"Hinata." Kiba said as he sighed in relief.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" He practically flew down the stairs to meet her. "Hina what's wrong?" he asked. He then glared at me. Go ahead; think I'm some demented rapist.

"I think we should leave." He said as he forced Hinata to follow him. She looked pleadingly at me and I couldn't help but try to stop him.

"Kiba she doesn't want to-"

"Leave her alone!" Kiba spat. No you leave her alone idiot. She didn't want to leave.

"Let's go." Kiba then said as he pushed her out the door. She took one last look at me before the door slammed shut.

I wanted to follow them but decided against it. Kiba was one of her closest friends… he'd know how to console her… Unlike me. She was better off with him…

I turned back and met eyes with Sakura. It was the first time we were alone since Naruto's party... She didn't' look happy to see me.

Not that I care.

Why was she here? For the last two weeks she had been ignoring me. She would turn to the other side if we crossed paths in the hallway, leave Naruto at Ichiraku's when I came, carefully avoid my gaze in English…

She looked at the ground breaking our contact.

"I… I never realized you two were so close…"

She would've known if she spoke to me.

"How is she?" she asked as she raised her head.

"She could be better." I answered. Why sugar-coat it?

"I see…" She murmured. Her eyes cast down once again. I sighed seeing how my answer only pained her more.

"So you've finally decided to speak to me again." I said.

Her head shot up, she was clearly flustered. Her mouth opened to say something but when nothing came out she sighed.

"I'm sorry." She finally said.

You see that's one thing I hate about people. They always seem to apologize for the dumbest things. They accidentally run into me: "I'm sorry", they're in my way: "I'm sorry"; they kiss me: "I'm sorry."

What's funny is that they don't seem "sorry" when they ignore me, not that I mind since I like it better then being hovered over, or when they "discreetly" talk behind my back about how I'm dangerous and should've died along with the criminals I hung out with. Yeah... they don't seem sorry at all…

I unwillingly let out a laugh. Don't ask me why, I just found the irony hilarious. "It's too late don't you think?"

"I was scared." She exasperatedly said. Scared of what?

"That kiss… it reminded me so much of the night you came back…"

I stared at her, hoping she wouldn't continue. We never, never, talked about it…

All of a sudden she giggled. If it was out of embarrassment our pure amusement I'd never know. "Do you remember how the paramedic reacted? He was all "Excuse me, excuse me! Ugh! Get the girl out of here!" she laughed louder.

No matter how much I didn't want to think about that night, it all came back. Countless times I've tried to forget it but I just couldn't… I remember being in the ambulance on the way to the hospital… Sakura being there, holding my hand. I remember how I used all the strength I had left to pull her towards me and kiss her. She was all bloody and bruised but I didn't give a damn. The anesthesia they put in me and the feeling that I was going to die might've contributed to my stupid move… But even if I was drugged up nothing could make me forget… Nothing could make me forget how I felt…

"I don't remember." I said.

She instantly stopped laughing. I'd always lie to her… always.

"Well you were... it was a long time ago anyways…" she finished in a whisper. I hope she wouldn't cry. I hoped I didn't hurt her, but I also wished that I'd hurt her enough for her to just leave me alone... I'm just a walking contradiction aren't I?

I raised my eyes and met her jade ones again.

She didn't have any tears. I guess she was stronger than before. We continued looking at each other as though some staring match had started. The defiance in her eyes startled me. I had to will myself not too look away and seem weak. Except, I also had to fight back the spell they were casting on me…

We both looked away at the same time. There was a moment of silence since none of us knew what to say after such recollection. I put my hands in my pockets, not knowing what to do with them.

"What's going to happen now? Where do we go from here?" Sakura murmured.

Ignoring her eyes on me I observed my shoes. I didn't know if she was talking about us, or if she was talking about Hinata. A part of me prayed it was about the latter. Because if she felt the same way I did, she'd want to change the subject immediately. Besides what could I say? We couldn't avoid each other forever. So we shared a kiss… it wasn't the first. But it'll definitely be the last… I closed my eyes in desperation to forget how her lips felt on mine. But doing so only made things worse…

Sakura cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably. She made her way down the stairs, to the place Hinata occupied, and sat down. "She must hate me…" Sakura quietly said as she took off her mask and let it drop.

So she was talking about Hinata…

"I know what Naruto must've said…" she continued as she placed her head in her hands and groaned.

I sat next to her. I'm sure Naruto told Hinata about how he was in love with Sakura. I'm sure he said everything I didn't want her to hear. Although, now that I think of it, there wasn't much he could do… he could've given her a chance… but I'd beat the shit out of him before he could touch her. Or he could've used her… but then I'd kill him. Not because I cared or anything it's just… she deserved better. That's all. She deserved someone better. Someone like…

"I love him too; I do, just… just not in that way…" Sakura interrupted my thoughts. I looked over at her and saw her staring at me. I looked away my chest suddenly feeling heavy.

She was in denial. She loved him. I'm sure of it.

As much as I hated it, I was pushing her away and that's what I'll continue doing. I'll keep doing it until she realizes how we weren't meant to be and see that Naruto was there for her the whole time. But she was too stubborn! She was so annoying! Just like Hin-

She was stubborn.

Couldn't she see how good she and Naruto will have it? He would get the girl of his dreams, and she would get the love she always wanted. They'll live happily ever after with all the crap that comes along with it.

While I… I'd finally lose her… She'd finally be out of my life. I took in a deep breath. I suddenly had hard time breathing.

Couldn't they understand I was only doing this because he was alive? Because as long as he lived… I couldn't afford any distractions. None. I couldn't afford to open my heart to someone just to leave in the end. The more you cared, the more you had to lose.

My thoughts drifted back to Hinata… I guess we were both the losers in this plan of mine… Everything was a mess for her… she would've been better off if she hadn't met me… I shouldn't have pushed her…

I suddenly felt Sakura lean on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts once again. "She's going to hate me…Hinata's going to hate me." Sakura whispered. She always seemed to voice out my thoughts. When Hinata would give it more thought she'd hate me as well… If she knew what was good for her.

"Yeah she will." I said. I tried to stop thinking about myself and thought about her situation. She was strong enough to hear the truth. I glanced down at Sakura and realized she was waiting for me to continue.

"She'll probably resent you for a while."

"And then?" she asked in a broken voice. Was she crying?

"And… she'll get over it." I replied. Trying to convince myself more than her. I suddenly caught sight of Hinata's mask on the ground. It was broken. The image of her sitting in this exact spot flashed through my mind. I hated how helpless it made me feel. I was never helpless.

"She'll get over it…"

"I hope you're right." Sakura murmured.

I looked back at Sakura. It's been a while since we were alone like this. I didn't want to admit that she looked beautiful… just like Hin- why do I keep thinking of her?

I was acting stupid. Since when had I become the typically hormone-overloaded type who only thinks about girls? I'm not that desperate, hell I could get any girl I want. I still don't know why I held her hand though. It wouldn't have changed anything.

Sakura's hand suddenly moved towards my own. I looked at her and saw the want in her eyes.

"Sasuke…" she whispered as she started closing the distance between our lips.

Please don't…

Suddenly the door burst open.

I quickly stood up and Sakura soon followed. "Kiba what's wrong?" she asked.

He turned to us, looking angrier than I've seen him in awhile. "YOU!" He yelled right at me. Great, what did I do now?

He then walked quickly towards me and punched me. I hit the wall and the place started to spin. I could hear him saying something amidst Sakura's cries for him to stop.

Before I could stand straight he hit me again. This time on the other side of my face.

"KIBA! STOP!"

"What did you do to her!?" he demanded.

I looked up at Kiba and smiled. I knew what was making him like this…

"This doesn't have anything to do with your precious Hinata, does it?" I said, carefully pronouncing Hinata's name lustfully.

"Don't talk about her!" he yelled as he punched me again. This caused me to almost lose my balance but thankfully the wall kept me up. Heh… That was nothing.

"STOP IT!"

I leaned against the wall and spit out the blood in my mouth. I laughed as I found out I was right. I laughed harder when I saw his expression change from hatred to complete incredulousness. But where was she? Why was Kiba here? I thought he'd be with her… Did something happen between them?

Did he just let her go!? It was dangerous walking out at this time! I had to see her…

"Sasuke! Sasuke, where are you going!?" I heard Sakura yell after me but I ignored it.

Before I could open the door I heard Kiba say: "What's wrong Uchiha? I thought you always loved a fight."

I turned back to reply only to get hit once again. Oh hell no, he didn't just do that.

"That's all you got?" I asked as I clenched my fist tight, the energy suddenly finding its way through my arm. I forgot how much I missed this feeling... There was no fucking way he could hit me and get away with it. And the faster I'm done with him the sooner I can see Hinata.

I'd show him how a real punch feels like.

- - -

Extra long chapter. Extra long wait too… Sorry.

I really wanted to finish this one before the holidays because frankly I'm really late lol! So I'm very sorry if it all seemed rushed. I'll probably go over and read the whole thing and edit it once more. So most of you might be wondering why I made Sasuke's point of view longer… so my answer is…. I don't know. I guess I just felt like giving you guys an early Christmas gift lol. But really I think I just wanted to show a little bit more of what's going on inside his head. Not that I know of course… I don't know how guys think S And all the while I wanted to show more of Sakura, I mean, I'm sure she'd feel bad since she knew about Naruto's feelings and all…

Well I'll stop rambling on. Happy holidays everyone!! Thank you for reading and please review!