AN: Yeah, I'm really bad at keeping a normal type of update schedule, but here's the next chapter either way, please read and review.

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Shikamaru's eyes flickered open the next morning. He looked down at Saeko who was still snuggled against him. A small smile crossed his face as he saw how peaceful she looked. He wanted to get up to stretch his legs but he wouldn't move. He had said he wouldn't let her go and he wasn't going to break his word.

Suddenly, Saeko's eyes fluttered open and she yawned.

"Good morning," Shikamaru said with a smile.

Saeko smiled as she felt Shikamaru's warm arms still wrapped around her, "Thank you for staying with me."

"It was no trouble," Shikamaru said honestly.

Saeko smiled at him gently before reluctantly standing up and whispering, "I should go change."

Shikamaru nodded as Saeko disappeared into her room. From the other side of the door, Saeko sighed, wishing she could've stayed there all day where she truly felt safe.

She pulled off her night gown and tossed it in the laundry hamper. She opened her dresser, grabbing a shirt at random and tugging it on. Looking down, she recognized the top immediately. Kabuto had given it to her, to promise he would always be there for her. Made of the finest silk, it was a shame it was woven with such lies.

She yanked the shirt off and tossed it in the garbage can. Kabuto had lied, and he had changed. He didn't seem like the man she met anymore, or maybe he was but his charm had finally worn off.

She picked a different shirt from the drawer. She looked at it briefly before pulling it on. It was a plain cotton shirt, but it was practical. She pulled on a pair of shorts and ran a comb quickly through her hair. Suddenly she felt embarrassed about how she must have looked the night before and how desperate she must have seemed. She slicked on a layer of lip gloss before returning to the living room.

Shikamaru had sat up while she was gone but was still stretched out along the couch. Saeko wanted so badly to run up to him and just hold him tight. Instead, she sat down on the couch next to him.

A distant expression crossed Shikamaru's face as he gazed out the window.

"Something wrong?" Saeko asked.

Shikamaru shook his head and replied, "I just like watching the clouds."

Saeko nodded as she moved a little closer to him. Soon enough, there lips were almost touching.

Shikamaru pulled back as he remembered Kabuto's words about it being a rebound relationship.

"Not now Saeko," Shikamaru said as he tried not to upset her, "I don't want to be some rebound guy who you'll regret later."

Saeko stood up and walked to the door. She opened it and pointed out it before saying, "Please leave."

Shikamaru nodded and walked to the door. He didn't want to be like Kabuto and not leave when she clearly wanted him to. He also didn't want to forget about his morals and start kissing her when he wasn't sure it was what she truly wanted.

"I'll always be there for you," he whispered as he closed the door.

Tears formed in Saeko's eyes once more.

'Why would he to do that to me?' Saeko thought, angry now, 'I put myself out there and then...'

She walked back to her room and tossed her shorts on her bed. She pulled on a mini skirt instead and headed towards the door.

She needed someone right now, and although it hurt her that Shikamaru wouldn't be that person finding someone else wouldn't be hard.

She walked quickly, unable to run in the strappy heels she had selected. She was glancing from side to side as she walked and ended up bumping into Sasuke.

"What's wrong?," Sasuke asked, noticing how upset she looked.

"I care too much," Saeko replied with a sigh, not wanting to explain any further.

Sasuke nodded and walked her to his house.

The spent the day on the couch; Saeko in Sasuke's arms. They spoke very little other than Sasuke occasionally offering her something to eat or drink.

Soon enough, it was night time. The sky had turned dark and Saeko grew tired.

She knew she wouldn't be going to sleep anytime soon, she had found Sasuke for a reason. She pulled him closer and he quickly eliminated the space between their lips. He picked her up as he deepened the kiss and walked toward his bedroom. Once there he lay her down on the bed as she struggled to get his shirt off.

Sasuke smirked, it looked like it was going to be a long night...

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AN: Yeah, so that turned out kind of weird, but you get the point. Although I'm starting to get mad, as it seems in almost every longer story I write one of the female characters ends up being a whore. But I will fix it! Seriously, when I start a new fic (have to finish this and Not Everything Lasts Forever First) I'll try not to do that again. And if I do... someone point it out. Well... thanks for reading!