Sakura: Wow… intense.. SASUKE KUN! IT WAS FINE! Why d'ya have to go… (sniffles)

Ino: Oh shut it Haruno. It's just a fanfic.

Sakura: (Glares) SO! (grumbles)

Key Connections

Chapter 7

"I don't understand…" Sakura told her friend Ino. After what had happened the night before, Sakura chan had needed some time with her best friend to talk things over and such. "He just left…"

Ino sighed picking up her cup of tea and taking a sip. "Well… I'm still not very amused that you are dating that traitor of an Uchiha." She said. "But, if you want my advice the next time you see him, if you see him that is, and then talk to him about it."

Sakura nodded taking a sip of her tea. "I can try that. I just hope I can talk to him sometime soon." She said doubt in her voice. The way he had rushed out made her doubt that she would really even see him again.

Ino put her cup down and moved closer to Sakura. She put her arm around her half hugged her. "It's going to be ok, don't worry so much. If you want the truth honey, I would just go with another guy. Sasuke is never going to be accepted by Konoha again, and even if he does come back, he'll be classified as a rouge ninja. Face it Sakura chan, Sasuke san is a lost cause."

Sakura looked at the ground; Ino's words sank in deep. No matter how much she wanted to disagree with Ino, a small part of her continued to persist that Ino was right.

"Well, think about it ok?" Ino said. Her eyes drifted to the clock, she stood up, grabbing her bag. "Well, I've got to go. Take care Sakura chan." With that, Ino left leaving Sakura to ponder over her thoughts.

Sasuke woke slowly up, as if in a dream. He still couldn't believe how he treated her…. He hadn't meant to do things like that, and she probably thought he was a total loser…. Well… that was going to change… He decided to disguise himself. He did the appropriate jutsu, then stood before the mirror.

He had red, spiky, shoulder-length hair, a black shirt, and cameo pants, as well as the regular ninja shoe. He had a hitae ate from the village in the waterfalls, and he planned on using it as he flexed his muscles. Nodding, he walked outside… and That was how Haruno Sakura met Kururugi Adell.

Sakura sighed as she walked out of her house. She locked the door behind her and walked down the busy street of Konoha. It had been at least a week since Sasuke and Sakura had their little ordeal, and Ino had unexpectedly set her up on a blind date. After a bit of begging from Ino, Sakura had said yes to going on a blind date. Ino had promised her that she and Shikamaru would be there as well for emotional support.

She stopped when she reached the restaurant. It was one she had been to numerous times before so it wouldn't be too uncomfortable going inside. Taking a deep breath, she walked inside the restaurant. The moment she stepped in she heard her name being called. Ino sat in a both that was visible from the door with Shikamaru and a tall man with long black hair. He smiled when he looked over at Sakura. He had deep green eyes that reminded her so much of Sasuke and he wore a blue shirt and black shorts.

Sakura made her way over to the table faking a smile. "Sakura, this is Akira Takahashi." Ino said, introducing them. "And Akira, this is Sakura Haruno, the girl I have told you about."

Sakura faked another smile. "Pleaser to meet you," She said politely as he stood up. He was about 5 inches taller then her and had a very charming smile. He took her hand in his and put it to his lips. "The pleaser is mine Sakura-chan." He said smiling once more.

Sakura hid a blush. No man she knew was this much of a gentleman. He let her slide into the booth first before sliding in himself.

Sasuke 'Adell' Uchiha slid behind a bush, knowing EXACTLY what Ino was planning…. and he wasn't about to let THAT happen… He transformed back into himself, and walked in the restaurant as if nothing was happening. He calmly told the waiter he was here for food and no hassle, and was sat down two tables away from Sakura… a table which he could see quite fine.

He looked up at the ceiling for a minute, then rubbed his temples. 'I wonder what Ino and Sakura will do when they notice me…'

The four hadn't even noticed Sasuke coming in. They were too occupied on their conversation. The waiter came by and asked them what they wanted. They ordered and returned to their conversation.

"So, Sakura-chan, Akira-kun, maybe if you two want we could go somewhere more secluded next time. Maybe I movie at my house," Ino suggested. She couldn't help but love the couple Akira and Sakura made. They just seemed like they had so much in common. Akira had even been able to make Sakura laugh already. She seemed like she was enjoying this a lot.

Sakura thought about the idea. "That sounds fun. There are a few movies that have just come out that I've been dying to see."

Akira nodded. "I've wanted to see She's the Man. It seems like it has a rather good story line, and I'm more of the comedy kind of person."

Sakura smiled. "I've wanted to see that one as well, maybe this Saturday. We could do it at my house."

The all nodded as their food and drinks arrived. The plan was set; next week at Sakura's house was a movie night as well as Akira and Sakura's second date.

Sasuke grumbled, he was stealing his woman… was he about to let that go? FUCK no! He stood up, walked over to Akira, lightly tapped him on the shoulder, then dragged him off. "Hi there, prissy boy… you may not know me, but I'm Sakura's BOYfriend…. So if I were you… I'd vamoose." He cracked his knuckles. "Unless you'd rather fight for her…" The image of Sasuke getting pissed off made Sakura giggle. She took a bite of her sundae happy to have chocolate.

Sasuke watched them, not liking this one bit… he wasn't sure WHAT to do anymore… but he didn't want Sakura to go to some gay-ass mofo. He got a medium sized piece of napkin, chewed it up, grabbed his straw, and spat it at Akira's head, hitting right into his 'lovely' hair.

Sasuke smirked, knowing that the attention was soon to be focused on him, and he looked casually away, but enough so they could still recognize him… just in case.

Akira winced feeling something sting the back of his head. He put his hand in that spot and pulled out the spitball. He cocked an eyebrow confused.

Sakura looked at him seeing him wince. "Is something wrong Akira san?" She asked trying to see what was in his hand.

He just dropped it not really thinking it was all that big a deal. "It's nothing Sakura. It was probably just my imagination or something." He said shrugging.

Sasuke twitched. That…that BASTARD! He slammed his fists into the table. "SONOFABITCH!" He froze, feeling all eyes on him. He looked down at the table, looked back at the crowd, and smiled sheepishly. "Heh… I can.. . Umm…. Fix that… I think…."

Ino's eyes flew to where Sasuke was sitting. She glared and looked back at her group. "Hey why don't' we get out of here and have that movie night tonight. I'm starting to get a little tired of this place." She said.

Sakura nodded liking the idea. Strangely, she felt as if she was being watched here and it made her a feel uncomfortable. If she were back at her house with her friends then she probably wouldn't feel that way any more. The put a dollar in for a tip as the rest of the group nodded and they slid of the booth.

Akira grabbed Sakura's hand as they left the restaurant, and strangely, Sakura didn't seem to mind. She laced her fingers with his and Ino and Shikamaru followed.

Sasuke grumbled to himself, thankfully knowing where she lived. He ran to her house, climbed up into the window, then hid in her closet. Moving around, he felt something land on his face. Grabbing it, he felt silky lace, and he moved it to the light, instantly feeling his face burn up and his nose threatening to bleed. Holy shit… it's… it's… it's Sakura's sexy ass lingerie….. SCORE! He quieted himself down as he heard the door open and shut, and he backed off to the shadows of her closet, smirking.

Sakura sighed happy to be home. Shikamaru, and Akira made themselves at home on her couch and Sakura went into the kitchen to make popcorn while Ino raided though her movie collection.

"Excuse me Sakura?" Akira asked stopping Sakura before she left the room. "Where's your bathroom?"

"Go upstairs and it's the last room on the right." She told him. He nodded gratefully and left the room.

Sasuke smirked mischievously, I know what to do now! He snuck out of the closet and to the bathroom. I wonder if she cleaned out the blood from the other night… He knocked on the door curtly, opened it sharply, and felt the door connect with Akira's head. Woops… my bad… opened it just a TAD hard, huh asshole?

He used a transformation jutsu to transform into Akira, then walked back to the living room. Sitting down by Sakura, he put his arm around her, sitting somewhat close…

Sakura looked uncomfortable for a second before she moved away. "I only just met you so maybe not just yet?" She asked hoping she didn't sound rude or anything.

He blushed, "No.. it's my bad. I didn't mean anything like that… I didn't mean to discomfort you Sakura chan…." He cursed in his head. When will I get her alone… FUCK! He smiled, knowing that if she had to go to the bathroom, he was royally screwed. He laughed easily at the funny parts, and even cracked some good jokes here and there.

Ino smiled as she found a good movie. "Here this one is good, and no you can't have any say in it Shikamaru. We're watching Pride and Prejudice and that is final." She said as she started the movie. She sat down next to Shikamaru and laid her head on his shoulder as the movie started.

Sakura looked at 'Akira'. "Look I'm sorry, I'm still a little bit in love with my ex boyfriend. If you want to put your arm around me, that's fine."

He smiled, "Nah, it's fine… really…." Mind Sasuke twitched. EX boyfriend… when the hell did THAT happen?! I should find the underlying cause of this…. Akira looked at her. "So… what happened to your ex?"

Sakura looked at the ground. "Well… he ran out on me one night when we were having an intimate moment. I really don't know what happened, he just ran off and hasn't talked to me since. I just figured that he isn't going to come back to me so I'm taking Ino chan's advice and trying to move on. It's hard though… I love him so much…"

He nodded, knowing that only half her thoughts were true. He HAD tried… but Orochimaru wouldn't let him out of his sight so it was just a little harder… but it seemed that, in a fit of madness, she now broke up with him…. Wonderful… "I'm really sorry it happened Sakura chan… just a random question though… what would you do if you saw him again?"

She was silent for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "Well, I would be happy to see him, but I don't know what I would say. If he apologized then I would be happy and maybe even be able to start up a relationship with him again. The only thing is though… I would barely ever get to see him, and I hate being away from him. I love him so much that every moment we are apart it hurts me. I'm sorry you have to listen to all this. I just really wish he could leave the place he's living at right now and come live with me."

He nodded again. "I see…" He stood up. "The time… it's getting late…" Sasuke was unaware of his voice and attitude coming back, but finally caught it just in time. He bowed to Sakura, and left with Ino and Shikamaru. Avoiding all conversation and straying to the back, he finally ran back, turned himself to…well… I dunno… himself, and crept back into the window. Grimacing, he picked up Akira's body, shifted his weight comfortably, and then threw him out the window, "Hope ya have a nice landing, you fucking cock-eater."