A/N: At this point I really could care less what some of you people think of me. I write this story because I enjoy doing it, and I'll update when I can. I had to take tests that determine the course of my future and required lots of preparation. It's your choice to keep following this fic or not, but don't hate me because I have a life and care about what becomes of it. To all of my kinder readers out there, thanks for waiting. I'll finish eventually. You deserve long chapters, and unfortunately it takes a bit to get well written chapters out. Due to some changes with this website, the formatting for messages will appear slightly different than in previous chapters.

"Thoughts" "Speech" "Writing"

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters that appear in this story.

Chapter 10: An Unwanted Guest

"Sasuke," whispered Sakura. "Sasuke."

She gently shook the arm of the raven-haired teen.

"Sasuke wake up."

"Hm, what?" Sasuke yawned and looked over to his pink haired companion.

Sakura giggled. "How did you fall asleep already? We've only been in Chemistry for ten minutes."

"I guess I'm tired."

"Did you sleep okay last night?"

A dark look came over Sasuke's face. What his brother had said bothered him more than he expected it to. He didn't sleep at all the night before. However, he couldn't let Sakura know anything about that. He wouldn't let his brother anywhere near her.

"Saskue?"

"Oh um, I'm just not used to school yet."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Do you always ask so many questions? It's a little annoying."

Sakura made a face at Sasuke. "Well of course I ask lots of questions. You should have figured that out by now."

"Just like you were supposed to figure out I don't like much small talk?" He grinned.

"Right."

"Mr. Uchiha and Ms. Haruno, would you like to explain why you are interrupting my class?" said Yuhi Kurenai.

The two teens shook their heads and quickly silenced themselves. Kurenai turned back to the class to continue explaining what could be expected during the year and class rules.

Sasuke tried to visually burn a hole into his teacher's forehead, but being that he didn't have laser vision or genjutsu like his favorite shinobi legends, it proved useless. Despite the fact he didn't like small talk, he liked hearing Sakura talk, although he would never admit that to her out loud. He twiddled his thumbs, trying to think of something to keep him awake at least until class was over.

He looked over at Sakura. "Psst."

"What? We're going to get in trouble again!" she whispered harshly.

"Just give me a sheet of paper," he said through his teeth.

"Oh." Sakura clicked opened her binder, pulled out a sheet, and handed it to Sasuke.

"Thanks."

"Are you seriously taking notes on class rules?"

Sasuke made an odd coughing noise. "No."

"Okay then."

Sakura watched as Sasuke took his pencil and began writing slowly on the paper. He had positioned himself so she couldn't see what he was writing. Suddenly, she began to realize what he was doing. Excitement struck her like a bolt of lighting. She began to anxiously tap her fingers as he wrote. After what seemed like an eternity he placed his pencil back on table and slid the paper underneath his arm toward her. Sakura slid it off the table on to her lap. She flicked her eyes down to the paper.

Yes, I know your name, but I think I'll continue to call

you Ms. S. So Ms. S, there is something I've been trying to

figure out, and it's been stuck in the back of my mind ever since

summer school ended. What happened to the final note? You

said it had something to do with your friend, but I don't recall

you ever speaking of any friends that were in class with you.

– Dark Flame

Sakura was a little shocked by the words she'd read. How could she possibly tell him that he was the guy of her dreams and her friend had been jealous? She didn't want to come across as many of the other girls she had seem him ignore. She could lie, but some how she knew that would never work. Sasuke was a very perceptive person and could probably see through whatever half-baked story she came up with. Maybe she could say it without giving away the full details. Sakura sighed and put the paper back on the table after checking to make sure Kurenai wasn't looking.

Sasuke observed Sakura as she had read what he wrote. He was sure she wouldn't blow him off entirely, but he didn't know how much she would say. If she didn't want to tell him the full story before, he doubted she would do it now, but he had to try. He'd been so upset over the sheet of lined paper that contained seemingly useless information. Those words made him his first true friend in a long time. Sakura didn't seem like the other girls that just wanted to get with him in order to display him like a prize to their friends. He had come up with many different reasons as to what had happened during the end of the summer, but it would be nice to know the true story. He waited for her to finish writing and then slowly slid the paper back in front of him.

It's been a while Dark Flame. It's nice to have finally

met the person behind the words. See, at least your not

a gothic loser kid. If you take that personally I'm going

to slap you. Anyway, to make a long story as short as

possible, my friend found out that I was writing to someone

and knew I was really excited about it. She apparently went

to Kakashi's class just to find out who it was. You know well

of your popularity. My friend got really jealous and destroyed

the paper so I couldn't talk to you. When I found out, I kind of

exploded on her. However, does it really matter anymore? We

can really be friends now. That's all I care about.

– Ms. S

A renewed hate for screaming fangirls arose within Sasuke. He never thought some stupid girl could get in the way so badly. Although, he could see Sakura wasn't too happy about it either. She must have enjoyed talking to him just as much as he did to her. Sasuke smiled to himself. If they were going to continue to be friends, who knew where that would lead. He never had really cared for a girl before. Still, he could see his relationship with Sakura progressing in the future. If he missed her random drabble about summer school, he didn't know how devastated he'd be if he stopped talking to her entirely. Being the person he was, Sasuke wasn't going to reveal his feelings that easily.

He turned his head toward Sakura.

She looked up at him with nervousness strewn across her face.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

"Of course."

"What's your next period?"

"Anatomy and Physiology."

"Why would you take a hard class like that?"

"I want to be a doctor someday."

"How could anyone entrust a scalpel in your hands?"

"Oh, how nice of you."

Sasuke laughed softly. Once again he was surprised with himself. He rarely displayed any emotion except for coldness. "I have history, so I guess I'll see you at lunch."

"Really? You'd eat with me?"

"I didn't say I'd eat with you, but if you want…"

"Okay!"

"Shut up, she's looking over here!"

Immediately Sakura looked down and pretended to vigorously write notes, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. Lunch would be very interesting.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Sasuke went over to the usual lunch spot where his other two companions had already congregated. He kept his eyes continuously moving to try and locate any sign of pink. He was so distracted he didn't notice his hyperactive blonde friend making a scene next to him.

"Hey EMO BOY! Can you HEAR me?"

"…"

"SASUKE!"

"God, what is it?"

"What's your problem? Even if you don't talk in general you're acting more like a robot than Neji does!"

"Watch what you say," stated Neji.

"I'll say whatever I want to!"

"Just stop talking Uzumaki. It would do everyone some good."

"You can't tell me what to do Neji! Just because you get straight A's doesn't make you better than me."

"Actually, it does. It was clearly fate that determined I'd be superior to you."

Suddenly, Sasuke spotted the pink-haired girl walking toward her group of friends. After she greeted them she looked over in his direction. Something caused Sasuke to start walking toward her.

"Sasuke where are you going now?"

"None of your business Naruto."

"Hey! It's that girl again! Are you seriously friends with her?"

Sasuke completely ignored him and kept walking toward Sakura.

Tenten and Hinata both stood still as the Uchiha drew closer. Sakura looked at them and started to laugh.

"Oh come on you guys. He's not going to bite…much."

"He-He's getting closer," said Hinata.

"Oh no."

"What is it Tenten?" Sakura looked at the dismal face of her friend.

"Ino was walking over here but she stopped and started running the other direction. Are you sure the two of you are all right?"

"I guess we're not. I was hoping everything would be okay by now." Sakura looked down at her shoes. A shadow passed across them, causing her eyes to look to the source.

"Sakura," said Sasuke.

"Hi!"

"Um, do you want to go somewhere else?"

"You wouldn't mind eating alone with me?"

"No."

"Oh." Sakura's cheeks reddened a bit. "Where?"

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders.

"How about by the tree?"

Sasuke knew exactly which tree she was speaking of. "Hm."

"I'll take that as a yes. Bye Tenten. Bye Hinata. See you guys later."

"Have fun Sakura," said Tenten. Her smile made Sakura feel slightly uncomfortable.

Sasuke and Sakura walked in silence until they approached the tree where they first met face to face. Sakura took a seat on one of its long roots and Sasuke leaned against its trunk. The two ate quietly for a few minutes. Unlike before, this silence was comfortable. Sakura felt she was becoming more at ease with Sasuke. It was nice to finally get to know who was behind the pretty face. He really wasn't as cold and harsh as he appeared.

Sasuke took a bite out of the tomato in his hand.

"You eat whole tomatoes?"

"I love tomatoes."

"I'm just surprised. You took a bite out of it like it was candy."

"I don't like sweets."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Wow. I don't know what I'd do without chocolate."

Sasuke didn't respond after that. He took another large bite out of his tomato. Sakura watched a droplet of juice slide down the corner of his mouth. As soon as she realized she was staring, she quickly searched her mind for another topic of conversation.

"So, you like shinobi?"

"Yes."

"What is one of your favorite stories?"

Sasuke stared off into space for a few moments. "The legend of the Kyuubi."

"You mean the nine-tailed demon fox?"

Sasuke gave her a look that caused he stomach to summersault. "Know anything about it?"

"Only that it possessed a great amount of power but was incredibly dangerous."

He grinned. "Exactly."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Does that turn you on?"

Sasuke choked slightly on the piece of tomato in his mouth. "No. I never expected a comment like that from you. However, Naruto is a completely different story."

"He seems like the type of person that would drive you completely nuts. How are you such good friends?"

"Beats me."

The bell rung, which signified the end of lunch. Slowly, groups of students started to move toward their respective classes. Sakura stood from her seat and Sasuke stretched a bit.

"Um, Sasuke?"

"What?"

"Do you think you could walk me home again today?"

He ran a hand through his dark spikes. "I guess."

"I'll just meet you here then?"

"Sure."

"See you later!"

"Bye."

The wind rustled the leaves of the large tree. The cool air felt good to Sasuke as he watched Sakura walk away. She was right, they could be friends, and that was all that mattered.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Sakura clumsily walked out of the main building of the school. She was surprised how tired she was. It was going to take longer than she thought to get back into the rhythm. Immediately her eyes strayed to the figure standing near the tree. She was almost shocked to find him waiting there. Their places had been switched from the pervious time they'd met.

Sakura briskly walked to where Sasuke was standing. She smiled brightly at him.

Saskue merely nodded and began to walk out the gate.

Sakura quickly turned to match his pace.

Neither of the teens spoke for almost the entirety of the walk. Sakura began to feel a bit anxious the closer they approached her house. She knew Sasuke didn't like talking too much but this was a little ridiculous. He didn't have to take her home. However, the fact that he did made all the difference. Her house was just one more block up the street.

Sakura loudly cleared her throat.

"Yes?" Sasuke smirked.

"Nothing really, it was just getting a little too quiet."

"I like quiet."

"I can see that."

"Well, your house is right there, should I stay on the corner?"

Sakura started to giggle but a hand that covered her mouth stifled her laughter. Sasuke hadn't noticed that they were being followed. He never expected something like this could possibly happen. Sakura stood frozen as her captor moved his other hand to firmly grip her shoulder. Sasuke could feel the heat building inside of him but didn't move out of fear for Sakura.

"Itachi, her house is right there. If you do anything her parents will come out immediately."

"No they won't little brother. You won't be saying a word. One false move and I could break her neck right here."

Sakura's eyes widened and a muffled cry came out of her mouth.

"Don't worry, it would be completely painless. You'd die instantly."

Saskue couldn't bear looking at Sakura's eyes. "What do you want? Why can't you leave her alone? If you want to hurt someone, do it to me."

"Come now Sasuke. I just think it'd be nice if your new friend paid us a visit."

"Her parents will call the police."

"Those fools have never stopped me before have they?"

Sasuke lowered his voice. "Itachi if you do anything to her I swear I'll…"

"Kill me? I'd like to see you try. Now, the two of you start walking toward our house. I won't be far behind. If you try to do anything stupid, you will both suffer dearly. Any questions?"

Sasuke glared fiercely at his brother. "No."

"Good. Sakura isn't it? Don't scream and keep walking," cooed Itachi in a smooth voice.

Sakura shut her eyes, felt Itachi release her, and slowly opened them too look at Sasuke. Itachi was nowhere to be seen. She had no idea how he moved so quickly. She knew by the horrified look on Sasuke's face that they were both in danger. Apparently, Sasuke hadn't been lying about his brother at all. No wonder he was always brooding in a corner. To live with someone like that must have been miserable. Sakura couldn't help the couple of tears that drifted down her cheeks.

"Don't cry Sakura. Somehow I'll get you out of this. I promise," whispered Sasuke.

Sasuke took her hand and started the long walk toward his house.

A/N: There you have it. The story has taken a slightly different turn from my original plan but I'm happy with it. I can't promise when you'll hear from me next but it WILL happen. Please try to restrain the need to ask me to update. If you have questions about the story I'll be glad to answer but the next chapter will be up whenever I can get to it. Thank you for reading and I hope this chapter lived up to what you'd been hoping for.