story. I only placed the note for reference.


A/N: I hope you did not got utterly confused with the first part (even though that was a little bit intended) Too many 'he' and 'they', but that serves a purpose I promise!

Last chapter comments:Yeah...Sakura was being quite dense in the last chapter, ne? Well she was kind of drunk and mostly focused on the 'I am Supernatural, how the hell he knows? This can't be. I must be hallucinating. I must have done something stupid or just be extremely tipsy' rather than 'Omg he must be a Supernatural too...why else would he say such things?'. Sasuke though is a little more 'attentive' I might say, as you probably realized by reading this one chapter. Well, Sakura surely suspects something. It's just that she in a state of denial. They did tell them to deny every information they got, right? She is subconsciously throws away what can lead her to Sasuke and his identity and not to mention that she is too much aghast after realizing she really likes him (even though Sasuke is acting bastard-ish)

So as it turns out the 'Bang' chapter is the 11th one indeed. At least it's the start of the bang ^.~ I am sorry if I have tortured you thus far! *bow apologetically* This definitely wasn't my intention (the torture part I mean). I really hope you enjoyed the way here, because many things are waiting to be explored and are about to change dramatically. I very much like the next chapter too...

Please do not hesitate to 'drop by' and review! It will mean a lot to me. ^.^