Mirror

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter Ten

Sasuke was so caught up in the excitement of Karin's downfall he nearly didn't notice someone missing. But being the Uchiha he is, the black-haired boy narrowed his eyes and focused on the retreating pink mop of hair.

He pushed past the curious Ino and chased after Sakura, ignoring the elbows pushing his way and girls who fluttered their eyelashes in his direction. All he could see was the green-eyed teen, dodging around various people.

He saw as she darted out the hall and stumbled down the corridor. He saw as she ran toward the picnic benches that aligned the back of the library, just in front o f the soccer field. Then, he saw as she came to a slow halt; back still to him.

Sakura kept still and didn't move to face him. She knew Sasuke was there—hell—she could feel his presence. But after everything that had happened, she didn't think she could face him with a straight face.

One thing she liked about the stoic teen behind her at the moment was his inability to start a conversation. Hopefully, the Uchiha would keep quiet and, eventually, leave her alone. She could still feel the strings that held her insides together being cut up. Sighing, the silent girl stepped to a seat and settled down, eyes lowered.

The girl was still lost in her own thoughts when a voice nearly caused her to fall out of her seat.

"Sakura."

Composing herself, she waited for the teen to continue. No way was she giving in so easily.

"…I…" he struggled, unsure of what to say. Then it hit him. "Do you…want to…dance?"

What he didn't expect was the furious pinkette who whirled around to face him, teeth bared and hands fisted. She narrowed her eyes at him and turned her head away. Then she walked off. Just like that.

Confused, Sasuke followed her until they were at the end of the soccer field. A big bag of soccer balls sat on the uneven green field and he watched curiously as Sakura undid the clasp. She let the balls bounce to the ground, picking one up and turning to face him again, this time, making full eye contact.

Suddenly, she launched the ball at him.

Sasuke's eyes widened at the incoming ball and dodged it with speed. But the pinkette didn't stop there. She picked up another.

"Dance? After all that's happened you want to—to… dance?" She threw the ball, anger evident in her eyes. "You left me standing there, Sasuke. You left me crying and pleading. You never looked back."

Another missile nearly hit his chest but the Uchiha moved to the side, still speechless.

"…I can't believe that I almost feel for you again." Dark eyes widened. "But who am I kidding? The great Uchiha Sasuke, falling for me. I mean I know I was foolish in the past, but next time, give me a sign will you? Just—make it clear that you don't want me, okay? And—"

Sasuke caught the next flying ball, black eyes flashing. He threw the object back at her. The pinkette caught it easily, watching his reaction warily.

Sasuke spoke.

"Hn…if this is about the kiss with Karin—"

Sakura hurled the ball at him so hard that some of the air in his lungs was knocked out as it hit his chest. Sasuke stared at her, puzzled. Now what?

His thoughts fled his mind when her saw tears erupting from her blurry eyes. Something clenched his heart. Something hard. He knew it wasn't because of the soccer ball.

"…Sakura…?"

The girl didn't try to pitch another ball at him this time. Instead, she lowered her head, allowing the pink locks to cover her exposed face. She sniffled.

"…No…" her voice sounded croaky. The Uchiha raised an eyebrow. "I-I…saw you pushing h-her away…b-but that's not what I'm talking about…"

The she stopped. He eyed her up and down. Why was she crying then? If she knew he didn't kiss Karin, why were those tears leaking out of her eyes?

"Sakura—"

"No!" she cried. "Stop it, Sasuke! Ino was wrong…she may have fooled me…but now I know. I…did this for you, Sasuke-kun."

He froze. So that's why. Sakura had gone through a transformation for him…not so she could look pretty for everyone to see…but for him.

The pinkette struggled to keep her tears in, but warm arms tying themselves around her thwarted her attempts. She felt his warm breath flutter across her nose. She looked up at him, but the dark hair clothed his orbs.

"Sakura." This time she did not interrupt. "…I don't care what you look like."

The pinkette opened her mouth but his grip tightened, preventing her from talking.

"I…think the real Sakura is the one who I…right now…" the Uchiha resisted the urge to hold her tighter at his next words. "I…I think…I maybe…you look—and—and…I think I like you."

Sasuke blushed. He actually turned pink at his last words. But Sakura couldn't smile even if she wanted to because in the seconds that followed his confession, he had wrapped his lipped over hers. He was kissing her. And what a kiss it was.

Sakura felt the butterflies that had flown around in her tummy once, return for an encore. They flew in beautiful formations, bursting through her body and then there was a tinkling sound. Slowly, but surely…Sakura felt her heart being stitched up a again. It pumped to life and with it, came Inner-Sakura whooping with joy.

What'd I tell ya? You go Sak!

The girl closed her eyes and leaned into him. It was just like her dream. But better. Because this time, it was real. She felt Sasuke wrapping his arms around her waist and she pushed her hands up his chest and around his neck. She felt his tongue tracing her lips and copied. Her first kiss…with her first love…Sasuke Uchiha.

At that moment, she broke off the kiss. His eyes found hers and he smirked. The girl looked dazed at there interaction and if he weren't holding her up, he was sure she'd drop to the ground.

"Sasuke…I…like you too."

This time, the raven-haired boy let his smile envelop his features. The boy began to walk back to the dance but a small hand stopped him. He looked back at the shining girl and was surprised to see her holding a soccer ball.

"I didn't accept your dance…but…I'm sure you'd much rather spend the rest of the night kicking goals with me."

Smirking, Sasuke pulled his tie loose and started dribbling a ball around.

Sakura removed her silver heels, throwing them aside, she darted in his direction, determined to get the soccer ball off him.

Ino and the rest of the group watched quietly from the sidelines as Sakura fell on top of the Uchiha, both of them laughing loudly.

The blonde smiled as she saw the happy couple. Mission accomplished.

The three girls rolled their eyes at the pinkette. The girl only smiled back.

She had just returned from another fun-filled game of soccer—they had beaten Neji's team, 9-6. At that moment, the teacher stalked in, holding a pile of clean, white paper. The class groaned. But then—

"Miss Haruno! What have I told you before?" Iruka-sensei tried not to sigh too loudly. "Remove yourself immediately! I think you should get yourself cleaned up—don't you?"

Sakura's grin widened. She stood up and happily skipped out of the classroom.

"Don't think you're not going to take this pop quiz! When you return, I expect a good mark, Miss Haruno!" Iruka-sensei called out after her retreating form.

Sakura feigned deafness.

She took a left and turned to the girls' toilet. Pushing the door open carefully, she checked for any people inside. Deeming it empty, the girl approached the mirror, taking a good look at herself.

Mud covered the bottom half of her school shirt and some of her hair had grass buried in it. But the pinkette still couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

Who cared what she looked like? She may have bad taste in clothing, a bad haircut and enjoyed soccer…but she couldn't deny the happiness fizzling inside. She had three best friends who cared for her and a sweet, not to mention HOT boyfriend. What else was there?

Turning on the tap, she filled her cupped hands with cold water before letting it dribble into her hair. Combing her fingers through the pink locks. Satisfied with her hasty work, Sakura took one last look at herself in the mirror.

What did she see?

A glamorous girl staring back at her.