Chapter 17

"Speaking in Japanese"

Thoughts

[Speaking in English]

Inner Sakura/Gaara etc

When they arrived at the restaurant Sakura couldn't help but feel horribly under dressed. It was at least a four star place. Although Sasuke was in a simple black long sleeve and dark jeans he still exuded an aura of confidence that made him fit right in. They sat at a table near the window, the light of the moon streaming down in the dimly lit restaurant. She scanned the menu, trying not to let her eyebrows shoot up when she looked at the prices. Sakura decided on a salad trying not to spend all her allowance in one place. Sasuke got tomato soup. Sakura cringed, she hated tomatoes. Once the waiter had taken their orders Sasuke decided he was polite enough and wanted to get down to business, what was going on between Gaara and Sakura.

"We never really got to know each other," he started "what made you decide to transfer to our school?" Sakura shrugged.

"It's only a few minutes away from my Uncle's place," she replied, hoping he wouldn't pry into why she was living with her uncle and not her parents.

She seems to be uncomfortable, steer clear of family topics. Sasuke's Inner coached him. To his relief Sakura steered the conversation away.

"I heard you're a black belt in several martial arts,"

Sasuke shrugged. "My parents value discipline, they thought it was a good way for me and my brother to learn. Also to keep us out of their hair." Sakura noted the slight bitter note in Sasuke's voice.

"You seem to have some training yourself," he noted looking into her emerald eyes. It was Sakura's turn to shrug.

"I don't have any siblings so my parents thought enrolling me a Taekwondo and kickboxing was a good way to make friends outside of school."

"You were holding back when we were sparring," he said, not exactly an accusation, more of a way to figure out why.

"I didn't want to hurt you," she replied plainly "Besides you were holding back too,"

"I didn't want to hurt you," Sasuke countered with a slight smirk. Sakura couldn't help but smile a bit.

This seemed to be one of the few times that she and Sasuke were getting along. Their food arrived and they ate in amicable silence. Sakura could feel her questions swirling in her mind about Sasuke's situation with Taka.

"I don't mean to pry," she began "but I just can't help but wonder why you're involved with Taka or the Akatsuki when it seems like you've had a good upbringing."

Sasuke paused, he wasn't expecting to divulge personal information, that was what he wanted her to do.

"I'll answer if you agree to answer my question," Sakura nodded and Sasuke suppressed the smug look that threatened to flash across his face.

"Alright, but you have to agree to be honest." She stared into his onyx eyes, trying to gauge whether he was playing with her or not. She had to be cautious, she had been letting her guard down way too much with Gaara and look where that had gotten her.

"I promise to be honest as long as you will," Sasuke relented getting tired of dancing around what he really wanted to know about the rosette.

"My brother left our family to join the Akatsuki, he was tired of following strict rules from our family and his dojo. He wants to become the best fighter in the city, but he hates the rigid rules of competitive martial arts as well as my father that pushed him into those competitions when we were younger. The Akatsuki lets him do what he wants while getting him some money from the work they do as hired muscle."

Sakura nodded, noticing that Sasuke's usual air of confidence was absent. He seemed honest, vulnerable even.

"When I was younger I looked up to my brother a lot, but after what he did, what he's become I want to be able to challenge and surpass him."

He leaned back in him chair and folded his arms across his chest, his usually cocky demeanour returning.

"So what about you?" He asked

"What about me?" Sakura countered "What do you want to know."

"What's up with you and Sabaku?" Sasuke asked. Sakura's lips tightened into a firm line. Part of her knew that he would ask, but another part of her hoped she was wrong.

"Nothing's up with us." She replied softly, suddenly finding the ice in her glass very interesting.

"You said you would be honest if I was," Sasuke wasn't buying what she was so poorly selling.

"I am being honest." Sakura ground out, he temper beginning to flare.

"Are you telling me what you believe, or what you want yourself to believe."

Sakura almost flinched at Sasuke's observation. She stayed silent. She couldn't answer that.

"He hurt you." It wasn't a question, Sasuke knew it was a fact.

Sakura wanted to deny it, to tell Sasuke that he was wrong about Gaara. But it wasn't the truth. He did hurt her.

"Look," Sasuke began, placing a hand over hers on the table "I'm not going to pressure you into telling me what happened, but I want you to know that if he bothers you, let me know. I want to help you Sakura."

The moment her eyes locked onto his, Sasuke knew he had her.

She nodded at him, "Thanks," Her phone vibrated, it was a text from Kakashi.

"I should get going," She said, motioning the waiter over for her bill.

"I got it," Sasuke said, handing his credit card to the waiter.

"No, it's okay I-" Sakura started

"It's fine." She sighed, knowing that Sasuke wasn't going to fight her over the check.

"I'll drop you off," He said standing up. Sakura nodded, following him out to his car.

The drive back to Kakashi's was mainly silent except for Sakura giving directions.

Sakura let out a small sigh when they pulled into the driveway.

Sasuke got out of the driver's seat and opened the passenger door for her.

"Thanks for dinner… and the ride home." She said, taking his outstretched hand to help her up.

"No problem." He replied. It wasn't a lie, he could afford the pay for dinner and the gas it took to drive her home. Hell, he could do this every night and not have to worry about his wallet.

So you want to take her out every night? His Inner taunted.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. Sakura couldn't help but feel like a bug at the end of a magnifying glass.

"Why are you looking at me like that." She bristled, trying to hide the blush on her face.

Sasuke merely smirked, She's cuter than I realized. He admitted to himself.

"Because you're cute,"

Sakura's eyes met his apprehensively. Sasuke was being nice, sweet even.

"Why are yo-" Before she could finish, Sasuke had leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.

She froze. What is happening?! Sasuke put one hand on the back of her neck and the other around her waist, pulling Sakura flush against him, deepening the kiss.

She felt her stomach do somersaults. At first it was from excitement, then she felt it. Guilt. Not too long ago she was in Gaara's arms and here she was with Sasuke.

This is wrong. She thought.

Sakura brought her hands up to Sasuke's chest and pushed him lightly. They broke apart much to his dissatisfaction. He saw the way her viridian eyes were clouded with worry, and regretted his impulsive actions.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and gentle. Sakura nodded.

"I don't- I can't-,"Sakura stumbled for the words. It's not that she wasn't attracted to him. He was handsome and fascinating, he could keep up with her in a fight but-

He wasn't Gaara.

"It's ok. I don't want to rush you into anything," He ran the back of his hand over her cheek, brushing some of her bubble gum locks away from her face.

"I'll see you around." He said, dropping his hand and turning, walking back to his car. He briefly looked back at her, before getting into the driver's seat and pulling out of the driveway.

Sakura watched him go and sighed, cursing her conflicting emotions. Maybe she had made a mistake. Maybe she had misjudged the Uchiha, thinking he would be the one to hurt her, and Gaara was the safe choice. How wrong she was.

But the one thing she was sure about at this point was that she; Sakura Haruno,

Was in love with Gaara Sabaku.

It was Sasuke's kiss that finally drove the point home. All she could think of what the night that she and Gaara first kissed, and how she wished the raven haired boy holding her was Gaara instead.

She walked into the house, greeting her uncle on the couch numbly.

She went straight upstairs and went into her bathroom. Stripping off her clothes in a daze, she walked into the shower.

She let the water cascade down her head, onto her shoulders and down her back.

Sakura felt guilty, like she has cheated Gaara. She started lathering herself up in her strawberry body wash, trying to scrub the scent of the Uchiha off her.

It's not like we were officially dating him her inner voice tried consoling her

But it's wrong! I told Gaara I liked him and then I just jump on the first guy that shows interest in me after.

Gaara hurt you, and you didn't know Sasuke would kiss you.

I know that. I just- I hate that I feel this way. Why did I have to fall for another guy that hurt me.

She let the tears that welled up in her eyes fall, blending in with the shower water.

Sakura didn't know how long she stood there, letting her tears wash away under the water, cursing herself for once more falling in love.