Author's Note:
I can not believe how long it's been since I updated this story. To all of you faithful reviewers who have been with me since Chapter One, thank you. I will try really hard to start updating more often, but I feel like I've been at a loss of muse. Anyway, I've been pretty busy lately. School, homework, tests--that in itself is a lot. But, anyone who ever has been, is in, or will be in middle school knows the drama that comes with being in middle school.
I slept over at Ayatsuri Sakkaku (Marley) house last night, and that was a lot of fun. We plotted a series of "Naruto" one shots, so you guys should go there and read some of them. So far, I wrote the prologue and Marley wrote a NaruSaku friendship and a NejiTen love-thing story, and I'm gonna have a KibaHina and something else up by tomorrow. Anyway, I'm starving and writing this chapter towards the end got me realllyy hungry. xD
OH YES, read and review.
And don't kill me. -.-
Dedication:
To someone that shall not be named. She's going through a hard time, and even though she's an idiot for publicizing it and we're not friends, I just want her to know that there are people who care.
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, unfortunately.
The mall was buzzing with activity, as it usually was. The aroma of the food court paired with the obvious static between Sakura and Sasuke was making Sakura twinge with anxiety. She was feeling somewhat up beat compared to the sloth-like behavior she had recently adopted.
"Where to?" Sakura asked, pausing at the front desk to the mall. She plucked a map from the display, opening it delicately and laying it out.
A corner of Sasuke's mouth turned up into one of those rare grim smiles that sent Sakura's heart fluttering a million miles a minute involuntarily. "It doesn't matter to me," he replied. "I suppose the music store." He thought/suggested aloud.
Sakura sighed with relief. Music. Now maybe in the quiet grasps of FYE she would get the chance of learning more about mysterious Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke had gotten a sufficient amount of answers from Sakura, and more useless facts than Sakura would expose to anyone rather than someone she met not too long ago. The two stepped into the empty elevator.
All of these small moments when they were together made Sakura feel so jumpy, lingering on every word and feeling like her body would become in sync with itself if she was able to take one short breath once he was out of her eye site. But, at the same time, she felt so at ease, as if he rested his head on her, or even just had some kind of contact with her, that her fears would settle down, that all would be well.
The pair made their slow, easy patronage to the music store. They chatted mindlessly, the topics varying greatly from tests to movies and everything in between. The paused at windows, critiquing the displays. It seemed oddly normal. Especially odd because normal was something that did not describe Sakura and Sasuke.
Finally the fluorescent-lit store came into site and they both casually strolled in. Sakura stuffed her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. Sasuke seemed to linger behind her.
Sakura began to browse the CDs. Not once did his eyes avert, a pleasant tingling on her scalp reminded her of his stare. After three or four Cds, she was beginning to decode his reactions. He would click his tongue at the poor choices, and shift his weight at the good choices.
The White Stripes? Shift.
Celine Dion? Click.
Death Cab For Cutie? Shift.
Just for the fun of it, Sakura placed her hand on a Hannah Montana CD, which earned her a double click. They both let out a chorus of laughs, but as Sakura moved on, balancing the growing tower of CDs in her arms, she began speculating. He had clicked, but he had clicked even before Sakura's hand reached the CD…
She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts. He wasn't some kind of ESP-er.
Haha, Sasuke the ESPer.
Sakura mosied her way up to the counter, producing the cash and then putting the change away. Sakura noted the bag Sasuke casually teetered in his hand.
"You must be hungry."
It was almost like clockwork, then Sakura's stomach grumbled. She clutched her stomach, part embarassed but mostly freaked out. But, before she had time to speculate more, Sasuke was already walking out of the store—his way of pulling her out of the store.
The two walked on, Sasuke seeming to lead them to the food court as if he came there all the time. "What looks good?" Sasuke inquired.
Sakura inhaled, the aroma filling her empty stomach. The first smell was the sticky aroma of Toll House cookies. Sakura cocked her head towards the cookie stand. The pair walked over to the counter.
"A chocolate chip cookie," She said, letting her hands rest on the counter. There was a few doe-eyed hazed, pimple ridden teenagers umcomfortably serving people, afraid that their friends and/or the popular crowd would see them. "And…"
"Nothing for me, thanks," Sasuke finished. His hand reached into his pockte and produced several dollar bills.
Sakura was a bit taken back by Sasuke's blunt reaction, but nodded her thanks. She took the gooey treat and slid into a seat at the table, Sasuke sliding into the one across from her.
"Sasuke, I have to ask you something." She said, looking down at the cookie and picking a piece, popping it into her mouth.
"Ask away."
She sighed. How could she put these thoughts into actual words?
"You're different And, I mean that in a good way," She started. "But…I just have a feeling that….that there's something too different about you—and I don't mean that to offend you, but." She sighed.
"No, go ahead."
"I think that there's something….different about you. That you might not be…completely…human."
He didn't burst out into laughter, instead, he grabbed Sakura by the wrist and began pulling her away. "Come with me."
Sakura didn't know which to be more distressed by—the fact that he was pulling her away, or the fact that her cookie was back at the table.
