It can't be.

His grip loosened a little.

She's… developing feelings for Naruto?

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"Hinata… sama…" Neji said softly.

Hinata wiped her face furiously. "I'm-I'm sorry to trouble you like this, Neji."

She looked down at the bushes. "Y-You said that Tenten confessed to you, right? I-It's a good thing! It's nice to know that s-someone likes you. I-I think that Tenten is a nice girl, you-you… you should g-go for it if you like her."

"Hinata-sama-' Neji started, but Hinata had jumped down from the tree.

"I-I need to… I need to go-'

"Hinata-sama! WAIT!" Neji yelled, loud enough to make Hinata stop in her tracks.

"If… If you like Naruto… Don't give up on him!"

Hinata's eyes widened at Neji's words. Then, slowly, a sad smile spread over her face, and she went off, leaving Neji alone on the tree.

"H-Hinata-sama…"

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Sasuke thought of his parents' death. How he had lost everything before.

He couldn't lose someone important to him again.

Not again.

Sasuke's grip became tight once more.

"S-Sasuke-' Sakura gasped. Sasuke was hugging her so tight that it hurt.

"I can't. I can't lose you."

"W-What do you-'

Sasuke released her from his grip and looked at her straight in the eye.

"I love you, Sakura." Sasuke said quietly.

Sakura bit her bottom lip. She was still crying. And in shock.

S-Sasuke loves me…?

"Don't you get it?" Sakura choked. "I'll-I'll hurt you someday if this goes on! I don't…"

Sasuke put his hands on Sakura's face.

"I don't care. I'll accept the challenge anytime."

"…!"
Sasuke wasn't joking. His mind was set.

Sakura covered her mouth with her hands.She was still shaking.

Sasuke loves me…

Then she thought of Naruto.

"NO!" She yelled, turning away. "Even I am not sure of my feelings! What if I… What if I…What if I fall for Naruto later? I'd be hurting you! And you didn't do anything! You don't deserve a person like me!"

"SAKURA!" Sasuke said in a commanding voice.

Sakura fell to her knees, crying.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke…. I'm sorry…" Sakura sobbed. She was trying to stop crying, but tears seemed to just gush out.

"Sakura, listen to me." Sasuke bent down to her.

Sakura cowered back. She felt dirty, not even fit to see Sasuke at all.

Sasuke didn't let that taunt him. He reached forward and put his hand on Sakura's head.

"Look at me."

"N-No."

"I said, look at me."

"N-N-No…"

"Please?"

Sakura slowly lifted her head up.

Sasuke gave her a gentle smile, then he placed his right hand on Sakura's forehead.

Then, suddenly, he had put his lips against Sakura's.

"Wha-?" Sakura was stunned.

Sasuke put his forehead against hers. Sakura could feel his warm breath on her face.

"I don't mind. I really don't." Sasuke whispered.

"Sas-uke…" Sakura stammered, her jade eyes wide. She wasn't crying anymore.

"You… really… don't…mind?"

Sasuke patted her shoulders. "I can't control your feelings, can I?"

"But-'

"Similarly, you can't control my feelings for you."

"Sasuke…kun!" Sakura gasped, reached forward and hugged him. She was crying again.

Sasuke smiled quietly, and hugged her back. "Silly girl."

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"Huh? Where's Sakura-chan and Sasuke?" Naruto said, looking at the porch.

Then he saw footprints leading to the forest.

"Did they go that way? I'll go get them then. Lunch is about ready…" He muttered to himself, and went off.

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Author: YAY! (Dances around in circles) I especially like the part about writing how Sasuke responded! Tell me what you think! (I know this chapter is a little short…) And I've created another Naruto story called "The School Of Horror!" today! Please support that fic like how you've supported this fic! (Hehe…) THANK YOU SO MUCH!