Chapter 15
Sasuke's POV
Sasuke couldn't move. Well, he could, but his muscles and bones and everything underneath his skin felt like jelly. Or Jell-O. It felt as if it weren't possible for the human body in such a state as his to be able to function in the angular movements as they normally should.
But he had to somehow make his way back to his room. Somehow.
Just as Mr. Carter had promised, Sasuke was able to have his personal trainer and spend as long as he wanted in the gym, and only come out for dinner. And even though Mr. Carter was joking when he said 'as long as you want to', Sasuke took it to his advantage and used it literally. So his whole day was spent in the gym – his personal trainer was only scheduled for three hours, but Sasuke decided that he would stay even after his training session was over and work out even more – using the new techniques he learned.
Currently it was 6:00 pm – half an hour until dinner was scheduled – and Sasuke was outside the fitness centre's doors. Considering it was his first session at the gym, you couldn't blame him for feeling like Gumby. Well, you could, since he decided to push himself past the limits of what is natural for a human being – but Sasuke would have it no other way. The pro to this is that he will improve on such a sharp curve – but the con is that his muscles were as flimsy as a melted ice pack. And he knew that the next morning, his muscles will feel as stiff as a frozen one. He only wished that the morning would come sooner so he could actually walk without feeling like he'd flop to the ground every time he took a step.
But he somehow managed to do it. He somehow managed to stand up and walk. Maybe it was because of the girls across the deck eyeing him from where he sat on the bench outside. Maybe it was because of the looks he was getting from the hugely muscular men walking perfectly fine out of the fitness centre – or maybe (though the least likely) he felt he had to get back in time for dinner.
Anyways, he was able to stand and to walk with out falling to the ground in a blob. Which Sasuke considered plausible although rather pathetic. What he also found pathetic was the way his eyes flickered to the bracelet in one of the shop windows, and how a quick question passed through his mind- which colour?
And because he thought this was pathetic and stupid, everyday he passed by the window pretending that what had gone through his mind had never happened.
When he reached his room, the first thing he did was take off his shirt with the intent of going to have a shower. But right then, Sasuke didn't think he would be capable to make his way to the shower, not when his bed was a lot closer and very tempting. So he flopped onto the bed and told himself he was 'just resting his eyes.'
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I gotta piss.
Was the first thought that ran through his head when he woke up.
And still in the groggy state of post-awakening, he didn't realize his surroundings until after he walked out of the washroom and back into the bedroom.
What time is it?
The answer was on the clock on the bedside table – which showed in red illuminated numbers, 12:07 am. So he slept all that time and missed dinner. But the full plate of food beside the clock showed that the Carter family let him sleep, and brought him his dinner for when he woke up.
After devouring the whole plate of food, he sat on his bed and stretched.
At the moment, his body was numb, in a state of shock after all of the agonizing work he put it through. So he couldn't really feel it when he stretched his arms or flexed his feet- though he did know that in the morning his body would be so sore and stiff it'll take a lot of ibuprofen to calm it down.
But that was in the morning – seven hours away – seven fricken' hours. And he's not even tired anymore, so that's seven hours – or however long it takes him to get back to sleep – of doing practically nothing. And they would probably be the most boring seven hours of his life.
Then, a thought hit him.
The adult channels are on late.
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Something snuggled into his chest. And then that something shifted, burrowed deeper into the covers, and then snuggled against his chest again. And then it repeated the same process again. And again.
Annoyed, Sasuke opened his eyes, only to find Sarah still in her pj's next to him in his bed. Her eyes were closed and her heavy breathing told him that she was still sleeping. Sasuke frowned down at the girl, but let her snuggle into him anyway – not really sure why, he settled for the reason that he was too tired to do anything about it.
That is until she rolled over, stealing all of the covers.
Silently, Sasuke reached over, grabbed the covers and pulled them back over himself.
Well, he would have done that if his whole body didn't hurt like a mother.
So what really happened was that Sasuke reached over, tensed because of the pain, cursed to himself, and grunted loudly as he returned to his original position, where he could see Sarah's eyes fluttering open from the disturbance of her sleep.
Her expression then turned from just-woken-up-confused, to contentedly surprised.
"Sasuke! What are you doing in my bed?"
In return, Sasuke stared back blankly, and waited for Sarah to realize exactly where she was.
"Wait a minute…" Sarah sat up and looked around, "I'm in your room!"
Again, Sasuke just stared.
"Then how did I get here? Hmmm… Oh! I remember! Sasuke, I had a dream about you where we were at home and then you were in the grapefruit tree in our backyard and I came over and I said 'can I have one too?' and you said 'okay' and then I climbed up the tree and I climbed even faster than you did and then-"
Sasuke took a deep breath.
"-you said, 'wow you climbed Sally faster than I did' and I said 'who is Sally?' and than you said 'Sally is the tree silly' and I said 'that sounds funny, sally and silly' and you said 'it sure does' and I said 'I climbed the tree really fast because I am a ninja' and then-"
He prepared himself for the physical pain he was about to experience (not to mention the mental pain his ears were withstanding).
"-you said 'noooooooooo I am a ninja' and I said 'ya but I am faster' and you said 'nooooooooooo I am faster' and I said 'nuh uh, I am faster' and then you said, 'nooooooooooo I am faster because I got the sharingan' and than I said 'what is the sharingan?' and you said 'look' and then your eyes went really red and I got so surprised that I almost fell out of Sally, but I didn't because one of her branches flew out and caught me and I said 'whoa, how did you do that?' and then-"
Sasuke mentally counted to three, and on three, he sat up in one smooth movement, grimacing from the clench in his muscles.
"-Sally said 'I caught you so quickly because I am a ninja' and I turned to you and said 'wow I guess sally is the real ninja here' and you said 'Sarah, you are totally right' and I said 'I know' and then you said 'well if Sally is a ninja, then are her grapefruits ninja grapefruits?' and then-"
Sarah was cut off momentarily when Mrs. Carter peaked her head into the doorway of Sasuke's room and said with a smile on her face, 'ten minutes until breakfast you two.'
Sasuke nodded in acknowledgment, and then forced himself to stand up and make his way over to his suitcase.
"Thanks mom," Sarah answered quickly, and then without skipping a beat, continued with her story.
"-I said 'hey, maybe, for once, you are right Sasuke' and then you said 'wow, thank you Sarah' and then I said 'no problemo' and then you said 'hey, then maybe we should ask Sally if her grapefruits are actually ninja grapefruits' and then I said 'okay, hey Sally, are your grapefruits ninja grapefruits?' and then-"
Sasuke took the ibuprofen bottle from his suitcase and poured out the contents into his hands. Only three pills landed in his palm and after swearing under his breath about how three fucking ibuprofens aren't fucking enough, he swallowed them (that's right. Sasuke is hardcore like that- swallowing his pills without water).
"-Sally said 'Why don't you try them out and see?' and then you said 'yeah Sarah, try them out first! Let's see if they are ninja grapefruits' and then I said 'no Sasuke, I dare you to try them out first' and then you said 'No way José, I'm not having a grapefruit now, they would be so sour. I'm not trying a grapefruit if there isn't sugar on top' and then I said 'yeah, well I double doggy dare you to try the grapefruit first' and then you said 'okay, I guess, but only because you double doggy dared me' and then-"
Sasuke decided that a shower would do him and his muscles good, so he was about to get undressed, and made a show of it to hint to Sarah that she had to leave, but Sarah didn't move from her spot on the bed. Instead, she continued talking.
"-I said 'go Sasuke go!' and then you got a grapefruit and peeled it, and then you took a bite and spit it out right away saying 'oh yuck! That grapefruit was so sour!' and then because you were surprised by how sour the grapefruit was, you accidentally fell out of Sally, and this time Sally wasn't quick enough to catch you because when you fell you twisted and turned because the grapefruit was that sour and then-"
Sasuke then started to walk towards the bathroom because Sarah showed no interest in moving. Except Sasuke was proven wrong when Sarah actually got up, and followed Sasuke on his short walk, all the while telling him about her dream.
"-I think you died, though I'm not quite sure, and then I said 'well Sally, I guess its just you and me baby' and then that's when I woke up but then I realized that there was something really, really, really wrong with my dream, and I thought about it for a moment, and then I figured it out Sasuke – I figured out that you don't like sugar on your grapefruits because you don't like really, really sweat things like that. So I went to check on you and then-"
When Sasuke reached the bathroom, he slammed and locked the door in Sarah's face. It wasn't really an all that mean of a gesture – one, Sarah probably didn't even notice, and two, it was the only way to make her go away.
But even then, she still continued to talk about her dream.
It was when Sasuke was under the hot jet of the shower that he heard Sarah call, "Mom says I gotta go get dressed, so I'll talk to you later, okay? See you at breakfast!"
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and stood motionless under the shower, hoping it would wash away his frustration.
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Sakura POV
I chugged back my diet coke, hoping it would wash away my frustration.
Seriously, I didn't know that I could get so competitive – and it's over FRICKIN' BOWLING!
Basically what happened was Hinata invited me and Naruto to go bowling, her treat. We got to the alley and we all started out laughing and joking and fooling around, but the trouble started when we had to choose our usernames for the bowling computer.
"So, what are your guys' names gonna be?" asked Naruto from his spot at the keyboard. "Hinata?"
"Um... I don't know... just H-hinata?" she answered, and blushed at the look Naruto gave her.
"Just Hinata? No offense, babe, but that's a little boring." Naruto said, making Hinata turn even redder, especially when he called her 'babe'. "You should be..." he looked over at Hinata, his eyebrows furrowing in thought, "Sexmuffin!"
"Uh-N-n-n-aru-naruto!" she gasped and stepped towards him hesitantly. I would have supported her, but it was a little too funny to step in.
"Sexmuffin, awesome!" He said as he typed in the username, "Hey Sakura what are you gonna be?"
"Uh," I looked to Hinata and decided that I shouldn't use my name in fear of Naruto thinking it was 'boring'.
"How about Supergirl?" I said, and watched Naruto carefully in case he tried to pull a stunt like he did to Hinata.
"Supergirl? You mean Lame-o. How about..." and he gave me a once-over, "Rack-attack."
"No!" I protested, and unconsciously crossed my arms over my chest. "You're a pervert."
"Okay, okay, how about... Spaz-attack! That's a good one. It suits you," and he started typing it in before I could reply.
"Naruto!" I yelled, and then ran over to the keyboard and tried to push him out of the way. I said 'tried' because Naruto is a lot bigger and stronger and when I ran into him he barely moved. So we had to fight over the keyboard – I was trying to type in 'supergirl' and Naruto was trying to type in 'spaz-attack'. But in the middle of the mad dash for the keys, one of us accidentally pressed 'enter' and my username turned up as 'spap'.
Naruto looked at the screen, turned to me, and then said "Woops."
"Ugh, you're so stupid!"
"Chill, it's just a username."
"But it says 'spap'!"
"Yeah, well I'm starting to think that 'spap' suits you."
"How could 'spap' suit me? It's not even a real word!"
"Sure it is."
"Okay then, use it in a sentence."
"Fine... The grape will go spap when it hits the wall."
"That makes absolutely no sense."
"Yeah it does, spap is the sound of a grape hitting a wall."
"That is so bull."
"Whatever."
"Naruto-"
"Come on Sexmuffin," he cut me off, taking Hinata's hand and leading her to the front of the alley, "I'm gonna teach you how to bowl."
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We all goofed around at the beginning – Naruto even did the cliche 'this is how you bowl' with Hinata, where he was up behind her and really close. Even after the little lesson though, Hinata still continued to bowl 'granny-style' between her legs. I actually tried to do well and get a high score, but I'm not really a bowling champion. Naruto, on the other hand, did ridiculous moves that he called random names. For example, the 'Kage bunshin' – I was like wtf?? when I first heard it – and he'd not only throw one ball down the lane but multiple balls. This went on until one of the staff came over and told him he'd kick Naruto out if he didn't stick to the alley rules). Except as Naruto and I continued to bowl, we started to unconsciously compete with each other to get the higher score.
It was fun at first but as time went on, the match got a little heated – and I don't mean by Hinata's blush – because Naruto wasn't even helping her anymore – he was too busy competing with me.
Yeah, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt: one of the many life lessons you learn as a child. Except I think Naruto nor I ever listened to that, because we didn't have a problem with yelling in each other's ear as the other was trying to bowl – or distracting them – or switching each other's balls for the heavy ones – etc.
Hinata then suggested that maybe we should take a break for dinner, because our match was getting way to competitive – plus Naruto was saying stupid things like, 'I'm gonna shit a chicken if I don't win this. Naruto and I agreed so we put our alley on hold and found a table near the dining area. Even though I offered, Hinata insisted she would pay and that it was fine because it was her treat. So Naruto and I were left to sit at the table, alone, with each other.
I think, mentally, we both decided that for dinner we would avoid everything about bowling, but then that made it really silent and awkward. But then I realized that this was the perfect time to get some info on whether or not Sasuke really likes me or if his words at the party my sister planned were said only because he was drunk. So, after playing around with the idea a bit in my head I figured out a way in which to get my thoughts out without sounding obsessed or desperate (not that Naruto doesn't already think I am). I decided to break the ice with one of the randomest questions ever – but also one of life's great mysteries to the female.
"Hey… random question… but what do guys' do at sleepovers?"
Naruto gave me a weird look, was quiet for a while, but went along with it.
"Well, I sometimes drin-"
"Besides drinking or smoking."
"Oh. Uh, I dunno we… play video games?" he answered a little unsurely.
I rested my hand on my chin, "That's all? You only play videogames?"
"No… we do stuff… like eat… and watch tv…"
"That sounds pretty lame."
"No it's not…"
"Do you talk about girls?"
"What?"
"Do you talk about girls? Like, do you ask each other who you like?"
"No. That's retarded."
"But you think of it, right?"
"…Okay, so maybe we do talk about girls."
"What do you say?" I asked, getting closer to my target.
Naruto was a little thrown off by my eagerness, but he answered anyway.
"We don't say stuff right out… I dunno… we kind of… why are you even asking this?"
"I dunno. Just answer."
"Well, we don't even have sleepovers in the first place."
"You so do – don't lie."
"Kay, well… I dunno… a guy is over… and he just kinda stays… its not planned or anything…"
"I think that still qualifies as a sleepover."
"But sleepover sounds girlish."
"Just answer the original question."
"Fine. We… I dunno…hey, what do girls do at sleepovers?"
"Don't change the subject."
"But you gotta tell me after."
"Okay fine, but first, do you talk about girls?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"How do you talk about us though – do you like," and I put on a manly voice, "say 'Hey dude, do you think this chick is hot?'"
Naruto gave me a funny look. "Uh… sure… we say it like that…"
"Did you say that about me?"
"Uhhh…. I dunno, probably… when we uh, went out…"
This put a large smile on my face; Naruto looked at me as if I was crazy. "Did anyone else say anything about me?"
"Uh, I dunno. I already told you, guys don't really have sleepovers."
This I said more quietly, "Did, um, Sasuke say anything about me?" It was really weird saying Sasuke's name – I think I blushed.
I could see Naruto fighting a grin after I asked, "Hey – that's why you-"
"Okay yeah, so that's why I asked, but does he? I mean did you ever ask? Did he ever say anything?"
"Sasuke doesn't really talk much…"
"Oh…"
"At all…" I could hear the regret in his voice that he couldn't give me the answer I wanted to hear.
"Oh…"
We both kind of sat there awkwardly and quietly. It was one of those times where you tried to avoid eye contact, but ended up doing so anyway, because you just had to see what the other was doing too. It usually ended up with an awkward laugh and both turning away, only to end up repeating the whole process again.
Then, Naruto took his turn and broke the ice.
"So what do girls do at sleepovers? Talk about boys?" He asked, imitating my voice.
I gave him cut-eye, "Yes. In fact, we do."
"Do you talk about me?" He said, still imitating my voice, except this time he fluttered his eyelashes too.
"For your information, it was at a sleepover and it was when we were talking about boys that I convinced Hinata to go out with you." Well, it kind of happened like that – but who said Naruto has to know that I convinced her while we were still going out?
"Yeah, well," And with no other comeback, he decided to stick out his tongue.
"See, not only are your sleepovers lame, but so are your comebacks."
"Like talking about guys for the whole night is not lame."
"We do other stuff, stupid."
"Yeah? Like what? Considering you suck at Star Wars leaves out videogames."
"We do other stuff, like eat… and watch tv…"
"That sounds pretty lame." Naruto, once again, mimicked my voice.
"And we watch movies, and we play truth or dare, and we have spa nights, and we-"
"Wait, you mean like massages and housecoats?"
I looked at him suspiciously before I answered slowly, "Yes-"
He leaned forward, his turn to be intrigued. "Are you naked underneath them?"
"Naruto!"
"I was just kidding" he said as he leaned back again, but his tone of voice told me he so was not kidding.
"You're so… ugh."
"What do you do in truth or dare?" He asked, leaning forward again.
Now it was my turn to be taken back by his eagerness. "Uh, we do stuff like-"
"Have you ever had to streak?"
"Naruto!"
"I was kidding again!" He so wasn't.
"No, we do not streak."
"Oh."
"We-"
"Have you ever had to kiss another girl?"
"Naruto!" And this time I reached across the table and whacked him over the head.
"Hey!" He exclaimed.
"You deserve it for being a pervert," I said, but didn't watch for the rebound – when Naruto threw one of the sugar packets on the table at me.
I looked back at him shocked, and then took the same sugar pack and threw it back at him.
And then he threw it back, and when I ducked so it didn't hit me, he threw another one that met its target.
Getting a little childish, I grabbed a handful of sugar packets, threw them at him all at once, and then stood up and started to run away so he couldn't get me back. But my triumphant 'Haha' was cut short when Naruto actually stood up and grabbed me in a bear hug from behind. I started struggling, even though it was practically useless because Naruto's biceps are probably the size of my face (okay, I'm over exaggerating... but still).
I finally was freed when Hinata came back with the food. At first she just stood there, not sure how to take the scene in front of her (Naruto holding me in a bear hug from behind). This caused Naruto to loosen his hold enough for me to get an arm lose and elbow my way to freedom.
"Naruto started it!" I yelled, and pointed my finger at him accusingly.
"No way! You started it!" He countered, just as childishly.
"Nuh-uh! You were being a pervert!"
"I was just being a guy!"
"So! Doesn't mean you have to throw stuff at me!"
"Yeah it does, only 'cause you hit me!"
"But you started it!"
"I did not!"
"Yeah, you did!"
Through all of this Hinata sat down quietly and started eating the food, watching us argue with shy amusement.
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'Congrats Sexmuffin! You win!' flashed across the bowling monitor. This was slightly ironic, considering Hinata didn't even know how to bowl in the first place, and she also wasn't even competing.
Naruto stared at the screen unbelievingly, "No way!" He yelled, "How did I lose?"
"S-s-sorry N-naruto," Hinata answered, a little saddened by his reaction.
"Pshh, don't worry about it Hinata," I reassured her, though secretly I was thinking the same thing as Naruto, "He's just being a stupid-head." Hinata cocked an eyebrow at me, but I pretended it was completely natural (though I think Sarah is rubbing off on me). Hinata then nodded in acknowledgement, and I turned to Naruto, "So, where's that chicken?"
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Sasuke POV
Sasuke was being bad.
Really bad.
Not only was he in a position to get caught by his parents or one of their co-workers for smoking, but his conscience was nagging him.
Yes, the thought to be non-existent conscience was nagging.
It started when he was leaving the gym after one of his many brutal workouts. He exited the red doors and walked past a group of people who were leaning on the rails of the boat. When a light breeze hit him from off the sea, it brought with it the smell of smoke – coming from the group of people he had just walked by.
As he inhaled the smell, an itch tickled the back of his throat – but he was able to ignore the calling.
Except the tickling grew into a scratching as he walked back to his room and entered the door. His fingers started to twitch when it wouldn't go away, and all through dinner with the rest of his family, the scratching persisted. It was only mildly difficult to hide it from them.
But it was when he was laying on his bed, bored out of his mind and staring at the ceiling that the scratch turned into a want. And he finally decided to get up and take a trip to the lower deck – after all, Sasuke always gets what he wants – how was this any different?
That's how he found himself leaning on the railing, one hand holding a borrowed cigarette, the other around a woman's waist – the one who obviously gave him said cigarette.
And that's why he was bad. Bad for risking a chance of getting caught, and bad for flirting with this woman. Bad for occasionally reaching up to tug one of her loose curls, for sometimes letting his hand run lower than her waist, for seldom leaning in to whisper in her ear or to trail the tip of his nose along her jaw and neck.
Bad for thinking he was getting some that night.
And yes, he just recently had a sort of revelation about how bad this was because of Sakura-
But it was all in the relief of the cigarette. The feeling of the smoke as he inhaled and exhaled, of the nicotine calming his senses, of the way it washed away all of his momentary frustrations – it was easy to let his control slide. It was easy to let the player inside him come out to, well, play. It was easy to-
"Sasuke! Hey! Up here!"
Shit.
Sasuke sighed, watching the smoke leave his mouth in swirls before hiding the cigarette behind his back and turning to find Sarah from wherever she had called him. The woman beside him 'hmph'd but didn't necessarily move away.
"Sasuke look! Up here! Right here!" Sarah yelled, and Sasuke looked to the upper deck to see her leaning over the rails to get his attention.
"Hey!" She waved now, pleased that Sasuke could see her.
"Sarah-" Sasuke said in warningly, slightly nervous about her leaning over the rails so precariously.
"Wait there! I'm coming right down!" She yelled and disappeared before Sasuke could do anything more.
To prepare for Sarah's arrival, Sasuke stepped away from the woman and started sucking deeper breaths of smoke now that his time was limited. And when the woman tried to take a step closer, he moved away again, now completely ignoring her – not just because he heard her mutter 'brat' when she stared up spitefully at his sister.
Sarah was running toward him along the lower deck sooner than he expected, and he took one more deep inhale and exhale from the cigarette before tossing it into the ocean.
"Hey Sasuke! Did you see me up there? You guys looked like ants – that's how high up it is! You should come up and see!" She explained enthusiastically. Sasuke restrained his eyes from rolling and looked away.
"Come on Sasuke!" she took his hand and tugged. But when Sasuke refused to move, Sarah turned to him with a frown. "Sasuke, come on, let's…"
It was the way she paused and the way she grabbed his shirt that made Sasuke finally look down at Sarah – only to see her sniffing his clothes, confused.
"Wow Sasuke, you smell real bad. I mean real bad." She stated, and Sasuke hoped she wouldn't recognize the smell of smoke.
"I think you need a bath before anything." Sarah continued, and this time when she tugged on his hand, he followed. He also heard the woman from before snicker from where she still stood by the rail. Sasuke gave her the finger from behind his back.
Sarah's real purpose in finding Sasuke was later revealed when she lead him to his room. Upon opening the door, she presented the slice of key-lime pie she saved especially for him from the desert tray at dinner since he left in such a hurry before it came. At first Sasuke stood at the doorway, partially impressed at Sarah's generosity – for 24/7 everything's usually about her and her alone being the spoiled thing she is – and partially uncertain as to how to accept the 'gift' – for, as previously mentioned, Sasuke doesn't like to deal with gifts.
But he didn't have to decide anything. Actually, before he could even do anything, Sarah was pulling him towards the bathroom where she pushed him in and shut the door ordering him to take a bath.
"Sarah, I need to get clothes fir-" he had said but apparently was only heard by the slam of the door. A few seconds later his sister threw in a pair of pajama pants from his suit case.
And then politely reminded him that he shouldn't forget to wash behind his ears.
It was unusual that Sasuke had to fight a smirk.
When Sasuke reentered the bedroom, fresh from the shower (not a bath – guys, and especially Sasuke, do not takes baths), he found Sarah on his bed flicking through channels on the TV with the slice of pie beside her. He silently walked over and lay down beside her, where she snuggled into his side and handed him the piece of pie – making sure that he ate every single bite. And even though Sasuke wasn't fond of sweet foods, he ate it anyway.
It was later that he realized how much of a leash Sarah had him on.
But he then reminded himself that he was only being cooperative to make his stupid nagging conscience shut up.
Which it effectively did.
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Sakura POV
Naruto, Hinata and I continued to get together as Christmas break progressed.
Sometimes I'd get together with both of them, and sometimes it would be just me and Hinata, or just me and Naruto.
Sometimes we'd go to the movies, or to the mall, or on some random adventure (note- we never went near a bowling alley), and sometimes we went to one of our houses.
It was the fourth time Naruto came to my house to actually hang out and not pick me up or do science work was when he first met Samuel.
And it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.
Hinata, Naruto and I were sitting in the TV room on the bottom floor watching a movie we'd rented when Naruto announced he was hungry.
He left to raid my kitchen for food, and he'd done so a couple of times before so I just let him be- tired of trying to stop him. Hinata and I were left to watch the movie until Naruto suddenly came back in.
"What the fuck is this?" he said, and I realized he was awkwardly holding poor Samuel, who was frightened to death and struggling to get out of his captor's arms.
"N-Naruto!" Hinata said, who was just as surprised and offended as I was, even though it wasn't her pet.
"Hey- that's my cat!" I added as I went to free Sam. I sat back down beside Hinata on the couch, calming him in my arms.
"That's a fuckin cat?" Naruto replied and sat down on the other side of Hinata.
"Naruto," Hinata said again, more softly.
"Sorry, but shit- I mean, wow." Naruto continued- I didn't think Samuel's stature was that appalling.
"His name is Samuel." I stated, still offended.
"A-and he has an eating d-disorder." Hinata provided for me.
"That's so fuckin weird. I mean, he's like a fuckin cat." He said.
"H-he's just s-s-special." Hinata defended, and looked at Naruto. It was hilarious to see how much of an effect she had on him. Naruto didn't say one more word about Sam's problem.
Instead, he asked, "Hey, can I hold him?"
A little wary of Naruto, I hesitantly agreed, passing the now calm Sam to Hinata- who he was comfortable with. What surprised me was how comfortable Sam was with Naruto when Hinata passed him over.
"Aw, he's cute." Naruto stated, after scratching behind Sam's ears and hearing him purr. And then he paused, "Fuck, don't tell Sasuke I ever said that."
As the movie continued to play, I kept an eye on Sam. I was still a little wary of him around new people, and I might have even been a little jealous- Naruto, Hinata, and Samuel were all cuddling on one side of the couch and I was left practically alone on the other side, once again the awkward third wheel.
So when New Years rolled around, I decided I would let them have their own plans so they could be an actual couple without me as that awkward third wheel.
Except my New Years kind of sucked without them. A lot.
Ino and I usually get together and go down to the beach to watch the annual fireworks show- and we would have gone together this year, except two days before December 31st, my mom mysteriously left again.
It was late at night and I was reading in my room when I heard someone walk down the stairs with what sounded like a suitcase in tow. Afraid that it was my mom leaving again, I quickly left my room to check out the sound – only to find out my fear was correct.
"Mom?" I yawned and feigned that I had just woken up, and that I was completely naive as to what her intentions were, "What are you doing?"
"Oh," she turned around, surprised that she had been caught, "I'm just leaving for a bit honey." She said and tried to escape down the stairs before I could ask anymore questions. "I love you; I'll see you when I come back."
"Wait, where are you going?" I asked, catching up to her. She stopped when she reached the front door.
"It's fine honey, I'll be back soon."
"How soon?" I asked.
"A couple of days." She answered back, not giving me any information at all.
"By New Years?" I pressed.
"Yes, sure, by New Years."
"Okay…" And I let her kiss me on the cheek before she opened the door and left.
I saw that there was a taxi waiting for her – meaning she had planned this beforehand.
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So it was the worst New Years ever. I spent the whole time waiting at my living room window which looked out onto our street for my mom to come home (at least I could see the fireworks on the beach from there). I waited all night too, and she never showed up. It was when the countdown actually began that was positive she wasn't coming home, so I went up to my room, a little depressed, and onto the computer to distract me.
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Sasuke POV
10…
9…
8…
7…
6…
5…
4…
"Three! Two! One! ZERO!" Sarah screamed along with plenty of others on the cruise. "HAPPY NEWYEARS!!"
Mr. and Mrs. Carter were invited to a private party with some of their colleagues, and since Sasuke wasn't aloud back into the 'youth lounge', he was stuck watching Sarah. Well, the Carters did give him a choice, but Sarah did the puppy-dog eyes and Sasuke had nothing better to do anyways (aka, the gym was closed this late). So that lead them to the upper deck of the cruise ship to watch the fireworks show and countdown- where the rest of the ship's population also was.
Sasuke wanted to cover his ears- Sarah's screams were more like excited high-pitched shrieks.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! Happy New Years!" She continued.
In return, Sasuke stared back at her silently. Even though Sarah was bouncing around and screaming, he could tell she was tired. The way she held onto the hem of his shirt and how she rubbed her eyes often told him so.
"Sarah," he said, getting her attention, "You have to go to bed."
"No I don't, it's New Years! I can stay up as laaaaaaate as I want to!"
"Now." He was only being stern because, from past experiences, Sarah + Sugar + Staying up late chaos.
"Aw, Sasuke!"
In return, Sasuke looked at her pointedly.
"But I don't wanna!" She whined, because she knew that the pointed look meant 'discussion closed'.
But that never stopped Sarah. Before Sasuke could speak, she cut him off hastily.
"But the fireworks are still going on and I never get to see them and they're sooooo pretty and I won't be able to tell Sally about the finale and it's New Years, Sasuke you should stop being like that person who is all 'bah humbug', or like the Grinch or something 'cause you are acting like a really fluffy kitty who has to take a bath." She ended matter-of-factly, adding in the puppy-dog eyes again just to complete the picture.
Sasuke sighed; there was no point in arguing with her.
"Five more minutes." He compensated, not that he always fell for the innocent look, it was the fact that if he didn't let her have five more minutes than she would have a major tantrum – he knew from experience. And this way, the five more minutes will wear her out even more.
"Awwwww," she pouted, but Sasuke didn't show any more leeway, "Fine. Stupid Head." She mumbled. But her grumpiness was cut short when the fire works show was coming to its finale. In the midst of the show, Sarah suddenly turned to Sasuke.
"Come here, bend down!" She told him, and tugged on his shirt to show the importance of her point.
At first Sasuke didn't budge, but then he decided that when he were to take her back to the room, it would be a lot easier if she was in a good mood.
The moment Sasuke was low enough to view Sarah at eye level, she did something very unexpected.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmwah!" A big sloppy kiss landed on his cheek. "There was your New Years kiss! Now you have to kiss me back!"
"No." He stated, wiping off his cheek and standing up.
"Pleeeeeease?"
"No."
Sarah's face looked crest-fallen, "But… it's New Years, and you got to…" Again, she tried the sympathy/innocent approach.
"No." He stated again, this time more firmly.
"B-b-but Sasuke…" He knew she was faking her trembling lip.
"No."
"Fine. Stupid-head-times-two."
It was a good thing Sarah had a short attention span, or else the situation would have evolved into one of her tantrums – but the fireworks display caught her before anything could elevate.
Bright colours painted the sky as the fireworks commenced, making the night seem like an external night club – but Sasuke could have cared less. Seriously.
The fireworks held his interest at a maximum of zero – the only reason why he kept his eyes skyward was to not accidentally catch another girl's eye and send a misleading invitation to come over and flirt with him.
This was a major downside to all of his extra training – the girls were starting to notice. It had only been a few days, but now Sasuke's body seemed to be able to take his brutal work-outs, and show it in his muscles.
He could even feel the difference in his strength – for example, as he picked up Sarah, she seemed to be getting lighter and lighter. Especially now, when her 'five-more-minutes' was up and he picked up the yawning girl – it felt as if she was as light as a feather.
"Sasuke, I don't wanna go yet," She rubbed her eyes, her protest weak.
"You're yawing." He stated, as he started walking towards their room.
"But that doesn't mean I'm tired," she replied, though her eyelids started to droop. "It just means," she yawned again, "that I wanna rest my eyes…"
Sasuke smirked; he knew what resting your eyes lead to.
And sure enough, as he rounded the corner to take a shortcut through the commercial district, Sarah fell asleep.
The commercial district was completely deserted of people, the only signs of life were his own footsteps and Sarah's in-sleep sighs in his ear. The stores lining the deck were all closed and locked, including the familiar red doors of the fitness centre. Sasuke let out his own sigh; if he were one to show emotion, a look of longing would be spread across his face as he passed by the centre.
Sasuke had taken this route in the commercial district frequently – he walked it every time he went to and from the fitness centre.
In fact, if he closed his eyes, he would be able to walk all the way back to his room without hitting anything.
And if he closed his eyes, he would picture the corner of the centre where he had to turn left.
He would be able to see the upcoming store, Pearls.
He would be able to imagine the display window of Pearls, obnoxiously filled with jewelry.
He would be able to pinpoint the spot in the bottom left corner of the display where the bracelet was.
He would be able to visualize the blue version of the bracelet in the top left corner of the jewelry rack, the red one in the top right, the green in the bottom left, and the pink in the bottom.
But as his eyes were open, and as he was walking past Pearls, he noticed that there were only three versions of the bracelet. In the place of the blue one, there was nothing. The blue one was gone.
This made Sasuke pause in his walk. He recalled back to when he first took in the bracelets' existence, and how as the days went by, as he walked back and forth from the fitness centre, they were being sold at a constant pace. He never realized how fast they had been selling.
Why hadn't he noticed? And why hadn't he cared?
Why did he suddenly care now?
Maybe because he hadn't thought they were quite as important as they seemed now. Or maybe because he had been trying to hide the feeling of wanting to buy the bracelet that he forced himself to pay no attention to. But now, it occurred to Sasuke how popular the bracelets were. If there were so little in stock that they had to sell the ones on display, how many left were there? How long would it take for them all to be gone?
Sasuke continued walking with Sarah still sleeping in his arms. He decided that tomorrow, when he was walking back from the fitness centre – or rather sooner, when he is walking to the fitness centre, he would drop in Pearls and quite possibly purchase a bracelet.
And then a thought hit him as he turned the corner to the hallway where is room was. It was the same thought that he had when he first saw the bracelet, when he first decided that maybe he should get it.
Which colour?
There were three left: the pink, the red, and the green. But which one?
Sasuke shook his head irritably, why was he thinking such idiotic thoughts? Why was he caring so damn much?
And even though part of his mind scolded himself, the other couldn't stop thinking about the bracelets.
Not the red one. The red one wasn't…… the red one wasn't Sakura. It wouldn't make sense to get the red one.
So that left the green and the pink.
Both matching Sakura suitably. Both reminding him of her.
But which one?
When Sasuke reached his room, he shifted Sarah to one arm, and with the other he reached into his pocket for the key.
The pink one, or the green one?
He unlocked the door and entered.
The pink or the green?
With Sarah still in one arm, he turned on his laptop on the bedside table with the other, knowing that was the only way to find out.
He then walked through the connecting doors into the Carter's room where he gently laid Sarah down on her bed.
He looked down at her as he untangled her arms from around his neck – and just because, he bent over her, and touched his lips to cheek, in what might have been a New Years kiss.
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Sakura POV
I didn't get a New Years kiss (Samuel licking my cheek doesn't count). I didn't spend New Years with Ino. I didn't go to the beach to see the fire works and the countdown. I didn't get see my mom because she didn't come home. I didn't spend it with my dad because I convinced him I'd be alright and that it was okay for him to go out with his friends and leave me here. I didn't spend New Years with my sister because she was out at one of her wild parties. I didn't get to spend New Years with anyone.
But it was the best New Years ever.
And I know that before I said it was the worst New Years ever, but that was 20 minutes ago.
That was before I went on the computer.
And before I checked my Facebook profile.
And before that I saw the most amazing thing that could ever happen on a Facebook post.
Sasuke Uchiha Facebooked me.
And it made my life. Well, maybe not my entire life, but it sure did make my New Years.
And this is what happened 20 minutes ago.
flashback
……………………………………………………
Sasuke Uchiha (wrote 2 minutes ago)
Pink or Green?
……………………………………………………
The first thing I saw when I checked my profile was the name in which the most recent post was written by.
Reaction:
Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.
Sasuke wrote on my wall.
Sasuke Uchiha wrote on my wall.
He facebooked me.
Oh my god.
Then I looked at the message.
Pink or green? Wtf? What is that supposed to mean!? What do I choose?
What if it is deciding whether or not he likes me or something?
What if it is some sort of test? What if I get it wrong?!
What if it is deciding the future and affects what fate has planned for me?!
Okay. Taking this way too far. I need to calm down. Maybe it's just a question. A simple question or survey to see what colour I like. Or maybe it's just for his personal interest. Or maybe Naruto hacked his account and sent that to me. But then again the question is far too misleading and simple and confusing and frustrating and somewhat seemingly important to be Naruto.
So I'll settle it as a simple question. Pink or green?
But what if it is super important? What do I pick?
So I chose the easiest way to make a tough decision.
Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe. Catch the tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go, Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe.
Green.
Okay, it's gonna be green.
No wait – I'm gonna choose pink.
No – green.
No – pink.
Wait – green.
Okay green. It's green…… no, no, no, it's gonna be pink.
Pink it is.
So I went to Sasuke's profile, and typed in pink.
But just before I pressed 'post', I switched my answer to green on impulse.
But after I pressed 'post', I regretted it and yelled aloud, 'No! I should've picked pink!'
End of flashback.
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A couple days later, as the break was coming to an end, Naruto and I were found sitting on his couch, in his house, watching TV. We were channel surfing until we came upon a news station, where they were playing videos from New Years. That reminded me,
"I never did ask," I said, turning towards Naruto, "what happened between you and Hinata on New Years?"
My memory of the day after New Years showed Hinata with her face an appalling shade of read every time something about New Years or Naruto was mentioned. And she was so withdrawn that she barely moved her hands from clutched above her chest.
"Wha? New Years? Oh!" He laughed, and then showed a devious smile, "When I was giving Hinata her New Years kiss, I got to feel her up and it was-"
"Woah woah woah, I'm going to pretend I never heard that."
"I bet she liked it, I know I did. Especially when my hand reached-"
"Okay Naruto, this is the type of thing that you keep to yourself."
"You're just jealous that you've never gotten as far."
"Psshh, yeah right, I've done stuff like that," I lied – my response a little lame.
"Whatever," he replied, though his expression told me he still didn't believe me.
"I'll have you know, that Sasuke and I have-"
Naruto perked up at the when I said Sasuke. "Oh man! There is something goin' on with Sasuke today and I completely forget what it is!" Naruto suddenly cut in.
"Sasuke?" I looked at Naruto, and simultaneously blushed at Sasuke's name.
"Yeah, there is something important, I can't remember," he continued.
I turned my head the other way in order to hide by growing blush. "What do you mean? There's nothing going on today," I said, playing with my hair nervously and trying to hide my extreme interest.
"No there is something! I just can't remember what," he frowned in thought, "What's the date today again?"
"Uhhhh," I had to think about it too before answering, "Wednesday January 5th I thi-"
"I know!" He shouted abruptly, "Sasuke comes back from his cruise today!"
I froze in place.
WHAT!?
I turned to Naruto, eyes wide, and questioned my thought aloud, the dynamics loud.
"Uh…" he seemed confused by my reaction, and answered in somewhat of a question, "Sasuke's coming back?"
"Today?" I confirmed, though to me, the idea seemed impossible.
"…yeah."
"You mean today, today."
"Uh yeah, where are you going with thi-"
"As in like, January 5th, today?"
"Yes."
"Oh my god."
"What?"
"Oh my god."
"What's wrong?"
I stood up suddenly, "We have to go see him!"
"Sakura, I don't know…" He started, but trailed off when he figured I wasn't listening because I had already gotten the keys to my car and was on my way out the door.
I was almost at a run getting to my car which was parked on the road outside his house. Naruto followed at more of a jog, and the look of uncertainty on his face told me he just wasn't as excited as me. Too bad. I'm gonna see Sasuke.
After getting in my car I jammed the keys into the ignition and started the engine up. It was torture waiting for Naruto who slowly got into the passengers seat and slowly put on his seatbelt. But before I could put the car into drive, Naruto put his hand on mine, stopping me from making any movements.
"Sakura," he said, and I turned to him, surprised not only by the fact that he wasn't as enthusiastic as I was, but that there was the actual quality of seriousness in his voice. "Maybe you should, uh, reconsider." He continued.
"Reconsider? Naruto, I've waited almost three freaking weeks and-"
"That's exactly my point," he cut in, "It's been three weeks."
"So...?"
"So a lot of things can happen in three weeks."
I looked at him, worry evident on my face, "What do you mean?" I asked quickly.
"Well, what if he just wants to be alone? 'Cause he just got back from a cruise where he was surrounded by people 24/7, don't you think he'd want some time to himself?"
This was weird. Naruto had logic.
"What are you talking about? That's stupid," I said, though I sounded – even to myself –unconvinced by my statement.
"He also still has to unpack," He started.
Very weird. Naruto was using actual logic in a sentence.
"He can do that later…" I tried to point out, though it only sounded really lame.
"And he's probably not expecting you," he continued.
Wait a minute… is Naruto… being wise?
"Of course he's expecting me..." I answered back, though my excuses were getting weaker and weaker.
"And, I mean, what if he hooked up with someone else?"
My face turned from worried to horrified. Naruto saw my distress and tried to fix the situation he put us both in.
"No, no, no, don't take that one seriously! I was just saying how maybe he might not like you anymore and that he could have-" He cut short when he saw that this wasn't helping, but rather making it worse.
"You know what? Just forget what I said. He probably still likes you and would be as happy as Sasuke could get if you went over." His sentences were rushed out, and though they did appease me, I still started to doubt my impulsive decision.
Should I go?
My hand was even unsteady when reaching for the gearshift – it was caught midway.
And then Naruto said something that completely made me change my mind.
"I mean, what are you gonna do when you get there? What are you gonna say?"
What am I gonna do? What am I gonna say?
I realized that I had no idea. Absolutely none.
"Well…" I tried to start – tried to pull something out of the air in hopes of giving me a reason to go see him – but I couldn't think of anything.
And now that this little epiphany occurred, I recognized that I wasn't so overly joyous to go and see Sasuke – in fact, it was the reverse.
I was terrified.
Terrified of seeing him.
Terrified of seeing his reaction.
Terrified of not knowing what will happen and what his reaction will be.
I was terrified to see Sasuke, and therefore terrified of the first day back to school.
And I will await that day, dreading those before it.
Well, not necessarily dreading, because even seeing Sasuke would make my day - but interacting with him – having him see me – would contradict those happy feelings.
"Also," Naruto continued, probably to strengthen his point, "in two days it's Sasuke's bir-"
But I cut him off again, afraid that he'll make another reason that I'll be terrified of. "I can't do it." I said.
"Huh?"
"I can't do it – I can't go see him – I can't see him ever! What am I gonna do!? What's gonna-"
"Whoa, stop spazzing," he said, and took my hand that was still frozen in midair and set it down onto my lap, "Let's just go inside and watch some TV again."
"I guess…" I agreed, in a little bit of a stupor.
"Maybe we'll make a little lunch, and when Hinata gets here, we can go to the beach."
"Yeah…"
"And we can even stop by the mall first and pick up that new bikini you wanted."
"Okay…"
"Now take off your seatbelt, and take your foot off the pedal," I glared at him now; he was talking to me as if I were a child. But he continued anyways, "Good, now take the keys out of the ammunition-"
"Ammunition?"
"Yes, take them out and-"
"You mean 'ignition'?"
"No, I mean ammuni-"
"Ammunition is like, guns and stuff."
"No it's not."
"Uh, yeah, it is. This thing is called the 'ignition'."
"Oh... Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"Weird, I always thought it was the ammunition."
"Nope."
"...Oh."
"Yeah…"
"...Oh."
I guess Naruto's wisdom only goes so far.
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Sasuke's POV
Finally. He was back.
The cruise ended, he was home.
Home with his own bed and his own bathroom.
Home with his own staff to cook his own food.
Home with his missed alcohol, cigarettes, and illegal substances.
Home where he has less of a chance of getting caught if he decides to beat someone up.
Home with girls that won't matter if he's an asshole to them, home where he can get laid.
Home with his precious car and home where his new engine will be installed.
Home with his own wide screen TV and home with his game systems.
And lastly, home, where he can lock Sarah out of his room easily.
Which he definitely forgot to do just now.
Shit.
He had walked into his room, leaving his luggage for some sort of staff to get, and sat down on his couch. He then closed his eyes and was able to get around 5 minutes of pure solitude and quiet.
Until Sarah came running through his mistakenly unlocked door.
Shit.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! Look, look, look!"
Sasuke opened one eye to see Sarah also dragging along one of her suitcases.
"Let's show each other our souvenirs!"
Sasuke sighed heavily, "No."
But Sarah ignored him, "I got this picture of this umbrella, and I got this seashell, and I got this necklace, and I got-" As each item was spoken, she proceeded to pull it out of her suitcase and lay it out in front of him. "-this really cool ring, and look at this! It's from Cinderella! And I got this from…" she continued to speak, ignoring the fact that Sasuke had started to rub his temples with his thumb and middle finger.
"No," he said again, this time wearily – a tone that could almost sound pleading.
And since he was ignored, he actually stood up, grabbed his car keys from his desk, walked out of his room leaving Sarah behind, and decided to reunite with his heavily missed Maserati Diablo.
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Sakura POV
Naruto called me the next day, unaware that I was still shaken up by the fact that things actually could change between Sasuke and I.
"Hey Sakura?" He said through the receiver.
"Yeah, it's me," I answered back through the phone.
"I was gonna drop by Sasuke's today, you wanna come?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Uh… no?"
"How could I possibly go?"
"Well, I could drive you if that's what you mean-"
"Not that, stupid, how am I supposed to face him now that things could've changed?"
"Uh… I dunno. You just could..."
"No, I'm not going – I can't." I mean, what if the pink or green question was life-altering?
"Fine, I just wanted to see if you wanted to."
"Thanks, but no. I'll have to wait 'till school."
"Whatever, I'll see you."
"Say something from me!" I said quickly, before he could hang up.
"What?"
"Say something from me, to Sasuke, I mean."
"Uh, okay. What do you want me to-"
"Wait! No! Don't say anything about me! What if it changes his outlook?"
"Okay then, so I'll see you."
"No wait, do say something."
"Say something? Okay fine, what do you-"
"No, no, no! Don't say anything!"
"Jeez, just make up your mind already."
"Okay, say something."
"Okay, I'll say something-"
"No I changed my mind! Don't!"
"Okay-"
"No wait! Do! Do, do, do!"
"Holy crap, just choose woman!"
"Okay, okay…" I thought about it for a bit and then decided, "Don't say anything from me. Just don't." I chose this because I decided I'm going to play it safe. Whatever viewpoint Sasuke has of me will stay the same if Naruto doesn't say anything. If he did say something, than it could change the viewpoint and I don't know what will happen then.
"Are you sure? Even if it's his bir-"
"I said no!" I yelled, and regretted my anger. "I mean, no thanks, Naruto."
"Alright. I will not say anything that from you. Can I hang up now?"
"Yes, you can."
"Finally" and then I'm pretty sure I heard him sigh 'psycho'.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing, see you!"
"Fine. Bye."
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Sasuke POV
Sasuke walked out of the kitchen with his lunch in his hands, and stopped momentarily.
A giggle sounded behind him.
And then another one, except this time a little closer.
Sasuke sighed, "Sarah."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She laughed, and jumped out of her hiding spot. She then ran up next to him and bouncing on her toes, continued to smile widely and giggle.
Sasuke sighed again and sustained to walking back to his room, only to have Sarah follow and giggle the whole way.
He rolled his eyes.
Sarah had been doing this all morning. Following him, hiding, giggling, looking at him with huge smiles that looked a little bit on the creepy side.
And frankly, the whole thing was getting annoying.
Really annoying.
Especially now, when he's trying to eat lunch peacefully in his room, and she's hidden behind the couch, giggling again.
"Sarah."
"I'm sorry! I just can't help it!" She giggled again.
"Stop."
"But I'm just so excited for tomorrow!" her giggles turned into laughs.
"You're annoying."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she continued to laugh, and then tried her hardest to settle down, only to end up laughing again, this time even harder. "But don't you think it's superfantabulous too?!"
"No."
"Yeah you do! Yeah you do! You love it so much! Right? Right?"
"No."
"Yeah, I'm right! I'm so right! You are just as excited for tomorrow because it's gonna be superfantabulous!"
"No…"
And then Sasuke's demeanor suddenly changed from grumpy to amused, and Sarah noticing this, stopped her giggling.
"Hey, what's so funn-"
"And here comes Naruto to save the day!" The one and only blonde announced, scooping Sarah up with one arm and throwing her over his shoulder. He had entered the room while Sarah's back was turned to him, and thought that Sasuke could use some help.
"Naruto! Where did you come from!?" She asked, surprised that in just a few short seconds, she had gone from laughing on the floor, to confused over Naruto's shoulder – and quickly being carried out the door.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" she yelled, as Naruto set her down on the other side of the door frame, "Why am I being-" But her voice was cut short when Naruto shut the door in her face, and proceeded to lock it.
"So," he said, turning towards Sasuke, "can I hear a thank you, or a 'Naruto you are so great I wish I was you' or – whoa. Shit man, you're huge!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"Holy fuck! Like what did you do?" Naruto looked at Sasuke in bewilderment, and then flexed his own arm. "I thought it was a cruise, not a muscle-building competition!"
Sasuke smirked and chose not to answer. Instead, he went to turn on the TV and the Xbox – since they played videogames almost every time Naruto was over, it became a habit.
"Yo," Naruto started, still flexing his own arm and comparing it to Sasuke, "You don't have a PS3 yet."
Sasuke looked at his collection near the TV. In fact, he didn't have a PS3 yet, with the cruise and everything else going on, he never really thought about it – plus he had just recently (before the cruise) gotten an Xbox 360, and that kept him occupied for the time being.
"You wanna go get one?" Naruto asked, noticing Sasuke's recognition of the subject.
"Sure." He replied and then stood up, got his car keys and his wallet from the computer desk, and followed Naruto out of his room.
"Hey, if I give you like, thirty bucks now, for like the PS3, am I off the hook for tomorrow?" the blonde asked.
"Whatever."
"Sweet. You having a party?"
"No."
"You should have a party."
"No."
"Well, then we're going to a party or something, sometime soon."
"Whatever."
"Hey, Sasuke?"
"…"
"Can I drive the Maserati?"
"No."
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"Let's hook this baby up!" Naruto yelled, entering Sasuke's room. Sasuke, who was behind the blonde, carried the box holding the Play Station 3 along with the many games they bought for it.
As Sasuke connected the new system to his TV, Naruto went through the games, contemplating which one they should play first.
"We could play Assassin's Creed, or Heavenly Sword… nah, those are only one player… hmmmm… okay," Naruto looked over the pile of games in front of him, then held up two discs, "Guitar Hero 3, or Call of Duty 4?"
Sasuke shrugged when he finished setting up the system, grabbed a controller, and sat on the couch, waiting for Naruto to choose.
"Call of Duty 4," Naruto confirmed with a nod and loaded the disc, "This is gonna be awesome." He said, grabbing a controller and taking his usual seat on one of the beanbags.
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"This is a fucking sweet game Sasuke," Naruto commented after a half hour of game play.
Sasuke smirked without taking his eyes off the TV screen where he was now playing Heavenly Sword.
"That chick his so hot." Naruto continued, watching as the main character of the game brutally killed her opponents while wearing a very skimpy outfit.
Sasuke smirked again.
Seeing this, Naruto concluded that either Sasuke was in a good mood or he recently got laid (though the former is the most likely considering he had only been home for one day) because he seemed to be more sociable than usual – for Sasuke that is. He may only be smirking, but at least he was acknowledging Naruto and was replying in a way where one could tell if his response was positive or negative.
Then, Naruto concluded that in the morning, when Sakura had called, he had promised her that he wouldn't say anything from her – but that doesn't mean he can't say anything about her.
So then he finally concluded that a way to possibly mention Sakura would be through a way that Sakura herself came up with.
It was time to play cupid.
Flashback
"Okay fine, but FIRST, do you talk about girls?" Sakura asked in the restaurant of the bowling alley.
"Yeah, I guess." he answered.
"How do you talk about us though- do you like," and she put on a manly voice, "say 'Hey dude, do you think this chick is hot?'"
He gave her a funny look. "Uh… sure… we say it like that…"
End flashback
A light bulb turned on in his head.
"Soooo…. Who do you think is hot?" Naruto asked, trying to act casual.
Sasuke's eyes flickered to him and then back to the TV screen. No reply came.
"You know, I could tell you who I think is hot," Naruto continued, "though I guess you already know…"
Of course Sasuke knew – whether he wanted to or not. In fact, the whole school knew, it's not like the Naruto and Hinata pairing was a secret.
"Hn." Sasuke answered, completely withdrawing.
But this is where Naruto's plan came into action (even though it wasn't much of a plan in the first place). So he was going to lie, but it would be worth it to see Sasuke's reaction – and besides, lying was one thing Naruto could do well… sometimes.
"Yeah, I mean did you see that one time, when we were all in the pool, and she was soaking wet? Oh man."
Hold on – Sasuke didn't recall any time when Hinata, Naruto and himself were in a pool. His eyes flickered to Naruto again.
"Or when she was all over me at that one party."
Again, Sasuke glanced at Naruto – Hinata didn't go to parties.
"I mean, who cares if she doesn't cook macaroni – her kissing can make up for it."
Hold on – he was talking about Sakura.
Not Hinata.
Sakura.
Hold on-
What exactly did Sasuke miss out on while he was gone?
What the fuck happened?
A lot can happen in three weeks. A lot of things can change.
Sasuke's response was to grunt, act normal, and beat the shit out of his opponent in the game.
"Yeah," Naruto sighed, "just yesterday we were hanging out at the beach – I have to say, the bathing suit that I helped pick out for her made the sun more than sizzling."
Sasuke didn't reply – it appeared that Naruto was getting to him.
First convincing Sakura to reconsider her impulsive decision, and now tricking Sasuke –Naruto was on a roll.
But then Sasuke did something quite unexpected, even to himself.
Usually, when Sasuke speaks, it's a decision that he thought through – whether it was a whole pros and cons list he thought up, or a simple millisecond 'yes or no' – he always thought it through.
But his next statement was on impulse. He just blurted it out, and then tried to make it sound relaxed and informal in retrospect. He didn't even know why – it just happened.
"Hinata's pretty hot." Sasuke stated.
…
…
…
"EH?" Naruto was shocked. His plan completely backfired.
In return Sasuke shrugged and un-paused the game, trying to make it seem as if everything was fine – even though inside he was just as shocked as Naruto.
The next few minutes proceeded as followed:
Naruto: …
Sasuke: …
Naruto: …
Sasuke: …
Naruto: …
Sasuke: …
Naruto: …
Sasuke: …
Naruto: …
Sasuke: …
Naruto: …
Sasuke: …
Naruto: (said slowly) Er… I gotta go to the washroom…
Sasuke: …
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"So uh, I gotta go now…" Naruto said later in the afternoon, "er, Hinata and I have a date…"
"Hn…" An odd sense of relief washed through Sasuke, though he never let it register.
"Yeah…"
"Hn…"
"So, I'll see you around…"
"Hn."
"Uh…." Naruto shifted uncomfortably, "You… you were lying, right?"
Sasuke knew exactly what Naruto was asking – he was worried about what Sasuke would do if what he said about Hinata was true.
"Hn," he replied, and looked the other way.
To others, this gesture could seem as similar as those before it, but Naruto knew that in Sasuke-language, a 'hn' + looking the other way something he doesn't want to admit.
And that gave Naruto reassurance.
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Sasuke woke up the next morning to voices outside his room – specifically Sarah's.
"But I wanna go in! I wanna wake him up!"
He heard Mrs. Carter's hushes, and then, "Sarah, let him sleep in, we will wait until he wakes up himself."
"But I wanna see him," Sarah whined, "I wanna see him!"
"Sarah," Mrs. Carter hushed again, "He can do whatever he wants today, now how about you go back downstairs and-"
"I don't want to! I wanna see him! Please? Pleeeeeeaaase?"
There was silence, and then Mrs. Carter's voice saying, "Okay, at eleven o'clock you can see if he is awake, but only then."
"But I wanna see him now."
"Sarah, do I have to count to three or will-"
"I wanna see him, I wanna see him!"
"One…"
"Please, please, please!?"
"Two…"
"I just wanna see him really, really badly!"
"Thr-"
"Okay, okay, I'm going!"
Sasuke heard Sarah's footsteps running down the hall and down the stairs. He heard Mrs. Carter sigh, and he heard her wait outside his room for a minute or two – probably to see if Sarah would try sneaking back. Finally, he heard her walk away following the path her daughter took.
Sasuke lay on his back looking up through the skylight, letting any random thoughts pass through his head. Today seemed unusually calm – he seemed unusually calm – though it really should be chaos. Today he should be bombarded by Sarah, getting headaches, rolling his eyes, getting into awkward talks with his adoptive parents, but everything seemed calm.
Sasuke decided that he might be able to tolerate today.
After letting a couple of free thoughts wander through his mind, he – almost serenely – got up, walked over to the edge of his loft, and climbed down the ladder. He made sure his door was locked before undressing and getting into the shower.
After his shower he brushed his teeth, put on some cologne, got dressed, and completed a couple sets of pushups and sit-ups (though now, it seemed useless to do only a couple of sets, because a work-out fit for his newly muscled body would take a lot more time).
He stood in front of his bedroom door and sighed, thinking about his previous thoughts. Today seemed calm, yes, but it was only the morning – calm could turn into chaos the second he opened the door in front of him.
And when he did, it was no surprise to see Sarah standing on the other side, a huge grin on her face.
But Sasuke didn't sigh again, nor did he scowl, or frown, or roll his eyes. In fact, his expression was, well, expressionless – but not in the usual way, where there was a hint of negative connotation, or being utterly bored. His expression was more of what you'd find in a passport photo – except really, really, really good looking.
Sarah took in a deep breath and seemed as if she was going to burst with whatever she was going to say, though all that came out was a very excited (though a tad creepy) whisper of, "Happy Birthday!" She then ran down the hall, down the stairs, and when Sasuke only followed at a walking pace, she ran back up to him, took his hand, and dragged him with her (though he still only followed at a walking pace).
In the kitchen the chefs had made 5 of Sasuke's favourite foods to choose from (he let Sarah pick what she wanted first from the food on display, so really he only chose from 4). After breakfast, Sarah led (more like dragged… or tried to drag) him to the main floor living room, where Mr. and Mrs. Carter were finishing up their own breakfasts.
An envelope and a gift bag were situated at the table where his adoptive parents sat, and Sarah pushed them towards Sasuke the moment they joined them.
Some irrelevant conversation (consisting of happy birthdays and awkward replies) ensued until Sarah pleaded for Sasuke to hurry up because the suspense was apparently killing her.
So Sasuke reached for the envelope first and glanced at his adoptive family – all were smiling; Sarah in particular was bouncing in her seat.
It was different, opening a present in front of others, because usually he opens them alone. It was slightly awkward and a little unsettling, but he opened them anyway, because, as it was earlier that morning, strangely calm.
The envelope held a silver key – too small for a car or a house or something familiar. He turned it over in his hands, and the other side showed the number '0723' engraved in its head.
A he held the key in his hands Mrs. Carter explained, "It's your safety deposit box key, and since your 18 you officially own all its contents." She said the next part tenderly, "As well as what your… parents put on their will."
Now this could have been a cheesy, flashback, affectionate, 'awwww that's so cute' moment if it weren't for Sarah.
"Oh Geez, mom! If he already owns it then why'd you give it as a present?" she yelled, throwing her hands in the air as if it was the most ridiculous thing her mother had ever done.
"Sarah," Mr. Carter warned, "You don't talk to your mother that way."
"I'm sorry but geez. I hope the next present is good." She ran around the table to reach Sasuke's chair, "Hurry up and open it! How can you stand the wait!?"
Sasuke set the key back in the envelope and put it on the table. He then reached for the gift bag slowly, almost tauntingly, as one eye watched Sarah. He didn't reach the gift bag though – Sarah already grabbed it, took out whatever it was that was inside, and shoved it in Sasuke's face. "Gosh! Do I have to do everything? Here! Take it, take it!"
As Sasuke took the present from Sarah, he heard Mr. Carter caution his daughter again, "Sarah, calm down."
"But he's taking soooo long!"
"Sarah," Mr. Carter warned.
She folded her arms and pouted. "Fine, fine, but he's gotta hurry up."
Sasuke turned over the gift in his hands, slightly confused.
It was a jewelry box.
A black velvet jewelry box, that looked like it would hold something expensive.
But it was a jewelry box – guys don't get jewelry, do they?
Nevertheless he opened it, revealing what looked to be a silver identity bracelet.
Okay, maybe guys do get jewelry.
"It's platinum." Mrs. Carter stated, looking for Sasuke's reaction.
Sasuke took out the bracelet and held it in his hands. The front of the tag had 'Uchiha' engraved into it, and the back was blank.
"We weren't sure what you'd like engraved on the back," Mrs. Carter continued, "so we left it for you to decide." She seemed almost anxious, afraid that Sasuke wouldn't like it.
In fact, Sasuke didn't know what to think – jewelry never occurred to him as something he'd ever get. But it seemed, through the bracelet, the Carters respected his name – they took in that Sasuke was 18, that he was by law an adult, that he officially was an Uchiha and not a Carter.
Though, for some reason, Sasuke felt as if there should be another name, besides his own, engraved in the bracelet.
"…Thank you." He mumbled awkwardly, and Marie seemed to let out the breath she was holding in – Mr. Carter seemed relieved. Sarah still looked anxious.
"Well what are you waiting for? Put it on! Put it on!" she yelled, and snatched, once again, the present in Sasuke hands. She grabbed his right hand and pulled it down so it was at eye-level.
"Sarah," Mr. and Mrs. Carter said in unison, "be careful," Mrs. Carter continued.
"All done!" she announced, and held up Sasuke's arm. The bracelet didn't look half bad – and it's not like it looked girly. If it did, then he'd be able to pull the look off any way and everyone would start wearing identity bracelets.
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Sasuke was right.
He was able to tolerate the day.
Even when Sarah wouldn't leave him alone.
Even when the Carter's thought it would be nice to invite Naruto over for dinner – whose reply to the bracelet was to laugh and say 'You got man-jewelry?' (for some reason, Sasuke was a little offended by this…)
It was tolerable.
And as he lay in his bed that night, he figured that the next day would be tolerable as well, though a little boring, because Mr. Carter was taking him to the bank that held his safety deposit box. That meant he'd be dealing with his birth parents' will, his inheritance, and all of the financial business in between. But it could be tolerable.
And maybe, even the next day after that- the first day back to school – would be just as tolerable. He would just have to take care of some business that happened to have pink hair.
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Sakura POV
Oh my god. I'm dreading the first day of school. Yes, dreading.
I know before I said I wasn't exactly dreading, but after two days of the subject ringing in my brain non-stop, I think I have the right to dread.
I mean, if I look back to how things ended off before the break, I'm not sure leaving Sasuke passed out on his couch, sleeping over at Naruto's, and having Naruto call Sasuke saying I slept with him, isn't exactly a good way to leave things for three weeks.
And if you look even farther back, the events that lead up to the Christmas Break weren't great either. Sasuke practically harassing me at my sister's party and me slapping him wasn't good, nor was him ignoring me, kissing me, and then leaving me alone in the projector room. This almost makes me think that he might just be playing around with me for his own amusement – or even worse, it makes me think that when I go back to school he'll pretend like nothing ever happened.
But then it makes me wonder why the hell he ever got himself so involved – and why he sent me that Facebook message.
Maybe I should pretend I'm sick and not go to school – it would save me a lot of humiliation. Or maybe I should go along and start where I left off before the break. Or maybe I should pull a Hinata and try and act invisible. Or maybe I should pull an Ino and try to be the exact opposite if invisible. Or maybe…I don't know.
Maybe I should just wing it.
A/N For future reference, I've decided that the birthdays in my story are NOT going to be the same as the ones in the anime (I took a vote- it was unanimous).
