Chapter Ten: Kind treatment--- but how long?

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Sakura did not know she was sleeping in the arms of her "crush" and "enemy" as the sun sets beautifully and the reflection of it was show all over the lake itself. She woke up and witnessed the spectacular event silently, as if she doesn't want to get off his cradle. Everything--- she wants to treasure them in her heart. No one had received this kind of treatment form a school heartthrob and notorious--- even once but her!

Such kind of happiness surges within her. Everything came out nice. He gently shook her and somewhat really awakes her sleeping thoughts.

"Sakura, we need to go now. Wake up,"

But she got hold of herself.

"I don't buy that!" she cried out and flinched before him. "I HATE YOU!"

"Going with me, then saying you hate me."

"So what?" she asked. "You made me jaded since then!"

"Ah, that's why you slept in my arms…"

"I HATE YOU!"

Sasuke laughed. He thinks he can't stand a day without her saying those 3 meaningful words. He watched Sakura ran away, but she seems not to know where she'll go.

"You really need to go with me," he replied and smirked, as he pulled her wrist and rode back to the motorcycle. His trademark smirk escaped his lips.

Sakura found it so nice. There were lights of different colors some of it are blinking. Even advertisements too were scattered in billboards which were merrily lit and caught each one's attention. The night TV show appeared on the square's large TV screen. Buildings are lit too, and the windows seem to glow in an array of light. The night is really perfect as stars dwell in the vast sky.

They finally arrived her apartment. Sasuke followed her upstairs and even went inside,

"I'm sorry, for it's not yet done," she said. "I told you the whole place is messy," she was frantically picking up her things. "and ummm... I know this sounds sappy, but... Thank you for everything, Sasuke-kun. Even you made some WEIRD things to me today"

"Well, get some clothes," he began as he headed to the door. "You're staying at my mansion this weekend."

"Who told you that?" she cried. "YOU ARE REALLY A BASTARD! Who told you we are okay? War's not yet over!"

"You'll teach me the weekend to cook Yakiniku." he flashed a killer smile. " knew you always had that for lunch."

"How did you know?" she asked

"I--- nothing. I saw you,"

"But---" her eyes show doubt.

"And won't you resist to try my Jacuzzi bath or the hot springs?"

"Tempting offer!" she began with eyes wide, "okay! But after that we are still having war on-going after this truce!"

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She just found herself scrambling her sports bag and filled with her clothes now. Sasuke was watching her and he was studying her cute, innocent face that was merrily humming a tune. He was staring at her all the time and he can't help but release a natural happy smile forming a nice curve. He used to be lonely since he was a kid and never felt such kindness from anyone. Well, his butler gave him all he experienced, and because of too loneliness, he forgot to smile and express his thoughts. He became a notorious guy around Junior High when his oniichan Itachi has to leave for studies.

"Sakura…" he replied as he moves closer to the girl.

"Hai?"

"Do you hate me?"

"What nerve do you got to ask that?" she exclaimed. "I won't go with you on the first place if I hate you,"

"But you just said that many times, ain't it?"

"Sometimes when you do weird things. Even your presence as a bully really irks me. I don't know you yet, so I think you should talk more of yourself."

"We can discuss that home." he replied. "So, shall we?"

"Mmm!" she agreed and flashed a happy smile.

Uchiha mansion... I wonder how large is it's hallways, how the garden looks like, how their Jacuzzi bath is... and especially how Sasuke-kun lives his daily life. I wish I could stay in one room with him! That would be romantic! Aah! I become more and more attached to him. But I can't show my feelings. I'm shy and I don't like our WAR be ruined. I need to get hold of these feelings!

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Arriving at the mansion of the Uchihas she knew that it would be pretty large. A large fountain stood at the middle of the yard, lit and with kois jumping above the water IS THAT POSSIBLE?. She had a great time watching them, and the spotlights opened at the house proper. She loved the scent of the flowers and then she checked out the place it comes from.

She was surprised when Sasuke went by her back, and inched closer to her. She winced and then leaned over the flowers She held one lovingly.

"Oh, sorry, I become too snoopy," she apologized.

"Loved them?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I'm not good in gardening. I don't even know what flower this is." she answered honestly. "You know, I only know Cherry blossoms, Roses, Lilies, Camias, Daisies…

"Quite a few" he replied. "Those are Asters. They usually are colored blue petals and yellow inside and they give off a certain message,"

"And what is it?"

"It's got something to do with love's promise…" he whispered and then he noticed someone behind them, and clearing a throat.

"Good evening, young master," a man said and he smiled mysteriously. He looked at Sakura, "and to you, Miss"

She bowed down politely. "Kombanwa, I'm Sakura Haruno," she introduced.

"…And she'll be staying here this weekend," Sasuke suddenly said. The butler smiled at Sakura and picked up her sports bag located at the back of the motorcycle.

"Then enjoy your stay, Ms. Haruno." he finally said and maids opened the door and bowed politely to Sasuke. Sakura bowed down too.

"You must've not done that, you're my guest." he said.

"Oh really?" Sakura said and she giggled. "guest treatment. Is your mansion a hotel or something? Well, sorry I have not gotten this month's allowance so I have no money to pay,"

The butler called Sasuke for a while and left Sakura wandering around the mansion. Walking away, she looked around the main floor of the mansion. There was much furniture everywhere. Antique vases, pedestals and paintings. She strolled around the back, finding herself staring at the pool. It seemed like it was glowing with the moon casting its light to it.

"Are you lost?"

Without turning around, she recognized the voice. The snide, obnoxious, cold voice of Uchiha Sasuke. She didn't look at him when she swiveled around to walk back inside the mansion. Then stopped and caught his eye.
Sasuke stoically stood and stared straight in her emerald eyes. He was drawn to her innocent expression. She's much better when she isn't frowning or glaring.

He eyed her from head to toe. Her straight pink hair fell limply on her shoulder down to her waist, with a hairpin on the side. She was now wearing a short red dress with two straps on each side that went just above her knees

"Leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you loser." She stated jokingly, interrupting his thoughts and stalked back inside, unaware that Sasuke was following her. She climbed up the stairs and looked around.

"So do you just walk around other people's houses?"

Sakura whipped her head around. "Why are you following me?"

Sasuke gave her a strange look. "Maybe because I live here?" He answered sarcastically and grabbed her hand. He was taking her to her room. It was nice with some furnishings and a beige and pink wallpaper decorated with flowers--- like cherry blossoms.

"I picked this room for you," he said. There was a small distance between their faces as they unintentionally at the same time peeked in carefully. "What if we check out my room?"

"Sasuke-kun, will you please let go of me?" Sakura asked quietly. She strolled to his bed and took a seat on the foot of it. Taking off her bracelet, she felt weak from being so close to him earlier. She couldn't forget the weird feeling she got every time she was near him.

Sasuke took off his school coat and threw it on the bed. He also removed his tie, unbuttoning the top of his shirt.

"Weren't you listening?" Sakura stood angrily. Her eyes flashed. What am I doing here if I'm still mad?

Sasuke looked away. No, because I was too busy trying to stay calm because you were breathing in my ear. He thought and wanted to shout out. He sighed deeply, remembering how close they were, how he could have kissed her. Sasuke made a face. He glanced at her. She was giving him a funny look. "Wanna play pool?" he asked casually.

Sakura headed for the door. "Sure why not?" She tried to open it but it wouldn't budge. She rattled the knob a few times before Sasuke's hand rested on hers. It opened slowly. Sakura looked up at Sasuke's eyes. She grinned a little before walking out and following Sasuke to the billiard room just down the hall. Taking a pool stick, she leaned against the pool table and waited for Sasuke to set up.

"Eight or nine?" He asked, taking the balls out.

"Eight." She answered as she positioned herself on the other side of the table opposite of the balls and struck. The balls rolled around, a striped one dropping into the net. She headed over where the cue ball was and positioned herself again.

"Still mad?" Sasuke asked while he waited for his turn. "I thought we had a truce," he said teasingly.

Sakura averted her eyes at him for one second then back to the cue ball and her target. "Shut up." Of course I'm somewhat mad.
He snorted. "Figures."

She glared at him when she stood up. It was his turn. "I don't wanna talk about it. You insulted me so bad."

"You were asking for it." Sasuke countered when he struck the cue ball and two solid balls went on the nets.

Sakura placed a hand on her hips and frowned. "I wasn't asking for it. You hurt my friend." She headed for the cue ball.

"What friend That awful guy? The one being a wench or a perfectionist?" he said, firmly as he looked at her. She was leaning over the pool table. He sauntered to her and faced her, trying to get her to back down. He wanted the defiant look off her face.

Her mouth was in a grim line and her eyes looked sad, hurt. "He is neither a wench nor a perfectionist. You on the other hand, are an obnoxious, cold and pig headed jerk!"

Sasuke chuckled. "You know how pretty you look when you're mad?" he accidentally blurted. Realizing his mistake, he turned away, but Sakura grabbed his arm suddenly.

"What did you say?" She asked curiously. She heard what he said; she just wanted him to say it again. He didn't make a move so she linked her arms behind his neck and faced him. "What did you say?" She repeated.

He cast her a murderous glare.
"I said, what did you say?" She whispered this time in his ear.
He bit his lip and felt his senses tingle again.