N.O-S.A.N.C.T.A.U.R.Y: Hey guys! Thank you for reading and reviewing, I appreciate it much!

Sasuke's going through a lot of emotions, so I hope to capture that well…And there will be a slight love triangle, but the pairing is definitely Sasuke/Ino! The end of this story is coming up very shortly!

Well enough rambling, time to get on with the next chapter! Hope you guys enjoy it!

I'd like to once again thank my great beta-reader –Kristine x3-

Chapter 12: Can't Fight It…

Sasuke lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, a hand draped over his forehead. He held his hand up and stared at it. It had a few cuts on it from his previous training session. He was training long and hard the previous night. He was still bent on getting strength, enough to defeat Itachi. But, he was also training because he was angry. He was angry and confused. Silently, he though back on the previous night.

Sasuke smirked in response. "You're such an idiot. I'm leaving." He said to Naruto. As he turned to walk away, Sakura's hand fell upon his shoulder.

"Sasuke-kun, get some rest…please." She said, almost pleadingly.

Sasuke stared at her, a blank expression on his face, but he nodded. He then began to walk away, Sakura's hand dropping from his shoulder as she watched him walk away.

He didn't understand why she cared so much about him. Of course he knew that she had a crush on him, but he didn't take it that seriously. He figured she was just a fangirl like the other girls who have claimed to, "Love him." But it turned out; she wasn't like them at all.

…And then when he bumped into her...

Suddenly he bumped into someone. The first thing he saw was rich blue eyes and he immediately knew who it was. The kunoichi gave a small yelp, and he caught her arm before she fell. He pulled her towards him so she regained her balance, her long hair following her movements. He looked down and noticed that she was leaning against his chest. Ino was breathing heavily in surprise. He watched as she lifted her head up to look at him, her cheeks stained red.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun." Ino said embarrassingly.

Then there was complete silence. He was staring down at her face, and she was staring at him, her eyebrow slightly raised in confusion and curiosity. His hand was still holding her arm, seemingly forgotten. They stayed like that for a few moments; before he saw her blue eyes flicker. Blue eyes…just like the sky, an endless wonder…

He finally realized what was happening and let go of her, stepping back.

He felt his heart starting to race again. Truthfully, he didn't know what he would've done if he stayed there. That's what bothered him the most. He was ashamed of himself for staying like that, staring at her. Everything they had been through had flooded his mind. It seemed like there was no one but him and Ino…

He scowled and sat up, running a hand through his raven hair…

He wondered why it started happening now out of all times. He told himself he wouldn't get involved with petty drama with girls and such….But this feeling…

He shook his head and got up, preparing to meet Team 7 at their training grounds…
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Sasuke started to walk to Team 7's training grounds nonchalantly. He could see some girls staring at him, going googly-eyed and giggling. He just rolled his eyes and ignored it like he usually did. He then saw Sakura, looking at the sky, a faraway look in her eyes. She then turned around and saw him, a big smile appearing on her face.

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura walked up to him. "Are you feeling better?"

Sasuke pondered on how he should answer. Did he really feel better…? Well after he trained last night, he couldn't sleep…again. His hands were aching from his training, and his stomach was feeling empty, but he wasn't hungry. So did he actually feel better?

"Yeah," he lied, deciding not to worry her with his troubles.

Her face brightened. "That's great! I was really worried about you Sasuke-kun…" Sakura said, and put her hand on his shoulder. The same thing she did before…He looked away from her and walked over to a tree, leaning against it with his eyes closed.

Sakura watched him and sighed. Well, at least he's feeling better…She thought and smiled.

"Sakura-chan! Sasuke-teme!" Naruto ran up to the training grounds and smiled brightly.

"Don't call him that!" Sakura said, and hit Naruto on his head.

"Oww!" Naruto pouted and rubbed his head.

Just then Kakashi appeared.

"You're late Kakashi-Sensei!" Sakura and Naruto yelled in unison.

Kakashi grinned from underneath his mask. "Well let's begin. We will be practicing chakra control today," He said. "We all know that Naruto is horrible when it comes to chakra control, so today we will practice just that." He said.

Naruto glared at Kakashi's comment.

Soon, they were near a river. "We will practice walking on water…an excellent practice for chakra control…"

"Wow that's so cool Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto said and grinned. "This is going to be awesome!"

Soon they began practicing, Naruto, falling multiple times into the river. Sasuke and Sakura on the other hand, had no trouble staying on the surface of the water.

When training was over, Naruto was soaked to the bone.

"Damn it, I'm cold! And hungry too!" Naruto whined, shivering. "Let's go to the ramen bar!" He said.

"I'm kind of hungry too, doesn't sound like a bad idea," Sakura said and turned to Sasuke. "Will you go with us Sasuke?"

"Fine." He said simply. He was starting to get hungry anyway and might as well go.

So they went to the ramen bar, and soon began eating.

"You have great chakra control Sasuke." Sakura said and smiled.

Sasuke looked at her. "I didn't think it was that great…if you say so." He said nonchalantly and shrugged.

"What about me Sakura-chan!" Naruto asked.

"…Uhm, you need work."

Naruto sweatdropped.

Sasuke shook his head and chuckled a bit. As he continued eating, he heard familiar voices.

"Did you notice that Ino seemed distracted again, if we were on a mission, we could've been in danger." He heard Shikamaru say.

"Yeah you're right," Chouji said, stuffing his face with chips once again.

"What is going on in that head of hers?" Shikamaru closed his eyes in frustration. "Girls are so troublesome…"

After they had walked past the ramen bar, suddenly Sasuke wasn't so hungry anymore. His heart was once again, beating extremely fast. He stood up.

"I'm full; I'm going to head home." He said and began walking away, sticking his hands in his pockets.

Sakura watched him walk away and stood up. "I'll be right back Naruto." She said and walked after Sasuke.
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Sasuke continued to head home, walking through the park. Just from hearing her name, his heart had started racing. He suddenly had a huge headache. He growled angrily. What is she doing to me…?

"Sasuke-kun!"

He turned around and saw the pink-haired kunoichi, her hand fisted near her chest worriedly. "Sasuke-kun, are you alright? You've been acting strange lately…" Sakura said and stepped in front of him.

"I'm fine." He said and ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"No you aren't…You haven't gotten any sleep, you look exhausted." She said and frowned. She then hugged him.

Sasuke was very confused now. But he didn't stop her from hugging him. Why? He didn't know. After a few moments, Sakura's face seemed to get closer to his. Her eyes were starting to close…Was she going to kiss him? It all went in slow motion. Her face was getting closer to his…

His eyes widened a bit, after realizing what was happening. He gently pushed her away from him. It didn't feel right at all.

"Sasuke…I…"

Soon she stopped her sentence and turned her head, and Sasuke followed her movement. Ino stood, a few feet away from them, staring at them with surprise. Her eyes flickered with tears, and they gathered at the corner of her eyes. She then clutched the flowers in her hand tightly, and bent her head down. She turned and ran the opposite way.

They both just stood there in the same spot for a while…

TbC...

N.O.-S.A.N.C.T.U.A.R.Y: Wow what a love triangle…hehehe. Please read and review to know what happens next! No flames, thanks!

-Kristine X3-: Ah, yes, the love triangle. I wonder what'll happen next…