Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

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Chapter 3

Are You Breaking Up With Me?

What am I gonna do? Sasuke sighed. I was so rude to Sakura yesterday. I thought that if I just pretended I didn't care then I would be able to get over her. But I can't. I still love her…

"Sasuke."

"What Naruto?"

"Do you feel bad about yesterday? I do." Naruto had a guilty look on his face.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, the whole Sakura thing."

"Oh…that," Sasuke sighed again, "of course I do Naruto. We were complete jerks to her. And I used to love her so…"

"Yeah, I know what you mean…I know I said that she wasn't my friend, but…I guess I lied because the thought of never hanging out with her again really hurts."

I know exactly what you mean…Sasuke thought.

"Which is why I've decided to win her trust back," Naruto said, "and to do that, I first have to get rid of you."

What!?

"So, I'm sorry to say this Sasuke, but…I value Sakura's friendship too much to let it go."

"Are you breaking up with me?" Sasuke was appalled. The one I left Sakura for is leaving me?

"I'm sorry…" and with that said, Naruto left Sasuke looking dumbstruck sitting on his bed. When Naruto looked back, he could have sworn he'd seen Sasuke crying, and Sasuke never cries.

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"Oh, Shika, come on. Get up!" Sakura had been trying to wake Shikamaru from his slumber for the past hour at least.

"Don't wanna," Shikamaru mumbled, "five more hours mommy."

"Shika, I am not your mother. If I were I would beat you for this kind of behavior."

With every attempt failing, Sakura didn't know what to do. Then an idea suddenly came to her.

"Oh, Shikamaru," she whispered in his ear, "I have something for you. And it's gonna involve me, you, and no clothes."

Shikamaru sat up so fast you'd have sworn he was on fire.

"Aha, I finally got you," Sakura smiled, triumphant, "you're a pervert you know."

"Aww man. You wake me up and then you don't give me what you promised?" He looked sad, but only for a moment. "I'm just kidding," he smiled.

"Well, I guess I could give you a little something," Sakura suggested and then she placed her lips on his and kissed him.

"Mmm…" Shikamaru mumbled, "I guess if this is what I get for waking up early, I should do it more often."

"Yeah, well this was a one time deal."

"You serious?"

"Totally," Sakura smiled, but upon seeing the look on his face she said, "No, of course not."

Sakura just loves teasing me, Shikamaru thought.

"Good, because if it was I would…"

"You would what?" Sakura asked.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you. And I really don't want to have to kill my beautiful cherry blossom."

At those words, Sakura bit her lip. That was the same nickname that Sasuke used to call me.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Wha-no…I'm sorry, I was just thinking."

"'Bout what?" Shikamaru asked.

"Nothing in particular," Sakura replied.

"Okay, well I have to get dressed."

"Okay…" Sakura didn't understand.

"You need to leave!" Shikamaru had a look on his face that said, quite plainly, "duh!"

"Oh, right…sorry!" Sakura blushed. She almost tripped in her haste to leave Shikamaru's room.

Sakura waited outside his door for at least ten minutes, which she felt was plenty of time to get dressed. She decided that it was time to check on him. She opened his door.

"Shikamaru? What's taking you so long? You'd better not be sleeping aga-" Sakura stopped short. Shikamaru was standing with a towel wrapped around his waist. He had, apparently, taken a shower.

"What?" he asked, "Can't a guy be hygienic?"

Sakura blushed, "I'm so sorry Shika. I was wondering what was taking you so long and I…I guess I know now, though. I'm sorry. Excuse me…" She turned to leave.

"No, Sakura wait!"

"Hmm…what for?"

"Uhh…I was just thinking…how long have we been together?"

"About two weeks. Why?"

"I was thinking about taking our relationship to the next level…"

"Like how, exactly?" At these words, Shikamaru looked like he'd never seen a stupider person in his entire life.

"Uhh…you know…" he made a motion with his hands, and Sakura finally understood.

"Ohh…that…" Sakura blushed, " well, I don't think I'm ready. I mean…I've never…" she blushed again.

"It's okay…I'll wait for you…" Shikamaru wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, Sakura."

Sakura nearly burst into tears. The last person who said that to me, betrayed me.

"Shika?"

"Yes love?"

"Promise me that you won't ever leave me."

"I promise you that and more, babe," he began, "I promise you my heart, my soul, and my life. I will never leave you, and I will always love you…"