Hey guys! So sorry for the late update.

Here's another chapter for you!


Chapter 5

If You Could Read My Mind

It's Friday! The last bell rang and the students were all out of their classrooms and in a hurry to go home. It's the beginning of weekend and in other words, away from school even for a short time. Today is also a very special day, not only for a certain dark haired boy but also to a pink haired girl.

Sakura was walking with her friends, all of them. Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, Sai, Lee, Hinata, Tenten and Neji along with Sasuke and Karin. They were all heading to the Uchiha house. Well, first, they were heading to the parking area because the rides were there.

"I'm so hungry! I want to eat already!" exclaimed Naruto.

"Dobe," Sasuke said and everybody laughed.

"Don't worry, Sasuke – Naruto put his arms around Sasuke's shoulder – all the food you have prepared will never be wasted," he smiled and Sasuke just glared at him then sighed.


They were all at the Uchiha abode in no time. Mrs. Uchiha welcomed all of them and she led them to the backyard where the party was to be held. It was not really a party, party, but more like a small celebration, like a banquet. Just with Sasuke's friends and relatives. All was there, even their fathers. They went home early from work. Well, they can go home early because Sasuke's father owns the company and Sakura's father was the vice president.

When they arrived, Sasuke was pulled by her mother in the front where the mini-stage was put up. She said something and greeted Sasuke a happy birthday and they all sang happy birthday to him. Then he wished before blowing the 18 candles on the cake.

They were now eating and Sakura was eating along with her friends. They were at the table on the left side. Sasuke was not with them because he was with his cousins. Karin was with them.

"Slow down, Naruto," advised Hinata to Naruto who shoved a forkful of spaghetti in his mouth.

"w-hmh-hp-pp...swallow..okay, okay," wiping his mouth with a table napkin.

"Here, let me." Hinata wiped Naruto's right cheek that got spaghetti sauce on it with a table napkin.

"T-thanks, Hinata." He blushed.

Hinata, realizing what she did, blushed as well, then looked away and said, "You're Welcome," in a low voice. They didn't even notice that everyone in the table went quiet and stared at them.

*Cough*

"Okay guys, let's finish eating then find Sasuke to give him our gifts. Then let's say goodbye and go home. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow," Sai said in the middle of the silence. Then everybody acted as if nothing happened.


"Here, this is for you." Karin handed her gift to Sasuke. "It's a tomato-shaped pillow. Sorry, it's not much and it's the only thing that I could think of," she said, smiling.

"This is the best gift I ever received. Thank you, Rin," he smiled at her while hugging the pillow.

"Hey! What gives? You mean you don't like my gift, Sasuke? Really, some friend you are!" protested Naruto. Everybody laughed.

Sasuke smirked. "Yeah, thanks, dobe. For giving me a towel designed with frogs."

Naruto grinned, "You'll going to need that someday." His brows arching up and down.

Everybody gave their gifts to Sasuke, except for Sakura. She decided to give it to him later. When asked about her gift, she lied. Said she forgot since she was busy helping with the preparations.


Naruto, Hinata, Tenten, Neji, Sai, Ino, and Shikamaru all said goodbye and went home early.

"Don't forget about tomorrow, guys!" reminded Naruto.

All that was left were Sasuke, Karin, Lee and her. She's currently at the swing, again.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be over there with Sasuke?" asked someone. Then she saw it was Lee, who sat at the other swing, holding a drink.

"I should be the one asking you that," she smirked. "Why are you still here?"

"I don't have anything to do, and I'm bored," he answered while smiling at her.

"Oh. Then what about for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's going to be fine. We'll be there as early as 2:00 because we have to prepare for everything. And you, you're going there with Sasuke at around four because that's your task. You will make us a great favor if you come later so that we can have everything in its perfect places." He grinned. "You didn't answer my question yet. What are you doing here?" he pressed.

"I'm just here to relax. I don't want to be over there because Sasuke is there with Karin and his relatives. I'm fine here," she faked a smile.

"Okay, whatever you say," Lee said while looking at the ground.

There was a long silence between Lee and Sakura.

"Well, I guess I should be going home now." He got up and smiled. "Bye, Sakura. I'm just going to say goodbye to Sasuke and greet him one last time. See you tomorrow."

She just smiled at Lee and looked at the direction where he was going.

He said goodbye to Sasuke and everyone, then he made his exit.


Sakura was busy looking at something in her hands when she saw someone approaching her. She immediately hid the thing she was holding.

It was her gift to Sasuke.

"Hey Saku, did you have fun tonight?" It was Sasuke.

"Yeah. I'm so full." she lied. She only ate a little bit as she had no appetite considering the moments she witnessed between Karin and Sasuke throughout the celebration.

He sat at the other swing.

"Almost everyone is gone now, well, except for some of my uncles who stayed because they are drinking with Dad, Uncle Kizashi and Nii-san, and some of my aunts who are with my mother and yours, talking about things I don't know," he began. "I already brought Rin and Aunt Yumiko home. So, what should we do now?" he continued.

"I don't know. Stay here, I guess," she answered softly.

"Was that really true? That you forgot to give me a gift?" he asked, a little disappointed.

She looked at him, then smiled. "Of course not! I'm just ashamed to show you my gift because it was not that special or beautiful."

"What are you talking about? Come on, give it to me. Saku, you're my best friend for like, forever and everything you give to me is special. Come on, give it now."

Sakura hesitated to show it to him but she did anyway.

"Here. It's just a guitar pick." She showed him a blue guitar pick with the Uchiha fan in the middle of it.

"It's beautiful, Saku! Thanks!" Sasuke got up, pulled her, then hugged her.

"Uh, sure. I know you love to play the guitar, so I bought you that and have the Uchiha fan printed on it so that everybody can know that it belongs to you." Sakura said as he released her from the hug.

"I will treasure this forever!" he exclaimed. She smiled.

Thanks Sasuke. It's nice to hear you say that.

"So, are you ready for tomorrow?" she asked, changing the subject.

Sasuke simply replied 'Yes'.


Sorry if it's a short one. :D

DarkShadowSakura - you'll know what it means in the next chapter. :) Rin is Sasuke's term of endearment for Karin. So sorry if you confused it with Kakashi's teammate :D

Tiger Priestess - hehe :) just tune in for the later chapters. Don't worry.. Sasuke will notice Sakura... soon.. and by sooner, I mean later.. and by later.. I mean later, later... hehe :D *evil grin*

Again, thanks for those who took interest in reading my story..

And again, sorry for the late update...