(thank you very much for your reviews)

this is…

THE UCHIHA SWEETHEART

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Chapter 28! Scared?

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It was cold.

Her chest felt heavy and there were residues of tears in her eyes. Green eyes fluttered opened, dazed and searching. Sasuke-kun…?

Sakura was sitting on a chair, her face in side-lying position. All she saw was white. White… like Sasuke-kun's skin… White… like heaven's sky. White like… death. White… all white…

Sasuke-kun… Sasuke-kun…

Do you hear me?

She blinked in surprise when she felt a large hand on top of her head. Gentle fingers caressed her messy hair. Sakura stared. This feeling… Slowly, she lifted her head and the hand slid down to her cheek. Her eyes widened, cheeks slightly flushed. The hand was gently touching her cheek… However, it wasn't gentle anymore.

Long index finger and thumb pinched her cheek and pulled. A moan spilled out of her wincing mouth. She grabbed the wrist, her pretty face scrunching up cutely.

"Tch. You looked abnormal with that annoying 'cute' expression," said a deep voice half-mockingly.

"You're… rude." She grumbled and her expression turned sour as she saw "his" familiar smirk she liked so much.

"You're annoying." The hand stopped pinching her. For once, Sakura appreciated the mild insult. A sweet smile brightened her pale features as she flung herself forward, hugging him around the neck.

"Sasuke-kun!"

-

Eye-catch! A mummy SD-Sasuke was being chased by evil-looking hysterically laughing SD-Sakura!

-

Sasuke blinked… then winced… then BLUSHED! Why not? Sakura was on top of him. Really… on top. Though she was not heavy (she was thin that it was easy to throw her off), his wound prickled unpleasantly.

"Oi, get off—" he growled. She was invading his comfort zone.

"Ohayo, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura whispered. Sasuke made a growling noise as her breath fanned his sensitive skin.

"Hn." He grumbled, closing his eyes. Gently, he pushed her to the side so that she was lying on his uninjured side. Really… it was hard to breathe when someone was crushing your chest, especially if that someone happened to have boobs.

Wooo! Blush! Blush!

Sakura snuggled closer to him, her face resting on his shoulder as she hugged him closer. "I missed you." She whispered in his ear. Dark eyes fluttered open to stare down to her face. His arm where she was lying on snaked around her waist securely. The hospital bed was narrow and she was almost on the edge of the bed.

"You slept for a week." her hand was on his cheek, his skin cool and smooth under her fingertips.

"Hn…"

Sakura giggled softly. He was so warm… so alive. "Do you know what it means?"

"Hn." Sasuke shrugged his free shoulder.

"You were in coma." Her voice dropped into a sad whisper. "You looked so… dead."

"Hn?" Sasuke felt her shudder. "Sakura?"

"I was…" Sakura bit her lip and closed her eyes. "…so scared."

Sasuke's face remained passive. With narrowed eyes, he looked down to her face, partly hidden under her messy hair. The expression on her face told him that she was in pain.

"Sakura?" he called.

Her eyes remained close, her brows furrowed in painful attempt to stop her tears from flowing. "Sakura?" Sasuke shook her shoulder gently, gazing intently at her pale face. "Hey."

"I was so scared to lose you… it was my fault! I was so weak… I… was—" her voice was climbing higher hysterically.

"Sakura—" he shook her shoulder but she remained rigid.

"You looked so dead—"

"Shut up." He interrupted, growling, holding her cheek. Her eyes snapped open, wide and shining with tears. Sasuke took her hand and placed it on top of his chest.

"Can you feel it?" he whispered. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Sasuke-kun…"

"Don't cry. It's annoying." He muttered, irritated as he brushed her cheeks with his index finger. Sakura smiled weakly.

"Gomen," she muttered. "I never leave your side." She added after a while.

Sasuke raised a brow. "Hn?" Sakura grinned. "I want to the very first person you'll see when you wake up!" He smirked.

Don't get your hopes high, boy…

"And know what…?" the grin on her face broadened… mischief shining in her very green eyes. And he didn't like it…whatever she was thinking…

"I didn't take a bath for a week!"

-

There was a sound of silence before the storm.

Sasuke blinked, body stiff. Dark elegant brows slowly drew in the middle, twitching. Then he took a short sniff.

Oh yeah… Uchihas weren't only gifted with beautiful, I-scream-for-blood eyes. Since Sasuke, being a genius and all-gifted deity-like he was, he was also blessed with a…

…nose.

-

"Get off me!" he snarled.

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"I told you! I didn't leave your side! NEVER!"

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"Just GET off!"

-

Two days later, Sasuke was discharged from the Med Center. The wonder boy was walking out of the building, his bandaged fists shoved in his pockets when he heard hurrying footsteps behind him.

Ah. His 'Sakura' senses were tingling and so, his pace quickened.

"Hey! Sasuke-kun!"

"Don't talk to me." Sasuke growled.

"Oh! Don't tell me you're still pissed?" asked Sakura whose hair was still wet from quick shower. A dark look was thrown over her. "See? I took a shower before coming over to fetch you—"

"Whatever." He muttered.

Sakura sighed. "You're still pissed? Jeez…"

With a glare, Sasuke snapped, "Who would get happy if the first thing you encounter after a week of slumber is B.O.?"

A vein popped from Sakura's temple as she raised her fist. "HOW-DARE-YOU!" she growled, stopping in her tracks. "I don't smell THAT bad!"

Sasuke stopped too and glared down to her. "My nose exploded, really—" Now, stars exploded from his eyes as a giant mallet, twice his size, hit him over the head.

"UCHIHA!" Sakura roared, a mad expression swept over her face as her tiny hand clutched the mallet.

"Stop hitting me with that alien thing." He hissed, rubbing his sore head.

"You're so ungrateful!" she screeched, waving the giant mallet in the air threateningly as if it was just a stick. "I missed 7 episodes of BIG BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE HOUSE to watch over you! I didn't eat ramen! I didn't take a bath—"

"…" there was an occasional twitching of his brow.

"…and moreover, I missed my chance to watch Teletubbies the MOVIE because I chose to watch over you!"

"That was touching." Sasuke said sarcastically. "Really."

"It was!" she pointed the mallet at him. "And you! You know nothing of gratitude! Absolutely no respect!"

"Fine," Sasuke managed to speak out. The mallet was pointed at his face and who knows what a mad girl can do with such dangerous weapon. Sakura let out 'huff' as she tossed the mallet over her shoulder. Sasuke's hand shot down and grabbed her wrist.

"You're annoying."

She replied with a 'huff'. "Because I'm so cute." Sakura snorted. He dragged her over the Popsicle stall, pushing her in the front of the booth. "Sasuke—?" he stood behind her, hands over her shoulders.

"Choose."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "What flavor do you want?"

"You're treating me?"

"Hn."

"Aw, you're so sweet!!"

Sasuke grunted. "Whatever. Choose before I change my mind." He said against her wet hair.

The girl immediately spoke up. "Extra super large strawberry Popsicle, mister!" her order was given and she turned her head to the side to look at Sasuke. "How about you, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke shrugged again. He took her wrist and paid. "Where are we going?" asked Sakura as they walked, her wrist held by Sasuke.

"Where do you want to go?" said Sasuke in monotone. Sakura stared hard at the back of his head.

"You should be in bed, you know."

"No."

"But—"

"I slept for a week, didn't I? That's enough rest."

As usual, Sasuke was being stubborn. "Are you sure?"

"Hn." He glanced at her. "Where do you want to go?"

"Hmmm…" Sakura stopped licking her Popsicle. "I don't know. You?"

Sasuke shrugged indifferently again. "Where you want to go."

"…!" She stared, mouth slightly ajar. This…is surreal.

"What?" he snapped.

"Eh… nothing!" Sakura looked away, frowning slightly as she licked. Sasuke tugged at her wrist. "Eh?" He glared at her as if saying: decide now before I turn to mazinger z.

"Let's just take a walk, shall we?" she said sweetly. He narrowed his eyes and released her wrist, walking ahead of her. The Popsicle was soon finished and currently, Sakura was gobbling up a sick sort of green-colored cotton candy that Sasuke bought for her. Suddenly, Sasuke stopped and Sakura bumped into him hard.

"Ow! I'm right behind you, Sasuke— eh?"

POOF! Orange smoke engulfed the two.

"Yo!"

"Ka—" cough. "—kashi-sensei!"

"What kind of freak show is this?" Sasuke spat, sweeping the smoke aside as its sick smell penetrate his nostrils. Next to him, Sakura gagged at its foul scent. It smelled like rotten eggs. Finally, the smoke dissipated, leaving the two youngsters pale and sweating.

"Hey," the two younger ninjas glared at him. Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "Your friends are waiting for you at the restaurant a few blocks away from Ichiraku."

Sakura, sick with the smell, discarded her cotton candy. "Why?" she choked.

"They want to celebrate Sasuke's heroism."

Sasuke's face darkened. "That's shit."

"Uh, sensei? Is this Naruto's idea of yours?" asked Sakura.

"Naruto's." Kakashi replied promptly. "As a matter of fact, he invited lots of people." Sasuke twitched.

"I'm NOT going to pay for anything." He growled.

Kakashi frowned. "But Naruto said—"

"I'm NOT going to pay for anything." Sasuke repeated, deadlier this time.

They heard him sigh. "I was hoping to get 20 bottles of cow milk."

Sakura cringed. "What for?"

"For my beautiful face, what else?"

"You're sick." Sasuke spat.

-

When they arrived in the restaurant ("Dobe, if you're thinking– which is impossible— "WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" "—that I will pay for everyone's food, think again— ops, did I say think?" "YOU AZZHOLE!"), everyone cheered.

"Still alive, eh?" Kiba said with wolfish grin who received super x-ray vision glare. Team 8 and Team 10 were present, even Asuma was there. The small restaurant (Lucky Girl and Lucky Boy is Equals to Lucky People Restaurant) had simple architecture that exude with comfort and coziness.

"Let's eat!" Naruto shouted joyfully. Everyone (minus Hinata and Sakura) grinned since Sasuke, being a kind soul he was, will do the paying. At once, the group broke into a rambling of orders.

"I want SA-SHI-MI!" Kiba yelled, pumping a fist in the air, followed by a howl from Akamaru.

"MISO RAMEN— extra extra extra EXTRA LARGE!"

"—and, oh! Milk!"

"Oh? I shall have katsudon— LARGE."

"BAR-BE-QUE!"

"And fried noodles too!"

"BAR-BE-QUE!" Chouji kept on chanting.

The orders were served but they kept on ordering. This worries Sakura who turned and glanced at Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun…?"

"LARGE PLATTER OF SUSHI, PLEASE?" bellowed Kiba.

"Do you have bees?" asked Shino.

"I want TEMPURA!"

"—and yakitori—"

"Extra bowl of rice—"

"BAR-BE-QUE!"

"—cow milk, please."

"BAR-BE-QUE!"

Sasuke's ears began to bleed at the barrage of orders. His Uchiha brain's built-in calculator began to compute. "Sasuke-kun…" the Uchiha turned to her slowly. Sakura suppressed a giggle. He looked so cute when his movements were robot-like.

"Are you okay?" she whispered. His left eye twitched.

"Do I look okay?" he snarled under his breath in an abnormally high pitch. He's about to lose hundreds of yen! In fact, his built-in calculator showed 9 zeroes.

Sakura giggled girlishly. "Ne, don't worry! Behind the clouds are the other clouds!" she said with a wide grin.

BURP! Everyone jumped. It sounded like thunder.

"You're disgusting Chouji!" Ino snapped. Naruto burped too— his sounded like an elephant's snore.

"Ewwww—"

Only Hinata was turned on.

"Ehehehe— thanks a million, teme."

"Shut up." Sasuke hissed. The waitress and owner were shining with joy, their smiles freaking wide.

"Oi, Naruto! Look!" Kiba pointed at the karaoke set at the corner of the bistro. Instantly, Naruto ran for it, Kiba following. The blonde arrogantly challenged Kiba into a singing contest.

"BRING IT ON!"

"You didn't order anything." Sasuke said, scowling over the tab. The girl shrugged.

"I'm still full."

"Do you want anything?" he asked, fishing out a few bills. Sakura shook her head. "Are you sure?"

"Um—"

Frowning, Sasuke looked at her. "What is it?" He saw her bit her lower lip, scrunching up her face. "What do you want?" he demanded, irritated.

"Can I… have a box of pocky?" Sakura asked hopefully. Sasuke smirked and slid off his chair.

-

"You're cuter up close!" the waitress, obviously a fan, said. Sasuke's face darkened. He got no time for fans.

"My change." He blurted out. The waitress was too busy staring at his face.

"Awww! You looked like cupid!" she said, handing him his change.

"Whatever," he growled, turning back to their table which was empty except for Sakura. He grunted and Sakura looked up to him, beaming.

"Arigato!" she squealed as Sasuke handed her the pocky. He grunted in response and leaned against the table. Silence reigned between them with occasional giggles from Sakura at Naruto's antics.

"Sasuke-kun?"

"Hn?" he didn't look at her.

"Does anything hurt?" Sakura asked carefully. A frown was set in place as he looked down at her.

"What?"

"Are you feeling okay? Your wound was—"

"I'm fine." He interrupted flatly.

"Are you sure?"

"What's wrong with you?" he snapped. Green eyes widened in surprise. Sakura opened her mouth to respond but Sasuke continued, "Don't be an idiot. I know what's going on inside that pink head."

"You…do?" she asked, nervous at Sasuke's sharp tone.

His scowl deepened. "Stop feeling sorry. Stop feeling guilty." Right on the spot. Sasuke-kun was really marvelous. She often reflected how easy it was for Sasuke to read her thoughts.

"Just be thankful I protected you."

"Sasuke-kun… this… you, protecting me always lead you to almost-death experiences—" she was cut off rudely when Sasuke said,

"I would always be stronger than you."

Sakura twitched. Did he have to rub it? What a jerk.

"And I would always protect you."

Sakura did a double take, gaping at him like a pink goldfish. "Sasuke-kun, you almost died while—"

"Shut up. What do you want me to do? Watch and clap? Cheer and ask for more?" He sneered. "I'm not protecting you because you're weak— I…" the inner turmoil was bubbling harder than ever. The way his brows twitched indicated that he was having an extremely difficult inner battle with himself. "Don't be stupid. Just…"

Her piercing green eyes were making him uncomfortable. "Don't look at me like that." He said scornfully.

"Like what? Sasuke—"

"Be quiet. Your voice makes my head hurt." Sasuke snapped, angrily shoving his hands in his pockets.

"But—"

"I'm alive. Can't you see? Spare me the 'I'm so fucking guilty' lecture. Just…" Why can't she shut up? Can't she see that he's doing everything for her?

"You always do things for me…" Her voice was soft, it felt like a touch of feathers… The Uchiha, on the other hand, stiffened.

"So?"

"…I…I…"

"Eat your pocky. I'll wait outside." Sasuke said and stormed off the bistro. Sakura was able to breathe again. Slowly, with shaking fingers, she brought a piece of chocolate-covered stick into her mouth. It's…weird.

"Yo! FOREHEAD GIRL!"

Sakura looked up, frowning. "What?"

Ino grinned as she sat down, slamming at least four bottles of sake in the table. Raising a brow in question, Sakura waited for the blonde girl to explain.

-

"Go, Sakura-chan! GOOOOO—"

What the hell is going on? Sasuke thought. Quickly, he went inside from brooding atop of a tree. He scowled; everyone was crowding around a table. He shoved Kiba out of the way until he arrived at the table. There, with wild blush over her cheeks, drooping eyelids and grinning foolishly, was Sakura, gulping down a bottle of sake.

Looking around, Sasuke spotted Naruto and his hand shot forward and grabbed the blonde's collar. "What the fuck is this?"

Naruto grinned. "Ino challenged Sakura to a drinking match." When Sasuke glared an 'I'll fucking rip your spine out' kind of look, he hastily added, "I tried to stop her but…she—" Naruto made punching gestures in the air.

"Coward." He muttered, pushing him off. The dark-haired boy reached down to Sakura's wrist, bringing the bottle down. Clear fluid slipped out from her pink lips. Raising a forearm to her lips, Sakura glared up to mysterious dark eyes.

"Whooooo…?" she slurred.

"Sakura."

"Eh?" Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Sa… she-kun?" The Uchiha cringed.

"Stop it."

"No! No lose! No lose!" she said, shaking her head wildly. Sasuke looked at Shikamaru who sat next to Ino.

"It means: I don't want to lose." He answered. Sakura jerked her wrist free and resumed drinking. Ino growled and seized another bottle.

"You no beat me!" Everyone frowned. What did she say? Minutes later, the blonde girl, the challenger, collapsed backward. Sakura gasped before pumping a fist in the air.

"ME WIN! ME WIN!" she shrieked, laughing hysterically. To celebrate her victory, Sakura opened another bottle and drank greedily. "Haaaaa! Yeeeeeaaaah! Me win! Me win! ME WIN!" they winced when the drunk girl slammed her fist down to the table, creating a crack.

"Uh…" Kiba scooted back. "We'd better take off. She's liable to crack everything." Hinata thanked everyone for the free meal and followed her teammates out. Asuma had Shikamaru carry Ino.

"Why me?" asked the infuriated boy. And soon, the only left people were Team 7.

"I love you, you love me let's go out and kill barney!" In her drunkenness, Sakura began to sing. "With a shot gun BANG! BANG! Barney's on the floooooor… no stupiiiid dinoooosaur!"

"She's a good singer." Kakashi commented, Naruto nodding next to him.

"Shut up." Sasuke snapped as he pulled the half-full sake bottle from the girl's grasp.

"BANG! BANG!"

"Sakura," he growled. She stopped singing and looked at him closely. "Sasuke-kun?"

"Aa—" Eyes wide and with a weird look over her face, Sakura dropped the bottle which shattered in the floor and hugged his neck.

"SASUKE-KUUUUUUN—" she squealed loudly.

"Be quiet." He hissed in her ear.

"Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan—" the girl sang. "Hic… me win! Me win!"

"You won." Sasuke corrected.

"Haiiiii— me win!" She moved back from him and grinned. Reaching out for another bottle, her hand got slapped by Sasuke.

"We're going home." Sasuke said monotonously. Sakura pouted and licked her lips. Grinning, she sang again ("I love you, you love me let's go out and kill barney!"). As she sang, she leaned backwards. Instinctively, Sasuke reached for her, wrapping his arm around her. Growling, he hoisted her up and hugged her to him. Sakura, mumbling incoherently, clumsily draped her arms around his neck.

"Sasuke-kun Sasuke-kun Sasuke-kun… SASUKE-KUUUU—" she purred in his ear.

"Sakura—"

"Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan— hic hic! As looong as Sakura-chan is with Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan will be happy! Happy happy happiiiieeee— hahaha!" she giggled and raised her arms in the air. It was lucky that they were the only customers for the night. A mumbling and drunk medic-nin and apprentice of the Hokage herself would be a scandal.

"Naruto, get her on my back." Sasuke ordered.

"Okay…"

Hiccupping, Sakura drawled. "As long as Sakura-chan is with Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan will be safe! Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever—"

Shaking his head, Naruto took her arms. "Here we go, Sakura-chan—"

"Noooo—" Suddenly, the pink-haired girl grabbed Naruto's neck. Hissing a curse, Sasuke pulled off her hand as the blonde boy paled and choked.

"Noooooo— don't leave Sakura-chan! Don't leave don't leave don't leave Sakura-chan! Don't leave Sakura-chan! If Sasuke-kun leaves Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan will cry!"

Lo, and behold. To their horror, Sakura burst out crying.

Dumbfounded, the three males watched her sob. "If Sasuke-kun leaves Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan will be sad! If Sasuke-kun leaves Sakura-chan Sakura-chan will cry and cry and cry then Sakura-chan will die and Naruto-kun and Kakashi-kun will cry!" Sakura looked up to Sasuke, her large eyes shining with tears. "And Sakura-chan will be sad in Heaven cos Naruto-kun is crying and Sakura-chan would have to go down to earth to make him stop!"

"Oh… ok…" This is really weird, Naruto mused. "Dude, she needs lots of water. And sleep. Yeah, make her sleep." Jeez… one thing to remember, don't let her touch alcohol ever again. She mumbled lots of stupid things. Well, most drunks do.

"Sakura-chan, you need sleep. And tomorrow, we will play again, don't worry! And you'll get lots of lollypops!" Naruto soon regretted his words when Sasuke smacked his head.

"Moron."

"No no no! Don't leave Sakura-chan! Don't leave Sakura-chan!" Her tears were genuine but she's drunk. Drunks craved for lots of attention.

"I will not leave you, alright." Sasuke snapped. "Oi, dobe, help me get her on my back. This is getting more annoying than usual."

"SASUKE-KUUUUUUN—"

"Shut up!" Both Sasuke and Naruto retorted.

"Barneeeey! BANG! BANG!"

"Oh damn—" Naruto wrapped her arms around Sasuke's neck. "Oi, good luck, bastard."

"Sasuke-kun Sasuke-kun Sasuke-kun… SASUKE-KUUUU—" Sakura purred as Sasuke picked her legs up and stood.

"Ja, teme!" Naruto said, tapping him in the shoulder. Sasuke nodded and off he goes.

-

Sakura was talking non-stop about rainbows and pots of gold and exploding stars. It was already late in night and Sasuke was thankful that villagers were off to their homes, not loitering around. Sakura was howling her favorite song.

"BANG! BANG!"

"Shut up there…"

"Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan——" she hiccupped and burped. Sasuke could not help but turned his face away in disgust.

"You lab me I lab u let's gu out and kill barney! With a shotgun bang! Bang! Barneeeey on the floooor nooo mooore stupieeeed dinosauooor!"

Sigh. What a stupid song.

"Sakura-chan loves Sasuke-kun!"

This caused Sasuke to walk right into a post. Shit!

"Sakura-chan loves Sasuke-kun Sakura-chan loves Sasuke-kun Sakura-chan loves Sasuke-kun Sakura-chan loves Sasuke-kun! Yipeeeee—" she cheered, hugging his neck tighter than usual.

"Shut up—"

"SHUT UP! Sakura-chan loves Sasuke-kun! Does Sasuke-kun love Sakura-chan too?"

"Argggh! If Sasuke-kun doesn't talk, Sakura-chan will kiss Sasuke-ku! On the mouth!!!"

BAM!

He walked into another post again. "Will you just shut up there?" he hissed.

"Nooooo! Sasuke-kun hates Sakura-chan! This hurts this hurts! Sakura-chan is hurting! Sakura-chan is—" She stopped mumbling, then: "SAKURA-CHAN WANTS TO PEE!"

"Damn it…"

"Pee pee pee pee—"

"Be quiet!" He bent his knee and Sakura slid down. "Go behind the bushes." Giddily, Sakura skipped towards the bush, giggling.

"Sakura-chan is peeing behind the bush! Shhhhhh…"

"Shut up there." Sasuke spat, looking around.

"Sakura-chan taking a pee! It says swisssssssh—"

"…shut up."

"Sakura-chan is done peeing!!"

"Go back here." The dark-haired boy commanded.

"Haiiii——"

"Are you sure you pulled up your pants?" he asked cautiously.

"Haiiii——"

"Good. Now come back here——" Happily, Sakura skipped back to him, grinning foolishly. He turned around and crouched. "Get on." She did and Sasuke resumed walking to the direction of his apartment. While on their way, Sakura sang again her stupid song, Sasuke's brows twitching every time she yells close to his ear.

Suddenly, she quieted down. Good. Maybe she got tired. But then, a shiver ran down to his spine as Sakura softly and groggily asked:

"Do you… love me?"

He stopped.

Slightly, he turned his head to his shoulder where Sakura's head lie. Sasuke mused how easy it was for Sakura to ask that question.

She's drunk. That's why.

…while for him, just the thought of asking her THAT was enough for the Great Uchiha to poke his eye out. He maybe a swashbuckling arrogant pretty boy but in terms of… feelings, he was a horrible buffoon.

Sasuke resumed walking. Smirking, he realized: what really shitty in this world was when you, a boy with excellent pyro-skills and ninja efficiency, want to ask a simple question but—

He reached his apartment.

—you're just too scared shitless of the answer.