Disclaimer: Of course I own Naruto…why else would I be writing FANfiction about it...

this is a joke

"Sasuke…SASUKE!"

Sasuke turned around, expecting to find Naruto, but instead he saw an out-of-breath girl covered in a messy heap of pink hair. "Yeah?"

"W-wanna…uh…would y-you mind…" Sakura stuttered.

"Would I mind what?" questioned Sasuke, though he knew what was coming.

"Wanna go have dinner with me?" Sakura blurted out.

No, thought Sasuke, Sorry, but no… "Sure."

Damn it! I'm just getting softer and softer towards her, aren't I? In truth, Sasuke wanted to say yes because he couldn't bear to see her disappointed face again, but he knew it would only make it harder for her if he did. Too late now…

Sakura looked up, surprised. Did he just say yes??

"Did you just say ye—I mean…where do you want to go?"

"I don't care."

"Oh," Sakura frowned. She had hoped he would be a bit more enthusiastic. "How about Ichiraku?"

"Sure."

Sakura opened her mouth to say something, but then realized there was nothing to say. So she began walking. Maybe I can start a conversation with him on the way there…

"So…you go to Ichiraku a lot?"

"No."

"Do you like the food there?"

"No."

"Oh…well, we can go someplace else if you want."

"No"

"You sure?"

"Yes"

"Well…okay." This is SO not going how I planned, thought a confused Sakura.

"Soo…you wanna get something to eat?" asked Sakura, breaking the long and awkward silence that had settled in since they arrived at Ichiraku.

"Well that is why I'm here, isn't it?"

"I suppose…"

"Well then yes."

"Okay…I'm getting a pork ramen…what about you?"

"I'll have the same."

Can he at least try and show some emotion?? Even he must know why I asked him! Maybe I should try telling him something interesting…

"Guess what happened last week?" said Sakura who was desperately attempting to receive some sort of response. "Me, Ino, and Shikamaru were sent on a mission last week and then—"

"Cool" cut in Sasuke, not bothering to let her finish. It hurt him to be this mean, it really did, but he did not want to risk hurting her. They had become too close for their own good.

Suddenly Sasuke heard a loud sniffle and looked up. Sakura's head was bowed down low and tears were steadily running down her face.

"Sakura…are you alright?" asked Sasuke, genuinely concerned.

She looked up. Her bright green eyes were brimming with tears and her eyes were red and swollen. Her pink hair was sticking to her face yet, despite her deranged look, she stilled seemed beautiful. "You didn't really want to come here with me, did you?"

Of course I did, thought Sasuke. "No. You're right…I didn't."

"Then that's all you had to say! Honestly Sasuke, why did you come with me? Were you trying to make me cry? Well if you were I can guarantee you that I cry enough over you as it is. Do you have to hurt me more??"

Sakura got up and ran out of Ichiraku, tears still pouring out of her eyes. Sasuke got up and ran after her. He grabbed her arm and she turned around abruptly.

"Sakura, I'm sorry. I just…I can't be with you! I know what it's like to lose someone close to you and I don't want it to happen again!"

"That doesn't mean you have to shut every one out!"

"Yes it does!"

"Well then, sorry for bothering you…" She said a bit harshly. She turned around and walked away. Sasuke could tell she was still crying. Damn it! Why do I always have to hurt her?

"Idiot," said a voice from behind him. He turned around quickly and found himself facing Katana. Her hair was up in a high ponytail again and her attire consisted of ripped jeans and a black tank top.

"What are you calling me an idiot for?"

Katana rolled her eyes, "I saw you and pinky just now…you aren't very well mannered, are you?"

"What do you want?"

"I want to know why you think shutting people out will solve all your problems."

"That's not really any of you business, is it?" said Sasuke acidly.

"No, it's not. But do you really think that matters to me?"

"Apparently not"

Katana looked up at him with her large brown eyes. "It won't help Sasuke. You're only hurting her more this way."

Sasuke stared at her. She's right. "Why does it have to be like this? Why does she have to make it so complicated??" asked Sasuke, not sure why he was dumping this all on her.

"Sasuke, you're the one who's making it complicated." Katana teased.

"I don't see your point," Sasuke grinned back.

Katana laughed. Her laugh was light and airy and Sasuke loved hearing it. But what he liked more was the fact that he was the one who was making her laugh. It felt good.

"Come on," said Katana, her brown eyes sparkling in the pale moonlight, "I want to show you something. She grabbed Sasuke's arm and began pulling him in the other direction. Sasuke could feel his hand prickling at her touch. He watched her long red hair flowing behind her as she ran, pulling him along. She's beautiful, he thought, and this time his conscience didn't stop him. "We're almost there," she said. Sasuke looked up and saw a bunch of red thorn bushes ahead of him. This is where she wanted to go?? But to his surprise she didn't slow down as she got closer to the bushes, she only sped up.

"Uhh…Katana…?"

"Don't worry. Trust me."

She ran through the thorn bushes (dragging Sasuke along, of course) and then she turned into an opening. Sasuke was too busy pulling the thorns out of him that he didn't notice where they were, but when he did, his jaw dropped. They were at the edge of a grassy cliff which overlooked the rest of Konoha. The streetlights and bright windows illuminated the landscape beneath the shining crescent moon. He looked around for Katana and found her sitting at the edge of the cliff, dangling her legs. He quickly followed suit and seated himself next to her. "This is where I go whenever I want to get away," said Katana to no one in particular.

"I thought you just moved here."

"I did but that doesn't mean I was never here before. I travel a lot."

Her voice sounded tired as she said that, and when Sasuke looked over, he could tell she was. Yet she was still staring out at Konoha with a fascinated look. Then she leaned on Sasuke and closed her eyes. He looked down at her and smiled. Her dark red hair was poking at his neck but he didn't care. This felt right. He felt like he belonged here…next to Katana. It was the first time in a long time that he felt like he belonged anywhere. Wow, thought Sasuke, It's hard to believe that just a few hours ago I was with Sakura…wait! Sakura!. Sasuke was so caught up in the events that he forgot about her.

How could I say those things to her and then just come here! Sasuke thought, berating himself. Suddenly Sasuke's previous "feel right" feeling was replaced with guilt. His stomach felt uneasy and he felt like he was betraying Sakura.

This doesn't feel right, he thought, taking on a completely different viewpoint. I don't belong here…next to Katana. I can't believe how much I put Sakura in pain!

Sasuke stood up hastily, causing Katana to lose her balance, but she quickly caught herself. "I'm leaving." said Sasuke simply, not bothering to explain. He turned around swiftly and began walking towards the thorn bushes when he felt a tug on his shirt. He turned around and saw Katana holding it, her face arranged it an angry expression.

"Care to explain?" she questioned expectantly.

"No."

"Actually, this is the part where you explain."

"This conversation is starting to sound oddly like the pointless conversation I had with you yesterday."

"You mean the one that ending with me kicking your ass?"

Sasuke glowered. "Why don't you stop acting like such a fucking bitch and let go of my goddamn shirt!?"

Katana eyes shimmered with an emotion that Sasuke could not decipher. Hurt, maybe?

Sasuke stood and waited for her witty retort, but what he got was very different.

"Your right," she sighed, "Now go apologize to pinky like you know you want to." And then she let go of her shirt and seated herself back at the cliff.

He stared at her, dumbstruck, but then turned and left without so much as a backward glance, though he badly wanted to.

Sorry to those SasuSaku fans who were expecting a little more romance between Sasuke and Sakura, but don't worry, it shall come soon enough. And also sorry to any KataSasu fans who may have developed, but fear not, they will have their moments as well! Please review and tell me who you want to see Sasuke with more...Katana or Sakura?

And just a little side note: Sasuke will pick someone in the end.