Serena- Late update again…. Sorry!

Disclaimer- I own nothing except my Original Characters, but even then- they have a mind of their own.

Boundless

By: Serena

Chapter 10

Girls Day Out and the Bare Facts

February 21st

The days passed and life seemed to pick up a normal rhythm. I still tinkered with some smalls ideas, but nothing too big. Plants were out of the question until the next month, so I had a lot of free time.

And even then, I wasn't sure I would be able to work with plants anymore. I had no idea if Konoha had any greenhouses…

I was surprised to find that Sasuke could cook. Not very well, but he could cook. I suppose he had only learned because he was living alone. Now, with me around, he really didn't have to worry about that.

Being good with my hands, it was easy to prepare food- even if it took a couple of burnt helpings to get it right. Most of my free time was spent working in the kitchen and cleaning.

Like cooking, Sasuke had taken it upon himself to clean the house every week when he didn't have a mission. And like cooking, he no longer had to worry about it because now I was there.

I never thought of myself as a domestic type of person. Sure, I didn't like living in the woods, but cooking and cleaning was never something I had to do either. Gramps always took care of the housework.

He kind of had to, seeing as my mom was a twidge bit lazy. Scratch that- lazy didn't even begin to cover her personality. She wasn't like other moms… she never learned to cook, and she blanched at the thought of having to clean up after anyone else.

It was Gramps that did everything- he was kind of like a second mom… only male… and our moms dad… so he wasn't really… but he acted like it.

Occasionally my thoughts would stray and I would think of living with Sasuke almost like how a husband and wife would live. Immediately after catching myself, I would push the thoughts way and tell myself that we were just two friends- if that.

I was friendly to him, but after him saving me, it seemed like he blamed me for his return. And most people were happy about him coming back, so I didn't know why he was throwing such a hissy-fit.

He had hesitantly introduced me to some of the other ninjas: Sakura-chan, Naruto-kun, Shikamaru-kun, Kiba-kun, Hinata-chan, Shino-kun, Tenten-chan, Lee-kun, Neji-kun and Kakashi-kun. Sasuke said there were others I would meet eventually, but not at that moment.

Hinata and I hit it off the moment we saw each other. She was kind and shy and really polite- just like me. Tenten was kind to me, but was a bit outgoing for my tastes. Then there was Sakura. I had learned that the pink haired girl from the day we arrived was infact Sakura, and I wasn't really surprised.

Even though she tried to hide it, it was obvious she had a crush on Sasuke. It made me slightly sick knowing Sasuke had all these bright, pretty, and outgoing girls lined up for his affections.

"Rui-chan!" I heard someone call. I loosely tied my dull red hair up in a ponytail and left my reflection behind. My sandals made a tap-tap sound as I thudded down the hall. My trademark purple skirt swished around my legs and my lavendar turtle-neck hugged my non-existant curves.

"Yes?" I asked, opening the front door. Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura all smiled at me. Before I knew what was happening, Sakura and Tenten had grabbed my arms and were literally dragging me across the front yard. "What are you doing? Where are we going?"

"Shopping!" Tenten exclaimed. "It's time to see the beautiful person you are underneath all the long skirts and long-sleeved tops!"

"But- I- I need to ask Sasuke if I can go!" They stopped and Tenten gave me an annoyed look.

"Does he control your every move?" I shook my head. "Then whats the problem?"

"He might get worried if he doesn't know where I am!" Tenten sighed and I tried to avoid looking over at Sakura. Though she was nice about it, I had a feeling that she was jealous I was living in Sasuke's house. Part of me basked in her envy, while another part of me hoped she wouldn't feel that way so I wouldn't feel bad.

"Fine." Tenten waved her hand, as though gesturing for me to leave. I walked back into the house and called,

"Sasuke!" I turned a corner and made my way towards his room. The door was closed and I began to wonder if he was asleep. Any thought of knocking vanished as I remembered the various times he had rudely woken me up. I decided I would return the favor.

I yanked the door open and froze. There, standing before me, was the very wet, and the very naked back side of Uchiha Sasuke. I closed the door, spun around, and ran back out the front door to be greeted by the confused looks of the three girls I had originally left.

"R-rui-c-chan?" Hinata asked, "What's the-the matter?"

"W-what d-do y-y-you m-mean?" Tenten stepped forward and raised a hand to my forehead, then brought it to my cheek.

"You're burning up!" She exclaimed, "Are you sick?"

"N-n-no…" I brushed her hand away and glanced back at the house. "Can we go now?"

They all nodded and we left the property.

For the next three hours I was pulled this way and that, while the four girls tried to figure out what looked good on me. After many trips to many stores I had a grand total of ten bags each filled with new clothes.

Half the things I absolutely hated, but I didn't have the heart to tell them of my loathing. However, Hinatas selections I was very fond of. Perhaps it was because we were so much alike, or perhaps it was just because she was the most observant (with her Byakugan eyes and everything) and she noticed my longing gazes towards certain styles.

Anyways, after shopping, the raving girls decided that food needed to be put in their stomaches. And so, we ended up at the Ramen stand. Sitting down, Sakura muttered, "I'm surprised Naruto isn't here…"

"You just missed him!" Exclaimed the waitress. I smiled at her. Everyone gave their orders except Sakura who claimed that she was on a diet. Tenten gave her a hard time, but Hinata and I stayed quiet.

"So… Rui… how is it- you know- living with Sasuke-kun?" I gave Sakura a small smile. After spending time with her I had realized why Sasuke didn't like people calling him Sasuke-kun.

"Well… it's intresting…" I shrugged. "I am just so grateful that he would let me stay…"

They all nodded and then Tenten gave me a sly smile. I visibly flinched knowing what would come next. "So… Rui… is there anyone -you know- special in your life?"

I looked down at my bowl of ramen and shrugged. "I don't know what you mean, Tenten-chan…" I lied.

"You know… do you -like- anyone?"

"I like all of you, you are wonderful friends." I said, avoiding the subject. I stink at lying. It's something I have never been good at so avoiding the subject was the only way to not have to blatantly lie to their faces.

Tenten sighed. "I mean -like, like- like in a boyfriend-girlfriend way?"

"Uh… I gotta go." I grabbed my bags and bolted.

After reaching Sasukes house I put the clothes I had bought in the dresser and went into the kitchen for a cup of tea. Too bad Sasuke was there already.

"How was your day?" He asked, looking into his own tea cup. I stood stiff as a board.

"Good…" I replied, knowing he was up to something; he never makes small talk- ever.

"That's good." Sasuke put his empty tea cup in the sink and walked passed me. "Oh, and next time- knock first."

My face heated I didn't move until I heard his bedroom door closing. I followed his example, tea forgotten.