Disclaimer: Again…I only own the plot!

Chapter 3: Teen Heartthrob? Oh Please!

To go in, or not to go in? That was indeed the question. Sakura bit her bottom lip and stared at the small café that Hinata had mentioned. "It's called Fire Country. You can't miss it. It's right on the corner of Main and 25th Avenue. The one with big red sign in front of it. It's the local hangout for most of the teens here." That last note made Sakura all the jitterier. Not only was she going to meet her new friend but also whoever was there probably would be attending her new high school, come September.

"Hey move it," a girl that looked about two years younger brushed past Sakura and stepped inside the café. Great, she was being pushed around by younger kids now too.

"Alright here I go!" she declared to no one, and pushed open the door. 'Please, oh please let her be here before me! If I'm here by myself I'll totally freak!' she prayed and looked around. Hinata was over at a table in the corner, sitting alongside her cousin Neji. 'Are those two ever apart?' she said remembering how Hinata had explained their 'bond' earlier. With a deep breath, she walked to their table. "Um…hi. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" she scratched the back of her head.

"A-ah! Sakura-chan, no, no. Sit down, please," Hinata pointed to a free chair around the circular table. She did as she was told, and took a place between the two.

"Well it's nice seeing you again, Neji-kun," Sakura smiled sweetly, adding the honorific as politeness. She wasn't exactly sure how to talk to him yet.

He gazed at her through those pale eyes, making her insides feel weird again. "Yes, you too, Sakura-san," he finally spoke. The table was plunged into an odd silence after that. No one really knew what to say.

"Um…do you guys come here often?" Sakura decided to try and spark up a conversation.

"S-sometimes," Hinata was the one to answer, "I u-usually meet my other friends here. They might come today, j-just out of pure coincidence." She twirled a lock of hair between to fingers. She was hoping someone else would come too.

"Hey Hinata-chan, Neji-kun," a new feminine voice piped up. The three looked in the direction, and saw a woman, also their age standing with one hand on her hip. Her hair was a pale blonde and quite long, even when it was up in a ponytail. Her baby blue eyes shone as brightly as her smile.

Something sort of slapped Sakura in the face. She knew this girl! It was from before she had moved, that's for sure. What was her name…oh yes! "I-Ino…" Sakura stood up reluctantly, and faced the other girl.

She looked back, with questioning eyes. "S…Sakura?" she finally pointed her index finger towards the pink haired girl. "AH!" they both screamed, hugging each other like their sport's team had just won the championship. "Oh my God! How long has it been? Like ten years? What are you doing back here?"

"My family moved back. I can't believe your still here! If I'd known you'd have been like the first person I hunted down!" Sakura was so glad that she'd found an old friend, and returned to her seat, Ino pulling up a chair next to her. "So tell me what's happened."

"Oh my God! Where to start? Well since you've left not many of the same people are around anymore but there are tons of new ones…" and the two were completely gone from the real world.

The Hyuuga siblings then felt kind of awkward. They were just sitting there, while the two other females chatted away. "You sure have an interesting taste in friends, Hinata-sama," her cousin remarked, breaking their silence.

"Y-yes well…" she paused, "I wouldn't call the people you have over everyday normal."

He gave a small, yet rare smile. "No, you're right. I don't really know how I got involved with them either…"

And then one other familiar face walked through the café door. "Hiiiiiiiiiiinata!" the male voice called, running over to their table. It was a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. Sort of like Ino's except darker. He wore orange pants and a white tee. "I thought I could find you here…" he turned to Neji, "oh ya, about the other day. Listen I'm really sorry and…"

The other boy held up his hand, "It's okay, don't worry about it. It's partially Lee's fault anyway."

"I guess so," he replied, pulling up a chair from another table. "Is that Sakura?" he asked pointing at the girl who was still in deep conversation with Ino.

"H-how did you know, Naruto-kun?" she asked very quietly, looking down at her shoes.

"Well I was going to ask you something yesterday when you were outside near the arcade. But you were talking to her," he jerked his thumb towards Sakura, "and then you guys left right after. Haha. I was going to introduce myself, but I see she's a bit busy…"

"…and then seriously he comes up and goes…" Ino trailed off, looking around the table, "I thought I heard you, Naruto. No wonder it got so loud!"

Sakura tore her attention from Ino and looked to the new boy, "Um…hello…err, Naruto."

"Nice to meet you, Sakura." He was grinning like a madman. 'She's so cute!' was running through his mind, 'I wonder if I should ask her out…'

More footsteps made their way towards the table. 'Whoa, it's a party…' she thought dryly, until she looked up. Dark hair, onyx eyes, flat expression…oh no… Sakura wanted to scream, "Ah! It's you!" but her voice was suddenly lost.

"Yo," he greeted in his usual monotone voice. "So the regulars are here again. Plus one." He didn't even show any signs of knowing her. His clothes were a bit different today, as he wore the restaurant uniform. Just a black shirt with the café's logo, and jeans.

"Ah! Saskue-kun!" Ino almost shrieked, giving him her full attention.

"Hello…t-this is Sakura," Hinata informed him, though he already knew.

"Hey, Sasuke! Can't you go bother someone else instead of flirting over here?" asked a very annoyed-looking Naruto.

"Hn. What gives you that idea, dumbass? I am only doing my job." And the two went into a staring contest.

Ino giggled, "They act like that all the time, but they're the best of friends. Weird huh?" she told Sakura, who was still looking for her voice.

"So what'll it be?" Sasuke asked finally, after Neji pulled the two apart.

"The usual," Neji answered.

"Same here!" cried Ino, looking longingly at Sasuke, who took no notice, or didn't show it.

"Same old," Naruto responded with a sigh. He would have won too!

"Usual," Hinata replied after everyone.

Sasuke nodded and turned to leave, then paused, and turned back. "And you?" Sakura wanted to scream, that's all really. Scream really, really loudly…in hope to break someone's eardrum if possible. However, her voice was still lost, so her mouth opened and closed like a fish. Great, she was making yet another fool out of herself. "Well?" he asked rather impatiently.

"S-she'll have the same as me," Hinata answered for her. The dark haired boy nodded and left towards the counter. Once he was beyond earshot, the four began to chuckle, minus Naruto, who was sort of grumbling.

"Huh? What?" Sakura asked confused that she was so left out of the joke.

"Nothing," Neji answered.

"It's just funny to see new people gape over Uchiha Sasuke," Ino continued. "See, Sasuke-kun is like the most popular person to ever set foot in this town. Every girl at school who doesn't already have a boyfriend is pinning after him, no matter what grade. Myself included," she smiled proudly.

Sakura wanted to hurl. So this guy had a fan club too? And did they all think that she liked him? Oh, if they only knew. Maybe she did like him…like to slap his perfect face, for the other day. She could hold a grudge…

"But you know," Ino continued after she'd returned from la-la-land, "I think he was around when you were still here. I'm surprised you don't remember him at all. How could you forget such a handsome face?" Then she went back off sighing, while Naruto waved his hand in front of her face. Yes, she was gone.

Sakura shrugged, not sure if she should try talking again. Handsome he was, she'd give him that. But that didn't make up for his attitude and such. "I don't know. Don't remember much," she managed to get out.

Another waiter was the one who brought the orders, leaving the tray on the table for the teens to take what they wanted. They were all forms of shakes, or drinks. "H-here," Hinata offered, "this one's for you."

"Oh, um, thanks," she took it reluctantly, and drank it slowly. It really was good, well as good as a chocolate shake gets.

"Hey, Sakura-chan, it's good, neh, neh?" Naruto grinned from the opposite end of the table. She nodded slowly. Then he looked at his watch. "What?" he screamed, causing everyone else at the table to cover their ears. Talk about loud. "Neji! Did you forget? There's practice today! If we're late sensei will kill us!"

Neji nodded, "Please excuse us. I was careless in watching the time." He and Naruto left some money on the table and left right after.

"A man of few words, your cousin is," Sakura remarked after they were gone.

"Y-yes well he and Naruto-kun and some others study martial arts. They take it quite seriously," informed Hinata, who looked somewhat relieved the two were gone.

"Excuse me for a moment. There's something I want to do," Ino said rather giddily. She stood up and went towards the front where the counter was.

"Does she like, live for that guy?" Sakura asked, finishing her shake and putting the empty glass on the table. She sighed, "I mean look at that. I like her as a friend and all but is that all necessary to get that jerk?" she pointed towards the front where the blonde had practically latched onto Sasuke's arm.

Hinata coughed, "T-that's an odd thing to say for someone you like. You'd be surprised, most girls do that too."

"Nah, I don't like him. I'm not that great with people, so sometimes I just loose my voice and clam up," she said dryly. "I met him before. He's such an ass." Her emerald eyes glared towards him, and she resisted the urge to stick out her tongue.

"I-is that so…" Hinata laughed, "well you certainly fooled all of us. I don't think there's ever been a girl who didn't think he was cute…even me, at one point." Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

"Oh? I never said he wasn't cute. He's just a jerk. I'd never chase after anyone who had looks but no personality. I don't see what they see in him…I guess," she shrugged.

Hinata smiled, "I guess you're right. But ever since I've known him, well we've never really sat down and talked before, but he keeps to himself most of the time."

"Hn. I could have guessed. Anyway…" she stood up, "I'm going to head home now. Mom wants me to do something…oh yeah! What do I owe you?"

"Nothing, this time. It's on me."

"You're the best!" Sakura hugged her blue topped friend, "and tell Ino I'll see her soon." She slung her purse over her shoulder and walked out the door, feeling somewhat better, knowing that she could now enter a restaurant without freezing up.

"Teddy goes up…and comes down. Up, then down. Up and down," Sakura was throwing her stuffed animal as she lay on her bed. Why was it now that she was always bored? It was summer for gosh sakes! She should be heading leisurely down to the beach in her new swimsuit, causing everyone to turn heads. Well, maybe the turning heads thing was a bit of an exaggeration, but still. Summer equaled beach or pool equaled free guys! It was simple logic!

Where'd she be now if she was back home? At the beach maybe? At a pool maybe? Spending countless hours with friends who had connections maybe? This topic was not a good stress reliever. 'Maybe I'll give Temari a call…I doubt she'll be home…'

And of course she wasn't. She knew her friend all too well for that. That girl didn't even spend five minutes at home every week. Always crashing at someone else's place, or over at her cousin's. It was a mystery what her parents thought. When Sakura called, her Dad had picked up, saying how she was over at a friend's and asked if he could relay a message. Of course, she knew that he would never actually remember, so she left it at that. Damn, and it was long-distance too…she'd get a talk from her parents later…

'Now what's left to do?' it was only four o'clock, and the sun was still high. She looked out the window for the fortieth time that day. She doubted her friends wanted to see her again for an hour then leave. 'What a waste of a good day…' she sighed, and her eyes rested on the overhanging branch. 'Hmm. I have the sudden urge to climb a tree. Like maybe, if by any chance I do happen to want to sneak out, I know I can use this!'

Sakura carefully stepped onto her windowsill, and leaned out of the window. Her hands gripped the bark. 'God, I hope gymnastics classes paid off, because if not, I'll become the world's first human pancake…' Taking in a deep breath, she swung onto the branch, and managed to pull herself up to safety. 'Yes, success! Now, to get down…'

Moving slowly, but swiftly, she found that the branches were fairly close together, and were easy to step down on…like a ladder. The last branch was about seven feet off the ground. 'Alright, here I…huh?'

A figure walked by her spot, not noticing she was there. Well, that was probably because she was still hidden among the leaves. 'Sasuke-kun?' her eyes followed him, and watch him stop at the front of her gate again. 'He must be off work now…and why does he always stand there? That's it!'

He waited there for a few more moments, then resumed his trail and kept on walking. When she couldn't see him anymore from her location, she swung down and looked ahead. Indeed he was still there, hands jammed in his pockets, taking a slow pace. She followed from a distance. So far he hadn't noticed, and she prayed it stayed like that. 'Why does this feel wrong?' she asked her inner self, who simply shrugged in reply.

The Uchiha boy turned a corner, and once again disappeared from Sakura's view. If she ran up to catch up now, he'd notice her and then the whole 'mission' would be a total failure. Then again, if she continued like this, he may turn yet another corner, or house depending on what was down there, and she'd loose him too. So she did half of both.

She picked up her pace, and a minute later came upon the same corner. Except there was no one in front of her. Just a small stretch of forest, then some flats in the distance. 'What…?' she ran a little bit down the emptied street and then stopped just as fast.

"Looking for someone?" asked an all too familiar voice.

Sakura froze. He was behind her…but how? She did a 180 and stared at the man she had been following. "How…but…" her words were getting lost again.

"It's not good to follow people you know. They might think you're a stalker and call the cops," he informed. His eyes seemed to rend the other immobile.

"Y-you're one to talk! I don't know how many times you stop by my place and just stare! It's freaky! All I want to know is why!" and the other said nothing. Well then, if he wouldn't talk, she'd force him too. It was a pretty lame plan actually, but it had only been formulated in literally two seconds. "Fine!" and in seconds had made her way behind him.

She didn't exactly notice how much their height difference was until she was right next to him. She reached up and hooked her elbow around his neck, trying to cut off some of his air supply. Not all, she didn't want to get charged for murder. "I swear, talk!" she hissed.

However, she didn't expect what would happen next. He took one hand, and pried himself loose, with almost no effort at all. Oh, crap. This would not turn out well. And she was already shaken up over his sudden appearance, but now, she also had to face a glare. But this one was different from the other ones she'd received. This one made the others look like smiles. Yes, it was indeed a deadly glare. He looked ready enough to kill. She prayed he didn't have a knife with him.

He took a step towards her, and she, one back. They followed the same suit until Sakura felt her back touch a tree. Things were indeed looking bad. His right hand moved up slowly from his side. She drew in a sharp breath, and it was a good thing too. She could feel his hand tighten around her neck, cutting off her air. Her nails latched onto his arm, but to no effect.

"Is that all you can ask me? Why? If I said I don't want to tell you, I won't. I want this clear to you that this time I'm serious," his grip tightened, "get out of my sight. Next time, I will kill you." Sasuke released her neck and watch her fall to her knees, inhaling large quantities of oxygen at once. Not bothering to stay any longer, he continued his route, and stuffed his hands once again in his pockets, ignoring the stinging feeling where Sakura had dug in her nails, which had caused the newly healed skin under the bandages to open up again. "Che."

Sakura, on the other hand, still sat on the ground, to stunned and scared to move. Her hands shook, as she placed them around the place that was once held. 'He…he was serious. He looked like he was going to murder me right then and there…' Salt pricked at the back of her eyes. 'I knew he was a jerk, but he didn't have to be so…"

"Get out of my sight. Next time, I will kill you."

Next, her soiled hands moved to her face, not caring if she got all muddy. Her shoulders began to shake, and her cheeks become wet. "You didn't have to be so cruel about it!" she screamed to no one. Because that's who cared, no one. "I'm such a loser." She didn't even know the guy that well, but every single one of his words hurt. She hated herself right now. She hated him, she hated everyone.

Then it dawned on her. Uchiha Sasuke was the only male to ever make her cry.

AN: Yes…well, I didn't exactly know what to write. Good gosh, I made everyone OOC! -goes into corner and pouts and sighs- oh well…it doesn't seem like I'm leading up to anything at this point, does it? Yea, about the ending there…I wasn't too sure what to do, and this idea kind of popped into my head. Not the greatest, I know, but it gives me something to work with temporarily. And another thing, sorry for the long update! I was so swamped with work I just couldn't write a word! I guess that's what happens near the end of the year. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys made my day! So until next time!