Chapter 14

Extra: I do apologies if this chapter seems like the story is going faster but that is somewhat my aim. To get to the main points of the story and the progression to the end. There are time jumps; as the start of this chapter will show. Anyways enjoy it!

Kiba stared and stared some more until the one he was so focused on squirmed in their chair. A displeased expression grew upon his face as the other's green eyes started to avoid his direction. He leaned over suddenly and snapped his fingers in front of their face.

"Oh my god!" Sakura finally snapped. "What is your problem? You've been doing that for two freaking weeks!"

"Just checking is all."

"Checking for what exactly?"

"If you're coherent."

The bemused look on Naruto's face shifted into a frown. Naruto sat himself upright as he leveled a disapproving look at his best friend. "Lay off a bit would you?"

"Whatever." Brown eyes slid off Sakura and onto the other. "She's been using since that party back in October and we never knew. Who's to say she actually stopped just because she promised she would." Naruto opened his mouth but Kiba shook his head sternly. "Think bout it. She's probably hooked on the stuff already and i really can't see her quitting cold-turkey after this long."

"Wow Kiba…" muttered Sakura after staring agape at the brunette before getting up and shoving her way out of the cafeteria.

Naruto watched her go as he knew from past experiences that he'd just be brushed off if he talked to her. So instead he focused his attention onto Kiba who sat back in his chair and took a deep sip of his soda. The guy looked less ticked now as if Sakura leaving took away some of the dog-lover's anger. He understood Kiba's concern but not how he saw fit to show it. "Wasn't that a bit harsh? Calling her pretty much a drug addict without proof."

"I do have proof." Stated Kiba. "Yuna wouldn't lie to me about what she saw."

"Yuna?"questioned the blonde.

"Yeah." Kiba stood up, Naruto rising from his own sea as well, and gathered up his trash. "Apparently Pinky's was snorting a lot since that party. Even during school hours. Yuna thought we already knew so that's why she didn't think to tell me or you."

"That can't be true. It's Sakura." Naruto said the name a tad slowly as if drawing out his point. "The girl who bites her fingernails in stress over getting a report card after acing all her tests. Same chick who refuses to go anywhere new without one of us getting dragged along. She's a freakin' doe, man."

"Yeah. A doe that gets her white spots via coke snorting. Just because she's been clear these past couple days doesn't change the fact she used behind our backs without a word." The brunette shook his head as he picked up his bag and walked with their best friend to the cafeteria doors. "Look Naruto, I get that you're crushing on her now but don't let those new fuzzy feeling keep you from realizing that people can change, man." He tossed his trash into the nearby bin; eyes returning on back onto his friend just in time to see their brows furrow and mouth open. "And don't deny the crush, buddy. You've gotta be blind not see the way you've been looking at her these past months."

Naruto just stared.

Kiba patted the blonde on the shoulder "Later though dude, Yuna wanted to meet up before the bell rang."

And Naruto was left there in the hallway just outside the cafeteria with a scowl on his face.

He did not have a thing for Sakura. Sure he noticed some physical changes but honestly what other teenage boy wouldn't? Besides Sai. Homos don't count. He released a deep sigh and brushed back his bangs. Fisting the yellow strands a bit as his eyes glanced to the hallway clock. He nearly growled at the time. The one time this week he didn't have to deal with a scruffy tutoring session during lunch and everyone dips early. "...Well fuck."

"What would your mother say?"

Naruto startled at the deep voice to his left. Kakashi stood there with his trademark smile, hands stuffed into the pocket of his grey suit vest, and this giddy air that made Naruto take a sidestep away. "...To what?"

"Sex with your teacher of course!" came the almost borderline cheery reply.

"Are you serious?"

"Well you're the one who propositioned me, blondie." the older male said with a disinterested scratch to their nose. "So you tell me hmm?"

"Don't you have freshmen to go scare?" Naruto replied giving his teacher an odd look.

"Are you insinuating that I should leave you alone?"

"Yes."

Kakashi was suddenly far too close. Naruto's steps stumbled as he jerked backward to keep the distance. The former grinned, all white teeth, and wolfish. "Why Naruto only if you were this bold when it came to answering questions in class." Nature said nothing to that gaining a dramatic sigh. "Haven't been having any tussles in classrooms lately with a certain little raven have you?"

"You know I've been staying clear of that bas-" Naruto quickly ended the line there at the man's sudden forward lean into his face. The blonde's brow twitched in annoyance. "And why do you make everything sound so wrong?"

"You're a teenage boy."

"Yeah, and?"

"You're equally as perverse."

Now it was Naruto's turn to sigh.

"Maa maa don't look so put out my duckling! Class is about to begin!"

"Argh! I just spent my last moments of freedom with a teacher!"

Kakashi's arm draped over the blonde's shoulders. "Let's get to class shall we?"

"God I hate-

The bell sounded.

After escaping whatever that was Sakura debated going to the nurse's office to play off being sick. She looked it enough. Her eyes reflected puffy back at her along with a flushed face. She looked a mess. A stupid dog made her cry. She scoffed. As if Kiba had any right to say what he did to her. She hadn't snorted any coke, well not since two weeks ago with Yuna and Natsu, but that wasn't the same as that. Thinking about the man made her lower her arms upon the sink counter; fingers cupping her nose. She owned him so much. Yuna had accidently given her four more pills a few days later from that meet up. Sakura had been waiting for the right time to give them back. There was no way she could afford to cover them. A thought came to her suddenly. Green eyes peered over her lowering fingers into the bathroom mirror. She could afford one though.

Just one.

What was not having lunch for another week?

She could always eat when she got home. Her stomach rumbled lightly as if to remind her of the fact it hadn't eaten a lunch during school hours or even meals when she hung out with the boys since meeting Natsu. Shaking her head dismissively Sakura tugged up her shoulder bag and fished out her purse. She took out the little container she kept the pills in and eyed them. The last time she took one was back then with Yuna and Natsu. She had felt so wonderful and just like a Lioness. Why continue to feel like this just because of stupid Kiba of all people? She was sick of being that wimpy kitten!

These pills weren't drugs anyways. Weren't even illegal. She was still keeping her promise! With her mind made up the pink haired girl turned on the faucet, cupped some water, and took down a pill. Sakura washed her face a bit, reapplied the eyeliner she had on, and nodded to herself upon fixing her hair a bit. "You're a lioness, the world is your yarn girl!" She blew a kiss to her reflection and promptly strolled out of the girl's bathroom already feeling better.

It was still lunch time. She walked the halls not wanting to return to the cafeteria. Naruto was most likely still there with that jerk but she knew he would defend her. She was his friend first after all no matter how close dog boy thought he was to their blonde friend. She came first and would always be first. They had that promise at the end of summer too. A smile spread over Sakura's lips as she recalled it and Naruto's reaction to it. He had thought she was kidding but he had kept to the promise. She giggled. Naruto did make a pretty good knight...but Sasuke made a better prince. Speaking of Sasuke, Sakura was quite sure she just heard his voice.

Slowing her steps she kept an ear out for where his voice was coming from. She pinpointed it to an ajar door she knew lead to the gym having been here for school assemblies. Sasuke she knew never came this way, he was on the soccer team after all- or at least aiming to join. So her curiosity was spiked further. She nudged the door open a bit more and peered into the overly spacious room. It was easy to spot Sasuke. Darting out again, she pulled out her compact mirror to check herself before tugging down the v of her red t-shirt and fluffed up her skirt a bit. Nodding to herself, she put the mirror away, and peered back into the room at Sasuke.

His back was to her as the school's P.E teacher Gai stood in front of him. The teacher's big hands were moving in motions her mind linked to the same hand movements she'd seen Naruto and Kiba do when they played one on one basketball as she painted her nails on the bleachers to pass time.

Is Sasuke going to join the basketball team? She wondered to herself silently as she watched the two. She smiled as she saw Sasuke's arms come up, flexing muscles from under the black t-shirt he had on, to copy Gai's moments then give a slow head nod. He'd look great in the uniform...I wonder if I should join the cheerleading team then?

She was broken away from her thoughts by Gai's hands suddenly clapping with enthusiasm followed by a cheer of Sasuke's agreement. She guessed he agreed to join the team after all. Seeing that the P.E teacher was giving his trademark goodbye; a thumb up with a big smile that could blind a person Sakura ducked away from the door. She quickly went through the door that lead into this hallway and pretended to walk into the area just as she heard Sasuke's footfalls draw closer. With the right timing, she nearly bumped into the handsome boy. Sadly Sasuke had better reflexes than she thought and managed to stop short just before they made contact. His dark eyes shifted to look down at her; gaze impassive and facial expression lacking. It was a bit disappointing to see. He always seemed to expression when Naruto was around. Why couldn't he be with her? She wasn't able to see another expression on his face at all. Not even a surprised one but then again Sasuke was mysterious like that.

Sakura repressed a light giggle.

Instead she blinked in mock surprise and stepped back. There, shows I'm not like the other girls who just want to touch you all the time. "Sorry, I didn't see you there!"

No answer.

In fact Sasuke started to move to walk around her. She couldn't have that. Sakura faked trying to walk around him too and when he moved to walk the other way she to pretended to have decided to do the same by accident; causing them to actually bump this time. Sakura ignored the annoyed look shot at her and just apologized.

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

She startled at hearing his voice. Geezes it sounded so nice up close. She quickly shook her head. "Of course not, I'm going to be late for class too." Sakura winced inwardly as she recalled where they were. There were no classrooms near this area as it was dubbed the sports level. Even Orochimaru's classroom was a level below this one. She really hoped Sasuke wouldn't notice.

"Right." cane the disinterested tone. "I'm going left."

"Oh okay."

They bumped again.

Black eyes narrowed down onto her. "You are doing this on purpose. What do you want?"

This was not going as she planned.

"I'm sorry I got your left mixed up with my right."

Sasuke said nothing to that. He merely motioned for the girl to step aside silently. This was just ridiculous. Walking by once the path was cleared the Uchiha heir picked up pace to put more space between them. It was a moot move though as the girl seemed to follow which Sasuke found odd since she had been walking in the other direction before. He wasn't going to comment tho; he didn't care long as she left him alone. It wasn't to be though as the girl spoke up again.

"So you're Sasuke, right?"

Did this girl think he was an idiot? She had crossed his path more than once already. He vaguely recalled her giving her name to him. Not that he cared to know it. He didn't deem her question a response. His steps making the only noise his person produced. The stairs were just at the end of this next hall. He was willing to go or up down depending on which set of stairs she picked.

Sakura watched the back of Sasuke's form. He really was good looking and not just in the face. She could see the outline of his body and it was fitting to his tall, dark, and handsome description if a little on the leaner side than board. Naruto was board. She scowled at the random thought. Ugh! Even when not here he was buttig into thingd with Sasuke! "Stupid Naruto…" she mumbled under her breath; pushing that thought away. She cleared her throat.

Then again when it seemed Sasuke didn't hear her.

"Umm..Sasuke-"

"I didn't give you permission to use my given name."

Sakura closed her mouth at that. Surprised. "Of course, of course! I'm sorry, didn't mean anything by it!" She laughed lightly; picking up speed a bit until she was beside the dark haired boy. "Would you let me buy you lunch tomorrow? To make up for my rudeness?"

Sasuke's head didn't even shift a fraction in her direction as he gave his reply. "No. I don't even know you nor am I inclined to."

Before she could say anything more the first warning bell rang. She could only watch as Sasuke's form steadily become harder to keep up with as more students appeared within the hallway as they had reached the stairwell area. She felt a sudden feeling creep over her. It seemed to be crawling from the back of her mind as Sasuke's tone and words reverberated within her head. She quickly shook her head to shake off the uncomfortable feeling. She was being silly. Of course Sasuke wouldn't of wanted to spend his lunch with someone he didn't know well enough yet. They had met before and interacted but she guessed it she was in his position he'd need a few of those before he knew she was a real friend. Sakura has seen how the girls in their school were when it came to Sasuke Uchiha. They had no shame.

"I'll just have to prove I'm not like them."

Of course that thought and the determination that arouse with it stayed with her til a little after the start of class. Then the crawling feeling became stronger. Overriding logical thought. Her fingers kept fiddling with her pen as her mind rolled in a growing turmoil. What if Sasuke already saw and dubbed her as just like those girls? She didn't actually have any money to her name to offer him for the lunch. Something she completely forgot. She would of looked so stupid if he had said yes. What if she already looked stupid to him? What was she doing? The uncomfortable feeling strengthened and seeped into her body making her unable to even pretend to be paying attention in class. Her heartbeat sped up. Her breaths came a bit quicker as her mind rushed over her whole interaction with the handsome boy. He had brushed her off like one of those girls. Only looked at her when he was forced to; when they collided. Sakura couldn't even recall the bump of their contact. She knew she had felt something though!

Why was she thinking like this?

Where was the Lioness?

Did it only work better if taken with coke?

She withheld the urge to slump over her desk. Her mind was just going. Maybe she had come off wrong? No, she was respectful. He was just too cautious. He didn't know yet that he could trust her. That she would be there till the end; to stay. Then why did when their eyes meet it felt like he was completely closed. She was nice to Sasuke, kept her space, spoke to him like he was anyone else she was meeting for the first time. Of course they had met before but she knew Naruto had stolen most of the attention in those times they crossed paths. Why couldn't Sasuke be a bit more open like Naruto? She wouldn't be sitting here feeling such a worrying doubt otherwise.

Sakura raised her hand suddenly. "Excuse me, may I visit the nurse's office? I'm really not feeling well at all."

"You do look rather unwell. Go, be sure to get the homework assignment from a fellow classmate." came the teacher's concerned reply.

Grabbing her bag she tried not to rush out of the room and down the hall. At least not until she was a few steps away from the classroom door. Sakura's shoes clicked lightly against the floor as she ran to the nearest bathroom. Her chest was stuttering, the area directly behind her eyes were stinging, and she couldn't quiet her thoughts. These thoughts that shouldn't be in her head. She flung the door open and tossed her bag onto the floor in a sudden fit. Why was she feeling all these negative things!? Natsu and Yuna both said the pills did the opposite of everything she was feeling right now. How could she face seeing Sasuke again like this? He'd think she was torn up over his rejection of her offer to lunch. Which was stupid because she understood where he was coming from when he gave his reply.

He didn't know her.

Not yet.

"He won't know me like this though!" Sakura whisper hissed to herself.

Her green eyes looked to the mirror. It looked like she was ready to cry. She looked like that pathetic kitten she didn't want to be anymore. The urge to call Naruto was on the cuffs of her mind. He'd know how to help her. He always was there and knew just how to make her feel better. Naruto was her knight. But no, she didn't want a knight. Not a stupid knight! She wanted Sasuke. Her prince. Sakura wiped away the unushered tears and promptly dropped down to get her bag. She took out the container of pills and took two more. The first without a pause and the second with a hesitation she cleared through with the reasoning of the first pill not having took effect at all. Bracing against the counter her breathing slowly calmed. She felt drained all of a sudden despite the tension still felt in her shoulders.

At least that discomfort feeling was retreating.

As was her focus.

Her lips pulled into a frown as her head started to feel like a wiggly worm. It was fuzzy and Sakura couldn't make out a sharper image of her reflection in the mirror. There was like a glow around her. Even the lights and silver metal of the pink stalls had a halo type glow. She could feel that tingle in her fingers like she did back with Yuna and Natsu. A smile touched her lips. It was here. The pill was finally doing what it did last time; guess it really took more than one. Sakura couldn't help the giggle that escaped her as she felt the sudden warming rush again.

She'd show Sasuke she was a lioness he'd want to know.

A/N:

R&R would be greatly appreciated to help me know if you guys are alright with how the story is going. The plot obviously won't change but the flow and clear up can be assisted or made better.

Chapter 15 in the works.