Okay, I thought that maybe I should shed some light on the matter, so I wrote this chapter. Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: Not mine

WARNING: AU

PAIRINGS: Thinking about it, maybe some SasuSaku, but still don't know

Song 9- Past

Practice went on more quietly than usual. After it was over, Sasuke quietly drove Haku to his apartment. The ride was uncomfortable for the both of them considering their argument earlier. Haku still felt betrayed and Sasuke still felt guilty for lying to the boy. The music producer stole a glance at the feminine boy, who was looking straight ahead blankly, before turning his attention back to the steering wheel.

-X-

Haku's brown eyes widened as he enter Sasuke's apartment. The entire apartment was simple in decoration, and yet, gave off a sense of peace. It made Haku almost at ease, something he hadn't felt for the last few days.

As Haku passed by a small table, he noticed a photograph in a picture frame sitting on the table. He picked it up and examined it closely. It was a picture of Sasuke and Sakura taken at a photo booth judging by the elaborate background done only by a computer. Sakura was smiling cheekily with her arms around Sasuke's shoulders, but what caught Haku's attention was Sasuke's expression. He was relaxed and tender, there was even a genuine smile on his face. The two were close together in the picture, too close for a relationship between co-workers. It was a relationship of two people that were in love.

"Oh that…"

Haku almost dropped the picture in surprise. He suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be following Sasuke. The boy almost expected him to get angry, but instead Sasuke's expression remained blank.

"That was taken on my birthday," he said a small smile gracing his handsome face. "I remember when Sakura took me to that place. She struck that pose right before we took the picture."

"Sounded like a good birthday," Haku said as he put the picture back on the table. "You two must have been really happy together."

Sasuke pointed to a small room next to the dining room and said, "You can sleep here." As Haku set his things down on the bed, Sasuke suddenly said, "I apologize for lying about the song."

Haku turned around in surprise. Sasuke's face had a look of regret. Before he could ask any questions, though, Sasuke continued carefully.

"Mangetsu promised to release a single in a couple of months. I had no choice but to use an old song that wasn't released. I understand about you feeling like you're a substitute for Sakura, but understand that I wasn't lying when I said that I was proud of your efforts."

Haku remembered the carefree melodies of the song, Floating, that he and the rest of the band recorded that day. When he sung the song he felt free like the wind. A thought came to mind as he hummed the melody. Is this the feeling one gets when they have a crush? Is this the reason why Sasuke wrote it for Sakura and why he said that when the first time he sang the song everything was wrong?

"Why did Sakura leave the band?" the vocalist asked.

Sasuke only said to him, "Get some rest. We have an early interview tomorrow. Be at the station by 9."

Haku only nodded as he closed the door.

-X-

After he left Haku to get some sleep, Sasuke turned back to stare at the picture that was on the table. He had remembered during those times when he and Sakura were in love. They were so young, too naïve to know that it wouldn't last. One day, Sakura had approached him saying that their relationship wasn't working, so they should remain as co-workers. Sasuke obliged knowing that maybe their love was only infatuation. Still, even after that, he still loved her, which is why he wrote the song of the carefree feelings of first love. Then, Sakura disbanded Asahi and left for America, leaving Sasuke pondering over why she left.

"You can't understand me, and you never will, Sasuke."

That was the one reason she gave him. Recalling those words made him think it over. He didn't understand why she had said that, or even be able to tell what she was thinking. She was right; he didn't understand her. Maybe their love truly was infatuation. One thing was sure, it seemed that Sakura was trying to tell him, but he didn't know.

If I could turn back time, would I have chosen to follow her?

This was the question that had plagued him for the last few months.

-X-

Haku slowly dawned his pajamas and brushed his teeth. His new room was comfortable, but he missed his old bed. As he got under the covers, he went over the last few weeks over in his head. From the threats to the return of Sakura, it was all going by so fast for him.

Remembering the picture of Sasuke and Sakura, Haku thought over what Sasuke had told him. It was clear that those two were in love at one point in life. He guessed that at one point, there was a downfall in their relationship, but why Sakura left Asahi still remained an enigma to him and probably Sasuke and the rest of the band, too.

Then an inspiration struck him as it often did when he was younger. When he was younger, he would often make up small tunes whenever he saw something that would be worth singing about. After his stepfather rejected his dreams of being a singer, somehow, that talent had left him. When he got old enough to live on his own, the talent was still gone, until now.

Unintentionally, Haku began to hum a melody as he sang the lyrics he made up in his head.

I remember when

You took me out on my birthday

Posing for the camera

As the light went off

-X-

Near the door, Sasuke's heartstrings experienced a harsh tug as he heard the tragic melody from the room reflecting his feelings that he felt about Sakura's selfish decision.

TBC… I'm sorry if that was short, but hoped you enjoy it. Review kudasai!

Preview: Sasuke and Haku make it perfectly clear to the public about what the single is about, but is everyone going to buy it, especially the mysterious person with a knife?