DISCLAIMER: i do NOT own naruto or any of the all that other characters (and etc) i just own this story

So its been a while since my last update, sorry -sweatdrop- believe it or not ive got reality looming on me since my 18th is coming up in may...my mom seems to think its the opportune moment to try and syphon money and crap from me...ANYWAYS ehe heres chapter 9!

Enjoy :D


Sasuke reached a gentle hand behind her neck; her eyes went wide as he brought his head back towards her ear, "I'll kill him to win your love if I have to, I want to keep you for myself."

She closed her eyes, letting her tears fall freely

The next day Sakura woke up dazed and a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She shook her head and glanced towards the window. Sai's smiling face met hers, "Good morning!" Startled, she let out a slight scream, "What are you doing there?"She definetly hadn't expected him to be right up in her face! She blinked a few times as if to try and imagine him not there. Sai let fall his smile and sat next to her on her bed, the cherry blossom sat up, pushing the covers from her body.

"I saw you crying last night." He whispered, " you looked really upset about something. Did that Sasuke bastard do something to you?" Inner Sakura smiled, she was kind of glad he was concerned for her but for some reason or another, she felt awful about it as well.Sasuke's comment floated in her mind. "I'll kill him to win your love if I have to, I want to keep you for myself." Sakura felt as though her mind would explode, this was ridiculous.

How could Sasuke say anything so heartless.But then again, he said it from his heart, so it wasn't exactly a heartless comment. Selfish then? Grrah, this was going to eat her up from the inside.

She looked Sai in his eyes, " I'm afraid." She got up from her bed and kneeled in front of Sai, placing her arms on his lap and resting her head on her arms. She looked up at him, " Sai, I need to figure out how I really feel. But, no matter which I decide on, someone is going to end up hurt, and I don't want that…I really don't."Sai looked down at her, her green orbs bore into his charcoal ones. He stroke her bubblegum hair, " Just follow your heart, Sakura." Sakura closed her eyes, she enjoyed Sai's company, he was unbearably pleasant with her.

She could barely get over the fact that he was being nice to her, it was strange. Sai lifted her head towards him, he lowered his head and gently placed his lips on hers. She felt at ease with him, she felt more like herself when she was around him.The kiss was over more quickly than she had hoped.

" I wish you would pick me, though." Sakura's heart gave a slight tug, she wanted him, but she didn't want any harm to befall him. With Sasuke acting all strange, kami knows if he'd do something drastic, like go through with his threat. " Want to go train next to the river in the woods? I feel like exercising." The ink-user asked, suddenly getting up and startling Sakura.

The pink-haired kunoichi looked up at him, pff she could think of other means of exercising… "Sure." She smiled, if she was spending time with Sai, then of course she'd go, plus, they would be outside of Konoha, so chances of running into Sasuke were slightly slimmer.

The sun blared upon them as they stepped out into the streets. Sakura put an arm up to shield her eyes, Sai didn't seem to be bothered by the blinding sunlight. " Let's take the backstreets." She suggested. "Hn? Why?"Sai asked, not even looking at her. What was he looking at at?

"Afraid of being seen with me or what?"

Sakura shook her head," No, it's not that, it's just..." She couldn't tell him that Sasuke didn't particularly want her to be around Sai. "There might be more shade? This heat is killing me!"

Sai smiled, " Wait until we start training, the heat will be even worse!"Sai looked away from her, distracted by something, that much was obvious.

Sakura looked in the direction he was looking. She looked away after a few seconds, grabbed Sai's arm and dragged him towards the Konoha gates. Screw people seeing them, she was sick of people talking anyway, who cared what they thought, right?!

Upon entering the clearing, Sakura let out a sigh of relief. The pressure of not being seen was at least less intense. Ok, so she still was a little afraid Sasuke would find out about them training together, but what was the harm. And why was she worried about upsetting him? She was still single as far as she knew.

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An exhausted Sakura flopped to the grass next to the river's side.

"You wore me out,Sai!" She giggled and laid back onto the grass.

Sai stood above her, covered in sweat. His hair was sticking to his face and neck, his shirtfront was soaked. He looked completely delicious."Want to take a small dip in the river?" Sai panted as he reached up to smooth his hair. It was an innocent comment she thought, she wondered if he had an ulterior motive.

Her face brightened, " Sure! I could use a dip, I'm dying of heat!"Sai ran to the river and jumped in, splashing Sakura who was desperately trying to slip off her shirt. She gave up halfway and jumped in fully clothed. Who cared if she wet her clothes, they were already soaked with sweat anyway!

The cherry blossom smoothed water into her hair and threw water on her face, she felt so much cooler already, this dip was fantastic!"Sakura?" Sai's voice was almost a whisper, he slowly wadded over to her, his bare cheste glistened in the sun, he looked so godly when he was wet.

This would have been a moment where drooling would have been accepted. Inner Sakura laughed at her thought."Hm?" Sakura replied trying not to stare too much at the handsome radiating creature next to her.

" You never told me why you were crying last night." he was concerned, it was written across his face that he cared. Sakura scoffed, " It's stupid really...Don't concern yourself with it, it's fine!"

Sai scrunched his eyebrows, " It's not fine if you were crying about it. Tell me." Sakura sighed, she hoped to hell he wouldn't do anything drastic as well. Or even attempt anything...All this for her... she was flattered but at the same time she was disgusted with every bit of it.

She looked down at the rippling water, "Sasuke said that even if he had to kill you, he'd win my love..." Sakura glanced towards the dark-haired ninja's reflexion, then she looked up at him.

Sakura laughed uncomfortably, " Don't worry too much about it." she added, completely unsure of herself.Sai wadded closer to her still, he reached out his arms and brought her small body in a tight embrace, " I won't lose to him. Don't you worry about that!"

Sakura's eyes began to water. She didn't know what to do anymore!
A slight rustling of leaves could be heard from a bush, then footsteps, barely audible, but if one strained their ears, it felt as though it was clear as day.

Sai's eyes followed the sound, red eyes glowed from a small opening between the leaves. Sai leaned into Sakura some more and closed his eyes, ignoring the burning stare stare the unwelcome guest was giving.

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Sakura stepped out of her steaming shower, crap, she would probably catch a cold now. The dip had done her really good, but after a few hours of that and swinging from the trees and everything. Bahh...ah well, if she caught cold she'd just have to endure it.

She wrapped herself in a towel and walked to her bedroom, Sakura plopped down onto her soft bed. Today had been really fun, she wouldn't mind spending everyday like that. The pink-haired kunoichi closed her eyes, the one thing that bothered her was that Sai seemed to have had a lot of moments where he would just stare off into space.

She wondered what that had been all about...she giggled to herself quietly, Sai had been so hot drenched in water. Sakura turned over to lie on her other side, red orbs full of anger stared back at her.

"Did you have a nice time with Sai today, Sakura?" mumbled the voice. Sasuke emerged from the shadows, he seated himself next to her. She wrapped the towel tighter around herself as she sat up straight. She didn't need this, not now! " What do you want me to say, Sasuke? I'm allowed to hang around who I want. I don't need your permission!" She snapped.

Sasuke looked at her, oblivious to her words, " I told you I'll not stand for obstacles as needless as Sai, I want you to myself." And at that he pushed Sakura to her back, crushing his lips onto hers.


A/N: Hope everybody enjoyed this chapter :) Im feel as though Im getting better with the whole 'put a lot more words' thing...anyone disagree?

me: Naruto, u dont have any comments?

naruto: nope

me: not even a smartass one?

naruto: -swallows ramen- nope

me: -wipes face- u dont have to spray it...