Sadly: I don't own Naruto :c..enjoy! HC:
Chapter 21: The One Who Felt Defeated
"ughhhhhhhhh...I feel horrible" Sakura sniffed as she lazily hunched over on her bed. It's Monday morning and Sakura hasn't been to school for a whole week. She's been on her bed since that night. Sakura managed to get some food upstairs but other than that she's been a hermit in her own room. She wasn't planning on going to school...She wasn't ready to see Naruto.
'Man... why did I go crazy for?...I mean things like that always happen to me but this time...I...'. she began to remember the look on Naruto's face when he looked at Hinata...when he said he loved her...all that passion for her 'I..I was jealous...my jealousy drove me...insane...'
Sakura sighed as she grabbed her phone and looked down at it. Naruto hadn't contacted her once since that night... 'He's probably angry at me for hurting his relationship with Hinata and the others, or he...he...' Sakura sniffed, "or he just hates me..." Sakura whimpered as she stared back at her phone too afraid to say anything to Naruto.
'I wonder if he's okay now'
Sakura sighed and just before she lay down again."I haven't been to school for a week, dare I... she groaned and closed her eyes. She pushed herself up and dragged herself to the shower; "I gotta get there eventually," she got herself ready and walked down the stairs. Sasuke's cup was sitting on the counter which meant he wasn't home. Sakura forced a piece of toast down her throat and walked to school...
Konoha High
She walked through the front gates and almost immediately people began to gasp and whisper as Sakura quickly walked towards the door. They were looking at the bruise on her face for sure...she couldn't think of ways to cover it up...
"Naruto-kuuun!"
Ba-thump...gasp...Naruto.
Sakura's head immediately shot up to see Hinata running towards Naruto with open arms. Naruto hugs her back slowly. Sakura gulps as she stares back at them as Naruto looked around, but before he got the chance to see her Sakura quickly hid behind a nearby pillar..
'I can't face him just yet... '
Sakura was just about to run to class when she bumps into a warm body. She quickly looks up to see...
"Sas..."
BA-THUMP
Her cheeks flushed red as her eyes bug out; Sakura starts to remember their kiss...
"..Saku-"
"Jerk!" She growls out before she quickly runs into class far, far away from Sasuke. Sasuke's eyebrows furrow as he glances back at Sakura. He hasn't seen her leave her room once since that Saturday...
Sasuke suddenly thinks back to that night and quickly covers his face at the thought of that kiss as his face began to glow a bright peachy red 'why ...why did she blush?...don't tell me she...' .His eyes grew wide for a second as he kept his head down as he shook his head and slowly walked back to class '...No way was she asleep.'
Kakashi's class:
Sakura walked in as quickly as possible when she felt her sensei's eyes lock onto her...
"Welcome back Sakura."
Sakura quickly looked up and looked right back down, "ah good m-morning." Kakashi's single eye widens at the sight of Sakura's bruise...How did she...don't tell me Sasuke...Kakashi stared blankly at the girl as she hurriedly walked to her seat and put her head down against her desk 'hmm...I'll leave her be for the day..Kakashi took in a deep breath as a bit of guilt started to eat him from the inside...if only I...sigh...Kakashi you only have yourself to blame.
"Sensei!" a couple of the students called out to Kakashi as the first class began.
Sakura kept her head down as she heard the rest of the students come in. Naruto slumped over as he dragged his feet towards his desk, "sensei..." he mumbled as he looked up to see something or rather someone catches his eye.
'Sa-Sakura...' Naruto ran over, "Sakura!" he shouted as he walked up to her. Sakura felt her heart jump at the sound of his voice. She jolted her head up to see Naruto's eyes wide open, there was a mix of red and blue in his eyes...they were watery and the dark circles under his eyes weren't doing any justice to his overall look either.
"Na.."
"Saku-"
Sakura's eyes went wide open as she gasped and covered her face when she saw Naruto's eyes draw straight to her bruise. He grabbed her hand and tried to pull it away, "hey what happened to your-"
"I have to go!" She quickly said as she got to her feet and ran out the door.
Naruto growled as he closed his eyes and followed after, "Sakura!"
She was panting hard as she quickly ran into the girls' bathroom before Naruto had the chance to grab her.
Sakura ran into a stall and blocked out the noise from outside.
Bang Bang Bang! "Sakura-chan! Please talk to me!" Bang bang! "Sakuraaaaa!" Naruto screamed.
Sakura squeezed her eyes shut as she held in her breath, it was hard to breathe...she feel stupid for running off, but she had no choice, she was panicking.
"Sakura please!" Naruto banged the door once more before another teacher walked by and sent him back to class.
'Sigh, I'm sorry Naruto. It's not that I hate you- I just can't face you right now. I feel disgusting for letting my jealousy get the better of me. I feel horrible for wanting to steal you away from the girl you love, and despite all that, I...'
"I'm not sure how I can explain this bruise on my face without lying to you..." she said to herself. Sakura was embarrassed. How was she suppose to tell him her mother came over and slapped her hard enough to swell her face because she thought Sakura was cheating on Sasuke with him.
Sakura kept her head down for a bit, 'I don't feel so good...' She sighed again and figured, she'll just stay in the nurse's office for a while. Shizune's company would cheer her up right away. Sakura walked into the nurse's office to see it was empty. Sakura lay down on the bed and took a nap; fatigue was hitting her hard...
Gym:
The boys and girls were allowed to play whatever they felt during this period. As usual, most of the girls were sitting by the soccer field to watch the boys play a good round of soccer.
Sakura sitting under a tree deep into her own thoughts... 'Sigh, this has been such a long day...'
Sakura groaned as she placed her head against her knees, when she felt something hit against her head knocking her to the ground.
"Ahh!" Sakura whimpered as she rubbed her head as she looked down to see the soccer ball rolling away when she heard a certain someone call her out.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto screamed as he ran over and crouched down to look at her, and the first thing that caught his eye was the mysterious bruise on her face... Naruto's eyes bugged out as Sakura sat back up and looked up at him.
"Na-Naruto! You- you s-s-should be more careful with the ball!" she quickly said as she offered him the ball and peeked up at him see his eyes bloodshot red, they looked glassy, as his mouth was closed shut. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him quickly looked down when she realized what he was staring at.
A tear drop slid down his cheek as he shakily dropped to his knees and moved closer to her but just before he had the chance to see Sakura got up and got ready to leave. Without a word Naruto got up just after and grabbed her by her wrist.
"Sakura...chan..."
Sakura quickly covered her cheek, "ah...Ha...Naruto err...can you let-"
"Who did that to you..?" his voice was low, but Sakura heard his words clearly.
Her heart yelped at the sound of his voice, but she managed to pull her wrist away
"I gotta go"
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata called out as she ran over with Kiba just behind her. Naruto looked back at Hinata but quickly turned back around to see Sakura gone.
...Naruto grimaced, 'Sakura...why? Why are you avoiding me?'
Next Day: After School
Ring, ring
The bell rang and Sakura zoomed out of class, practically flying out through the halls and through the backfield. Naruto has been on her case all day yesterday. Sakura ran outside after deciding on taking the back entrance, but before she had the chance to reach her safe haven, Naruto caught up to her.
"Sakura-chan!" he shouted out of nowhere as he ran in front of her with his arms wide out.
Sakura gasped and stumbled over nearly falling over, but Naruto caught her in time.
Sakura gasped again and quickly moved away from him, "Na-Naruto...uh hi! Hehe, well bye!" she tried to walk around him but he blocked her path.
Sakura ran to the right, Naruto did as well.
"Sakura-chan, stop avoiding me, we have to talk!"
Sakura tried to spring left, but quickly moved to the right but Naruto mirrored her every step.
Sakura was just about to run back when Naruto swiftly tackled her down.
Ba-thump
'Na...Naruto...'
Sakura's cheeks flushed a deep red as she stared up at Naruto who stared right back at her. His expression was enough to let her know, he was in great pain.
"Sakura...please...just talk to me."
Sakura's mind was completely blank and she couldn't say anything to him...
"I...uh," she took in a deep breath and glanced over at her hands. Naruto was gripping her wrists tightly as he locked her between his legs.
"Naruto can we sit up-"
"No" he replied flatly. "We're not moving until you tell me why you suddenly decided to start breaking my heart." Naruto continued, his voice cracked at the last half of the sentence.
Sakura's eyes widened, "break...break your."
"I'm sorry okay?" Naruto's voice was shaky now...his eyes were teary again, as his grip loosened up, "I'm so sorry I lied .I..."
Drip...
Sakura gasped when the teardrop landed on her face.
Naruto's crying because of me...her heart pounded against her chest.
"I'm so sorry Sakura...please...please don't hate me Sakura..." he pleaded
Almost instantly tears started streaming down Sakura's face. sShe began to cry just as much as Naruto.
Sakura sat up and wrapped her arms around him as tight as she possibly could and broke down crying.
"Naruto," she hiccupped, "I-I can never ever hate you..."
Naruto's eyes widened a bit but he wrapped his arms back around her as tears streamed down his face. The weights have been lifted from his chest.
"I was scared you hated me-ahhhh" she cried as Naruto coddled her in his arms.
He sniffed a bit as he chuckled softly, "why would I hate you? I was dying inside thinking you wouldn't talk me anymore."
Sakura looked at him and pouted, " I can't ever hate-hate you bt I thought y-you didn't wanna talk t'me nymoree" she sniffled as she cried/talked all together.
Naruto's tears continued to stream down, he felt so relieved. He took off her glasses and wiped her tears away, "why would you think that?"
She took in a couple shaky breaths, "'cause you didn't call m-me"
"I was scared you wouldn't pick up, I wanted to talk but I didn't know what to say...I was ashamed."
"Yo-You have nothing to be ashamed of." she sniffed.
Sakura was calm a little and sniffed as her green eyes stared up at Naruto. He looked down at her and slowly touched the side of her cheek and smiled at her.
Sakura felt her heart pound against her chest but it suddenly stopped when she heard Hinata's voice again.
"Naruto-kun!" she called out. Naruto got to his feet as Sakura shoved her glasses on and lifted herself up.
"Hinata-chan..." Naruto looked at Hinata who waved at him, and right away Naruto's eyes landed to Hinata's left, where Kiba was standing...again. Naruto walked over to Hinata and just before she wrapped her arms around him Naruto watched her let go of Kiba's coat. His eyes widened slightly as he hugged her back.
Sakura quickly averted her eyes from them and began walking backwards slowly away from the whole gang.
"Ahh well bye Naruto" she cheerfully said as she glanced over the gang, her eyes lingering over Naruto for a bit longer and bowed. Sakura watched Sasuke look away from her.
"Bye Sakura-san" Hinata smiled and slightly bowed back as Sakura turned around to leave.
Naruto watched her slowly collect her things... The guilt was eating him slowly.
'Heh...aah, at least I know he doesn't hate me,' she thought to herself as she continued to walk off when she heard Hinata from the distance.
"What were you doing Naruto-kun?"
"No...Nothing..." she heard him reply back. Sakura's heart drop a little when she glanced back at the happy scene unfolding behind her.
Naruto felt sick to his stomach as he watched Sakura walk off, and before he knew it Naruto ran after her.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto called out as she continued to walk down towards the exit. Sakura ignored Naruto's call and remained to do so, until she felt a warm hand grip onto hers. Sakura's eyes widened at the feel of his hand. She turned around to see Naruto smile at her his eyes still a bit red from the earlier scene. Sakura shot him an eyebrow the second he began dragging her back towards the group.
"Naruto..wha-what are you doing? I have to get home." She quickly told him as she tried to twist her wrist out of his grip. Naruto looked back at her and frowned at her but didn't speak a word, as if by chance Sakura would understand what he was about to do.
Sakura slightly gasped and protested, "Naruto are you going to...?"
"Guys," Naruto called as he cut her off. Naruto gently pushed Sakura forward as he continued to talk, "um... there's something I have to tell you."
"What is it Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked a worried look painted across her face.
Naruto hesitated for a bit, calmed down once he glanced down at Sakura.
"Remember when Karin said that I was out with Sakura, and I told you I wasn't?" he began, "The truth is... I was."
Hinata's eyes grew wide as everyone began to murmur when Karin broke out, "I knew it! See I TOLD you guys! He was out on a date with her!" she growled out as she sneered down at her sister.
Sakura moved back a little and looked up at Naruto.
"Does...does that mean you ch-.." Hinata broke into tears before she finished, but Naruto quickly cut her off.
"I didn't! I didn't cheat! I swear on it Hinata!"
"Then why..."
Naruto's eyes darted right at Sasuke who suddenly looked away.
He took in a deep breath and looked at his girlfriend, "that day, I called Sakura to see how she was doing... before she had the chance to even cover her story up, I forced it out of her. I ran over, and I found out she was suppose to meet someone that day, but he or she never showed up...Sakura-chan was waiting for this person for 4 hours... When I saw her all ready and packed to go I didn't have the heart to leave her. We did spend the day together but it was just to make her feel better..."
Hinata looked down at Sakura whose head was lowered towards the floor. Sakura's tears splashed against her lenses. She felt stupid for some reason... She felt pathetic.
"Is...is that true Sakura-san?" Hinata asked.
Sakura slowly nodded her head, "I'm sorry Hinata-san... I didn't mean to lie. I just didn't want Naruto to get caught into unnecessary trouble...don't hate him for lying to you... he was put in a rut because of me."
Hinata walked over and lifted her chin up and smiled at her, "thank you for protecting him... it must've taken a lot of courage to lie like that."
Sakura looked back down and smiled, "mmm, Naruto's my..best ...friend...I-" she looked up and smiled back at Naruto, "I would do anything for him."
Naruto smiled back at her and patted her head.
"Well thank you for telling me the truth, I'm sorry for...accusing you...I'm a horrible girlfriend." Naruto pulled her into his arms and kissed her, "I'm sorry for lying to you in the first place."
"Naruto-kun..."
"Hinata-chan..." They moved in to kiss again when Kiba smacked Naruto behind the head, "you idiot! Ya made me hate you for no reason!"
"Shut up Kiba! I don't need a reason to hate you, I just DO!"
"Oh yeah?!" he put Naruto in a headlock and ruffled his hair.
"Ahh Kiba-kun! You'll hurt him!" Hinata quickly pointed out.
"Good, he deserves a beating!" Tenten giggled as she pinched Naruto's nose.
Sakura smiled as she watched them, slowly taking small itty-bitty steps away from him, when Karin suddenly glared at her, "Hey! Aren't we forgetting the fact that, Sakura STILL went on a date with him knowing Naruto had a girlf-"
"Let it go Karin, just leave her alone." Ino said as she quickly glanced at Sakura, but then...slowly looked at Sakura again to realize, Sakura had a nasty bruise on her cheekbone. Most of it was covered by her glasses now, but... it still seemed painful. Ino gulped hard and looked right at Sasuke wondering if he...
"Well, um... bye Hinata-san, Naruto.. sorry for the trouble" Sakura quickly said as she bowed and sprinted off when she heard Naruto call her out again.
"Hey Sakura-chan!"
Sakura looked back again, and faked a smile.
"Yes?"
Naruto laughed as he scratched the back of his head, "Why don't you hang out with us?"
Sakura's smile faded a little as she quickly shook her head, she eyed Sasuke again who seemed to me in his own troubles now, "sorry, thanks for the offer but I-I have a lot of things to do... Maybe some other time." She slightly bowed again and finally ran off.
'...Sigh, that felt like forever,' she groaned to herself as she suddenly made a run towards the school. Sakura continued running in the halls when she bumped into someone else, "Hey watch it ugly!" the girl screamed as she pushed Sakura back, Sakura squeezed her eyes shut thinking she'd fall on the floor but instead landed in another pair of arms.
Sakura looked back to see none other than...
"Ino..." Sakura breathed out.
Ino looked away and gently pushed her out of her arms. Sakura dusted herself off and looked back at her ex-bestie.
"Uh...thanks."
"mmm." was the only response Sakura got back from her. Sakura slightly smiled as she eyed the girl and thanked her again.
"Well, b-bye..." Sakura quickly said and tried walking off but paused at the sound of Ino's shaky voice.
"Wai..Wait."
Was she crying? Sakura looked back to see Ino quickly wipe away her tears and Sakura looked ahead before Ino caught her watching.
"Yeah?"
"Come here..." Ino said back, and just like that Sakura walked back to Ino.
"What?"
"Come..." Ino turned on her heels and began walking towards the bathroom. Sakura stepped in and quickly paused as Ino suddenly turned around. Her light eyes bloodshot red. Sakura was dying to ask why she was crying but figured the girl wouldn't tell her anyway...
"Why are we-"
"Here." Ino responded as she offered a tube of what looked like concealer.
Sakura looked down at it and up at the girl, "huh?"
"The bruise... Use this to cover it."
"Ah..Oh...this" Sakura said as she gently touched the harsh wound on her cheekbone, "it's nothing I-"
Ino suddenly sighed as she opened the tube of concealer and placed some on her finger, she reached towards Sakura, but Sakura quickly flinched back by force of habit.
"Don't move."
"Ahh..sorry."
Ino stepped closer and began to gently pat the concealer near the parts of the bruise she can see "am I hurting you?"
"Huh? ...oh, um no. It's fine" Sakura breathed out, honestly, she was much too shocked to feel anything right now, 'why is she...? Why is she helping me?'
"Um why are you-" Sakura's eyes widened and she gasped when she saw a river of tears begin to flow down Ino's eyes and down her cheek and neck.
"Ino, why are you-"
"Does it hurt? she suddenly asked, "are you okay?... who..Who did that-"
Sakura suddenly felt tears well up her eyes at the sight of Ino crying.
Her hands began to shake and Sakura was motionless...is she crying for me?
Sakura remained frozen as she stared blankly at Ino who continued to cry, "Did he hit you? Is that it, was it Sasuke?"
"No..." Sakura said, she heard her voice but wasn't sure how she managed to say anything after that.
"It wasn't Sasuke.." she managed to say...
Ino covered her mouth as tears silently crashed down her cheeks; she sniffed and continued to pat the concealer down.
"Ino..."
"There, it's done."
"Ino..." Sakura repeated.
"You can't see it anymore, well..." she wiped away her eyes and tried to walk off when Sakura called her out.
"Ino!"
"What?"
"..."
Sakura was silent for a while and so was Ino.
"Thanks..." was all she managed to say.
Ino said nothing back, but only responded with a nod to the head.
Sakura began walking towards her and stopped near the door. Ino began to panic at the sudden thought of Sakura telling people she actually cried.
"Hey ...listen can you not...Tell-" Ino suddenly began to say when Sakura quickly cut her off.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you cried Ino..." She paused for a long time before gripping onto the handle of the door, "I promise... thanks again, bye."
Sakura walked out of the bathroom and Ino fell to the floor, again tears came streaming down again.
Sakura was shaking but managed to continue walking, letting the tears freely fall as she sprinted out of the halls and out the school, straight home.
'What...was...that?' she wondered, Sakura shook out the thoughts of Ino feeling bad for her and figured anyone would pity a girl who had that kind of mark on her face.
Several hours later...
Sakura turned off the shower and fixed herself up. Her muscles were quiet relaxed now. Today really strained her out and the images of Ino crying weren't fading from her mind. A part of her regretted asking Ino why she was crying, but in the end Sakura was a little happy with the way Ino helped her... even if it was out of pity.
Sakura walked into her room and laid down on her bed. She sighed as she curled up with a pillow pressed against her face.
"What a day..." she sighed to herself.
"Haha you can say that again."
"Huh?!" Sakura got up and looked around to see Naruto sitting at the edge of her windowsill.
She fell back off her bed from the sudden surprise as Naruto laughed and jumped off.
"Na..NARUTO! What are you doing here?!"
"Hahaha Sakura-chan you're clumsy" he laughed as he picked her up and placed her on the bed and kneeled down before her, his hands gently caressing hers.
"I wanted to see you." he said he smiled with anime eyes.
"See me?"
"Yeah," he looked at her and slowly moved closer as he gently wrapped his arms around the small of her back and cuddled against her.
MEEP! Sakura immediately flushed a deep red as she felt her body jolt against his touch.
"Uhh, Naruto...?"
"I'm sorry again Sakura-chan" he said softly, his eyes closed.
Sakura sat there as Naruto continued to hold onto her.
Sakura hesitantly touched Naruto's hair as he sighed deeply.
"It's okay Naruto." she giggled as she touched his cheek and tilted his head towards her, "how did you get in here anyway?"
"I snuck in hehehe"
Sakura laughed as she pinched his nose. Naruto got up and sat next to her on her bed. Lucky enough Sakura's pjs weren't anything to be embarrassed about.
"So...is there any other reason behind your surprise visit?"
"Mmmmm...yeah."
He looked down at the floor then turned towards her, his face drastically changing emotion. Naruto reached up and slowly took her glasses off revealing the massive ugly mark near her eye and on her cheekbone.
"How did you get that?"
Sakura gasped as she quickly moved back and covered the spot with her hand.
"Wha.."
Naruto moved closer and moved her hand away.
"Tell me" he demanded, "tell me who did that to you." his voice was serious, and angry.
"It was..."
"Sasuke?"
"No! Sasuke didn't hit me" she was getting tired of everyone thinking that bastard touched her.
"I'm sorry but Naruto, if Sasuke ever hit me, I'd beat the living crap out of him married or not, I'm not afraid of him." she said angrily.
"Then who did?"
"I uh... I bumped into the staircase beam." she said under her breath.
Naruto folded his arms and shot an eyebrow at her, "hmph, Sakura-chan, do you honestly think I'd believe that?"
"I did!" she suddenly said, "I was running towards my room then BAM!" she clapped her hands and looked at him again; "I smacked right into it, so... yeah." she smiled at him and put her glasses back on.
Naruto grew quiet; he pouted a bit as he looked at her again, "really?"
Sakura bit her tongue and nodded, she didn't know what else to say.
"Mmm, does it still hurt?"
"Not really.. I can't feel it much anymore; it was killing me the first few days though..."
"Is that why you didn't show up to school for a whole week?"
Sakura gulped again, "Yeah...I just didn't want people misunderstanding, I waited a week...but it wouldn't go away." she laughed nervously as she touched the spot again.
Naruto sighed, "So it wasn't because you were avoiding me right?" his blue eyes glued right to her.
Sakura shook her head, yet another lie, man why is lying becoming so easy for me?
Naruto softly smiled at her and touched her hand, "thank God..."
Sakura softly laughed, "Was that really killing you inside Naruto?"
"Yeah! Of course it was!" He sat up and crossed his legs, "I mean come on Sakura, you're like my best friend aside from Sasuke, and you always were!"
Sakura smiled at him, "you're my only best friend."
"Really?" he asked and she nodded her head.
"Of course, I would do anything for you Naruto, a-ny-thing"
"Hehe, I would too Sakura-chan!" He pulled her in for a hug and Sakura relaxed for a second before jolting up and slowly pushed him away.
'I... I have to start keeping my distance from this guy' She thought to herself. Sakura was going to decide on how she was going to handle the rest of her life starting tonight. 'Things need to change... 'the closer I get to him the harder I'm going to keep falling for him.' She bit her lip as she continued to smile at him.
Naruto suddenly laid back on her bed and put his arms behind his head, "Hey Sakura-chan..."
"Yeah?"
He pulled her arm and yanked her back making her lay back as well.
Sakura blushed a blood red when she realized this was the first time she was sharing a bed with a man, even if it was just laying there, it felt...weird.
"What is it Naruto?" Sakura moved a pillow to cover the lower part of her face as she laid on her side towards him and hid the blush that stained her cheeks from him.
Naruto turned to his side and rested his head on his hand, "...remember when we were talking about our childhood that day?"
"Yeah?" she replied through the muffle of the pillow.
"Well, it got me thinking something..."
"What?"
Naruto moved the pillow from her face and took off her glasses again. He moved closer to her and held her face with both his hands; his expression was more serious than ever.
"What Naruto?"
"Do you still like Sasuke?" he suddenly asked.
Sakura's eyes grew bigger than ever as she gasped out loudly, the sound of Naruto's words slammed against her heart making it nearly jump out of her chest.
"Like..."
"Yeah...do you? Is that why you're married to him?"
"I..." she gulped, but her mouth was completely dry.
Sakura sat up and looked away from him... she was completely taken aback from his question.
Naruto suddenly felt wilted as he sat up and fiddled with his fingers, "I remember you loving him... for a long time actually, even though you left, I was wondering if the reason why you came back was to be with him..." his voice trailed off into the heavy silence of the room.
Sakura and Naruto were quiet for a very long time.
Love? ...like? ...SASUKE?!
"Gross did you think I was going to kiss you? Heh, stupid girl...I was only going to ask how you get that giant forehead of yours to be so shiny"
"Hn, you can blind someone with the reflection you get from that forehead"
"Don't call my name from that ugly mouth of yours...Hn, annoying let's go dobe"
...He said all those words to me that day...it's all because of him this happened to me, I'll never forgive him!
"No..." she suddenly said as she looked down at the bed.
"Huh?"
"I said no...I don't love him, nor do I like him, truth be told Naruto." She looked at him and looked right into his eyes, "I.." ...I love you...I truly, deeply...love...you... Sakura's eyes appeared glassy as she frowned at him, "I hate Sasuke." she said blankly.
"You..you do?.."
"...wasn't it obvious?"
Naruto shook his head and looked away, "I mean I..I knew he wasn't treating you right but...but to hate him?"
"Despise is more the word... Sasuke means nothing to me never has, never will, period."
"...really?"
"Yep.."
"So why are you guys married?"
Sakura looked at him as she brought her knees to her chest; she laid her head on her knees as she faintly smiled at him, "I can trust you right Naruto?"
"Mhm... you can trust me with anything."
"Hmm...well I guess you can say that I'm trapped.."
"Trapped?"
"Yep."
"As Sasuke's wife?"
"Mhm..."
"...what does that actually mean?"
"I can't tell you... not now at least."
"Oh... so when can you?"
Sakura moved closer and held his face in her hands their eyes locked, blue to green.
"The day I tell you why I'm with this devil is the day I'll reveal all my deepest secrets to you..."
"...When is that?"
"I'm not sure yet..."
"...is it soon?"
Sakura smiled at him and wondered... she thought about confessing to him for some time now..
"Hmm... maybe."
Naruto moved his hand over hers and moved her closer.
"I hope 's so much I want to ask you." his voice was low and soft.
"There's so much I want to tell you.." she said back just as softly, they inched closer.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Hmm... like...how I stopped liking Sasuke before I left.."
"Oh?"
"Yeah..."
Naruto moved even closer again, he was dazed out and unaware of his movements, other than the fact that his mind continued to yank him towards her.
"What do you want to ask me?"
"... Why do you trust me so much?"
"Because I..." she took in a deep breath and moved closer. Her heart began to beat rapidly.
"I..." Sakura was just mere inches away from Naruto's face, she gulped and closed her eyes for a second before opening them again.
"You.."
"Naruto I...love-"
BANG BANG BANG!
"Ahhhhhhhh!" the two screamed from the sudden loud banging sound that came from Sakura's door.
"DOBE! When the Hell did you get here?!" Sasuke suddenly yelled.
"Ahh Teme!"
"Come here, NOW"
Naruto got to his feet and yelled back at Sasuke letting him know he's coming when he looked back at Sakura.
"Ah before I go, Sakura do you want to finish what you were saying?"
Sakura was currently in frantic mode, as she squeezed the spot over her heart as she tried to calm herself down.
"Huh? Oh. Ummm..."
Naruto leaned down and pressed their foreheads together and smirked at her as his hands landed on either side of her, "you love what? Sakura?"
"I love..." she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, "I love our friendship Naruto."
Naruto's eyes widened as he softly blushed at her words, "I do too, you're more important to me than you're aware of Sakura..."
"You are too, night Naruto."
Naruto tucked her in bed and hugged her tightly, "goodnight Sakura..sleep tight okay?"
"Mmm, get home safely."
"I will..."
Naruto walked towards her door and gripped the doorknob tightly and took in another deep breath, his chest heavy from mixed emotions.
"Oh and Sakura?" he said more to himself, aware that Sakura fell asleep.
"Why do I feel good knowing you don't love him anymore... Naruto looked back and watched her chest rise and fall. She was sound asleep.
Naruto walked out the door and Sakura waited a good minute until Naruto was gone, "one...two...three!" she shot up from her bed and stared back at the spot Naruto was just at, her cheeks were stained crimson red and her heart was beating faster than ever... "Naruto? What... what did he mean by that?! Gahhhhhh!" She landed back on her bed and pressed her pillow over her head and screamed.
"Sakura you idiot! How could you even think about confessing to him?! Stupid, stupid stupid stupid! UGH!" she laid back down and blushed, "sigh... this is hard...damn you Naruto... sigh.."
I'll start changing things... starting off with...getting rid of Sasuke, and with that thought Sakura drifted off into a deep sleep, dreaming of a life without Sasuke and full of Naruto.
Saturday
The weekend finally came by and Sakura decided she will sit down and talk to her father face to face.
He said if I ever wanted a divorce, I should tell him right away...right?
Sakura clenched her fists and began walking towards her father's office. She walked inside and walked right to the front office, "um...excuse me I'm looking for Haruno-Sama...is he in here?"
The blonde receptionist glanced up at her and went back to filing her nails, "depends, who you might be?" she asked as she clicked gum between her teeth.
"Uh...his daughter?"
The girl spat the gum straight out of her mouth and darted her eyes right at her, "Dau-Daughter?! Isn't Karin his only child?!"
Sakura shook her head and nervously smiled at her, "I'm Sakura..Karin's younger twin."
"Oh! Right, right you're the other one, okay sweetie you can go see your dad, his office is to the left."
"Thank you." Sakura smiled at the woman and she smiled back, "how cute!" the woman perked up as Sakura walked towards her dad's office.
In all the months she's been home, Sakura never came to see where her father works...
Sakura suddenly felt nervous at the thought of giving her father trouble.
She got ready to knock but paused... crap..this is scary...She turned to her heel but turned back again, no, I have to do this, I WANT to do this...I'll go crazy if I don't..
Sakura took in a deep breath and knocked on her father's door.
"Dad?" knock knock..
She waited.
"Come in" she heard her father call out.
"Dad...?" Sakura stepped in to see her father sitting down with Sasuke's dad.
"Oh..Otou-san.." she bowed, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude."
"Sakura" they both called out as they beckoned their hands come over.
"Wow Sakura what a nice surprise!"
Shit...I wasn't expecting Sasuke's dad to be here..
"Come sit dear" Fugaku ordered as Sakura hesitantly went near the two and sat near one of the seats.
"Wow you actually came to visit daddy! Huh?! I'm so happy!" her father hugged her tightly as she hugged him back.
"Yeah sorry I came without notice, I never came here before..."
"Oh no it's fine! You're my daughter, since when did you need permission to come visit me!"
"I know but you're always busy and..."
"Nonsense Sakura."
Sakura smiled as the two men looked at each other.
"Well Fugaku-san, I guess we'll discuss the sponsorship another day."
"Ahh yes, you have an important guest right now."
"I can leave if you want" Sakura quickly noted and the two men chuckled.
"Its fine lovely, I have to get back to your mother anyway" Fugaku informed her. Sakura felt her stomach churn from his words; her in-laws were always so kind to her.
"Oh... please send her my greetings otou-san."
"I will, and please visit us soon." Fugaku knelt down in front of Sakura and took her pale hands in his, "we always talk about you Sakura... if only you knew how fortunate we are to have you, I'm sorry on behalf of my son if he caused you any trouble. I would do anything to make up for his mistakes."
Sakura gasped as she smiled back at the older man, "no no, it's fine Sasuke's hostile but that's his...nature, please don't feel obligated to do anything, I'm truly thankful for all you've done for me and my family" she slightly bowed her head and Fugaku lifted her head up with his hand under her chin and smiled at her.
"What did I do to deserve a daughter like you?"
Sakura giggled unsure of how to respond to that when she felt Fukgaku pat her head gently.
"Visit us soon okay? Your...Your okaasan and I are missing you dearly."
Sakura promised she'll visit soon and the older Uchiha left with a smile on his face, to seal their deal.
Sakura turned back to her father who was currently fiddling with his fingers and Sakura began to laugh, "What's wrong dad?"
"Nothing..it just makes me happy to see he loves you just as much as I do"
"Mmm...They're both very nice to me...even Itachi-nii-chan is."
Her dad walked over and took a seat next to her, "so what do I owe this surprise visit. hm?"
"Oh...nothing" Sakura lied, she wasn't sure how she was going to bring it up but she was sure she was going to, "so...why was he here anyway?"
"just work stuff, Fugaku's going sponsor our business even more, he's donated over 50k to this building to help me keep this job ever since the marriage as a form of thanks. He's really helping me out Sakura, he's so thankful to have you in his family he even offered to pay off a couple debts we had when signing for the building."
"Wow...all because of the marriage?"
"The Uchihas are loaded, it's so nice to have someone help out, they even helped your mother's makeup boutique, I mean even though we weren't in for the money it's still nice to have, I feel so relieved now, and the doctor's saying my health has been better these past few months. They took care of the debt for me, as well as offering me benefits for the company; I can finally send Karin to the University she wants."
Sakura was very quiet...unsure of what to say.
"Your sister has been having a lot of modelling offers after being sponsored by the Uchiha Company. It's like our lives have completely changed...it's like we're finally being given some luck in our lives don't you think Sakura?"
"..Huh? Oh y-yeah. We're so... lucky," she said. Sakura's heart sank... her family's lives have changed because of Sasuke's family.
"Yeah...I'm very happy Sakura, thank you for going through with this"
"Mmm" Sakura smiled a fake smile at her father, well...there goes my plans about asking for a divorce.
"What about you Sakura, things are better right?"
"Hm? Oh yeah, things are good I'm happy..." she lied.
"Really?! That's great! Haha I'm glad, the whole family's happy then!"
"Yeah, well...I guess I should go" she said standing up, "I have things to do."
"Ah okay, hey wait...you never told me why you came"
Sakura turned around and looked at her dad, "I just came to see you...it's been a while"
"Yeah it has. How's everything? How's school?"
"School's great, Kakashi-sensei's amazing" she said cheerfully.
"Ahh Kakashi huh? Heh, good kid, that Kakashi"
"You know him?.."
"Know him? I've known him all my life."
"Really?"
"Yeah...his father was a professor of mine"
"Wow! Really?!"
"Yeah, ask him yourself."
Sakura told him she will as she walked near the door when her dad asked her again, "is that all? Did you really come by to see me Sakura?"
"Yeah... I missed you"
Her father suddenly hugged her as he admitted missing her too, "come by soon...even if you can't come home, just know you're always welcomed here."
"Yeah, thanks dad I will, take care!"
"You too" he kissed the top of her head and sent her running off.
Sakura came home and planted on top of her bed feeling defeated, what do I do now?...if I break ties off with Sasuke...dad's job...what'll happen to that?...I can't ruin that for my own selfish reasons.
She sat up and looked back at her door, "I'll just have to deal with it...just deal with it until he finally decides to let me go..." my only problem is ...when exactly is that going to happen?...sigh! Damn, I hate my life.
Ichiraku's: 9:00pm
The gang was currently dining at their usual spot, on a typical day. Sasuke was sitting there thinking of his own mishaps when he glanced over at Naruto... Lately Naruto seemed happier than usual, which mean he had a secret...and by the way he was smiling it was a pretty good one at that...What was she about to say to him?... 'Naruto I love...'...love what? Love him?was she going to confess? Sasuke grew angry at the thought, he felt his insides burn and suddenly he had the urge to punch something, how can she confess to him when she's married to me?...I mean not that I care but...his thoughts grew quiet... his last thoughts lingered in his mind... "I hate Sasuke"... she really does hate me...again Sasuke grew very...very quiet. He looked back at glared as Naruto again..."fucking dobe..." Sasuke growled under his breath as he suddenly got up and stepped outside...feeling like he was utterly defeated.
Karin was watching Sasuke glare at Naruto who was looking at Hinata from time to time. Lately those two have been a bit shaky... and Karin knew trouble was heading their way...she can smell it. Something told her that this trouble involved a certain pink-headed bitch. Karin eyed Hinata who was laughing her way with Kiba... she observed the three closely watching their every move.
Hmph, I don't see what Hinata sees in that blonde idiot anyway, she's better off with Kiba, at least Kiba knows how to treat a girl. Naruto's like a freakin' kid, not once has he taken her out on a proper date... actually now that I think about it, Naruto treats Sakura a lot better than he's ever treated Hinata...honestly...Sakura doesn't seem like she's into Sasuke at all more like she's into...Karin smirked as her eyes locked onto a laughing Naruto. A sinister grin curled onto her lips as everything clicked, HA! Of course she would like him, he's the only one that can tolerate her neediness...hahahahahaha oh God this is hilarious, now if only I could get her to keep away from Sasuke for good...oh wait! Karin snapped her fingers, "that's it!" she said to herself.
"What's it?" Ino asked and Karin shook her head, "nothing, just thinking of plans for my birthday" she lied. Lately, Karin hasn't been able to trust Ino at all.
"Already? Isn't that a bit early?"
"Never too early to start! Well, I should head home, see ya!" and just like that Karin sprinted out of the diner.
Ino glared at her suspiciously as she watched Karin walk over to Sasuke..what's she up to?..
Karin had Sasuke drop her off and left him with a kiss. She ran into her house only to find her parents fighting...again.
"I told you Kizashi, I don't have time to plan anything for her!" her mother yelled.
"Mebuki! It's been months since their marriage and we haven't given those two anything!"
"We don't need to! Sasuke was supposed to marry Karin not her!"
"SHE has a name! Stop acting as if Sakura is your step-daughter or something!"
"Hmph! I'm not speaking about this!"
"The girl has a hard time about things as it is, why is it we, her family have to do something like this to her?!"
"If you want to give her a "party" then so be it, BUT you will not use my money, nor my time to do so, this conversation is OVER!"
"FINE!" Kizashi yelled back as he sat on the sofa, Karin rolled her eyes and walked into her room. She set down her clothes and headed for her Jacuzzi for a nightly bath to think to herself.
hmmm... what to do..and how to do it?... I want Sasuke, Sasuke wants me, but Sasuke can't HAVE me if she's in the way. Sakura wants Naruto, but Naruto has Hinata, Hinata wants Naruto but doesn't want to let go of Kiba... heh, so how should this work?
Karin thought long and hard... and it wasn't until a half hour later that it finally hit her.
"Kiba..." she said to herself, "I need to get him into the picture first... and we'll see what happens from there." She leaned forward as she laid her head on her arms, "soon Sasuke, you and I will be together for real, and that way your eyes will stay on me, and me only...because I..I love you..." she yawned and fell into a slumber while sitting in her bath.
Meanwhile...
Sasuke Uchiha was in a rut.
It's been a few days since that incident and till this day he hasn't been able to say a word to Sakura, and after that kiss he began to wonder if it really was a bad idea to do that.
She just won't give me the chance to talk to her, after much pacing Sasuke realized just how troubled he was by all this.
"No...No, this can't be happening." he said to himself. Sasuke sat down and folded his hands as he hunched over, lost in his own thoughts. Sasuke stepped out his room and looked right at her door. The lights were still on but there was no sound coming from her room, which meant she either fell asleep with the lights on, or she wasn't in her room at all.
Sasuke stared down at the doorknob for a good minute deciding on whether he wanted to open it or not...in the end Sasuke walked off and walked downstairs. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed the carton of milk. Just as Sasuke walked into the living room with his glass, Sakura just headed towards the sofa. Sasuke's eyes locked with her as she continued to walk towards the sofa when she suddenly looked at Sasuke...they stared at each other for a long, silent minute.
Sakura suddenly turned flaming red, as she jolted towards the stairs.
"Hey wait!" Sasuke called out as he ran after her.
"JERK!" she yelled back at him as Sasuke ran after her.
"Sakura, stop avoiding me"
"JERRRRRRRRRK!" she screamed again as she ran into her room and just before Sasuke had the chance to grab her she ran into her room and closed the door.
Sasuke knocked on the door, "open the door Sakura, we need to talk"
"Go away!"
"Why?!"
"Just go away, we have nothing to talk about!"
"yes we do, no we don't have something to tell you"
"Say it now!"
"I can't"
"Why?"
"You have to look at me"
"No you might-!"
"Might what...?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow and Sakura stayed silent... when suddenly...his onyx eyes widened as his cheeks tinted red...his heart began pounding against his chest..does...does she know I?...shit! Wasn't she asleep?!
Sasuke panicked for a little but for some reason he couldn't stop grinning.
"I won't do anything" he suddenly said, a smirk planted on his face.
"You liar!" she yelled through the door.
"I won't..."
"Wear a shirt first!"
Sasuke touched his abs and grinned even more, "I will after we talk."
"Okay, fine, move back!"
"Hn."
Sasuke stood there with his hands in his pockets and a towel over his shoulder as he waited for Sakura to come out.
"Give me a minute." she growled out.
Sasuke didn't move an inch from the door and Sakura slowly opened the door to see Sakura slowly open the door, as she kept a scarf wrapped around her mouth.
"What?" she muffled through the scarf.
"Pfft, what's with the scarf?" he asked.
"None of your business, what do you want?"
"Come here." he demanded as he as he slowly beckoned his hand.
"No. Not until you tell me what for..."
"Just come here"
"Nope."
"Fine, if you won't come then I will-"
"Fine, fine, fine" She stepped closer it wasn't until she did that Sasuke realized Sakura's cheeks were tinted a deep red rose.
"Wha-what do you want to say.."
"Move the scarf.."
"Why?!" she asked, seeming a bit too hostile.
Sasuke raised his eyebrow again and smirked, "'cause I can't hear you."
"O-Oh..." she slowly moved the scarf away and folded her arms.
"What do you want?-ahh hey!"
Sasuke threw his towel around her and pulled her in against him.
"You hate me huh?" he asked.
Sakura looked down and tried to push him away. Her cold hands melted against his hot skin.
"Wha...what are you-"
"Did you think I couldn't hear you Sakura?"
Sakura gasped but kept her mouth shut, "le-let me go..." she gritted between her teeth.
"Is it possible to hate me more than you do now?"
Sakura laughed a dry laugh and shook her head, she looked up at him and smirked, "The amount of hate I have for you is something no one can ever imagined...It's highly impossible to hate you anymore than I do now, Sasuke..."
"Oh?"
"Yeah!"
"Hn, really now...?"
"Yeah re-"
Before Sakura had the chance to even finish her words Sasuke yanked her in and pressed his lips hard against hers. He felt her entire body fall into a stiff shock as she made no other movement; she was tense and most likely confused at the same time.
Sasuke smirked as he continued to kiss her, his hands moved down to her waist as he gently pushed his tongue against her lips. Sakura began punching his back but Sasuke gripped her hands and kept them glued to him as he continued to kiss her.
Regretting ever second as he did, Sasuke finally pulled away and tilted her chin up, Sakura was still and frozen, but her entire face and neck were a deep purplish-red.
Sasuke chuckled as he leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "how 'bout now? ...bet you despise me even more now, don't you Sa...-ku...-ra...", and just like that Sasuke chuckled as he walked into his room, no longer feeling defeated.
Beta'd by: BananaMilkshake101 THANK YOU!
HappyCrayon: OMG! I'm sooooooooooo sorry for the 1 month late update! XD I've been way too busy since the last update, one being my Final Exams for my semester, which left me no time to write anything at all, after my exams were over I sort of had a brain meltdown. I was left completely unmotivated to type or write or do anything for that matter other than sleep. I slept for a long time for the first week of my winter break. I had the longest writer's block EVER! lol on top of that my old laptop went completely crazy after a certain 3 year old monster killed it. so yeah I went laptop hunting, and began applying for my classes, and other crap -.-" anyway c: I'm back to continue writing for this story! As for my first Fanfic "The Unseen" I had to delete it because the entire story was planned out in my other laptop and I didn't have the urge to rewrite the ending. D:. anyway on a brighter note! Happy New Year's! :) good luck to you this year! ^^ See you soon in my next chapter- apologies if this wasn't enough to fill your anticipation. lol I promise something good is coming soon ;3! xxx