She creeps along the hall, knife in hand. The blood drips from it steadily, making sounds on the wooden floor. Cursing silently, she wipes it on the leather of her torn pants, eyes darting anxiously from one end of the hallway to the other. Trembling, she moves along the wall, trying to keep her breathing steady as her heart races erratically in her chest, the pulse attacking her throat and wrists.
Slowly, she tiptoes, not daring to make a sound. She has to get out, or she'll be dead, but she can't let him know where she is. He's looking for her, ready to kill her. Ready to twist open her stomach, slit her throat, stab her heart. It doesn't matter. Her movement stops at the open door. Is he in there? She hears a thump, and her eyes widen. Had she imagined it? She takes a deep breath…clutches the knife tighter…and…peers around the corner…
"Shit!"
Temari laughed from across the room as Sakura jumped, eyes wide as the girl on the screen flew into the wall, blood spilling from her stomach. Gaara chuckled in her ear, and she turned to glare at him, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Very mature," he noted, giving her a look that made her giggle.
"Whatever, you know I hate the jumpy parts," Sakura said, crossing her arms and pretending to sulk as she sank again, relaxing. She fell against Gaara's shoulder again, leaning on him as she curled her legs onto the couch. "Plus, the special effects in this movie are ancient. They suck."
"You're just mad 'cause you nearly wet your pants!" Temari laughed, grinning at her. Sakura turned away from her, pouting, and heard Gaara snicker. "Oh, I saw, Gaara! You were just as scared as she was!"
"To hell I was," he defended, throwing an empty soda can at his sister. She squealed and used a pillow to block it. Sakura laughed.
"You guys are so lucky," she said, resting her head against Gaara's shoulder. He was completely relaxed, his posture horrible, but in a great mood. "Being an only child sucks."
"Sakura, you wouldn't know luck if it bit you in the ass," Temari said, "'Cause this ain't it." She ducked when Gaara threw another can at her. She grinned one of her famous smiles at him. "Aw, you know I was kidding, Gaara. I love you!"
"This movie sucks ass," he mumbled, and they both laughed their agreement as blood sprayed nearly five feet up in the air from a stab wound.
"So fake," Sakura scoffed, and Gaara nodded.
"Definitely," Temari said, and threw a pillow at the screen. "Fuck you, Hollywood!"
"Temari, you have neighbors trying to sleep right now you know!" Sakura said, laughing. Temari blinked, and then grabbed another pillow. She stared at it for a few seconds before throwing it at the wall.
"Fuck the neighbors, too!"
"Temari!" Sakura laughed, and Gaara's body shook lightly in silent laughter.
"Don't try to stop her," he warned. "She's crazy."
"Am not," Temari said, frowning. She then proudly took a sip of her soda. "I'm sugar-high."
"With all this junk you two are eating, I'm not surprised," Gaara said, kicking a half-empty bag of chips across the floor. "How much you think you gained, huh, Temari? I thought you were on a diet."
"Diets are for whores!" Temari yelled, holding her drink high in the air.
"If I didn't know you any better, I'd say that was beer, not Pepsi," Sakura said, laughing, and then paused. "Is it?"
"Maybe," Temari said slyly, taking a sip.
"Yeah right," Sakura laughed, shaking her head. "I know you."
"You think you know me!" Temari said, sticking her tongue out as Sakura had done earlier. "But you don't. Nobody understands me!"
"Okay, maybe that is beer," Sakura said with a nervous chuckle.
"Who knows?" Temari said, and shrugging, pouring it down her throat. She peered into the can, and then threw it across the room. Gaara swore when it nearly hit him in the head.
"Damn it, Temari," he said, glaring.
"You threw two at me, asshole," she said, grinning. "We're hardly even."
"Oh really?" he asked, and Sakura grinned. She grabbed the bowel of popcorn beside her on the couch and quickly placed it on Gaara's head, upside-down. "What the fuck?"
"Now you are!"
With that, Temari and Sakura ran out of the room, squealing like crazy. They heard Gaara cursing every word in the book as he tried to get the salty melted butter out of his hair. They were snickering behind the kitchen door, peering into the living room when he shot his glare at them. Both of them froze, eyes wide as he began to stalk over to them. In unison, they screamed and ran, heading for the second door.
Gaara was right on their heels as he chased them about the house. Doors slammed open and shut, food was thrown, captives were taken hostage, and pillows were used as clubs.
It was the most fun Sakura had had in the longest time.
They ended up on the roof somehow, gazing at what stars they could see past the streetlights. Sakura was lying in between Gaara and Temari, perfectly content, a soft smile on her lips.
"Thank you, guys," she said with a tiny sigh. It wasn't one of relief or irritation, but of happiness. They both glanced at her and she explained lightly, "I really needed tonight."
"Of course you did," Temari said, laughing quietly. "How could you survive without your best friends ever?"
"Don't worry about it," Gaara said softly, allowing one of his rare smiles. "You can always count on us to be here for you."
"Yeah, Sak," Temari said, her voice still light, but more serious. "We're your friends. You're like a second sister to Gaara and I."
"Second?" Sakura asked, turning to look at the dirty blonde. She grinned at her and Sakura laughed. "You two are so mean to Kankuro."
"I'm kiddin'," Temari said, nudging her. "But you are the little sister I never got."
"Thanks," she said, smiling. "You're like a big sis. Especially since they're never home."
Neither of them had to ask who she was talking about, but warm hands gently took hers. She smiled and held onto both of the hands, entwining her fingers within both.
"I'm supposed to be home right now," she said after a while, just remembering.
"Huh?" Temari said, looking at her. "Why? Aren't your parents cool with you staying over?"
"Maybe," she said, shrugging. "I grounded."
There was a silence that followed before all three of them began to laugh, insane hysterical laughter that filled Sakura with enough happiness to last her another week at Konoha High. Even Gaara was in a fit of deep, rumbling laughter, the sound awkward and foreign, but still beautiful in its own way.
"I'm not kidding," Sakura said, still grinning. She couldn't help it. "I stayed out really late and got my parents all worried."
"Well call, silly!" Temari said, and bumped her shoulder again. "They'll probably let you off the hook."
"Yeah," Sakura said, and shrugged. "Maybe they forgot. Or maybe they'll be at work so long, they won't notice I'm gone when they get home."
The other two quieted, the silence awkward.
"Guys, I was joking," Sakura said with an exaggerated sigh.
"Sorry, Sak," Temari murmured. "We know you've been through a lot."
Sakura suddenly remembered how Naruto had never met his parents before and had grown up without a guardian for almost half his life. She recalled Sasuke crying at his parents' grave, heartbroken over the deaths that he had watched. Ino's parents' divorce entered her head, how the blonde hadn't seen her mother in years. Even more significant was Gaara and Temari's parents' death, their mother during Gaara's birth and their father twelve years later in a drive-by.
"I guess, but I haven't been through the worst, that's for sure."
She saw Temari smile and Gaara squeezed her hand gently. She smiled and reveled in the company of her two friends. This was what would get her by for the rest of school. She had another year and a half of Konoha High School, and with her new friends and her old ones, she'd be able to survive. Sighing, she gave them both an optimistic smile.
"I'd better call just in case," she said and Temari nodded. The woman had graduated only two years ago and was just as crazy as a five-year-old with super glue and a twenty-four pack of crayons, but she had her motherly moments that made Sakura want to smile. So she did. "And then, I'm gonna whoop your butt for giving me a headache earlier with that pillow!"
"Hey," Temari said as they stood, shifting down the roof to climb back into Gaara's room's window. "You saw that coming at you. You could've ducked!"
"Still," Sakura laughed, crawling into Gaara's room. "You're gonna get it."
"Not if you can't find me," Temari sang as she skipped into the hall, leaving Sakura alone with the red-haired boy she had known nearly all her life.
"Don't worry," Gaara laughed as he walked past her towards the hall. "I know all the hiding places she uses to get out of doing chores."
"And to think she's the guardian?" Sakura laughed, raising an eyebrow as she pulled out her phone. Gaara shrugged and then turned back to look at her, hand on the doorframe.
"Hey, Sakura?" She looked up, finger in position on the keypad. Suddenly, Gaara gave her the sweetest smile she could ever imagined. Eyes wide, she watched the transformation before her as he said, "Just hang in there, 'kay?"
"Uh, yeah," she said, and he nodded before leaving the room. Blinking, she turned back to her phone and dialed her home number. She held it to her ear – no one picked up. "Hey mom, dad. I know I'm grounded and everything, but I kinda lost track of time. I hope it's okay if I spend the night over at Gaara's, but if it's not, that's where I'll be. Love you. See you later. Bye."
Sighing, Sakura hung up, staring at her phone. She flipped it closed, and then grinned. No, she wasn't going to give tonight to her parents. She wasn't going to mope around, because Temari was hiding somewhere, probably with a stash of marshmallow-ammo. Grabbing a pillow, she ran downstairs and discovered that she was wrong.
They had Cheetos instead.
Monday came, and Sakura awoke bright and early. Jumping into the shower and getting dressed as she always did filled her with a wonderful familiarity. Faded jeans, light pink t-shirt, and her black Vans were enough to make her feel like herself again as she realized with a smile that it had been a full week since she'd switched schools. Hopefully, this one would be much better.
Humming a foreign tune to herself, she made her way downstairs, slipping the strap of her bag over her shoulder and skipping into the kitchen. Shoving her parents' absence away from her thoughts, she grabbed a quick breakfast and then headed out.
Temari had curiously asked why she never took the bus to school, why she insisted on walking, and Sakura had admitted that she didn't know why she walked just because she couldn't drive herself. It was just a part of her indescribable personality, and Sakura felt her step lighten at the reminder.
"Um, excuse me!"
Sakura stopped and turned, staring curiously behind her. Flinching away from the green-clad boy, she let out a deep, patient sigh, and turned to face him fully. He was blushing, trying to look her in the eye without turning completely red it seemed.
"Please, Sakura, would you allow me to escort you to school this morning?" he asked in the most enthusiastic way possible. Sakura smiled gently, ready to turn him down, but saw the hopeful gleam in his eye and changed her mind.
"I guess that wouldn't hurt," she said softly, watching in mild amusement as his eyes grew twice their size. It seemed he'd burst into tears any moment, and when he leapt to her side, eager and excited, she shook her head. "You'll have to keep your distance though."
He nodded despite the small rejection, instantly scooting a couple feet away from her, grinning at her happily. Sakura giggled at his good-natured mood and began to walk in the direction of school again. Without hesitation, Lee followed.
"So, what's with you following me, hm?" she asked, looking at him out of the corner of her eye. Lee blushed furiously before raising a fist in the air, determination overcoming his expression – Sakura quirked an eyebrow.
"I must never give up! I will pursue you with my love for all eternity if I must, my cherry blossom!" he yelled, and Sakura was suddenly glad that nobody else was around. Still, she couldn't help but admire his positive personality and smiled at him.
"I'm not promising anything," she warned, and he nodded, his expression taking on a more serious look though the smile was still in place. Sakura looked forward again and sighed, saying lightly, "But keep at it and you'll get somewhere eventually."
He nearly fell over in shock.
Algebra was the best.
Naruto greeted her more enthusiastically than ever, and Ino took a seat by her with a faithful smile. Sasuke joined them soon after, sharing a look with her that said everything and nothing all at once. It was perfect, having the three of them there, laughing – with the exception of Sasuke's silent smiles – and talking like there was no tomorrow. Even when Kakashi showed up late, nodding to Sakura with an encouraging crinkle-eyed smile, they continued their conversation with hushed giggles and secretive notes passed back and forth.
Gym was fun, repeatedly spiking and serving during volleyball. Once or twice, she would catch Naruto or Kiba's eye and do something purposely flirty towards them, Ino joining in the fun as they watched the two boys eye them greedily from a distance. It was all games though, and Sakura knew both Naruto and Kiba were aware of that from the way they laughed too.
In English, she got an A on her test and the girl she had been partnered with insisted on apologizing over and over again for her rude behavior. Sakura told her that the only way she could make up for it was if she pretended that it had never happened, and her classmate complied with a giggle. The two quickly became friends.
At lunch, Sakura was overwhelmed by the number of people that wanted to sit with her and Ino, but the pink-haired girl denied them all with a soft smile. Instead, she boldly took a seat by Sasuke, giving him a small smile – and a small smirk to Ami and her group of friends glaring at her coldly – before digging into her lunch. He took everyone by surprise when he just laughed and nudged her playfully, turning back to his own food before anyone could say a word. Naruto, Kiba, Neji, Shikamaru, and Hinata joined them as well, and Sakura felt more complete than she ever had.
Music consisted mostly of on-and-off glances from Sasuke, which she returned. In their little game, Sakura couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach, and received a good scolding from Shizune for not paying attention, forcing her to ignore Sasuke's snort of amusement and Ino's taunting giggles and remarks.
Everything was so perfect.
Or so she thought.
She was at her locker, collecting her things and pushing them in an organized manner into her bag. Out of habit, she closed the door quietly and spun the lock to make sure it was locked, ready to get out and do her homework. When she turned around, though, she was face-to-face with an exceptionally amused Uchiha. Eyes widening and breath quickening at the same time, she took a step back on instinct, forcing her back against her locker. His eyes narrowed in irritation at her reaction before allowing the same seductive gleam to take over again, entrancing her in that world of complete darkness, hard onyx and coal.
"Sakura, it's good to see you again," he purred, nodding formally, though his expression and tone hinted much more.
"Um, sure," she said unsurely, her brief conversation with Sasuke two days before flashing through her mind as she gave a nervous smile. She tried to inch away, but a sharp look from Itachi made her freeze.
"You act like you're unpleased to see me," he said, faking his surprise with an over friendly smile. "Did I do something to upset you?"
"Well, no, I'm just in a big hurry," she muttered, sure she didn't sound convincing. He raised an eyebrow, and she quickly lied, "My mom called and needs some help with something back at home, so I should probably go. Nice seeing you."
She tried ducking past him, but he shifted in front of her again, faster than she could blink. Fear washed over her, forcing her to push it back down with a deep breath. She knew she had nothing to be afraid of, but she was still anxious about Sasuke's call, and until she found out what it was that had made him so set on her staying away, she didn't want to talk with Itachi. Though she had kissed the man, she was still unsure where they both stood, and she wasn't too keen on venturing on dangerous grounds before she knew he was safe – all things considered.
"Why don't I give you a ride then?" he offered sweetly. She winced when he added politely, "It'd be much more convenient than walking, yes?"
She shivered at the thought of being in a car alone with the older Uchiha, but shook her head, trying to clear it. Sasuke had warned her to stay away from Itachi, and her gut was telling her to listen to him.
"No, I wouldn't want to bother you," she said, shrugging and trying to move past him again. This time, he grabbed her wrist out of the air, leaning closer. Sakura's breath hitched, and he lowered his eyelids in a seductive gaze.
"Trust me," he whispered, "You wouldn't be."
"Itachi."
Sakura jumped, only being held in place by Itachi's persistent grasp. The venom seeped into the voice made her head whip around to face the younger Uchiha, and she let out a small sigh of relief. Itachi on the other hand exhaled in both disappointment and annoyance.
"Yes, little brother?" he asked, giving Sasuke an impatient look. "I'm busy."
"No, you are not," Sasuke hissed, stepping closer and brushing Itachi's hand away from Sakura's wrist. Itachi's nose wrinkled just slightly, as if in disgust, as if Sasuke was filth, and he backed up a couple of steps. "You have work to do, and Sakura doesn't need you bothering her."
"Watch your mouth, little brother," Itachi growled, gaze narrowing into dangerous black slits. Sasuke sneered, taking Sakura's hand gently.
"Whatever," he said, tugging slightly. "I don't need your advice. Come on, Sakura."
Sakura just nodded briefly, quickening her usual pace to keep up with Sasuke's agitated steps. As they left Itachi in the hall, Sakura glanced over her shoulder once to see the elder staring at them, at her. Shivering, she hurried, moving even faster to stay closer to Sasuke's side.
When they made it outside, Sasuke hissed, a sharp exhale of breath through his teeth. Eyes wide, Sakura paused as he turned his head to glare at her, raven-streaked hair swishing around his face.
"What the hell was that?" he snapped, and Sakura let out an annoyed breath.
"Like I would know," she retorted, snatching back her hand and beginning to walk away. "He's your brother. You tell me."
"Hey, just because he's my brother doesn't mean I'd know anything about him," Sasuke reminded her as he walked by her side. "In case you forgot, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than get to know that man."
"Lovely," Sakura muttered sarcastically, heading to the road.
"He was right about one thing, though," Sasuke said, placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her and get her attention. Sakura glanced at him, and he shrugged. "You shouldn't walk home by yourself every day."
"I think I'll manage," she laughed, and brushed his hand from her shoulder. She was about to continue walking when a sudden flash of anger overcame Sasuke's normally composed expression. She paused. "What?"
"Nothing," he murmured, looking away with a small pout. She refrained from giggling and turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "I… I just don't like the idea of you wandering around all alone. There are some real freaks in this town, and no offense, but you're not much of a threat to some of the pricks around here."
"Like your brother?" Sakura suggested, and Sasuke looked at her in surprise. She smiled and nodded before he could say anything, now knowing where his anger had come from. "I guess I could use a ride, then." She couldn't help but teasingly add, "If my safety concerns you that much."
And she watched in stunned amazement as a soft pink color rose to the deathly pale tone of Sasuke's cheeks, his eyes shining with embarrassment. Her own eyes lit up with realization, but she didn't say a word as he quickly turned away. He told her to follow, and she did silently, smiling at his back.
So he is human.
"I can't believe you're the one who almost ran me over last week," Sakura laughed, tossing Sasuke a soda. He shrugged, smirking, and she scowled at him. "You could've killed me, jerk!"
"But I didn't," he said, opening the can and taking a sip. "That's gotta count for something."
"I suppose," Sakura said. "And you're glad you didn't, aren't you?"
"Yes."
There wasn't a hint of humor in his voice and Sakura felt her smile fade as she stared at his serious expression. Sighing, she looked away for a moment before shaking her head at Sasuke.
"Would you please cut that out?" she requested, raising an eyebrow at him. When he tilted his head to show he didn't understand, she crossed her arms and glared at him. "Being all protective over me. I can handle myself, thank you."
"Last time I checked," he corrected, "No, you can't."
"Oh really?" she questioned.
"Yes, my brother proved that," he said, and his gaze flickered away from her for a moment, obviously uncomfortable. "You're just like everyone else. I don't blame you – it happens to nearly everyone."
"What exactly are you talking about?" Sakura asked, taking a seat on her bed. He was leaning against her wall, only a few feet away, but she could nearly feel his irritation radiating from him.
"Itachi has a bad habit of seducing women," Sasuke explained. "He's good at making them forget everything that matters until he leaves. I've seen it happen plenty of times, and I just don't want it to happen to you."
"Well, it won't."
"It already has," he muttered, and she glanced at him, surprised.
"What's that mean?" she asked, not at all mad – only curious.
"When you were at my house," he said, avoiding her prying green gaze. "He touched you didn't he?"
"Not really," she said, shaking her head. He gave her a disbelieving look, and she held her hands in front of her defensively. "What? He didn't!"
"There's a difference between 'not really' and 'not at all'," he informed her and she sighed. "I know he did. He rubbed it in my face once I got home. That's why I don't want you going near him. He likes you, and Itachi's not one to give up once someone catches his eye."
"What's it to you anyway?" Sakura murmured under her breath, glaring at the soda in her hand. "It's my life."
"I already told you," he hissed, and she shot her venomous gaze toward him. He didn't seem fazed by it. "Well, it doesn't matter why. Just stay away from him."
"Maybe I don't want to."
Sasuke stared at her for a long time, and she found that she couldn't look away. It was almost exactly like when she was caught in Itachi's gaze, but it was somehow different. She couldn't put a finger on it, but Sasuke wasn't his brother.
He had given her a ride like he had promised, revealing to her that he was the owner of the dark blue motorbike. Conveniently, he had had an extra helmet and when he had dropped her off, she had invited him in without knowing why. Giving her an odd look, he accepted after thinking about it for a moment and had followed her up into her room. The entire time, his eyes remained on either her or at the floor, not taking a look at her possessions or such. Sasuke was strange, but she found the attention warming and she actually liked it.
Now, though, she wasn't sure what to think. Sasuke was so keen on keeping her away from Itachi – and vice versa – but she still didn't know why entirely. Plus, with Itachi so interested in her, she was split between rational reasoning and her female hormones. Why not give it a try? Of course, if Sasuke was right, than she didn't want to be used and thrown away. She most certainly did not put up with that. And Sasuke wanted to protect her…but was that just because he wanted her himself? He had admitted that to her before, and she wasn't sure whether to find that endearing or annoying.
"Look," she said, sighing, and his gaze sharpened at her tone. "If you seriously want me to stay away from Itachi, then I will. I can't guarantee that he'll leave me alone, but I won't go near your house and it's not like I'm gonna call him or anything. And I don't think he'll try anything at school again."
"Can I at least tell you how to face him?" he asked, moving to sit beside her on the bed. She didn't move away from him, though their knees were nearly touching, and nodded. "Well, firstly, don't look into his eyes. That's how he really captures you. They hypnotize you and it's hard to break out of that kind of trance."
"I know," she said, glancing away in self-conscious shame. She suddenly wondered why Sasuke knew this.
"Second, don't ever let yourself be in the same room with him alone," he said, staring at her, the most intense look on his face. "That gives him ideas and the ultimate advantage, especially if no one is nearby or in the same building. And don't provoke him. Itachi has a sick way of thinking, and he'll hurt you if you do anything to piss him off. He has a lot of patience in most areas, but he does have a few touchy spots that are better left not messed with."
"Do you know any of those weak points?" Sakura asked, not wanted to accidentally set off a full-grown man as dangerous as Itachi seemed to be.
"Well, don't talk about my parents' death," he said, wincing as he spoke. Sakura blinked, and he sighed, elaborating, "It's okay to speak about my mom and dad, just don't say anything about how they died. It makes him mad."
"Why?" she asked curiously.
"Because he kind of blames himself," Sasuke said, face contorting as if he were guessing. Sakura tilted her head, and he gave her a small smile. "Don't ask about him if you end up alone with him – always let the conversation stay on you if you can. There are some things that I don't know about that still piss him off. It's not fun dealing with him when he is mad, so try to keep away from him."
"I will," she promised, returning his smile reassuringly. It didn't seem to work, because he reached a hand up to her face to brush her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers. She felt her face flush at the gentle, intimate gesture, the expression on his face heart-meltingly soft. "Sasuke?"
"Please don't get hurt," he whispered. "You're too precious to loose yourself to him. He doesn't deserve you."
Eyes wide, Sakura stared at him, not believing a word of what he was saying. Was this the same boy who was widely known as the 'emo-kid' by Konoha and Suna students alike? He was supposed to be emotionless, stoic and insensitive, and yet here he was, trying to protect her and whispering the sweetest things to her.
Then he was leaning forward, his breath mingling with hers in the air that separated them. She found that she couldn't move away, captivated by his beautiful onyx eyes, filled with things that she had dreamed of for years but had never let herself hope for, believe in. Thankfully, though, she did find her voice, and it stopped him just an inch away from her.
"I told you," she said under her breath, and his eyes were on hers. "I can't do this."
"But you can do it with my brother?" he criticized, not moving. A flash of jealousy ran across those dark depths, but it was soon replaced by longing.
"No," Sakura answered, not sure how truthful she was being. Apparently, Sasuke did.
"Liar," he whispered.
They sat there for a moment before Sakura closed her eyes slowly, not wanting to face the mixed emotions within herself and before her in Sasuke's expression. She knew it hurt him, but she was confused as to why it would do so. What exactly was hurting him? She sighed, hearing his breath hitch as he inhaled the air she released. She opened her eyes and almost flinched at the tortured look in his black orbs.
"Don't," she pleaded softly when he moved just a millimeter closer. Pain flashed through him, but he still didn't retreat. He wanted her, she realized, and he wouldn't let her go. "Sasuke…"
The sound of a door shutting closed downstairs made both of their eyes widen in unison. Sasuke looked surprised, and Sakura knew she had to look absolutely terrified – she was. When she heard her mother's voice calling her to come down for a moment, she jumped up, moving to the door. She mouthed the word 'hide' and paused at her door.
He took that moment to come to her side. She turned to him in surprise and he pressed himself against her, lips crashing onto hers in a desperate kiss. Shocked, she stood there, unmoving as she allowed him to have his fill. When she didn't respond, his body seemed to go limp, and he pulled away for a moment, staring down at her with saddened eyes. She blinked once, and he leaned forward again, hesitating. Softly, he brushed his lips against hers, barely touching, teasing. Sakura sighed and pulled her head back, away from him.
Without a word, she opened the door and shut it, feet falling on each step. Shaking her head clear, she went into the kitchen to find her mother. She knew she had been asking for it, inviting him in and allowing him to sit so close. Why he liked her and not anyone else, she had no idea, but it was unnerving and confusing – she needed time to sort it all out. Unfortunately, nobody seemed to be willing to give her that time.
"Sakura, honey, could you help put away the groceries?" her mom asked, and Sakura nodded absentmindedly.
Almost robotically, she moved about the kitchen, putting away varieties of food from the many paper bags. Her mother helped her, and they worked in silence. When they were finished, Sakura lingered, playing with a strand of her hair, delaying the time when she'd have to go back upstairs. Fortunately, Sasuke had put his bike in a shaded area on the other side of the house, so her parents wouldn't notice it just in case/-, but that meant Sasuke's stay could last longer than it should.
"Is something wrong, Sakura?" her mother asked, tilted her head at her. She was washing her hands, preparing to make dinner – something they only ate together as a family on occasions.
"Um, not really," she said, glancing around the kitchen nervously. If she didn't do something quick, her mother would notice that something was up. "I just…wanted to talk…or something."
"Talk?" her mom echoed, sounding surprised. "Are you having trouble in school?"
"No," Sakura answered, eyes narrowing when she realized that it wasn't entirely the truth… Maybe she could pry some answers out of her mother – some answers to the many questions that were now filling her mind daily. "Can I ask you something, mom?"
"Sure." The answer was careful, and Sakura could tell that her mom was trying to approach this in the most cautious way, as if a single word could set off a million rebellious teenage hormones. "What is it?"
"What do you do when it seems like everyone wants the same thing from you?" Sakura asked, looking at her mom's shoulder, not daring to meet her eye just yet. "And you're not sure who you want to share it with…or if you want to give it to anyone at all?"
Her mom stared at her for a very long moment before sighing and placing her forehead in her hand. It was clear she was thinking about it, but Sakura knew what was coming. She wasn't getting an answer out of her mom.
"Sakura, is this about sex?" her mom ventured, the worried tone in her voice making Sakura groan inwardly. "Because you should know that that's not something you should be concerning yourself with at your age. You're only sixteen."
"Mom, that's not what this is about," Sakura said, sighing. "It's… I guess you could say it's about guys, but it's not that serious. Let's just say… Oh, I got it. It's like everyone wants to be my friend, but I'm not exactly sure who to trust or who to believe because everybody's saying different things that are making me really confused. I don't know what to do anymore."
"Oh," her mom said, glancing around as if she were embarrassed that she'd brought up such a touchy subject. "I'm not sure what the problem is, sweetie. You can always have more than one friend, even if they don't like each other."
"That's not –" Sakura began, but exhaled sharply and shook her head. "Never mind."
"Honey, you know I want to help," her mom said, almost desperately. Sakura smiled and shook her head.
"It's fine, mom," she said. "I know you want to, but…I don't think you can." Sakura suddenly remembered Kakashi's words, and she sighed at the reminder. "I think I need to figure this out on my own."
"All right…if you're sure."
"Yeah," Sakura said, "I'm sure."
Voila. The tenth chapter is up.
I hope you all love Temari's character as much as I do in this story, I had an awesome time writing the first part of this chapter. I'm trying to make her seem like the crazy party-chick that just graduated while her little brother is the more responsible of the two. On the other hand, she can also be loving and motherly toward the people she cares about, like her brothers and Sakura.
I'm still trying to decide if Itachi should be the 'bad guy' since that's the character he really plays in the show. I think that is what I'll do... I pretty sure the final pairing for hthis fanfiction is set. Beware of more drama in the future, haha. But I do hope that you enjoyed the mid-part, with the first Sasuke-Itachi confrontation and what followed afterward. Basically, I'm trying to show how desperate Sasuke is when it comes to winning over Sakura, because he really does care about her and doesn't want his older brother to corrupt that part of his life, too. He's confused.
Anyway, please review. I know this isn't going the way all you SakuraXItachi lovers were hoping, but can't you try to love the story for the story anyway? I'm trying. The next chapter will be up in possibly a week, little longer or shorter. Don't know.
Review!