person's thoughts

person's inner's thoughts

(sasuke's inner placing words in his head)

Back to Confessions

It had been three months since the incident with Sasuke and I at my apartment. Ever since then we had been friendly, but nothing more than that. It was the kind of mutual understanding that was formed between two people who can empathize with each other. We acknowledged each others presence when we crossed paths, had meaningless, brief, talks about nothing really of relevance, and were civil in public towards each other. Even with all that it felt as if something was missing. It feels like there is this gaping hole between us and no matter how many times I try to cross or go around it, I never can. As a matter of fact, it just seems to get bigger with every failed attempt. Even when we are standing right next to each other it feels like he was never really there. He never gives incredibly detailed answers, never lingers on my every word, and never acs like he cares if she told him or not. It use to be good enough for me; him just being there by my side. But it's not anymore, and I'm starting to think that it never really was. I want, need, more from him. I know these are things I can never ask or expect from him but still... I want to be his most important person, the one he would lay down his life for...

Whoa, where did those thoughts come from?

From a little place I like to call the Village of Love.

How many times do I have to tell you that I am NOT in love with him.

Well, you've told me several times but it doesn't mean that I'm going to believe you. Now or ever. Besides, you just said you wanted him to lay his LIFE down for you. It sounds to me like the love-bug has bit you hard little girl.

Love-bug? Who says that anymore.

Ah, and now you're trying to get me off topic.

Am not. I'm just point out your seriously outdated vocabulary.

And there you go again. The fact is that you love him Sa-Ku-Ra. I don't know how much more obvious it could be. Practically everyone around you has noticed.

To bad I'm not actually in love then huh?

Keep on telling yourself that. Repeat it inside and outside your head as many times as you want. It's complete and total bull. You know that better than anyone. The only person as thick headed as you in this is Sasuke.

What do you mean...

I mean that he loves you back. Haven't you noticed it?

No, I haven't. And that's because, unlike you, I don't suffer from delusions. What on earth gives you the impression that he loves me? Is it the way he gently caresses my check and whispers sweet nothings into my ear? Or is it when he buys me random things or finds me just to say hi? Because ... oh wait. He doesn't do that. Ever. Or anything remotely close to that.

Out of all the people, Sakura, I though you would be the one to understand how Sasuke expresses himself.

That's exactly the point! He doesn't express himself!

It takes time for someone to show how they really feel after something like that happens to them, Sakura. That's the part you're suppose to understand. For so long, all he ever knew was hate and anger. You can't expect him to swift so quickly.

So I should spend forever waiting for something that will never happen? That's not fair.

And that's not what I'm asking you. Or what he is.

You're right, he's not asking anything. He doesn't want anything. At least, not from me.

Sakura's inner would have responded if it weren't for the fact that she had run head on into the person in front of her.

Ow. Geez, who just stops so abruptly?

Looking up into the eyes of her blockade, she was frozen stiff when she saw onyx gleaming back at her.

Rubbing her nose and chuckling she said, "Sasuke, we've got to stop meeting like this."

"Meeting like what?"

Sakura sidestepped him and replied, "With me running into you. Literally."

Sasuke crossed his arm and gave his rebuttal. "Well, maybe you should just look where you're going."

Moving past him, Sakura feigned shock. "Me? Look where I'm going? Maybe you should stop stalking me."

"Since you always run into my back it seems like you're the stalker."

Pretending she didn't hear, Sakura just kept walking. She raised her left hand in goodbye. "Ja, Sasuke. Make sure to come to a slow and complete stop next time."

Sasuke stayed rooted in his stop. He watched her turn the corner, then headed off in the opposite direction.

"Crazy woman."

(3 days later)

Sakura was pleasantly asleep when a knock at her window gave her a cruel awakening. She bolted up from her bed and scrambled to gain her bearings.

That's when she heard it.

"Sakura-chan. Sakura-chan. Saaaaakuraaaa-chaaaaannnnnn!"

She groaned and plopped herself back to her prostrate position on her bed.

"SAKURA-CHAN!"

Finally having enough Sakura pushed all her sheets off her and unlatched the window. The blond pest jumped down and gave her a massive hug.

"Good morning to you to, Naruto."

Still wearing the massive grin on his face, Naruto asked, "Sakura, what is today?"

Realization finally dawned on her. Today was October tenth. Today was Naruto's twenty-first birthday.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"

Sakura jumped up to give Naruto a hug.

"Well, now that it looks like you've woken up completely and have finally greeted me correctly, I have something to ask you. Are you doing anything tonight?"

Sakura looked away, thinking about her plans for the day. "Uhm... I think I might..."

"Good. You're coming with me and everybody else to the bar. We're all going to celebrate and get drunk since I am the last one to turn the big two one."

"Alrighty then. What time should I be there?"

"Seven. You better be there, Sakura-chan. Even the teme's coming." With that Naruto left through her window and left her to her thoughts.

Sasuke will be there. Sasuke is going to be there. I'm going to a bar with Sasuke.

(Six Thirty/ 6:30)

Sakura looked at herself in the mirror one more time. She had ditched her ninja garb for regular clothes, deeming it mandatory to do so. She was wearing black, low rise jeans, with a deep purple halter top. Her hair was piled on top of her head, giving it that slightly messy vibe. For make-up she decided on just a neutral eyeshadow, rosy cheeks, mascara, and a shimmery gloss on her lips.

The streets of Konoha were crowed and noisy. Sakura edged her way towards the bar where Naruto said to meet. When she arrived, Naruto and all the others were outside waiting for her to arrive. Upon her arrival they all went inside and started the celebration. However, Sakura didn't fail to notice that a certain Uchiha wasn't among them.

(2 Hours Later)

Sakura had been sitting at the counter, silently sipping her beer. She was not one for going all out and getting smashed in one night. It just wasn't her thing. But, when the thought of Sasuke drifted across her mind, she started drinking more. Faster. Maybe she could drown out the ramblings in her head with the sacred liquid. She raised her hand to the bartender, signaling that she wanted another. When she was completely and utterly beyond sanity, Sasuke walked in.

(Sasuke POV)

Naruto invited me to go to the bar with him and the others tonight. For some god knows why reason, I showed up. Not on time though. Hey, at least I'm going. I stopped to check the name of the place in front of me.

This is it. Well, better get it over with.

I scanned the room, looking for Naruto. The plan was to get in, tell him happy birthday, and get out. Rather, that was the plan until I found Sakura draped in some other guy's arms. Suppressing the urge to snap his twig arms on the spot, I walked over to said teammate of mine.

Looks like I was going with plan B.

"Sakura."

She looked up at me, if you could even call it that. It was more her head lolling to the side in my general direction.

"Hello there, *hiccup* Captain."

Great. She was ridiculously drunk. How am I suppose to work with that?

"Sakura, you're not acting like yourself. Go home."

Sakura, apparently still thinking she was on a pirate ship, replied, "Is that an order, Captain?"

"My name isn't Captain, Sakura, it's Sasuke." To say that I was losing my temper was an understatement.

"Ahhh, but you look like a cap*hiccup*tain." The man holding her had now started to creep his fingers up his arm, obviously wanting me to go away. There was an ice cube's chance in hell of that happening. Steering all my frustration towards the guy, I said, "Leave. Before you have to walk out limping."

It didn't look like he was going to take me seriously. He opened his mouth to protest. Then he caught sight of my eyes. Without another word he stood up, depositing the girl in his lap to the floor, and fled like a bat out of hell.

"Owwieeeee." A cute pout adorned Sakura's...

Back up, where did that come from?

It came from the part of you that's in love with her, stupid.

I am not in love with her.

Right. That's why you scared that guy senseless.

Hn. He was ticking me off.

Because he was touching YOUR Sakura.

She's not MY anything.

Ignoring the nagging inner self of mine I stretched out a hand towards Sakura. She obviously wasn't getting up on her own and I didn't feel like waiting here all night. She lifted her hand, struggling to find his. With a slouch of his shoulders and a roll of his eyes, Sasuke grasped her hand in his own. The soft impact sent a jolt of lightning surged through my veins. It felt like everything was woken up and active. I pushed it aside immediately. It was probably some kind of freak static electricity. When she regained her balance (as best she could) she started to walk. She didn't end up very far. She tripped over her foot and started to fall. Before I realized what I was doing I had shot my arms out to grab her.

"Hn. You should be more careful next time."

Sakura's body stiffened up at our contact. I realized that forcing her to walk to her apartment would take to much time. I tried to think of other solutions, coming up with none. Without warning, I swooped her up and deposited her on my back. I wrapped her (long, shapely) legs around my stomach. The I grasped her (toned, perfect) arms and crossed them over the front of my chest. Taking a deep breath I put my hands on her (lean, voluptuous) thighs and started walking.

At least she's wearing jeans.

When we where half way to her apartment she started to stir in my arms.

"Sasuke?"

She sounded so tired and exhausted. Humoring her I responded.

"So I'm not captain anymore?"

"There's a lot of things I have to tell you."

Looks like she wasn't retaining anything I was saying.

"What kind of things, Sakura?"

"I never meant to say, I never meant to say..."

"What? You never meant to say what?"

"All those things I said to you. The day you came back."

Ah, she was bringing this up.

"It's fine, Sakura. You were upset."

Now her voice was getting softer.

"That's no excuse. I hurt you, Sasuke. I never wanted to hurt you."

"I'm over it, Sakura. It's in the past. You'll do better not to dwell on it."

She had given up any attempts to hold her own weight. I felt her body completely relax against mine. She placed her head on my shoulder and whispered her next sentence.

"But I'm not over it. I hurt you. You're not supposed to hurt the people you love, Sasuke."

She fell silent but her last words where still echoing in my mind.

"...not supposed to hurt the people you love."

She, she loves me?

Isn't that what I've been telling you this entire time.

But why? After all I put her through. Why, how, can she still love me?

Because what she said that night wasn't a lie.

(Normal POV)

Sasuke silently walked through the night. He made is way to the girl's apartment and opened the door. Once inside he made his way to her bedroom and placed her down on her bed. On the bedside table was the photograph of team seven in their genin days. A small smirk played on his lips as he moved his eye line to the girl next to him. He reached out his hand to touch her cheek. It wasn't until he felt her smooth skin on his that he realized it.

I'm falling in love with you, Haruno Sakura.

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Hehehe, sorry this one took me a while to update. This is kind of the middle of the story, but I do have a plan for the murder of Sakura's parents. It should be coming up in the next chapters =]

Review please!

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