Author's Note: Well, I felt mega-inspired when I was writing the SasuSaku scene at the end. As it turns out, it's harder to keep Sasuke in character than I thought. I thought I knew him extremely well. I guess that only works for him being as he is now in the manga. All well. So I decided to put a little bit of lead in for drama in the next chapter. Yes, I know I said I would focus on other pairings, and I will. But SasuSaku was a must for this chapter. And Misaki had to appear again. I love her. Anyway, it is 2:40 A.M. where I am now, and I don't really have much to say about this. The beginning is kind of dark, but near the end it gets happier. I was in a good mood near the end (I thank Yuri Lowenthall for living). But anyway, I hope you enjoy, and thank you all for your reviews. I appreciate them. Really.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I own Tamura Misaki. That's it.

Lunch passed without incident; no comments, no insults, nothing was said or exchanged between Sasuke and I. Perhaps he'd had enough for the day. But all the while, I'd been analyzing him, searching for a weak point. I'd wanted to find something to jab at in an upcoming fight. But while I'd watched him, he'd been silently watching me out from the corner of his eye as Hinata and Ino had talked about classes and teachers, oblivious to the stare down Sasuke and I'd been giving each other. And that was fine by me.

When lunch had finally ended, I'd retreated to my locker as fast I could, reaching my locker in record time, minutes before the chicken haired brat had a chance to dump his trash out in one of the school's fancy metal trash cans. By the time he'd reached his locker, I'd already been gone. But when I'd passed by him in the hallway, the wary glance he'd flung my way gave me chills. The hair at the back of my neck had flipped up, and I'd glanced back at him, my lips parted. I'd been vulnerable.

My heart had pounded in my chest as I'd continued down the hallway toward my next class, as I'd watched him from over my shoulder. Our eye contact hadn't broken until he'd made it to his locker, and even then, he'd kept his onyx irises firmly fixed upon my jade ones in the most intense gaze I'd ever experienced. My breathing had caught in my throat as I'd watched his onyx irises rove across the cracks and crevices in my jade eyes, searching for my heart in the depths of my eyes.

The instant I'd realized that, my blood had frozen in my veins. My lips had parted slowly, allowing my lungs to satisfy their need for oxygen, as the venom he'd bore like a blade stabbed deep into my heart, administering the second dose. My heart had throbbed in the depths of his onyx irises, as he'd stared back at me, watching every movement I'd made, carefully plotting his next move. Suddenly, the Queen of Hearts' mask had broken. I'd been vulnerable again.

I hated that. I hated how he could bring my mask I cloaked my heart with smashing to the floor in one thousand shards of glass at my feet. I hated how he could rip my heart out of my chest and hold it in his hand as gently as he would a lover, and hypnotize my soulless irises with his spellbinding onyx orbs. I hated how he could breathe life into me without holding his lips against mine. I hated everything about him. I hated him so much. And yet, I was drawn to him.

After school, when we'd been next to each other at our lockers, the sideways glances he'd give me every once in a while, they were probing and piercing. He hadn't been threatening me. My armor wouldn't break that easily. But he'd been learning me too, searching for a weak point for him to jab at when we faced each other on the battlefield next. And the looks I'd given him in return, they'd been soft, meek, vulnerable. I hated that he could worm his way through my armor to penetrate my heart with just one flicker of his onyx eyes.

And now, leaning back in my desk chair in my room, I couldn't stop thinking about that first day of school. The image of my reflection swimming in his fathomless black eyes. The flawless planes of his face underneath the gentleness of my hand. I'd never wanted anything so badly in my life. He was killing me, and only the first day of school had passed. I was hopeless. And my brilliant plan to sabotage him had gone up in smoke with the onslaught of looks he'd thrown my way. He'd infected me alright.

I lazily picked up my pencil, and hoisted me notebook and Physics textbook into my lap and started scribbling down notes to the chapter I was reading. Of course, this torture was nothing compared to looking into Uchiha Sasuke's eyes while resisting the urge to kiss him breathless. He drove me into insanity with just one look. One flicker of the eyes. And even inertia couldn't stop me from being drawn to him.

Oh how I wanted him. Oh how I wanted to feel his chest pressed against mine. But none of those fantasies I'd dreamt up in the hallway would ever come true. He was my enemy, my rival, and that wouldn't change. Besides, Ino and Karin were going to fight for him. I didn't want to get my hands dirty with that one. Let them fight. More entertainment for me. And I was just fine with that. Perfectly fine with that.

I tapped my pencil against my bottom lip, as I reached for the radio with my toe, and pressed the "Power" button, music flowing through the speakers. The sounds were soft, and quiet enough for me to focus on Physics and listen to the song that was playing at the same time without getting distracted. And that helped me focus on something other than the way his eyes sank their fangs into my heart like a lusting vampire before sucking the breath out of my chest as easily as a spider does their prey. His web, it wouldn't be easy to get out of now that I was tangled in it, or getting to be.

I heard footsteps come up the stairs, and I yawned into my Physics textbook, Newton's First Law of Motion swimming in front of my eyes. I knew it was my mother. I could tell by the urgency of her footfalls, the way they slammed into the wooden steps like metal weights. I knew she was coming for that conversation she'd threatened me with about cutting my hair this morning, and yet, I felt no fear. I didn't fear anything, for I was fearless.

My door creaked open, and I leaned my head back, my lifeless eyes looking back at her dully. "What is it, Mother?"

"Sakura, I hereby condemn you to remaining in your room for the duration of the night," she answered, crossing her arms over her chest. I lifted an eyebrow.

"Is your corset tied too tight or something?" I asked, flipping my hair back as I smirked. She slammed her foot into the floor, her waist length hair ruffled in the breeze coming from the window.

"Queen Victoria says-" I waved my hand, sighing.

"She's dead and gone, Mother. Let her go," I drawled, turning back to my Physics, which suddenly became more interesting than my mother going on and on about Queen Victoria.

I wouldn't be able to stand it after the day I just had. And I wasn't even done with figuring out who was in my classes yet. I'd only gone through the A cycle, which was Math, Physics, Geology, and Study Hall. I had yet to experience the second half of the "first" day of school. And the second encounter with Uchiha Sasuke. At that thought, my fantasies resurfaced as if they'd never been buried in the first place.

"That boy…" I murmured, looking down at my right hand, the nerves in my palm tingling. My mother glanced over at me from her place in the doorway.

"Boy? Who is he?" I smiled to myself, as I closed my hand into a fist gently. I was looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.

"Uchiha Sasuke," I answered, and turned toward her, crossing my legs and holding my hands on my knees. My face flushed bright pink as the wind blew through the wind, ruffling my strawberry hair. "I met him again today, and…I can't stop thinking about him…"

"Maybe you have a crush?" she suggested, sitting down on the bed lightly. I shook my head, it was too early for that. Far too early. I had to wait, get to know him better. "Or you're attracted to him?"

Attracted to him? Yes, that was it. It was alright to admit that. Easy even. But that was probably because it was true. I was attracted to Uchiha Sasuke. And who wouldn't be? He was handsome, and carried himself well. The only downside was that crabby attitude of his. If I could get past that, then perhaps I would truly fall for him. I shook my head. Couldn't think about him like that. Ino and Karin were the ones fighting, not me.

"No, I don't have anything for him," I answered. My heart pounded in my chest at that comment. That was a total lie. And I knew it. She knew it too. It showed in her lifted eyebrow and cocky smirk.

"Oh really? Am I going to have to coax it out of you?" I sighed, and shook my head.

"There's nothing to coax out of me, Mother," I answered, shaking my head in disapproval. She lifted her other eyebrow. I nearly face-palmed. She wasn't going to leave me alone about him. I sighed. "Okay. He's cute. That's all I'm saying."

"Really? It looks like he's more than cute to you, Sakura. I can see it on your face," she replied slyly, leaning toward me. I jerked my head backwards, and shook my head.

"I don't think of him that way Mother! Just drop it would you?" I demanded, slamming my fist into the desk top. She turned around and sighed, walking toward the door.

"I'm making dinner, Sakura. I expect you down at the table in fifteen minutes with your homework done and showered," she pointed out, shutting the door behind her. I snarled.

I didn't understand what was up with her all of a sudden. It was almost like there was a band wagon that I hadn't been informed of. As if there was a fandom that supported Sasuke and I getting together. And I hated it. Despite the fact that I was attracted to him, I hated his guts. He deserved ever shred of misfortune that cursed him. He deserved to have Ino and Karin drool all over him.

I let my jaw relax, as I turned away. I didn't mean that. And I didn't want to sit on the sidelines watching Karin and Ino fight over him. I wanted to fight. I didn't understand why I suddenly felt depressed about it. I only wanted to be friends, to be someone for him to come to, to trust, to open up to. But these feelings…They were different. I wasn't quite sure. But there was something on the wind.

I glanced out the window, letting my head hang. Ino had told me after last block that I had to stay away from him as well. And when she'd said that, a stab of anger pierced my heart. He'd seen it. He'd seen my back stiffen as I'd looked back at Ino. And what did he do? Nothing. He hadn't said a word, even as he walked by me, our shoulders barely glancing off of each other's. He hadn't said or done anything.

Even as Karin had fawned all over him, grabbing his arm and walking him to the double doors that led to the front courtyard, he hadn't given me a backwards glance. And that hurt me slightly. I knew I'd dented his rough exterior; I'd been able to see it in his eyes when we'd stared into each other's irises at lunch. His heart pulsed for mine within those onyx depths, as mine yearned for words, my voice cracking in my throat at the lack of emotions being exchanged.

Sasuke was pulling me under, drowning me in the ocean of confusion, as I danced across the forest path, crying into solitude. I was dancing by myself. He wasn't following me. But, those looks in his eyes, they had to mean something, right? I clamped my hands to the sides of my head, my textbook, notebook, and pencil crumpling to the floor as I held my hands to my temples, gritting my teeth. I couldn't stop. It was almost like…Thought vomit.

I let my eyes drift closed as I threw my head back, pink hair blowing in the gentle breeze that wafted in from the window. I had to think of something. Something other than Sasuke. It was killing me. Those feelings, thoughts, emotions, they were jagged and sharp like knives. It was suicide to even whisper his name through my parted lips. It was suicide to even think about him. He was venomous poison to me, and the second dose was taking its toll.

I fell into the swirling onyx depths of his irises in my daydreams, my idle fantasies spinning across the distant reaches of my mind. He wouldn't release me, would he? Even in my dreams, he wouldn't let me go. I could feel his arms wrap around me. I could see his eyes hovering in midair centimeters from mine. I could hear his hollow breathing stagger across the thin thread that held us together. I could smell the rain falling all around us. Cherry blossom petals blew in the wind, as I faced him, our lips inches from molding together. And then, it shattered.

My eyes flashed open, my head surging forward, beads of sweat pouring down the sides of my face. My chest rose in fell as my heartbeat raced at a panicked pace, my eyes wide and throbbing. I felt feverish. Heat swirled up and down my arms, as the numbers on the radio swam in and out of focus, my head growing lighter and lighter. I was just exhausted, and overthinking. I just needed to relax, that's all.

After a few deep, calm breaths, I stood from my desk, and walked across my room toward my bathroom. My feet padded across the floor soundlessly, as if I wasn't even pressing my feet to the ground under them. I opened the door sluggishly, taking my clothes off and hopping into the shower seconds later. The warm water did nothing for my head, or my soulless body. I was merely a doll at that moment. I had no way of acting, moving. I was lifeless.

My fever washed away with the water that flowed down the drain, carrying my listlessness with it. I slowly came back to life, smiling gently. All I needed was to lose myself in a shower, and listen to some good music while I did so. That was proving to be good medicine for my feverish heart. I just needed to spend some time away from all of it, some relaxation time.

I swatted the pool of warm water that gathered along the shelf in the shower, and leaned my butt up against it, sighing. It had been a while since I'd spared a few minutes to rest my mind. I was constantly going, always moving. Whether it was training, or hanging out with Ino, I never had a spare second to myself. And now that school had started again, time to myself was going to be even more inexistent. Just perfect.

I sighed as the warm water flowed through my short pink hair beside my face, carrying stray suds down into the drain along with it. And now with the Sasuke business, I was going to need time to clear my head until I figured out these feelings of mine. And once I figured them out, things would be alright again. I could be myself once more. But something told me that I didn't want to let go of them. I shook my head. I had to let go. I couldn't keep holding these feelings inside myself like I was.

I finished washing myself off, and shut off the water with a flick of my wrist against the faucet and stepped out, wrapping my towel around myself and threading my fingers through my hair. I faced myself in the mirror, and sighed. I'm not good enough for him…I shook my head again. What was with me and those random thoughts? I swiftly dried myself off, and pulled on underwear, a plain tee-shirt, and some shorts, flipping my hair a few times to get the water out of it.

Footsteps and a knock outside the bathroom door startled me. "Haruno Sakura, get out of the bathroom. Now. I'm having a crisis."

"That sounds like…Misaki's voice," I murmured to myself, running a brush through my short hair as I turned and opened the door. I did not find Misaki. I found Ino. My gaze turned flat. "It's you."

"Don't give me that tone, Forehead," she shot back, leaning against the doorway. "I saw you and Sasuke afterschool today. And to be honest, I'm fairly displeased."

I snorted and turned toward her, my eyes dull and bored. "Is your corset tied too tight?"

"Shut up and listen, Sakura," she continued impatiently, waving her hand across the air. "Karin, you know that ditzy red head? She's making moves on my Sasuke!"

I sighed, and rolled my eyes, lathering up my face in astringent. "And that involves me how?"

"Sakura, I need your help! Talk to Sasuke for me, would you?" I shook my head without hesitation.

"I don't want to be involved in your little fight for Sasuke, okay? Leave me out of it. I have enough on my plate right now," I replied. She tossed her long blond hair back, blinking her sky blue eyes.

"Excuse me?" she answered, her tone laced with annoyance. I glared directly into her eyes.

"I'm serious. Now leave if you've got nothing else to say," I ordered, nodding to the door. Ino gave me a skeptical look.

"Are you alright, Sakura? You seem harsher than normal. Did someone rub you the wrong way?"

I thought back on my argument with Sasuke before lunch. And my dissolved plan. I knew that he was the one who'd driven me to this, but I wasn't sure how to get out of this rut I was stuck inside. I was clawing at the sides, struggling to climb up and out of it, but the fact that everyone kept mentioning him sent me tumbling back down. And so, I remained in the mouth of the hole to brood and snap at anyone who crossed paths with me. Perhaps I could be compassionate. Just this once.

I narrowed my jade eyes. "Yes, someone did. But that doesn't matter. We've got to think of a plan to deal with Karin."

"You'll help me?" she asked, widening her eyes. I smiled, and nodded. It wouldn't hurt me. I nodded again, and sat down on my bed, patting the gothic covers.

"Sit," I replied, the blonde girl obediently heeding my command like a puppy to its master. I truly was the Queen of Hearts. I sighed, and leaned forward. "Now, what exactly was she doing to him?"

Ino's face grew violent. "She was hugging his arm like a giddy little fangirl, and she kissed him on the cheek when she left him at the door! It was so disgusting! I could hear it all the way down the hallway! It was gross!"

I sighed. I'd seen that hug, but not the kiss. "I see. Anything else?"

"I wish I was in her place. His cheek must have been so soft and silky…" My hand started tingling as my nerves remembered the feeling of the side of his face underneath them. Contagious, Sasuke was becoming. Like it, I did not. "But she also said a few things about you…"

I lifted my chin and looked back at Ino directly, no hesitation. "What about me?"

"She said that you were a vile and vicious creature. A temptress, in her opinion. She said that you would use your sexuality to mess with his head, and to lead him on the path toward heartbreak," Ino whispered, her voice suddenly growing softer. I leaned my ear toward her mouth, suddenly desperate to hear what she was saying. "And also, she said that you were attracted to him."

Inner Sakura punched the side of my skull, as I waved it off with one hand. "Whatever she says."

"You're not going to do anything about it?" Ino asked, tilting her head. I shook my head and sighed again.

"I don't have anything to worry about. It's not like Sasuke's crushing on me or anything." I leaned back on my hands, and blinked. "He might as well hate me, you know?"

Ino's gaze softened. "Sakura…"

"Besides, if he were to have a crush on me, then you wouldn't be able to use your sexy looks to seduce him and become his girlfriend, right?" I answered, sighing. "Everything will work out in your favor if I stay out of it."

"But I don't want to fight Karin alone! I want help! I want a wing woman!" I lifted an eyebrow. Wing woman? For Ino?

"No way in hell," I replied, finishing my train of thought. Ino's mouth fell open as I lifted myself from my bed, padding across my carpet.

"But Sakura! You said that you'd help me!" she complained, watching my emerald eyes rove across the sun in the distant horizon from inside my room.

I rested my arms against my window sill lightly, and propped my face up on my hands. "Yeah, whatever."

"But Sakura! I'm your best girlfriend!" I turned around, and shot her a look. Girlfriend?

"I'm not attracted to girls," I answered, jade eyes narrowed. "So-"

"You know what I mean by that, Sakura. Obviously." I turned back toward the open window, and watched the sky shift into a pretty scarlet blanket across the waning daylight. The wind ruffled my pink hair gently, as I watched the clouds dance across the heavens. "Sakura…?"

I closed my eyes, and sighed through my nose. "You know…"

Ino jerked her blond head up. "Yes?"

"I probably could be your wing woman. I mean, I like annoying him, so I might as well get something out of him hating me," I muttered into the wind, as my heart pounded in my chest. "I don't want to not get something out of it, you know."

"He won't hate you, Sakura. You're absolutely amazing and kind, and special, and I just love you," Ino answered, smiling through sky blue eyes. I turned around, and flashed a bashful smile.

"You think so?" I asked, lifting my index finger to my cheek shyly. She nodded, and gave me a thumbs up.

"And I also think that you're beautiful too, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Got it?" I nodded, and smiled. I wouldn't let anyone tell me otherwise. Why the hell should I?

"Absolutely," I answered, and lifted my right palm. "I swear on my ninja way."

The next morning was when things started to change. As I pulled on my outfit which consisted of white shirt, pleated plaid skirt and a simple red and white tie that matched the red and white plaid skirt, and black boots, I suddenly felt confident. I felt beautiful. I felt gorgeous. Even though my pink hair was slightly disheveled and tousled even after I straightened it, I still felt pretty.

I ran down the stairs, filled with over excitement. When the sun had landed upon the side of my face, bearing petals from the cherry blossom tree outside my window, I'd felt instantly refreshed. In fact, that little chat with Ino had me refreshed. I was ready to face Sasuke again, and I felt sexy enough to pull anything off. I felt like I could handle anything. I felt like, I was the Queen of Hearts.

And so I plowed through my breakfast and rushed out the door without so much as a goodbye to my mother or father. I was eager to see him again. I was seriously pumped for today. I ran down the street as fast as I could, the folded collar of my white shirt rippling in the wind my pace created, my hand gripping onto the black ribbon that I'd neglected to tie into my hair before I left. I would tie it up. Eventually. Sometime before I reached the school.

I passed by the candy shop, Misaki running out the door to meet me before I blew past her too. Misaki jerked herself to a stop, her hair flying over her shoulders as she lifted her eyes to mine. "Sakura, you'll never guess what happened to me!"

I smiled and hopped up and down in fake excitement. "What?"

"Daisuke asked me out again!" She jumped up and down in a circle around me, to which I was inclined to join in on. I sighed and put my hands on my hips, my bag hanging from my shoulder.

"I'm happy for you, but remember what that jerk did to you?" Misaki stopped jumping, and threw me a glower.

"Thanks for ruining the mood, Sakura. Now I'm all sad and depressed again," she pouted, her hands on her hips. I sighed, and awkwardly face-palmed. I didn't have time for this.

"On a different note, do you have any more pocky?" Misaki jerked her head toward me, and smiled suddenly as she nodded.

"Yep, right here," she answered, handing me the box. I took it and handed her the money I owed. Misaki gave me a look over as I pulled one of those sweet rods of heaven from the box, and stuck it into my mouth, holding it with my glossed lips.

"Sakura, you look different…" I glanced over at her, and blinked my emerald eyes. Misaki sighed, and shook her head. "Have you found a boy?"

I stiffened as my body jerked from a sudden muscle spasm. "WHAT THE HELL?"

"Oh, so you did find a boy. What's he like? Is he cute? Hot? Sexy? C'mon, give me the details!" she prodded, as I blushed as red as a tomato. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, as Misaki leaned forward, anxious and expectant. Not a good combination. Especially in her case.

"He's…Uh…Well…" My tongue wouldn't help my lips form the words. The impossible words I refused to say.

I didn't want to tell her about him, but then she'd remember that day nine years ago. Misaki was the type who never forgot anything. She remembered everything clearly, as if it had happened just moments ago after she'd finished telling it. She was flawless at memorization. She would remember Uchiha Sasuke. Without a doubt. And I wasn't prepared for the pounding of questions I was going to have to take if I said anything else.

But as I hesitated, she grew increasingly more impatient. I could see it flaming in her eyes. She was waiting for a response, and wasn't getting it as fast as she wanted. Misaki was also a bit of a heinous witch when she didn't get her way right when she wanted it. Although she'd worked on it over time, her temper tended to raise its ugly head every now and then. Like now. When I couldn't afford to entertain it at my expense.

"Sakura, spit it out, will you?" I felt my face and neck go beet red, and my emerald eyes screwed themselves shut. Tight. "Sakura, what's he like?"

"He's annoyed. And extremely angry," a new voice answered for me. I swung around, my jade eyes widening as they opened. Speak of the Devil.

"S-Sasuke…" I breathed, my lips parting. He looked down at me with embarrassed onyx eyes. Apparently he wasn't happy about saving my ass?

"Stop staring at me like an idiot, loser," he ordered, looking back at me as he stepped up to face Misaki. I blinked, and covered my mouth with my hand. Had I really been staring at him? God, I felt so pathetic.

Misaki, on the other hand, was clearly enjoying this. It showed in the glow that radiated from each and every one of her pores like a shimmering halo. The lighting from the sun blessed her with luminosity, her beauty refracting that light directly into Sasuke's eyes. Oh how I wanted that radiance for myself. All of my confidence in my "sexiness" that I'd been running off of all morning backfired in my face. Literally.

"Been a while, Uchiha Sasuke. How's your mother?" she asked smoothly, Sasuke staring back her evenly. But I could see his irritation as clearly as I could hear his voice. And that shocked me.

"She's fine," he replied, his onyx eyes flashing once. "And you?"

"I'm feeling pretty well, actually," Misaki answered, crossing her arms over her chest. "My Ex just asked me back out again. What do you think I should do?"

Sasuke 's gaze fell flat. "Do what you want, I guess."

"Well, Sakura here says I should just let him go again," she answered, shooting me an indignant glance. Sasuke, in turn, shifted his onyx eyes upon me.

"You think she should let him go?" he asked, my face flushing. His black eyes softened. Just a touch. "Sakura?"

I blinked, and nodded, waving my hand. "Y-Yeah, I do! Have you heard the stories? He was such a jerk to her when they were dating!"

"Do you think I've heard the stories?" I jerked myself upward, straightening my back. "I haven't been out in the village since that day nine years ago."

"Which day?" I found myself asking, slowly leaning toward him. Sasuke noticed my advance, but didn't push me away. Although, his eyebrows twitched.

"That day when we first met, Forehead," he replied smoothly, as I slid my face toward his. Getting closer to him wasn't all that hard. He wasn't pushing me away like he normally would. Or, so I assumed.

"I remember, Chicken Butt," I answered, smiling gently. His lip curled up faintly in response. Just barely a smile. I found myself wiping at my eyes. He'd smiled? But when I opened my eyes again, it was gone. I smirked slyly. "You seem to be in a good mood today."

"What're you talking about?" he answered, giving me a one-eyed glance through laughing onyx eyes. My eyes widened. Was he actually…Smiling through his eyes?

"You're…Smiling," I answered, lifting my index finger to point at his face. He narrowed his eyes, and shook his head.

"I'm not. You're annoying me," he shot back. I smirked, and crossed my arms over my chest, tilting my head toward him.

"Aw, don't cry Sasuke," I replied, crossing my right leg over my left, and leaned forward, resting my index finger at the post under my eyes, my other hand lightly resting on my legs. The wind ruffled my pink hair into my green eyes, and for the second time that morning, I felt beautiful. "I'll make you feel better."

He blinked once. Just once. "Whatever."

"Eh?" I jerked myself into a standing position, and let my head drop as if a ton of bricks had slammed it down toward the ground. "Damn jerk…"

A smirk glowed like the sun. "We've got school."

"I know that, Chicken Butt," I retorted through clenched teeth. Sasuke smirked and turned around, heading toward the school. Misaki bumped my back gently.

"He's cuter than he was when he was younger, Sakura! You should totally go for him!" she whispered-screamed in my ear. I swung my head toward her, my eyebrow twitching.

"There's no way I'd date him," I answered, pointing my fingers at his back irritably. Misaki sighed, and took off toward the shop door, waving from over her shoulder.

"All well, keep it in mind, would you? And let me know if anything happens! Have fun at school!" I gaped after her as she blew through the doorway. Sasuke stepped up alongside me, and stared after her.

"What just happened?" he asked, as I watched, slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

"She's insane," I muttered, Sasuke nodding once, acting as if he knew what happened. When in truth, he was completely clueless.

"You can say that again," he added, before turning back to the school. I sauntered after him, and hung my head.

"What classes do you have today?" I asked, turning toward him. He snorted, and turned away.

"None of your business," he replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. I knotted my fingers together behind my back and leaned forward, glancing at him sweetly.

"Even for me?" I asked innocently, widening my eyes into round jade orbs. Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Definitely not for you," he answered. I let my head drop again.

"At least your first class?" He grimaced uncomfortably as he turned to face me.

"Gym," he replied, averting his eyes. "Uh, you?"

I smiled, and flashed the peace sign. "Gym too! You want to partner up for Soccer?"

"How do you know we're playing Soccer?" I smirked, and tilted my head.

"I have ways," I answered, fingering the keychain that hung from my bag's pocket noisily. Sasuke gave it a glance, and rolled his eyes.

"Damn girls," he muttered. I smiled and straightened up, sighing.

"You know," I started. He turned toward me, expectant. I faced him earnestly, the wind ruffling my pink hair against my face. "You might not be so bad."

His eyes widened as I smiled at him. It was a soft and vulnerable expression, almost like he'd been taken off guard. He had in fact been taken off guard. The only things we've exchanged for the past day were insults, insults, and more insults. And even though I wanted to kill him at times, he deserved a clean break. Especially since he was in a good mood right now. So I was assuming.

In Alice in Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts never smiled. Unless those whom she'd ordered to be beheaded were punished in the appropriate manner in her eyes. And even then, she wasn't happy. She was evil, dark, bent on revenge. Alice was her target, and she wouldn't stop until she destroyed her. And she'd very nearly did, until Alice grew taller and managed to escape into the forest with her head connected to her body. Alice had been lucky. But in this Wonderland, I was the Queen of Hearts, and Alice was making me smile. For all the right reasons. And there was nothing better than that.

"Whatever," he answered finally, his face painted with a faint smirk. "Let's just get to school."