Once again, I start typing without even having something in mind...well, let's see what will happen :D

Whatever it is, enjoy!

Chapter 37

Sasuke was trying his best not to stare at Nanami's huge belly. Like...huge! He just couldn't move his eyes away from the awfully big lump under her black shirt. It wasn't like he hasn't seen pregnant women, it's just that he'd never seen pregnant women from that close. It was kind of fascinating, but in the same time, weird. All that, mixed with his usually blank expression...well, that's probably what Nanami was silently laughing at. She smiled at him, when he raised an eyebrow.

" Done?"

" Sorry, Sasuke, you were just so fun to watch."

" Ta-daa..."

The woman laughed once again and rested her arm on her belly, not helping Sasuke to avert his eyes.

" Well, what is going on around you? I haven't seen you in a while and , gods, you've matured! You're not the same little boy!"

" You speak as if you haven't seen me in decades...it's been only a month..." he muttered and looked at the ceiling above Nanami's head. She obviously understood what his problem was, since she chuckled again.

" You know, I won't eat you..."

" You certainly look like you would..."

" You mean I'm fat?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, looking at her tauntingly. Judging by her expression, she was just messing with him.

" You're pregnant...of course, you're fat!"

" Ouch, Sasuke...that almost hurt...nevermind that, what's going on with Sakura-chan? I heard the happy news, from Kushina and Minato. Why didn't you tell me yourself?"

" Why...well, I don't know. I guess I just didn't have time to."

" You didn't have time to inform your sister, that you were going to soon marry?"

Sasuke looked away, as she defined herself as his 'sister'.He didn't mind that, but it reminded him of Itachi, which was quite painful, especially around Nanami. He cleared his throat, ready to make up some lame excuse, but Nanami smiled, with excitement shining in her eyes.

" Tell me, how did you propose to her?"

" Ugh...Maybe you should speak about that with Sakura...I mean, I don't..."

" Oh, come on, Sasuke, we're family! But you're right...why isn't Sakura-chan here with you? I would have loved to see her!"

Sasuke frowned again.

" She said she was busy."

" Busy? At Friday night? " Nanami questioned with raised eyebrows and when Sasuke said nothing, she shrugged. " I have forgotten how hard college is. Maybe she's buried under homework and stuff..."

Sasuke decided not to tell, that this same afternoon, she was assuring him, that she was done with all her paperwork. He really didn't know why she was so busy lately. Well, except for their upcoming wedding, which he didn't know a thing about. Hinata was organizing it with Sakura and the other girls. Naruto was involved, as well as Deidara, Sasori and Sai, who, Sasuke assumed, were busy with decorations, since they were in the Arts Devision of Konoha University. And everybody was refusing to tell him a thing. Even Sakura, who was trying to convince him, that she's only given the other people tasks and they were keeping everything a secret.

Sasuke certainly wasn't happy. At least he wanted to know where his wedding would be. But Hinata has refused to tell him, since she'd taken care of the invitations for the people, that Sasuke has listed for her. Of course, he was considering the idea to ask Nanami or Minato, but he decided not to. If Hinata had wanted him to know, she would have told him. And he really didn't want to ruin her surprise by cheating. He also wanted to know, where he was about to spend the month after his wedding. Knowing Karin, he feared that he'd end up in some street hostel in the same town. The girl simply lacked organisation skills. That's why he had come up with a plan B in case Karin's 'surprise' was a huge failure. And that plan simply consisted of him bringing his credit card with them. That would be enough.

But none of those explained Sakura's behavior lately. She was always avoiding him, maybe even ignoring and that simply wasn't the girl he has fallen for and that he loved. Well, no, she was, but she was different, as if she was keeping a secret away from him. And that was causing his mind to consult with his imagination. And by doing that, he was receiving nasty thoughts about Sakura and Sai dating behind his back, other times it was Kiba, third times- the weird kid that had some fetish for insects...In other words, he was thinking, that Sakura was cheating on him.

And maybe that's why he was there alone now. That's why his fiance wasn't there with him.

Sasuke shook his head fiercely, kicking all of these bothering thoughts out of his head.

" Maybe..." he muttered as a response, but Nanami wasn't looking pleased.

" You don't sound very convinced."

" That's because I'm not."

He didn't know how a woman's brain was functioning. But with only a glance, nanami seemed like she knew about everything that was going on inside of his head. That's why she smiled lovingly.

" She loves you. You should know that and you should never forget it. She loves you just like I loved Itachi. She loves you just like you love her! Don't doubt her, am I clear?"

" Yes, ma'am!"

Nanami chuckled once again and caught Sasuke's face in her palms, looking at him as if she was trying to decipher something. And then, a smile spread on her features, as she leaned in and kissed both of his cheeks.

" I love you, too, Sasuke...Don't forget that either...Now get out of my house. It's almost midnight and pregnant women have the insane need to sleep, too..."

Almost midnight, Sasuke thought and stood up from the couch, helping Nanami with getting up, too, since she obviously had difficulties with that. He had promised Sakura, that in case it bacme too late for him to drive, he'd stay at the mansion. But he didn't intend to, despite the fact, that it was too dark.

Almost midnight...He has left her alone for more than five hours and that was too much. Maybe he had to call her and tell her he was coming home. But he didn't, because she knew where he was and who he was with, so there was no problem.

Sasuke smiled, as he reached for the doorknob, reminding himself, that it was going to be Saturday in a while, that he wouldn't have to stand up early for lectures, that he wouldn't have to write anything or even think...

And then his hand slipped down the doorknob.

It was going to be Saturday in a while...But then again, he has said, that he'd stay there if it became too late...

He turned around, startling Nanami, who placed a hand over her heart and looked at him disapprovingly.

" Sasuke, what the-"

" I know what she's doing!"

" Why, for hell's sake, is everybody trying to prove me how much of an idiot he can be!?" Sakura growled and started rearranging everything. She has told Karin to leave everything as it was. It had to be a surprise, after all. But that idiot has changed everything. She has pushed the furniture to the walls, excusing herself by telling, that she had to make a dancefloor. Well, guess what? Sakura knew better, that Sasuke hated dancing. He hated having people around, too. For this one, she could easily blame Ino. The stupid girl has invited some other people fro his economy classes, that Sakura doubted he even knew. She left the blonde to deal with them. Hinata was positioned on the front window to peek on the path to their building and to inform them immediately, whether the Uchiha was coming, but judging by the way she was happily chatting with Temari, Sakura doubted she was paying attention to her task.

" Well, as my defense, I'd say, that I told them not to do that. I told them that you'd get furious!" Naruto raised an arm and helped Sakura with moving the couch back to its place. He then turned around to face Shikamaru and Juugo, who were lazing around. " Oi, you two, get up your asses and help! It isn't polite to let a lady do all the man's work!"

Sakura didn't care about the tenderness of Naruto. She didn't care, that the other boys immediately jumped in to help. She didn't care that Naruto didn't actually acknowledge her powers, which she wouldn't even compare to other girls'. She only cared, that it was almost midnight and that nanami probably wasn't able to hold him any longer. As if to confirm that, Sakura's phone started vibrating in the pocket of her jeans. She glanced at it and when she saw the name of the caller, quickly answered.

" Nanami..."

" He just left." her response was fast, stern and Sakura could hear the excitement in her voice. " Are you ready?"

" Hn..." Sakura looked around the messy living room and frowned. " Yeaah...yeah, I guess so. However, thank you for helping! But I'm closing now. I have to get dressed!"

" Of course, of course! And don't forget to give him my present, too...And, oh, by the way, I think he might be aware that you're preparing a surprise for him."

" WHAT? No, no, no...Did you tell something?"

" Of course not! It was just that creepy line he said before burst out, running. It was something like 'I know what she's up to'...But don't worry. Even if he knows, it will still be a surprise, judging by all the voices I hear."

" No, everything will be ruined if he really knows..." Sakura whined and looked at her clock. They had ten minutes, most, before Sasuke arrived. And there were only two until Saturday. " However, thanks, nanami. You're so awesome! I'll call you tomorrow morning!"

" If you're still alive..." she reminded with her joyful, careless laugh and Sakura pouted.

" Yeah...if I'm alive..."

With that, they closed at the same time. Sakura looked around at her friends, who were looking at her expectingly. Naruto, Karin, Suigetsu, Juugo, Kankuro, Temari, Gaara, Hinata, Neji, Tenten, Ino, Kiba, Shikamaru, Shino, Choji, Lee, Deidara, Sasori, that Samui girl and Sai, who has invited himself alone. She sighed.

" He'll be here soon. I'll be back in just two minutes. Hinata, Ino, come with me..."

She said that and turned around, headed to her room, going to get dressed up. When she entered, she let the girls enter, with the only difference, that it wasn't only Hinata and Ino who had followed her, but also Temari, Tenten and Karin, with all her insolence and nerve.

" What did you pick for tonight? Something sexy? Without much skin coverage?"

" You slut..." Temari giggled and poked Karin, who, as always, was in a mini skirt and a little shirt, that was hardly covering her chest area and showing off proudly her freshly pierced navel. Sakura turned to Ino and Hinata. They, as true best friends were preparing the curling iron and the make-up set. tenten was carefully observing the package on Sakura's bed. The rosette ignored her 'neighbors' and turned to that package exactly. She opened it and showed the girls the red dress she had gotten from...

" Minato and Kushina! That's the dress from them, right?" Karin grinned and looked at it approvingly. " It shows a lot of leg and cleavage...that's nice...he'll be mad once he sees you!"

" Mad in which way?"

" Both. Always both." Karin chuckled and looked awkwardly at the corner of the room, while Sakura was stripping and pulling on the red dress. Unfortunately for the rosette, however, she wasn't entirely out of Karin's eyesight, because the redhead looked at her with an open mouth and surprised eyes. " Don't tell me you're wearing that underwear!"

Sakura looked down at her innocent black bikini and frowned. What was wrong with that. As if reading her thought, Karin smacked her forehead.

" God, Sakura, you're so lame! It's his birthday! Try something more provocative! Something more appealing and sexy!"

" Karin..that's none...that's none of your business...besides, Sasuke doesn't care what kind of panties I wear! That's immature!"

" I see...so he is just always hurrying to remove the panties...Interesting...I've always wondered what Sasuke was like with sex...Hey, Sakura..."

" Don't even think about it!" Sakura growled and asked Ino to button up her dress. The blonde did so, but also muttered something about karin being right for the first time ever. that made the rosette think about it. It was true, that Sasuke has never cared about her underwear. Well, probably because all she oqned was different sets of black and white normal bikini. Of course, she had a few 'provocative', as Karin has said, sets, just like any other girl, but she didn't think that it would make any difference.

" Try." Karin shrugged again, startling Sakura. Jeez, that girl was creeping her out. What if she really could read minds? Impossible...

" Why would I? He'd remove them anyways...It's just a stupid pair of underwear!"

" Oh girl..." Temari giggled and pushed her on the chair, where Ino started curling her hair and Hinata- applying a little bit of make up on the rosette's eyes. Tenten was somewhere in the room, searching for Sakura's heels, the one she had instructed her to bring. "...you would be very surprised what that little pice of cloth could do to a man. Or anyways, the lack of...it's comfortable, too..."

It took only the total of three seconds for Karin's head to turn like a lightning towards the senior.

" You mean to tell me, that you wear no underwear? Like, nothing?" her eyes shifted to the leather skirt, that temari was wearing, but her shrug caught her attention.

" Not since the age of fourteen."

" And you dare to call me a slut... Jeez, that's some nerve..." Karin muttered and suddenly gasped. " O-ho, Sakura! So you do have lingerie!"

Sakura's eyes opened in an instant to reveal her the image of Karin observing one of her few sets of those. It was made of black lace, like, the whole thing. And it was quite sexy, actually. But it wasn't really comfortable, not at all. She frowned. Were the girls right? Ino, Karin and temari? That this would actually be liked by Sasuke? Not that she intended on sleeping with him on that night...it was just, that...well, just for any case.

" Give me that!" sakura sighed and Karin's eyes lightened up behind her glasses.

" So you're going to put them on! Yup, that's how you teach, ladies!"

" Only so that you could shut up!"

" Oh, believe me, dear, you'll be thanking us tomorrow...or later..." Temari laughed and threw the black lace lingerie to the rosette, who caught it and looked at Ino.

" Only two more locks." she reported and Sakura nodded. Oh, she was going to be so stunning! Even Sasuke would have to admit it! She looked hesitantly at the lingerie set, but then shrugged. It wouldn't hurt to try...or...would it? Ino dragged Sakura out of her thoughts, by announcing that her hair was done. Hinata was ready wth the eyeliner and the pink lip gloss. tenten handed her the shoes and Sakura slipped her legs in them, suddenly becoming ten centimeters taller than she was. Well, at least she'd reach Sasuke's eyes now...

She looked at the mirror and smiled. That would do. The red dress was reaching her mid-tight, the white motives on the chest were making it look bigger, than it actually was. There wasn't much cleavage, as Karin has said, probably due to the lack of sizable boobs, like Ino's and temari's, but it still looked really well. And the red shoes with the high heels. Perfect. Sakura grinned like an idiot to her friends.

" Thank you so much, guys! You made me gorgeous..." Sakura frowned a little, the grinned again. " No, you showed my gorgeousness!"

" Yeah, right, let that thought calm you,Forehead..." Ino laughed playfully and sakura looked at the underwear in her arms, than back at her girlfriends. They took the meaning of that look and hurried to turn around. And sakura didn't make them wait long, since after about thirty seconds, she told them she was ready.

" Good. You're blushing now. That makes you even hotter. And consider, that I am saying this and I am a freaking girl!" Karin said and ceremonially got out of the room, followed by the others. While they were walking down the hallway, Karin turned back to her. " And hell, girl, I don't know how the boys will keep their eyes away from you tonight, but I guess it would be fun for you to watch me beating up Suigetsu, right?"

" Yeah, Kiba wouldn't get away with it, too, if I catch him in act." Ino added, but Hinata shrugged.

" Well, Naruto-kun may find her gorgeous and I am sure, that he'll probably stare, but that's only human nature, right?"

" Keep thinking that rationally, Hinata..." tenten said, but Temari interrupted them.

" Girl, believe me, it's you who would want to beat him up, because if Sasuke catches any of them staring at Sakura's ass...well, I guess it would have been better if there was a hospital nearer to that place."

" Oh come on, Sasuke-kun would never do that!" tenten said, but her statement sounded like a question. Karin just laughed.

" We'll see..."

With that, they entered the living room, where almost everything was back to normal. (Karin frowned and started muttering that it just wasn't right.) But other than that, there were fourteen boys that left their activities to stare at the rosette. the first one to come to his senses, was Shikamaru, who simply turned back to Kiba and made him continue with the talking with a rather meaningful look. Temari smiled proudly at Ino, who smirked back at her. Juugo and Gaara, Shino, Lee, Choji and Neji quickly understood the meaning of it all, because they started chatting again. But the rest of them, Suigetsu, Sai, Deidara and Sasori, were staring at her. Even Naruto, but his look was rather conspirative than actually perverted. He was also the first one to talk.

" Hey, Sakura-chan, you look amazing! Sasuke will go mad! Like, you probably look like he imagines you in his happy place."

That made Sakura smile widely. There. Naruto said it. She was awesome. Sasuke would love to see her like that.

" Amazing?! Naruto, please..." Suigetsu interfered, but he was interrupted by Deidara and Sasori, who had less danger to be killed, than him, since he was receiving a nasty glare from Karin.

" She is smokin' hot!" the blonde said and the redhead added.

" Fucking sexy!"

" And cute at the same time...jeez, if you only didn't have a boyfriend..."

"...yeah, if it weren't for Sasuke, we'd have probably already led you to the room next door..." Sasory finished and was hit in the shoulder by Naruto, whose eyes were fuming with anger.

" I beat up one of those drunktards in the campus. Don't make me repeat that..."

" Roger that..." Deidara grinned. " We won't touch the girl. Sasuke's too scary..."

" Besides, we aren't that type of people! And, well, yeah, Sasuke could be pretty scary."

But Sakura didn't listen to them anymore. Why? Because hinata was waving like mad. And why was that, you ask? Because obviously Sasuke was walking down the path. He was going to be home any minute.

" Hide! Everybody hide! NOT EVERYBODY BEHIND THE COUCH!" Sakura yelled in a whisper and turned to the third years, Deidara and Sasori. " You two go behind the cupboard for fuck's sake! Are you that stupid! And you three, go behind the door for the kitchen! And you...no, you stay there. He won't see you. Naruto...Naruto not there, you'll break something! Oh, ok, there's fine! Now everybody, be still!"

Sakura turned off the lights, aware that Sasuke was probably already climbing up the stairs. She rushed over to the door, that was leading from the hallway. So that she could be the first one to hug him and kiss him, when he entered. So she stayed there and started smiling like an idiot, when she heard the key in the door. And when she heard the footsteps. But then her smile faded away, as she heard him calling out for her.

" SAKURA!"

It wasn't because he yelled her name. he always did so, when he was coming back. It was because this time, he sounded angry, furious. And it seemed to her, that he threw his bag on the counter. He never did that. Her eyes wandered around the room, when they met Naruto's at the opposite corner, hiding behind the door for the other room.

And what she saw in there was confusion and actually, fear.

And, yes, she was afraid. And she feared, too. What was going on?

Dun Dun duuun...

I guess that's it for today. I'll try to update sooner this time, but school started and I am too busy, because also all the coursed and training started, too, so I am barely able to come home and when I do, I'm too exhausted to do anything...like, really, I simply go to bed and that's it.

But well, the chapter is here, so please review! Even if it's just a one word review, do it, since I really want to know what you think of this!

Love you lots!

xox