Without thinking twice I walked upstairs and stood still when we reached the end of them.
"Uh, where is your room?", the cold mud on my clothes cooled down my mind. Eventhough I was still a bit tipsy I remembered that I have only been in Shikamaru's room here.
"We have to go up one more time, the third floor is my room.", he gestured me to walk the stairs again.
Well, he did not lie when he said the third floor was his room. It looked like one large appartement.
There was a king sized bed, a big tv, empty clothes rails. The walls were colored in beige, it looked pretty classy here.
"Why do you have such a big room?", I asked still amazed that a guy was living the dream of every girl.
Sasuke only shrugged his shoulders "I wanted this room because I knew the others would be too lazy to walk up the stairs one more time which means that they won't come into my room to talk. When Karin and I were together she insisted that we should sleep in her room because it was too boring for her up here."
While he talked I noticed a few dumb bells and pointed at them.
"Maybe I could use these to get stronger? Then I could hit the shit out of you!", I grinned.
"Maybe you should first go and take a shower", he pointed towards a closed door an it was like my bare feet were magically drawn to the floor, I couldn't move.
"I can't!", I admitted.
"Why not?", What time was it already? Sasuke had dark circles under his eyes and sounded tired.
"I don't have any clothes I could wear here. I'll probably should just go back to the pool house I guess.", I shivered lightly. The wet clothes felt cold as ice on my skin and Sasuke watched the goosebumps rise on my chest. "Stop watching you cheeky fellow!", I laughed. "Maybe you will show me your bathroom the next time?", I offered and turned around.
"You won't go out there again, it's still pouring. I can give you some clothes, come here.", this time he turned around and walked into the bathroom. I know that curiosity killed the cat but I couldn't help it. I wanted to know how the bathroom would look like, one glance wouldn't hurt, right?
I don't know what made me more enthusiastic, that beautiful white bathroom with this huge bath tub and a shower which walls were made of glass or that beautiful man that just took off his shirt and dirty pants who was now standing in front of me with nothing but boxers on.
I gasped.
Sasuke looked up "What? Nothing you haven't seen before, right?", he smirked.
Feeling intimidated I turned around so that I wouldn't see him. "Sasuke! What the hell!"
"What? This is a bathroom, am I not allowed to take my clothes off here? They were dirty."
"But you said come here! I wouldn't have thought that you would take off your clothes here. I thought that... I thought that... I god, I don't know what I thought I just did what you said!", I cupped my reddened cheeks with my hands feeling the dry mud on them.
Sasuke was still chuckling and I heard the sink running.
"I'll just wash my hands and arms and then I'll give you some clothes."
"I will not wear any clothes from Karin!"
"Never said you should. You can turn around you know? I'm not doing anything here."
Declining his offer by being rooted on the spot I waited. I heard him opening a door again and wondered how big this house was actually. Hearing his footsteps coming closer I turned around, thinking he would be wearing now clothes. But noo.
"They're fresh, some boxers and a Tshirt."
"And you couldn't get some clothes for yourself?", I squeaked and felt the heat rise in my belly again. Friends don't walk half naked around and try to mess my one's head!
"I still have most of my clothes in Karin's room, I'll get them now. In the meantime enjoy yourself.", he wanted to hand me clothes but looking at my hands still being muddy he placed them near the sink. "The towel is behind the glass wall.", with that the hot body walked away. I mean Sasuke walked away, sorry!
I tried to make it a quick shower and used his shampoo and shower gel which smelled pretty nice. Drying my body and hair quickly I put on his white boxers and a dark blue tshirt. The clothes were a little too big but it would be okay for tonight.
Making a messy bun out of my wet hair I walked back into his bedroom I saw that there were already clothes on the clothes rails as well as on the bed. I walked to the only window in this room and tried to look out, but I saw nothing. It was just way too dark outside.
"These were the last ones", Sasuke came back his hands full of clothes and placed them on the bed. His eyes wandered all over my body and I couldn't stop but thinking that it was way better when he wore nothing but his boxers now that he was wearing clothes again.
"They suit you.", he smirked and crossed his arms. "Looks like you were made to be an Uchiha."
My head tried to think of something if there was a joke I didn't understand. I shook my head lightly and narrowed my brows. "What?"
He nodded his head towards the bathroom and we walked in again. He took my shoulders and spun me. "Stay here.", he opened a drawer and took out a mirror and placed it in my hands.
"Look at your back."
"Oh! I didn't even see it when I put it on, what is that?"
"That is our clans crest. This symbol represents our family and everyone in Konoha knows, as soon as they see the symbol, that you're an Uchiha. My father and my brother run the police station here, maybe you have seen it there?". I was thunderstruck.
"Stop kidding me!", I looked at him in disbelief. "Then I probably met them on my first day here, hm?"
Sasuke laughed and his voice was full of joy. "Yes, my father was actually the one that put you behind bars. Did you really think that Naruto could just walk in a police station and get a prisoner out? You're funny, haha! He may be famous here but that doesn't mean that he could do what he wants."
"I can't believe you! And then you have the nerve to invite me to a family dinner? What's wrong with you? I couldn't face them anymore now that I know that they think I'm a criminal or a crazy fangirl!", I pouted. Sasuke laughed and joy danced in his eyes.
"Naruto already cleared things up. They thought it was funny and told us that you had a lot of fun with your fellow prisoner.", he patted my head and his hand glided down my face cupping my cheek.
"Anyway they would forget about it as soon as they would see you wearing our clans crest.", his black orbs had a change in them suddenly and eventhough I had a super hot shower a few minutes ago I felt hot and cold, the goosebumps rose from my lower back.
"I don't think that they would want a bad girl, a former prisoner in their family that would ruin their beloved good son. Just imagine all the dark places we'd go. You'd never be the same Sasuke again.", I laughed and tried to shake off the feeling I just felt.
"Maybe I don't want to be the same Sasuke again? What If I wanted to follow you into the dark?", he smirked and came a little step closer but I shuffled to the side so that I was able to walk out of the bathroom.
"Stop joking, Sasuke. I'm sure there is already a chosen girl which you have to marry.", I laughed and walked to his dumb bells. Lifting one up I realised they were quite heavy and placed it back on the ground.
"Actually I am responsible to find a woman on my own and there is already someone that I am interested in.", he slowly came out of the bathroom and sat on his bed.
I still stood by the dumb bells and looked at him. He was plain beautiful to me and he could even be nice when he wasn't a stuck up bitch.
"Can we go eat now? I'm starving!", it was the best to cut the conversation here again. We were already talking about things we shouldn't talk about. Sasuke stood up and slowly walked to the stairs.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Ramen!"
Sasuke laughed gently "You are indeed related to Naruto. Unfortunately it is impossible to eat it now. Naruto hides them and no one exept for him knows the hiding spot. He is too scared that Hinata would find it and throw it away or that we would eat it."
Listening to Sasuke I walked the stairs down. "What a coincidence that I know where it is.", I giggled. "But you have to close your eyes, I must keep it a secret, too!"
We sat on the couch in the living room and ate our ramen bowls. We were just in the same position as earlier in the poolhouse, my back touched the arms rest and my feet were on his lap.
Enjoying the meal we talked and laughed and finally fell asleep on the couch while the tv was quietly showing some old movies.
"Sakura!", someone whispered in my ear and I felt a finger poking my cheek. "Sakura!".
I tiredly opened my eyes and met the shiniest, bluest eyes on earth. I wanted to talk but he put a finger on my lips and gestured me to not talk yet.
I looked at the TV which was still on and saw the host of the morning show. The little clock on the right said 8:15. What?
"I can smell it", he still whispered. "You ate my ramen.", his blue eyes widened when I nodded.
"You did not tell him where I put them, right?", I shook my head and he sighed. "Thank god! He would tell the others or Hinata! Because he knows that they want to know!", his whispering turned louder. Naruto's face was just inches away from me, he really wanted to make sure that only I would hear him.
I pushed myself up a little, trying to be gentle so that Sasuke would not wake up.
Naruto nodded towards the kitchen and I walked with him and we closed the door quietly so that he would stay asleep.
"It's great that you two are starting to be friends!", he grinned and pushed one fist in the air. "Finally! I already thought that he would stay grumpy for as long as you would stay in the poolhouse!".
"Yeah, he is actually not that bad, I guess.", I sat down on a chair and Naruto sat on the opposite.
"Teme is actually a nice guy. But sometimes it's just that he acts like a princess and thinks that the world is all about him.", he laughed. "So my ramen finally made friends out of you two?".
"Well, to cut a long story short, the ramen was just the highlight.", I laughed. "He broke up with Karin", Naruto's eyes widened and he was about to yell but I stopped him by holding my hand up. "This time for real he said and then he apologized to me for being a jerk and well, yes. That's it.", I pushed the chair back and walked to the fridge and got some eggs to cook them.
Naruto gasped more than loudly. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!", he yelled and got up so quickly that his chair fell. I turned around and examined the kitchen stressed to the max.
"WHAT! WHAT IS THERE? WHERE IS IT?", I quickly jumped around, afraid that there would be a big spider or something.
My heart beat fast, my eyes filled with fear, I looked at Naruto to see him still gasping and pointing at me.
"OH MY GOD, NARUTO, WHERE IS IT!", I yelled and slapped my body and shook my head, maybe it was on my hair? I had to get whatever it was off, now!
"What is going on!", the door slammed open and banged against the wall. Sasuke stood in the doorway, his black hair tousled and his shirt wrinkled. There was still sleep in his eyes but yet he was fully awake.
"YOU!", Naruto pointed at him with his finger and wiggled with it. "WHAT DID YOU DO!", he walked around the table and stood in front of him.
"HOW COULD YOU! AFTER I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM HER, TEME!", he yelled and pushed his chest making Sasuke stumble two steps back into the living room.
"What? I did not do anything with her!", Sasuke slapped Naruto's hands away as he tried to push him one more time.
"She is wearing your fucking Uchiha shirt! Why would she wear it for god's sake!", Naruto's face reddened and I finally understood. When I turned around he saw the crest on my back.
"Naruto, please calm down!", I walked to him and tried to hold his arms but he shrugged me off.
"No, Sakura! This is unacceptable! I have told him that you were off limits and now he just betrayed me! What is wrong with you!", he pushed his chest one more time.
As if it wasn't already enough that they both were fighting, Shikamaru, Kiba and Neji walked in.
Wow, that's like a movie! Now everyone will know our dirty, little secret!
"What is going on?", Kiba asked and the other two just stood there waiting for someone to answer. They looked at me and my open mouth but nothing came out.
Neji raised his brows "Why exactly are you wearing an Uchiha shirt?". Shikamaru took a deep breath and gave me a meaningful look.
"Ohhh, you did not!", Kiba snickered into his fists and looked at Naruto who was about to jump on Sasuke. "This is going to be fun! Get me some snacks, Neji!"
"Go get them yourself, I don't want to miss this".
"I'm out. I'll be in my room", Shikamaru placed his hands behind his head and walked upstairs.
"Neji, you owe me 50 bucks.", Kiba giggled and held his hand open for Neji.
"Excuse me? Don't tell me you bet that...", I did not even want to fulfill the sentence because I was scared that Naruto would have a go at these two, too.
"As you know", Neji started "Sasuke is our playboy. We knew that he was interested and we made a bet, just the two of us. Kiba said you would fall for him and I said you were clever enough to not start anything with him. I said that you had enough willpower to resist him...".
"Shut the fuck up before I make you!", I growled. "Are you guys 16 or what! Who in their right mind would bet about this!", now it was me who pointed angrily with her finger.
"And you!", I glared at Kiba. "I thought we were friends. Friends don't bet about things like that!". Kiba had an apologetically look in his eyes but I would not fall for that. I stomped away and got right in between Naruto and Sasuke. Both of them were yelling at each other and did not notice what I just found out.
"Stop it, now!", I put my hands on Naruto's chest but it seemed that he did not hear me.
"STOP IT!", my yelling echoed practically in the room and I was sure that even Shikamaru heard me upstairs. Naruto held still and looked at me with suprise.
"There is a reasonable explanation why I'm wearing this shirt.", I gently said and caressed his chest which I have pushed quite hard.
"Get out of here!", I glared at Kiba and Neji who both looked down. They probably felt bad about betting about me getting laid. But that serves them right. Both walked up the stairs without saying something anymore.
As soon as they were out of sight I took two steps back so that I could face Naruto and Sasuke.
"After he apologized for being a jerk", I started. "We decided to start new. We decided to try a friendship so I invited him for a drink in the poolhouse.".
Naruto was about to yell again but I stopped him by simply interrupting him.
"It was late and I got hungry. Then I looked into the fridge and there was nothing edible in there. That's when Sasuke said we could go back into the house and we would eat there. It was pouring outside and we were both a little tipsy and then I just took his hand and ran out and then I slipped on the wet grass. Sasuke helped me up and we ran into the house. My dirty and wet socks are still lying near the door in the kitchen, see?", Naruto's blue eyes wandered and spotted my socks.
"I wanted to get back into the poolhouse but he wouldn't let me. He offered me to shower in his room and gave me spare clothes. That's it, Naruto."
The redness on his face seemed to fade a little, but he was still angry. His eyes wandered between me and Sasuke. Naruto's fists were paperwhite and I thought his knuckles would break his skin. I took his hands and placed them in mine. His face had a dark shade of red on it and his eyes had a strange animalistic glow. Gently rubbing my thumbs on his skin I smiled lightly at him.
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. I can watch myself. Sasuke is not a wolf in disguise, you know?", I laughed. He pressed his lips hard and looked at Sasuke. I thought that his anger would come back now every second but his voice was soft.
"Sorry Sasuke.", he looked on the floor and it seemed that he felt a little ashamed of himself. "I shouldn't have just assumed that you... I shouldn't have acted like I just did. I am sorry. I should've known better.", he stretched one arm towards Sasuke.
"Don't need to apologize", Sasuke mumbled. "It's okay. I probably would've done the same.", he took his hand and pressed it firmly. Naruto was so glad that he pulled him close and hugged him. It was a beautiful scene, Naruto had a big smile on his face while Sasuke looked at the ceiling, trying to keep the hug as short as possible.
In this moment I realised that I should be honest with Naruto about Sasuke. It was not fair that Naruto apologized eventhough we did have something going on.
My heart beat fast and I took a deep breath.
"Naruto? Can I maybe talk to you? Just the two of us?", my voice came nearly out as a whisper because I was so afraid that he would be upset with me.
"I need to talk to him first, is that okay?", Sasuke asked and Naruto was perplex about that question.
"What do you want to talk about?", he let go of him and had a rosy touch on his cheeks.
Sasuke bit his lip and looked at me. It was just a break of a second but Naruto catched the glance. He opened his mouth a little and shook his head lightly as if he wanted to say Don't tell me what I think you want to tell me.
"I'll leave you guys alone, I'll be in the poolhouse.", with that I closed the door to the living room and walked through the kitchen to walk out to the poolhouse.
The air had a nice scent to it. The rain from yesterday was still lying in pools on the ground and I jumped to not walk into them. I grimaced a little when I opened the door which I did not lock again. I should seriously lock it, Sasuke was right. Eventhough I felt save here there were still chances that someone could break in.
I closed the door behind me and leaned on it, feeling the cold of the glass through the shirt and sighed. Why was everything just so complicated? Was there no easier way?
Sasuke was now probably telling Naruto about us. I hope that I won't ruin a friendship because of that. Naruto was a good person, he shouldn't be left in the dark.
I decided to clean up this place here a little, change the bedsheets and wipe the floor. I wanted to clear things with my cousin and I would clear this space here, too.
It was about 5 in the afternoon when I took out the trash, cleaned everything, changed sheets, showered and dressed nicely. It was sunday and there was no need to stay in comfy clothes.
Hearing my stomach growl I looked at the time and thought about making a little something for dinner but remembered that there was still nothing in the fridge.
Eventhough I knew there was nothing inside I still opened it and looked at the few things that where edible. All I could think of was mixing drinks but that would not help me. I sighed and honestly thought about eating plain butter.
The door was rougly pushed and I hear clicking.
"Can I come in?"
In the doorway stood Naruto with two big bowls that seemed to be steaming in his hand and a soft smile on his face. The delicious smell of ramen filled the room instantly making my stomach growled loudly. I put my hands on my belly and gave him a sly grin.
"I guess that was a big yes. Here take a bowl, it's super hot I can't hold it any longer!", he laughed and I quickly walked towards him and took a bowl.
"You are my hero. Thank you a lot, Naruto. I just thought about eating butter because there is still nothing in my fridge. I think I'll go and do some grocery shopping tomorrow. Maybe you want to join me?", we placed the bowls on small kitchen table and started to eat.
"Sure no problem.", Naruto simply answered and I noticed that he acted a little strange.
"What's going on? Is everything okay?", I asked and watched him staring down on his bowl. His blue eyes were filled with worry.
„You know you can talk to me, right?", I asked and tried to grab his hand across the table. His hand felt cold eventhough he carried the hot bowls.
His blue orbs looked at me and I gave him an encouraging smile.
Naruto sighed dramatically „You know, after you left the house Sasuke and I had a talk.".
Oh god, is this going to be the talk I was scared of? Did he tell Naruto everything we've done secretly?
„God, I can't believe I am having a talk with you about that.", he brushed his hands through his blonde hair. „Sasuke told me that he was interested like in really really interested in you and you already know that I kind of told him to not get near you because of obvious reasons.", Naruto took a deep breath again and I couldn't speak as my heart was nearly jumping out of my throat.
„I honestly was about to beat him up but I remembered our conversation when you told me that you can take care of yourself. I wanted to talk to you about Sasuke because I told him that it was okay for me if he wanted to date you but... oh Sakura-Chan, I know just how devastated you were when your first boyfriend broke up with you. I remember when I called you and told you that your parents died. I don't want to see you sad ever again. You don't take it lightly when people leave. I don't want your heart to break ever again because you don't deserve that. I was praying that you and Kakashi maybe...", I threw him meaningful looks.
„What?", he threw his hands up. „I mean, seriously. He is like.. perfect. He is loyal, friendly and I saw that he was looking at you in a special way. I knew that he had no bad intentions."
„Naruto, come on. Stop it now. I really like Kakashi but... I don't know. I don't want to date a workmate eventhough there was chemistry between us. Of course I was devastated when my first boyfriend broke up with me, I was 16 and thought that I would never find someone again! Every 16 year old thinks that and about mom and dad... I was devastated because I had not enough money to attend to the funeral. I was devastated because I couldn't say goodbye. I don't have siblings and they meant the world to me. I thought that I was all alone in this foreign country and lost my whole family.", I took his hands again in mine. „But after I had some time to think I remembered my great cousin that was there for me. You gave me enough energy to stay there and finish my studies. I know that was what my parents would have wanted. I am grown up now, Naruto. All of these lessons I've learned made me who I am now.", I said calmly. It was still not easy to talk about their deaths and I wanted to end the conversation about them.
„I know Sakura, look at you.", he grinned. „I would have dated you too if it wasn't for us being family.", he laughed. „You are beautiful and kind and like super smart. And the man you'll marry someday will be the happiest guy on earth.", he rambled and I saw the happiness coming back in his eyes. His laugh was contagious.
„Naruto seriously, I can't remember what we were talking about in the first place? Did you want to talk to me about something?"
„Yes. Sasuke wanted to date you and I said it's okay for me. I know that you two are just starting to become friends and I want to say that he is a great guy. I can always rely on him, he never let me down. But I know that in the past girls did not mean a lot to him. I know that's mean to tell about your best friend but it is the truth. I know it, he knows it and the others know, too. And I am not blind, I can see that there is chemistry between you guys. So I just wanted to say if you seriously think about dating him, too. Please keep in mind that Sasuke can easily get distracted by other girls and that he could hurt you by messing around with them. I know that you told me to keep myself out of your business but I just can't see you sad and hurt. Okay?", he finally stopped rambling.
„You know that was kind of a father daughter conversation?", I laughed and tried to ease the tension.
„I appreciate all you do for me. Letting me live here, taking care of me and I want to be honest with you, I am interested in Sasuke, too.", my heart was about to explode about the confessions I was going to make.
„You are such a good person and you don't deserve to be lied to. So don't be mad at him or me please, okay? Sasuke and I... we had.. we did.. you know?", I scratched my head thinking just how strange this conversation turned out to be."
Naruto laughed out loud.
„No need to say it. I know it already. Sasuke told me and I was already mad and cooled down. But just be careful okay? Don't let him get you down. That's kind of all I wanted to talk about. Just look at my bowl, I was so nervous that I did not even eat at all and now it's cold.".
The poolhouse door opened and we both turned around and saw Sasuke standing there. His mouth formed a little o.
„I'll come back later.", he was about to close the door when Naruto called him.
„No, no, you can stay it's okay. I'll just take my bowl and eat in the house. Bye Sakura! See you tomorrow!" and with that he was already out and gave Sasuke a thumbs up.
"Can I come in?", he mumbled.
"What's up with you guys today? Normally no one asks to enter the pool house!", I laughed and gestured him to come in. Sasuke closed the door behind him and walked towards me and sat down on the chair where Naruto sat a few moments earlier. I was still hungry as a wolf so I just kept eating.
"Sorry, can't offer you anything. There is nothing in the frigde."
"I remember.", he said. I looked up at him and saw him looking at my bowl, not saying anything. This awkward silence made me shuffle a little on my chair and I remembered what Naruto just told me.
"So..", he started and I raised a brow.
He paused again and scratched the table with one finger not looking at me. Not knowing what to say I kept my mouth shut.
"I think I want to ask you if you maybe wanted to hang out sometime?", he said nonchalant and crossed his arms on his chest.
"We are hanging out now, aren't we?", I decided to act as if I didn't understand his intention and Sasuke rolled his eyes at me.
"You know what I mean.", he grumbled and I raised now both brows at him and he sighed.
"Foradateyouknow?", he spoke quickly and closed his eyes. It was fascinating watching him being uneasy with something but I did not want to give in that easily.
"Sorry, I didn't get that?", I tilted my head and batted my lashes.
Sasuke opened his eyes and his black orbs shone a little angry at me as he pressed his lips together. He was probably thinking about backing down.
"I know what you're doing.", he simply stated. "Okay. If you want it like that.", he sighed and put his arms on the table.
"I know that I haven't been easy to handle since we met. Maybe it was because I was too stubborn to notice what was in front of me but now that I have talked to Naruto about it and made sure he is okay with it I wanted to ask you if you'd like to have a date... with me.", he awkwardly said that as if he thought I wouldn't get it.
While his little speech I did not even notice the little smile creep up on my face. It was just to cute to handle seeing him like this.
"You don't often ask for a date, huh?", I put one hand under my chin and looked at him lovingly.
"Never had to."
"Sorry, forgot that you are a girl magnet.", the smile vanished from my face and he looked a little alarmed.
"I am asking you because I want this to work out. You mean something to me and I need to find out how far my feelings will go.", he smirked and I felt my knees go weak. Good thing I was sitting. "Usually I just make out until it is kind of official."
"Well, that is good to know."
"So I take that as a yes?", his smirk widened, it was nearly a genuin smile.
I nodded shyly. "I think I want this to work out, too.".
Sasuke's eyes lit up and he tried his best to not grin widely.
"The next week we'll be busy but I have some time on saturday evening. If you're free, too?"
I nodded again and all of the sudden I felt really shy around him.
"What is it?", he asked. He must have sensed the tension, too.
"Nothing, it's just been a long time since I had a date and I don't think I have anything to wear for that kind of occasion.", guess I'll have to do a grocery and clothes trip tomorrow.
"Well, if you want we can stay here and not wear anything at all?", he leaned back. "I'd like that look on you.", his eyes twinkling with danger. In the pit of my stomach I felt the butterflies having a war, my body practically screamed at me to get up and sit on his lap.
But I had to keep myself together, at least until we we're on our official date.