Hey again and thanks for reviews everyone! Love to know someone likes reading your stories! I hadn't checked my account lately and after I opened the mailbox I was surprised to see that many of the people have favourited and alerted my story! I'm really happy and appreciate it!
Here's a new chapter and as you all share so much love, I'll make this chapter a Long one!
Previous Chapter:
"Sasuke?" he heard a voice call his name in disbelief and his gaze turned towards the figure in front of him. His eyes widened in disbelief too. He was shocked to see who it was and wished if he was just dreaming. He looked around him and noticed for the first time that he was all alone.
The figure moved closer to take a better look and Sasuke thought if only it wouldn't.
Why, of all people? Sasuke thought still wide eyed. Sakura, you are so dead!
"Sasuke, why are you pretending to be a cat?" the voice which had called him earlier asked curiously.
Sasuke didn't know what to say. He was totally dumbstruck. He couldn't believe that he was standing in the middle of the mall wearing a cat costume in front of- his overly annoying brother.
"Anyways, you look cute in that." Itachi smiled, "Please wear that in home every day? Mum will love it! It will also solve our problem for a pet cat!" his brother said sweetly. Sweetly enough to piss off Sasuke, which he liked to do so much, it had become his hobby. Anytime he would get bored or won't have anything else to do, he would find ways to irritate his little brother. It was really easy to do, if you were Itachi, and very amusing too, not to mention entertaining.
Sasuke growled at his brother's remarks. "What are you doing here?" he asked, ignoring the muffled laughter from his brother. "I asked what are you doing here?" Sasuke repeated in a much louder tone when Itachi didn't reply.
"Oh! What?" Itachi asked surprised, "I thought I heard a meow." and he started laughing on his own joke.
Sasuke's eye twitched.
"Anyways, I'm here with my friends, to enjoy the events. I never thought I would bump into you!" he said, "Not in a cat costume." He added to Sasuke's annoyance.
"You have friends?" Sasuke asked in disbelief. Itachi had hardly gone to university since they had transferred here.
"Yes I do. I'm not the anti-social one of our family. You are." He said, "And Dad is." he added thinking.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. It didn't matter him anyways.
"I'm much more interested in your reason though." Itachi said suddenly. Sasuke raised his eyebrows.
"I would love to hear what you are doing here Sasu-cat." He said and again laughed at his own joke, annoying Sasuke even more.
"None of your business." He replied and turned to leave. He couldn't stand his brother more than five minutes.
"Oh, come-on Sasu-cat," Sasuke's eye twitched, "I know there is some pretty amazing reason behind it." Itachi asked with a smirk.
"Your friends are waiting. Go, annoy them." Sasuke said, taking his leave.
"Don't think I won't find out sweet brother." Itachi called out loudly even though he knew Sasuke could hear him well with a normal tone. "And enjoy Sasu-cat!"
'He did that again. Dammit! He's going to die in my hands one day!' Sasuke thought as he walked away from his brother. At first he just wanted to get away from his brother's reach, but after noticing the familiar figures of his friends, Sasuke headed in that direction.
He saw them in sitting beside a bench near the pillar, probably trying to hide themselves.
"What did you leave me out there for?" Sasuke asked more to Sakura then to others.
"Oh, Sasuke! We were just wondering where you were!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Until, we heard your brother." Tenten added mischievously.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes on her.
"That was your brother right?" she asked, "I mean, he did call you 'sweet brother'" she added muffling.
Sasuke's vein popped.
"Uh-haha, whatever." Sakura broke in awkwardly, "Anyways, Sasuke. We didn't mean to leave you out. We thought you had noticed Neji up there too."
"Yeah, and thought that you were smart enough to get back, instead of just walking on your own." Tenten added.
Sasuke raised his eyebrow and ignored Tenten. "Neji?" he asked, he hadn't seen him there. He hadn't even seen his brother. "He's not in the plan?"
"Yeah. Well, you see, he is in the plan, but the part who must not know about it." She smiled sheepishly, "And," she added turning to Tenten, "I thought someone had guaranteed me about it."
Tenten gave an awkward smile and shrugged her shoulders. "Well, maybe I let it slip that we were going to the mall." She added slowly.
"TENTEN!" Sakura scowled, "I told you not to mention anything about the mall! He must have known that Hinata was going too! And if we were around and he wasn't invited, he surely must have guessed we were up to something!"
"I'm sorry okay?" she said, "You know he has his ways to spill out the truth!" she added shaking her head in matter of factly way.
"Yeah, especially from you. He doesn't even need convincing or threatening you, Tenten. Just a lovey dovey tone, and you blurt out everything to him." Ino said rolling her eyes.
"Shut up INO!" Tenten scowled going red.
Sasuke smirked.
"Hn." He said.
"Damn you, Uchiha! Don't you dare make up your own theories." She scowled at Sasuke.
"Correct theories." Kiba added.
"Watch your mouth, Dog-Breath!" Tenten now growled at Kiba.
"At least I didn't spoil the plan, Hyuuga-girl." Kiba smirked in Tenten's face, which was even redder now.
"Arghh! I'll kill you all right here if anyone mentions anything about me and Neji!" Tenten screamed at them all, shutting her eyes with anger.
"You and Neji." Ino added teasingly.
"About, you and Neji." Kiba added to Ino's tone.
"ARghhh! That's it dog-breath! That's it! You meet your end right here!" and she charged at Kiba, who backed from Tenten's reach. Sakura pulled Tenten back by her waist.
"Oh stop it, Tenten. Don't act immature!" Sakura tried to calm her down.
"Yeah, or Neji might see you." Kiba added again.
Sakura pulled Tenten back with all her strength. "Kiba! Just shut up, will you!" she said holding back Tenten.
"Okay, okay." Kiba replied holding his hands in front of him defensively.
"Tenten, now you calm down too!" Sakura said, and Tenten cooled down.
"Good," Sakura said, loosening her hold from Tenten's waist. "Anyways, now that Neji's here, I don't think there is any point in carrying out the plan."
Everyone nodded, even Tenten, who was now calm and listening to Sakura.
"So, what do we do now?" Kiba asked.
"ENJOY!" Ino screamed in joy and everyone raised an eyebrow.
"What? What do you suppose to do then? We are at the mall!" Ino said, defensively. Everyone ignored her.
"Whatever. Okay, now that the plan's all fail-" Sakura said,
"Thanks to Tenten." Kiba added. Sakura smacked him on the head.
"Okay, now that the plan's fail, we will just, enjoy!" Sakura smiled at everyone.
"Yay!" Ino punched her fist in air.
"Then we'll as well meet up with Naruto and Hinata. I don't see why we need to hide anyways." Kiba suggested.
"Yeah. I agree with Kiba." Sakura said.
"Okay, then let's go!" Ino exclaimed.
"Hm Hm." Sasuke cleared his throat trying to get attention. Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to say anything.
A vein pooped on Sasuke's forehead as he tapped his leg on the marble floor.
"Oh, sorry!' Sakura exclaimed as it clicked to her what Sasuke was trying to say. "I'll help you with the costume Sasuke." She said, as she remembered that the costume needed two people to remove and fix it. "You guys move on, we'll be back soon."
They nodded and left towards the game stations.
She smiled sheepishly at Sasuke, who was now sweating with the double clothing on. He was wearing the costume over a black cargo jeans and blue lined white t-shirt. They went in the shop where they had rented the costume. The sales girl was already head over heels when she saw Sasuke in the costume, looking extremely cute. Sasuke was even more annoyed by now.
"I know it's crowdy here, so I guess you can go upstairs in the store to remove that." The manager said, when the sales girl was already hypnotized by Sasuke.
"Okay. Thanks a lot!" Sakura said, and smiled at the manager, as they went upstairs. It was really conjusted with big boxes piled up here and there and they barely had any space to move.
"Better than downstairs." Sakura said, as she hopped to a much spacious spot and Sasuke followed her.
Sakura carefully zipped down the costume from behind so that the zip didn't get caught up in the fur and slowly unbuttoned every dozen of the buttons covering the zip.
"Hard part's done!" She said, wiping her forehead as it was getting very sweaty in the store.
Sasuke sensed the costume loosening up and carefully took it out. He handed it to Sakura as he straightened his jeans and shirt. She rolled up the costume, constantly wiping her forehead.
"Aah, let's get out of here quickly. It's getting really hot up here." She said moving forward and before she knew it, toppled on Sasuke who was bent down for tying his shoe laces. Sasuke hadn't seen that coming and rolled, falling flat on his back as Sakura fell on top him.
He held onto her firmly, avoiding rolling on the floor. The costume fell out of Sakura's hand as she fell on top him and felt his stiff body underneath her, his hands gripping her strongly. Their faces were inches apart and both of them were staring in each other's eyes unconsciously. His hand moved a little towards her waist as he stared in the emerald orbs. She was lost in his mysterious onyx ones and didn't notice the contact. She moved her hand over his chest and soon became aware of the masculine figure below her. She blushed heavily and blinked, breaking the eye contact. Sasuke blushed too removing his hands from her waist as he became aware of it. She got up quickly, and pretended to straighten her black tank top.
"I'll go hand on the costume." She said, picking it up hastily, trying to break the tension and headed downstairs quickly. Sasuke dusted his clothes, embarrassed at what had just happened.
He went downstairs, still blushing. Only a few moments and he had just kissed Sakura. That too unconsciously. What was happening?
He noticed that Sakura too was uncomfortable, her blush clearly visible on her cheeks. He decided to wait outside for her.
"So, that's why you were here!" a familiar voice exclaimed from behind Sasuke, coming out of the crowd of the costume shop.
Sasuke was astonished. He knew who that was. He had just met him a few moments before. And why was he back again? Was he following him?
"What are you saying?" Sasuke asked, hiding his blush as he turned to face Itachi.
"Ah, don't talk as if you don't know anything. You know what I'm saying." He said, teasing his little brother.
'I don't have a clue and it will be better if you make yourself more clear." Sasuke said, threatening his brother.
It didn't have any effect on Itachi though. "I never thought this would be the reason Sasuke." Itachi said, teasing his brother even more.
"Will you say something already?" Sasuke asked, totally annoyed.
"Though I must say, it is an amazing event for enjoying with your girlfriend." Itachi remarked raising an eyebrow.
Sasuke was clueless. What girlfriend? What was he talking about?
"Don't act innocent now Sasuke. I saw you with your girlfriend in the store. You two came downstairs blushing like mad. I know something did happen up there between you two, didn't it? I guess that's why you took her there. Umm?"
Sasuke blushed even more now that he recalled the incident.
"That gives me my answer." Itachi smirked, and turned to leave.
Wait, what answer? What was that guy thinking?
"Hey, wait! What do you mean?" he asked his brother.
"You know Sasuke." Itachi replied with another smirk.
"Whatever you are thinking, it's all wrong." Sasuke said, thinking it would clear up everything that his brother was making up in his mind.
"Everyone say that Sasuke. I wonder though, how did you manage to get a girlfriend? So soon too. Last time I knew, you hated those fangirls around you."
'And I still hate them. Anyways, she's not my fangirl-"
'Oh, so she's not your fangirl! Good, so that's why you fell for her. That's good, that's good. And I must say, you have a pretty good choice brother, she's cute!' Itachi winked.
Sasuke blushed even more and unexplainably wanted to punch Itachi for calling Sakura cute. He held back the urge, confused over why he was feeling it anyways. She was cute, so what if Itachi mentioned it. Wait, did he just thought Sakura was cute? Great! Now Itachi was messing up with his mind.
"Don't get so jealous Sasuke." Itachi said, teasing him even more.
"Whatever you are thinking is all wrong. She's not my-"
"Sasuke, let's go." Sakura said from behind Sasuke and stopped as she saw that he was talking to someone. Itachi turned to face her.
"Hello there, I'm Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke's older brother. You are?" Itachi said handing out his hand to Sakura for a handshake.
"Sakura Haruno. I'm your brother's classmate. Nice to meet you sir." She said smiling.
"Just classmate?" Itachi asked.
"Yes." Sakura replied confused. Why would he ask that?
"Okay." He said shrugging his shoulders, getting a bit disappointed as he knew Sakura was telling the truth, "Anyways Sasuke, looks like you were right. Though I have my own suspicions." Itachi remarked and left Sasuke totally pissed.
"Sasuke?" Sakura called him from behind.
"Let's go catch up with the others." He said, moving towards the game stations.
"Okay." She replied shrugging her shoulders.
TWO DAYS TIME SKIP. AT EVENING PRACTICE:
"Good pass Neji. No Naruto, don't rush yourself, wait till Sasuke is in his position." Kakashi was calling out from the side line of the soccer pitch. "Kiba, good pass, but still need to control your strength. That was a good save Sai. Sasuke, aim and then shoot."
The boys were running all over the pitch as Kakashi was calling out instructions to them. They were tired, but Kakashi didn't mercy them. After all, their tournament dates were announced and Kakashi wanted to make sure they won it. So, he had increased the boy's practice time. Even in school, they were given special permission for practice. Same was with the girls. Sakura was already feeling the exertion that caught her after every practice.
"Okay, time up. You guys can rest for some time. Until then, I'll watch over the girls. But after I return, be ready to start again, and I want to see improvements. Especially you Naruto and Kiba. And, Sasuke, I want you to work on your concentration. You have missed many shots there, which is very unlike you. Also, if the reason is the weird looks those boys are giving you, you better sort that out."
The boys panted, relieved to get some rest. They collapsed on their positions as Kakashi took his leave. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at every boy at the pitch who were acting weirdly around him. He didn't even know the reason why. He decided best to ignore it.
"He always says that to me! Doesn't he understand I am better!" Naruto complained and Sasuke was astonished that he still had energy to even talk.
"That's because you still are lame. You have strength Naruto, but not the technique to use it. You still haven't bothered to control your strength." Neji explained.
Naruto pouted. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
Sasuke sighed. Neji was absolutely right, but he didn't think that Naruto could ever control that clumsy strength of his. He always put on too much power in every kick.
"Anyways, Teme." Naruto called Sasuke as he sat beside him.
"What, Dobe?" Sasuke said, sipping in some water from his bottle, ignoring the whispers of boys behind his back.
"Is it true what I heard? You kissed Sakura-chan?" he asked innocently, shivering a little at Sakura's mention. Sasuke spilled out the water from his mouth.
"What?" he asked in disbelief, blushing a little.
"What you heard, deaf-ears."
"Who told you that?" he asked suddenly.
"So, it is true." Naruto said thoughtfully.
"No, it isn't Dobe! Who the hell spread that rumor around!" he asked now totally pissed.
"Your brother told me!" Naruto exclaimed. Of course, thought Sasuke. "He said, that you and Sakura kissed in the store of a costume shop at the mall event.
"Well, that's all a lie. He didn't see anything and was making up stories." Sasuke cleared himself, blushing a little as he remembered that he was actually close to kissing her.
"Then why are you blushing Teme?" Naruto asked suspiciously.
"I'm not blushing Dobe!" Sasuke lied. He knew he was blushing and was confused over why.
"Tell me about it!" Naruto exclaimed, "What do you think I don't realize how awkward you are around her? Especially, since the Mall Function. And, I sit next to you bastard. You thought I didn't notice your little peeks over Sakura's bench?"
Sasuke blushed even more now. Since the incident at the mall, somehow Sasuke wasn't able to get Sakura off his mind. He occasionally found himself staring at her too, usually thinking why he was suddenly interested in her.
"I didn't peek at her Dobe." He said blankly.
"You're in denial, bastard." Naruto pouted.
"Tsch." Sasuke decided to ignore Naruto.
"Ignore if ya want to, but it's a fact!" Naruto exclaimed, not meaning to utter anything he had just said. It just came out of his mouth.
Sasuke glared at him. Naruto frowned and ignored Sasuke.
"Hey guys!" Kiba's voice came as he took a seat next to Sasuke and Naruto.
Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other and jerked their heads in opposite direction.
"Okay. Looks like there's been a heated conversation over here." Kiba said looking at Naruto and then at Sasuke. "Annyways, Sasuke, I didn't knew you were such a fast paced guy. Really man, like kissing Sakura! I knew you had something for her, but kissing her? Sakura? Do you even imagine who she is?" Kiba exclaimed a little looking disturbed.
Sasuke suddenly death glared Kiba.
"Hey, sorry man!" Kiba said, holding his hands in front of him defensively, "I didn't mean to insult Sakura okay? It's just that she has got such a, well how should I say now, strong reputation." Kiba said, emphasizing on 'strong', his face looking as if he had just remembered something disturbing.
"Kiba is right, Sasuke." Another voice came from behind them, and they turned to see Neji join them. Great! Thought Sasuke, How many of them already knew about this?
"Sakura does have a strong reputation over here." Neji agreed with Kiba, he too emphasizing on 'strong', and with a slight disturbing look on his face as he said that.
To be clear, Sasuke was not getting anything his team mates were trying to drill into him, if that's what they were doing. What was with Sakura and her so called 'strong' reputation?
"But then again since you are new, it doesn't look like your fault that you are unfamiliar with Sakura and –Uh- never mind." Another bored voice joined the circle.
Sasuke looked at Shikamaru, confused.
"First, I don't in the world get what the hell you all are talking, okay? Sakura's reputation and all, I don't think I'm actually understanding anything of it if you all are trying to explain me. And second, I DID NOT KISS Sakura!" Sasuke replied frustrated by now.
All the boys sighed.
"Okay Sasuke, we can't do anything for you since you have called it upon yourself. All we can do to help is, well, acquaint you with a little of Sakura's side, she is so famous for." Kiba said placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder totally ignoring what he had said.
The others nodded.
"Shikamaru, if you'll please. I don't think I might be able to put it together for Sasuke. Also, you know how I become after I remember those days." Kiba shivered.
"Hm. I guess it's alright, seeing that it's just me and Neji who haven't yet faced that Sakura." Shikamaru said thoughtfully and Sasuke just blinked. He had no clue what was going on.
"Sasuke," he continued now looking at Sasuke directly in the eyes, Sasuke blinked. "Sakura is the most feared person in this school. She is," Shikamaru looked around to see if no one was hearing and whispered slowly, "She is, The Demon."
Sasuke blinked in surprise. What the hell had happened to these guys? Had the practice got better of them? Had they got a strong sun stroke?
"Judging by your looks, it doesn't seem that you believe us. But, trust me, even though I and Neji haven't faced her or felt victims to her wrath, we have witnessed it." Sasuke saw Kiba and Naruto shiver. "All of the school has, Sasuke, even the teachers. She is one of the persons you never, mind it, NEVER mess with. Kissing her, is one of the biggest wrath you could call upon yourself!" Shikamaru looked at Sasuke wide eyed.
But he, Sasuke, hadn't kissed Sakura at all. Why do they need to make such a ruckus for?
He jerked his head from Shikamaru's gaze. "I told you all didn't I? That I did not kiss her? So leave me alone. Also, if she was that bad, how come she hasn't done anything about it? She won't let me rest in peace right? But she looks as if nothing ever happened, and nothing has ever happened."
Shikamaru considered the situation. Sasuke was right, why hadn't Sakura already created a scene about it if they did kiss? Was Sasuke telling the truth? But Naruto had mentioned that they blushed. Even when he mentioned the kiss, he did notice Sasuke's cheeks go red. Then why such an unexpected behavior.
"I'm sure she's just letting you go off your guard!" Kiba mentioned still shivering, "Once you are, she'll make sure you regret it." Kiba gulped.
Sasuke thought it was utter nonsense. Okay, maybe Sakura had an unimaginable temper, but c'mon! She is way too cute for being a demon! Wait, did he just think Sakura was cute? What the hell?
"Whatever." Sasuke said, ignoring his insane team mates as he got up. "I believe it, if I see it."
The boys sighed in despair.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, YOU DUMB ASS RUMOUR SPREADING WITCH! MIND YOUR WORDS AND KEEP YOUR SHITTY STORIES TO YOURSELF IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE DROWNED IN A GUTTER! BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, I'LL MAKE SURE EVERY DROP OF IT WENT THROUGH YOUR THROAT BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN SAY CHERRY!"
Sasuke stared wide eyed, and dumbstruck at the class room door. He wasn't able to move his body, and a shiver went up his spine at the scene in front of him.
Sakura was threatening and almost fainting the girl in front of her, shaking her by the collar, Sasuke thought probably to knock her brains out of her ears.
It was just half an hour ago that he had disbelieved his team mates upon their remarks on Sakura's anger and that, he'll believe them only if he saw that. He never imagined Sakura would prove him wrong that early.
Sasuke almost jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned immediately and saw that it was Shikamaru. Shikamaru sighed and gave a told you expression, shrugging his shoulders.
Sasuke turned around and gulped and felt Shikamaru shiver too as they both witnessed Sakura's rage, first time for Sasuke and dunno how many time for Shika.
Sakura was probably threatening the girl because of the so widely spread rumor about her and Sasuke. No one dared to talk about it, knowing how Sakura was, but the girl was stupid enough to confront Sakura all alone in an almost empty room except for Hinata. She was lucky that Sakura was in a good mood because of her improved skills she was reluctantly practicing so hard on and so was just being threatened, and not harmed.
Sasuke gulped yet another time, eyes still wide.
He saw Hinata get close to Sakura, surely to calm her down which Sasuke doubted she could.
He took a step closer to stop Hinata getting near her, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him before he could move. He looked at Shikamaru who shook his head a little as if telling him not to interfere.
Sasuke's POV:
I looked at Shikamaru in disbelief. He wanted me to just stand and watch all of that. How did he supposed I would? Sakura was not herself. If Hinata went any closer, Sakura could unknowingly harm her. Also, the girl in Sakura's hands had already suffered enough.
I still moved a little, but Shikamaru's grip tightened on my shoulders and he looked at me wide eyed as if he had full situation under control. I still wasn't convinced, but decided to stay back. I looked over at Sakura. Hinata was now slowly putting her hands on Sakura's shoulders. Surprisingly, Sakura's grip on the girls' collar lightened. She let go of the girl, slowly. But her eyes were still full of anger. I didn't understand though. Why did she get so worked up for? It was a rumor about our kiss. Also, it wasn't a matter to threaten any girl to that extent. I looked at Sakura confused. Her face was full of irritation. Her mind seemed to be focused on something else. Tears formed a little in her eyes, and I could see that she was forcing them to stop. Was there something else that bothered her?
Sakura's POV:
I just entered the classroom with Hinata, to fix my jersey. It kept on sliding down with every jump and I was irritated by it now. I was happy by my progress at the field, though Kakashi sensei thought I was getting low on concentration.
"I would have torn off this jersey if I hadn't been in a great mood because of the practice!" I called out to my best friend, as we entered the class which was all empty except for a girl. I recognized the leaning figure immediately as our newest substitute player. It was Karin. I was always suspicious of her behavior as to why she had joined the team, because she never troubled to practice. She always had some reasons to avoid it which made her even sick in my opinion not that we shared an amazing bond but of hatred. I gave her a short smile out of formality and to my surprise she frowned at me. I was used to that behavior so I decided to ignore it, thinking that she might just be in a bad mood. I went over to the last bench with Hinata, who helped me tighten the elastic of my jersey.
"I think you've lost weight Sakura-chan." Hinata smiled, "The jersey has got a bit bigger for you."
I smiled at my friend's compliment. Who wouldn't lose that weight after going through Kakashi's winning training session.
"I bet the boys must have lost more than me!" I replied remembering the over exhausting training Kakashi gave them.
"Yeah." Hinata smiled, "Especially Sasuke-kun. I bet he has never trained that much in his entire life!"
I choked a little on Sasuke's sudden mention. Flashbacks of what had happened before coming back to my mind, reddening my cheeks.
Why did I blush that time? This was the question I was not getting the answer for since that incident. Usually, if anything like that happens, I end up kicking the guy in the balls or punching him in the face. I don't let boys even touch my waist. And yet, I just blushed when Sasuke had so tightly gripped it. It had actually felt nice. NO! What am I thinking! I can't think like this! I'm just getting insane! I thought and shook my head unknowingly as my best friend stared at me, amazed at my sudden actions.
She opened her mouth to say something, but the voice came from behind me.
"Sakura." It called and I turned to inspect the voice. It was Karin. She stood behind me, fists clenching. I stared at her surprisingly. What was with her?
"Yes?" I asked her as she struggled to get words out of her mouth.
"Is it true?" she finally managed to speak. "Is it true that you kissed Sasuke?"
I stood there as if lightening had struck me. What was she saying? What kiss?
"What?" I asked truthfully, totally confused.
"I asked is it true that you kissed Sasuke at the mall!" she stomped out.
My eyes widened in surprise, light dawning on me. I immediately knew it was a rumor, I was used to it.
"No Karin. That's just a rumor. Why, I didn't even know about it!" I spoke surprised by the sudden news.
"Don't act so innocent Sakura!" Karin burst out, moving a little towards me. "Do you think I can't tell between rumors and facts?"
I knew my temper was finding its way now as I tightened my fists. I tried to calm myself. Not wanting to spoil anything, especially in front of Hinata.
"Karin, I told you I did not kiss him." I said with clenched teeth.
"Sakura, don't lie here now, okay? Especially, in front of me." Karin spat again.
"I'm not lying Karin." I managed to say, my fists tightening yet more.
"I said don't LIE!" she shouted and I heard Hinata gasp behind me. I would have charged at her that very moment, but I didn't want Hinata to get scared. I stood still, afraid that if I moved, I'll do something regretful.
"What happened? Can't answer me?" Karin spoke in a bitchy tone that I hated so much. "Of course you can't. Because you too know it is the truth."
"Karin, I did not kiss Sasuke! I don't have even one reason to do so." I spoke trying to keep my voice calm.
Karin narrowed her eyes on me, a small smirk forming on her face.
"You do have a reason to do so, Sakura. And you can't lie about it to me."
Normal POV:
Sakura looked at her in disbelief. What was she trying to say? What did she mean that Sakura had a reason?
"Don't act clueless, Sakura. No one has forgotten about the incident last year. Especially you, Sakura." Karin said, still smirking evilly. Sakura stared at the floor, still controlling her increasing rage. Karin took this opportunity to tackle Sakura mentally.
"You do remember what happened, right Sakura?" she said, seeing Sakura shiver at each and every of her sentence.
"You still remember that, I know." She said in bitchy tone, "You still remember the incident with Akio." She smiled when she saw Sakura tremble a little. That's what she was aiming for. "You still remember how-"
She didn't get to finish the sentence as before Karin knew, Sakura had landed a full strength punch on her face. Karin looked up in disbelief, holding her cheek in pain. "What the-"
Again she was cut off as Sakura held her by her collar. "Don't. You. Dare. Say. His. Name." Sakura growled, teeth clenched and eyes red with anger.
Karin narrowed her eyes, seeing the tears forming at the corners of Sakura's eyes. She smirked.
"Akio." She hissed, Sakura's eyes got wider. "Akio." She said again with a larger smirk.
Sakura didn't know what she was doing until she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Her anger calmed down a little, as she loosened the grip on the knocked out girl in front of her. She could see Karin wail in agony, and knew that she was probably faking it.
Her fists were still clenched and she was staring nowhere, lost in her own thoughts.
"S-Sakura-chan?" came her best friend's voice and her facial expressions loosened, as her closed her eyes to suppress her emotions from flowing out. She took a deep breath and collapsed on the bench behind her as her best friend decreased the gap between them and kneeled on the floor in front of her. She hadn't noticed the unexpected witnesses that were standing at the door, confused.
"S-Sakura-chan, she probably didn't mean it-"
"It's okay, Hinata. I'm fine." Sakura cut off her friend. Hinata didn't look convinced, yet nodded a little.
"I g-guess practice is a-almost o-over, I h-hope we c-can go h-home." Hinata told her best friend.
"I guess." Sakura replied monotonously.
They stood up to leave. Sakura turned her head up and saw Sasuke at the door, confused and worried. She held back the tears that were starting to form again at his sight and gulped. She looked in his eyes once, before leaving through the door.
Sasuke's POV:
She noticed us for the first time when she got up to leave, the look on her face was totally different. She wasn't angry, but sad. And I don't think she was in the least thinking about the rumor. I could see how she held back her tears again, when she noticed us, not wanting to break down all of a sudden. I was confused. I wanted to ask her what had happened. I wanted to know why she was sad. I wanted to know what made her cry.
She passed me, looking for a last time in my eyes as she left the room, and I could almost see all of the pain that she had bottled up inside her. I could see that she wanted to cry, she wanted to be comforted, she wanted to be told 'It's okay.' I watched her figure go out of the school gates with Hinata at her side. The sun had almost settled now.
"Let's go, Sasuke." Shikamaru's voice came from beside me and I nodded, still looking at the disappearing figure of Sakura. Everything seemed so much quiet all of a sudden. But it was not the calming silence, it felt like being in Sakura's pain.
*Whoosh! God finally done! That is a LONG chapter now! Not that long, but still. And umhum, interesting one too! Something's finally starting in Sasuke's heart now, and Who's Akio? Hm Hm Hm, you'll have to wait for that! Muwahahah! Next chapter is going to be amazing and things are gonna start up between Sasuke and Sakura! A little head on with Akio maybe, but can't promise that!
Yeah, ending could have been better, but hey c'mon! I've got you a long chapter! Also, I think it is good enough. Whatever!
Anyways, share your love people as you always do and tell me what you think about this chappie! I was writing it for days! Then suddenly today, everything started to pour out on its own when I was writing it! Good that happened. I wish it happens with my another story Switch Personality. I'm completely at loss over it. I'm so engrossed in this one and some others too that I can't think of a plot for that one! But don't worry, I'm not going to abandon it! I'll finish it and this one too!
Well, wow! What BIG A/N! Well, I guess it's fair for an equally big chapter! Anyways, won't take much of your time now, REVIEW! AND LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL MY READERS AND REVIEWERS!
*Kisses, TomBoyGaL