Chapter 9 - Tugs and Pulls
AN: We finally meet again my youthful readers! *leestyle* Okay, that's disgusting, I know, but I can't help it if I find it super-duper comical… I bet some of you would agree! So, how do you like your early Christmas present - 2 chapters in 1 month! Merry Christmas to you all btw, and happy new year, since I think I might not be able to post chapter 10 any time soon... Am I not kind enough ppl? loljkjk Xp I'm feeling so, so despicable; you guys are such meanies! *cries-leestlye* I am dying for reviews! Without them I'm not encouraged enough to write a new chapter! I'm pretty sure 9 chapters are quite a lot… And I have to say I'm pretty happy for the amount of chapters… and words per chapter! Although this might still have 3-6 more chapters… Or more. This chapter is dedicated for Shay-chan33 and BlueSakuraAC :D Not my fault they're so cool and awesome… Jkjkjk you guys are awesome too! But seriously, check their stories out, would you awesome ppl? ;D Anyways, let's get it on, shall we? Tugs and Pulls, here it is!
Disclaimer: You know it; I'm not Masashi Kishimoto. But you won't know if I am… Nahh, JK! :p
"Told you it'll be fun!" Ino laced her arms with Sakura's, occasionally sipping on her strawberry smoothies.
Sakura scrunched up her nose. "No it's not. Well, sure the caramel popcorns were pretty delicious-"
"Pretty? It was very delicious!" The blonde scowled at her.
The other girls watched the two, following close behind. They were always like this - making a fuss over the smallest things, yet they're not Sakura and Ino if they don't do all those things. In the end Sakura agreed to come with and watch the film. And now she was somewhere in between regretting and not regretting. Regretting, since the film wasn't very thrilling and the plot was pretty much predictable. Not regretting, for the fun she could share with her friends was definitely worth it. Now that she's one of the Students in Charge, she has extra work to do, adding to the works she already had from trying to keep getting the scholarship.
"Well," Sakura paused, staring at Ino with a scrutinizing look, "You finished it all." Ino puffed out her cheeks and her pink-haired best friend threw her head back, laughing. She wished moments like this could last forever, when else could she be so free, so happy, so unimpeded? A thought of a certain dark-haired guy crossed her mind at that; has he ever felt like this? He was so tense and uptight; the thought of him laughing freely was so ineffable.
"Forehead! Earth to Sakura!" Ino waved a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Sorry, what?"
"Well, Ino was saying that there's still a lot of time before we have to get back, what are we going to do now?" Tenten replied for Ino.
"Huh? Why ask me? I thought Ino here is the party planner!" Sakura protested.
"I thought it's only fair if I ask you for what you want, since surely you won't agree with shopping," Ino flipped her platinum blonde hair back, "Right?" She asked suggestively.
"Fine," The nephrite-eyed girl sighed. "Karaoke?" From the nodding of agreements, looks like they're going to spend some quality time singing. Anything to get her mind off of a certain dark-haired dark-eyed guy sounds like a plan for her.
Sasuke sighed for the umpteenth time that day. If only his blonde best friend would stop shouting, or just stop snoring during the nights, maybe he could get a better day. Thank goodness his other roommate Neji wasn't so bad. In fact he was a bit like him, a quiet and reserved prodigy. If only he's not a Hyuuga. So technically, he's gotten the worst roommates of all. Or maybe it's just the fact that he couldn't be grateful for anything in his life. He wanted to just rip these math problems for adding his headache, he wanted to punch the lights out of his so-called best friend for his hyperactivity, and he wanted to murder the principle for the schedule he's got. A flash of pink and green passed in the back of his eyes, and he was reminded of the one and only Sakura Haruno. And the homeroom project. And followed by the night before. He had to suppressed a groan at that. And yet that groan slipped when he remembered what's to come on the next Friday - another meeting with her. Even though a part of him was looking forward to it, he still felt annoyed by her presence only. And last night, to say that the night before was really changing his perspective of her isn't a hundred percent true. He was quite surprised of her answers, and the question she asked wasn't at all uncreative, if not the total opposite.
"Hey, you okay?" Turns out Naruto heard his groan.
"Hn."
"How was your date?" Naruto grinned. Never before had Sasuke felt an urge to punch him this huge.
"It. Was. Not. A. Date."
"Grumpy much? I bet Sakura-chan don't like grumpy boys," Naruto taunted and threw himself on his bed. Which is near the chair his dark-haired grumpy best friend slash roommate slash childhood friend was currently sitting on.
"Shut up, dobe." Sasuke tried to focus on his homework once again.
"Come on, teme! This is Saturday! Why are you doing," he waved his arms around, "doing that?" He pointed at his homework like it's the most disgusting thing in the world.
"Unlike you, I want to pass with a great score. And to get it, I have to study hard. So shut up."
"Why are you so damn serious?" Naruto grumbled and made himself comfortable in his bed.
"Why are you so damn annoying?" Sasuke retorted. But the only answer he got was a snore from his idiotic ramen lover blonde best friend. Looks like he's got a little too comfortable in his bed. With that, he focused on his homework, trying to block off the sound of Naruto's snores. If he's got to choose between Naruto's snores and his frequent comments and taunts on his relationship with Sakura - if there's even any, he's got to choose Naruto's snores. At least Hyuuga's out for a meeting with Tsunade, so he don't need to bother having to share the table or to give up the table and do his homework on the floor or on the bed. Speaking of which, he really wants to join the Student in Charge since that is considered a step to 'success' in Konoha High School. All the while he kept telling his mind that this isn't a reason to get closer with a certain pink-haired girl.
The day before was so tiring the five girls were instantly out the moment their heads touched their own pillows. Still clad in their outfit from the morning, every one of them was out like a dead man. It was a hectic morning the day after though, since Sakura was complaining about her unfinished homeworks, Tenten protesting about her lopsided buns, Temari being grouchy about her sore throat, Ino screaming about her hair being too damn messy plus everything her friends were grumbling about, well minus Sakura's, and Hinata pleading for her friends to stop. Typical Hinata.
"Look at my hair! Wait, no! Don't look at my hair! Agh, it's so messy and tangled!" Ino screeched.
"Well, look at my buns! It's ruined! I look awful with these weird buns and I couldn't even let these go off its scrunchies!" Tenten shot back.
"Mine too! Don't get me started with how my mouth tastes like shit!" Temari snapped.
"My homework-"
"It doesn't matter!" Ino cut Sakura off.
"How dare you, you pig! If I get just one bad score I can lose my scholarship!" Sakura fumed. "So I guess you really want to get rid of me after all," she added.
"What? No! But look at this," Ino pointed at her bird nest-like hair, but her stubborn hot-headed best friend refused to look at her. They were silent, Ino looks repentant, and Sakura with her arms folded and chin held high.
"G-guys, I-isn't it b-better i-if you guys j-j-just s-start fixing those p-problems?" Hinata's timid voice somehow cut through the ruckus. That efficaciously shut the other two that were still shouting at each other. It wasn't like you could see Hinata look this confident every day. All eyes shot at her, and for a moment her gaze faltered. But in a blink of an eye that resolved look was back on her face. "I-We've h-had a wonderful y-yesterday. D-d-don't screw things up," Hinata scrunched her nose at the word 'screw'.
"Whoa, girl," Temari broke the silence. "No need to shout." She smirked. Hinata blushed.
"Wow, I guess some time with Naruto is all you need, Hinata," Sakura smiled as she put a hand on the blushing girl's shoulder.
"Damn, if only I'd know that earlier!" Ino fake pouted.
Tenten laughed then, making all eyes turned at her. "I never imagined it would be you to break a fight like this," Hinata's blush deepened.
"W-well, now, l-let's not f-fight," Hinata looked down and touched her forefinger to her other forefinger, Hinata style.
Sakura sighed. "I don't mean what I said, the stress was starting to get overbearing," she looked at the Yamanaka.
Ino smiled a little, "I'm sorry too, I'm too selfish, I should've think of how you feel," she offered her hand and the pinkette took it. From the corner of her viridian eyes, Sakura could see that the weapon-crazed brunette shaking hands with the fan-crazed Sabaku. She could also see the prevalent sweet smile plastered on the timid pearl-eyed girl's face. She cheered inwardly for her.
"Sakura? I thought you're meeting up with him again?" Tenten closed the door behind her. The pinkette was currently doing her biology homework, looking so caught up in it Tenten feel sorry for disturbing her.
"Huh?" She looked up, confusion clear in her jade orbs. "W-what day is it?" Panic started to creep its way to her eyes.
"Um, Friday, duh," Temari answered for Tenten. "Where's your roommates, anyway?"
"Oh my god!" Sakura quickly got up from her bed and gathered her utensils into her sakura-patterned pencil case, her goodbye present from her brother before he left. She grabbed her bag and shoved it in together with a notebook. "I'm sorry, I have to go! Thanks for reminding me! I'm so late!" She rattled breathlessly, "Lock my room, keep it with you until I'm back, will you? Thanks, you guys are the best!" And she was out of their sight like a flash, leaving both Tenten and Temari dumbfounded and Temari's quick reflexes was what saved Tenten from being hit by Sakura's door key in the face.
"What happened?" Tenten stared at Temari, eyes wide.
"Uh, she forgot about her 'date'." Temari replied as she locked the door.
"I think this is the first time she's ever forgotten an appointment." Tenten pointed out.
Temari shrugged. "Maybe."
"She's still clad in her shorts and oversized T-shirt," Tenten added.
"Well, she might come back, but she might just suck it up and act usual about it. I'm guessing she's just gonna suck it up though, she hate latecomers and I bet she doesn't want to be one," Temari opened the door to their own room.
"Ugh, so now what? I'm bored," Tenten walked in behind Temari.
"Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I missed that loudmouthed blonde," Temari sat down on her bed.
"What do you say with sneaking to the guys' room?" Tenten has a wicked grin on her face.
"Sure!" Temari grinned even bigger than Tenten. "Come on! Whose room?"
"I heard the guys are crashing in Neji's room tonight," Tenten trailed off. "Including a certain lazy ass, pineapple head-"
"Fine, fine, I know what you mean. Come on," Temari stoop up and head for the door again. About Sakura and the keys, she could only hope that her prediction was true.
Hinata was too stunned to move when she saw Naruto waiting for her; sitting on the floor near the camouflaged door with 2 packs of French fries and sodas, trying to do some math problems on his own while occasionally wolfing down some fries and sipping on his soda.
"N-naruto?" She spoke when she could finally find her voice.
His head snapped towards her and he grinned. "Hey, Hinata! I tried to do this on my own - got 3 numbers in," he paused and stared at his wristwatch, "10 minutes!" His cerulean blue orbs shone and Hinata felt a smile making its way to her face, altogether with a light blush on her cheeks. "Oh! And I bought fries and sodas too! Come on let's continue up on the roof!" Naruto exclaimed with his goofy smile, lifting up the fries and sodas at the shy Hyuuga girl.
"O-okay," Hinata took a few steps nearing her crush and he handed the fries and soda to her. She sipped on the soda, and she was astounded to find out that it was actually her favorite flavor.
"Come on," Naruto held the door for her, and she flushed. He was such a gentleman at some time. He closed the door and sipped his soda clamorously. Okay, so maybe he wasn't such a gentleman after all. Hinata climbed the first steps of the stairs when she heard the blonde boy burped pretty loudly. Maybe she shouldn't have said that he's a gentleman at all.
"Check my work, Hinata! I'll continue until I find something I really can't do!" He said determinedly as they reached the rooftop. Hinata looked up and found gray clouds started covering the sun and the bright blue sky up ahead.
"N-no problem," Hinata smiled as she looked away from the sky and received the math problems he'd done and started checking on it. When tiny droplets of water hit the paper before her, she decided to break the Uzumaki from his work. "N-naruto, i-it's starting to rain," she hesitated, he seemed to be so deep in thought, "W-we should start t-taking cover," the droplets were fuller and more frequent now, "i-it'll be raining heavily pretty s-soon," she touched his shoulder when he remained still.
"H-huh?" He looked up, confusion and startle set in his blue eyes. Then the droplets of rain that started to hit them both even more frequently made him realize. "Oh, damn, I'm sorry Hinata," he looked forlorn, "Come on!" He dragged her even further from the stairs, making her confounded.
"W-why are we heading t-this way?" She spoke out her thought, but trusting him enough to not free her hand from his tight and firm grip. She fought over the blush that's starting to cover her cheeks.
"There's some kind of a greenhouse near here," he stopped to look at her in the eyes, and she found herself drowning in those sea blue eyes, "I don't really like the school library," he gave a small shrug before continuing to walk, though this time, he didn't take her hand in his. Hinata felt a stung of disappointment settling in her when he didn't, but she followed him still.
Sakura knew she was in deep shit. He's going to tease her to no end, she's sure she'll be panting like a dog when she arrived, and she hadn't changed into her jeans. She was more than grateful that they decided to meet up in the school library this time and not the town library. She wondered what people would think of a girl wearing a T-shirt too big for her and a pair of teddy bear printed shorts running down the streets. Fortunately, her T-shirt was not any kind of the revealing ones Ino forced her to buy - and wear, and instead this was her brother's. Unfortunately, this was her brother's T-shirt back then when he was younger - since it's too big its sleeves keep slipping off her shoulder and showing her bra straps. The T-shirt doesn't fit him anymore and he gave it to her. This was one of the many T-shirts her dad bought from the business trips he's gone to, and this one has many ludicrous words written on it that made her want to just cry on a corner. She spotted him standing in beside the library doors, looking somewhere between annoyed and amused. She stopped and tried to control her labored breath, readying herself for any kind of insults and mockeries.
"Hn. A tornado chased you all the way here from your room?" One of his handsome smirks made its way to his inviting lips. Wait, what? The pinkette slapped herself mentally for even thinking about that.
"Very funny, Uchiha. You want to know what happened? My phone died." Sakura retorted hotly.
"Deepest condolences then," He replied, his smirk still on its place. "But you didn't let me answer to your question. What if my answer is no?"
"Haha. That's a rhetorical question and you know it." She scowled.
"Well, I don't see why your lateness is caused by the death of your phone."
She rolled her eyes. "That means no alarms for me, chicken ass."
He smirked. "I know that, pinky. Just want to test your limits."
Sakura opened her mouth and ended up closing it again. Then she realized how idiotic that must've looked like and she opened her mouth again. Just to be cut off by the one and only guy in front of her that she really want to slap. Or kiss, her mind offered. She really hates her mind right there and then.
"Come on. You've wasted 7 valuable minutes and another 49 precious seconds already." And with that he turned around and walked into the library with Sakura trailing behind.
"Good evening, Sakura," Kurenai greeted. "I heard you gave Asuma a visit last week."
"Yeah, the library's closed for meeting, I'm sure you know about it." The pinkette replied.
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand," Kurenai winced, "But really, why are you wearing that?" Kurenai pointed at her attire.
Sakura's cheeks matched her hair color and her namesake. "I-uh was in a hurry," she fidgeted. That earned her a laugh from the library keeper, her garnet orbs glinting in amusement.
"Fine, go on then. Remember, the library's closed in about an hour from now," Kurenai reminded her.
"Okay," the Haruno girl smiled. She cursed her phone for picking that time of all the other times to die. Ino's gone to her mother's since her mother decided that she missed her daughter so much that Ino's going to stay there until Sunday. Hinata, on the other hand, is with the blonde boy of her dreams, teaching him in his least favorable subject, math. And here she is, face to face with the guy she couldn't quite grasp what her feelings for him is.
"You have something in your mind." He broke the silence. She'd rolled her eyes if he didn't take her on surprise by being the first to engage a conversation.
"I guess," she shrugged. "I don't think I'm in the mood for Questions," she took out the notebook she jammed into her bag in a hurry-scurry. Her malachite orbs drifted to the cover of her notebook and she froze.
- End of Chapter 9 -
AN: So, that's pretty much it; chapter 9. So… I'm going for SasuSaku as the main couple and NaruHina as the minor. SaiIno, I'm pretty much neglecting it *huffs* I don't know, I'm just confused between ShikaIno and ShikaTema, like seriously! Who's with who? So I think I'll just make it SaiIno when there's Temari and ShikaIno when there's no Temari. Hehe… Also, I think I've been disregarding Temari and Tenten lately… Sorry you two - and any other Temari and Tenten fans! I'm focusing on Sakura and Hinata now, so… yeah, I hope you won't mind.
So… I read through my own story… and… the first chapter is so damn crappy. Like, it's a total disaster; I wonder why you'd put up with all those chapters after that one chapter… And yeah, the triple-dots problem is getting to me again, sorry. And, I also realized that the separating line isn't showing! I've fixed it, but still I'm so sorry for the inconvenience; it must've made you all confused… Or not, since y'all so damn clever like that. Xp
Frozen, guys! Who's watched it? I loooovveee the songs like so muchhh I kept playing them in my laptop and I kept singing it - both in my head and soundly. But the plot, oh the plot, I wish Kristoff would just kiss her and unfreeze her, rather that Elsa hugging her and thus unfreezing her. It's kinda… eww-y for me. For me. You guys don't have to agree with me, it's just a thought of mine. Just this awful author giving a quite displeasing thought over an awesome film. Huffttt….
Review people, review! It keeps me going like… like chocolates do! Gosh, I love chocolates - a lot! So, review please please pleeaaseee… Make me even happier - I've won an English presentation about flooding together with my genius of a friend! Yay to us! XD
Betcha you're all too bored already… But! Songs suggestions here: ALL Frozen songs, Britney Spears - Body Ache, David Archuleta - Something 'Bout Love, Christina Grimmie - Over Overthinking You, Pentatonix (these guys are so definitely awesome) - Carol of the Bells (since it's around Christmas…)
So, bye(?) and don't forget to review!,
- DarkLight08
