>>>---THIS JUST IN!--->

Hello! Once again, my sincerest apologies for the extremely late update. We just had our exams a week ago and boy, were they tough. Last week was really hectic, but now we get a whole week off from school! Yeah! So I got to finish the rest of this fic in one night.

This chappie might have a different twist from the previous one. Please tell me what you think at the end of the chapter, okay? Thanks, and happy reading!

DISCLAIMER: Unfortuantely, I am not the luckiest guy in the world who owns Naruto. That guy is Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 4: The Locket


Cock-a-doodle-doo!

The crow of a rooster echoed across the empty streets of Konoha, marking the coming of the first hues of dawn. The rest of the world was still dark though, and the gloomy pavement stretched out like a winding serpent, illuminated only by a few rickety lampposts.

Sakura stood there, gazing at the horizon, atop the balcony of the Yamanaka Flower Shop. She was wearing nothing but a thin, waste-high chemise and her underwear, which was what she usually wore during nighttime. The early morning mist that engulfed the town was quite frosty, prompting her to wrap a woolen blanket around her delicate body to keep herself warm.

She sighed, reminiscing how wonderful that moment was. Uchiha Sasuke standing before her, blocking the way of her attackers. He appeared like a proud lion fiercely guarding his territory. She remembered gazing up at him from behind the blazing wall of fire. He looked so dreamy back then, the dancing flames making him look even more striking. Sakura closed her eyes, picturing that scene in her mind. She just wanted that moment to last forever.

It would have been perfect - if it had stopped there.

( Flashback continued: )

I couldn't take my eyes off him. I was stunned, suddenly speechless because of his unexpected show of concern. He watched as the rest of his fan club disappeared, just like he had ordered them to. Then he turned around slowly. With a sweep of his foot, he killed the flames that parted the path between him and me.

I opened my mouth to say a word of thanks, but stopped abruptly when I saw the look in his obsidian eyes. It didn't contain the slightest trace of concern for my well-being. If anything at all, it was anger, and lots of it.

I didn't understand. What was he looking at me like that for? A pang of fear came over me and I instinctively inched away from him. There was a long hard silence. It was especially awkward for me because he was looking straight into my eyes. I felt the blood rush to my ears and cheeks. Almost instantly I turned bright red. I looked down at my feet, not knowing what to else to say or do.

I know he warned me time and time again to think twice before doing anything. Yeah, I guess picking a fight with Sasuke's whole fan club was pretty dumb, but honestly, can you blame me?

If some crazy rival of yours ruins your present, calls it 'unworthy' and throws it in your face, wouldn't you have the urge to punch her in the nose? I mean, if that doesn't give me enough reason to beat her up, then I don't know what does.

Even with my head bent down, I could still feel the intensity of his glare. I felt like an anxious child who had done something wrong and was about to be punished by a parent. He trusted me for my sound judgment on certain situations, but the way I acted a while ago seemed anything but proper. It was something Naruto would do. I recognized the glare he gave me to be the same one he used on Naruto when he had done something stupid.

The rule taught to us during our Academy days bounced back and forth inside my head, taunting me over and over. A ninja does not show emotion in any situation… I had clearly broken it. Furthermore, I allowed my emotions to take hold of my mind, letting passion drive my body. Most people don't notice, but emotions are a dangerous thing. Once you allow them to take over, they knock you out of your right mind and jam the gears of logical thinking.

I began pondering on the right words to say. Something that wouldn't make me sound foolish. I would tell him that I was sorry, and that I already realized my mistake. I would assure him that it would never happen again.

But instead, he sighed, turned his back on me and slowly walked away. He didn't even wait for my apology. I was stunned for a moment, but decided that I had to say what I had to say. I caught up to him and tried to get his attention. He kept his pace and his cold eyes remained motionless, his stare fixed at the distance.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun, gomenasai…" I began. I waited to see if he would say something... He didn't.

"Those rice cakes I made were for you, but your fan club president ruined it. I made them because I thought you might be hungry. Both Neji and Tenten said they were great… Its too bad you never got to try some, so…"

I purposely trailed off to see if he would at least grunt in response. I was desperately trying to start a conversation here.

Again, nothing. Man, was this guy conceited, or what?.

Seeing that this was going nowhere, I cut to the chase. "Sasuke-kun, I'm sorry for acting rashly a while ago. I know you find it stupid, and I don't know what could have happened if you weren't there. Thanks for saving-…"

"Forget it. It doesn't matter." His sharp words cut me off like a jagged kunai.

I was happy that I at least got a few words out of him, but that seemed hardly enough. He looked as if like he couldn't care less. My hands slipped unconsciously into my dress pocket, where I caught hold of something that I had forgotten was there. It was my other gift to Sasuke. I pulled it out and hid it behind my back. Seeing that he wouldn't stop walking, I stepped in front of him.

The look in his eyes clearly showed that he was startled by this act of mine, but his piercing glare returned almost instantly. He ignored me and tried to slip past me a few times but I wouldn't let him.

Annoyance creeping onto his face, he blurted out, "What the hell is the matter with you!"

I smiled uneasily and held out my hand to him. "I have something to give you."

I opened my fingers and in the center of my palm was a little silver locket. It was in the shape of a heart, and engraved on it were the words 'I love you'. It was also adorned with delicate patterns on all sides. The trinket was attached to a long chain with tiny links so it could serve as a necklace. I bought it earlier today from the metal works in town. It did cost me a bundle, but I decided that was a small price to pay if it was for Sasuke-kun.

He glanced at it from the corner of his eye. Then, as swiftly as it came, his attention transferred elsewhere.

Knowing my teammate, I had expected this kind of reaction. I wasn't going to give up that easily, though.

"Here, Sasuke-kun." I said, moving closer to him. "This is for you."

I flicked the little heart and it opened into two. "If you open it up you can put a couple of small photos inside. A lot of girls are happy to get gifts like these-…"

He didn't seem to hear what I just said and cut me off abruptly. "Get out of the way." He growled impatiently.

…Ouch.

Those few words pierced me like an arrow through the heart. Still, I was determined to give it to him no matter what.

"Sasuke-kun, please accept my gift. I know it's not much, but it's my way of showing my concern for you…"

His emotionless expression did not change. "Move." He commanded, a tone of finality in his voice.

"Sasuke-kun, please…" I was practically begging now. "Please listen to what I have to say. I have been your friend and teammate for several years now and I'm worried about you. I understand that you won't be having a medic nin along on your mission, so..."

I paused and looked at the locket on my palm, unsure of what to say next.

A deep, harsh voice was heard.

"Baka."

Surprised, I looked at him.

He shook his head and sighed. "Baka. That thing is useless."

I was extremely hurt upon hearing those words, fighting back the tears that were pushing from behind my eyes. Imagine being repaid for your thoughtfulness with that! I opened my mouth to reason but he cut me off again.

"What's the point in bringing that worthless piece of trash? Will it stop a hail of kunai from ripping me apart? Will it deflect enemy chakra and save me from certain death?" He sounded gruff and irritated. "If it doesn't, then it's not worth keeping."

I looked at my feet, ashamed. I knew he was right. My present couldn't do any of those. It was only worth sentimental value – something that Uchiha Sasuke would never accept.

He was asking me for a reason on why he should accept my gift. Tough question, if you ask me. Does anyone need a reason to accept a gift? People give presents to one another to show each other that they care. No words said; just the relationship that exists between them is enough. He had been my teammate ever since we graduated from the Academy, and still he treats me like a complete stranger. How can you deal with a person like that?

Even so, I tried to think of a beneficial use for that locket. The first thing that came to my mind was a good luck charm. It was true, wasn't it? People wore all kinds of amulets to serve as sources of inspiration and encouragement. Why should my present be any different?

"Well, it could give you good luck…" I muttered.

The moment he heard my reply, he scoffed. Bad answer, I know. Luck was one thing Sasuke did not believe in. He was convinced that only his effort could get him places. He was the master of his own fate. Everything that happened to him was because of his own doing.

He shook his head slightly, smirking.

"That is why you remain weak, Sakura. You rely too much on insignificant things like this, instead of focusing on the things that really matter. People who believe in luck are fools. When good things happen, they give credit where it is undue and blame their misfortunes on bad luck, instead of learning from their mistakes and improving themselves."

He brushed a few locks of raven hair from his face and paused to take a breath. It had been a while since he said so many words at one time. He then glanced at his timepiece and turned his back on me.

"I cannot waste any more time here with you. Sakura, I do not want your present. Stop bothering me and go back home. If you cannot find any use for that locket then I suggest you get your money back."

That was the last straw. I felt like an intangible kunai had just ripped my heart out. Can you imagine how bad that hurt? Tears started streaming down my face. At that moment, all traces of love and admiration that I once had for Sasuke turned into hate and resentment. Why did he have to be such a jerk!

He started walking away slowly, indifferently. But he stopped in his tracks when he heard my voice.

"Sasuke-kun... I was willing to go through everything for you. I loved you with a love that none of your fan girls could offer. I loved you for who you were, not how you looked... and this is what I get in return!" I said in between sobs. "I honestly believed that you could change. I dreamed that someday I would be able to melt that ice cube in your chest that you call a heart... but I was a fool. You will never change, Uchiha. You are nothing to me now. Just die, for all I care!"

I let go and cried hysterically, letting my tears flow. I ran as quickly as I could from that place, never looking back.

Then silence.

Somewhere, a certain raven-haired boy picked up something that lay near his feet. He glared at the object, dropped it into his side pocket and sighed.

"Baka."

>>>---THIS JUST IN!--->

So what do you guys think? Please tell me if you like where this is going. Sorry to SasuSaku fans if Sasuke had to be a harsh there… the problem has to start somewhere, right? Of course, rest assured that there will always be a happy ending for everyone in my fic. Thanks for reading, and please review!