Desperate I will crawl
Waiting for so long
No love, there is no love
- Diary of Jane, Breaking Benjamin

Two

Faint murmurs echoed across the empty hall. The voices stopped abruptly as the thwacking of flip-flops were heard. With their eyes wide, the two girls watched following the intruder's movements. Slowly their heads turned to face each other, shock and awe plastered on their features.

Looks like the rumors were true. The former legacy had returned.

"Alright girls, hit the showers!" the shrill voice of the soccer coach yelled. With sweat dripping down their faces, they tiredly nodded and walked towards the locker rooms. Soccer was one of the main sports of the Academy. Besides football, the school prided its soccer teams for being in the top ten within the country.

Ino studied her best friend's slumped figure as they both walked to the shower area. She knew something was up and had a feeling what it was about. But Ino just had to ask Sakura just to confirm whether or not her suspicions were true. "So what happened the other day Sakura? You haven't been your normal self." Her question was casual and showed concern. Sakura would suspect nothing.

A small forced smile made its way on Sakura's face. Sakura knew that she would have to tell Ino sooner or later because the blonde would get it out of her. But right now, she just wanted to leave it. She didn't want to talk about it at all. "I don't know what you're talking about Ino. I think I've been perfectly fine." Sakura was a horrible liar and Ino could tell she was lying right away.

"That's bullshit and you know it." The blonde smirked. Yes, it had something to do with Sasuke. Whenever the coral haired girl was like this, it had something to do with the bastard that everyone seemed to love. Even with just a little probing Ino got her answer. Her heart soared with glee and a smile threatened to find its way on her mouth but she pushed that aside. Knowing that there was trouble in "paradise" meant that she had a chance.

"Well just tell me when you're ready okay?" Fake concern was laced within that sentence but unlike Sakura, Ino was experienced in lying. She could convince anybody, sometimes even herself. Sakura smiled softly a bit and muttered her thanks and began to walk out of the change room.

Trouble in paradise...it's not like it was paradise anywas. This is going to be fun.

Naruto was sitting on the soccer fields bleachers. Watching all those hot girls in skimpy outfits they called clothes had turned him on. His blonde head jerked up as his best friend seated himself beside the blue eyed boy. He had heard about what had gone on. Even though Ino was Sakura's best friend, it seemed as if Sakura liked to tell him things first. It was like Ino was second to him.

"So what is this? The fifth time the both of you guys have called it quits?" Naruto drawled out as he pulled out a cigarette. He offered one to Sasuke who took it eagerly. Taking out his lighter, Naruto lit both of the cigarettes and inhaled deeply.

"She was pretty pissed off. You're causing a lot of trouble in her."

"Does it look like I really give a shit." sneered Sasuke. He could careless if he had hurt Sakura or not. In fact, it was her who actually held up their so-called relationship. Sasuke would just stand there watching her do all the work. Though sometimes he would take it in his own hands and do something nice for her. But those times were rare.

Naruto shook his head, lips set in a firm line. Even though he had his best friend's back and supported him all the way, Sasuke's attitude for his "ex-girlfriend" Sakura was just frustrating. She did so much for him and all he did was sit there and take it all in. Sakura did most of the giving and he the taking. It hurt Naruto seeing one of his closest girl friend's being pushed around like that. It hurt him even more knowing that she allowed it.

Looking over to the raven haired boy he spoke, "One day she's going to have enough of your shit and just walk away." No matter what he said to Sasuke, he knew that the answer would be the same. The words that he had just spoken were so familiar to him. Not only were they said to him once before but also he had reiterated them to Sasuke many times in the past.

Looking over at Naruto, Sasuke's eyes were void of emotion. He didn't care. Breaking eye contact with the blonde, Sasuke looked over at the setting sun. The cigarette had burned itself to a short stub. Dropping it to the ground he chuckled, "Whatever."

Viridian eyes were softly gazing at the sunset. The yellows and reds had painted the room with a soft orange glow. Far-off memories had been playing in her mind like a movie. This was one of the many times that Sakura had laid on her bed overlooking the setting sun, crying over a boy that never seemed to care. Her heart would hope for a miracle, Sasuke would burst through the door and apologize and tell her that he would change and that never again would he leave her for someone else. He had found the light and she was it. Too bad her life wasn't like the movies.

The door slowly creaked open. Turning her head slightly, Sakura's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of white blonde hair. Sighing quietly to herself, she felt that she should tell Ino now. Afterall, she had told Naruto first.

"I saw him with another girl the other day. He wouldn't tell me who she was." She began quietly. The sudden shift on her bed told her that Ino had seated herself at the edge of her bed. She felt her friend's warm hand place itself on her pale arm. It was comforting knowing that there were people that still cared. Most had stopped after the third time.

Ino nodded her head, her blue eyes with fake sincerety. Sakura's eyes filled with tears again as she went over to hug her best friend. Her shoulders shook and her voice came out in stuttered gasps. As Ino stroked Sakura's back a small smirk had already appeared on her face. Her blue eyes glinted as she once again relished in her best friend's hurt and pain caused by Sasuke.

"Sakura, you know this is going to blow over soon. You two are probably going to get back together in about a week or so." Ino told Sakura in a soothing voice. She was good. Even Sakura couldn't see through Ino's sweet comforting words.

Sniffling a bit, Sakura nodded her head. "Maybe this time it's going to be the last…" Each and every time Sakura said that, it meant nothing. In the end they would get back together again and a few months after she would wind up just like she is now. "You know what you need?" Ino asked her friend, a mischievous smile creeping on to her face. "Boys, and lots of them. That should take your mind off Sasuke."

"Are you suggesting we throw a party?" Sakura questioned, her eyes slowly brightening. Why not, it's not like anything is going to stop her now. She was single and nothing was going to stop her from having fun. That meant she could hook up with as many boys as she wanted and not feel guilty. Just thinking about that made her feel a bit better. Maybe taking a break from Sasuke was a good idea. A break from him…for good.

Beta: Anna
Date Completed: 26/07/07

Notes: Sorry for the late post. A bit preoccupied, but then again I did say that I may not be posting frequently anyways. Hope you liked it. Read and review and criticism welcome.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in anyway. This applies to the previous chapter as well.

Rachel