Wheeee, the third rose! Yay!

Kosumi – Thank you for reviewing! I'm sorry for the OOC, by the way.

Masiyuu – Really? Thanks! I do hope I live up to your expectations. Hmmm…what do you think we should do? I can deal with just about any plot as long as it's quite dramatic. We should talk about it more...just tell me your thoughts through the reviews if you want. By the way, 'dono' means 'Miss'. So it's like he's referring to her as Miss Ino with Ino-dono. 'Doushite' is 'Why?'

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. The song is 'For You' by The Calling.

Note: This chapter is dedicated to Masiyuu as my thanks for all his praise and support. It's one of my very special chapters in Sasuke's POV. Long live SasuIno!

Third Rose: Almost Like A Drug

He sat on the rooftop, surveying the beauty of Konoha at night. But someone else was pushing her way into his mind.

Her.

Yamanaka Ino.

Why must I keep thinking about her?

I am a vision, I am justice

Never thought that I could love

Living in shadows, faded existence

It was never good enough

He wasn't in love with her, that was for sure. But there was something about her that made him care for her. Yes, many people did care for him, but he refused to return those feelings. It was because he thought loving was a waste of time. It is when your heart is set on revenge. But if Ino was in danger, he admitted to himself that he would protect her.

Even to the point of risking his life?

He wasn't sure.

There were two people on his mind right now. Yamanaka Ino and his teammate Haruno Sakura. Some said they were very similar, and he used to think the same. But after seeing the other side of Ino, he now knew there were a lot of differences as well. Looks-wise as well as personality wise.

Ino is smart, I have to admit. She knows a lot of things about being a ninja and being a woman as well. Sakura, on the other hand, used to walk in Ino's shadow. And until now, I can see that a part of her still is. And Ino doesn't kill me with those bone-crushing hugs that Sakura gives. Ugh. And Ino doesn't have that freaky alter ego that Sakura has. Never thought a girl could actually think that way. In terms of being a ninja, Sakura is best at chakra control, but that's about it. Ino is said to be one of the best female rookies in our batch. So says her sensei.

His mind came to wander elsewhere.

And Ino is well…sort of nice-looking.

Within the darkness

You are the light that shines away

You're trapped in violence

I can be the man who saves the day

And Ino is like the light. She's my comfort, in a way. Seemingly like a bitch on the battlefield, but I guess that's not a bad thing. Talks too much sometimes, but what's going to happen if we're both silent?

He paused.

Why am I even thinking about her? Is she that special?

He looked up at the full moon, wondering what Naruto or Kakashi-sensei would say to him if they knew he was thinking about Ino and spending time with Ino.

They might think I'm in love. No freakin' way, man. And I'd never hear the end of it from Naruto.

"Why does Sakura call Ino with that blasted 'Ino-pig', anyway?" he scowled. "Doesn't fit her. Ino's not a pig".

He made a face, but mentally scolded himself for thinking about Ino again.

I'm just sticking up for what's right. Name-calling isn't a good thing…but then, who calls Naruto names? Me…

He suddenly had this overwhelming desire to stick his head under a faucet and make sure he was in his right mind and that he was awake. But no, he'd wake his teammates if he clattered down to the kitchen.

I'm there for you, no matter what

I'm there for you, never giving up

I'm there for you

For you

"But I guess sticking up for her is no problem", he sighed. "She listens to me rant and rave about my freakiness, so I should at least do something in return for her. And I could start with asking Sakura not to call her 'Ino-pig'. But if I take Ino's side during their squabbles, it will be too obvious. Gaaaaah".

And what kind of guy in his right mind would want to be caught up in an all-female squabble? Girls are probably the only beings in this world that freak me out. But after knowing Ino, I don't think I'll ever become like Neji when it comes to girls. Hyuuga Neji The Sexist. Capital letters implied.

He tore his eyes away from the moon for a moment…and met a pair of familiar inquisitive blue orbs.

"Ino!" he said in a loud whisper.

Ino waved to him from a tree. He raised a hand as if to say, 'Hang on, I'll be right over'.

And he did come over.

"What are you doing up this late?" he asked her, all businesslike again.

"I could ask you the same question", Ino giggled as he sat down not far from her.

"Hmph", Sasuke pretended to sulk. "You got me".

Someone has changed me, something saved me

Now this is who I am

Although I was blinded, my heart let me find it

That truth makes a better man

Ino giggled again, and punched him playfully on the shoulder.

"You know, you've changed quite a bit", she said.

"Really?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And in what way?"

"You're actually talking to me", Ino turned away as she blushed a little. "I mean, I'm not used to it".

"Well, yeah", Sasuke said slowly. "You're pretty decent for a girl and a person. I mean, Sakura is well…ugh".

"Really?" it was Ino's turn to ask this question, her pale azure eyes unable to conceal her elation

"If you don't like bone-crushing hugs and freakshow chalk-drawing alter egos, you get what I mean", Sasuke rolled his eyes as he played with his kunai.

She's far from you, Ino. Now I know the difference.

I didn't notice

That you were right in front of me

A mask of silence

We'll put away, so we can see

Hell, why didn't he even come to think about it before? Ten-Ten, Temari, Hinata and Sakura. 'Yeah right' was the first statement that came to his mind. But Ino was just…different.

She's turning into my favorite drug. Well, something like it. I don't even HAVE a favorite drug.

"Sasuke, you're blanking out on me again", Ino waved her hand in front of his face. "You seem so preoccupied tonight. Am I disturbing anything at all?"

"No, no", Sasuke waved his hand away. "I'm just thinking that the, uh, moon is…nice?"

It came out more of a question than an answer. He silently scolded himself for it.

Nice going, Uchiha. REAL nice. I bet she thinks I'm dumb now. Ugh.

"Yeah, it is", Ino said, smiling. "Very nice. I mean, it's not as nice as usual".

Sasuke nodded, unable to say anything else. It was weird for him to be sitting here watching the moonlight, yet even weirder for him to be sitting next to a well…girl.

"Earth to Uchiha Sasuke", Ino sighed. "Come in, please".

"Wha?"

He was completely distracted…by the same girl that was sitting next to him.

But really, why was I never able to notice her before? Hmm…this is probably a lesson for me to pay more attention to other things around me. I guess I'm too proud to trip over those little stones on the road.

I'm there for you, no matter what

I'm there for you, never giving up

I'm there for you

For you

"You really are distracted, aren't you?" Ino grinned as she gently poked him.

"Sorta, yeah", Sasuke admitted.

But I'm not telling you, so there.

"Never mind", Ino smiled. "It doesn't bother me…much".

Sasuke arched his eyebrow at that remark. Ino just laughed.

"I love it when you make that face", she said. "I don't know what you're thinking when you give me that face".

Girl, I doubt you'd even want to know what I'm thinking about. But I'll give you one silent promise. I promise that I will protect you. To what extent, I don't know. But I will protect you.

"I dunno whether you're cuter when you space out or when you just stand there looking all high and mighty", Ino grinned as she elbowed him in the ribs.

"So, you think I'm cute, eh?" Sasuke arched his eyebrow again. "Women are freaks of nature".

"Including me?" Ino's face suddenly went all nasty.

"Maybe", Sasuke shrugged.

"Are you ignoring me?" Ino made a fist in his face.

"I'm being a guy", Sasuke said simply. "What do you expect of me?"

Ino burst into giggles again. Sasuke just stared at her.

Girls are scary. No doubt. I'd see my psychiatrist if I get too much exposure to them. Not that I need one now, of course. I'm perfectly sane. And I hope to stay that way.

Within the darkness

You are the light that shines away

In this blind justice

I can be the man who saves the day

"You really are cute when you space out like that", Ino poked him. "You remind me of a kid".

"Me, a kid?" Sasuke pretended to look appalled at her comment. "You scare me, Ino. Your entire specie does. Period".

"So, the great Uchiha Sasuke is afraid of girls?" Ino teased lightly.

"Hmph", Sasuke grunted. "I won't let that get to me. Because, I am – "

"A mature young adult that is willing to learn only the ways of the intellectual?" Ino guessed.

"Something like that", Sasuke agreed. "You're right about the young adult, though".

Ino made a face at him. He raised his eyebrows again.

"What!"

"Never mind, Mister Uchiha", Ino chuckled as she poked him again.

No matter how weird she may be, this chick has probably got me pretty good if I actually take time to talk to her. She actually attracts me for some weird reason. She's like…a drug.

I'm there for you, no matter what

I'm there for you, never giving up

You know it's true

You were there for me

And I'm there for you

"I can finally agree with you, Sasuke", Ino smiled. "The moon is beautiful".

Sasuke smiled wryly and just shook his head.

What was supposed to be passed on as a lame excuse turned out to be something that affected this whole rendezvous after all. Now, who's the silly one? Me, her or simply fate? Kami-sama, a little help here.

He turned to face Ino, who was simply staring at the moon.

Heh, now how do you define beauty? Hmmm…long hair colored like cornsilk? Pale azure eyes? Dang, who am I thinking about? Not her. Damn.

"I'm getting a bit sleepy, Sasuke", Ino yawned. "It's past midnight".

"Here", Sasuke scooted a bit closer. "You can have my shoulder. Not as good as a pillow, but it's better than nothing. I could give you my shirt, but I'd freeze to death. And I suppose you wouldn't want that to happen".

"Of course", Ino smiled as she gently rested her head on his shoulder. "Thanks, Sasuke. And, oyasumi-nasai".

Goodnight, princess.

Note: Full of weird fluff, but I'm proud of it. Hope you liked it, especially you, Masiyuu. As I said, long live SasuIno!

Ino-chan