What was happening…
That was the only thing that swarmed through Sakura's mind. One second she was on the defensive with Sasuke being so close to her, the next was being tightly held by Sasuke himself, who has just claimed her as his. She was slightly grateful that he continued to keep his hold over her hood, keeping her face perfectly concealed.
She could hear the murmurs of the students, many in shock, some girls with envy but for the most part everyone was in disbelief. And a good thing too. Even she wouldn't believe it if it were true.
But aside from that the presence of Sasuke's arm around her waist was eating at her. Someone was touching her. When she began to hide her face she swore that no one else would touch her. She didn't deserve people touching her. They shouldn't have to burden themselves with touching her.
"Uchiha-san, what are you talking about?" the same boy from behind spoke.
"I think I made it perfectly clear," his hold tightened even more, causing Sakura to flinch, "Sakura, Cover Girl, whatever you want to call her, is mine," he repeated, there was not a hint of hesitation in his voice.
"U-Uchiha-san," her voice softer than it ever was.
His voice was equally as soft, "Let me help you."
No, you're not supposed to…
It was then that Kakashi made his presence known, "Haruno," he said with the teacher authority she had asked him to use for her, "Tsunade-sama needs you at her office."
Once those words were spoken, Sasuke gently released his hold on her, making sure the hood would not fall. She slowly rose from her chair, "Hai, sensei," and like always she quickly made her way out of the room.
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Sasuke watched carefully as Sakura raced across the classroom. Kakashi always did have good timing. He didn't know what possessed him to do what he just did, he'd blame it on the protective impulse Sakura awakened in him. But of course the consequences for his actions was something he was going to have to deal with today and probably the remaining weeks of school he had left.
"Uchiha."
Sasuke looked up to see the bored, yet piercing eye of his sensei, "Yes…" he tried his best to hide his discomfort.
"Come with me," he turned tail and proceeded down the hall.
With a sigh, Sasuke stood and casually making his way to the door. Only to be stopped midway out of the room.
"Teme, what are you doing?" Naruto whispered loudly.
"I'll explain it later," Sasuke replied a lot quieter than the exaggerated blond.
Out in the hall, he found Kakashi leaning against the wall. Once their eyes met, Kakashi continued down the hallway. It was a silent the walk to wherever the man was leading him. If he heard everything, he can only assume he was taking him to secluded area of the school and end his life there. Hell, if that happened, he was going to be forced to fight. Not for his sake but for Sakura. With what he just told everyone, she was going to need his protection more than ever.
His teacher continued with his steady pace down the hall, and only paused to open the door to the school's 3rd utility closet.
Sasuke was a bit hesitant to step inside with the man, the closet seemed like a good place to commit a student murder; with all those weapons at his disposal.
"Sasuke, take these," Kakashi called inside the room. Peaking inside he saw his teacher holding three cardboard boxes. At his feet, three others awaited.
"Uh," was all Sasuke was able to utter.
"Why are you outside?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the teen.
Sasuke immediately stood straight, making his way inside, "No reason."
Taking hold of the boxes, the teen tried his best to conceal just how heavy the boxes were to him, "What are these for?"
"A project you'll all be working on for the remaining weeks," he said as he gathered the remaining boxes.
Sasuke nodded, and again the awkward silence followed.
"So, my daughter is yours."
His eyes widened, he didn't dare look up. He could only analyze the situation he was in. He was in a secluded utility's room, his hands were now occupied, and this man before him just said the words to make him freeze up at his presence.
Finally raising his black orbs to meet the bored yet stern gaze of his teacher, took a lot more effort than he would like to admit.
"Care to explain?"
His grip on the boxes in his hand tighten, "It was the only thing I could think of," when he received no response he continued, "You understood back then right? I was going to protect her since she hindered you and Tsunade useless."
"Yes, I understood that," Kakashi said then, "However, have you considered that maybe this little stunt of yours will cause Sakura more harm than good?"
Sasuke could tell the man was not the slightest bit amused by the current situation, "That's why it was necessary," this is the point of no return, "How can I protect her when she doesn't want me to?" The calculating look on Kakashi's face was enough to tell him he was waiting for him to continue, "I've been thinking of this for a while. Up until now, the hate and abuse she's been receiving according to her is what she deserves."
"What she deserves…?"
"Naruto and I were just talking about this," he explained, "we think that she may have stuck into her mind that she somehow deserves the treatment she's given. We don't know why," he said quickly, before he could ask, "But it seems very likely that it's that."
"Why would Naruto care about,"
"He cares as well Kakashi," he said firmly, "You know him almost as well as I do, he wouldn't give up on someone, especially if its family."
He could've sworn that the look that washed over his teacher's face was one of pure relief. He was finally getting confirmation that there were always people caring for his only daughter. People because the idiot could count for a hundred.
When Kakashi gathered himself, his tone was firm, "Based off of that, you're assuming that since she believes she deserves the abuse, it means that whatever caused that belief has to do with something that only concerns her," Sasuke nodded, "By entangling yourself with that,"
"The hate she's going to be receiving is no longer caused by her, but by me being associated with her," Sasuke finished, "I hope that she'll let me help her now. I mean, I caused it, I might as well fix it."
Kakashi remained silent for a few moments, "… I don't like how this is actually making sense to me."
"There's only one fault in my plan," Sasuke said, once again feeling the weight of the boxes he was still holding.
"Its success rate completely depends on Sakura's way of thinking," Kakashi finished.
"Yeah," he sighed.
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"Why is it that I had this feeling, this feeling that you were going to get into trouble?" Tsunade asked, her arms crossed at her desk.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama," she said quietly, sinking deeper into her hood.
Sakura was and is Tsunade's pride and joy. She wanted nothing more than to spoil the girl silly, what with her being her only grandchild and what not. She was only given that joy for seven years before Sakura complete secluded herself from the family. She was lucky enough to be able to see her during the holidays outside of school. But like for everyone else, her face was always hidden away.
"You don't have to apologize, Sakura," she could help but notice the slight flinch Sakura gave hearing her kind tone, "I understand it wasn't your fault."
"Tsunade-sama," Sakura said softly.
"I know your conditions, but like always; this is my room so my rules," she said sternly. Her eyes casted down at student file in front of her.
She'd known about the Uchiha returning to Konoha by her loud mouthed nephew, however she never thought that he would cause discomfort for her beloved granddaughter.
"I'll have a talk with Uchiha," she said absentmindedly.
"N-no," Sakura spoke up, a pitch higher than she was used to hearing her voice. Tsunade frowned, "I- it's nothing I can't handle."
"Are you sure?" she saw what those girls had done to her before she made a break for it. Once she started running she was lost from her point of view. She doesn't know how Sakura got away or if she even did. It's been worrying her since she saw.
"Y-yes, just leave it to me," she said before standing, bowing, and exiting the room.
Tsunade watched after her. She sighed deeply, her fingers constantly tapping on the Uchiha's folder. Her gaze wandered to her office's window, where she noticed Kakashi and Sasuke carrying some boxes, possibly back to their classroom. At first glance, she'd assume the boy to be a bit arrogant, possibly on the stubborn side.
She did know for a fact that the boy was rather intelligent, being at the top of his class; just barely surpassing Sakura's scores. She wasn't one to place a bias on her students, it wasn't really in her, but she can't really say that she ultimately didn't see the boy as some sort of a threat to her beloved granddaughter.
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The boxes were weighing down quite a bit on his arms now. It was getting to be a bit painful. He knew that his teacher was older but how did he not feel the same struggle as he did, hell the boxes were labeled the same, for crying out loud.
Sasuke tried his best to conceal how tired he actually was, he probably wouldn't be this tired if he had just rested the boxes down while he was talking to Kakashi. Too late to be think about that.
He looked passed Kakashi enough to see Sakura quietly walking in their direction, the classroom door in between them. Sasuke wanted to pick up the pace, however, Kakashi didn't make the task easy.
"Are you trying to beat your new possession to the room?" he asked at a dangerously low tone.
"You're never going to let that go are you?" Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"Not at all," but nonetheless he compliantly picked up the pace.
"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING NARUTO?!"
The three close to the room froze at the scream.
"It's the truth! They've been dating since the teme was abroad!"
Sasuke dropped the boxes further starling the other two in the hall, "The idiot," Sasuke growled through gritted teeth. Kakashi slightly turned his head back, seeing for himself just how enraged the teen became, "I'll kill him."
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Sakura watched with wide eyes as the Uchiha proceeded to stalk his way to the door.
"Naruto, you're lying there is no way that Uchiha-kun would've even known her!"
She continued to listen, "Well she is my cousin, so I just kinda introduced them to each other,"
"She doesn't even talk to you, you idiot,"
"What can he possibly see in her anyway?"
She saw how Sasuke froze at the door, his eyes blocked from her vision.
"There is nothing much to look at, that's for sure." Another male student continued.
"Well that settles it, clearly she gave him some sort of play time."
"Who would've thought that Uchiha was one so easily captured by a simple fuck."
"Hey, I just told you they've been dating for a while now. Before they even had the chance to meet face to face," Naruto said hurriedly.
"You never know," Sakura recognized one of her attacker's voice, and by the tensing in Sasuke's arm she knew he could too, "Maybe she got scared and did something to make sure he wouldn't leave her."
Sakura's gaze turned to the floor, she knew all that wasn't true. But she couldn't bring herself to deny it… Then why was she so unsettled.
She was used to all the abuse, she expected it and she accepted it. Why did she feel like something should be done about it this time? What makes this time any different? She was frowning at this point. Something was different about it. Those words they were meant for her… but they weren't born from her…
She raised her eyes, her frown on the boy that was now facing her.
You birthed all this…
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Exactly…
He never intended for it to go this far or this quickly. He expected a slower progression. I guess people are a lot more opened than I gave them credit for…
Sasuke continued to watch Sakura, the small glimmer he saw of her eyes was enough for him to know that she already blamed him.
That glare was what he wanted. She had placed the fault on him.
Though it is a good start there was still the matter of the idiot.
Yes, he made this slightly more complicated and probably caused this to expand far more quickly than he had thought, but he also built a nice background he could work with.
Without another second wasted he pushed through the door.
The room immediately grew quiet. His presence was enough for that. One of the first things he noted was how completely crowded the blond was… maybe it was his fault too for not taking the idiot with him. Naruto was cowering in his desk what with his best friend's glare on his head.
It wasn't his intention to speak but with so many of them crowding him, it was his only choice… It was also the damn bastard's fault for not telling him anything.
Without saying a word, Sasuke walked back out the room, picked up the dropped boxes and quietly set them down onto Kakashi's desk. Turning back towards the door he made sure to give every single one of his classmates his trademark glare, especially to that idiot blonde.
Once outside again, he turned to his teacher, "Kakashi."
The older man closed his visible eye and gave out a tired sigh, "Fine, just don't leave the grounds."
Giving his teacher an appreciated nod, Sasuke turned towards Sakura. Without giving the girl a chance to retreat, he reached over grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the classroom.
"St- wh- Sensei," Sakura plead, very voice just being able to pass a whisper. In turn Kakashi balanced the boxes onto one hand using his free hand to shoo the two away.
Sakura's eyes widened at her father's compliance. Her attention went back to trying not to trip as the Uchiha dragged her away, and from the looks of it, it was to the roof.
"Uchiha-san, let go," she said quietly, her unlatched hand at her hood keeping it at place.
When he ignored her, she tried pulling at her wrist, which only made him tighten his hold on her.
Sasuke kept walking, or trudging… what with the resistance Sakura was putting up.
"Uchiha, let go," her voice a bit stronger than he'd ever heard her before, "I'm serious let me go, or I- I'll s-scream," her voice wavering a bit. Probably not used to talking that much.
"Go ahead," Sasuke said calmly, tilting his head back enough to her hooded-self, "You'll just be drawing attention to yourself."
He was heading up the stairs at this time, it was then that she yanked back harder than before, bringing Sasuke to a halt. He turned fully to see her slightly visible eyes piercing onto him.
"You made that easier for me now didn't you?"
He glared back at the girl, She was definitely blaming me that's for sure.
With a sigh, he pulled her the rest of the way up the stairs, this time with little resistance.
The brightness of the early morning shone brightly over the two teens on the roof, a gentle breeze nudged at Sakura's hood, having her hand instinctually rise to keep it at place.
Sasuke pulled Sakura fully onto the empty space, walking back just to close the door. He gave a tired sigh before facing his "new piece of property" as Kakashi nicely put it. She was in the defensive again, as she was in the classroom; one hand on her hood, the other wrapped protectively around her body. The sun did nicely to fully illuminate her barely visible eyes, even under the shadow of the hood they glowed a beautiful emerald.
"What did you want Uchiha-san?" she said pretty loudly for a quiet little thing like her.
Sasuke smirked, "So, I see your speaking a lot more clearly now," he said leaning against the door.
He noticed her arm tense around herself, "There's no one else here."
"Which is why I brought you here," he lifted himself off the door, "It's better than being in room full of curious people," he ended casually.
"They wouldn't be curious if you," she craned her neck in his direction, "hadn't said all that nonsense back then."
Sasuke resisted the urge to widen his smirk, "What exactly is that nonsense you speak of, Sakura?" he said as he slowly made his way in front of her.
She notable took a shaky step back, "You said that I was yours," he saw her eyes squint into a glare, "What possessed you to do such a thing?" her voice a sneering whisper.
He shrugged, his smirk still in place, "It was the only thing that came to mind," And that's not entirely a lie.
"Why?" her voice rising a pitch.
His eyes lost all teasing-intent, "Your hood was about to be yanked from your head," he said sternly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, "Who-"
"The guy sitting behind you," he took notice of the serious expression on her barely visible face, "I've been told my looks can make heads turn, but I never knew my presence was enough to make some lose complete focus."
She shot a glare his way, "Don't be so full of yourself," she muttered.
"I'm just reiterating the opinion of others and personal experience."
Sakura ducked her head, finding the concrete of the roof very interesting, "T-thank you, for that then," her voice returning to her usual soft one.
"Don't mention it," he muttered back, her eyes blocked from his view. He didn't like that; not being able to see them.
"Could you really not think of something else to say though?" her eyes still avoiding him.
"Nothing else really seemed to fit the situation," he said stiffly, growing irritated at her lack of acknowledging him, "See," he said suddenly, "I was holding you like this," his arm suddenly reached out snaking around her small waist, her head immediately snapped up to meet his cautious gaze, "I covered your eyes," he continued, inching his face closer to hers, "But you were this close," he rested his other hand on top of her head, "What else would've made sense?"
Sasuke locked his gaze at the girl he clutched close to him once again. They were wide with fear, shock, and something he'd always seen in her wide innocent eyes; that sadness she tried so hard to hide.
Sakura didn't know what to do at the moment. She felt her eyes wide with shock. She had never been this close to anyone before, she made sure of that. She felt his warmth invade her space. Her arms, once securely around her, were now squished in between her and Sasuke, providing with some if any space. Her eyes were locked with the boy in front of her. She had never gotten a good look at his eyes before, his face was unavoidable, but to be this close to him to actually see his eyes clearly.
With the light of the outside, she saw the many colors his eyes took. At first glance you can only assume his eyes were black, now however, she saw all the shades of greys and blues his eyes held, they were unreadable, yet she was still able to detect a hint of amusement deep within them. It was only then that she remembered their current position.
"D-do you mind?" her eyes shifted away from his eyes, only to land on his chest.
Her shaky voice snapped Sasuke out of his trance, he slowly let his arms drop to his side, taking a small step back, giving the girl some of her personal
They remained quiet for a few short seconds before Sakura spoke again, "So how are you going to fix this?"
Sasuke looked up at her, a brow raised hearing her demanding tone, "What do I have to fix?" just to make sure.
She scoffed, "Everyone thinks that I'm, I'm… ugh, I can't even say it!"
This was seriously a new side to her that he never expected to find, "That you're my girlfriend?"
"Yes!" she almost yelled, "Now don't ever say that again," her whole figure screamed frustration as she paced.
"You know you can just tell them it's not true," he slipped his hands in his pockets.
She paused her pacing enough to shoot the boy in front of her a very clear condescending stare, "Like I'm going to attract more attention to myself by defending myself… over something that's your fault."
"Then that seems more like a you problem."
Sakura huffed, "If you weren't going to help, then why did you drag me here?"
This new, hidden, Sakura was quite amusing to Sasuke. Never before had he been so intrigued by another person much less a girl, "To offer you a deal."
"A deal?"
He nodded, "Only if you want me to help you with this."
"I expect you to help me with this," she glared.
Sasuke smirked, "Right, so you accept?"
Her glare intensified, "I don't even know what you want?"
"So your acceptance is conditional."
She placed her hand on her hip, "Everything is conditional. So what do you want?"
He walked over to the wall by the door, before he fluidly sits on the floor, his back against the smooth concrete wall.
"It's nothing big," he says cautiously, "Well, I don't know how you'll take it," but I have an idea.
"Just say it already," her voice thinning on irritation.
He angled his head towards her, his eyes cautious, watching every little movement, "Whenever you're with me," he weighed each word carefully, "Alone, of course," his eyes meet hers, "The hood comes off."
Just like he thought, her whole frame stiffened. Instinctively, her hands went to her hood, as if she needed to make sure it was still on, "Why would,"
"I've already seen you," he interrupted her, "It seems like a useless gesture now."
He saw her shrink in her place, as if wanting to hide within herself, "I- You- you can't see."
He straightened up in his position, shuffling enough for her to face him again, "I already have," her eyes were so desperately pleading, "I'm not trying to hurt you, but that's what I want in exchange for helping."
She couldn't believe what he was asking of her. Her face was something no one had to be burdened to see. No one was supposed to see her, ever. Her hands clutched her hood tighter. He only saw her once, and that one time she promised herself would be her only slip. Now he wanted her to willingly show him her face?
"I can't do that," she said quietly.
Sasuke watched her intently, he didn't like doing this to her but… "Then I won't help you."
He never expected her to close the rather large gap between them so quickly, but here she was taking hold of his collar in her small fists, "You caused all this," she said through clenched teeth, "I want you to fix this."
Sasuke, unfazed, inched closer to her face, "Then accept."
"I can't," she growled.
"Why?"
Her hold loosened but continued to hold. Sasuke saw her eyes widen before they lowered from his face. Her head now bowed in front of him didn't allow him to see much. She backed away, only to sit in front of him. He didn't know if he saw it or not; the slightest quiver of her lips. He didn't hear anything, but he was almost certain that she had said something.
And finally in complete defeat, her arms rose, and pushed her red hood back until it slid all the way down and away from her face.
Sasuke's eyes widened. The second time… it was the second time he had fully seen her face. Though part of him was in awe at seeing her beauty again, another part of him was furious. He had seen the beginnings of the bruises yesterday, a slowly darkening red, and now those bruises were in full bloom. Her cheeks were spotty with purple and blues, the corner of her bottom lip swollen slightly, and two bright red scratches along her left cheekbone. How could anyone think they deserve this, every, single day?
Without thinking, he lifted his arm and very cautiously inched closer to her, he didn't know what came over him, it was just a need for him like he wanted to make sure they were real, that this wasn't just his horrible imagination. Just as he grazed her cheek, she completely flinched back, enough that it startled him into quickly retreat his hand.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
She shrunk further into herself before her soft again voice was heard, "Now will you help?"
He waited, until her green eyes met his. Her desperation had intensified, and this was an act of desperation, for both of them. He nodded, all the while keeping his eyes locked with hers.
He reached over casually, ignoring her flinch. Taking hold of her hood, he pulled it back onto her head. Sakura looked up, confusion evident in her eyes.
"I just really want to see your face while we talk," he gave her a small smile, "The hood can stay on as long as I can."
She blinked, before nodding, "So how are you planning on helping me?"
His smile widened as he leaned back into the concrete wall, "The answer is fairly simple."
She arced and eyebrow.
"You'll just have to be my girlfriend."