Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Naruto, nor do I own the rights to the anime or manga in which the characters are derived. I do however own this story, since I am the one who wrote it. So keep your hands off!!! Thank you.

Author's Notes: Hello again. I just wanted all readers to know that there won't be as many updates to this story in the next couple of weeks because of the holidays. I apologize in advance, but I do plan to write during the holidays, just not as much as I have been. I'd also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!

Chapter 10

"I'm sorry Sakura, but I don't know whether the party will be chaperoned or not," Ino said to Sakura.

Sakura's face fell, and she dropped her head on her desk in defeat. That's it, I'm staying home.

Ino placed a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder, her eyes shifting over to Anko to see if she had noticed her and Sakura talking during her lecture on dream interpretation. "Sorry Sakura. Did your aunt tell you that you couldn't go unless it was chaperoned? I get that. Some parents, or in your case aunts, don't want their kids at someone's house without adult supervision. And you're new too, so your aunt probably doesn't know anyone around here that she can really trust…"

Sakura lifted her head and looked up at Ino. "No that's not it. It's just that, my aunt would just like to know whether or not it's chaperoned. She'll let me go either way."

Ino perked up at the news. "Really? So what are you being so gloomy for? If you can go, than what's the problem?"

Sakura sighed. "It's just that, my aunt would just feel a lot better if she knew all the details. She's like that. In fact, so is my mom, but they're sisters, so I guess it runs in the family."

Ino looked thoughtful for a moment, than her eyes went wide and she gasped in excitement. "Oh my God, you can ask Sasuke about it! Oh! This is great, a chance to get close to Sasuke!" Ino sighed dreamily.

Sakura grimaced. "Ino, I don't think that's a good idea."

Ino looked at Sakura, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean, not a good idea? Why don't you want to talk to Sasuke!? He's the most popular boy in school, he's super gorgeous, he's smart, rich…Why don't you want to go for him like every other girl in school?"

Sakura fidgeted in her seat, her eyes downcast. "I don't want to talk to him because…. he reminds me of this guy that I used to date. We didn't part on good terms." That's an understatement. "It's just that they look really similar, and every time I see him, it brings up bad memories."

Ino looked at her sympathetically. "Oh, I'm so sorry Sakura. I had no idea. We don't have to ask him you know. We can ask Naruto, or Kiba. I'm sure they'll know."

Sakura smiled gratefully at Ino. "Thanks Ino. I really appreciate it."

Ino smiled back at her, than both turned their attention back to Anko, who was currently demonstrating one of the many meditating poses that the students would be using in the future.

After class, Ino and Sakura dropped their things off at their lockers. They waited for Hinata at the entrance, than all three walked in the dining hall together. Ino and Hinata went in line to get their food, while Sakura went to find an empty table for them to sit.

Sakura sat down at a table near the upper corner of the hall and pulled out her lunch from her lunch bag. She took a bite of her cold pizza, her eyes trained on the dining hall entrance.

She didn't know why she wanted to go to the party so much. She could just stay home with Aunt Tsunade and watch movies or something. She was going to tell Ino that she couldn't go to the party that morning, but when she spotted her in class, the words died in her throat. Ino was the first friend that she had made at Konoha Academy, and she didn't want to push her away or disappoint her. So instead, she had told Ino that her aunt wanted some information on the party. Ino had provided her with the house address, offered her a ride to and from the party, and she had written down her cell phone number for Sakura, so that Aunt Tsunade could contact her if there were any problems. The only thing that she hadn't given her was confirmation on whether or not Sasuke's parents would be at the house as well.

Sakura sighed. Suddenly, she heard an excited twitter from the girls around her, and her head snapped up to look at the entrance of the dining hall. Sure enough, Sasuke, Naruto, Kiba and Neji had just walked in and were headed to the buffet line.

Sakura quickly got up and made her way toward them. As she approached their group, she saw Sasuke's black eyes glance toward her, but she ignored him. He wasn't the one that she wanted to talk to. Her eyes were trained on the tall blonde in front of her, who was laughing at something that Kiba had said. She stepped in front of him with a friendly smile on her face.

Naruto stopped in front of her abruptly as she blocked his path. In fact, the whole group stopped. Sakura inwardly swore, but decided to stay, otherwise she would seem like a complete moron.

Naruto seemed surprised at first, but at seeing her smile, he gave her own of his own. "Hi there! Who are you? You're new, right?" He stuck his hand for her to shake. "Hello! I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"

Sakura took his hand and shook it, trying to pretend that the hundreds of eyes that were staring at her didn't affect her in the slightest. Especially the three pairs of eyes that were boring into the back of her head.

"Hi, I'm a new student. My name is Sakura Haruno and it's very nice to meet you Naruto." She dropped his hand, still smiling. "I'm sorry to keep you from lunch, but I had a question that I needed to ask you."

"Sure Sakura-chan! What would you like to ask me? I promise that I will try to answer as best as I can, believe it!"

Sakura chuckled at the blond boy's enthusiasm. "Um, well, I heard that you and your friends were going to throw a party this Saturday, and…."

Naruto eye's widened in excitement at the mention of the party, and he grinned as he said, "And you would like to be invited? No problem Sakura-chan! You are invited. I will personally write your name on the list, although I don't think we have a list, but that doesn't matter cause I'll make a list just for you Sakura-chan!"

Sakura shook her head at Naruto. "No, no, that's not what I wanted to ask. I wanted to ask if the party will be chaperoned."

Naruto's eyes narrowed in thought. He scratched the top of his head. "No, I don't think it's going to be. Teme's parents are out of town. Hey Teme, aren't your parents out of town this weekend? You should really ask Teme, because the party is at his house."

Sakura looked confused for a minute. "Teme?"

Naruto placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. She came face to face with Sasuke Uchiha, who was currently scowling at Naruto.

Naruto held out a hand and pointed to Sasuke. "That's Sasuke Uchiha, otherwise known as Teme. He would know whether the party is chaperoned, right Teme?"

"I told you not to call me that Dobe," Sasuke replied.

Sakura noticed right away that Sasuke's voice was deep and smooth. Sakura felt a shiver go down her spine at the sound of it. It wasn't a cold shiver, like the one that she got from Temari, oh no. This was a warm sort of tingle that felt really good. But Sakura didn't like it, didn't like it at all.

When Sasuke's eyes met her own, Sakura had to force herself not to gasp. His eyes seemed to go forever, and the way he was looking at her, it was as if he could see right through her. She had to fight the urge to finger her ring.

Sasuke studied her for a second, as if deciding whether or not it was worth the time answering her. Finally, he said, "My parents are out of town and will not be back until next Wednesday. My older brother will be home however. Does that answer your question….Sakura?"

Sakura just nodded dumbly.

Sasuke's gaze lingered on her for a second more before he turned away and walked off. Neji followed after him, not even looking at Sakura, while Kiba flashed her a fang toothed smile and Naruto clapped her on the back. "Well than Sakura-chan. I guess that I'll see you on Saturday than? Bye!" He walked away and left Sakura standing alone, her body still frozen.

Ino and Hinata rushed up to her. Ino shook Sakura lightly by the shoulders when she got close enough.

"Gods Sakura, I told you to ask Naruto, but I meant that you should have asked him when he was alone! And you talked to Sasuke too! How do you feel? Sakura!?"

Sakura blinked. She turned her emerald colored eyes to look into Ino's aquamarine ones. She placed her hands on Ino arms to steady herself, her breathing a little labored.

What the hell was that? I couldn't move, couldn't breath, couldn't speak! What did he do to me?

Ino and Hinata lead Sakura back to the table. Sakura sat down heavily in her seat; her head bent forward, her black hair covering her face. Hinata and Ino sat on either side of her, each with a hand on Sakura shoulder.

"Sakura? Sakura what's wrong? Are you in shock?" Hinata asked in her soft voice.

She heard Ino reply to her left, "I think so. This happened to me when Sasuke first spoke to me. I couldn't speak for three days afterward; I was so shocked that he had actually spoken to me."

Hinata's voice floated across Sakura's head, laced with curiosity. "What did he say to you?"

"He said 'Hey, your blocking my locker. Move.' It was so romantic."

As Sakura sat there with Ino and Hinata voices floating back and forth over her head, she was inwardly panicking.

Oh God, oh God, what happened? Why did I freeze up? Why? What's wrong with me? This is bad. This is really bad. What if it happens again? Maybe it won't, maybe I'm just overreacting. Yeah, maybe. Or maybe I'm going insane. Oh, Aunt Tsunade!!