Hey again This is going to be a longer chapter with a slightly altered style of writing. I hope you're enjoying the series so far; it's an incredible amount of fun to write it so I hope I'm projecting this onto the story!

Chapter 3 – A Building of Sand Crumbles With a Gust of Wind

"7ish…7ish… What exactly does 7ish mean?", Inuzuka pondered, the anxiety getting the best of him. "Should I be there for 7? But what if she isn't ready then? Won't I be awkward?".

Inuzuka finally snapping out of an almost trance-like state gently slapped his cheeks and looked towards the clock. 7:16. It was time for him to go.

Dressed in his usual 'casual clothes' a pair of dark denim jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt he walked down the hall. The pounding in his ears clouding the sounds occurring around him, the lead that felt like it filled his trouser pockets and the constant fidgeting of his hair painted an image of anxiety to any passer-by.

Finally the short distance between the dorm rooms had been crossed, although in reality the distance only around a minute walk felt like an hour. The whole world seemed to be closed out from him as he could only focus on speaking to Hasuki. He had stepped up to door and knocked almost painfully loudly, as to avoid not being heard and walk in on her. Soon enough he heard a reassuring sound.

"Inuzuka? Come on in". Hasuki's voice reverberated through the thin door.

Taking his final breath to calm his nerves he gently squeezed on the cold metal handle, placing pressure down he felt the lock click and the door slowly crept open.

The sight that had met Inuzuka stunned him to total silence. Hasuki was dressed in a pair of black leggings which wrapped tightly around her womanly curves. A salmon pink tank top adorned her upper half with a shoal like black jacket hanging down on her inner elbows. Her caesious hair usually locked in a side-ponytail was left to hang freely across the nape of her neck, with a slight fringe covering her forehead. A strand of hair remained in front of her ear prompting Inuzuka to restrain himself from pushing it behind for her. Further accessories embellished her natural beauty with a small ruby stud earring located on her right ear lobe supported with a gentle inflection of light pink lipstick. Yet the most distinctive feature for Inuzuka was Hasuki's smile; from cheek to cheek her face was plastered with happiness anyone could see at a glance.

"He-Hey Hasuki", was the most Inuzuka could muster given the situation.

"Heya Bro", Hasuki promptly responded with. "Want some tea, its freshly boiled".

"S-Sure"

"Take a seat Bro, won't be a sec pouring these drinks". Hasuki motioned toward the bed.

Inuzuka quickly accepted the offer and sat down. Whilst waiting for Hasuki to pour the drinks he had caught himself staring at Hasuki. As she turned, she too had noticed the eyes fixated on her.

"Something wrong bro?".

Feeling unusually bold he simply replied with, "Nah just haven't seen you in casual clothes in a while".

A bashful streak appeared to befall Hasuki; as she turned back around to pick up the drinks Inuzuka felt like she saw her smile and her cheeks change to a gentle reddened tone.

Whilst still facing away from Inuzuka and slowly stirring the drinks Inuzuka was caught off-guard by the question, "Do you like them?".

As she brought the drinks over to Inuzuka and took a seat next to him he gathered all the confidence in him to reply with, "Yeah, they really suit you".

Looking at her their eyes met and soon enough his face felt hotter than the drink he held in his hands. Although lasting only for a moment it had felt like an eternity looking into his love's eyes. Hasuki finally broke the eye contact and whilst brushing the hair behind her ear and with a gentle smile on her face she placed the mug on a bedside table located next to her.

Suddenly the door behind Inuzuka had swung open and standing there was Maru panting, clearly out of breath. He too was in casual clothes although it seemed like he had thrown some clothes on in a panic.

"Good I'm not too late", Maru panted barely audible to himself, "Hasuki I need a word… please". The desperation was clear to see in his voice.

This desperation had put both Inuzuka and Hasuki on edge.

"O-Okay Maru, I'll be right back Inuzuka", Hasuki reassured Inuzuka before slowly standing and walking outside with Maru.

Inuzuka waited patiently slowly sipping on his tea. A second had turned into a minute and minute turned into 20 all the while Inuzuka could only hear the odd murmur from the duo.

'What's taking them so long? What could've he have wanted with her at this time?'

Thoughts like these rushed throughout Inuzuka's mind as he was forced to await for Hasuki's return. Eventually he could no longer handle the wait and went outside to see what was taking them so long.

Upon exiting Hasuki's room he was greeted by a sight he never thought he would have to accept. Maru, leaning against the wall between the dorm rooms, stood there with a slight smile on face; Hasuki had her arms draped around Maru's back her head planted on his chest facing away from Inuzuka.

After processing the image he saw in front of him he zoned out from reality almost. His eyes were stuck on what was in front of him… the one he loved embracing someone he suspected to have feelings for her.

'How…How could she do this to me? I-I love you Hasuki… WHY?!'

As he began turning around to run as far and as fast as he could away from this scene his eyes lingered only for a second to see Hasuki smile replaced with a look of terror and grief. Tears pooling in her eyes rapidly crept down her cheeks. As he reached the upcoming corner, he finally heard her say, "Bro its not what you think!".

'Like hell it isn't, you're draped all over him… You love him don't you! I-I don't care. I don't need you anyway! It was all just a joke'.

This train of thought was interrupted by a stinging sensation in his lower lip. On closer inspection he had been biting his lip, but why? He didn't really love her. Right? Right? Surely not?

As these questions filled his head, his legs had subconsciously taken him back to his dorm room.

'Who am I kidding with this tough guy act? I…I…I'

"I LOVE YOU HASUKI!". Unable to keep control over his emotions he shouted his feelings knowing the one person he should say it too could not hear him.

Collapsing onto his bed; Inuzuka for the first time since childhood wept. He would cry himself to sleep that night…

Thank you for reading for Chapter 3 of Inuzuka's First Love. I know it's a bit of a gut wrencher but I still hope you enjoyed and I hope you'll join me for Chapter 4!