A/N - Two words. Senior Year. Two more words. LOVING IT.

Sorry it took me so long to upload this chapter. Just telling you now, you've waited this long just for a HUGE filler, but it's necessary. Just like shows on TV, with all the different seasons. Lol, last chapter was the end of that Season. This chapter is the start of the brand new one! Get excited, because drama is going to come.

Cuz I love Drama. And fucking with Sakura's head.

Yay me :)

Oh and I gave this a quick one over last night. So hopefully there aren't TOO many mistakes, I know I can't catch them all. If there are. Sorry. :( I tried.

DISCLAIMER I do now own Naruto.

I remained silent on Ino's bed, tossing up a toy ball as I laid on my back. Kenji, Ino's pet cat, was napping right next to me, deciding his comfortable spot for today was right next to my ribs. It was the middle our blissful summer day, and me and Ino had nothing planned but to hang out with each other. The dinner we had three days ago was great, but we both agreed that just simply enjoying each others company was the best option for today.

Ino was brushing her hair in the mirror, sitting on her chair with all the supplies that she needed in front of her. The music that she had put on stopped awhile ago, and the only thing that was left was the comfortable silence that was engulfing us both.

Somewhere in the middle for the quiet, though, I sensed that there was something on her mind. The reason we weren't speaking right now wasn't just because it was calming. No, we weren't talking right now because I was allowing her to gather everything she needed for the moments to come, because I knew moments from now that she would open her mouth to speak about a matter that has been bugging her for awhile.

I don't exactly know how I know that something's probing her mind, but I do. I have been sensing it for the past three days, but I decided to veer clear of whatever that was wrong. If it dealt with us she would have been confronted me about it a long time ago , but since she hadn't spoken yet, I was starting to think it dealt with something else. What that something else was, however, I didn't know.

Then again, I wasn't too worried about it. Everything about us right now seemed at peace. This has been the longest time period of us not fighting. So whatever the problem was, I was completely comfortable to talk about it whenever she was ready.

I guess that moment was now, because at this time she had decided to turn around and look at me silently. Catching the ball that I had just threw up, I raised an eyebrow as I glanced at her, "yes?"

Her smooth glossed lips curved only slightly before she took a moment to speak, "Sasuke. You haven't talked to him for awhile, have you?"

Now this was surprising, if I was expecting anything it wasn't this, "no." I answer, not bothering to continue. That didn't matter, though, because Ino took it upon herself to do it for me.

"Why not? Are you guys still fighting?"

Her voice was comforting, but I didn't want to speak about this situation. Whatever that was going on between me and Sasuke was between me and Sasuke, no one else should be getting involved. So, in hopes of ending the conversation quickly, I began tossing up the ball again, "Well I did tell him not to talk to me until he fixed whatever his problem is."

We were both silent for a moment, and during the quiet I had found myself missing Sasuke. Before I could start thinking about him anymore, I shoved all the feelings away, "don't you think you should be there for him right now?" Ino's suggesting voice pressed softly.

That made me frown, and as I tossed the ball a little too high, it hit the ceiling and bounced out of my reach. Letting my hands fall to my side, I moved my head to look at her, "what do you mean?

"Whatever he's going through, Sakura, don't you think you should support him through it." Ino explained, but I already knew what she was saying. What confused me was the fact that she was suggesting the mere idea, even after what Sasuke did to her.

"Whatever he's going through is too big for me and him both." I mumbled, turning my gaze away from her and to the ceiling, "so no. I don't think I should be there for him right now."

"He's your best friend." She persisted, but I was reaching a point of not caring and wanting to end the conversation by force.

"He was my best friend," I snap, deciding to sit up, "he isn't anymore. I don't even know who he is right now."

"Is this because of me?" A small voice asked, causing to look over at her. Her crystal blue eyes were staring at the ground now, her facial expression looking sad.

Forcing myself to keep my voice even and friendly, I spoke, "No. It's about him being a total douche to everyone around him."

"He's lashing out because he doesn't know how to handle it." My lips curved downward deeply as I stared at her, confused that she was defending him.

"Anyone can control what they say, Ino." I say carefully, watching her as if she had grown a third eye, "It isn't hard to do that. I can understand if he's having a problem, what I can't understand is how he could say all those things to you."

"But your acting like he wasn't sorry about it at all!" She was yelling now, which caused me to recoil back. I wasn't understanding what she was so angry at me about,Sasuke was the on that made her cry.

"Sorry or not, he shouldn't have said those things to you." I point out, refusing to raise my voice. I was liking my three day's of peace, I didn't want to ruin it over some stupid fight that didn't even contain our relationship.

"No, Sakura, you shouldn't have told him." Her hard voice had me growing angry. At this moment Kenji had decided it was time for him to leave, whether it was because he was sensing the tension or it was because it was too loud for him to nap in the room anymore.

"So I'm wrong for speaking my problems to him?" I ask calmly, forcing down my boiling anger.

"You're wrong for telling him something that you ultimately wasn't going to fix. He's your best friend, didn't you think for a moment that he would want to try and help out." Her soft crystal eyes were growing fierce now.

I opened my mouth to snap a reply, but I thought better of it. We could go on forever like this, and nothing would get solved. Even though I'm feeling like I could punch a wall, I know that if I didn't try a different approach we both end up not talking for the rest of the day.

Sighing, and rubbing my eyes, I threw my pride under the bus and gave up, "Then what do you want me to do, Ino?" I ask, looking up at her to show that I was allowing her to win, "What do you want me to say?"

My strategy worked. Her cold glare slowly melted away, "I want you to go talk to him. I don't want to ruin a good friendship."

So that's what this was about? She was feeling guilty? For some reason the sudden realization had me smiling in disbelief. Shaking my head, I sighed, "Alright. I'll go talk to him today. Happy?"

Her soft smile made me feel like injuring my pride was worth it. Rising from her seat, she walked up to me and climbed into the bed. Trying not to smile too much, I watched as she leaned towards me to give my lips a peck, "yes. I'm very happy."

"Good." I say, my hidden smile slipping into a grin.

X

As I rolled up it looked as if no one was home. Every car was gone expect for Sasuke's jeep, which was parked on the side of the road next to his mailbox. Not wanting to cause an inconvenience for anyone by parking on the driveway, I decided to park against the curb on the other side of the road.

I got out of my car, squinting as the sun glared on my eyes uncomfortably. Then with a deep breath, I started walking towards Sasuke's home. I wasn't feeling nervous or uneasy, actually I was worried about getting this over quickly. If this confrontation was a drawn out process I'll end up being late to rent a movie at Movie Mania, who closes at 7 sharp on Mondays. If that happened, that meant no movie night with Ino, which meant a perfectly good day wasted.

Taking his porch steps two at a time, as always, I approached the door and knocked. For a full minute I waited for him, or anyone, to answer, but no one did. Starting to feel slightly foolish, I took a glance at the windows on the second floor, trying to catch a glimpse of light that might indicate that someone was home. Looking back in front of me without success I leaned o the side and rung the door bell, my mind thinking of reasons as to why Sasuke hadn't answered yet. Maybe he went with his parents to some family dinner. Maybe he was sleep.

Now that I was left here feeling stupid, I cursed myself for not calling ahead of time to make sure he was in. Honestly, that would have been the smarter idea, but since I was in such a rush I didn't think about it. Still, it was awkward to come to Sasuke's home without him here. Maybe it was because I knew every time he left the house, he would usually text me about it, so I never experienced him not being here.

With a sigh, coming to the conclusion that he wasn't in, I decided I better rush to Move Mania instead. I still had time to make it and actually browse their selection. Just as I was turning to leave, I heard the door unlock with a 'click', and brightening at the sound, I turned back around with smile.

My smile flattered slightly as I saw Sasuke standing there, door open, with his face expressionless, "Um." I start, guilt starting to settle within me as I took in how miserable he looked, "Hey."

Instead of getting a reply I got a blink, just a simple blink. Other than that , I was thrust into awkward silence, which was new for me. I never experienced an awkward silence with Sasuke before, "So what have you-" I start, but quickly stop as he cut me off.

"Is there a reason you're here?" His voice seemed wrong. Actually, as I stood there looking at him in slight amazement, I realize that what he said was rude. Extremely rude.

Frowning deeply, I start again, deciding not to comment on his impolite tone, "I came to say sorry about the other day."

When I finally got a reaction of him, my best friend that was standing in front of me with an aura of a stranger, I found that I didn't like it. His smirk, which used to be friendly and playful, was now… I couldn't explain it. It was off, distant, cold, something I hadn't experienced in awhile.

Watching him with my eyebrows together, I slowly took in everything that was wrong with him. His hair was done different, he had dark circles under his eyes, his usual tidy appearance was slightly messier and darker. The Sasuke I know would never be caught dead like this, "Is that why you drove all the way over here? To apologize."

I brought my eyes, which were looking him over, back to his, which were black and unfamiliar, "Yeah," I start slowly, my brain not grasping the situation that was in front of me, "I… I didn't mean to over react."

His dark onyx eyes only rolled as he took a step back, as if moving to leave, "Well that's stupid. It's alright. It doesn't matter anymore, I don't care."

Did I wait too long to apologize?

My mind reeled as he scratched his head with a yawn, "Aanyway, I was napping. So was that it?" The unfamiliar voice asked with impatience.

"Sasuke." I mumble, my heart thudding out of my chest for some reason. I didn't like this. I didn't like how he was acting, how he was giving me a shoulder so cold that it was making me shiver. Sasuke was never like this with me. Actually, I never experienced him mad at me before. Was this how it was like?

Smirking, his eyes brow rose, "Sakura?"

"I said I was sorry." I blurted, not fully understanding why I did so, but I was starting to feel myself panic, "I didn't mean to go off. I was just angry."

This time his facial expression turned annoyed, which hurt me somewhere in my chest, "I said it was alright." he snapped, "Seriously, shut up about it, it's fine. Now can I go back to sleep?"

I only stood there silently and stared, feeling confused about everything. His tone, his attitude, his glare.

Taking my silence as whatever answer he wanted, he half waved before shutting the door on my face. I blinked, too shocked to do anything else.

Hey…

But I stayed glued to my spot, mystified about Sasuke's new attitude. My throat started to close as my brain shut down, not knowing what move to make next. Birds chirped above me as I continued to stay there, the stinging in my eyes starting to become painful as I refused to blink.

Movie Mania, remember?

For some reason, that woke me up. My eyelids closed, allowing a moments of comfort that was only disturbed by the wetness that slipped between the folds. Quickly wiping the leak, I opened my eyes with a glare at the door and my heart thudding angrily.

Let it go. We can deal with it later.

Struggling with every nerve in my body to move, I manage to tear my gaze away from the door and to my phone, which showed six thirty. Movie Mania was at least fifteen minutes away, and if I wanted any time to find a decent movie, I needed to leave now.

Unable to help myself, I look back , half expecting Sasuke to be standing there with some apologetic expression on. Instead it was just the same deep blue door. With a sigh slipping my lips, I descended down the steps and head towards my car.

X

"How did it go?" Ino's bright voice welcomed me as she opened the door and allowed me in.

Shaking my head, a frown on my face, I walk inside without stopping to give any sort of greeting to her, "Don't want to talk about it."

"That bad?" Her curious voice probed as I walked to the living room. I heard the click of the door closing as I tossed the two movies I managed to get on the couch. Shrugging, finding it easier than answering out loud, I left it at that, "Naruto has mentioned that he's been a bit…touchy lately."

That interested me. Turning around I watched as she walked towards me, my eyebrows coming together, "What do you mean?"

"Well," she started, shrugging as she passed me, "He said Sasuke has been a bit angry."

"Since when though?" I press, turning and waiting impatiently as she gave the movies a look over.

"I don't know, he hasn't mentioned. Just said Sasuke was angry, but when is he not, right?"

Her lame attempt of a joke only annoys me, "He never is, that's the thing." I snap. Both of us then fall silent, amazed at my tone. I blinked while she turned her gaze away from me, a small frown on her face. Forcing myself to control my voice, I continued, "He might look like he's always angry, but he isn't, and today was really weird. Like he was actually rude to me."

I was grateful when she didn't question my snapping, "Well you did slap him, Sakura. You also told him not to talk to you until he got his life together. So…" her eyebrows curved up slightly, making her expression look as if she were asking 'what did you expect?'

Sighing, I shook my head, "I don't know. Just… He's never angry at me. For some reason I thought he wouldn't be this time."

Her smooth arms wrapped around my neck as she pressed against me, a small pout on her lips, "Cheer up, Sakura. He's bound to come around some time. Just try to keep talking to him as if everything's normal. Don't pressure him to be ok just yet, he deserves time to be angry, just like you do. "

Sighing again, I nod, my arms snaking around her waist, "Guess that's what's going to have to happen."

I watch as her pout lifts to a smile, happy that I agreed. Pecking my lips once quickly, she backs away and slips out of my reach, then with a teasing smile, she says, "I want to watch Black Swan."

Raising my eyebrows, I walk over and grab the movie, examining it, "Really? It seems so boring, but the man kept telling me it was a great movie."

When I didn't get a reply, I glanced over at her, who was smiling as if she had a secret. Confused, I opened my mouth to question her, but she only continued to smile, "Let's just watch it."

My eyes narrowing in suspicion, I carefully pass the movie to her. As she bends down to place it in the DVD player, I try to come up with an explanation for her strange smile but I get distracted as my eyes wonders down her body.

Smooth curves, skinny waist, even skin. It takes all my strength to blink, but I only do so because of the burning that starts to attack my eyes. I instantly regret once I do, because it seems as soon as my vision regains Ino decided to stand, grabbing the remote from the top of the TV.

Not wanting to give her any satisfaction on knowing I was just staring at her like she were a piece of meat, I quickly look away, pretending I was occupied with something else. As she passes, she pushes the remote to my chest, the same knowing smirk on her face as she does so. Grabbing the remote before it left her grip, I turn also.

Making myself comfortable on the couch next to Ino, who sits with her legs tucked under her, I lean my shoulder against hers and turn on the TV, "Do you know who's in this movie?"

I frown, trying to remember the preview. I try to image the cast, but I only come up with unfamiliar faces, "No." I say finally, "I don't. Who's in it?"

"Mila Kunis, that girl from That 70's Show."

"Oh, that hot looking girl?" I say, only to get an elbow to my ribs. Grimacing, I glace at Ino only to find my eyes instantly sucked into furious crystal blue ones. Back tracking my statement, I try again, "That not so hot girl?"

Satisfied, she smiles and nods. Too annoyed to understand her point, I roll my eyes and look back ahead, "And I've heard they have this lesbian scene in here." She comments.

Raising my eyebrows in surprise, I say nothing. Sure the information was good to know, but it had nothing to do with anything. That was, of course, until I made the connection, "We are watching this movie for the lesbian scene." I say in disbelief, knowing that had to be the reason for Ino's smile. When I heard her small giggle, I knew I was correct.

Sighing because she was an idiot, I shake my head and sit in silence. Kenji, who always found Ino's humor mildly entertaining, mewed from the window and gave me a twinkling glance.

"Don't encourage her." I tell him with a glare only to get a flick of his tail as a response.

X

"Call me when you get home, alright?" Ino told me as I opened the door, movies in one hand and car keys in the other.

"Ino, I live like five minutes away. Is it really that serious?" I ask, rolling my eyes as I step onto her porch. Turning around, I watch her pout in amusement.

"Yes it's serious!" Ino told me sternly, stepping onto the porch as well and pulling the door close behind her, "Things can happen in five minutes!"

Sighing loudly, I lean down and peck her once on her lips, "Fine, I'll call."

"Good." Ino said with a nod, snaking her arms around me. Smiling slightly, her eyes flicked to my lips then back up to my eyes, "Are we hanging out tomorrow?"

Wrapping my arms around her, I try to think despite the fact that her body pressed against me like this was highly distracting, "I don't know. What do you want to do?"

"Several things." she whispers softly, "Stuff that requires a bed and some sheets."

That's when I pulled away, worried that my will to leave would vanish and I'd end up right back up stairs in her room, "Jeez Ino, you need to stop that."

"What?" She asks, watching me with a sexy smirk, "We haven't done anything for days now."

Thinking it would be safe to put more distance between us, I jog down the steps, "And that's perfectly fine."

"Tell my body that." She grumbled under her breath, causing me to smile.

"Cut it out, plus I don't like planning things like that out." I tell her, waiting for her to make her way down the porch stairs before moving towards my car.

"How else are we suppose to do it?"

Turning around, I look at her wearily, "I don't know, still I don't want to plan it. It makes it weird. When it happens out of no where is better."

Her crystal blue eyes rolled, "Fine. Well can we make it happen out of no where tomorrow, then?"

"Ino!"

She only rolled her eyes, "What? My body is deprived. If I have to suffer any more, I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands."

Dirty thoughts skittered past me. Blinking quickly, I pushed them away, "Like what? Find some other girl?"

"Or maybe use my fingers while talking to you on the phone?" Ino suggested with a smirk, "What do I look like cheating on you?"

My cheeks burned bright red, "Don't call me while your doing that."

"Oh please, you'd like it." Ino assured with a small laugh, finding the conversation highly amusing, "I'd make sure to make a lot of noise and moan your name the whole time."

"I'm going!" I yell out, practically running to escape, "I'll call you."

Laughing at me, she turned around and headed towards her house, "Bye Saku."

X

I drove down the road in silence, radio off and windows down. I didn't think about much, actually my mind was almost blank. Still, I couldn't keep myself from thinking about Sasuke. I wanted to visit him, even talk to him, but whatever that was happening to us was different then other times.

Usually when I was angry at him, he did anything and everything to get himself back on my good side. This time it seemed like he couldn't care less, and I wasn't understanding it.

Maybe you're too used to being pampered by him.

Frowning, I pressed on my break, stopping at a stop sign. That wasn't the reason, though. I just want to know what's wrong with him.

You didn't want to know when you slapped him.

I was angry! I defended, trying to force myself to see that this wasn't my fault, that I didn't cause any of this. If anything, it was his fault for acting all strange and not telling anyone what was the matter. I was his friend. If he could have told anyone it was me. I wouldn't judge him, or anything. I would have tried to help.

What if it was a problem you couldn't help with?

Would that have mattered? Either way, I would have been by his side, making sure I was their if he needed me. There's other options besides helping. I could have comforted or… Or, I don't know!

Maybe it was something he couldn't tell you.

That had to be the reason as to why he didn't tell me what was wrong. That didn't explain, though, why he has suddenly stopped wanting me around. Sure, I slapped him, told him off, but that can't be the reason why I am hated.

Is it so impossible for him to be angry at you for that very reason?

No. It wasn't impossible. Actually, it was highly possible, but I can't find it in myself to believe that's the reason he won't talk to me.

I think something else went down… Something I don't know about.

The thing that was most infuriating was the fact that I'm going off of guesses and gut feelings. I didn't know for sure that something happened because he hasn't told me a single thing. If something had happened before this whole mess, I was completely blind to it, and would continue to be completely blind until he gave me some sort of clue.

Sighing, I pulled into the drive way. I turned off my car, but sat there for a moment, looking down at my steering wheel. I really wish I knew what was happening, what was going on, and now that I'm sitting here looking pathetic, I feel like a complete idiot. I should have tried harder to figure out what was wrong. I should have stayed with him that day he fell asleep on the couch. Or maybe in the hall way when he went off, I should have hunted him down and demanded answers.

Now that I sit back and look at it, there were so many opportunities that I let go by. Not only that, but I could tell how it progressed and got gradually worse. The signs weren't obvious then, but they seem completely obvious now.

Feeling like I could shoot myself for being so stupid, I take my keys from the ignition and slide out of my car. Even though it was so late, I didn't bother with being quiet. Actually, I tossed my keys on the table and slammed the door. I couldn't find it in myself to care about whether my parents were sleeping or not.

Walking up the steps, I pull out my phone, already scrolling down the list to find Ino's name. The girl would have a fit if I didn't call, and it would be better to get it out the way before I forgot. Still, I couldn't help but pause as Sasuke's name appeared on the scroll. Looking at it with longing, I just stop and watch it for a moment.

I didn't know I would miss him this much if he were angry, mostly because I never experienced him angry at me before. Maybe aggravated, but not completely angry, to the point where he does anything to escape my presence, like earlier today.

I know it would end badly, and I know I would look desperate, but the idea of calling him right now seemed appealing. He wouldn't want to talk, and he was most likely sleep, but the longer I look at his name, the more my heart aches for his voice. Even though it wasn't too long ago, I can't remember how it sounded when he was the 'caring brother', no matter how hard I try.

Before I could stop myself, I pressed the talk button and held my breath as it rang. It rang so long that I figured he was ignoring me or in deep sleep, because just as I was about to pull the phone away from my face and end the call, he picks up.

"Hello?"

My breath caught at his voice. It was sleepy, groggy, like he had just woke up. Pathetically, I yearned for more, "Hey…"

"Sakura." His rugged voice stated as he shifted, most likely sitting up, "What's the matter?"

I found myself sitting down on the steps, my heart racing with hope. Maybe he was too sleepy to remember that he was suppose to be angry with me, "Nothing, just wanted to talk."

I listened to his huge yawn, and more shifting, "Yeah well, I can't talk right now."

That's when I noticed he was whispering, and for some reason I found myself doubting that all the shifting was from him alone. My eyebrows came together as I opened my mouth to ask, but I caught myself. Instead of being curious, I found myself being heart broken. Not only didn't he want to talk to me, he was with some other girl in his bed.

I shouldn't be heart broken, so maybe that wasn't the right term. Maybe I was jealous, angry for the fact that his attention is being spent on some stranger, and not me, his best friend, "Okay." I croak out, feeling the hair on the back of my neck rise as I hear more shifting, and even some whispering.

"Night." He says quickly, before hanging up.

Pulling the phone away from my face, I look at it.

I don't know how long I sat there watching it, and the only reason I didn't continue looking at it longer was because Ino's picture came up, along with her ring tone. Instead of picking up the call though, I watched it until it stopped ringing and started to ring again. As soon as it stopped ringing for the second time, I waited a moment to see if she was going to call again. When she didn't, I stood and headed to my room. Then went to sleep.

xXx

"I told you to call me when you got home! I called you twice and you didn't answer! What the hell, Sakura!"

I laid there, eyes rolling in my socket. I don't remember answering the phone, I don't even remember two seconds from now, all I know is that I'm up and being yelled at, but even that is hard to comprehend, "Hello?" I mumble out, rolling over to my side to sleep in a more comfortable position.

"Are you even listening?"

I groan, pulling the phone away from my face, "Why are you yelling, Ino?"

"You aren't fucking serious! I told you to call me when you got home!"

"Grrrrahhh!" I half yell half yawn, "You're too loud! Too. Loud. And it's too early."

'Click'.

I blinked and pulled the phone away from my face, only to see that she has hung up, "Shit," I mumble, quickly redialing her number, "I'm in trouble."

"Hello." A furious voice growls out.

"So…I don't know if you hung up or if I accidenly-"

"I hung up." She snapped, cutting me off.

"Okay…" I start, unsure how to continue. Struggling not to yawn, knowing that would only make her even more furious, I try to get myself out of trouble, "So I'm totally sorry about not calling you when I got home."

"You're damn right you're sorry! What the fuck happened, Sakura?" Ino demanded.

"I came home and went straight to sleep." I lie, trying to find a way out of the corner she was scolding me in, "I completely forgot. I was just so tired."

"I called you twice!" She argued, but I quickly cut in.

"You called?"

"Yes! After twenty minutes of not hearing from you."

"Wait wait, Ino." I say, trying to act confused, "I never got any calls."

There was a pause, and I prayed she would take the bait. I didn't want to fight so early in the morning, especially over this. Plus, if we got into it and she found out the truth that I had indeed gotten the calls and just didn't answer, and how was I suppose to explain why I didn't? Even now I couldn't think of the reason why I didn't pick up. All I remember is staring at the phone and walking up stairs.

"Well… I did call you. Maybe it didn't go through?" Ino asked curiously.

"Couldn't have went through, or I would have answered. I'm sorry babe, won't happen again."

Crossing my fingers I waited for her reply, "Alright," She sighed, "so are you still coming over today?"

"Shit, my mom is calling for me down stairs." I lied, pretending to be in a rush, "Text me about it, I'll let you know."

"Alright, bye!" She yelled quickly.

"Bye!" Then I hang up.

Why are you lying?

I was lying because I didn't want to hang out with her. Actually, I wanted to lay in my bed and never get up. Was it wrong to want a few moments to myself? Is it too much to ask for a day of solitude?

It is when it's over Sasuke.

But it isn't. I lie pathetically, sighing and plopping back into my sheets. It's because I need some time to think about this situation.

About how Sasuke was sleeping with some girl-

About why he doesn't want to talk to me! I correct furiously, This doesn't have anything to do with him sleeping with some other girl. I don't care about that. What I care about is why he's acting like a jerk towards me, of all people.

Because you slapped him. Because you told him off. Because you stopped talking to him first. It could be any of those reason, and yet you aren't satisfied with any of them. Instead, you sit here avoiding Ino because your feeling like a dumped girlfriend.

Pushing the voice away, I sit up. I didn't need to argue with myself over some obvious lie. What I needed to do was try to get Sasuke to hang out with me. Ino said I had to act normal around him so he could come around, and the only way to start was to either start talking to him again or start hanging out with him again.

No matter which route I take, though, it all has to start the same way. I needed to call him, but the idea alone had my heart pounding slightly harder. After last night's embarrassing phone call, I don't think I could deal with hearing his voice with that girl in the back ground. Since it was still early, she was bound to still be there.

'Ding'

I look over at my phone and grab it, pressing the on button to see who had sent me a text. It was from Ino.

'What did your mom want?'

Frowning, I text back quickly, 'Something stupid. Ftw.'

Before I could put the phone down, she replied, 'Lol. Can I call you back?'

"Shit." I mumble, contemplating. I didn't want to talk to her right now, so I came up with a quick lie, 'No. I'm on the phone with Sasuke.'

Groaning, I rubbed my eyes. All these lies are going to catch up to me, I just know it. 'Oh! I'll ttyl then! Make sure you act normal! Be nice! Tell me if he wants to hang out! Byee.'

"Damn it all to hell." I grumble, "Now I have to call him."

You did this to yourself.

Shut up. I growl, dialing Sasuke's number reluctantly. My heart pounded as I anxiously waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Sasuke." I mumble out, my heart hurting my chest as it pounded harder.

"Jesus Sakura, do you have any idea what time it is?" He yawns out while he stretches.

"Sorry…" Taking a breath, I force myself to say the next words, "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out!" I winced once I noticed I yelled. Nervous, and ears burning in embarrassment, I await his answer. There wasn't a point to dragging out the conversation, and frankly I was too scared to try to have an actual conversation with him anyway.

For a moment, there was only silence, "Not really."

My heart dropped, and I found myself struggling to keep my voice steady, "Really?"

"Yeah, pretty serious." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Listen, I just don't want to hang out today. Maybe we can do it another time."

"Is it because that girl is still there?" I blurt out, suddenly feeling furious. Only when the words passed my lips, I wished for them back. Where the hell did that come from?

Still, Sasuke's deep voice only chuckled, like my comment was amusing, "How'd you know I was with someone?"

"Last night." I bite out, "I heard shifting, and whispering, and I figured you weren't alone."

Laughing some more, he sighed, "Yeah well, there is someone over, but it isn't because of her that I don't want to hang out with you."

He was breaking my heart, he had to know that, and I know it's the wrong term to use, but how else am I suppose to explain this feeling of my heart ripping into shreds? Quickly, because I couldn't handle another second of this conversation, I try to get off the phone, "Fine! What ever! I'll talk to you later then."

"Yeah, see you around."

"Bye."

Then I hung up and threw my phone against the bed. Furious beyond belief, I slammed myself back against my sheets and squeezed my eyes tight. My goal was to go back to sleep, but the blood that was running though me from the anger wouldn't allow me to.

I think I was laying like that for thirty minutes before Ino texted, asking if Sasuke had said yes or no. I texted back no, and threw the phone back to where it was. She replied, but I didn't bother answering.

X (Later that night)

"Sakura! Are you even listening?" Ino asked, sounded annoyed.

Blinking, I look over at her, "Yeah, sorry. What did you say?"

"Nothing." She snapped, getting up from the couch and storming to her kitchen.

I watched her leave with a frown, then a sudden yawn attacked me out of no where. Blinking some more, I looked around. We didn't have anything planned today, so we were just watching TV and talking. I guess in the middle of Ino's talking, I started to think about Sasuke again, because I couldn't even remember what she had just said.

Getting up, I scratched my scalp and made my way to the kitchen, where an angry blonde attacked the spaghetti she was cooking. I started to speak, but cut myself off as she furiously cut at the onion, "Jeez Ino, if you don't calm down, you're going to cut off your fingers!" I yell out in panic, rushing over to take the knife from her.

I slid to a stop when she whirled around and pointed the knife at me, "Don't you dare come over here, Sakura, or I swear I'll cut of your finger!"

Gulping, I slowly backed away, my hands up in surrender, "Ino, put the knife down." I command carefully, staring at the blade that was right between my eyes.

"Ugh!" She cried out before turning around and stabbing the knife into the cutting board. Eyes wide, I continued to back away from her angry figure as she moved to stir the noodles again.

"Ino?" I ask, wanting to ask what's wrong, but not wanting to get stabbed.

"Shut up, Sakura." She snapped as she put her blond hair into a pony tail.

Pausing, I think of a way to calm her down. Carefully, I try again, "Look, I'm sorry that-"

"Just let it go."

Noticing that her angry voice seemed to have deflated, I frown. Letting my hands fall to my side, I walk behind her and place my hands on her hips, "What's wrong?" I ask, leaning down and kissing her neck, but when I do she only shrugs away.

"Nothing." She mumbles back, moving out of reach of my hands.

My frown grew deeper as I took a step back, "You're lying. Did I do something wrong?" I realized my mistake before she even paused and gave me a look, "Right, stupid question. Look, baby, I'm sorry. My mind keeps drifting on something else."

"Exactly." Ino sighs out, placing the plastic stirring spoon on the counter before turning around and looking at me with a frown, "Your mind has been on something else all day. What's the matter?"

Blinking in surprise, I look away from her, "Nothing is the matter."

"Then my girl friend must be thinking of another girl," Ino answered with a deeper frown, "because she hasn't bothered to pay attention to me at all today."

"You know that isn't it." I tell her with a sigh.

"Then what is it?" Her soft voice presses, as she takes a step towards me, "You've been preoccupied with something else ever since you've been here."

"Nothing important," I shrug, turning to leave the kitchen, "Just tired, that's all."

"Don't see how you could be if you went to sleep as soon as you got in and took a nap before you got here." Ino replies casually. Frowning, I ignore her. It didn't help my case that I lied about the nap and about going to bed as soon as I got home, "Sakura, I just want to know what's wrong. You can talk to me."

Glancing at her, I noticed how concerned she was, but I couldn't bring myself to confess the real reason of my mood. Actually, I didn't want to speak about the 'Sasuke' situation at all. It was something that just brought my mood down even lower and had me drifting into thought all over again.

"I'm fine Ino," I reassure, looking away and plopping back onto the couch.

I became slightly annoyed once she stepped between my line of vision and the TV, "I don't believe you."

Trying to contain my agitated growl, I look up at her, "You don't have to believe me, you just have take my word and roll with it."

"What the hell is your problem?" Ino demanded, crossing her arms and looking down at me, "You've been all distant and quiet ever since this morning. Is it Sasuke?"

Rolling my eyes, I moved to the side, trying to catch the TV, "Nothing, Ino. For the hundredth time, I'm perfectly fine."

"You aren't or you wouldn't be acting like this." Ino pointed out, stepping into my line of sight again.

Groaning, I give up and look up at her, "Jesus, Ino. Does it even matter? I'm just trying to watch some TV."

"Which is weird," she yelled, "because you weren't watching TV a second ago when you weren't paying attention to me!"

Really! Was that the reason why she was acting like such a bitch?

Don't-

But it was too late, "So that's what this is about?" I ask, standing up and looking her in her face with a fake amused smile on mine, "You're demanding what's wrong with me just because I don't have every ounce of my concentration on you? How shallow does that sound Ino, hmm? To bitch and moan because I'm not engrossed by your very move and blink." Then, breaking my act of being amused, I frown and yell, "Just leave me the hell alone! Can I have some damn space please!"

I immediately wished it all back once I saw how her face flashed to hurt. She tried to conceal it by turning away, but my hand was already at her wrist, pulling her back, "I'm sorry." I say quickly, pulling harder as she continued to try to pull away, "Sorry. Sorry. Stop Ino, I didn't mean it."

"Whatever." She mumbled, her arm giving a final tug before my grip slipped and she walked away, "I'm going to take a shower, watch over the spaghetti." She says as climbs the stairs.

I watched her up until she disappeared. The moment she was out of sight I groaned and plopped back on the couch, covering my eyes with my head.

What' the hell is wrong with me?

Sasuke.

Yes. That was the problem. I groaned and rubbed my eyes, I need to fix things before I fuck up with Ino.

Or maybe you need to focus your attention on her instead of Sasuke.

It's not a situation I can just let sit there. I try to explain, staring at the ground. It needs to be fixed as soon as possible before it gets worse, and that would be bad for everyone.

You could do perfectly fine without him for a week more, maybe even two.

That would just be a week of snapping at Ino and feeling agitated out my mind. With a sigh, I get up and head towards the kitchen.

Then, let's take this problem one step at a time, because either way there are only two options. Left or right.

Nodding, I stirred the red sauce. It made sense I guess. I couldn't just jump into the situation, I had to take smaller steps.

First thing you need to figure out is, who is more important. Sasuke or Ino.

My stirring stopped abruptly and before I could get anymore involved with the inside 'me's' plan, I pushed everything away; The sudden answer that flashed through my head; The heart throb that caused my chest to hurt; Even the reeling of explanations that were clearly excuses.

There are some lines you don't cross, and I believe I just crossed one. Heart pounding, I watched as the one strict line I had crumbled in front of me. The very narrow line between the two people I cared deeply for. What's funny is… I don't remember seeing it until now.

Actually, I don't remember thinking Sasuke and Ino were in categories that were so closely together. The information made me feel like I ran into a brick wall. Has it always been like this? Have they always been so closely placed together by me?

It's sad. The whispering truth told me softly, no matter how badly I wished to push that away also. I wonder how Ino would take that answer.

See, luckily I got the filler finished in one chapter. Now all you have to do is sit back and relax until the next chapter, knowing for SURE that it's going to be hell on earth.

La de da. I love you all fans. Oh, and for all the new fans that have stumbled across my story. Welcome. Sorry for the first couple of chapters :( I'm surprised you got through them. If it were me I would have turned away right at the spot. BUT I'M GRATEFUL NONE THE LESS.

Loves yous alls.

Outs.