Hey... I know I say this a lot... but. I am so sorry on how long I am taking. I promise no matter what I will finish, but the reason it is taking so long right now, is because I am making sure my story will owrk with itself. I don't want to contradict myslef, so I will update. And this chapter is a little shorter because of where I wanted to end it. But I will update again fairly soon. So, once again, I look forward to your reviews, and Enjoy!

CHAPTER 9

"I know you can't show any affection. Especially around her, but please just stay with me as a friend. I won't ask anything else. I promise."

He contemplated what she was saying.

"Just one night."

Oh thank you! Thank goodness. Sakura was so relieved he said that he would stay. That made everything so much easier. Sasuke excused himself and went to take a shower and rid himself of his stress. While Sasuke was in the shower, Sakura took that time to change into …. Wait. She had no sleepwear. All she had was the dress that she came in. Crap. She left everything on and simply got into the bed fully clothed. It really didn't matter to her anyway. Will Sasuke join me? I don't think so; he will probably just stay in the room and most likely sleep on the floor. Sasuke came out of bathroom in… Oh my gosh, I can't believe it! I thought for sure he would be dressed more than that! Sasuke came out in his boxers. And that was it. Well, he sure is making my job easy. She could feel the blush rise in her cheeks. She turned her head so he wouldn't see.

"Why are you blushing? You've seen me in less. There is no reason to get bothered. It just makes thing easier. I don't feel like getting in my dirty clothes again." Nice job Sasuke. He was being sarcastic with himself. No reason to get hot and bothered..oh yeah, so what are you planning on doing about yourself huh? Makes things easier how? Man I am full of hot air.

"What will you wear tomorrow?" Sakura responded trying to keep her voice steady.

He thought for a moment as if he didn't think that far ahead. "Give me your clothes."

"W-what?" He didn't just say that… did he? Sakura thought.

"I said give me your clothes. Keep on your undergarments. I will put them in the tub and let them soak so they will get semi-washed. Then you can come out and get new clothes tomorrow. Oh, when you can leave the room I mean."

Well, sorry, but I can't leave the room right now….but if everything goes well tonight, I can leave tomorrow….but I don't want to get too hopeful. I've never had to try this before….what if I break concentration…. NO stop thinking negatively. I need to get out of here and stop bothering Sasuke. I need to help him.

"…Ok. But what if I can never leave the room?"

"I will torture Karin until she tells me."

Ok. That was blunt. "Sasuke, don't worry about getting stuff from her. I'll get out on my own eventually." She started to undress because she did not like where this conversation was going. Let's just get to bed…

He looked at her funny. "Do you know how to?" He took the dress that she handed him.

"No, of course not."

"Well you are talking like you do." Sasuke, just leave her be. If she knows and doesn't want to say, just leave her be. She'll come out eventually. Trust someone for once... Oh man I can't look at her. Sakura had taken off her shirt and shorts and handed them to him.

"I really don't know Sasuke. I'm sorry." When he took her clothes from her, she giggled.

He glared at her, "What's so funny?"

"Well, it kind of seems like you are doing laundry…"

He just walked out of the room in a slightly frustrated manner and she heard the water in the tub come on. Her cheeks flushed with the thought of another night with Sasuke. But this night is different. Sasuke came back in the room and saw Sakura lying on the bed with the cover over her.

"For the record, I don't do laundry." She wasn't sure because she couldn't see, but she thought she could almost hear a slight blush in his tone.

"What would you call it?" She thought she would give a hard time for the fun of it.

"…I….would..call it rinsing the sweat." His voice got slightly smaller toward the end of the sentence.

Sakura smiled. "What ever you say…Sasuke-kun."