I let out a scream and fell backwards off the couch landing gracelessly on my butt. Sasuke's eyes were somewhat glazed over and he muttered something incoherently before rolling over.

I waited for a few minutes before I trusted myself to move. Then I crawled over to check on him. He was asleep!

I glanced at the clock. It was 5 in the morning. I stood slowly and went upstairs to my room to get dressed. There was no point in me trying to go back to sleep. Once I woke up, I was up.

I grabbed one of my many long-sleeved shirts and pulled it over my head, then pulled on a pair of loose black pants. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was rather surprised by what I say.

I looked happy, at peace. There was an upward curve to my lips that had been missing for months. I felt safe and whole. I touched the mirror and a smile graced my lips. It had been a long time since I had been able to see myself and actually like what I saw. Too long I realized.

I walked back downstairs and checked on Sasuke. He was still asleep. I decided to make breakfast for him as a way of saying thanks, but what I was saying thanks for exactly, I couldn't be sure.

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Food?

The smell roused me from my sleep and I stretched as I got up. The smell was coming from the kitchen. That's strange, no one ever cooks in the morning.

I walked into the kitchen and was greeted with the sight of pancakes, eggs and bacon. Where did all this food come from? My question was answered when a pink haired, apron-clad girl popped out from under the counter where she had been grabbing plates.

"Morning Sasuke," Sakura said with a warm smile.

"You cooked all this?"

"Of course. Now you better eat so that we're not late. If I miss another day of school I don't know what I will do."

I nodded and sat down to eat in order for her to not notice my smile.

The food was surprisingly good. I hadn't taken Sakura to be one to cook much, and yet she had already prepared two excellent meals for me. As I sat there contemplating this among other things, another thought hit me.

"Sakura, you're going to the doctor this afternoon."

Her happy chirpy chatter ceased instantly. She paled and managed only a soft," What?"

"The doctor. You're going to see one today."

She still looked pale and shaken.

"You've been to one before, haven't you?"

She gave a weak nod and sat down heavily in a chair.

You're afraid of doctors?"

She shook her head.

"Why then…"

"The last time I went to a doctor, they tried to figure out what was going on. It didn't end well."

I nodded understanding. "He's not going to interfere. You're going to the doctor. I don't feel like removing another corpse from this house."

"What?"

"Nothing."

They sat in silence as they finished off the meal.

When it was finally time to leave for school, Sakura walked outside expecting to see the car waiting, but it was not there. "Where's you're car?" Sakura asked meekly, noticing the only vehicle in the vicinity was a motorcycle.

"Shop."

"Oh…" her voice trailed off slowly. Her expression clearly stated that she didn't like this plan.

"You won't fall off. Just hold on."

She nodded, took the helmet from his hands, and climbed on behind him. Hesitantly, she wrapped both arms around his waist linking them loosely together. When the engine started her grip instantly tightened.

"Hold on."

She nodded into the back of his shirt and they were off.

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I'm surprised I didn't suffocate him. I held on so tight the entire way there. By the time we got to school my arms were cramping up. We parked in one of the parking spaces in the front row right in front of the school. I climbed off, stretching my arms as I did so. I took off my helmet and turned to face the school. I was greeted with many pairs of angry and jealous eyes. I grabbed Sasuke's arm in fear, and that only served to worsen their expressions. The eyes followed us all the way to our class where we sat down in the back.

"Why are they all looking at me?" I whispered softly.

"Jealous."

"Of what?"

"You."

"Why," I said harshly," I'm nothing special."

Sasuke laughed lightly. "What," I said exasperated. I didn't like him laughing at me.

"It just," he said suppressing laughter," You don't see yourself very well, do you?"

"What…" My question was interrupted by the ringing of the bell. School had begun.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"That's her."

"Yup."

"I can't believe she got a ride from him."

"I heard she lives with him."

I felt like sinking into my chair and disappearing. I knew Sasuke was popular, but this was ridiculous. Just because he happened to let me live with him and give me a ride, the entire gossip world was abuzz. They acted like there was no way I could even hear them, but they were right next to me.

When the bell at the end of the period rang, I practically sprinted out of the class in order to get away. I ended up in a tree outside the school waiting for the end of lunch. No one could ever find me here, or so I thought.

"Sakura, what are you doing in a tree?"

How'd he?

"I asked why you were up here?" His voice was louder, and he sounded closer.

I looked up and found myself face to face with him. "How'd you…"

"Answer my question first."

I looked pointedly over the outside area. He followed my gaze. There was a group of girls walking around, obviously looking for someone, a murderous intent shown in their eyes. It turned back to him. "You have to ask?" He turned back to look at me.

"Them?"

"Who else?"

"Don't worry. Girls like that have no fangs." He laughed lightly, " And besides I already promised to protect you, remember."

I smiled. "Of course." The bell rang signaling the end of lunch.

"I'll see you later, okay." He hopped out of the tree and landed gracefully on his feet.

He reached a hand up to help me down. I took his hand and with his help lowered myself to the ground. "Okay."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I hate missing school," Sakura said as she left the 'accursed' building that afternoon.

"It's not that much work," Sasuke said.

"Yeah, but still…" Sakura's voice ceased to be heard as the motorcycle roared to life and began heading towards the hospital.

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So I'm a day off the weekend, but I did finally update. Sorry about the wait. The next one may also be a while in coming seeing as I have finals through Wednesday and am then leaving for the beach Saturday.