SMOKESCREEN
CHAPTER 12
thoughts.
PREVIOUSLY…
"Sasuke. How could you?! We really cared you know. And here we are working our asses off just to make it work so that you'd wake up and give it another go with Sakura, and here you are ticking us?! You really are a bastard." The blonde babbled all in a breath, not knowing he had entirely fell into Sasuke's plan, until Ino decided to scream. Effectively cutting Naruto off, and gaining attention from everyone else, embarrassing herself, and getting caught by her dark hair friend.
"No worries over here, just keep walking." She chirped, trying to cover her embarrassment, although she was pretty sure her face was already brightly tinted. Even Shikamaru had come over to check on her.
"Hn, caught you guys. And sure you were being idiots."
"Gah! Sasuke-teme!" Both blondes exclaimed.
"You really are an ass." Ino commented while punching him lightly on his arm.
"Thanks. But really, it's nothing between the both of us. Plus that was a long time ago. It's not going to happen twice." The younger Uchiha insisted, his tone was firm, as though he seemed to be convincing himself more, and both blondes couldn't help but look at him with skeptic thoughts.
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SASUKE'S POV
Of the entire night, the only time things truly felt how it should be for Sasuke was when everyone was going back to their room for the night. He overheard by accident though, the conversation that fell between the Akasuna heir and Sakura.
"Sakura, do you mind if I walk you back to your room?" The red head offered, oblivion to the fact the younger Uchiha was lingering near them as he awaited the bubblegum hair girl.
"A, it's alright actually. Sasuke-kun will be with me anyway." She had politely declined, a true smile gracing her gentle features, and the dark hair man couldn't help but glimpse over to read the red head's expression. He saw, a slight surprise and possibly slight disappointment, and maybe confusion. Inwardly, Sasuke was already celebrating with fireworks. Hn, I win. Hurriedly, before he got bored and puke with Sasori's mushy goodnight, the tall male stalked off in the direction of his room.
"Hurry up Sakura, or I'm not waiting." He called out in a bored voice.
"Hai." She replied. Then quickly turning to the Akasuna, she gave a light bow. "Goodnight Sasori, see you tomorrow."
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SAKURA'S POV
"Sasuke-kun!" She called out as she ran to catch up with him. He didn't slow down resulting in her caught up only when they arrived at their room.
"Sasuke." The pinkette tried once more, her dainty hand reaching to grab hold of his larger one, turning him to her, stating an emphasis. She knew he was sulking, and deliberately ignoring her. But she didn't know why. Goodness, why does Sasuke has to be such a child at times? Sakura inwardly thought when he refused to look at her.
"I'm not being childish if that's what you're thinking." The dark hair male before her insisted, completely reading her mind.
"Really? Then explain to me why you were sulking the whole evening Sasuke-kun."
"Sakura." His tone was bored, an obvious sign that he wanted to avoid the topic. A trait she picked from the long years of friendship. Either that or he really found it pointless to answer her. "Uchihas don't sulk."
He was being an ass right now. She knew it.
"Sasuke." She was irritated now, and she was sure he was annoyed as well.
"Look, it's nothing alright. Just let us go to sleep now." His irritation too was almost at peak.
But just there and then, her gut told her, for this once to just press on." Sasuke."
He fully turned around. The hand that she was holding tightened momentarily, as though to assure her. Like hell it'd stop her from pressing. But it did, especially when he smiled an uncharacteristic-Sasuke-smile, one that had been hidden since forever.
"Come on, it's late. We've got a long day tomorrow." His tone had lightened, and so did the smile, but it was still there. Contrary to the flutters in her adobmen, her mind held skeptism, but for the difference he displayed, she willingly took his lead. Because he is Sasuke-kun.
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Turning around to take a last glance of the sleeping figure, his ears pricked as his sharp hearing took in the sound of her light constant breathing confirmed her state of consciousness, and he slipped out of the room.
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Her eyes stayed close as she reached out in attempt to seek warmth. The room was colder this morning and she cursed that she had accidently kicked off the covers during the night. Amidst the searching, she felt something missing.
Slowly opening her eyes she realized the missing source of her usual 'heater'. Instantly her mind turned alert. Straining her ears, she found the bathroom to be vacant. Sitting up, she caught the exact stroke at nine on the wall clock.
It was nine in the morning, and she was alone in the room, sitting on the bed where Sasuke was supposed to be asleep beside her. It frightened her a little, though honestly said it was kind of ridiculous, but she was. For anything she would do to know where he was.
Hurriedly, she picked up her cell phone in attempt to call him. Just as she was about to punch the call button, the door swung open to reveal the missing figure.
No words could have describe her state of relief, and her unexplainably sense of gladness as she ran up the the stoic male, wrapping her frail arms around his built form, burying her face against him. She felt his form tensed momentarily from surprised, but relaxed gradually. It was only after a long minute that the pinkette finally pulled away slightly to face the tall figure.
"Where have you been?" Her voice cracked a little as she softly enquired as though afraid that he would brush her away. He did anyway; brush off her question, giving her a small smile as he apologized.
"Sorry, I must have worried you. Was supposed to be back before you awake."
"It's ok, but where were you?" Sakura tried once more, this time even softer. In hopes that if he didn't reply her, at least she could maybe pretend that he hadn't heard her. It hurts that she had to do this, but at least she could try to lie to herself.
"Since you are already awake, you should start preparing for the day's activities." Sasuke smoothly continued, or so it seems like he did, but not without a slight squeeze to her hands before letting her go wash up. This indeed confirmed that he was avoiding her question, and was not about to tell her any time soon.
Taking a deep breathe, she slammed the bathroom door close. No point trying to hide her annoyance, when she knows that he knows.
SASUKE'S POV
It was a funny sight. And this was undeniable. Fourteen of them – six grown men from high spots in the corporate world, who possibly wore suits their entire lives, and pitching deals since they were in diapers, fighting to keep themselves balanced on inline skating blades.
So he was exaggerating, but it was still a funny sight.
He would have giggled if he was Sakura. Not that she was entitled to, seeing how she too was equally having trouble balancing herself. Itachi had taught the both of them when they were younger, yet bewildering, Sakura barely manage to keep herself balance on inline skates yet is able to perform figure of eights on an ice skating rink.
But he was Uchiha Sasuke, and Uchiha Sasuke doesn't giggle. In fact, despite the amusing scene before him, the young man refuse to even let out a smirk, but rolled his eyes as he watch Hidan crashed once more while cussing his usual profanities.
His onyx eyes however didn't simply glance over the group before him, but came to stop and automatically focus onto the pair of red heads that stood in the middle. Sakura was surprisingly doing better than usual. Well the Akasuna heir did seem to be preventing her from falling as he led her, while skating backwards.
He felt his brows furrowed, and instantly pulled back his face into his usual façade. Honestly, the young man felt the redundancy of his presence. Nothing seems to be working well between Sakura and him these days, and after visiting Riko last night, he felt more in a mess.
Damn he shouldn't have. Probably could have avoided more unwanted emotions.
.. flashback ..
As he hesitantly brought a knock on the door, revealing bright blonde hair that easily rivaled Ino's. Ink black irises rose to meet lilac ones that only disclose no hints of surprise. The smirk that lingered on her rose red lips read amusement. She was expecting him. And almost for the first time in his eighteen years of living, did Uchiha Sasuke ever felt exposed and vulnerable to another person, when the only one other could only possibly be his brother.
The silent welcome was a mutual understanding, as moments later; she had him laid in her embrace, as she gingerly soothed him to sleep.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Moments before the strapping male took his leave from her abode was basked in her comfort, suddenly stroke him as somewhat motherly, and he had to honestly admit, inwardly though, that it freaked him out, a lot.
Of the two years and counting of which he knew the blonde, and the couple of times they bedded, and the sudden change in their relationship. It fucking freaked him a hell lot.
Subconsciously he flinched; earning him a smirk from Riko who had apparently awoke long before he did. Either that or she stayed awake throughout for she didn't answered when he enquired.
But she did flash him an openly displayed look of mischief when she blurted out a proposal.
"Let's date for real Sasuke!"
.. end of flashback ..
Uncharacteristically, the young Uchiha jumped slightly, and hurriedly gave a quick glance in silent worry for revealing an embarrassing moment. Sucks to have to admit that he was caught doing the same thing in the presence of unfathomable fair-headed earlier on. And all she did was chuckled before pushing him out of the door, providing him time to reconsider her proposal.
"Hey, isn't that Riko-chan?!" Naruto, who had been gliding beside Sasuke all this while suddenly hollered, disrupting the brooding male from his thoughts.
Dazedly the younger Uchiha brought his focus slightly to the boisterous man's attention. Indeed there stood the doll-like Kuchiki in her all glory. And one might possibly add – rage, as well, whilst she remained surrounded by a group of hot blooded males, fawning to gain her attention. The frown that etched in her delicate features further displayed her irritation that those oblivious pests failed to notice.
It was obvious that she was ready to lose it when the albino female no longer contain her usual poise and exclaimed her disinterest. "For the last time, I'm not interested."
Maybe it was because of the favour he owed her from last night or maybe because he was truly irritated as well. Either way, the younger Uchiha heir did something that he possibly would never do for a girl or anyone in his whole life. Moving past his friends, he penetrated through the group of irritants before pulling Riko away with him, earning glares and shouts of annoyance, and looks of surprise, one especially that consists of emerald green irises and coral pink hair.
And maybe had he been more aware, maybe Sasuke might have caught the slightly lingering gaze exchanged between Kuchiki Riko and another ebony haired man with eyes as dark as his.
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Once Sasuke decided they were far enough from the scene, he instantly sat down on the nearest bench and work to take off the roller blades. A soft giggle however caught his attention as he looked up to meet amethyst eyes.
"Never once thought I'd see the great Uchiha on roller blades." A pause entered, before she let out a small smile. "Make that two of them."
"Hn." The young man grunted, slightly catching on that she had long caught sight of them before Naruto even called out. Inwardly he frowned, but said nothing.
A short silence fell between them as they people watched.
"Why?" The fair girl asked, then elaborating when her companion simply raised a brow in questioned. "Why did you help me? It was, after all quite unlike you."
The young man simply pulled into a blank expression before stating a possible obvious answer. "You helped us previously."
In response, he could tell that she was skeptic, but nonetheless nod in approval of the reason. And Sasuke unknowingly let out a breath of relief that he too hadn't realized he had been holding. Inwardly he frown once more as this seemingly unbecoming habit of his uncharacteristically self, not realizing, that he had once more wore his expression on his sleeve until Riko brought a dainty hand up to rub the crease from his face, causing the young man to startle in surprise.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it." She giggled sheepishly, and in a brief second, he caught her. The slight desolated expression, and the unspoken thoughts. "You remind me of him."
Glancing once more at the woman before him, he was so sure of himself this time.
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"Riko, I like you. A lot." The young man spoke with earnest sincerity. It was not blatantly displayed on his face, but the tone was serious. So serious he knew he had surprised the girl, for her lavender orbs were widened twice their usual size. Honestly, he wanted to laugh, because he could tell that she was thinking more than she should. But being who he is, he let out a smirk instead.
"But only as a friend, a sister." Her mouth was unglamorously agape now, and he could almost no longer contain it.
"Don't act like you're offended, cos I know you don't even have the slightest feelings for me." He had let his tone dropped and now it was back to his usual stoic self, but before him, Riko was laughing, so hard that she was clutching her sides. And for the first time since they met, she punched him. It was light, and in the arm, but it was a punch. Not butterfly kisses or any other seductive ministrations. From Kuchiki Riko, the school's deemed, infamous queen slut, and the young man inwardly grimaced at the thought of the name.
"Are you shitting me?" She asked incredulously, but her expression held nothing but amusement. "It was just a couple of days, and you're dumping me?"
"Pretty much the play boy huh? Or have you decided to do something?"
"Hn, do what?" Onyx eyes glanced over the female before him, her eyes glistening in delight. At that, he groaned inwardly. He didn't like the look on her, it reminded him too much of Naruto and Ino.
"You, know about the something with a certain pink hair? Or are you going to make me happy and say yes to my proposal?" She elaborated, whilst she brought up his dilemma, surprising the young Uchiha.
"W-what?" The young man sputtered, causing the fair-hair lady to clap her hands in amusement, enjoying every moment of ruffling his feathers and his emotion avalanche.
"Oh, don't bother hiding it. I totally saw it. You like her, you like Sakura." She sang chirpily, accentuating on the last three words.
"No, I don't." Sasuke retorted, a little too rush, and the girl wriggled her brows in a knowing manner, much like a cheeky Naruto, and the male cringed inwardly. For a moment, he really hated her.
"Don't bother living in The Nile, Sasuke. That was the purpose of my proposal. Apparently, you're not as smart as your brother. Either you do something to confess to her or you're dating me. I'm not going to sit any longer and watch you sulk…"
"Wait! You know my brother?" He cut her off, his mind clicking onto something. And he knew it was it, especially when Riko suddenly froze and her plum coloured eyes widened momentarily.
The air between them had suddenly become tense, until she babbled while injecting shrill pitch laughter." I-It's just a figure of speech. I mean the entire nation knows how smart you Uchihas are."
"Yeah, possibly, but that laughter is much too fake to convince me, Riko." Sasuke pointed out blankly. Though he was much annoyed, for all he knows…
"Did you substitute me for my brother?! Are you screwing with us?!" He demanded, his brow deeply furrowed, that they were possibly touching. Screw emotions.
"HELL NO! I have not slept with Itachi. In fact I only got to know him last year. And if you do realize, the both of us have barely been in contact in the past months." The blonde hissed. Her breathing slightly hitched. After knowing him, she was pissed that he saw so lowly of her, though it was a fact that she couldn't blame him.
"Tell me." He suddenly said.
A/N:
I'm soooooo late, I know it. Gomenazai.
I kinda suddenly injected a ItachixOC story. And I apologize cos it was not intended in the beginning. But like said before, my story changes as it goes very much base on reviews and time span for sure. With my hectic schedule, the long pauses in between made it kinda difficult to not stray to far from my intention. Honestly speaking, there are times when I really wanna place this on a long hiatus, until I find back my initial inspiration for this, or give up in the end. So what say you?
I mean, if the response rate really isn't too well, then I probably just continue on a new story, since my mind is always itching to simply wander and fill my already almost full mind with more things.
For this time, review please, cos I would really hear some comments, or maybe an idea how I can continue.
I swear, I was not entirely slacking off. It was a major issue of writer's block!!! It was seriously mean! And the worse time ever, which I totally hated, was that while I was cracking my head to solve the block and writing this story, inspirations just keep popping up to write another story.
Honestly, I do have a number of stories and ideas with beginning stages. It really sucks, cos I always write enough for just a chapter, than I need to continue with the present one. And when I'm finally done, I don't remember what's going to happen next.
But I definitely tried writing this one out asap, hoping to give it to you guys for Christmas. Sucks it wasn't on time, but well 12 days of christmas :)
I hope you guys like this. MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR :)
Review okay? Even if it's not a positive one.
Thank you.
