I dont' own Naruto... (cry) hehehe.

Lady Rine:

sry for the uber short chapters. Enjoy anyways.

(cheezy smile)

(heart) always

Lady Rine.

Chapter 9: Date… I need a favor.

I just got off work. Sasuke was meeting me at the swing set in the Academy's back yard, the place where we had out first kiss. I was so happy that we were being friends again!

The other day I got a letter from the place I submitted my demo to. They said they liked it a lot! And they wanted to hear what it would sound like if there were more instruments. Since I only play the piano, this was a real dilemma for me. I knew that there was only one other person I could turn to for help. Unfortunately that person was Gaara. I had no choice. This contest can make me or break me. Working with Gaara is a small price to pay right? I decided that I would call him when I get home, right now; it was just Sasuke and I. Like it should have been so long ago.

Three days ago we were sitting at the ice cream parlor, two strangers who were once friends reminiscing our past; and now, here we are, friends once again. Maybe even more? The more time I spend with Sasuke, the more I realize how much he really cares for me. I don't understand my feelings for him. Is this real? Can it be real? Do I even deserve this? Everyone in town thinks we're finally going to hook up. I'm scared to even think about it. In some ways I can't picture my life with Sasuke being my boyfriend, but in others, I can't picture not having him in my life. Personally I prefer a life with Uchiha Sasuke in it. It would be a lot better than a life without him. Just looking at his smile makes me happy, makes me feel safe and loved. And when he looks into my eyes I blush and get this thrill. A cold shiver that rushes down my spine and spreads all over my body, to the very tips of my fingers and toes. My entire body just tingles with excitement when his hand touches mine.

It feels so right…

"Hey you." He said smiling. He was standing by the swing where we shared that kiss.

"Hi." I managed to say. I could have died! He looks so good in navy blue! "Sorry I'm late…"

"No you're not late, I'm early."

"Oh…ok…"

"So where do you want to go tonight?"

"I don't know… movie?"

"Okay."

And that was that. We headed over to the movies. Some jealous girls from school glanced at us on our way. I saw them glare at me and give me cut eyes. But I didn't care; Sasuke was walking next to me. He was even holding my hand. I was doing my best not to blush, but that wasn't working. I snook a peak over at Sasuke. Were his cheeks red? Was it the light? Or maybe it's just me.

Sasuke looked at me smiling, saying nothing at all. But his eyes were beaming with joy. "I'm glad that we're spending more time with each other." He said looking for seats.

"Me too!" I said with a smile. I spotted two vacant seats near the center of the theatre. Sasuke must have spotted them too because he lead me there, hand in hand. Then the movie started. Sasuke put his arm over my shoulder and I laid my head against his chest. It felt so right. I was happy.

About an hour into the movie, the jumbo sized cola Sasuke and I were sharing took it's effect and I had to go to the ladies' room. On my way back from the washroom, I bumped into, who else but Gaara.

"Hey Sakura!" Gaara said rather delighted to see me.

"Hello Gaara-san." His smile faded when I said 'san'. I didn't think too much of it. Perhaps this was a good time to ask him if he could help me with the competition. "Neh… Gaara -san…"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you could help me with the song writers' competition. I need to record the complete music because the demo I sent in was only piano, and I don't have enough time to put together a band to play."

"Sure!" He replied sounding eager.

"Really! Thanks!"

"Yeah, why don't you come over tomorrow with your sheet music and we'll take a look at it?"

"Alrighty then" I said with a smile. Maybe I had a chance at winning after all. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then . I better get back to the movie; Sasuke will be wondering what took me so long.

"Oh…" his smile faded. "You're here with Sasuke… are you guys dating now?"

"I'm not entirely sure… but for the record, it feels great spending so much time with him again."

"Must be…"

"Yes it is." I said assured with a smile. I waved goodbye to Gaara and headed back into the theater.

I quickly found Sasuke and curled back into his arms.

"What took you so long Saku?" Sasuke asked quietly. His voice filled with concern and curiosity.

"I ran into Gaara -san."

"Oh, what did he say?"

"Nothing really. I just asked him if he could help me with the songwriters' contest"

"Oh how come you didn't ask me?" He asked rather curiously. "I sing."

"Yes I know that, but you don't write" Sasuke just laughed and pulled me closer to him, I snuggled into his sweater, and we watched the rest of the movie.

--

"La-la-la-la-la-la-la…" I sang warming up to Gaara's guitar.

"That's good enough." Gaara said putting the guitar back onto its stand. "Ok let's take a look at your music."

"Ok," I said taking a folder out of my book bag and handing it to him. "Here you are."

He took it from my hand and opened it. He sat down on his bed. Gaara may be the jealous type… and he may be a little slow at times, but when it came to music, Gaara was a beast! When we were going out, I'd often hear him tap the table to a familiar tune, or ridicule the latest release of a popular artist. Actually, it kind of scared me. Will he like it? Will he hate it? I knew Gaara wasn't one to let emotions in the way of his (future) profession, but I was nervous just the same. It felt weird asking my ex for help. Still, Gaara hadn't made a move on me the entire hour I was in his room; I had to admit that I was surprised by his professionalism. I found myself praying that it would stay that way.

"Wow…" Gaara finally said, I guess he finished reading my lyrics.

"Well…what do you think?"

"You've got a talent Sakura… you really do" He was now looking at the sheet music. "It's as if this really happened, as if your tears were imprinted on this paper when you were writing it. You've found a way to write emotions as if you yourself were experiencing it. It's very impressive… so real…" Gaara sat down at the keyboard and began to play a few bars off the sheet.

"Real…that's because it is…" I whispered.

"Huh? Sorry did you say something?" He looked up at me.

"Err… NOTHING! Really, it's nothing. Heh heh" I gave him my best fake smile and a nervous laugh. "The idea was umm…Ino's! Yeah, Ino's." I hope he couldn't tell that I was lying, Ino had no interest in music whatsoever, she can't even tell the difference between an acoustic and a bass, besides, she was more into acting anyway.

"Oh, well it's beautiful never the less" he said with a smile.

"Thanks" I said. I didn't want Gaara to know that I actually wrote the song for Sasuke. I really couldn't say goodbye to him, what would my life be like without Sasuke? It hurt me so much to think about it.

Gaara and I have been at this for five hours now, I felt tired, and I've never had to sing so many times in a row, even if it was my own song. After that, we worked for three more days. The competition was coming fast, and I was counting down the days, unfortunately it meant counting down the days to Sasuke's departure as well. I've never been this stressed before, even when taking my calculus exam! I saw Sasuke a few times during this countdown days, he was at the travel store buying more boxes and a new suitcase. I wanted to run up to him and hug him and never let him go until he agreed to stay. Seeing him leave the store made me want to go buy a suitcase too. But I could never leave this place, it was my home, it was Sasuke's home more than mine. He's been here all his life. I was at Gaara's place thinking about this, the idea of never letting him go brought up a memory of when we were kids… it also brought a smile upon my face…

There was this time where Sasuke and I had a fight, I don't remember what it was over, but we had a fight. Sasuke was going away that weekend to visit his grandmother. We must have been about what? 10? 11? Or maybe even 12, I don't remember, but that was three months before his dad left. Anyway Sasuke never told me that he was going to his grandmother's, and Sasuke doesn't like visiting his grandmother much, actually he hated it; but he didn't tell me he was just going for the weekend and I thought he was leaving for good. It was raining when I saw the cab drive up in front of the Uchiha residence, as soon as I saw Sasuke walk out the door with a suitcase I ran out my own door…

"Sasuke! Sasuke!" I screamed running down the street, I wasn't even wearing shoes or a jacket and I was soaked from the rain, but I didn't care. I just ran to him.

"Sakura?" Sasuke turned around surprised, he was just about to put his suitcase in the cab.

"Sasuke!" My eyes were wide and I was crying, I remember stretching my arms out and kind of jumping on him and hugging him. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't go! I'll be good I promise! Just please don't go! Sasuke!" I exploded into more tears and sobs.

"Sakura…" Sasuke just wrapped his arms around me he started to cry too. "I'm sorry too, really I am." There was a moment of silence where we said nothing, we just stood there in each other's arms crying as the rain fell upon us. "I'm not leaving you… I could never do that…"

"Sakura!" I suddenly snapped out of it and realized that I was still in Gaara's room.

"HAI!" I said, a little surprised, but more embarrassed.

"Are you alright? You seemed out of it." I just nodded my head. "Well then, in that case, one more time? After that I'll give you a ride to Sasuke's going away party ok?"

"Sure…" I said.

I had totally forgotten about the party! I guess I wished that time would have somehow stood still. I cringed at the thought of having to say goodbye to him. I walked over to the mike. Gaara had set up a little recording studio in the room next door. I remember it took him forever to convince Sasuke to let him to the renovations. We had recorded the music for the competition two days ago, and it sounded pretty good. I was afraid that when I had to sing it, I'd cry, but when it was just Gaara listening, I didn't even shed atear.