-Believe Me, It's True-
Summary: Sasuke has always hid his innermost feelings for as long as he can remember. But at age sixteen, he can't afford to hide those feelings anymore. But what if the one he loves hates him for past misunderstandings? SasuxSaku
Chapter Two: The Misunderstanding
"Sasuke!" Ino shouted. "Hey Cutie over here!"
Neji sighed as Hinata chuckled at Sasuke's now scowling face. Naruto walked besides Neji as Ino rushed to Sasuke's side and wrapped her arms around him in an unbreakable hug. Sakura, suppressing her anger at Ino, waved at Hinata and 'accidentally' pushed Ino away from Sasuke.
"Ino, you pig. Give Sasuke some space." Sakura said calmly as Sasuke mouthed a thank you.
"Why you little piece of cr---MMFF!" Ino was cut short when Neji placed his hand over the blonde's mouth.
"How about we refrain from killing each other and head towards the spot before lunchtime. Tenten is already there waiting on us." Neji said. "Then Yamanaka and Haruno could have their little 'cat fight over Sasuke' after lunch; how does that sound?"
Naruto, feeling better by the second, added, "After we sell tickets and after I get all the bets in. I'm betting my life that Sakura would win!"
Ino and Sakura both gave the evil eye towards Naruto and slowly inched closer, both cracking their knuckles. Naruto, slowly backing away, managed to choke out, "Uh…ladies…I was just…..kidding….yeah…haha…kidding…see it was a….no wait, don't….AHHHHH!"
Sakura, beaming, said, "Well then, let's go! We shouldn't have Tenten waiting in on us to get to the spot!"
Ino nodded in agreement and the two female shinobi led the way as they walked away from a now beaten up Naruto.
The three female shinobi walked calmly ahead and were softly giggling as the boys remained silent behind them. These six were headed towards their 'spot' as they liked to call it. This 'spot' was more of a clearing surrounded by sakura trees and where they enjoyed having picnics or just to mess around. There was no special occasion to why they were going to their spot, it just so happens they were bored this one beautiful spring day.
"So Hinata," Ino whispered, "what's your deal with Naruto? Have you said anything to him yet?"
"You still like that moron?" Sakura asked.
"W-what? Me? Still like Naruto? Well…not necessarily…well…" Hinata stuttered. She mumbled something and lowered her head to hide her blushing face.
Ino cupped her hand to her ear and said rather loudly, "What was that Hinata? I'm afraid I didn't catch what you've just said! Could you repeat that?"
"I…I…."
"You?"
"I...I do…I guess…"
"You do? Or you don't?"
Sakura sighed and said, "Ino, you don't have to push Hinata to answer. If she doesn't want to then that's up to her."
"Whatever, you don't have to pretend, I know you want to know as well."
Sakura stuck her tongue out at Ino and gave a small smile to Hinata.
"It's okay Sakura; I'll only tell you guys….if you…don't tell…anyone…" Hinata said, getting quieter with each word.
"We swear on our lives!" Sakura and Ino said in unison.
Hinata, surprised by their enthusiasm, replied gently, "I don't like Naruto."
"You don't?" Sakura said as Ino looked at Hinata with shock.
Hinata smiled. "I love him."
Sakura and Ino looked at each other then at Hinata before screaming, "YOU DO?"
Neji, already annoyed at the giggling, yelled, "Would it kill you guys to shut up?"
The three girls turned around to look at him then looked forward again bursting into laughter.
Neji sighed and looked ahead. Sasuke was quiet, as usual, and looked at the pink-haired shinobi in front him. She quickly turned around and gave him a small smile before giggling at what Ino has said. Naruto, bored at the quietness, broke the silence and asked, "Hey Neji, Dare or Double-Dare?"
"Dare."
Hmph. Chicken. Fine. I dare you to….um…I dare you to…"
"How about today and not next year?" Sasuke said ten minutes later.
Naruto scowled and said, "Hyuga Neji, once we reach the spot, I dare you to kiss Tenten."
"What? Kiss Tenten?" Neji said. "I'm not going to do that!"
Naruto sniggered, "Why not? Does the almighty Neji have a weak spot? Neji don't tell me that your weak spot has something to do with…"
"I don't have a weak spot!"
Sasuke, interested in the conservation, said, "But with what Naruto said…your weak spot is simple…"
"Tenten." Naruto and Sasuke both said looking at Neji.
"No I…I mean…Fine. I'll do your stupid dare. But that doesn't mean I have any 'feelings' towards her. She's just a teammate and a friend." Neji said.
Naruto turned away from Neji and said coolly, "If you say so."
Twenty-three minutes later, they all reached the spot. Around the clearing there were blooming sakura trees. Right in the middle of the clearing, there was a simple pink blanket and a simple picnic basket. The only thing missing was…
"Uh…where's Tenten?" Hinata asked.
Everyone looked around and saw no sign of the shinobi. Neji looked to the trees and muttered, "Shit."
Almost at the same time he said that, a kunai knife flew from the trees and speeded towards Neji. He quickly dodged it and threw his own kunai towards one specific tree. He heard a quick, "Hey! Watch it!" Before a girl jumped down from the tree and landed right in front of Neji. "Hi there!" she said.
Hinata smiled and Ino waved as Sakura said, "Tenten! Long time no see!"
Tenten smiled and walked over towards the other girls and each gave them a hug. The boys stood there and waited for the girls to get over their 'mushiness.' Ino whispered something in Tenten's ear that made her blush. She nodded and walked over towards the boys.
"Hey Naruto, Sasuke! How have you guys been?"
Sasuke grunted and Naruto replied, "Doing good."
Tenten walked over towards Neji and said a simple, "Hello!" before leaning in and giving him a simple kiss on the cheek. Neji blushed and turned away leaving Tenten to smile and act as if nothing has happened.
"Well then! Let's eat…I've been waiting here forever so I'm starving!"
The whole group agreed and walked over towards the blanket.
"Man," Naruto sighed, "that was some good food."
Hinata nodded in agreement and watched as Naruto rested on the blanket. She giggled and asked him if she could lie next to him. He nodded and Hinata lay close towards Naruto, both looking at the sky.
Tenten lay down and placed her head on Neji's lap, causing him to blush even more. Tenten made herself comfortable as Neji placed his arm around her.
Sakura lay on the cleared blanket and closed her eyes. Sasuke looked at the peacefulness that Sakura was showing. He smiled and looked up at the clear sky. The sun was setting and little shining stars were making their way to the darkening sky. Just looking at those stars made something click in Sasuke's mind. Maybe, he thought, just maybe today's the day. He looked down at Sakura. Maybe this moment is the perfect moment to tell her.
He leaned over and whispered something lightly in Sakura's ear. Sakura opened her eyes and nodded. Sasuke stood up and began walking away.
"Where are you going Sasuke?" Ino asked.
"No where."
Ino looked at Sasuke as he walked away quietly. She then looked at Sakura and started scheming her means of victory. "I'll be heading out too, okay?" she said.
No one answered as she moved in the opposite direction of Sasuke. Ino watched as Sakura stood up and disappeared between the trees.
Sakura, meet me by the cliff later on, okay?
Sasuke was sitting on the cliff's edge and waited for Sakura to come. His heart was beating so fast every time he thought of her. Yet at the same time, his heart was also beating very slowly. She made him feel safe, so calm and relaxed when she's around. Sasuke never knew what it meant to be loved, or to love some one in return.
Sasuke jumped as he heard the trees rustle behind him. "Sakura? Is that you?" He crept closer to the trees and relaxed when he saw a female figure. But he tensed up again when he realized it wasn't Sakura. Rustle, rustle. "Who's there?"
"Sasuke! Baby! Why are you so scared of me?" A blonde shinobi gave him a seductive smile and flashed her eyelashes towards him. "It is only I, the love of your life, Ino!"
"Puh-lease. Not in a million years." Sasuke said.
"Aw…you don't love me anymore…"Ino said sadly, giving him a lovable pout.
"You don't see me crying over it."
"You don't have to be so harsh. I'm just here to keep you company, sweetie. Why were you here by your lonesome?" Ino asked.
"Is it really any of your business?"
"Of course it is! We are to be married someday right? You were probably waiting here for me, weren't you? You were going to finally confess your deep love to me!"
Sasuke turned away and ignored Ino to the best of his ability. Ino followed Sasuke and got close enough to whisper in his ear.
"Or is it," she whispered calmly, "you were waiting for little Sakura to get here?"
Sasuke paused and turned to face Ino. She looked up at him mischievously and added, "Yeah…I know what you're thinking, 'how does she know?' I'm not at all stupid Sasuke. I have a keen sense when it comes to you."
"You don't know crap about me." Sasuke said dramatically.
"Neither does your sweet Sakura. She isn't all that you know. You could have so much more with me. I could make you happier than Sakura or any other girl that I could think of."
Sasuke walked away from Ino and looked her straight in the eye. "The only thing you're good for is getting on my nerves. Why do you care what I think about Sakura?"
Ino sighed. "Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke. It's written all over your face. You are wasting you time with Sakura. The only emotion she's giving you is a simple girlish kiddy crush. She doesn't really love you. She just has a crush on you."
Sasuke, holding down the urge to punch Ino in the face, just glared at her.
"But I in the other hand…I love you. You are hiding your true emotions deep down inside of you…and those emotions are the ones that are dying to come out and make you realize that I'm the only girl for you."
"Are you sure you're not dreaming?" Sasuke said coldly.
"I'm only stating facts."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. I know I'm not as smart as her, but I'm way better at a multitude of things. For instance, I am far more stronger than her. I am far more dedicated than her. I love you more than she could ever love you."
Sasuke moved farther away from Ino and tried to make his way back to the spot. But Ino managed to stop right in front of him. "Get out of my way Ino."
Ino smiled seductively and crept closer towards Sasuke. "Sasuke," she said smoothly, "you know you want me…" She placed her arms around Sasuke's neck and pulled him closer to her body. Sasuke, already uncomfortable with Ino's presence and her nagging about Sakura, tried to worm his way around her embrace. Unfortunately for him, she wouldn't let go. As Ino inched closer to try and steal a kiss as she planned, a shinobi on the brink of tears watched helplessly.
"Sasuke…" Sakura whispered, tears steadily flowing down her cheeks.
The closer Ino came to kissing Sasuke, the more uncontrollable Sakura's tears became. She couldn't take it anymore. She just couldn't. What he was doing to her was uncalled for. She loved him more than anything. She told him that. And here he is, getting ready to pucker up with Ino. It doesn't even look like he's trying to stop her; it looks like he wants to kiss her with his arms wrapped around her and everything! She couldn't handle it…She just had to do something!
"SASUKE!" Sakura yelled tearfully.
Sasuke turned around and looked to the trees. There he saw a vulnerable Haruno Sakura looking straight at him. Her once beautiful emerald green eyes were now tear-stricken and have lost its innocence and magnificence that it used to hold.
Sasuke pushed Ino to the ground and choked out, "Sakura…"
"I don't want to hear it Sasuke…I don't want to hear it."
"But Sakura…"
"Don't 'But Sakura' me! I've had it! I've practically given everything I could offer to you! But you know what, I have my limits." With that, Sakura turned around and ran away from the one shinobi whom she thought was worth loving.
"Sakura….Sakura wait!" Sasuke yelled. He tried to go after her, but for some reason, his body wouldn't move. He fell to his knees and pleaded in a small whisper, "Sakura…please…don't go…it's not what you think…please come back…"
Sasuke just sat there, looking forward at where the one person he's ever cherished once stood. He didn't move from his defeated position. No matter how strong people say Sasuke is, at that very moment, he felt weak. He felt that he was getting weaker and weaker with every second, just like a child afraid of his own shadow and what tomorrow might bring. The sun just kept on setting behind him, as if it were setting on his life alone.
"Don't bother Sasuke darling. She won't come back. But on the other hand, I'll still be here for you!" Ino said lovingly as tried to get closer to Sasuke. "Sasuke?"
Sasuke turned around and looked at Ino with no emotion. "Thank you Ino."
"For what?"
He stood up and replied, "For ruining my life." Sasuke walked towards the spot, leaving Ino behind.
Sasuke arrived at the spot the same time the moon has risen. Naruto has managed to start a little campfire and he, Hinata, and Sakura started roasting little marshmallows. Hinata and Sakura were laughing at Naruto as he burned his tongue again trying to eat his marshmallow. "Naruto! You're such an idiot!" Sakura laughed.
Sasuke was so tempted to join them, but he didn't want to feel uncomfortable. So he looked around trying to find Neji, but he was no where to be found, neither was Tenten. The campfire's glow wasn't that bright, but it was bright enough to see two shadowy figures in the far corner. Neji was a little too busy to keep Sasuke some company. Without a choice, he joined the three marshmallow trio, no longer a trio because Ino has joined them. He sat down next to Hinata and looked right into the core of the fire's blaze. Ino and Sakura were talking to each other as if nothing has happened, as if Ino wasn't at fault.
"Hey Sasuke. Where were you?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke grunted in answer.
"Fine then don't tell me. Anyway, remember that dare we gave Neji? Well, he finally decided to do it. He kissed Tenten."
"You dared him to do that?" Hinata asked.
Naruto nodded. "Yup. He and Tenten have been kissing each other since. Well, more like every now and then, but all they ever do is kiss."
Naruto sighed as Sakura laughed at Naruto. "Geez Naruto. It looks like you want to kiss someone too."
"Do you want to volunteer, Sakura?" Naruto asked with a smile.
"I don't think so." She said simply.
"Aw man!"
"HAHAHA! Naruto, you're priceless!" Ino snorted.
Naruto scratched the back of his head and grinned broadly. "I guess there are some other girls out there who would like to give me a kiss."
"I…I know one…"Hinata stuttered.
"You do?" He asked hopefully. "Who?"
"Someone…"Hinata whispered.
"Aw come one! Please? Tell me?"
"Maybe…maybe some other time."
"Fine then." Naruto crossed his arms and pouted.
"So do you guys want to head back now?" Tenten asked.
"Tenten!" Sakura beamed.
Neji sat down and looked away as Naruto nudged him and kept asking, "So, what've you been up to?"
Tenten stretched her arms and yawned. "I'm pretty tired…can we head back now?"
The other six shinobi nodded and Naruto put out the fire. They headed back towards the village, Neji and Tenten hand in hand, Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, and Ino talking to each other nonstop, and Sasuke trailing behind to wallow in his guilty grief.
"Well, goodnight you guys! See you all tomorrow!" Naruto yelled as he walked towards home.
"Bye!" Hinata said as she went over to Naruto to walk home together.
"Nighty Night you guys." Tenten said as Neji nodded to say good night as well. Neji walked besides Tenten as he walked her home.
"I'm off too. I told my mom I would be home by," Ino stared at her blank wrist where a watch might be, "Right now. See ya!"
Sakura waved as Ino rushed off. Sakura began her walk home when she was stopped by Sasuke.
"Sakura…hear me out."
She stood there, unmoving and allowed Sasuke to speak.
"Sakura, what you saw between Ino and me…it was…" Sasuke paused, trying to find the right words to say. What was he doing with Ino? "I was…"
"Sasuke…" Sakura started. "I don't know what to do. I don't know how to feel around you. Part of me wants to listen to you and the other part wants me to kick your ass. Whatever you wanted to tell me, just save it for when I actually care."
Sakura walked slowly down the street as Sasuke watched her for the last time.
To Be Continued…
Author's note: AHHH! I finished ch.2…..sowy it took so long…..i just had a mental block and couldn't decided how to begin the chapter….but at least I did it right? I just hope you guys can forgive me for taking so long to finish! Newayz…this chapter is so dramatic…it made my cousin cry when she was reading it….um….this story is kinda based on real life events that happened…after reflecting on it I thought it would make a good story! Please send any reviews….flames….suggestions…or anything cuz anything is welcome! (oh yeah….ch.3 is the present day where Sasuke is 16 years old and it will continue like that)
Preview of Ch.3: Missing Link
Sasuke looked across the street and saw a familiar face. It has lost its girlish touch and showed the looks and beauty of a young woman. Her radiance shown to them all as the wind blew her long pink hair. Ino had to push Sasuke's chin up to make sure he doesn't drool anymore. Naruto looked at the woman as if he saw an angel. Hinata just stared along with him. Sasuke stared at her as if she was seeing her for the first time in his life.
"Wow! Look at her! She's stunning! Hard to believe what two years could do to a girl." Tenten said dreamingly. "I never thought she would come back to the village."