IDNON :(
Chapter 17: Getting you out of my mind.
I'm not really sure why, but for some reason, Sasuke's behavior towards me seemed more colder as the days passed by. First, at Shizune's class, we had to team up with the person seated next to us for a quick group work. And guess who was seated beside me…Yeah, you guessed right, it was cold stare directed towards me took me by surprise. It was as if the idea of him working with me, in the same group disgusted him. It was kind of odd, actually. In the past, there were instances wherein we got partnered up. And he never seemed to mind it. Never seemed to mind that fact…until now.
You could barely even tell that we were working as a team. He never even glanced at me the whole time! And if it wasn't for the occurrences that I had to ask him some of the answers, then you wouldn't even have guessed that we were a team at all!
He didn't even seem like he cared the least bit on the work Shizune gave us. The answers to the questions that I had asked him were always replied as: 'Hn.', 'Whatever.', 'I don't care.' or even 'You're smart enough to answer that.' And every time he says either one of those I end up making lame answers to those annoying biology questions.
When we were through, or better yet, when I was finished, I took a deep breath and decided to ask him the question that plagued my thoughts the whole time I was answering the group questions.
"Did I do anything wrong…to make you this mad at me?" I asked in a subtle voice. We were in a classroom full of people after all. People that could possibly hear us and gossip about it. Thank God we were at the back of the classroom where there were less chances of that to happen.
It took him a few seconds before answering my question in a calm tone, despite the fact that he was glaring straight outside the window.
"No."
"Then why!? Why are you acting so cold towards me!?" I asked, raising my voice a bit, but not loud enough to catch anyone's attention or alarm.
"You wouldn't understand." He said, motioning to stand up. Well not before I stalled time for him to fully do so by grabbing his wrist.
"I could if you would give me a chance to!" But in a quick motion, he freed himself from my grip.
"It's not worth talking to you about." And he left the room even when class wasn't over. Shizune-senseI called after him, but her only answer was the loud slam of the door.
I felt my muscles stiffen.
I still didn't know what was wrong. I can't recall anything that I have done to him in the past that would make him react this…strange towards me. I tried asking him several times after the biology incident. But he repeated the same reaction. Giving me the cold shoulder and saying nothing. He then would leave me there alone after that. Standing there in the halls with confusion.
And on top of that, Naruto and Him were mad at each other. I tried asking Naruto what had happened between them. But he would always answer the same thing.
'I wish I as well know the answer..'
I know that there's something wrong…something wrong with Sasuke. But he keeps on pushing me away. It was as if he didn't want to get involved with any of us any longer. And it hurts me, that I can't do anything for him.
This weekend we will be having a class trip to the Snow Country. Kakashi-sensei informed us before class finished. We were supposed to leave Saturday morning, and we would all be returning once Monday comes. I guess I'll have to make an effort to stop thinking about him and start focusing on the trip with my friends, in order for me to enjoy this. If he doesn't want to be my friend anymore, so be it. I just won't care…well atleast, I would try.
"Sakura? Sakura!!" Ino screamed my name waving her hands in front of me until I snapped out of my thoughts.
"Sakura? Sakura!!" Ino screamed my name. Waving her hands in front of me, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"What?"
"I've been calling out for you but you are spacing out… again, seriously girl you haven't been yourself since Sas-…" Ino's eyes widened and shut herself at once and then nervously added "I-I mean… well… let's just say that you haven't been yourself these past few weeks"
I knew what she was going to say 'you haven't being yourself since Sasuke came back' and to tell the truth she was right. I haven't been myself these past days, my cheerful mode is gone and all that's left are fake smiles and sad stares at nothingness.
"I'm fine Ino, really." I tried to assure her with a fake smile. But this time she didn't seem to buy it anymore.
"I know you're not alright so it's unnecessary to hide yourself behind a fake smile Sakura, but I really want you to be the cheerful you used to be, so please. Try to give me real smiles instead of the fake ones, so that I may be at peace." Ino said grabbing me by my shoulders.
"I'm sorry Ino I promise it won't happen again, my cheerful mood is coming back really!" I told her trying to convince her.
"I'm glad to hear you say that and I hope you mean it" she told me releasing me from her grip.
"Of course I mean it you silly pig"
"Even though I hate it when people call me that, I'll let it pass this time. Seeing as your joking nature is coming back.
"Who said I was joking?" she gave me a little glare before answering in a threatening tone.
"Sa-ku-ra don't push it"
"Ha ha yeah okay pig" I said giving her a small real smile but as quick as it came it vanished.
"So have you talked to Shikamaru about those mails?" I changed the subject. But I guess it wasn't the best to bring on that topic. Ino's cheerful mood turned into a bitter one.
"He told me she was just a friend he met a while back during one of his vacations when he visited his family."
"That's good, isn't it?" I asked her.
"I ... suppose, but I still feel that something's going on between them." she looked down for a bit. I could see right through her when she shooed the thought away and her cheerful mood was back again.
"Anyways I need to get going I can't be late to Kurenai-sensei's class or she'll give me detention for sure. I'll see you later, Forehead." Ino bid me good bye before turning right towards the direction of her Chemistry class.
I could tell that Ino had wanted to leave already not for the reason that she would be late. We still had 3 minutes after all! No, the real reason was the fact that she didn't want to talk about Shikamaru and that other chick.
Wait a second…3 minutes?! My next class is waaay down the hall! I abruptly turned around, walking towards the opposite direction Ino had ran to. Just my luck though, I was in such a hurry that I ended up bumping into someone.
I fell to the floor and my stuff lay scattered everywhere.
I opened my eyes. That voice. It was his voice! Only this time, his usual mocking smirk and playful tone was missing. The only thing that was etched on his face was that thin line that formed his lips and the icy cold stare he held.
"Sa-Sasuke-kun?" But before I could say anything else, he offered me his hand, one at which I accepted to help me get up on my two clumsy feet.
"I-I'm sorry…I was in a rush."
"Hn." He knelt before me and grabbed the things he had dropped. "You really are clumsy, aren't you?"
I knelt beside him to gather my things as well, with a little wince because of the graze on my knee. Without saying anything, he took out his navy blue handkerchief and placed it on my barely bleeding knee.
A small cut.
"Why are you suddenly being nice to me again?" I asked, stopping at what I was doing to look at him straight on the face.
"It's called being polite." He said bluntly, still not looking at me.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. I had to know.
"Why are you acting this way!? Did I do something wrong!?" I blurted out.
"…"
"Sasuke, PLEASE! Tell me! This is getting so annoying already!"
He roughly gathered his things and some of mine as he stood up.
"Just forget about this." He said, handing me my stuff and walking away. He was infuriated. I was sure.
I stood there watching his retreating back, the aching in my heart was becoming even more painful.
One second he was all nice, and the next he's being a total jerk! Why…? How was I supposed to keep the promise I made to Ino…not showing or giving her those fake smiles that I could only handle at the moment. How can she even expect me to flash her one of my real smiles when the painful squeeze of my heart was getting harder to bear?
I tightly grasped the handkerchief he gave me seconds ago in my right hand, and held it above my heart.
The bell rang and I was late for class. Somehow that idea did not matter to me anymore.
When I arrived at Ibiki-sensei's class, it had already started. All stares were on me. I could feel it. I was never late to class. Especially if the Sensei teaching it was Ibiki-sensei.
Even Ibiki-sensei gave me a questioning look. Dismissing it soon afterwards to take my seat…the only vacant one at the moment…beside him…again.
His eyes were closed and he didn't even acknowledge my presence. It was as if I didn't exist, as if I didn't run into him a few minutes before. As if I wasn't sitting right next to him.
Hinata and Naruto threw a worry glance at my direction, probably because I was never late … or probably for my deep in thought expression. But I just gave them one of my best fake smiles.
I'm sure it would be hard to truly smile sometimes for a while, but even if I am not happy one hundred percent, at least I'll try to make my fake smiles more convincing, so that my friends wouldn't get worried about me
Days Later
Sasuke kept ignoring me the following days, and I was tired of feeling depressed all the time. Luckily the weekend quickly came and today was time for our trip to the Snow Country, where we would ski and have a nice time in the snow, I would enjoy myself and I'd stay away from Sasuke. Just like he wanted me to.
We were all inside the school bus, right in front of the school's front gates as Gai-sensei stood up, and proceeded saying; "Now everyone, take your seats so that we can start this very exciting, young and youthful trip!" Gai-sensei exclaimed excitedly.
Kakashi-sensei was reading his new green porn book up front, with Shizune-sensei seated beside him, throwing him disgusting looks.
I sat at the back with Hinata while Naruto sat with Sasuke, at the other set of seats right next to us. But it seemed as if the two male bestfriends were still in bad terms. An excited Ino and a lazy Shikamaru sat behind eyes while Neji and Tenten who were seated beside each other, betting on who was better at snowboarding sat behind Naruto and Sasuke.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata-chan, I know that you really wanted to sit beside Naruto, but you ended up seated beside me instead." Sakura said.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan. It doesn't matter. Besides, he's sitting next to me anyway."
Naruto told me to sit beside Hinata due to the lack of interaction I had with Sasuke. But I think Sasuke wouldn't sit beside me even if he had a choice.
"But probably you wanted to cuddle with him" I said and my shy friend's face turned a deep crimson red as she furiously shook her head no.
"Sa-Sakura c-chan n-no! I… I-it doesn't matter!"
"Calm down Hinata, I was only joking" I said giggling a bit. She exhaled and started to giggle with me.
I spent the ride looking outside the window, but I would sometimes steal a glance towards Sasuke's sleeping figure.
'Baka, he slept with his Ipod on, I can hear it from here' I thought.
I remembered the time when I woke up the day after Christmas and he was sleeping beside me, he looked so peaceful… WAIT! I shouldn't be thinking about this!! I shouldn't care about him anymore. Hell, I shouldn't even steal a glance at him!
But how is that his face doesn't look as peaceful as I remember? It was like he was having a sad dream. What could he be dreaming of?
I saw how Sasuke whispered something that I couldn't catch in his light slumber. And how Naruto had turned to him with his eyebrows raised, as if he was surprised. But then Naruto's cerulean eyes turned towards me, directing it. I think he caught me staring at him. So I ended up quickly fixed my gaze outside the window. Watching how the trees passed by me in a blur. My gaze was only fixated on the passing trees or houses for the rest of the trip.
I opened my purse and took out a perfectly folded navy blue handkerchief. I stared at it for the longest time…well it seemed that way to me. A sad smile etched it's way on my face. I hid it soon afterwards, so that no one else would see it.
In our last encounter, Sasuke helped me. But he could have just stood up and left me there without saying anything…but he chose…to help me. Aided me by pulling me to my feet and he even gave me his handkerchief.
I felt like if I held onto his handkerchief, it would be like I was wishing for the old Sasuke to come back…for him to be the same old sweet guy I fell in love with. And with that final wish, I fixated my gaze out the window…until sleep overcame me.
Hinata woke me up when we arrived at he huge wooden hotel, that was surrounded by white snow. Inside the hotel was warm and cozy. After waiting for a couple of minutes, Kakashi-sensei gave each of us a key to our respective rooms. Of course, each room had 4 people in it, and I shared mine with none other than my three favorite people, Ino, Hinata and Tenten.
We went outside to ski and explore the place. I was amazed at how beautiful the whole area was. Tenten, being the sporty girl she was, gave me a few lessons so that I wouldn't spend the whole trip with my butt on the hard cold snow.
"Hurry up and learn the basics, forehead! I want to explore the place instead of watching you fall on your butt!"
"Well I'm sorry for not having great skills like you, Ino-pig, but this is m first time. So you should really be more considerate." I said, standing up from my butt-sitting position for the fifth-time.
"Ino shut up, Sakura you are doing a great job. Just repeat the movements I showed you before and do 20 laps then you'll be ready."
"20 laps!!?? Are you insane, Tenten!?"
"Oh My Gosh, forehead! She's turning into the female version of Gai-sensei!!" Ino exclaimed in horror before hiding behind me.
"I knew you were dumb Ino, but seriously. That's just ridiculous!" Tenten said.
"Well then Gai-sensei's personality is rubbing itself on you."
"Yeah, that or you're spending TOO much time with Lee"
"It's already enough having Lee. We don't need another more Gai-sensei clones."
"Shut up both of you."
We laughed at Tenten's pouting faces.
"It's good that Hinata left with Naruto, I don't want you two to corrupt her with your evil ways."
"C'mon Ten-Chan we were only joking" Ino said.
"Yeah right, now shut up Ino. And you," she said with her brows knitted together pointing at me "start"
I did as I was told. I started to ski around the small area for beginners. Carefully taking one step after another so my butt didn't have any chanced of ending up meeting the cold snow again.
I watched how Neji and Shikamaru were talking in the distance with Sasuke. I couldn't see their expressions only Sasuke's stoic façade. I didn't realize I wasn't paying attention to the road in front of me until I heard someone screaming.
"HEY WATCH OUT!" The voice of a girl screamed, I couldn't stop, I forgot how to… But luckily she moved out of the way. Unfortunately for her she ended up clashing with Ino.
I rushed to my blonde friend's side (as I could) to help her stand up and Tenten helped the other girl.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't stop." I said apologizing to the girl, who I found oddly looking very familiar.
"Hmph you should look were you're going, girl!" the girl's reply was somewhat mad. Her back facing us, struggling to remove the cap shielding her eyes.
"Hey she said she was sorry. Why can't you just accept her apology?" Ino defended me.
"Who's talking to you?" The girl rudely said to Ino still fighting with the cap.
"Why you bi―"
"Ino are you Alright?" Shikamaru said skiing up to her with Neji tailing behind him.
She nodded without taking off her murderous glare from the girl.
"Shikamaru?" the girl called his name once the cap was off as if to see him better. His face held pure surprised.
"T-temari? W-what are you doing here?" Shikamaru asked her still shocked but happy nonetheless.
Realization hit me, she was the Temari Ino told me about… And I knew well who she was.
"School trip" she said with a wide smile on her face. So if she was here then…
"Temari are you alright?" two other boys stopped in front of us.
"Yeah I'm totally fine, Gaara" My eyes widened when the boy removed his goggles.
Red hair, green eyes and that unmistakable kanji tattoo on his forehead. Of course if she was here, then they should have been here too.
"You scared us, sis. I thought you were going to die for a minute." the other boy said smirking as he took his goggles off too, he had purple marks painted on his face.
"Ha-ha very funny, Kankuro" Sarcasm was dripping down her voice.
"Gaara! Kankuro! I can't believe it's you guys!" I screamed happily moving forward to where they were, but being the beginner I am, I almost fell… Almost, because Gaara was there to catch me before my face could meet the ground.
"Sakura? What are you doing here?" he said in his calm surprised voice helping me gain balance.
"The same reason why you're here." I responded to my red haired friend.
"Do you know them?" Ino asked me curiously.
"Yeah, they're my friends from Suna High"
"Wait you studied in Suna High?"
"Yes, Tenten I told you once." I turned to my old friends with a big smile. "So how have you been, guys?"
"Good, but little Gaara has been missing you a lot" Kankuro said winking his eye.
"I'm going to kill you Kankuro" Gaara answered annoyed, I couldn't help but giggle at their behavior they sure acted like little kids sometimes.
"Sorry but it'll have to be later, Baki-sensei is calling for us" he said pointing to a tall man waving his hands in the distance at them.
"Agh, why did he have to call us now?" Temari said glaring at her teacher. "-sigh- Well I guess I'll search for you later, Shikamaru" she said winking her eye at him.
"O-okay" I didn't miss the painful look that crossed Ino's face.
"It was nice to see you again, Sakura" Gaara told me with a small smile which I replied with a smile of my own.
"Yeah, see you later Gaara"
I kept watching Gaara's retreating figure when I noticed Sasuke looking at my direction… or more like glaring. The only thought that crossed my mind was;
'What did I do now?'
Chapter 17 done! I'm sorry for making you guys wait for so long, I know this chapter is shorter but I'll try to make up for it in the next one.
Thanks a lot Death Angel for being a great BetaReader!! i love the way this came out :D
So what will happen in the next chapter? What did Sasuke whispered in the bus? What will happen in the love triangle Ino-Shika-Tema? Is something going to happen between Sakura and Gaara? What is Sasuke going to do? Then wait for chapter 18 =).
Today is mother's day, I'm going to make a cake for my mom and my grandma or… probably buy it I don't know yet! U_U because I should be making it like RIGHT NOW but I'm too lazy and it's too hot and I wanted to update the story! :)
Thank you so much to all the people who reviewed the last chapter, your comments made me feel really happy and gave me the strength to keep writing.
Please keep reviewing I love you all! ^-^