Hey everyone! ^^ I'm back again, with the next chapter of "Dirty Laundry"! ^^ A few things. One, I do NOT own Naruto or any song lyrics that you may find in the story, because they don't belong to me. Second, I know that it looked like it was going to be a lemon chapter, and guess what? I DO NOT write lemons. Anyway, I had to put in the cute little SasuSaku scene at the end. Third, I will explain the Make-Out Tactics section in later chapters. ^^ Expect this: "WHAT?" from Kakashi-sensei. Fourth, again, in case you(rightful owners of this anime and whatever songs I forgot to point out) can't read, I dO NOT own Naruto or any of the songs used. Fifth, everyone's out of character. All I'm going to say. Other than that, enjoy! ^^
My ears burned. Wait a sec…What did I just agree to? Sasuke had turned away, looking down at the stairs to his left, uncomfortable. I wrenched my head toward him, my hair swinging alongside my head, my eyes widening.
"Did…You just ask if I wanted to stay overnight?" I asked quietly. Sasuke didn't answer; he just kept staring at the ground, his hands tense in his pockets, his face slightly rosy from the cold or a blush.
"Hard of hearing?" He asked, looking at the sky. I snorted. Great…
"No, I just wanted to make sure I heard you right, that's all." I replied indignantly. Sasuke started walking back into his house, holding open the door for me, his back facing me.
"You coming?" He asked when I didn't follow, staring back at him as the fallen leaves flew past me. He actually means it? Hmmm, maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he actually isn't oblivious. I nodded, and ran up to the door, closing it behind me. Sasuke just stood by the table, his hands in his pockets, the dryer still rumbling in the laundry room, it being the only noise you could hear. I took a step toward my bag, unzipping it, and rooting through its contents, making sure my books were still there.
"How about this? I'll take a shower while you get started on your homework?" I suggested, lifting my head up from my bag to look at him. Sasuke just stood there, and shrugged.
"Works for me. You know where the bathroom is." He replied, walking toward the table. I snorted. He wasn't going to make this easy, was he? I snorted again, and stepped away from my bag, heading toward the laundry room for a towel.
"Oh, and Sasuke?" I called from inside the laundry room, opening to the dryer. I heard a chair screeching backwards across the waxed floor.
"Damn it." Was Sasuke's astute curse, and I found myself smiling as I picked up a towel from inside the dryer.
"Sasuke, the dryer's done. You can put it in a basket while I'm showering, alright?" I managed to get out before I cracked up at the sounds of scuffling coming from the dining room just down the hall.
"AGGGGHHHH!" Sasuke screeched, his high pitched shriek echoed by a loud crash, which I assumed to be his back hitting the floor. SHANNARO! Now he can't make fun of me for falling on my back! Cha, cha, cha! I clutched the towel to my chest, and walked out of the laundry room, shutting the dryer door carefully. I giggled softly, and stopped at the end of the hall, resting my left hand on the wall.
"Sasuke, are you-" I started. Sasuke's head lifted up toward me.
"Just go take your shower." He replied, getting up off the floor, and giving me a gentle nudge toward the bathroom. I smiled, and walked down the hall, heading toward a nice hot shower to calm myself with. Ten minutes later, I opened the curtain and shower to reach for my towel, and poked my head out, seeing a pale face and black hair.
"AGGGHHH! SASUKE! What are doing in here you big pervert?" I exclaimed, hiding behind the door, steam coming from the newly shut off water. Sasuke just shrugged, looking at the wall.
"I don't know. I needed help with my Physics." He replied, as if that explained everything. If I hadn't of had to hide behind the shower door, I would have reached out and put a sock in his mouth. You DO NOT walk in on a girl when she's taking a shower. WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. HE. THINKING! And on top of the fact that I wasn't covered, my clothes were out in the middle of the dining room, in my bag. Damn it! Sasuke looked over to me, a smug smile on his face.
"Do you need something, Sakura?" He asked. I picked my head up, my wet pink bangs hitting my forehead, water droplets flowing down my face.
"Yeah. I need my clothes, and I need you to GET OUT OF HERE!" I shouted, grabbing the towel, and wrapping it around myself, stepping out of the shower, and walking past Sasuke. I felt something grab my back, fingernails sliding down my spine as Sasuke hooked his fingers on the towel, holding me where I was.
"Dude, what?" I asked, turning my head around. Sasuke stared back at me, his black eyes soft.
"Let me get it for you. Stay here." He replied, letting go and walking out the door before I could protest. Great…I leaned up against the wall, waiting, and looked around for a wash cloth. I found one on the sink, and wetted it, washing my face off with soap and water. I rubbed hard, getting the dirt and makeup off, my face shining and clear, then brushed my teeth. Sasuke's footsteps echoed down the hall again, and I turned to the door. He held his hand out, holding my bag out for me to grab, keeping his eyes away from me.
"Here you go. I didn't look in it." He pointed out, as I took the bag. I looked at it, slightly shocked. I lifted my eyes to Sasuke's, hugging my bag to my chest.
"Thank you, Sasuke. Now get out." I replied, putting my hands on his shoulder and shoving as hard as I could. He stumbled out the door, stopping on his tip toes so that he didn't slip and fall on the wax. I giggled, then shut the door. I got dressed in my pink camisole, my black shorts, and pink ninja skirt, brushing my short hair, it nearly dry now. About ten minutes later, Sasuke knocked on the door, and I set the brush down, turning to the door.
"You're clear now. What is it?" I asked. Sasuke leaned up against the door frame, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What is the tendency of an object to resist motion?" He asked, his eyes expectant after a few seconds. I blinked. That was on the class work today for my class! How far behind is his group? I sighed.
"Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist motion." I replied, shaking my head. Sasuke smiled.
"Thanks. Oh, and Sakura, there's more ramen out here if you want it." He pointed out. I nodded, and smiled.
"Thanks Sasuke. Do you have anything else I can help you with?" I asked. Sasuke shook his head.
"Nope, but could you leave so that I can take a shower?" He replied. I nodded, and smirked.
"Sure you can. After you do something for me." I answered. Sasuke lifted his eyebrow suspiciously.
"What is it?" He asked. I bit my lip, torn. I wanted to ask him something, something I'd never asked him to do before. But, I still wasn't sure how he felt about me. Inviting me to stay over at his house seems like he thinks of me as more of a friend…But still…Sasuke took a few steps toward me, and looked at me skeptically.
"What's wrong, Sakura? You look troubled." He asked, tilting his head to the side. I shook my head, closing my eyes.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter." I replied, brushing past him, and walking out the door. Sasuke stared at my back as I walked down the hall, hanging my head as I went. I knew he was confused, and unsure of what was wrong, but I didn't care. All that mattered was getting away as fast as possible before I did something stupid. Something really stupid. I mean seriously, would he actually react the way I hoped he would? Sasuke wasn't the type of guy who likes girls, or even thinks about girls, so what's the point? I continued down the hall, my footsteps quiet. I didn't hear anything, no footsteps coming after me, nothing. Just the water from the shower. That's it. Maybe he doesn't…I got to the table, and started doing my homework, working through some problems, writing my essays, and reading chapters of Make-Out Tactics. Yes, Make-Out Tactics. Kakashi-sensei suggested that I read it. I can't blame him, but, it actually was porn. Now I could make fun of it, without getting accused of not knowing what it was about. I finished all of my homework quickly, being the student I was, and started in on the Make-Out Tactics. I flipped through the pages, skipping the introduction due to seeing a few words that unsettled me, then stopped at the first chapter. I started reading, blinking my green eyes every once in a while, sometimes flipping my pink side bangs back, others staring hopelessly at the most boring book I've ever opened for seconds straight. It was absolute torture. I glanced at the clock. Only two minutes had passed.
"SHANNARO! BAKA KAKASHI-SENSEI!" I screeched, lifting my right fist up, and scowling at open air, my temper rising.
"THIS BOOK HAS TAKEN UP TWO MINUTES OF MY LIFE! SHANNARO!" My angry yell echoed throughout the house, echoing down the hall, no doubt to the bathroom. I'd hear it from Sasuke in a second. It was only a matter of time. And the amount of suds left. By the time I had slammed the horrible book down onto the table; my temper was all but gone.
"What the hell was Kakashi-sensei thinking? Sneaking this book into my bag. SHANNARO!" I screamed, slamming my tensed fist down onto the table, smashing the book underneath it.
"BAKA KAKASHI-SENSEI! SHANNARO!" I felt a hand come down on my shoulder, water droplets falling onto the top of my head. I froze in my chair.
"What are you screaming about, Sakura?" Sasuke asked smoothly right beside my ear, his lips right beside it. I fought back the urge to shiver.
"Um, nothing Sasuke. I'm not screaming about anything. Don't worry about it." I lied, covering the book with my arms as best I could, turning my head to face Sasuke. His black irises glowed with amusement.
"Oh really? Then why did I hear you calling Kakashi an idiot?" He asked. I gulped.
"Uh…" Was all I could say as he pulled the book out from under my arm, and held it in front of him, reading the title.
"Make-Out Tactics by Jiraiya? WHAT THE HELL!" Sasuke screamed, swinging around, throwing Kakashi-sensei's pride and joy down onto the ground, and jumping backwards, lifting his hands up, weaving through hands signs. I recognized them immediately. I leapt up, reaching out with one hand.
"Sasuke no! Stop!" I cried, Sasuke taking a deep breath, standing up straight and tall.
"Fire style! Fireball jutsu!" Just as the red flames started to come out of his mouth, I slammed my shoulder into his side, trying to break his concentration. He slid across the floor, rolling around, hitting his head on objects. I stalked over to him, snarling.
"WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU LITTLE DUFUS? THAT'S NOT EVEN MY BOOK, AND YOU THINK IT'S ALRIGHT TO PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT? KAKASHI-SENSEI WOULD KILL ME IF YOU'D BURNED IT, YOU STUPID LITTLE TROLL! SHANNARO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, Sasuke staring up at me with a frightened expression as I roared at him. I grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him to his feet, shaking him fiercely.
"ARE YOU GOING TO SAY SOMETHING? HUH?" I yelled into his face, Sasuke's eyes wide with fear as he shook his head. I let go, stepping back, then storming toward the book, and picking it up with my left hand, shaking my right fist in the air, an angry scowl on my face.
"YOU SINGED THE EDGES, YOU BAKA!" I screeched, stalking back over to Sasuke, pulling my right hand back, taking a deep breath.
"Wait Sakura! Calm down!" Sasuke backed up, lifting his palms up for emphasis. I narrowed my eyes, and flung my fist forward.
"SHANNARO!" I cried, my fist connecting with his jaw, my hair flying around my head, Sasuke flying toward the door, as I flung my right fist back to my side. Sasuke flew through the door, slamming into the fence on the other side of the road. Sasuke slowly got up, rubbing his skull, then looking up at me as I stood in the doorway, snarling.
"What was that for Sakura? Seriously! Why'd you punch me?" He asked, as he walked back across the street, narrowing his eyes in pain. I noticed bystanders watching in horror as I stormed down the stairs, lifting my fist in the air.
"YOU BURNED KAKASHI-SENSEI'S BOOK! NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT, YOU STUPID DUFUS!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the Leaf village, bouncing off of the mountain with the Hokage faces, coming back, then bouncing off of the main gate, coming back, then bouncing off of everything else. Sasuke pointed one finger at the book's charred top right hand corner.
"That book? The Make-Out Tactics?" He asked quietly. I nearly went on a rampage again. Instead, I crossed my arms over my chest, and turned away, blowing steam from my nose.
"Yes, that book. The one I've been screaming about for the past minute or so." I snorted, lifting my nose up into the air. Sasuke sighed.
"Oh. Looks like I'll have to buy him another one then." Sasuke replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. I snorted again, looking back at him from over my shoulder.
"Damn straight you will, baka." I replied, tossing my head angrily. Sasuke rubbed his jaw confusedly.
"Now why am I an idiot?" He asked. I exhaled through my nose, hot air blowing down to my chin.
"Because you burned it." I replied simply. Sasuke nodded.
"Oh, right. It's cold outside. So if you've calmed down enough, can we go back inside?" He asked, nodding toward the door. I flinched in surprise.
"Oh, right! Sorry." I replied, turning and walking up the stairs, holding the door open for Sasuke, who was aimlessly rubbing the side of his face that my fist had dug into. It's not going to heal if you keep doing that, baka. Sasuke kept his distance as I set the book down, and started gathering my homework. I looked up at him, blinking my gentle green eyes.
"I finished my homework, so, if you need help with yours, I can help you without having to worry about getting mine done. " I pointed out, lifting my school bag up off of the ground, and putting my books and folders into it. Sasuke shook his head, smiling crookedly.
"No, I'm alright. I don't have any more homework to do. I finished during your hour long shower." He teased. I smiled slightly.
"I figured you did." I replied, lifting my clothes bag up, and walking toward the bathroom to put my dirty clothes away.
"You know, Sakura, you could always wash your dirty clothes. After all, you're here to do my dirty laundry. You could always do yours too." He pointed out nonchalantly. I felt the switch that kept my temper in check flip up, my temper roaring through my veins, my body tensing up.
"Don't remind me, Sasuke. I had a rough day. I have like, six tests I have to study for, three essays, and on top of that, Kakashi-sensei assigned me to read this book, and I haven't even gotten past the first page of the first chapter. I only read a few words. I'm not in the mood right now." I replied, curling my fingers into a fist, my tensed right hand against my side. Sasuke snorted.
"You're over exaggerating." He replied. I whirled around.
"Put a sock in it!" I snapped, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. I was tired. I had to go to sleep, or else Sasuke wouldn't leave to see tomorrow. I don't think my friends would forgive me if I punched him to death. Sasuke walked over to me, stopping a few inches away from where I was standing, his face expressionless.
"Why don't you go get some sleep? You look tired." He suggested, tilting his head to the side. I jerked my head backward in surprise.
"Huh? But where?" I asked. Sasuke slid his left hand up the right side of my face, his fingers brushing against my temples.
"You could sleep in my room, if you wanted." He offered. I felt my heart beat quicken. SHANNARO! We better NOT be doing what I think we're going to do! CHHAAA! Sasuke seemed to read the fear in my eyes.
"Relax. Just go straight down the hall, the last door in the back." Sasuke soothed, giving me a gentle nudge. I nodded, then turned, walking down the hall, and opening the door. I reached around on the wall for a light switch, and flipped it up, a soft white light brightening the room. A simple white decorated bed sat in the middle of the room, a night table on the right side, the light standing up on the back left hand corner. On my left was a closet, the same closet that Sasuke seemed to have brought me clothes to wash from. His dresser stood several feet in front of the bed, the window on the right side of the bed, the curtains blowing gently in the breeze. Pale moonlight slowly brightened, getting rid of the need for a light, and I flipped the switch, the light shutting off. I took a few steps, setting my bag down beside the closet door, and continuing to the bed.
"I hope its okay. I didn't clean my room after, well, you know." Sasuke's voice spoke up from the doorframe that he was leaning against. I turned my head, as I pulled the covers back.
"No, it's fine. I don't mind. My room is far worse." I replied, giggling slightly. Sasuke smiled, and walked over, watching me slid under the covers.
"Sasuke?" I started. He lifted his eyebrows expectantly.
"Where are you going to sleep?" I asked. Sasuke rolled his eyes, clearly not wanting to talk about this.
"I was going to sleep in-" I could tell where this was going.
"A gentleman would sleep on the floor." I replied, rolling over. Sasuke snorted.
"Since you're sleeping in my bed, I'm going to sleep on the couch. Don't snore, okay?" He replied, turning around, and walking out the door. I smiled, looking out the window, the soft breeze ruffling my hair. I slowly shut my eyes, and drifted off to sleep a few seconds later.
"AAAGGGGHHHHH!" I screamed, jolting awake, hearing huge booms and slams on the roof, freezing cold air flying through the window, huge balls of what seemed to be ice falling from the sky, each about the size of a golf ball. Small white flakes followed, rain, freezing rain, and sleet pounding on the roof. I shivered as the cold wind blew over me, my teeth starting to chatter. It's already winter? It's only October… I heard footsteps coming down the hallway, and I turned toward the door that flew open seconds later.
"What is it? Did you have a nightmare?" Sasuke asked, his eyes wide open, his face wide awake. He didn't seem to have gotten any sleep, he looked about as exhausted as I felt before I hit the pillow. I glanced at the clock on the night table. 2:00 in the morning. It's been about four hours since I went to bed at around 10:00. I was still tired, and it felt like my arms and legs were going to drop off. I shook my head, and smiled weakly.
"I guess the storm just scared me. Sorry to wake you." I replied, nodding once. Sasuke walked toward me, shutting the door behind him, and passing the bed, rubbing his eyes.
"You could've shut the window if you felt cold, you know." He muttered, pulling the window shut. I looked down at my legs.
"Yeah, I probably could've. I'm sorry. You should go back to-" Cool fingers pulled my face back up.
"There's no way I'm sleeping out there. The windows rattle every time the wind blows. And the damn hail pounds on the roof. It doesn't matter if I cover my ears, or bury my face into the couch. I can still hear it!" He complained, as I blinked my green eyes, my cheeks flushing a slight pink. He leaned his face closer, slightly confused.
"Are you okay, Sakura?" He asked, blinking his black eyes. I nodded too fast. Way too fast.
"I'm alright, don't worry about me, I'm just sleepy. But I don't think I'm going to get any sleep now that the storm's acting up." I mused, looking out the closed window at the falling hail. Sasuke nodded grimly.
"Yeah, I don't think I'm going to get any sleep either." He replied. He lifted his fingers away, and started to get up off of the side of the bed, before I sat up, catching his hand in mine.
"Wait. Don't leave." I pleaded, Sasuke looking back at me, surprised.
"Are you sure?" He asked, his black eyes level. What a pervert.
"Not that, dufus. I meant why don't you sleep here? I don't like being alone during any kinds of storms." I replied. Sasuke nodded, and smiled, as he laid down, carefully keeping a few inches between us as he slid under the blankets.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" He asked again, looking over at me with unsure eyes. I nodded my whole head once, smiling.
"Of course. It's your bed you know. And as long as we aren't doing anything we aren't supposed to do, I have no problem with it." I replied cheerfully. Sasuke smiled, and nodded, brushing the stray side bang that slid down my face, covering my eyes.
"Okay, as long as you're okay with it." He replied. I nodded, and closed my eyes, relaxing. Sasuke's hand lingered on my cheek, his fingers gently rubbing my temple, the sound of his breathing soft and pensive. When Sasuke lifted his hand away from my face, I rolled over, and started lightly dozing. Several minutes later, I wasn't feeling any warmer. It was freezing cold on my side, my body heat not warming me up at all. I felt warmth coming from behind me, and unconsciously shifted toward it, bumping into Sasuke by accident. I opened my eyes, Sasuke, still asleep, pulling me toward him, resting my head on the top of his right arm, beside his shoulder, his left arm lying over my back, his breathing ruffling my hair as he slept. I blinked several times, trying to find myself. Did he just…Do what I think he did? I laid back a little, my back resting against Sasuke's chest gently, warmth wrapping itself around me. I relaxed, smiling slightly. Yeah, he did. And I don't care. The storm didn't touch me for the rest of the night, although I could still hear the pounding of the hail and mixed precipitation on the roof, but Sasuke's gentle embrace washed all of my fear and anxiety away. I was surprised he didn't ask me why I got scared when there was a storm, but I figured it was because he was tired. My mind slowly stopped calculating reasons for his embrace, and just drifted back to sleep. I no longer had to worry about being cold. Even though the cold air that was in the room from the used to be opened window was snaking under the blankets through tiny little peepholes, I couldn't feel it coming. The only thing I could feel was Sasuke's breathing on the back of my skull, his arms around me, his chest against my back, and the dull but still active butterflies in my stomach. I didn't care the air around us was cold. The only thing that I could think about at that moment was Sasuke, and his gentleness. Hold me, and don't ever let me go. I was hoping he wouldn't ever let me go. This felt too good to ever push away. My mind blanked out as I slipped into unconsciousness.