HELLO!

I KNOW I KNOW ITS BEEN SO LONG!

and i apologize... i do have a personal life though you know:P

geez, i've only been in school for a month and i'm already behind in readings!

oh well!

hope you guys enjoy this looooooooooooooong awaited chapter 11!

heart always

-lady riinee


Chapter 11: Hidden talents, secret agendas. Part 5… kiss?

A woman in her early 20s briskly walked down the hallway of a new building downtown. She was about 5'7" or so, maybe about 5'10" with her heels on. The woman flew down the hallway; she fixed the slick black framed glasses on her face and tucked a loose strand of matching black hair behind her ear, the rest was pulled back in a tight, neat bun. Her eyes were an odd auburn color, accented with black and brown liner and mascara. Her cheeks were dusted light pink and her lips painted a deep red, the color of blood. She was clean cut. Very business like with her tall black stilettos, and skin colored nylons. She wore a business suit. Colored navy blue with fine thin white vertical pin-stripes: her skirt was fitted and went just about to her knees they matched her blazer with wide a wide open collar panels framing the white silk tank-top she had on underneath. She griped several manila folders in her lift hand leaving her right to swing briskly, fist clenched, like a pendulum matching her quick strides and moving hips. Her heels could be heard, clicking against the tiled floor. Delicate brows were creased with rage and her blood lips were pressed in an angry line. She neared the room at the end of the hallway, flying past the open windows that let the light from the outside shine in, looking much like a shadow running from something… or someone.
She burst through the door into the isolated room of the CEO.

"This is madness!" She screamed. The CEO's chair was facing its back to her. "He won't agree to this!" She practically threw the manila folders on the desk. Corners of the papers inside peeked out from the folder's edges.

"He will." The CEO replied. His cool deep voice always managed to send chills down her spine. The chair slowly moved, spinning around to face her.

"Demo, Itachi-sama, yo-" Before she could finish he had her chin cupped in his hand. She blushed, he smirked.

"He will." He dropped his hand and took a step towards her, she took a step back. He took another one closer, she took back, he closer, she back, closer, back…until her back pressed up against the wall. Itachi pinned her in-between his arms, pressed his chest against hers, she blushed furiously. "Kaana… you're wearing the lip-stick I bought you… the day your fiancée left you"

"I…" Kaana stumbled at a loss for words.

"Heh…" Itachi smirked and released his prisoner from his grasp… for now. "My father will agree… and so will my brother."
Kaana did her best to calm her racing heart; her hand was placed on her chest as she breathed in long breaths softly.

"How…how wi-"

"Will I do it?" Itachi turned and walked back towards his desk a prominent smirk on his face. "Easy… I'll simply have to offer them a deal they can't resist."

--

The bell rang for lunch and Sakura quickly got up. She gathered her books quickly and skipped merrily out of class.

"Well she's in a rush…" Shikamaru said watching the pink haired girl rush down the hallway. "Seems happy, whatever that Izumo guy said to her earlier really cheered her up." He glanced at Sasuke wondering if he hit a nerve. It amused him that the man with a heart of ice was easily flustered at the mention of a certain pastel haired girl. However the ice man seemed to keep his cool. Sasuke merely shrugged.

"It's not our business." And with that Sasuke made his way out of the room.

"Well at least he's back to being himself." Shikamaru shrugged.

"Yeah, good old Sasuke-teme with a stick up his ass." Naruto laughed, but stopped when a book nailed him in the head. Shikamaru sighed. "TEME!"

"I heard that dead last."

--

"Sakura over here!" Akira waved Sakura over; she smiled and made her way to him.

"Hello Akira-kun." Sakura said a sweet smile prominent on her face.

"I'm glad you accepted my invitation."

"Me too."

"Shall we?" He asked holding an arm out for her to take. Her smile grew wider and she took it happily.

"We shall." And he led her off.

Ten Ten and Hinata smiled as they watched their friend and the rather attractive young man reach a tree in the courtyard. Akira took out a blanket from his bag and lay it upon the ground. Sakura took a seat first and Akira sat next to her.

"Aww, they're so cute!" Hinata cried.

"Finally! A decent guy who knows how to treat a lady." Ten Ten sighed.

"You make us sound like we're all perverted jerks." The girls turned around to be faced with none other than the famous 4 themselves. Neji frowned. "We're not all perverted jerks you know."

Ten Ten flushed slightly. "Anyway…" She started. "Hinata, I guess it's just you and me for lunch today." Hinata nodded.

"Why don't you guys have lunch with us today?" Naruto asked. Hinata's cheeks flushed lightly.

"R-really?" She asked.

"Why not?" Naruto looked at the guys behind him. Shikamaru shrugged, Neji nodded, Sasuke however wasn't really paying attention he was watching Sakura laugh and smile while Akira spoke to her.

"Sasuke?" Naruto poked his shoulder. No response. Sasuke watched as Akira took out a bento box out of his backpack.

"He's not listening to you Naruto." Neji said. "Oi Uchiha?" Still nadda. Sasuke watched as Sakura's cheeks turned slightly red as she bowed her thanks to Akira.

Shikamaru sighed. "How troublesome, he's watching his crush have lunch with another guy because HE blew it." Shikamaru said trying to catch Sasuke's attention. It didn't work though. Sasuke watched as Akira took Sakura's hand into his and kissed it slightly.

"Wow, teme's really out of it. He must really like Sakura-chan." Naruto snickered. Sasuke cringed slightly at the sight before him, he turned away and headed to their usual lunch spot.

"Lets go."

Neji, Hinata, Naruto, Ten Ten and Shikamaru blinked at the raven haired boy's back. He didn't respond to any of their taunting.

"Jeez, what a guy." Ten Ten sighed.

They followed him anyway.

--

"You have the most amazing eyes I have ever seen princess… eyes filled with hope and love…" Akira said.
Sakura blushed slightly. So what if they were just acting out a scene for the play. Any girl would blush at that kind of comment.

"So what do you think Sakura-san!" Akira asked her. "Should I try out for the play?"

"I think so, that was really good." Sakura replied smiling. "But I think you need to put more soul into it when you're trying out, you know how Shizune-sensei is." Sakura replied rolling her eyes. She was still kindda ticked that they didn't ask her first before putting her in the role of the princess.

"Try outs are coming up really really soon. I'm so nervous Sakura." Akira's cheeks flushed from embarrassment. Sakura smiled. She couldn't help it, he was just too cute, showing his vulnerability like that.

"Don't be nervous Akira-kun, I'm sure you'll do just fine."

"You think so?" Akira asked his spirits lifting slightly.

"Definitely!" Sakura gave him a smile that was to die for. Akira smiled back and her and leaned in to give her an innocent peck on the cheek.

"Thanks Sakura." He grinned. Sakura blushed and resumed eating, Akira followed suit.

--

"No." Neji said for the last time. He confirmed that asking the girls to have lunch with them was not a totally good idea. Ten Ten and Hinata have spent the whole time trying to convince them to try out for the school play.

"Come on! There's not enough guys that actually try out for parts. Some girls end up playing male roles!" Ten Ten frowned. They weren't getting anywhere.

"HAHA!" Naruto laughed. "Girls were playing guy's parts! HAHAHAHAHA! Ouch!" Naruto rubbed the back of his head where Shikamaru had knocked him with rolled up
script the girls had presented to them.

"Then don't write so many male parts, you already know that there aren't a lot of guys who try out. So stop making roles for them." Shikamaru said while glaring at Naruto.

"OWW WHAT THE!" He screeched when Neji knocked Shikamaru in the head.

"Shut up! Hinata-sama wrote the play this year." Neji barked defensively.

"Then you should try out" Ten Ten smirked feeling the Hyuuga male tense. He glared at her momentarily but ceased when she returned the glare ten fold.

"Hn." He huffed.

"You sound like Sasuke." Ten Ten teased. This earned her a glare from both males, which she again returned ten fold.

"I-if w-what the guys s-say is true, t-then who will play the m-male l-lead?" Hinata started. "S-Sakura-chan will be r-really upset i-if she is t-the only l-lead. Right?"

"You're right." Ten Ten shrugged. "But when the news gets out that the Haruno Sakura is playing the female lead, there'll be so many guys trying out!"

"But it's a musical, not many guys can sing!" Naruto said. "I mean, I'm probably failing music anyway."

"That's no surprise" Sasuke smirked.

"Hey you probably are too! I've never heard you sing Teme!"

"I took guitar… and I'm getting a 98, beats you dead-last."

"TEME!"

"DEAD LAST!"

"TEME!"

"DEAD LAST!"

"TEM—"

"WE GET THE POINT!" Ten Ten and Hinata yelled at the same time. This startled the guys a little and they fell into silence.
Ten Ten sighed. "Oh well, I guess the part of the knight will go to Akira-san."

Sasuke's ears perked up. "he's trying out?"

"Oh course, he signed up right away once he heard Sakura was playing the part of the princess."

"SAKURA-CHAN IS THE PRINCESS? SAKURA-CHAN IS THE LEAD! COOLNESS!" Naruto shrieked.

Massive s-drop.

"You're stupid." Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome guy." He muttered

BRRRRRING BRRRRIING

And so lunch ended. And the rest of the day went without Sasuke and Sakura exchanging one word.

--

Sasuke packed up his gear for his last class of the day, guitar. As an elective he kind of liked this class, it was the only class that he didn't have with any of his friends or Haruno Sakura. It was kind of his "alone time" the only downer was, Akira was in his class. For a brief second Sasuke turned his attention to Akira. He had a smile pestered on his face as he unplugged his patch cord from the amp. Sasuke realized that he was glaring at Akira. He never had before. So why start now. He practically felt his inner self grin.

Because you like Sakura…

And Sakura likes Akira…

Face it Uchiha…



You…



Are…

Jealous.

No. I'm not!

Sure… Keep telling yourself that.

Sasuke clenched his fists. He pictured about 50 ways of making Akira suffer, but a knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. Sasuke (along with the rest of the class) turned his attention to the door-way.

Sakura?

"Gomen." She stumbled, bowing apologetically. "Sorry for disturbing you but is Akira-kun here?" She asked politely. Akira smiled upon hearing her voice.

"Just a second Sakura, I'm just packing up."

"Okay, I'll wait outside okay?" She smiled.

"Okay. I won't be long." She nodded and left the door frame. Sakura leaned against the wall outside. She shifted uncomfortably. She admitted she was nervous. Sure she was real
comfortable around Akira, but it has been a long time since she's sung in front of anyone. She wondered how she was going to do it in the play. Sakura bit her bottom lip nervously.

What if I'm bad? What if I crack? If I hit a bad note? I CAN'T DO THIS!

Sakura shook her head of her thoughts she wanted to leave. She shifted herself to go back inside the room and tell Akira she wasn't feeling up to it. But something firm and soft obstructed her way. She looked up to meet the onyx eyes of no other than Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke looked down at her, peering into her sea foam green eyes. It scared him how easily he lost himself in them. What was he doing again? Oh right leaving, but suddenly he didn't feel like going anywhere.

"G-gomen." She squeaked. Her head snapping to the floor.

Its so awkward around him now…

"Its okay…" Sasuke said remembering he had a voice. "Where are you going?" Damnit! He thought I didn't have to continue!

"I was… err…" Sakura fumbled.

"Were you leaving?"

Sakura nodded.

"Why?"

Think Sakura THINK

"I…"

SAY SOMETHING

"I…"

ANYTHING

"I didn't want to see you." She blurted out.

ANYTHING BUT THAT! SAKURA NO BAKA

Sasuke felt a ping of guilt hit him. He knew he was a jerk to her but he didn't realize he had made her hate him entirely. "Oh…" is all he managed to say. Then he just brushed past her and continued on his way. Sakura looked over her shoulder at Sasuke's back, her eyes drooped with resentment.

Hey! He deserved it! That jackass her inner self assured her.

I didn't have to return the favor…

"Sakura-san?" Akira's voice sucked Sakura back into realty.

"Hai?"

"Ready?"

"Uh… yeah." Sakura forced a smile as she and Akira left the building.

--

"Sasuke is that you?"

Sasuke paused for a moment before leaving the school. He turned upon hearing the voice of their principal Tsunande.

"Hn."

"Humm... still not one for words."

Sasuke just stared at her.

"Anyway… I was looking over your records, and it turns out that you haven't finished your community service hours, AND you don't have ANY academic extracurricular
activities listed."

"Where are you going with this?" Sasuke asked as he rolled his eyes. He turned his back slightly as if continuing his way out the school doors.

"Sasuke, you're going to try out for the schools play on Friday, for the led, and you're going to get the part, or you won't be graduating next year."

Sasuke was shocked.

"What?"

"You heard me Uchiha! If you're not on that stage in two months, you don't graduate. Get it? Got it? GOOD!" with that Tsunande flicked him a script and walked away.

Sasuke stared down at the script in his hands. "Shit."

--

"Thank you so much Sakura-san! I think I can get the lead!" Akira said packing up his things. "Glad I could help" Sakura said with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Looking forward too it!" Akira responded with an enchanting smile. Sakura merely returned the smile and showed Akira out the door.
Sakura waved goodbye to Akira and locked the door after him.
She then went to the kitchen and started to make dinner. Sakura sighed. She hated this part of the day. She despised being alone for her meals. To her it was the loneliest part of the day. Sakura took note of how empty her kitchen was without sharing it with anyone. She frowned slightly. She remembered how excited she was when she first moved out on her own.

I said I would be able to take care of myself. That I didn't need anyone to do it for me… She thought to herself as she sat down to eat.

I just never thought… it would be this lonely.

When she had finished her meal, she remained seated at the table in her tiny kitchen nook and sipped her seeped tea. Her thoughts drifted back to her home town, so many memories, she drowned herself in them.

Knock. Knock.

The sudden sound snapped her out of her thoughts and back into reality.

"Coming!" Sakura shouted. I wonder who that could be… Sakura opened the door and was taken back by whom she saw.

"Hey…" Sasuke greeted not looking at her although he knew her face held a shocked expression.

"Sa-Sasuke?"

"Hn." He nodded.

--

The two of them sat at her kitchen table like they did before. "What brings you here?" Sakura asked curiously.

"well…" Sasuke started.

Flashback

"Sasuke, you're going to try out for the schools play on Friday, for the led, and you're going to get the part, or you won't be graduating next term."

Sasuke was shocked.

"What?"

"You heard me Uchiha! If you're not on that stage in two months, you don't graduate. Get it? Got it? GOOD!" with that Tsunande flicked him a script and walked away.

Sasuke stared down at the script in his hands. "Shit."

End Flashback

"Ah I see" Sakura nodded silently as she eyed the script on the table.

"So can you help me or not?" Sasuke asked coldly. She felt her heart sink slightly.

And here I thought he was coming by to see me, all he wants is for me to help him graduate.

It made her angry.

The way Sakura thought of it there were two ways she could respond to him; either one:

"Sure Sasuke-kun I'll help you..." then she could collect a favor from him later

or two:

"Why should I help you? You're rude and a jerk! Someone must have dropped you on your head when you were a child because you must be retarded to think that I'd agree to help you after the way you treated me! You arrogant son of a bitch!"

That's what she wanted to say to him, but of course she didn't instead she responded with silence for Sakura was debating on how to answer him.

"Well?" Sasuke poked impatiently

"Well? Well what I'm thinking!" Sakura spat back at him, her brows knitting in aggravation. "Jeez, so impatient."

Sasuke stayed silent, quietly fuming inside. There was just something about the rosette haired female in front of him that put him on edge and he didn't know what it was, that just pissed him off more. After 10 more minutes of silence Sasuke had enough.

"Sakura…" No answer.

"Sakura?" She remained silence.

"SAKURA!"

"WHAT!" Sakura snapped clearly annoyed.

"Are you going to answer me or not?"

"NO!"

"What?" Sasuke was taken back, "what did you say?"

"I SAID NO! N. O.!" Sakura glared at him with angry emerald eyes. "Give me one good reason WHY I should HELP, YOU!"

Sasuke pondered for a moment, then a sly grin crossed his face.

"I said GOOD Uchiha, and it better be a GOOD reason."

"Heh." Sasuke smirked. Sakura tapped her foot impatiently.

"Well?"
Sasuke looked around her apartment. "Judging from the look of this place, you don't exactly have a lot of… financial support do you?" Sakura's taps stopped, her eyes softened signaling to Sasuke that he hit a soft spot. "And I've been here before and it seems as if you live alone. You go to school full time and study most of your free time so I'm also guessing that you don't have a part-time job. Am I right?"

"We-well I don't have one yet." Sakura said confidently pointing out the classified ads on the kitchen counter.

"And I am to understand that your brand new glasses are broken correct?"

"How did you know about that?"

"Heh." Sasuke smirked pulling a familiar object out of his bag. "You forget Sakura, I know everything in Konoha high."

Sakura stared at the object. "Tho-those are my glasses!"

"Yep. All fixed up and everything. Do you know how much this cost me to fix?"

Sakura remained silent and eyed him.

Shit! I can't pay him back for that

He had her, now she HAD to help him.

"Are you planning on giving those back to me?" Sakura asked her brow rose.

"Are you planning on helping me get this part?" Sasuke mimicked in the same tone.

Silence.

"Fine…" Sakura breathed "I'll do what I can."

Sasuke smirked in triumph.

"But you have to understand that you have to put some effort into this too… its not like I can wave a magic wand and poof you have talent." Sakura said sarcastically, getting up from the table.

"Yeah, yeah…hey are you implying I'm not talented?" Sasuke glared at her as she got up from the table. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get my script! Auditions are on Friday, two days is not exactly a long time." Sakura scoffed entering her bedroom. She muttered curses under her breath "jeez…so nosy"

"I heard that!" Sasuke scolded from the kitchen. Sakura merely stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh yeah that's real mature Haruno." Sasuke mocked making an ugly funny face at her in return.

"Oh yeah that's real attractive Uchiha." Sakura rolled her eyes and entered her room. She grabbed her script and went back to Sasuke.

"Okay, lets get started, have you even read the script?"

"Hum?" Sasuke looked at her blankly.

"I guess not. Jeez, I don't see what's so great about you."

"Relax, I read it." Sasuke interrupted.

"Really?"

"yeah."

"Then what's it about?" Sakura looked at him slightly amused.

"A girl…"

"That's it?"

"A princess."

"Okay?"

"And a prince… and a knight."

"Are you just guessing?"

Pause… "No."

"Okay then what about the princess and the prince and the knight?"

"They fall in love." Sasuke replied rather bored. Truth be told he merely skimmed through it on the way over here.

"Who?"

"The princess."

"DUH, with who?"

Sasuke remained silent. Sakura sighed… Its going to be a long night

--

Brrrrriiiing.

Brrrrriiiing.

The school bell rang signaling the end of the school day. Sasuke turned to his seatmate but found that she was already halfway out the door. "Damnit that girl." He cursed under his breath. Auditions were tomorrow and he felt as if he wasn't ready, much to his dismay, he needed to run lines with Sakura one last time before he tried out. It made sense, right? RIGHT.
Sasuke grabbed his bags and zoomed past all the crazy fan girls in his class who were trying to crowd around him and the other famous 4 members in his class.

"Oi! Teme where are you going?" Naruto called out to him. But the Uchiha didn't care to answer; he just kept on his way doing his best to keep up with the pastel haired beauty.

"What's up with him?" Naruto wondered out loud.

"Don't know." Shikamaru shrugged.

"SASUKE-KUN WHERE ARE YOU GOING!" Some schoolgirls wined as they followed him down the hall.

Holy shit, where the hell did she go? Sasuke wondered; scanning flooded hallways for any sign of pink. "Frikken girl, she knew I needed her help too."

"Aww you needed my help?" Asked a sarcastic voice behind him. Sasuke turned around and there standing in front of him was the pink princess herself. "You could have just asked me in class. Was I supposed to guess?" She glared at him.

"Hn." He responded (if you call that a response).

"SASUKE-KUN!" Ino called from down the hall.
Sasuke cringed and swore under his breath. Sakura giggled slightly hearing him swear. He looked up at her, her eyes shone when she laughed they still sparkled when she giggled. Pure innocence. He smirked at her and took a place at her side, but slightly behind her just as Ino approached them.

"Hello Sasuke-kun!" She chimed. "Forehead girl" She glared.

Wow… can you say bi-polar Sakura thought as she forced a smile at the blonde.

"Sasuke-kun!" Ino began again. Sakura could practically sense the Uchiha roll his eyes beside her and she wondered how the blonde in front of them could be so oblivious to the fact that Sasuke didn't like her.

"Want to go to the mall with me?" Ino asked with what Sakura thought was supposed to be a seductive wink.

"No." Sasuke answered pretty much immediately.

"AWWW WHY NOT?" Ino whined. Sakura cringed at Ino's high-pitched whine in annoyance.

"Uhh…" Sakura began, "Sasuke I have to get going." She said and took a few steps forward.

"Sakura." Sasuke called her name and grabbed her hand stopping her from going anywhere. Sakura was startled. For one she wasn't expecting him to grab her, and two she noted how he called her name. Was there some distress and need in his tone? Or was it her mind playing tricks on her again. She turned her head to look at him, shock donned her features for a second then it was gone, but Sasuke seemed to just know that she was still puzzled by his actions. To tell the truth he wasn't entirely sure why he had grabbed her himself, his body seemed to act on its own when he was around her, and he didn't like it. The whole thing was alien to him.
Unfortunately for them Sasuke's fan girls were all present in the hallway and the ruler of them all, Ino, was right smack in front of them. Not a smart move.
Sakura stared at him with her sea foam eyes unsure of what to say or do.

"FOREHEAD GIRL!" Ino screeched "LET GO OF SASUKE-KUN!"

"Are you daft!" Sakura glared at her, her hand still within Sasuke's grasp. "He's the one latched on to me!" Sakura literally pointed out, pointing to Sasuke's firm grip on her hand.

"SASUKE-KUN!" Ino whined sounding much like a 5-year-old girl who didn't get her way.

"Shut up." Sasuke said in his stoic, deep, enticing, dreamy voice. Shocking the annoying blonde. He succeeded in shutting her up and starting soft whispers among passer bys.

"Sakura," Sasuke's hand didn't leave hers as he started to lead her down the hallway. "Lets go." He made his way out, hand in hand with a very confused Sakura.
Sakura was so out of it that she didn't notice a very shocked and heart broken Akira among the lingered in the hallway.

--

The two of them walked towards Sasuke's car in silence. Sasuke let her hand fall from his grasp and clicked the button to unlock the doors to his car felt as if she was supposed to, expected almost, to get into the car. Sasuke opened the driver's door and got in. He settled himself in and started the engine. Sakura paused in front of the passenger side door wondering if she was supposed to get in too. The windows rolled themselves down at the flick of a button. She could see Sasuke's aggravated face through the empty space. He cocked an eyebrow at her as if she was stupid or something.

"What?" She snapped.

"Are you getting in or not?"

"Am I your pet?" She placed her hands on her hips. "Just because I owe you, doesn't mean you can order me around all the time!" Sakura snapped. She pouted her lips in a frown and crossed her arms turning her face and body slightly away from him.

Sasuke frowned at her resistance. It was aggravating. "Just get in the car."

"And if I refuse"

"Your choice." Sasuke shrugged pointing outside to the pouring rain.

Sakura took one look at the rain and her face fell. She sighed heavily and gripped the handle to the passenger seat and pulled it open. She could practically feel Sasuke smirking in triumph, although his face held no emotion. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as he pulled his car out of the covered parking area and into the rain.

"I still don't like you though…" She said to him.

"Hn."

--

The ride to Sakura's house was silent. Neither of them spoke nor looked at each other.

FLASHBACK

"Sakura."

Sasuke called her name and grabbed her hand stopping her from going anywhere. Sakura was startled. For one she wasn't expecting him to grab her, and two she noted how he called her name. Was there some distress and need in his tone? Or was it her mind playing tricks on her again. She turned her head to look at him, shock donned her features for a second then it was gone.
Sakura stared at him with her sea foam eyes unsure of what to say or do.

"FOREHEAD GIRL!" Ino screeched "LET GO OF SASUKE-KUN!"

"Are you daft!" Sakura glared at her, her hand still within Sasuke's grasp. "He's the one latched on to me!" Sakura literally pointed out, pointing to Sasuke's firm grip on her hand.

"SASUKE-KUN!" Ino whined sounding much like a 5-year-old girl who didn't get her way.

"Shut up." Sasuke said in his stoic, deep, enticing, dreamy voice. Shocking the annoying blonde. He succeeded in shutting her up and starting soft whispers among passer bys.

"Sakura," Sasuke's hand didn't leave hers as he started to lead her down the hallway. "Lets go." He made his way out, hand in hand with a very confused Sakura.

END FLASHBACK

Sakura shook the memory out of her head. She gazed down at her wrist and touched it lightly where Sasuke had grabbed her.

What the hell was that about

She wondered. She blushed lightly.

His touch was warmer than I thought it would be.

She glanced at the boy beside her quickly hoping that he wouldn't notice.

He's so cold on the outside.

She remembered the first night they spoke at her apartment over chicken soup, he had let her into his life just a little. The memory made her smile softly to herself.

But he can be warm too…

She sighed slightly at the thought. Although she hated the way he acted and sometimes his personality, there was just something about him that sent shivers, good shivers, through her.

Sasuke glanced at the girl beside him.

I wonder if she really doesn't like me, if she hates me.

When they reached a stoplight he glanced looked over his shoulder at her once more. She was looking out the window at the rain. A soft smile on upon her face and hands placed
neatly on her lap. It was like she was glowing. She was the image of pure and ideal innocence and it struck him. Sakura was like a walking masterpiece.

She looks so peaceful.

He thought to himself. He felt himself smile, not smirk, smile, at the vision before him.

She's really beautiful...

HA! You admitted it

(Groans) oh jeez, fuck off.

Sasuke frowned at his internal conflict and went back to staring at the road in front of him.

Sakura saw him thought, from the reflection of the window. She saw him look at her, smile, then frown and go back to what he was doing. Her smile widened slightly.

Yep. He can be warm too.

--

This is not working out the way I want it too…

Sasuke thought to himself. Apparently there was more to this acting thing than he thought. Sasuke mentally kicked himself for forgetting that this theatre performance required him to move as well as saying his lines. He had to move to match his lines, and for some reason he just didn't feel right with what he was doing.
She sat in front of him as he attempted to create choreography for himself. She couldn't help but laugh at his attempts.

"What? Why are you laughing?" He asked clearly not pleased by her reaction to his pursuits.

"Nothing, its just entertaining that's all." Sakura replied giggling.

"…" He stopped what he was doing and glared at her.

Sakura smiled at him. "Don't stop because of me…"

"Then tell my why you're laughing at me!"

"I'm NOT"

"YES YOU ARE."

"Okay so I am…" Sakura threw him a slanted smile. "Its just that you look like you're trying way too hard. It's so unnatural its funny."

"Hn." Sasuke frowned.

"Did you want some help?"

"No."

"Suit yourself." She sat there with a mocking smile on her face as Sasuke tried again. It was only a few seconds that passed before Sakura started giggling again. Sasuke sighed in
annoyance.

"What now?"

"Nothing!" Sakura shouted trying to keep her laughter in and failing miserably.

"Hn…"

Sasuke tried again but stopped when Sakura burst out laughing. He just glared at her as she laughed. His glare remained as she calmed herself down.

"Sorry… its just funny watching you struggle that's all."

"I'm not struggling."

"Really?" Sakura cocked an eyebrow. "Then you're just a really sucky actor."

Glare.

"So do you want me to help you or not?"

"Hn."

"What?"

"Hn."

"Is that a yes or a no? And if you answer with a 'Hn.' I will kick you out of my house!"

"Fine."

"Well."

"What? I said yes."

"Yes to what?"

"To your 'help''"

"You haven't asked for it."

Sasuke groaned.

"Well?" Sakura coaxed.

"Sakura will you help me?" Sasuke asked in a sarcastic grumpy tone.

Sakura smiled in triumph. Well its progress…

"Humm…" Sakura took the time to ponder for a second. "Okay lets try this… You memorized your lines right?"

Sasuke nodded. "Hn."

"Okay, so we'll go through this scene. I'm going to move in whatever way feels naturally to me… then you respond with whatever feels natural to do. We'll just play of each other's movements." Sakura looked at the stoic boy in front of her. She inwardly blushed because the scene that was chosen for tryouts was a love scene and any girl Haruno or not would be thrilled to be doing this scene with the Uchiha Sasuke. Sasuke cocked an eyebrow at her. "What I need to practice too!" She replied quickly realizing her cheeks were getting warm.

"Hn."

"Can't you answer me any other way than 'hn'?"

"Aaa…"

Sakura sighed. "Okay fine… shall we start?"

"Hn." Sakura rolled her eyes at his response and got up off the couch to stand up opposite of him. She took a deep breath in and slowly let it out.

(Okay this is the beginning of the scene from the play… I'm going to be stingy with some lines 'cause I don't want to give away too much 'cause this will be in a later chapter as well so bare with me here.)

--

"Kyo…" Sakura breathed starting her lines. Sasuke was taken back of how much emotion she had put into one breathe. Being onstage with her started to sound more interesting and intimidating. "Why do you have to go?" He back was turned to him, and his to her.

"Hime-sama," Sasuke started, he saw Sakura's expression as a challenge that he had to meet.

"I told you not to call me that…" She turned to face him; she looked saddened to see his back and not his face,

"Fey…" Sasuke turned around and looked into her sad, drooping eyes. "We both know I have no choice in the matter." Her gaze fell to the floor.

"Yes you do." She whispered, sounding near tears. "You don't have to do this."

"Of course I do." His voice raised, it made her tremble slightly. "Don't you see…" His voice lowered again as he stepped towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm
doing this for you." He whispered in her ear.

She shrugged away from him. "Lies." She pushed passed him and walked a good 3 feet away, putting a barrier between them. "You're doing this for the kingdom, you're not doing this for me." Sakura's voice was croaky she really sounded like she was about to cry.

She's good that this acting thing. Sasuke thought to himself.

"Fey…" His voice sent shivers down her spine.

He's really good that this… Sakura flushed.

Too bad he doesn't say our name like that her inner self pouted.

Sasuke took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before he continued. "I became a knight so I could serve you. I became a knight so I could protect you, so I could see you and fight for you. I became your knight, because I would do anything for you. I didn't become a knight for the kingdom."
She didn't answer. Sasuke heard a few sniffles coming from his counterpart, and walked towards her taking her into his arms, embracing her from behind. He felt droplets fall onto the cloth of his sleeves. Sakura could feel his breath upon the nape of her neck and her ear.

"I'm a knight because I love you." He said into her. Sasuke fell to his knees and turned his princess around to face him. "My Princess… Shiibaku Fey… My Fey…" He took her hands into his and looked up at her pretty face. "Will you marry me?"

Sakura cracked a smile and let out a small happy laugh and nodded her head. "Yes." Tears streamed down her face. "YES!" She answered nodding her head frantically. Sasuke smiled and rose taking her into his arms wrapping his strong arms around her thin and delicate waist. She wrapped around his neck and help him close to her, she felt him pull her closer into his chest. Tears stopped falling, no words were said. They both pulled away slightly and gazed into each other's eyes.

Yeah I think Sasuke's finally got this acting thing down. She smiled at him.

Sakura expected them to stop now that they had "perfected" the scene. Her hands came to rest on his chest and she expected him to let go, but he didn't. Instead he gazed into her eyes.

They're soft… and warm.

The sensation took over her. She felt her cheeks go warm as Sasuke leaned in. Sakura found herself leaning in too.

What the hell am I doing? She questioned.

Sakura ordered herself to stop, but found that her body would just not listen to her. His breath lingered with hers for a moment before he went all the way, capturing her lips with his.

It felt good. His lips against hers. He was surprisingly warm and smooth against her. He tasted good too. Not something too sweet, nothing salty either, it was a taste that was both familiar and foreign to her. Sakura found herself addicted to the taste.

The kiss itself was not forced, it was not rough or soft. It was chaste and gentle. Filled with unreadable emotion. It enlightened something deep within her that she could not understand. All Sakura knew is that she didn't want him to stop.

But alas… all good things must come to an end. She felt Sasuke pull away. She opened her eyes not remembering when she had actually closed them and gazed into his. Silence overtook them for a mere second before Sasuke tumbled backwards realizing what he did.

"Umm…" He started not knowing what to say really.

Sakura couldn't help but feel slightly hurt by his actions. She turned from him, her cheeks flushed. "I think you should go…"

Silence.

"Hn."

Sakura didn't turn around. After a moment or so, she heard Sasuke let out a deep breath and pack up his things. She heard him walk to the door and open it.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said his tone unreadable. Then the door shut.

Sakura let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She turned around scanning the room. There was no trace of him at all, as if he was never there. She touched her lips unconsciously, her mind digesting what just happened.

What the hell just happened?

He kissed you, you fucking moron

he kissed me...

YEAH Her inner self practically threw a party in her head

Uchiha Sasuke just kissed me

she smiled.

--

Sasuke sat in his car in front of Sakura's building. He was breathing heavily. It was like his breath was totally taken from him the moment his lips touched hers. He traced his bottom lip with his finger.

She was warm…

Oooo some one got turned on! His inner self mocked.

Shut up. Sasuke told himself.

What the hell did I just do? It finally really dawned on him. He, Uchiha Sasuke, had just kissed her, Haruno Sakura.

And you walked out. You should have stayed! Geez, fucking moron!

Fuck

Sasuke tensed, ignoring what his inner self was thinking.

What'll happen tomorrow when I have to audition with her?

Kiss her again?

Sasuke flushed at the thought. He traced his lips once more.

She tasted sweet… like cherries.


TADA!

okay so its not as long as the other chapters

frown

OH WELL!

till next time!