A/N – Okay, I promise you all I won't stop this story! Not until it is complete and over with! So, worry not!

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Stealing Dates, and a Happy Birthday

Sakura suddenly felt a hand on her lower arm, and a small tug. Kakashi released her, and she found out that it was Sasuke that had taken her arm.

"Hello, Akito," Kakashi greeted in good humor, "What might you be doing?"

"I stealing your date, what do you think I'm doing?" Sasuke spat at Kakashi.

"Oh, I see," Kakashi said with a smile, and he walked away.

Sakura glared at Sasuke, even though she had wanted the interigation from Kakashi to stop, she didn't want her entire night ruined by Sasuke's jealousy. Sakura marched off in the direction of the bar, but Sasuke caught up to her.

"Where are you going?" Sasuke asked.

"To the bar," Sakura snapped, "Man, you know, you didn't have to ruin my whole night of dancing!"

"How did I do that?" Sasuke asked, "Don't tell me you wanted to slow dance with...Shigure."

Sakura turned sharply to glare at Sasuke, "Well, it's a hell of a lot better then sitting on the sidelines with you!"

Sakura turned back to head for the bar when she was grabbed by the arm, and spun around, an arm tight around her waist, her forehead barely touching that of Sasuke's, his eyes peered deep into hers, and his breath when he spoke made her shiver pleasently.

"Who said anything about the sidelines?"

With that Sasuke wisked her away across the floor, holding her close to his body. Sakura didn't know if she should be more surprised that Sasuke was dancing with her, or that he could actually dance. His body lead hers through the sea of people, past Naruto, and Kamiku who stopped to stare for a moment before going back to dancing. Kakashi who had found some random girl, stole a glance as Sasuke danced with Sakura in his line of view.

"Sakura," Sasuke spoke in a voice that didn't sound like his.

"Yeah?" Sakura whispered in reply.

"Will you come with me?"

Sakura, without really thinking, nodded, and Sasuke slowed their dance to a stop and took Sakura's hand in his. He then took her from the dance floor to a secluded little area of the restruant, where he stopped and turned to Sakura with a slightly pink face.

"What is it?" Sakura asked.

"About last night, I..." Sasuke stopped, and his blush deepened.

"I told you it was alright, I understand,"

"No, you don't," Sasuke said; Sakura looked at him in confusion.

"Then tell me, what don't I understand?"

"I..." Sasuke didn't know how to tell Sakura what he wanted to say, "I don't know."

"Well, that helps a lot," Sakura said, a little angrily.

"Sakura, just know that..." Sasuke said, "I don't hate you."

Sakura didn't know how to react to Sasuke's statement, "Akito...I..."

"Believe me, it's the truth, I swear," Sasuke said, "I swear it to you, Sakura."

Sakura was close to freaking out, Sasuke was acting nothing like himself, but, those eyes, his eyes, were right there, looking at her.

"I...I believe you...Akito," Sakura said, and after a moment, a smile spread across her features.

The blush on Sasuke's face became slightly more pink, as he reached into his robe and pulled out a small box wrapped in pretty paper.

"Then...Happy Birthday, Sakura," Sasuke said, and handed her the box; which she unwrapped carefully.

"Akito, it's so pretty!" Sakura said as she gazed apon the dazzling necklace, "Will, um, will you help me put it on?"

Again, Sasuke's blush darkened, but he nodded without words, and lifted the necklace gently from it's box and unclasped it. Sakura slowly spun, and raised her hair out of the way with one hand, as the other softly touched the pendent as it settled around her slim neck. Sasuke fastened it, and touch Sakura's shoulder's and spun her around.

Sakura looked up at Sasuke as he gazed down on her in the pendant, "It looks...good on you."

"Thank you."

Sakura's cheeks joined Sasuke's in a light blush.

"...whatever."

Sakura's eyes snapped shut in amusment of Sasuke and his actions, she giggled and he stared at her, with a slightly angry expression, but it soon soften at the happy look on her face. He reached out towards her and touch the pendant that hung down around her neck.

Sakura's eyes opened quickly at the sudden touch on her upper chest, she looked at Sasuke as her lift the pendent away from her skin, and softly kissed it, Sakura could almost feel his lips, on her, everywhere, soft and warm, that's what they were.

Sasuke looked up at Sakura as she took his lips away from the necklace, he was inches from her. He was so close, and now even closer, she could feel his heat, and he could feel hers. They could hear each others every breath, and feel it, too. Their need, their want, it was radiating from their bodies in waves.

"Sakura..." Sasuke whispered, in an almost strianed voice.

Though Sasuke's mind ran the visions of his dream, the one where he had Sakura, all alone, and the one where he had her, dead in his arms. He fought against his urge to kiss Sakura in full out passion, but it was a battle he wasn't winning in any way. His lips moved closer to her, and didn't obey his comands to stop.

She'll get hurt, Sasuke's mind told himself sliently, If I kiss her, it'll hurt her.

Sasuke's lips touched Sakura's lightly, fire coursed through their bodies at the contact, and all hope was lost at stopping, until...

"Sakura?"

Sakura's body was instantly covered in little bumps, and the hair at the back of her neck stood on end. She looked to her side and saw Sukitsu standing a few feet away. Sasuke had immediately moved away from Sakura and was looking around for a distraction, he spotted Naruto sitting at the table across the floor, his back to him, and Sasuke bolted, unknowingly, leaving Sakura with the demon of her past.

"Now, now, since when are you so...passionate, Sakura-chan?" Sukitsu asked, "Prephaps you come give me a taste? Hmm?"

Sakura shivered, and it wasn't because she was cold. By the look of it Sukitsu had already had a few drinks, and Sakura cursed Sasuke for not noticing and taking her with him.

"Come, come, Sakura-chan," Sukitsu said, spotting a half-empty beer on a nearby table, he picked it up and downed it.

Sukitsu stubbled over to her, but as he reached for Sakura, his hand outstretched, her colapsed to the floor.

Sakura stared at the semi-concious Sukitsu inches from her.

"SAKURA!"

Sakura looked for the voice and found Naruto dashing towards her, her eyes filled with tears at the look on Naruto's face. So full of concern, and worry, Sakura knew Sasuke must of told him Sukitsu had come to talk to her.

"Daisuke..." Sakura said and she threw her arms around Naruto's neck and shook in fright.

"Shhhh, you're okay, now," Naruto soothed, stroking Sakura's head, slowly, "Don't worry, Akito and I are here."

Sakura's closed eyes opened and looked over Naruto's shoulder and saw Sasuke standing there, looking fairly confused, but wore a expression that held just as must worry and concern as Naruto's did.

"I'm okay, Daisuke-kun...let's go eat," Sakura said quietly, pulling back from Naruto and giving him a small smile.

"But..." Naruto said, but he stopped when he saw the look of simple content on Sakura's face, "Okay."

So, together, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke made their way back to the table, where a few minutes later Sukitsu came and sat down across from Sakura. In no way did he look pleased, his eyes lingered dangerously on Naruto, but then flickered to Sakura where they gleemed with dark thoughts.

Sakura broke her gaze with the man across from her and looked over as someone called her name.

"Sakura," Sasuke said, "I just remembered that Shinga asked me to give this to you."

The table, that had been full of chatter, fell silent as Shinga's name graced the air. Everyone's eyes peered around to watched as Sasuke extended his hand, clutching the white envelope, to Sakura. Sakura gazed at it as though it was something she had never seen before.

Slowly, Sakura reached out and took the envelope, she opened it carefully, and pulled out the paper, and unfolded it. Out of the folded paper fell a stiff card with a tiny blue bow stuck to it. Sakura picked the card up and noticed that it was a 75,000 yen ($650 us) giftcard for the recording studio in town. Sakura placed the card down and opened the paper that was still in her hand. It read:

Dear Sakura,

Believe me, that I never meant for my words to reach you in such a manner. Sakura, what I meant by my words was that time is bound to pass, and as it does wounds heal and things must be laid to rest. I know Kai was very important to you, but he has been dead for nearly ten years, now. Sakura, you have to gather your strength and move on, and allow time to heal your heart that Kai left hurt.

Sakura, I tell you this most sincerely, it's unhealthy to hang onto something for so long. I don't want to see you go though such hardships, like those that you went through back then. Sakura, let time heal your spirit, let it bring back the gorgeous smile that used to grace your facial features daily.

I'm sure this whole town thinks the same thing, that you should try to let go of your past, and let the future bring new love and light to your life. I'm not saying you should forget Kai, I'm saying that you should just move on, and come to terms with the fact that Kai has died.

Sincerely Yours,

Shinga

P.S. Happy Birthday, Sakura, and I hope I can see you smile tonight.

Sakura stared at the P.S. of the letter, and the she looked quickly around the restruant, and she immediately spotted Shinga sitting at a small table only a little ways a way. So close Sakura couldn't believe she hadn't noticed him before now.

"Shinga..." Sakura whispered, and she jumped to her feet and ran to wrapped her arms around his neck and...laughed.

"Sakura, are you okay?" Shinga asked quietly; Sakura answered with a silent nod.

After a few moments, Sakura pulled back, and she and Shinga went to sit with everyone else.

The night lasted hours after Shinga joined in, everyone talked about everything. Sakura, at numerous points during the evening recieved preasents from people.

Kakashi it turns out had given her a small treasure chest, made of pretty cherry wood. Inside there was a photo album with pictures of Team Seven together, by themselves, and in different pair up, doing all sorts of things. All the pictures were ones where they hadn't been wearing their headbands, so there was no odd questions when the others saw the photos, on the last page was a crayon drawing that Sakura had recognized as the one from the video tape Mayuko had shown them the night before. Sakura had cried a little when she had seen it in the album.

Mayuko and Yagitsu had presented Sakura with tickets to the local theatre, Sakura had wanted to see some recent movies and so she stored the ticket in Kakashi's cherry box, along with Shinga's giftcard to the recording studio. Kamiku had gotten Sakura a huge make-up kit, Sakura glared half-heartly at Kamiku, but then laughed and hugged her. Sukitsu approached Sakura with a long, narrow, box in his hand, he handed it to Sakura, and she cautiously took, being carefully to not let her fingers touch his hand. When she unwrapped the box she for a single ticket to a new hot spring that had opened up on the Ridge of Sato.

"Um...thank you...Sukitsu," Sakura said queitly.

"You're very welcome, Sakura-chan," Sukitsu said with a smile.

Sakura placed the ticket into her box, and closed the lid, as she did, her ears picked up on the new song starting up on the dance floor. Sakura who noticed Sukitsu had his eyes on her, as he moved to get to his feet, she jumped up, grabbed Sasuke and pulled him to the dance floor without the slightest word to him in explination.

"Sakura?" Sasuke asked in confusion, as Sakura placed his hands on her waist.

Sakura wrapped her arms around Sasuke's neck, and closed the distance between them slightly, "Either you dance, or I drink. Make your choice."

Sasuke pulled back from Sakura slightly as to look at her in the eyes. Sasuke wondered why Sakura was actually speaking about her drinking like she was. By what Mayuko and the other has said, and acted, Sakura's first and only outlet seemed to be alcohal. Of course, Sasuke wasn't going to complain, he'd dance a thousand dances if it kept Sakura away from alcohal.

Come to think of it, Sasuke realized, as he stared at Sakura, I'd dance a thousand dances with her anyway, and I will.

Sasuke's eyes glanced to the side, "Then follow me."

Sakura just stared at Sasuke as he led her, she found herself walking up stairs, and suddenly it looked as though there was no ground beneath her feet. She looked around and saw that Sasuke had brought her onto the clear glass dance floor that hung over the cliff. He wrapped his arms securely around Sakura's waist, and held her close. His head rest on her head, and Sakura's rested against his chest.

I wonder if she can hear it, Sasuke wondered, I don't think she could miss it, my heart is pounding...

I can hear it, Sakura thought as she cuddled her head into Sasuke's warm chest, I can hear his heart pounding, like music.

As the two danced, they both felt as though they were flying over the cliff. That's what the glass floor did, and so, they flew together in dance. Sakura had never felt so warm, while being so close to a guy before. Even since Sukitsu, she'd had crushes, but had never be so...close. Now, she was, and there wasn't anything in the world she'd trade for it.

As the song ended, Sakura blushed and began to pull away, but Sasuke stayed tight around her, and she looked at him, "Sasuke?"

"Stay," Sasuke whispered to her, and Sakura obeyed.

As the next song came up, in a fairly fast pace, Sasuke locked eyes with Sakura, who let out a shaky breath, and nodded. Sasuke turned her and pressed her back against his chest, and they rocked and swayed to the music. Sasuke's hands wrapped around Sakura's stomach, but they danced down her thighs, and up again to her stomach. Sakura, who thought she would be running to Naruto cry within second of such dancing actually enjoyed it. She loved the feeling of Sasuke's hands on her body.

Why? Why are his hands not scaring me? Sakura wondered.

Sakura's closed eyes opened, and spotted Naruto and Kamiku in the middle of the dance floor staring in shock. Naruto looked angry, but Sakura smiled at him, and shook her head. Sakura silently realized what was so different from Sukitsu's hands, and Sasuke's hands, never did Sasuke's hands travel further then what was right. His hands travel her thighs and stomach, they never even went as far as inner thigh.

Sakura closed her eyes and swam in the feeling of Sasuke's body against hers. They stayed together in dance for the next four hours, never even stopping for a drink of anything, except each other. They drank the feeling of their bodily contact, and were content with it, until the restruant was actually closing at 2:00 in the morning, and Kamiku came, giggling all the way, to tell the two.

"Are you serious, Kamiku? We couldn't have been dancing for that long," Sakura said, she then looked to Sasuke, "Have we, Akito?"

Sasuke shrugged, then, in a rare moment, took Sakura's hand and led her to where Kakashi, Naruto and the others were waiting for them, and they all headed home. Sakura and Sasuke keeping their hands linked they walk behind the others with identical blushes on their cheeks.

Sasuke looked to the sky as he walked, and watched as clouds difted in front of the moon, and he watched the stars shine like they were trying to out shine the sun.

Sakura's eyes lingered on her and Sasuke's entwined hands, and then slowly drifted up to his face that was veiwing the night sky. She could just barely see the moon reflecting in his dark gazing eyes.

Happy Birthday to me.

A/N - Well, I actually don't have must to say this chapter, so, all I'll say is please review! XD