Naruto hadn't seen this coming; well, he sort of did, but he never thought he'd see that teme being so close to a girl like that. Hinata lightly tugged on his sleeve, signaling that they should give them some privacy. He was a bit disappointed, but he saw the gentle, pleading look in Hinata's eyes.

I can't say no to that…

Naruto dropped his shoulders but let her lead him away. Man, I really wanted to see how this ends…

Sasuke wasn't exactly sure what he was doing. He just sat there with Sakura in his arms. He could feel his shirt getting damp from her tears, but he didn't mind. He somehow…liked this. He wanted to-

What the hell am I doing?!

This wasn't his objective. He still had something to ask her.

That's when Sasuke noticed Sakura shifting. She slowly pulled away from him and sat up. She wiped the tears off of her flushed face.

"S-Sorry about that. You probably think I'm crazy now…" She forced a smile. She didn't want him to see her as an emotional wreck.

Sasuke observed her. Her shaking had died down, and her sobs had silenced. He figured she was calm now, so he coughed a little to get her attention.

"Um… Sakura… that's not the only reason I wanted to talk."

The girl looked up at him with curious eyes. "Oh…so…. What else is there?"

Sasuke looked away. He felt awkward again, but this was his objective. He had to do it. There was no turning back now! He turned to her. "I want you to sing at the festival."

Sakura stared at him. Sasuke sweat-dropped; he had a feeling he knew what was coming.

Three… two…. one…

"WHAAAAT?!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs. "How can you even ask me something like that?! You just accused me of hiding! So your solution is to throw me into a spotlight?! Are you insane?"

"Hn."

"Sasuke! Give me a clear answer!"

The Uchiha was well aware of her stubbornness, and if he didn't give what she wanted, they wouldn't get anywhere. He decided that this time, just this once, he could play nice.

"Naruto's insisting on something new for the band."

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"The songs he picked are crap."

Sakura sweat-dropped. That… I can believe.

Sasuke continued. "I actually heard you singing a while ago; I just didn't know it was you. You have talent. You might as well show it."

Sakura gaped as a hint of blush burned her cheeks. "Wh- What… did you just say?"

Sasuke glared. "I'm not going to repeat myself." One compliment was more than enough for one day.

Sakura continued to stare blankly. Sasuke was waiting for another outburst, but instead, she slowly started to grin. "Oh, really? Because I do believe the Uchiha just gave me a compliment! What was it? You think I'm talented!"

"Sakura…"

"Did I hear you wrong? I think you need to say it again."

"Sakura!"

She couldn't help it; she laughed. This wasn't a cute little giggle, either; this was chest holding, belting out-loud laughter. She didn't know why she enjoyed teasing him so much, but it was fun!

Sasuke sighed. She could be so childish. Yet… he wanted to smile when he saw her like that. He quickly crushed that thought. He didn't want to think about feelings anymore.

He tried to get her attention back, "So, will you do it?"

Sakura immediately stopped laughing. Realization struck like a boulder. She looked down and frowned.

"I don't know, Sasuke. Th-there'll be a lot of people there, all wanting to see you. If they see me… who knows what they'll think…"

"Stage-fright, huh?"

Sakura looked at him, but then looked back down. "I guess that's part of it…"

Sasuke sighed. "Well, I guess there's no other way…"

Confused by what he meant, Sakura watched him as he grabbed his guitar again.

"We'll just have to practice."

Karin couldn't believe what she was seeing; the love of her life, her everything, was playing nice with that loser! She'd never seen him act that way before, and she's stalked—I mean, been with him since she first met him! She gritted her teeth. She couldn't take it anymore! She stormed away as she grabbed a notebook from her bag and scribbled a message.

You're so gonna get it, Reject! You're gonna wish you never laid eyes on my Sasuke!

"Practice? How'll that help?"

"You are on a stage right now."

"Yeah, but the problem is people, remember?"

Sasuke smirked. "Then just keep your eyes on me."

Sakura blushed as he started to play. "I'm assuming you'll know this one."

I remember what you wore on the first day

You came into my life and I thought 'Hey, you know this could be something.'

Cause everything you do and words you say

You know that it all takes my breath away and now I'm left with nothing.

Sakura's cheeks burned darker. Why would he choose this song?

So maybe it's true that I can't live without you

And maybe two is better than one

There's so much time to figure out the rest of our lives

And you thought that it got me coming undone

And I'm thinking two is better than one.

He nodded at Sakura. She took a deep breath.

I remember every look upon your face

Sasuke started again.

The way you roll your eyes, the way you taste,

You make it hard for breathing.

Sakura smiled as she took over.

And when I close my eyes and drift away.

I think of you and everything's okay;

I'm finally now believing.

They sang the refrain together, harmonizing perfectly.

That maybe it's true that I can't live without you

And maybe two is better than one

There's so much time to figure out the rest of our lives

And I'll figure out when all is said and done.

Two is better than one…

Sakura turned to Sasuke, and their eyes locked instantly.

Two is better than one…

Sasuke had stopped playing, but their eyes never parted. Suddenly. Sakura whipped her head around.

"I…I have to go."

Sasuke blinked as she dashed off the stage. He was about to say something when she stopped. She turned around and smiled. Sasuke's heart wouldn't behave as he realized it was genuine.

"I'm in. But only if you're there with me."

Sasuke smirked. "Deal."

Sakura smiled as she started walking away, only to be stopped by Sasuke as he grabbed her hand. "Wait a second."

She turned to him as he continued to hold her hand. How'd he get down here so fast?

Sasuke released her hand to grab something out of his pocket. He pulled out a small black box and handed it to her. Sakura was speechless. She opened the box to find a beautiful pendant; it was a silver heart with a treble clef cut out of the center.

"S-Sasuke…"

Sasuke looked away. "I saw it at the mall and thought you'd like it. Don't get the wrong idea."

Sakura smiled at his awkwardness. Is kindness really that hard for him?

She took out the necklace and was about to put it on when—

"Let me do that. You'll probably break it."

Slightly offended by his words, she decided to let him have his way this time and gave him the necklace. She turned around and held her hair out of the way (though it's so short not much of it could be a burden).

She suppressed a shiver as she felt the chain against her skin. Sasuke's cool fingers brushed against her neck as he latched the chain. She was surprised he could be that gentle.

She turned around and touched the pendant. She looked up to Sasuke. "I love it."

At that moment, the Uchiha let out a blush. Damn! Not again! Why is it always her?

Sakura smiled to herself as she walked down the hall. She kept fiddling with the necklace, silently vowing to never take it off.

"SAKURA!"

She froze. Ino practically jumped on her with excitement! "So? How'd it go? Give me all the details!"

Sakura sweat-dropped. "Uh…well…"

Tenten was with them, and she was sighing as she shook her head. Seriously, her friends were wierdos sometimes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hinata slowly approaching.

"Hey, Hinata, where were you? You just disappeared on us."

She blushed, "S-sorry. I ran into …someone."

Tenten smirked. "Did that someone happen to have blonde hair and a loud mouth?"

Hinata's entire face turned red. "Uh…well… I think it's time to hear Sakura's story!" She felt ashamed moving the attention to Sakura, but she was desperate! Sorry, Sakura.

Ino beamed. "That's right! We're going to hang out, and you're going to spill everything! And I mean everything!"

Sakura mentally groaned. Of all the days to have off from work, why did it have to be today?

Tenten turned around. "Sorry girls, but you'll have to count me out. I already have plans. Fill me in later, okay?"

Ino smirked at Tenten's back as the brunette walked away. "Okay! Have fun with Neji!"

The girls didn't miss Tenten freezing before she took off again. Ino shook her head. "She tries to act tough, but all girls, even tomboys, eventually fall for someone."

Sakura couldn't help what she said next. "That goes for blonde flirts, too. You never said how your project with Sai has been going."

Ino got flustered. "Nice try, Sakura, but today is about you! Now come on!"

Sakura frowned. Dang it.

Neji was completely and utterly irritated. He had received a summons, though he had no idea who it was from. However, the message clearly stated that if he didn't comply, he could be putting his cousin at risk. No one threatens Hinata and gets away with it!

Now he was waiting in the hall; it was abandoned since classes had ended a while ago. He just wanted to get this over with; he had to see if Hinata was truly in jeopardy. If not, there would be hell to pay, no matter how much relief would flood him!

"Neji Hyuuga?"

Neji turned to see a redhead with glasses who obviously doesn't have any modesty as a lady. I think I know this girl. Doesn't she cling to Uchiha? What does she want?

"I guess your cousin is important to you, after all. Seeing as you never spend time with her during school hours."

This girl was asking for it; Neji's patience was rapidly growing thin. "That's strictly none of your concern. Now I demand that you tell me why you called me here!"

The girl looked at him with an "innocent" look. "I'm just worried about one of her friends. You're the only one I can turn to."

Neji raised an eyebrow. He didn't exactly trust her, but he was here anyway, so he might as well hear her out.

Karin continued. "One of Hinata's friends, Sakura Haruno, has been seen with Sasuke multiple times. Now, we all know that he's never paid any real attention to other girls, so I can only conclude he's using her. I mean, it's not like he'd ever have feelings for an outcast like her."

"Why should I believe you? You're one of Uchiha's fan girls; the leader, if I'm not mistaken."

"And that's how I know Sasuke's feelings. He obviously wants to get away from the fans, so he's pretending to be in a relationship. He knows he'll be left alone if he's with a girl."

"If that is the case, which I doubt, then why Haruno?"

"She's self-conscious. It's easy to manipulate someone like her. The poor girl has been fooled. You know this will only hurt her in the end."

Neji's brow furrowed as he processed her information. Sasuke did hate those fangirls; that was clear as day. And he didn't know the Uchiha as well as Uzumaki; when he thought about it, he had no idea what his intentions could be. But still, he had no reason to try to end it; it's not his business.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I told you this also concerns your cousin. As Sakura's friend, seeing her in pain will cause her pain. Do you really see any justice in that? It's only a matter of time before she learns the truth. Remember that."

She turned and walked away, hiding her evil smirk. That ought to do it.

Neji watched her leave, then turned in the opposite direction. I should do something, but I can't go straight to Hinata or Haruno without knowing exactly what's going on. The best strategy is to investigate and question Uchiha.

"Neji! There you are." Tenten jogged up to him. "What're you doing? I thought we were going to hang out today."

Neji didn't seem to notice her; he kept staring into space. This really annoyed her.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Neji snapped out of it. "Sorry, Tenten."

"What's on your mind? It has to be important if it made you space out like that."

Neji shook his head. "It's nothing."

Tenten didn't believe it was nothing, but she knew he wasn't going to tell her anytime soon. She kept her true question in the back of her mind. Why was Neji talking to Karin just now? He doesn't like that bitch, does he?

I know, I know, that one was a little lovey-dovey, but it fits the song, right?

Two is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls (I used the duet featuring Taylor Swift)

Please Review :)