A/N: College has already started guys so I'm squeezing in all important stuff and please bear with me for I am still adjusting with all this work load. LOL
Well again I thank you reviewers out there, if it weren't for you guys I might have lost interest to continue this story. So please, continue supporting! :)
Let me know if this chapter is of your satisfaction, it's a bit rush guys, so be honest. Please.ü
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He stared ahead blankly.
No emotion could be seen in those onyx orbs of his.
Suddenly, he felt something warm and soft moving against his lips.
'What the..?!' Sasuke was brought back to reality as he dazedly blinked and saw that he was in his limousine.
He also saw Ayumi, eyes closed and shaking as she desperately tried to control her emotions. Desperate to reach him, not physically, but emotionally.
To succumb to this warmth would've been easy. It would've been a cure, no matter how temporary, it will make him forget. It would fill his coldness and numbness for awhile.
Just as he was about to kiss back, to bring his hands to hold her still, the taste of strawberry overwhelmed his senses. It's the strawberry lip balm that Sakura used to apply before, his and her favorite.
His hands stopped at Ayumi's shoulders and pushed away suddenly yet gently.
Ayumi reeled backwards, eyes wide and shimmering with suppressed tears. Sasuke resumed his position in gazing towards the window.
"Sa-sasuke-kun.." she started.
"Ayumi, stop this" Sasuke said in a stern voice, not facing Ayumi.
And though she should be happy that he called her by her first name, she didn't feel any joy. Pain. Pain from this rejection. She now sees how deep Sasuke's feelings are for Sakura. How she can never compare. How hopeless it is to wish for his affections someday.
She hurried outside the limo and slammed the door shut. Again she watched as the limo reached their gates until it she completely lost sight of it. She clenched her fists.
No matter how bleak the chances of Sasuke becoming hers emotionally, it still does not change the fact that Sasuke is promised to her publicly.
'I'm far from stopping Sasuke-kun..'
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Chapter 12: No Boundaries
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He leaned forward once more and this time kissed her cheek, the first was on that adorable forehead of hers, next was the bridge of her nose, then her button nose followed.
"Thank you" he said for the fifth time.
Sakura was now blushing sheepishly for the moment has been going on for quite a while already. The Hyuuga had volunteered to escort her to the Haruno's limo, for she will be going home together with her father. Fujimori is being delayed for a bit to arrange some last-minute appointments and other business related things.
"Neji, you can stop any moment now you know" she muttered exasperatedly.
He chuckled a bit, "I know, but I want you to see how much I appreciated that"
"Okay, I get it now. Can you stop now? PLEASE?" she said now with a puppy-pout expression on her face. He found it irresistibly cute.
He mock sighed, "Well… if you put it that way"
She looked at him expectantly, and was greeted with Neji's lips on her. Sakura's blushed increased as her eyes widened.
A throat cleared a few steps away from them.
Before pulling away Neji had softly whispered, "Alright, I'm done" then he smirked handsomely at the gaping pinkette.
Fujimori had an amused smirk on his face as he watched the intimate moment between his daughter and her fiancé. "Well Neji, I know you know that I approve of you but really, I should still play the role of the protective father. Sakura is after all, my only precious person now eh?"
Neji gave an amused smirk of his own, "Of course Fujimori-san. It'll all be worth it. I'd be glad to remind you that Sakura is also a special person of mine"
Fujimori raised his eyebrows at that but then gave a hearty chuckle. "Neji, my boy, you never fail to surprise me"
Neji looked as if he was going to say something but Sakura cut in, "Mou! Can we leave now?" The blush never faded away.
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x0x
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It was seven in the morning, yeah, really early to be in school but she got nothing better to do. So now she's walking towards her locker to grab her science textbook. It'll be nice to do some early browsing while she waits for Ino or Tenten to help her with some papers.
About to close her locker she jumped in alarm as someone four lockers away from her slammed his own.
She looked up, startled. "S-sasuke.."
Said boy looked to her direction and the scowl on his handsome face immediately disappeared. He inclined his head, "Sakura".
She smiled a bit, "Rough day huh?"
He stared, his onyx eyes piercing through her. The intensity can nearly suffocate her.
"Sasuke?" she asked uncertainly.
The Uchiha just shook his head. "You're early"
She nodded, "So are you" she pointed out.
Sasuke just shrugged as he took another gulp on his water bottle. He didn't get an inch of sleep all night. And so he went to school at 6:30 am to jog around the soccer field. Oh scratch that, jogging would be a much lighter term. He ran throughout the field, his feet being the ones to express his frustration with the world. The janitor had watched him for about ten minutes before shaking his head and walking away. He must've looked pathetic, running madly in the early morning.
"Morning exercise?"
"You can call it that"
She hummed in response and Sasuke took a sideways glance at her. "And you?"
Sakura stared back questioningly and he almost smirked at her. Must he always have to spell out everything to her? He smiled inwardly as he realized she hadn't changed much.
"There's still an hour before class, really early for you if I must say"
Sakura blushed embarrassedly as she saw Sasuke taking a glance behind her, as if he was looking for someone.
"He's not here" she said. It was his turn to look questioningly at her. "Neji" she clarified.
She almost missed Sasuke's eyes widening a bit, for a second, before he composed himself and raised a brow at her.
That was his way of asking without seeming to be too interested with the matter at hand.
"His Uncle needed him for a business trip, it was kinda sudden, and he just called me a few hours ago to tell him that he's on his way to the airport.. and I asked if he could stop by our house so I could see them off" she explained.
And understanding dawned on him as he noticed the dark bags under her eyes. He gritted his teeth, of course, being the caring fiancé she is she would force Neji to allow her to accompany him to the airport. Even if the sun isn't freaking rising yet! Then his eyes landed on the papers on her hand, along with her textbook.
He sighed. And of course the ever-caring fiancé would be the one to arrange and explain the Hyuuga's abrupt disappearance in school.
So that's why she came early, being the transferee that she is, she wouldn't know to whom exactly to give Neji's papers for leave. He almost snorted, if it were up to him he would've left it at that, let the Hyuuga be marked absent for however long he'll be gone.
And then it finally clicked, Hyuuga Neji is nowhere in sight. Nowhere near. Out of the country, probably not in the same continent as well. Miles and miles away from Sakura.
He can suddenly breathe freely.
Again, he eyed the papers in Sakura's hand. "I'll help you with that"
She seemed taken aback, "Wh-what?"
He sighed yet again, "You need those to help him be excused right?"
She nodded mutely. "Come on then" Sasuke muttered quietly as he started to walk.
Sakura stared unbelievably but immediately shook her head and followed the stoic Uchiha with a smile on her face.
She didn't seem to notice the content half-smile of the boy beside her.
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x0x
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Everyone was in the middle of their classes when the principal's voice boomed from the speakers. Each room within the academy has installed speakers for the principal, Tsunade, to have easy access to the students, teachers. Etc.
"Good morning everyone, sorry to disrupt classes but I have an important announcement for the students." Everyone keenly listened to what their principal has to say.
"Seeing as the new gym has just been finished a couple of days ago, I think it would be nice to have everyone there for its official opening. And of course for this opening to have a 'BANG'" students snickered, "I think it would be great to have a party don't you kids agree?" Shouts from every classroom resounded through the hallways. Of course, not failing to reach the principal's office. The teachers could only shake their heads, sweat drop or chuckle mirthfully at their principal.
"Now if only that was the enthusiasm each of you has towards their education" they heard Tsunade mumble through the speakers.
"Now this party would be strictly private, as in only KA students, teachers and personnel are allowed, got it?" When no affirmation reached Tsunade's ears, "AM I MAKING MYSELF CLEAR?!" she bellowed. And a resounding, strong YES resounded and echoed to her office.
With a satisfied smirk, she proceeded. "Good. Well I hope you all know that I don't intend to get you all a DJ and just dance the night away" protests reached her incredible hearing. "SHUT UP!" Silence.
Tsunade cleared her throat. "This academy is not only for the rich-assed people, I do hope I've drilled that on all of your brains by now. This is a school for the GIFTED, for the TALENTED, and for the EXCEPTIONAL. And I like you all to prove me right. UNDERDSTOOD?"
A solid, "HAI" was all she heard and she smirked triumphantly.
"Well then busy yourselves with the bulletin boards and scattered posters later on your break, I'm sure all of you would find something to fit yourselves in" and with that she turned off her microphone, and a deafening buzz resounded form the speakers.
Shizune, her secretary, could only sweat drop at her superior's antics. "Tsunade-san, don't you think tha—"
"Go get me some sake Shizune" the principal murmured as she raised her feet and rested in on her desk.
Another sweat drop as Shizune turned around and shook her head, who would've thought that this is the woman who runs the most prestigious school for the gifted, talented, exceptional, and whatever it is they say. "No one I tell you, no one" she answered her own thoughts with a chuckle.
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x0x
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Sakura had her eyes as big as saucers after the deafening sound, "That was the principal?!" she muttered to Tenten who sat beside her while giggling silently. "Yup, the one and only"
She shook her head humouredly, "Should have known someone like her could run this school"
The bell rang, signaling their break time and both girls stood up.
Tenten agreed easily, "Yeah, someone who doesn't kiss up to the 'rich-assed' people" and they both chuckled while walking towards the cafeteria to meet their other friends.
"Though she sounded quite familiar.." the pink-haired girl muttered distractedly.
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x0x
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Later at lunch, "I got it! I got it! I got it!" Naruto happily announced, jumping up and down on his seat. And before he could reach the table he was yanked down forcibly by none other than Sasuke. Who was twitching every now and then, he noticed.
He also came to see the almost embarrassed looks of Ino and Kiba, the amused ones of Tenten, the giggling of Sakura as well as the blushing but smiling of Hinata, and of course, the light snoring of Shikamaru.
"If you don't shut up you'll surely get it from Sasuke" Kiba said with a chuckle.
He glared a bit at the Inuzuka before he brightened immediately.
Kiba looked back at him questioningly, "I certainly hope that the band room is still in great condition dog-boy"
Now Kiba looked only more confused, "Wha-? Of course it is! I have someone clean it up once in awhile!" he argued, thinking that Naruto was insulting his ability of keeping things clean and in order.
Naruto's grin only broadened as he nodded approvingly, "Good. Good" he kept saying.
Now everyone looked at him as if he was losing his mind. Except for Sasuke and Shikamaru that is. Sasuke's onyx orbs started to narrow as he connected the dots of Naruto's plan. While Shikamaru seemed to be awakening from his nap.
"I don't think so Naruto" Shikamaru muttered sleepily.
"Eh? But why? Why is that Shikamaru?!" he wailed almost desperately.
Shikamaru's hazy eyes slid to Sasuke's direction. And Naruto followed his gaze.
"Teme?"
"No.." the Uchiha said in his quiet voice.
"TEME!" Naruto exclaimed, about to voice his protest.
"I don't mind" Shikamaru interjected, his gaze on Sasuke.
Sasuke looked back at him for a second, before he shook his head.
"Neji would agree! You can play lead while he is away!" Naruto continued to argue.
And the girls still looked lost.
Kiba though, realized where all of this is going.
"I'm with Shikamaru, fine with me" he announced, earning Naruto's grateful grin and Sasuke's unnerving stare.
He raised his hands in mock-surrender and grinned at the Uchiha.
And then Ino finally caught on, "Wait a minute, you guys aren't thinking of bringing the Shinobi back are you?!" she exclaimed high-spiritedly.
Tenten and Hinata looked curiously whereas Sakura's eyes brightened as she whipped her head to the guys, "Seariously?! That'd be great!" she said excitedly.
And fuck everything for that was all Sasuke needed to hear to agree.
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x0x
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"You'll really need to come back soon Neji, the guys already started to set-up the band equipment again!" she said enthusiastically.
A chuckle answered her, "Well they'd have to do for now, I think I'll be held up for a bit over here"
Sakura sighed. "Seriously?"
It was Neji's turn to sigh, "Yeah. I'll try to call whenever I can okay Cherry? I miss you already"
She smiled fondly, "Me too, I'm used to you already you know that? You take care of yourself okay Neji?"
Neji laughed, "Of course. Well I like to apologize for bothering you with the papers for school, I really should've just given it to an associate"
"No, it's no problem, not at all"
"So did Ino or Tenten guide you with the arrangements?"
Sakura remained silent, thinking. "Sakura?" Neji called.
"…it was actually Sasuke who arranged everything Neji"
Now it was his turn to be silent.
"Neji?" she asked uncertainly.
"Oh.." was all that the Hyuuga could mutter.
"I got to go Sakura, the meeting's about to start, go to sleep okay? I'll call you tomorrow"
"But Neji—" and the line went dead.
Sakura stared at her phone as she tried to analyze whether she did the right thing or not. She thought that Sasuke was thoughtful for helping her with Nei's supposed arrangements, shouldn't Neji feel good about that? Now all hopes of getting those two to get along seems hopeless.
Glancing at the clock she noticed it was almost 10:48 pm. 'Better get to sleep Sakura' she told herself.
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x0x
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The radio became his favorite past-time for a while now, and as he lay on his bed and listen to other people share their love stories or problems on air, as cheesy as it may sound, it soothes him.
About 10:54 pm his phone beeped, and he flipped it open to read a message from a very good friend of his.
'I'm warning you Uchiha, know your place'
He almost smirked as he resumed his position while holding his phone. And it was time for the music break, well what do you know, the latest American Idol song came up.
Uchiha Sasuke smirked truly this time as he replied to Hyuuga Neji's message. Just to spite him:
'I see no boundaries Hyuuga'
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Tbc.. ü
