Serena- Just one day late! I swear when school starts back up I'll be much better at the whole updating on time thing.

Disclaimer- I own nothing except my Original Characters, but even then- they have a mind of their own.

Edit- I noticed a mistake on this chapter, so this isn't an update... just me... fixing the mistake... Ignore me, I'm too tired to think straight.

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Boundless

By: Serena

Chapter 11

Yamanaka Flowers

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February 25th

Walking down the main street alone was something I was finally allowed to do. Since the day we got there, Sasuke thought I would get lost in the large crowd, but as of the night before, he had finally let me go all by my self. And so, in the late afternoon I left the house.

It was a pretty busy day, and I was really only browsing, seeing as I had spent all the money Sasuke had given me, three days ago.

A sign above a building caught my eye: Yamanaka Flowers. Even though it was still winter, the yellow shop was opened and I decided to take a look around. Mostly winter-adapted flowers were out and as I walked down the aisle I let my fingers graze over the petals.

"Hello, and welcome to Yamanaka Flowers. My name is Yamanaka Ino. Do you need help with anything?" I turned to the voice and smiled. A blonde girl with blue eyes smiled back at me and then something twinkled in her eye- almost like recognition and then her smile looked forced.

"Hello Yamanaka-chan, I'm Rui." I looked back at the various flowers and let my hands glide over them. "I was just admiring your plants."

"Thank you, Rui-chan." Now her words seemed forced too. "We have quite a lovely selection, don't you think?" I nodded, my smiling gaze still on the flowers. "So… are you buying them for someone special… maybe Sasuke-kun perchance?"

I looked at her in surprise. I was broke and I had no reason to buy flowers for Sasuke… I shook my head.

Yamanaka-chan seemed more relaxed as she said, "Good." Her face grew angry and she pointed at me. "You had better not be trying to steal Sasuke-kun from me!"

Steal Sasuke? From her? I voiced my concerns. "What do you mean?"

"Sasuke-kun is mine." I bowed my head, sad eyes gazing at the floor.

"Oh." I looked back up with a sad smile. "Well, have a nice day."

She seem slightly taken aback, but then regained her composure. "Yeah. Whatever."

I left the shop in utter gloom. Making my way back to Sasuke's house, my head was lowered. I entered the front door to see Sasuke leaning over various scrolls. He didn't even look up.

Not wanting to disturb him, I went to my room. Silently sitting on my bed, I put my head in my hands and let the silent tears fall.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I should have known there would be a girl back home! Someone smart, and pretty, and strong! I thought, the tears chapping my spotted cheeks.

I tried to tell you… I tried to save you from this heartbreak… Part of me whispered. It's voice was quite, as though it was attempting to calm me- something it had never done before.

I know… I should have listened! Oh damn it! Why?

Because boys are evil. You should have jumped him when you had the chance! I started to cry even harder at its words. It was right… so, so right.

My silent tears escalated till I was full out sobbing. I was crying so hard and so loudly I didn't even hear Sasuke enter the room. When I finally did notice him, my sobs only grew louder and I felt him awkwardly place a hand on my shoulder. I was embarrassing myself in front of him… I was probably annoying him- taking him away from his reading.

"What's wrong?" He asked, voice only slightly louder then a whisper. The fact that I couldn't hear any annoyance in is voice soothed me slightly- but not enough to make me stop weeping.

"You- I- Yamanaka-" My words were abruptly cut off as Shatto Umou took over.

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The next morning, my eyes were covered with crust and my cheeks were chapped. As the memories of what happened flooded my mind, I slapped a hand to my forehead, cursing.

Stupid. Weak. I was stupid and weak! I mentally cried.

But he kissed you, you should be happy… Both the pride and irritation in its voice and its words surprised me greatly.

No he didn't! My words betrayed my hopes. Sasuke… Kissing me? That would be a dream come true!

Yes he did. After you passed out, he put you under the covers and kissed you on the forehead! It was so romantic! It paused for a moment. Unless he was like, tucking you in… in like, a sisterly way… or maybe hes protecting you so often that he thinks of you as like… his daughter…

Maybe…I hung my head, of course he think something like that! Then, I realized what she had first said. Really? He really did that?

Would I lie to you? It drawled, irritation returning.

Yes… I trailed off. There had been times when she would lie to me- whether to protect me from Shatto Umou (that part of me can't stand Shatto Umou) or simply for amusement. The latter was much more frequent.

Well I'm not! The mock hurt in her voice was very obvious.

I ignored that part of me, trying and failing to keep the smile from my face. I changed out of my clothes and into a casual ankle-length purple skirt and an off-the-shoulder baby-purple long sleeved top.

Deciding that a warm cup of tea would relax my nerves, I made my way to the kitchen. Sasuke was there, still leaning over various scrolls. I didn't want to disturb him so I silently made my cup of tea.

"Why were you so upset last night?" His onyx gaze was still on the scrolls.

"Um- well- I just got lost?" He looked up at me and I knew he didn't buy it. As I have stated before, lying was something I have never mastered. Silence followed and soon he looked back at the scrolls.

I finished my tea and got up. Putting it in the sink, I noticed that Sasuke had done the dishes. A shower seemed very inviting and I looked over at the of Sasukes head. There was one thing I wanted to get off of my chest.

"Do you and Yamanaka-chan- well are you and Yamanaka-chan - um, in a….. relationship?" If Sasuke had been drinking something, I think he would have spit it out. As it was, it looked as though he was choking on his own spit. The look on his face was a mixture of confusion, surprise, and slight anger.

"N-no!" I almost sighed with relief. "She's just a stupid fan girl that's obsessed with me!" His gaze flickered to the scrolls again before he suddenly spun around back around. "Why?" I looked down, not wanting him to see the expression of sadness on my face as I remembered what she had said. "Did she say something to you?"

I shook my head, not trusting my mouth to work properly. "I'm gonna go take a shower!" As I enter the bathroom, I couldn't keep the smile from my face.