Note to the reader: Hi guys! Back for another update! Sorry for the long wait. Again, thank you for the reviews and the readers. Thank you for your continuous support! I just feel pretty bad that my goal of 50 reviews is unattainable. Well, that's fine! smiles It's passion over comfort. thumbs up

Summary: If you want a man, make sure he's not dangerously jealous.

CHAPTER IV- Sweetest Revenge

That night, the environment was unusually silent. The street with aligned bars was slightly down with customers and most of the houses were closed. Some people, who happen to pass by stores, stop for seconds to watch the free show through the glass pane.

"The temperature is going lower for the past few days." A weather reporter made a hand gesture to show the report. The same news was being shown in all the six televisions being sold in the store. "January is at its end and we are to experience the late visit of winter. This unusual schedule of the season has alarmed a lot of health specialists…"

Some unconcerned men went away after hearing the word "specialists". They wanted to know what's up but those inconsiderate doctors keep on using medical terms which were obscure to their ears. But among the men, only a teen was left. He was somehow amused by the intelligence of those people. He happened to be Uchiha Sasuke—a cigarette addict, seductive, college student strolling the solemn street. One look at the Uchiha, and you'd have to stare again to have some more of him. But that night, Sasuke seemed more of careful about the time than his irresistible look.

"Six…" he muttered and checked his watch after puffing a great deal of smoke. From where he stood, the college school he went to enlivened the dead night with lights. At eight, he must be there. Sasuke fixed his trench coat and smoked all the way to church.

The road to the sacred fortress was dim yet there were a lot of people there. Early as it was, the people had just left the church gates. Sasuke shook his head—he was pretty entertained to see that there were still a lot of devoted Christians despite their repeated sins. Charlatans. He dropped his cigarette and walked past the strangers.

When the church was nearly empty, Sasuke sat comfortably on the wooden seat beside the "throne" of the priest. The acolytes gaped upon noticing the teen on one of the respected seats. The Uchiha, on the other hand, raised a brow at the acolytes and continued his rest.

"S-Sasuke?" a familiar voice was suspended in the air for some seconds before the teen replied.

"Father, I wanted to see you." The raven head stood up and approached the priest he often confessed to.

"You are earlier than usual. Is there any problem?"

Sasuke smirked and said, "I might be busy until midnight. I need to confess before I neglect to."

"Let's hear it son." The priest sat on a bench, followed by the Uchiha.

"I manipulated some girls to save Haruno from shame." He shrugged. "I'm afraid I might have another affair—now with a girl."

"Haruno Sakura?"

"Haruno."

"Ah," he smiled "she is a very nice lady."

If Sasuke had no control, he might have guffawed. He just laughed while maintaining his handsome poise.

The middle-aged priest spoke no word.

"I guess that's all for tonight Father."

He sighed and said, "One Hail Mary and one Glory Be. Try to be nicer to people and show more care to your lover." Even the priest had uneasiness upon saying "lover".

"Thank you." Sasuke replied and left.

Haruno Sakura, uniquely recognized by her pink hair and emerald clever eyes, looked anxiously at the clock. It reminded her that eight p.m. was the start of the dance. She was standing in front of the mirror with both hands on waist. She showed no sign of panic but she knew that she must be hurrying. She had different gowns spread on her bed yet she did not like them in a way. They looked gorgeous on her but there was something wrong.

Her eyes fell upon a certain notebook on her desk—it was Sasuke's. The problem about the gowns suddenly slapped her hard on the cheek. She felt the heavy urge to find something which could make her look different in a way that the Uchiha would notice not her demure side.

Why should I even bother pleasing him? Sakura suddenly thought. The cool breeze romance seemed to whisper otherwise. She carefully shoved some of the hanging dresses and pulled out a white gown. It was a backless, neck strap evening dress. There was a side slit which was up to half of her thigh. There were even matching hand gloves with embroidered laced rim at the opening. Sakura placed the gown on bed and checked out her accessories to see if there were matching earrings and bracelets. There were pearls and diamonds making it hard for her to choose.

The clock struck six fifty. She expected that she'd be late. Sasuke didn't even clarify how they'd meet. I better go on my own; perhaps he was kidding me again. Haruno fixed herself for about forty minutes and hurried down the dormitories. Upon arriving with difficulty at the front door, a man opened the door for her and bowed his head. Sakura looked addled by the greeting and remained rooted to the spot.

"Miss Haruno, we believe you need a ride to the dance. Mr. Uchiha has prepared this ride for you. Please follow me to the car." The man took Sakura's gloved hand and led her in a black vehicle. After which, the car went on its way to the school.

The car stopped in front of the hall on time. The same man who brought her in guided her out of the car and into the foyer. Upon entering the hall, another man bowed to her and took her to the farthest door leading to the dance floor. No words went between the two until they reached the door. The man opened it and closed it after letting Sakura in.

The dance floor was filled with chandelier lights. The utensils and glass wares sparkled together with wine. Food was served on long tables. The seats were covered with linen and the curtains were changed into blue. Some parts of the marble floor were covered by blue carpets. The walls were lined with paintings and portraits of past administrators. There was a band playing mellow music with violas, cellos and basses. It was, in one word, extravagant.

Now, left alone, she moved her gaze to the stairs leading to where the people were and went down. When she reached half way down, she saw a man dressed in a tux matched with an opera mask. He was, no doubt, looking straight at her, waiting for her to come down. Sasuke? She thought fervently and proceeded down.

"I've been waiting, my lady." The man raised her hand to his lips. "May I ask you to dance?"

Sakura nodded and followed the man to the middle of the dance floor. Once there, they began to dance in a slow pacing first.

"Umm, Sasuke?" Sakura lifted her eyes to meet the onyx ones of her partner.

"Shhh…" he whispered and smiled.

"Sorry…" How could Sakura forget that her partner was the man everyone was pining for? And she's dancing with him tonight. "Thank you for the ride." She simply said to change the topic.

Sasuke had his usual coveted smirk and pulled Haruno closer to him. Sakura could already feel the pound of his chest against hers…

The Uchiha moved his partner away from him, turned her and pulled her back only to be nearly met by her lips. Sakura blushed and moved her face away. "Sorry."

"Sorry for what Haruno?"

At that moment, she did not respond to the trapping question. She looked at him in his black tux and there was a flash of knowledge which ran in her head.

The psychology of color…

Black: mysterious and seductive…

White: purity, virginity, innocence…

"Haruno?"

"Oh, Sasuke…" she muttered and brushed a stray hair from her eyes. "I'm just sorry okay?"

The Uchiha smiled and led her off the dance floor. "May I accompany you to the balcony?"

The two went to the balcony overlooking the vast meadow. The stars that were seen were more than the usual and the moon was just majestic. The music of the band was slightly heard but the voices of people were already inaudible.

Sasuke took two glasses of wine as Sakura and he went into the balcony. When he went in there, he closed the glass doors and handed the wine to the pink beauty.

"Isn't it lovely?" Sakura asked out of a sudden after receiving the glass.

"The what?" the other replied with a question.

"The moon."

"Yes, she is lovely." Sasuke gazed with much interest at Sakura.

Haruno noticed who he was actually looking at and swiftly turned her back at him. "You're kidding me again Sasuke."

A gentle laugh was heard making the girl turn to scold him but—

"For you…" Sasuke flashed a bouquet of roses in front of her.

Sakura reddened and took the flowers. "You surprise me Sasuke."

The other shrugged coolly in reply.

After which, silence reigned again for minutes…

"Sasuke," Sakura started a conversation, "why did you—oh never mind."

"Why did I not continue?"

The other did not reply but obviously it was her question.

"I really don't know." Sasuke slyly smiled. He loved making people curious. "Perhaps, you are too innocent to move on afterwards. Just remember how you retaliated to the three girls in school? Your reputation seems to cost your life."

"Are you telling me that I am weak and immature that I can't handle situations myself?" Sakura suddenly raised her voice a bit.

"I am not saying anything." Sasuke had his usual air of mischief.

"Oh! You're horrible!"

"Suit yourself Haruno." He just took out a pack of cigarette and remained a git in Sakura's eyes.

"You know, cigarette is not good for you." The pink head changed the topic.

"This is no cigarette." The other muttered.

"What?"

Sasuke emptied his wine glass and shook his head. "Nothing for you to know."

Sakura decided not to answer back.

The Uchiha looked at Sakura who looked slightly pissed off and hid the pack. He turned his attention to the meadow.

Seconds after Sasuke felt pain rising in his chest. Shit! Not his again! He held on the veranda and began coughing, induced by the pain.

"Sasuke! Sasuke!" She called his name with much desperation. She supported his down on the balcony floor and checked his pulse. "High blood pressure… internal hemorrhages… oh my god…" Sasuke began coughing blood and he twisted from left to right. He was moaning in pain and soon he began shouting. "Sasuke, hold on!"

Sakura rushed out the balcony and headed for the staircase but someone blocked her way. "What's the hurry about Miss Haruno?" It was Neji.

"Neji, please call an ambulance right away! Sasuke—"

"There's no need for that." He calmly said and motioned his men to hold Sakura. "You're coming with us."

An hour and a half passed after Sasuke swooned, he was awakened by the light of a room. He bolted upright and felt a quick pang on his chest. "Shit!" he shouted and tightened his grip on his chest.

A doctor rushed into Sasuke's room when he heard his patient's shout. He injected a light pain reliever to calm the Uchiha down. The doctor took his blood pressure and sighed after knowing it was normal. Sasuke watched the doctor check on his status and said. "Why am I—?"

"You are confined an hour and a half ago." The doctor looked at him gravely and asked. "Are you taking in Charlatan?"

>author's note: Charlatan is not a real drug but in this fic, it is a highly toxic drug in a form of a cigarette. It's called Charlatan because authorities have a hard time identifying users for the drug is in cigarette form. They can't tell if it's really cigarette or fake.

Sasuke's eyes wandered off to the status monitor. "No."

The doctor shook his head. "The results are all positive."

Sasuke did not reply to this statement.

"How many years have you been taking it?"

"Three…"

"Three!" he stared at the teen who was still clutching his chest. "Three? That's impossible!"

"Yes, I know. I should be dead by now." Sasuke shrugged and looked away.

"Are you aware why Charlatan is strictly prohibited? Do you know why death penalty is given to Charlatan distributors?"

"Yes."

"I think you do but I know you don't care at all." The doctor handed Sasuke a paper and explained. "Charlatan weakens the body by disrupting nerves and electrical impulses of the brain. It poisons you arteries and your heart and kills your alveoli slowly making it hard for you to breathe. It also damages your liver. Users usually die after taking in Charlatan for a year! It must be a miracle why you're still breathing."

"I know that already. Let me be." Sasuke slipped off the bed and fell weakly on the floor. Suddenly, he remembered something… "Where's my cell phone?"

"It's in the cabinet."

Sasuke swaggered up and bumped into the cabinet. He opened it and grabbed his phone. The doctor was about to pull him back to his bed but he pushed him back. He looked at the inbox hoping to see a message from Sakura but he saw a message from Neji instead.

"I hope you're alright Sasuke. Are you looking for Miss Haruno? She's here with me. See you."

The Uchiha growled. Shit. He dropped his phone, pushed the approaching doctor, wore his trench coat and ran out of the room. He ran down the stairs and exited through the front doors. He stopped a taxi by standing in the middle of the road and rode off to his apartment. If Neji wanted me to suffer, he'll surely make the scene always remembered.

Upon reaching the apartment, he went out and threatened the driver. "Wait for me! If you even dare to go I'll kill you!" After saying those words, he went up the stairs to his room, produced a key and opened the door.

The room was dark and seemed unoccupied. The chairs were messed up and the covers were pulled off their respective positions. The glasses were shattered on the floor and some chairs were toppled. The windows were opened and the curtains were gently dancing in the breeze. Sasuke had an unexplained fear of what he expected or not expected to see. He didn't even know why he was afraid… it had been a while since he felt that emotion called fear.

He moved through the disarrayed sofa set to the slightly ajar door. He held on the door knob and pushed the door slowly. The room was messed up as well. The blanket was on the floor and the lamp was lying on the floor as well. Sasuke stepped silently and proceeded to the bed… to find what he called fear…

Sasuke's eyes widened upon seeing a teen with pink hair lying on his bed. He felt pain rising in his chest but he fought it. Her white gown was torn and stained with blood. The psychology of color… red… lust…passion…sex… Her wrists were red and her face had a sign of pain. Pain… Her light lipstick colored her cheeks combined with traces of tears. She had blood on her thighs… and Sasuke didn't want to know the next details anymore…

"H-Haruno…?" his tone was not full of pride or mischief. He was speaking to her gently with a sound of care. "Sakura…?" He called her by her name for the first time. He ran his fingers against her cheek. "Wake up Sakura." He felt the ache torturing his chest; he began panting. Shit! Shit! SHIT! "It's alright, I'm here." He carried Sakura on his arms and swaggered out of the room and out of the apartment building.

When he reached the front doors, he saw that the taxi was not there anymore. "FUCK YOU!" He yelled out of uncontrolled anger, fear and anxiety. He looked around and saw a man speaking over his phone. He placed Sakura down and ran to the man. "Give me your phone!"

The man eyed him and snarled, "What the hell did you say?"

Sasuke grabbed the phone and ended the call.

"What the fuck are you doing!" The man yelled.

"Shut up and wait!" Sasuke retaliated and returned to his call. "Yes, I need an ambulance now!" The operator ended the call and then Sasuke threw the phone back to the man.

"Damn you bastard!" the man was about to hit him when Sasuke fell on the floor—the pain of his weakness killing him slowly…

END

Thank you for reading this fic and I hope you didn't get bored in this chapter. Your probable questions would be answered in the latter chapters. Confessions is nearing its end—thank you for the continued support!

Thank you to the few individuals who could appreciate yaoi and normal pairings at the same time. I owe you my inspiration!