Chapter 4 – How Is This Going To Work?

She kept sending him discreet glances.

It had been two months since that night. Sasuke did what he could to avoid Haruno Sakura, but given that they got the same bus and had most of the same classes, it was kind of difficult to do. There wasn't only that, however. Since her parents were always out, always leaving her alone, she had taken to coming over to his place more and more often. Not always to see him, as most of the time, Sakura would be content with simply sitting in Itachi's presence. However, the other times…

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke tried his best to stay calm.

His anger had subsided quite a bit over the past two months. Why? Because Sakura seemed to have realised she was pushing too hard. She no longer talked about other guys while with him and she didn't openly flirt either.

But why?

Why did she keep telling him that 'it' would happen eventually? What even was 'it'? A relationship? Having sex? Sasuke wasn't even sure if he wanted a relationship with Sakura and considering her past with Naruto, he knew it wouldn't be simple, either. If anything happened between them, it could cause problems with their friendship.

Sure, part of Sasuke wanted to find out what 'it' was, but he refused to lose a friend because of a relationship.

Just taking a look at Naruto recently made it ridiculously obvious that he was not yet over Sakura. He was like an abandoned puppy with the way he kept staring after her, with the way he was trying to get her attention and keep it. Nothing was working though and even Sasuke could feel himself growing frustrated for Naruto!

Sakura was lonely. That was why she had slept with Naruto. As for the blond, he slept with her because he loved her. Usually, when things such as that happened, it was always the other way around – well, the girls would be the ones in love and the guys would be the ones who used the other person.

No, Sasuke was not saying that Sakura used Naruto for sex, but the more he thought about it, the more he believed it could be a slight possibility. If Naruto hadn't been there that night, it probably never would've happened, right? Say it was himself in Naruto's place or (even though the mere thought disgusted him) Itachi! Would she have made a move on them?

Considering Itachi saw Sakura as his younger sister, he would have obviously rejected her – or so Sasuke hoped he would, more than anything. Had it been himself, though…

He was fifteen, for goodness sake! Of course he was curious.

People made sex seem so great, like it was something everybody should be doing or being a part of. Everywhere Sasuke looked, sex was somehow there. Movies, television shows, music, billboards, posters, books or even just taking a walk in the park! Was it really that good?

He wanted to find out. There was no use in denying it, but… With Sakura? Could he really do that? Being with Sakura in such a way would… It would no doubt bring them impossibly closer. Was that okay? Did Sasuke want that?

They were close anyway. They'd grown up together! And, if Sasuke really thought about it, then he knew that Sakura had actually known Itachi longer than he had, too. She'd known his parents longer than he had. She–

What the hell was he even thinking?

Barely repressing a sigh, Sasuke glanced over in Sakura's direction, watching as she continued to keep her head in her arms on the desk.

It was Monday morning, so Sasuke could understand why she was in a bad mood and possibly still exhausted, but it was so unlike Sakura to be rude like that. Previously in lessons she would be sitting up straight, eager to learn whatever the teachers had to teach. She was always first to put her hand up. She was a bright girl, one who obviously had a bright future ahead of her.

Why was she acting like this?

There wasn't only that, either.

"Sakura, please sit up."

His eyes narrowed.

"Go away."

Everybody turned to face her, even the guy who was sat by her side. He never usually sat with anyone and always chose to keep to himself. Sabaku Gaara, Sasuke believed his name to be. Well, if the rumours about him were true, then that was his name. However, because there was a seating plan this year, he'd had no choice but to sit next to her. He felt sorry for Gaara, in a way. Lately Sakura always seemed to be in a bad mood. Even he didn't want to sit next to her.

"Sakura–"

She groaned into her desk and turned her head to the side. "Your voice is so irritating."

And much to his surprise, the guy by her side scoffed, looking down at her in disgust. "You're hungover."

People began murmuring amongst one another and Sasuke sat up straighter when Sakura did, narrowing his eyes on her. What was going on? Was Sakura really hungover? When the hell did she start drinking? Was it with Ino? He'd always known the blonde was a bad influence on her and–

"It's none of your damn business."

Wait… She wasn't seriously mouthing off to Sabaku Gaara, was she? Hadn't she heard the fucking rumours about that guy? He was supposed to be a psychopath!

He merely settled her with the same disgusted look. "It's my business when you sit next to me reeking of a brothel. It's sickening."

Sakura was suddenly on her feet, with Gaara only a second behind her when she lifted her clenching fist.

"Say that one more fucking time, you loser!" she snarled, utterly stunning the class – Sasuke included. His heart actually palpitated with fear for her. "You're nothing but a nobody, so don't look down your fucking nose at me!"

Sasuke was the next to stand up, realising that the teacher was quickly losing control of the situation and before Sabaku could even think of a retort, before he could react to the threat, he was moving forward and grabbing Sakura's raised fist, lowering it and yanking her closer to him.

"Stop making a fool of yourself, Sakura." His voice was low and harsh. It was serious. "I don't know what the hell is up with you lately, but sort yourself out."

Something flashed in her eyes. Something dark and negative and it sent shivers of unease up Sasuke's spine. "Let go of me."

He did, but not before standing between her and Sabaku. The look in Gaara's eyes… It put him on edge. It looked like he wanted to hurt Sakura. "Don't let unimportant comments like that bother you and don't sink to his level." Sasuke muttered. "You're better than that."

She nodded, swallowing hard and then looking to the teacher. "Sensei, I'm sorry for–"

"Please leave my classroom, Sakura." The teacher was shook up, not meeting Sakura's eye.

And Sasuke could feel Sakura's disbelief, for even he couldn't help but stare at the teacher in shock.

"But what about my–"

She shook her head. "Please leave."

So, having no other choice, Sakura wordlessly grabbed her belongings, frowning to herself the entire time and looking as though she was about to burst into tears at any moment. By her side, Sabaku Gaara sat back down, his knee bouncing with what was most likely restless anger.

It was without thinking that Sasuke did the same, shoving his things into his backpack and following Sakura out of the class, ignoring the teacher when she called after him.

Something was up with her. Something couldn't be right. For Sakura to snap like that not only at a fellow classmate, but also a teacher…

Once they were in the empty corridor, he tugged on her hand, pulling her to a stop.

"Sasuke–kun, I–"

And then he surprised her by yanking her against him, embracing her.

Sakura had hugged him many times before, but he'd never returned them. What made him reach out to her? What made him want to hold her? To comfort her? Sasuke had no idea. However, he could remember his mother holding him whenever he needed comforting and at that moment, it was so clear that Sakura needed comforting.

She did. In his arms, she shook, releasing silent tears and holding Sasuke just as tightly. "I'm s–so sorry!" Sakura gasped into his chest. "I don't why I… I don't…"

Damn it. He was useless at comforting others. "Don't worry about it."

There was no reply.

Was that the right thing to say? Should he try and get her to talk about it? But what if he did and he found there was nothing he could do to help? Wasn't it better to be blissfully ignorant than to realise he was completely useless?

"…I guess you're r–right."

Now what? Did he let go of her? It seemed impossible to do so considering the fact that Sakura was clinging to him tightly. So what? Did he continue to hold her? To let her hold him? But what if someone saw them, or worse, Naruto saw them? His leaving class with her was already suspicious. News would travel fast and it was only a matter of time before the blond heard about it.

Awkwardly, Sasuke lowered his arms and tried to step back, only to have Sakura grip a tighter hold of him, shuddering softly.

"Don't let go yet." she whispered. "Please."

The sound of her voice made him feel sick with himself. How the hell could he tell her not to worry about it? How the hell could he even begin to think that they could forget what had just happened? Something serious was up with Haruno Sakura and it terrified him.

In their group of friends, Sakura was the strong one. She was the one who was always smiling and happy. She was the one who was there, without hesitation, to support her friends or stand up for them. If something was wrong with Sakura, what would happen to them all? What would happen to him?

She was the one who helped him after losing his parents. She was the most patient one of all his friends. And lately, not including Shisui and Itachi, Sakura was the only one he'd been able to open up to or lower his guards around. Nothing could happen to her. If it did, then that meant there was no stability. There was no safety net to catch him if he stumbled or fell.

But how did Sasuke go about fixing what was wrong with her? Like he'd just proved, he was useless at comforting others and the thought of such an emotional conversation, with Sakura especially, put him on edge.

Unless…

Despite her struggle, Sasuke managed to pull away, though snatched her hand just as she was about to grab him. Without a word he dragged her out of the school building, out of the school grounds and onto the street. Consequences be damned.

Half an hour later and they were on the bus, almost home. She was anxious, Sasuke could tell that a mile away but he still refused to say anything. What he was doing was going to cause a lot of trouble, mostly for himself, but for her…

He'd do it.

"Sasuke…"

He continued to stare ahead.

"Please tell me where we're going."

Silence.

"Damn it, Sasuke!" Finally, Sasuke looked at her, though not willingly. Sakura had grabbed his face and harshly turned it in her direction, allowing her to settle a disapproving, angry glare on him. "Tell me where the hell we're going and why!"

There was that anger again. The anger that excited him and briefly, a thought of abandoning his current plan flitted through his mind. Itachi wouldn't be home and it would be so easy to coax her up into his bedroom, to finally allow 'it' to happen. They were already skipping school (something he had never done before) and they were already halfway home.

His jaw clenched.

No.

That wasn't what he wanted to do. Having sex with Sakura wasn't going to be like that. It wasn't going to happen at all.

"Sasuke!"

"Shut up!" he spat through clenched teeth, effectively shutting her up.

Now, what had he been planning, again? Oh yeah, to take her somewhere where she would be able to get a hold of herself.

And once they arrived at his home, as he opened a certain door, he could feel Sakura's disbelief.

"We can't–"

"What Itachi doesn't know won't hurt him."

It was the truth. Sasuke had every intention of being home before Itachi returned, which wasn't until around five in the afternoon. Given the fact that it had only just turned eleven, they had plenty of time!

"Sasuke…" Sakura was frowning at him, gesturing to the object before them tiredly. "You know how Itachi feels about this. If he ever found out… Could you imagine how much it would upset him?"

This time, he was the one who frowned. Was Sakura rejecting his offer? Was she rejecting him? He was trying to help her, to make her feel better just as she had for him. "But you're upset now."

Something softened in her eyes, something that Sasuke couldn't explain. "Am I really worth upsetting your brother?"

His eyes lowered to the ground and his eyebrows knitted together.

Was she worth going against Itachi's orders?

Just as Sakura took his silence as a negative response, Sasuke caught her wrist. "Get in the car, Sakura."

Because yes.

Yes, she was worth it.

It was cold, but it didn't bother them all that much due to the heavy jackets and the fleecy blanket Sasuke had brought along.

Unfortunately, that meant having to lay quite close to Sakura on the hood of his car and it seemed she was taking full advantage of it.

How long had it been since they were last here? Since Sakura was the one comforting him? It had been on the anniversary of his parents' death. The idea of bringing Sakura here, where he could comfort her this time, had flashed through his mind the second he saw her tears.

"Thank you, Sasuke." murmured Sakura quietly as she once more snuggled up to his side.

Was she purposely ignoring the tension in his body? Was she purposely ignoring the fact that Sasuke was trying to put distance between them? Couldn't Sakura feel that strange tension between them? Or was she the reason behind it? Whatever the answers were to those questions…

Sasuke swallowed hard, trying to ignore the burning feeling in his gut, trying to ignore how soft she felt pressing against him like she currently was. Like before, they were laying on the hood of his car, but this time, they were sharing a fleecy blanket, one that caused them to lay closer together since they both wanted to stay warm. Sasuke hadn't thought that part through.

Damn it…

"You need to loosen up if you want to warm up." Sakura told him, resting her head on his shoulder.

His breath caught in his throat when he felt hers against his neck. The sensation… It made him shiver ever so slightly. Why was his neck suddenly so sensitive? Why–

And then Sakura was leaning up on one elbow, smiling down at him teasingly. "Do you need help relaxing, Sasuke–kun?"

Oh, shit…

Sasuke tried to fight it, tried to ignore it. A second later, however, and his eyes were feeling heavy and looking to her lips, watching intensely as Sakura's tongue slipped out and wet them.

What was she doing to him?

It was that look again. The one that screamed at him how much she wanted him and fuck…

He could no longer lie to himself about wanting her, too. Just a simple gesture, just something as simple as laying together…

It eroded his self control.

As always, Sakura made him feel like there was nothing chaining him down. She made him feel free. There was no anger. No grief. No pain or sorrow.

There was just them.

And when she leaned down ever so slightly, stopping just an inch away from his lips and waiting for his reaction, Sasuke watched as her eyes looked between his and his lips.

He closed the distance, shutting his eyes at the feeling of her lips on his.

The kiss was nothing like how he expected. In his mind, for so long now, Sasuke had been expecting the kiss to be hungry and demanding. He'd been fantasizing about them ripping each other's clothes off and getting straight to it. But this… It was gentle. Sweet, even. And the longer the kiss went on, the more relaxed he started to feel, allowing Sakura to melt into his side when she could feel he was no longer tense.

But…

When they parted for air, Sasuke's eyes remained closed and he pressed his forehead to hers.

"Sasuke–"

"How is this going to work?" he questioned softly. "Naruto… He's still in love with you, Sakura. He's still hurting because of what happened."

At times, Sasuke knew he could be the most selfish person to ever exist. And at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to have Sakura all to himself. No more Naruto pining after her like a dog in heat or a puppy who was lost. No more Ino poisoning Sakura's mind, talking her into going out and getting drunk at strange parties. No more Itachi being the one to comfort her and look after her.

His.

He wanted Sakura to be only his.

But… That wasn't going to happen and Sasuke knew that.

They couldn't hurt Naruto. He was their friend. Aside from his family and Sakura, he was the only person Sasuke felt close to and he didn't want to destroy that friendship because of lust.

When he finally opened his eyes, he saw that Sakura was smiling at him. It was quite a sad smile, he realised after a few moments, but he couldn't understand why.

"We… can keep it a secret, if that makes you feel more comfortable."

A secret. Something that only the two of them knew about. It would be theirs and nobody else's. She would be his.

Sasuke nodded in agreement without another thought.

A/N - Okay, so I hope you all catch onto what's happening and can read between the lines or whatever the expression is! Do you think Sasuke's reading Sakura correctly? Or do you think he's thinking only of himself? HMMMM...

Oh, as for the review about them only being fifteen... I completely agree. However, in our generation, apparently it's completely normal for it to happen. Just the other week, I heard about a thirteen year old girl getting pregnant and before then, an eleven year old having sex. It's disgusting! They probably have no idea what they're doing and are only doing it because of the things they've seen. Either their parents going at it, or something on the television... Everything nowadays has something to do with sex. Even perfume adverts!

Oooh Gaara made an appearance ;-) Does it explain why he disliked her so much in the beginning of They Never Knew? Hahaha!

I hope you're all having a great day!