Everyone is afraid of something. Ino is terrified of being overweight. Tenten hates heights. Hinata faints at the sight of spiders. And Sakura? Well, Sakura is an ailurophobe. She fears cats.

She doesn't know why she's so scared of them. Her mother told her that she had a bad experience with a stray cat when she was younger. Since then she's never gone near one. And if she does come across one she runs the other way, even if it was the long way to her destination. This may seem ridiculous to others, but to her it was utterly terrifying. So why was she on the ground protecting her greatest fear?

"Sakura you're an idiot. You should've kept walking," she reprimanded in her head, but she couldn't stay away. No matter how much she feared cats, she didn't want to see one abused. It was just a kitten too so she stood her ground in front of the two boys that were harassing it. The kit was behind her, cowering on its side after being kicked.

"This your piece of trash 'cause if it is you better pay up." The guy with dark brown hair demand as he pointed down. She followed it to his pants leg and shoes. There was a long rip down one leg and his shoes weren't better off. She flinched inwardly, those shoes look expensive.

"He's not mine."

"Then this has nothing to do with you. Move it!"

"No. Just leave him alone."

"Listen here bitch-"

"He's mine." Surprised, they all turned to the newcomer.

"Sasuke!" She had never been so glad to see him.

"Uchiha." The brunette glowered

"Koga, Inoue, leave them alone."

"Not until you pay for what your stupid cat did."

"You have enough money to take care of that yourself. I didn't think you could stoop to harassing girls."

"You!" He would've beat the shit out of the Uchiha, but his friend grabbed him.

"Let go of me!"

"Calm down man. There are people watching." A small crowd was forming; they pointed and whispered amongst themselves. Finally noticing this, he stopped thrashing. Angrily tugging himself free he gave the Uchiha one last glare.

"This isn't over." He stomped away with his friend scampering after him. Relief swept over Sakura, until she felt something rub up against her. She shrieked and back away from the little kitty she just saved.

"Please stay away," it didn't listen to her and padded closer. Oh god she was going to faint!

"If you hate cats so much, then why did you help him?" Sasuke lifted the kit off the ground before it reached her. She relaxed a bit, then she registered what he said.

"I don't hate them...they just scare me," she replied meekly.

"You're afraid of this?" He held the kit up to her face and she immediately jumped back. Sasuke didn't know whether he should laugh or take pity on her.

"It's not funny!" Apparently he really wanted to laugh at her, but he pushed it down.

"There's nothing to be afraid of."

"That's easy for you to say! Wait, what are doing? Stay away!" The closer Sasuke came the more she backed away. She turned around to run, but he caught her around the waist, which put her right next to the cat. She cried out and tried to break free. His arm refused to budge.

"Sasuke! You're going to give me a heart attack!"

"He's not going to hurt you. Kohaku likes girls."

"I don't care if he does just please keep him away," she brought her hands up to her face, creating a wall between her and the fur ball. She protested when he grabbed one of her hands, but her words died in her throat when he placed it on the kit. She completely froze and then just as quickly clenched her eyes shut and tried to pull away. Stupid Sasuke wouldn't let her.

"Sakura open your eyes," she shook her head furiously. Tears were starting to build up. God she didn't want him to see her cry over this.

"Don't cry, he likes you see?" His gentle coaxing made her eyelids lift. His larger hand covered hers over the cat's head. His hold was weaker, she could pull away right now, but then she finally looked at the little kitten. He's so tiny and soft. His head nuzzled into her hand and he was purring.

"So...cute," she thought. She didn't notice Sasuke pulling his hand away until it landed on her head.

"Not so scary now is he?" He asked smirking softly when she shook her head slowly. At least she wasn't going to cry anymore.

As she stroked under Kohaku's chin, Sakura thought that maybe she could finally get pass this fear. But only if Sasuke was there to hold her through it.

Learned a new word today: ailurophobe.

XxUchihaCherryBlossomxX