A.N.: Okay, I have noticed that readers only review whenever I update. So it's kinda normal. Hey, could somebody tell me what AU means? It really made me scratch my head. Anyway, I am busy as usual, my parents keep on ordering me around. Annoying really.
Sakura: It could have been fine if you did your chores earlier than usual.
Author: Hmph. don't give me that lecture again Sakura. It makes me sick. I already had enough with my dad, thank you.
Sasuke: Why ignore your responsibilities when you know your dad is strict? It's too annoying to hear your parents babbling about something to you. You don't even listen.
Author: Seems you have noticed Sasuke. Dunno. Too troublesome.
Shikamaru: Hey! That's my catch phrase!
Author: I gotta type my story now, guys. So you all better shut up or this story would be… uh… weird.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto… but I wish I did.
Sasuke: You wish.
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"I don't… wanna feel what I felt years ago." Sakura said, looking down at the bench she is sitting on. Shikamaru and Neji looked at each other worriedly.
"Don't tell me the mighty kunoichi is afraid of some heart break. You don't even know if he's going to reject you or not." Neji said. Sakura glared at him.
"I'd rather be on war than having another heart break. And duh, he's already in-love with someone. The chances are that he's really going to reject me." Sakura said sadly. Shikamaru placed his hands behind his neck as he looked up at the sky.
"Sakura, you do know the saying 'Pain is gain'." Shikamaru mumbled.
"And I already have enough pain to last a lifetime Shikamaru." Sakura snapped back. Neji kicked a stone that was in front of him as he sighed. Then, he looked at Sakura.
"Ok, if you're really that stubborn. Let me tell you this. Maybe Sasuke isn't the one who is destined to be with you Sakura. Maybe you deserve someone better than him. Yeah, that's it." Neji said. Sakura began to chuckle.
"Maybe. But I hope to find that person soon. I don't wanna be a loner for the rest of my life." Sakura replied, still having that sad smile. There was a moment of silence between the three.
"Kioko." Shikamaru suddenly said as Neji and Sakura looked at him.
"What about her?"
"She's the one who made you fall in love with Sasuke again. She's also the one responsible for making you friends again. She has done both good and bad things to you, you know." Shikamaru responded. Sakura nodded.
"And you're going to return her tomorrow right?" Neji asked. Sakura nodded again.
"Yeah. And Sasuke's moving out and I'm going to be alone again." Sakura said.
"Sakura, you've been alone for a long time. Aren't you used to it?" Shikamaru asked to her as Sakura looked at him.
"Even though that he is quiet and sometimes cold, I saw the real side of him since the announcement of Itachi's death. He's really a sweet guy and he's a great company to have. That's why I'm going to miss him." Sakura said. Neji started to laugh.
"Look at you two. First, you're the one who's chasing Sasuke, then he comes back and we though he was chasing you. But now, we found out that you're still on the same drill." Neji said. Sakura chuckled.
"And could you tell me what he told you about this 'girl'?" Shikamaru asked.
"Well… he said that she's also an ANBU like me, and also has the same age as me." Sakura replied, placing her pointing finger at her chin while looking deep in thought. Neji and Shikamaru looked at each other.
"Riiigghhht. So… let me straighten this up, in short, she's just like… you?" Shikamaru asked. Sakura looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah, something like that." Sakura replied.
"Then why are you losing hope! If she's just like you, there is a big possibility that he won't reject you Sakura!" Neji said. Sakura was shocked on what he said.
"And maybe… he was just disguising something." Shikamaru said.
"Huh? What do you mean Shikamaru?" Sakura asked. Shikamaru thought of a theory and if he's always 97 right, then his theory must be exact as well. Better not tell Sakura.
"Uh—nothing." Shikamaru said instantly. Sakura's eyebrows met in confusion as she suddenly shook her head. She checked her watch.
"Oh! I need to go!" Sakura said, standing up.
"Thanks for the help you two. And see you guys tomorrow!" Sakura bowed as she ran off, and Neji and Shikamaru waved good bye towards her. Neji and Shikamaru looked at each other and smirked.
"She would know soon." Shikamaru mumbled, looking at Sakura's retreating figure.
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"I'm home!" Sakura sang, trying to look like she's happy. She slid off her shoes and ran inside. Sasuke and Kioko were no where in sight as she ran to the bedroom. Kioko was already sleeping and Sasuke was lying in his stomach while reading a scroll in the bed.
"What took you so long?" Sasuke asked. Sakura shook her head and said that she had fun walking 'alone'. Sasuke raised his eyebrow but chose to ignore it. Sakura sat in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection.
'I have decided that when Sasuke and that girl will get married, I would personally give this necklace and all of Mrs. Uchiha's belongings to her.'
She sighed.
"Something the matter?" Sasuke asked, not looking at her. Sakura shook her head again as she sighed for the umpteenth time. Today, she was always sighing. Maybe after this, everything would go back to normal and she could concentrate on her work again. Yeah, she better think positive. She can't let simple depressions and problems take over her.
"Why didn't you watch TV instead Sasuke?" Sakura asked, looking at him through the mirror.
"Don't want to. Too lazy." He replied, still reading. Sakura approached him as she crawled to the bed and lied on her stomach in the bed beside him.
"Hey, what are you reading?" Sakura asked, looking at the scroll.
"It's the scroll for the ANBU exam. Kakashi-sensei gave this to me earlier when you went off to have your walk." Sasuke replied. Sakura could feel the warmth coming from his body as she felt a strange feeling that she wanted to cry.
'What… What am I feeling!'
"Sasuke… can I ask you a favor?" Sakura asked. Sasuke looked at her. The distance between their faces were really short and Sakura blushed. No wonder girls go crazy over him, he's talented and he's handsome!
"Um…s-since you're m-moving out tomorrow… can… can I make you as my 'pillow' for tonight? Nothing personal really." Sakura said, looking away. Sasuke stared at her for a moment then smiled.
"Sure." He said. Sakura gasped in happiness as she hugged Sasuke's arm. She felt really happy and so warm that she hasn't been this comfortable in years. Sasuke just smiled as he continued reading.
By 11:30 in the evening, Sasuke woke up. Sakura was cuddled very close to him and he had his arms wrapped around her. For once, they slept like a real couple. Sakura looked comfortable as well. But he noticed something that made his eyes look at her with confusion.
She was crying.
'But… how… why is she crying?'
Now, Sakura's shoulders were shaking as she gripped Sasuke's shirt tighter. Sasuke was shocked about this and when Sakura opened her eyes, Sasuke pretended to still be asleep. She let go of him as she sat up and clambered off the bed.
"Damn it. Why is this happening to me?" He heard her mumble. She opened the sliding door and went out to the small balcony.
'Sakura… why are you crying?'
He figured that Sakura needed some time alone so he still pretended to be asleep. When Sakura went to bed again, she stared at Sasuke for a long time then she turned her back against him and closed her eyes.
Sakura's eyes shot open when she felt Sasuke's arms wrapping around her waist. Then, she cried harder. She didn't want another heart break… no. Sasuke was worried about what happened to her. Maybe something happened to her while she was taking her walk. But she looked so happy.
'Think Uchiha! Think!' Sasuke thought to himself.
Sakura sighed.
"Good night… Sasuke-kun."
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A.N.: Aww… what a cute pairing!
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E.I.
