Crystal chaser's note: Whoa! I really like typing this story and thinking of events and stuff. But the hard part is on how I would express them just the way I want them to be. I'm also having a hard time on deciding which one goes first on the events. Anyways, writing is my favorite hobby anyway, so it also makes me happy. haha!

Standard disclaimer applies.

WORDS LEFT UNSAID

CHAPTER 7: Truce

Sakura felt all eyes staring at her as she walked at the hallway which was packed with students. She hang her head low, looking from left to right as all of them were whispering and smiling at her. It gave her goose bumps. It wasn't everyday that they would all look at her that way then smile at her as if they were some close friend of hers.

'Something's up and I'm the one on it again,' she thought and sighed.

She didn't like all the attention anyway because she knew it was no good. Sakura tightly held the strap of her sling bag and walked in a faster pace towards her locker. Most of the students would greet her and say hi when she would pass by. She would just nod and force a smile on her lips.

"Sakura!" she quickly turned around and was relieved when she saw Ino's grinning face.

"Oh, I thought it was another of those guys," she said then turned around and opened her locker, Ino standing behind her with a questioning look.

Sakura took out her History book and a pen then put them inside her bag. When she was about to close her locker, something caught her eye. She looked at it with knitted eyebrows, 'What's this?' she thought, a blue envelope was slipped in her Math book. She looked at it with curiosity at first and then turned to Ino who was also staring at the said piece of paper.

"Did you put this on my book yesterday?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and pointed at the envelope.

Ino shook her head, "Nope, why would I even write to you when I can say it in front of your face?" she replied, crossing her arms.

She nodded her head in agreement. Sakura glanced at Ino's shoulder and suddenly noticed all of their classmates surrounding them. They were looking at her and were obviously anticipating her next move. It seemed that they knew that she had a mysterious letter in her locker. She slowly turned around, her back facing the crowd. She sighed and slowly took the letter, it had no note at the outside so she cautiously opened it, feeling the eyes of her classmates staring at either the envelope or her, it made her feel really uncomfortable. She took a quick glance behind her, she could see some familiar faces, others were strangers to her but it seemed they knew something more than what she knew.

With trembling hands, she slowly pulled out the letter and read it slowly. Ino was peeping at her shoulder and was also reading the note.

Both of them had to read the whole letter about three times before they had fully absorbed the content. Ino looked at her friend with concern; Sakura was holding the letter and was staring at it. The message was:

Haruno,

I had nothing to do with it…

Sasuke

'That bastard, how could—' She couldn't think of any word appropriate to describe her rage.

Her eyes turned into slits as she glared at the paper focusing on Sasuke's name so that it could magically disappear out of her sight.

Sakura sharply turned around and faced the surprised crowd. She held up the said letter and shouted, "Who among you put this goddamned letter in my locker, huh?"

Silence answered back. It was very frustrating for her to see them look around in fake innocence and then shrug. She tried once more.

"This isn't a funny, I'm serious," she exclaimed but no one seemed to care.

She blew her bangs off her eyes and slammed the door of her locker. Then, she crumpled the said letter and threw it to a nearby trash can.

"Let's go, Ino," she hissed and dragged her blond friend towards their room.

All of the students were still looking at her in silence. When she was already out of sight, they started talking simultaneously.

Sakura was panting as she walked, her hand still holding on tight to Ino's arm.

"S-Sakura calm down. It's just a letter," she uttered and tried to free herself from Sakura's grip.

"Just a letter, it's not just a letter, Ino. It's a death note from a devil," she hissed. Her companion just shrugged and kept quiet until they got to their room.

They stopped in front of the door as Sakura quickly turned to Ino, "You better keep quiet about the whole thing or else," Sakura hissed as she pointed to her friend.

Ino looked at her with wide eyes, "B-but Sakura the whole school might know—"

"I don't care..just……..just keep your mouth shut," she said. Ino just shrugged as Sakura opened the door.

A roaring and cheering crowd welcomed her; they were all clapping and whistling. Sakura looked at them with wide eyes, obviously confused.

"Oh, Sakura look!" Ino exclaimed as she pointed at the black board in front of the room.

Sakura turned towards the said direction. In different colored chalks the word SORRY was written in big letters. She stared at the board for a long time. First the letter, and now this, what was next? It seemed to her that Sasuke was now acting as a goody-good boy, making all of the students in Konoha high fooled.

"He's such a good actor. He should win an award,' she said to herself. Ino was still admiring the message in the board that she didn't notice Sakura storm out of the room.

Sakura paced through the corridor with her fist clenched. She pushed everybody who was on her way. It was like déjà vu. A few days ago she was also storming down towards the said Uchiha, and at that very moment, she wondered how many times this year would she do this.

"Yeah, I'll join the team, why—" Sasuke trailed off as he saw Sakura hurriedly walking towards his direction.

"The practice will be at—hey!" Kiba exclaimed as Sasuke suddenly pushed him away. He looked ahead and saw Sakura, then quickly turned to Sasuke.

"This one's gonna be nasty," he uttered with a grin and backed away.

"Look, Haruno. Before you go mad—"

"Oh! Who told you I'm mad Uchiha. I'm not mad, I'm enraged!"

"Wait, I-I wasn't the one—ugh!"

Sasuke wasn't able to finish his sentence when Sakura had suddenly punched him in the face hard. He fell towards the floor, looking at the girl in front of him in surprise.

'God, this one's tough,' he said.

Students once again started gathering towards the said commotion. Most of them were staring at the poor Sasuke on the floor while some were looking with wide eyes at the pink haired girl who had just hit him.

"Don't forget your manners, Uchiha," Sakura uttered and started to go away if it wasn't for the devil that had stopped her from doing so.

"I didn't do it. I swear, I'm not responsible for it," Sasuke reiterated as he followed the said girl who was hurriedly walking away.

"Look, I had no idea who had done it but—"he sighed as Sakura wasn't paying attention to her.

Sasuke stood in front of Sakura and held her in the shoulders. Sakura wished she had died that very moment.

"What are you doing?" she asked irritably as she tried to break free.

"I didn't do it, okay?" he said. The said girl just glared at him, "I bloody hell don't care," she hissed then walked passed by him. Sasuke turned around and looked at the retreating back of Sakura, he sighed. "She's impossible."

Despite the hesitation he had within him, Sasuke forced himself to follow Sakura.

"H-hey wait up," he called out. The said girl stopped from her tracks and breathed heavily. It was going to be one long day. Turning around, she had decided to finally make the Uchiha shut his mouth but was surprised when she saw him talking with Sai.

Sasuke was about to approach her when suddenly Sai appeared out of nowhere. He blocked his way as he looked at the inky-haired boy sternly. There was a long idle silence as Sasuke threw the same look at the person on front of him, both of them not wanting to lose.

"Leave her alone," Sai whispered, still not taking his eyes from him. All of the girls on the crowd were cheering for their own bet, but one girl kept quiet as she stared at the familiar sight. Sakura was gaping at them with wide eyes.

"Why am I always involved?" she whispered helplessly. But it seemed that no matter how hard she thinks it through, she couldn't find any answer.

Sasuke stared at the boy in front of him unbelievingly. How could he act as if he was some good guy rescuing the damsel in distress when he was the one behind all of this? But again, it was just a hunch, a suspicion.

He grinned at the person in front of him which earned a bewildered look from Sai.

"You know, you should be saying that to yourself, Sai," he uttered malevolently. He knows he's up to something; he always has a purpose for doing unusual actions.

"What?" Sai said innocently.

'Oh man, he's good at this,' he thought as he shook his head incredulously.

"Seriously, what are you up to this time?" Sai stared at him for a moment, and then it was his turn to smirk.

"If you're talking about the gang, forget it, Uchiha. I've left it long ago. So if I were you," he neared a bit to the said boy and whispered, "Get lost," and then moved away and joined Sakura.

Sakura looked at the approaching boy with wide eyes, "I-I'm" she stammered but it seems that Sai didn't care. He smiled at her and said, "Why are you so pale?" Sakura was about to speak as she opened her mouth but had stopped immediately. She looked down, feeling embarrassed at the presence of Sai.

Suddenly remembering the devil, she looked back to see his reaction, 'Just to enjoy the once in a lifetime sight of defeat from him,' she thought but was disappointed when she saw that he wasn't there anymore.

"Any problem?" Sai asked her. Sakura turned to him blankly and gently shook her head, "No, nothing," she uttered softly. He smiled at her as they started walk towards their room.

"Can I ask you something?" Sakura said, looking down the white tiled floor as she spoke. She sensed him nod so she stated her question, "Why…does…that..uhm, he"

"Sasuke," Sai continued for him noticing that she finds it hard to say the name of his so-called rival.

Sakura nodded and continued, "Uhm, yeah, him." She stopped and hesitated for a moment. Sai noticed her sudden silence and turned to her, "What is it?"

The said girl took a deep breath, "Why does he always back away when you're around?" she asked. Sai was expecting it to come. It was about time she asked it to him. He smirked as he thought of the rivalry they had, and of course, of their gang encountering each other occasionally before. He shrugged, "I don't know, maybe because we usually fight over something, and most of the time, I win," he said in a humorous tone. Sakura laughed in compliment of what her companion had said.

She was glad that she had met the person beside her. She noticed that she's in a lot of trouble these past few days, and she's beginning to think if she was jinxed or something. The only thing that makes her think positively was the presence of Sai who would always come in her aid whenever needed.

XxxXxxX

Again, no one believed him. Yes, he might be able to do everything everybody else wanted, except for one thing, he can't make others trust him, of who he was. It was his only weakness, trust. As far as he could remember, only one person had trusted and believed in him so much in his whole life. Pathetic, yes, but it's Uchiha Mikoto, his mother, his only refuge when he's alone. Standing in front of her, he felt safe. Knowing that her presence was here made him feel a bit better, but the loneliness and isolation still remained.

Standing motionless, he stared at the gray stone in the ground, where his mother rests forever. He gave a sad smile unknowingly.

"I did it again, mom. I messed up," he said softly, not moving in his place. Sasuke then laid the bouquet of flowers in front of the tombstone, wiping a tear that fell at the side of his eye.

"You're really unfair. You were the only one who believed and trusted me, the only one, mom. And yet, you're not here," he looked ahead and smirked, closing his eyes, letting the calm wind blow through his face.

"I miss you, okasan," he whispered softly.

Flashback

It was like judgment day for him as he sat at the middle of their huge dining room, his father skeptically looking at his class card in front of him, his mother seated next to him. He was looking at his already pale and sweaty hands, nervous of what would his father say about him. Noticing this, Mikoto took Sasuke's hands in hers and smiled reassuringly. It made him feel a bit better.

"What is this?" his father suddenly uttered with furrowed eyebrows. Mikoto and Sasuke turned to him at the same time with a surprised expression as they anticipated Fugaku's next words. The said man held up Sasuke's class card in front of him, "A B in Math? What is this, a joke?" he uttered furiously. Sasuke was looking at his father with watery eyes.

"Th-that…there must be--," but it was already too late for him to explain. Fugaku stood up and threw the piece of paper in front of him, storming out of the room. "Such a useless, little brat," he muttered.

Sasuke was suppressing the tears that were tempting to fall down his eyes. He knew it, he was useless, and his own father said it to him. No matter how hard he tries, it would still end up the same way.

"Sasuke," he heard a soft voice call him. He raised his head to face the pleasant face of his mother. She smiled at him sweetly as she wiped the tears away from his face.

"You did really well. I'm very proud of you," she whispered. Sasuke beamed at his mother, "Really?" he uttered. Mikoto giggled at her youngest son. She seated him in her lap then looked at his eyes, making eye contact.

"Yes, I do and I'll always believe in you. Remember that, okay?" she said then gently touched Sasuke's nose. He nodded to her reassuringly, making sure that he would never forget his mother's promise.

XxxXxxX

He watched as unfamiliar uniformed men roamed around their house, talking to his father. Fugaku didn't seem to be listening as he was hanging his head low.

'They're so nosy. I wish mom would make them go away,' he thought since it was his mother who handled things whenever his father wasn't in a good mood.

Sasuke turned his head from left to right, looking at the faces of the police officers invading their house. He stood up and walked towards his father, curious of the commotion that was happening. He reached out his hand and tugged on his father's shirt.

"She was shot three times, Sir. But before that, Uchiha Mikoto was tortured, raped, and was repeatedly stabbed. She wouldn't have survived either even if she wasn't shot," the officer uttered to Fugaku. The said man gripped his hair in fury and confusion.

"W-was it….them?" he asked hesitantly. The man in front of him looked at Fugaku with concern.

"I'm afraid so, Sir," he said in a low voice. Fugaku nodded gently and gestured for the man to go ahead. The man obliged as he bowed a bit and left.

Sasuke was staring at the place where the officer was awhile ago, trying hard to absorb what he had just heard. Shot three times…raped…wouldn't have survived….

It was ringing in his head repeatedly. His mother, the only one he had, was never coming home. As he thought of this, he was already running towards his bedroom, crouched in one corner, crying silent tears. There was no need to do his best at things anymore; no need to make friends; no need to gain others trust and make them believe in him. It was the start of his end.

End of Flashback

XxxXxxX

Sakura walked alone towards the gates of their school, holding her books close to her chest.

'It's been a good day, can't wait to go home. But first, I must go to my paradise,' she said to herself, giggling at the thought. She suddenly heard the screeching sound of wheels stop beside her. Sakura turned around, smiling as she saw her savior's face.

"Hi, Sakura," he said as he took off his helmet and tossed it towards her. It almost slipped from Sakura's grip when she caught it.

"We're going to the carnival, want to come?" he asked as he patted the seat behind him. Sakura thought for a moment, it would surely be fun if she joined him, but…she would have to make up from her detention. Her eye twitched when she remembered it, 'Oooh! Damn you Uchiha!'

"So…are you coming?" Sai asked. Sakura quickly turned to him, dazed.

"What? Oh, uhm, sorry. But I've got to do some work, you know, got to good look during the first weeks!" she uttered, grinning at her own stupidity.

Sai grinned at her as well and took the helmet from her, "Well, I guess next time wouldn't hurt, right?" he said, putting on the head gear and starting the ignition of the motorcycle. Sakura smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

"See you around," Sai said then paced off, Sakura waved goodbye to him as he exited the vicinity of their school.

'Hmm, so cool. You really are something, Sai,' she thought as she looked at him riding his motorcycle.

"Wait…" she whispered to herself and then looked ahead once again. "He's got a car AND a motorcycle! Geez, I couldn't even afford to buy a bicycle," she uttered incredulously as she stared at the tiny speck of black at the far end of the road with wide eyes.

When she had already gotten back to her senses, she smirked and continued her way towards the nearby woods beside a cemetery; her supposed to be paradise where she does her school work.

XxxXxxX

Sakura rubbed her eye with her left hand as she read the problem stated in her book.

"Okay, angle 1 is 750 then the other side adjacent to it is…argh! Stupid!" she hissed as she slammed the book on her lap, getting tired of solving the same problem over and over again.

She was at a branch of a huge tree. It was already dusk and the place was becoming darker. Sakura sighed and surrendered on solving the problem as she put her things on her bag. Then, Sakura raised her head and looked at the sky above her; stars were already visible. She stared at it a long time, and smiled.

"It really is peaceful here…and enchanting," she whispered softly. The night breeze blew her hair towards her face. Closing her eyes, she wondered what her friends were doing at their own houses, or at her house. Usually, her three friends would go at her house and do schoolwork, but it would usually end into a truth or dare game or movie marathon. That's when she had started doing her homework at the woods.

She grinned as she remembered it. Out of her subconscious, Sai suddenly came into her mind. She felt the cold wind touch her skin and it made her shiver. Sakura wrapped her arms around her body to warm herself, and, still with her eyes closed, pretended that it were Sai's. He was carrying her, away from trouble once again; he was her savior anyway. They were going to a far place…far…far…far away from others. And then…

"WHOA!...OUCH!" she shouted. Sakura accidentally fell from the branch and landed on the ground due to her daydreaming. She scratched the back of her head in irritation.

'Ugh, really, can anything go any better than this,' she thought and groaned, grabbing her bag which was clinging on the tree. She felt a stinging pain at her elbow. Touching it, she felt blood and saw that it was bruised, she winced once more in pain.

"Ugh, damn it. Stupid daydreaming, I knew it was no good, hmph," she scolded herself as she carefully stood up, straightening and dusting her uniform. Sakura was about to go ahead and leave when she had suddenly heard a grumbling sound from behind. She stopped from her tracks instantly.

"Who is it?" she uttered. No one answered. She shrugged and then continued walking but she had heard the grumbling again. This time, she felt slightly terrified and became panicky, holding the strap of her bag tighter and tighter.

"I-is somebody there?" she asked cautiously, there was no answer except for the continuous grumbling sound. Sakura felt a lump forming in her throat and swallowed, trying to earn courage to look at what was behind her. Slowly turning around, she was anticipating what she would encounter, hoping that her hunch was a mistake. The grumbling continued and it was constantly frightening Sakura.

"Oh…God," she mumbled as she was staring at a pair of yellow bright eyes.

XxxXxxX

Sasuke was walking home silently, his head lowered and his hands pocketed on his sides as usual. The night usually satisfies him since it was like his personality, dark, enigmatic, yet beyond the clouds, cold wind, and jet black sky was the moon, which was alone and just only wanted for someone to see that it exists.

He sighed as he thought of it, now, he was going to their house, but was it home? He never dared answer the question.

Out of his reverie, a sound suddenly caught his attention. He stopped, waiting for it to be heard again.

"AHHH! Help, somebody! Anybody! Ahh!" he heard. The voice was so familiar that it rang a bell in his mind.

'Why does it seem so familiar?' he thought.

"AHHH!"

Sasuke's eyes widened when he heard it once more. He turned towards the nearby woods with a bewildered expression, "Haruno?"

XxxXxxX

She wasn't a fast runner but despite the odds, Sakura gave her best shot since it may be her last time to give it. Wolves didn't usually come out of nowhere, especially on the woods near town. They never appeared before when Sakura would go there. But it didn't matter anymore how they got there, what matters most is how she can escape them.

Sakura's fate must have been cursed. After running for how many minutes, here she is, trapped on some place, as she sees a fence from afar, she had no way out. She slowly turned around and faced the beast which was constantly grumbling and glaring at her with its two bright, wide, yellowish eyes, its saliva dripping at the side of its mouth. She was staring at it helplessly, her back pressed against the wooden fence behind her.

"N-Nice doggy. Y-you don't want t-to hurt me, d-do you?" she whimpered as she slowly moved her pale, trembling hands forward. But as if she was being tricked, the wolf had suddenly pounced towards her, its paws ready to strike her, its sharp teeth ready to bite her skin.

That was it, her end, as easy as that. She didn't even finished high school, or college, or had a boyfriend, or said to Sai how she felt about him that he would possibly be feeling the same, too.

'And…saying sorry to that Uchiha. Although I would think twice if I would still do it,' she thought. Sakura was standing motionless on her place, her eyes shut tight as she waited for the pain.

Unexpectedly, instead of sharp claws or fangs wounding her, she felt strong arms wrapped around her waist and push her aside, avoiding the attack from the said animal. She felt the hard ground against her back, her savior on top of her, breathing heavily. Slowly opening her eyes, she was anticipating that it was somebody she knows, somebody she had been fantasizing for days as her knight in shining armor. But when she had already opened them, the supposed guy was already out of sight and was trying to get rid of the wolf.

She couldn't get a good look at him since he was facing the other way. He was holding a kunai in his hand then threw it towards the animal, hitting it on the middle of its body. The wolf moaned and fell down towards the ground. She watched him in awe, her eyes wide as saucers. When the boy turned around, Sakura was dumb stricken due to intense shock.

"C'mmon! What are you waiting for?" he hissed then took her hand and pulled her up, running away from the said beast. Sakura was still looking at the boy blankly. Of all people, he was the least one that she had expected to be saving her.

"Sasu—I mean, Uchiha?" she asked in a trembling voice, feeling a bit uneasy since her hand was in his. The said boy didn't answer as they continued to run.

When Sasuke heard her from the streets awhile ago, he thought twice if he should go and look at what's happening. He didn't want to be involved with her anymore, Sasuke even thought of leaving her alone and quitting. That was what he always does anyway, but something inside him bothered him so much that it made him face the odds and his own pride.

When they were already out of the woods, they sat at a nearby bench and rested for awhile. Sasuke sat at the ground, his right leg bent towards his chest while the other lay lazily on the ground. On the other hand, Sakura sat at the bench, her hands covering her face and was on the verge of crying.

"What the hell were you doing out there?" Sasuke hissed then turned to Sakura. She was obviously shocked at what happened. Turning slowly to him, she opened her mouth to answer back, "I was…" she thought of the words that she would say next, and automatically, she heard him mocking her in her mind, of what an idiot she was.

"Nothing…" she ended, turning to the other way as she was feeling uneasy in Sasuke's stare, feeling her cheeks becoming hot.

"W-what were you doing there?" she asked hesitantly and played with her fingers. Sasuke quickly turned to the other way, suddenly realizing that he was eyeing the girl in front of him unreasonably.

"None of your business," Sasuke hissed and combed his hair with his fingers.

Sakura wiped the tears from her cheeks then sharply turned to Sasuke. "Why you can't be a bit reasonable for some time, I was just asking," she mumbled and wiped her hands roughly on her skirt.

The said boy turned t her with a raised eyebrow, "Reasonable? You consider roaming in the woods alone at this time reasonable? Sheesh," Sasuke uttered in annoyance, this girl was really pissing him off. After saving her, this would what he get a headache and bruises, and not even a single thank you to be heard. Such luck.

Sakura opened her mouth to argue but suddenly stopped when she saw Sasuke's bruised arm. She looked at it with concern, "You're bleeding," she said. The onyx-eyed boy looked at Sakura, and then quickly turned to his bruised arm, he held it with his other hand and turned his back towards Sakura, "I-it's nothing" he said stubbornly with furrowed eyebrows.

Despite the said guy's hesitation, Sakura kneeled down beside him and took out her handkerchief. She then tore the sleeve of his shirt, revealing a big, bleeding cut. Sasuke looked at her in surprise, "H-hey, what are you doing?" he hissed as he moved his arm away from Sakura's grip.

"Hold still, this would just take a few seconds," she said nonchalantly and started to tie the hanky on Sasuke's wounded arm. Sasuke just looked ahead and controlled his irritation.

"There, all done," Sakura said and beamed at Sasuke. The said boy didn't even look at her. Her smile faded.

She had to admit, it was pretty stupid for her to go alone in that place, especially during this time. She was just being too close-minded; besides, Sasuke still saved her, right? And that was a bigger debt to repay than all the things she had done for him added up. The fight they're having? It was also somehow her fault; she never really gave him a chance to say the things he needed to say. Prejudice got hold of her first.

"Thanks," she said softly and stood up, sitting down on the bench once more. The said boy turned to her, obviously surprised. She's been doing odd things to him, it doesn't seem right. Shouldn't they be arguing? Throwing nasty words at each other?

"What?" he asked. Sakura gave a small smile, "I really didn't saw this coming. But I'm thankful you've come and saved me," she said sincerely without looking at him.

Sasuke nodded hesitantly, "No problem," he uttered in an unsure tone. He had no idea where would this conversation go.

"And…I'm sorry…I mean, to all the things I did, oh you know what I mean," she uttered and waved her hand dismissively, feeling embarrassed as her cheeks were turning red again.

Sasuke looked at her in amusement. The way she stuttered and blushed made him grin. But the thing that amused him the most was her innocence and humor. It was something he had seen for the first time his whole life. Sakura saw Sasuke grinning at her, she pouted.

"Why are you laughing?" she asked. Sasuke shook his head and tried to suppress his laughter. She glared at the said boy and lowered her head, biting her lower lip. Sakura wished she'd just shut up from the start.

"I should be the one saying that," Sasuke suddenly uttered, resting his head on the side of the bench and closed his eyes. Sakura looked at him, perturbed. Somehow, this person beside her made her curious, unusually curious. He was acting differently, or was it because she just didn't knew him that well.

"What?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Sasuke didn't spoke, his eyes still shut tight. Seeing that he didn't want to talk anymore, she straightened up and was about to leave. She slowly stood up and took a step.

"I'm sorry…I—was being stupid," he said softly without looking at her. When Sakura heard this, she had immediately halted. Her eyes grew wide at what Sasuke had said. Biting her lip, she spoke up weakly, "W-what do you mean?"

Sasuke stood and turned to her with his hands on his pockets.

"Should I enumerate all of them?" he said sarcastically. He saw Sakura stiffen, Sasuke smirked at her reaction. He walked towards her silently, Sakura slowly turning around to face him. She stared at the figure walking towards her who was grinning unreasonably. She lowered her head as Sasuke was just a few feet away.

Standing in front of her, Sasuke thought that his chest might explode. Not because of admiration, but because of laughter. 'What does she think I'm going to do with her?' he thought. Then, he stretched out his left hand towards her. Sakura looked at his hand, then to Sasuke's face, clueless. He shook his head unbelievingly and uttered, "I'm calling it a truce."

Sakura stared at him, surprised. She wasn't expecting that coming. It seemed too easy.

"Are you serious?" she asked. The person in front of her grinned, and lowered his hand, "Did you enjoy all those things I did to you that you want more of it? Because if you're going to ask me, I'm already tired of it, Haruno," he sarcastically spoke with the grin not leaving his face.

Sakura opened her mouth to speak but then stopped. She then remembered all the things they have fought. What was it all about, anyway? Annoyance? Misunderstanding? Irritation? Childish acts.

'Yeah, that's it,' she thought.

'And I'm already tired—no, I'm sick of it,' she said to herself.

She then grabbed Sasuke's hand and shook it, beaming. Sasuke was moved by her actions.

"Truce!" Sakura exclaimed as she continued shaking the said boy's hand. Sasuke didn't reply as his eye twitched all of the sudden. She looked at him in shock.

"W-What is it?" she asked and helped Sasuke out who was slowly crouching.

"M-My arm…" he moaned.

"Why? Does it hurt?"

Sasuke stared at her helplessly. "Y-you're hurting my arm," he hissed, shutting his eyes due to the pain. Sakura immediately let go of him, covering her mouth as she watched him slowly sitting down the bench. Turning to his wounded arm, Sasuke winced as he touched it and tried to straighten the hanky that was covering it.

"I-I'm sorry," Sakura apologized as she bit her lip and lowered her head in embarrassment. Sasuke smirked, "Man, your strong. Are you sure you're a girl?" he said sarcastically and watched Sakura's cheeks turn into a darker shade of red. His amusement was ended when he suddenly saw a book flying towards him. Sasuke immediately ducked the incoming object that was about to hit his face.

Sakura laughed at the sight. She waited for the said boy to straighten himself before speaking.

"C'mmon, I'll treat your wounds at my house," she announced and walked towards him. "Here, lean on me," she said. Sasuke stared at her with wide eyes, "W-what are you doing now, Amazon," he stated as he clung his arm on Sakura's back. The said girl hit him in his stomach and glared.

"Say that one more time and I'll kill you, dumb bell!" she hissed but was still helping him as they walked. The said boy just shook his head unbelievingly.

'This one's really going to kill me,' he thought as he held his aching stomach with his other free hand.

XxxXxxX

Ino and Tenten were peeping at the slightly ajar door in Sakura's room.

"D'you think something happened?" asked Tenten who didn't removed her eyes from the pair inside the room. Sakura was currently mending some Sasuke's wounds on her bed. She thought it would be better if her parents wouldn't know it. They didn't like the idea of a boy staying in her room, anyway. Good thing her three friends were there to back her up.

"Something happened? Something DID happen! Why do you think they would be that nice to each other when just a few hours ago they've wanted to kill each other!?" Ino scolded her friend silently so as not to be heard by the either Sakura or Sasuke. Tenten slowly nodded in agreement.

"What do you think you two are doing there?" a soft voice uttered from behind. The two turned around quickly to see who the newcomer was. Both of them sighed in relief when they saw that it was they're white-eyed friend, Hinata. She was carrying a tray with two cups of tea on it.

"Oh, uhm…you see we were just—"

"Spying on us?" Sakura suddenly intruded. She was already standing in front of the two with a skeptical look, Sasuke also looking at them from afar curiously. Tenten stared at her with wide eyes while Ino was smiling at her in a weird manner.

"Uhm, No! Why would we do that, right Tenten?" The said girl nodded in agreement but was still tongue-tied. Sakura crossed her arms and shook her head unbelievingly, grinning at the two.

"Oh, then why were you peeping at the door when you could have just entered instead?" she asked innocently and eyed her two friends who were suddenly quiet. She winked at Hinata who was laughing quietly. Suddenly, Sasuke had gotten up and was standing beside Sakura with a bewildered look, "What's up?" he asked.

Tenten and Ino stared at him wide eyed and were gaping since he was half-naked, his shirt hanging carelessly on his shoulder. Hinata, on the other hand, looked away and coughed.

"Uhm, we were just…about to go now," Ino uttered while grinning but was still staring at Sasuke.

"Ah, yeah…uhm, see yah!" Tenten exclaimed as she pushed Ino towards the stairs, the said blond waved goodbye at Sasuke. The three just stared at the two for about a minute or so before they had noticed each other.

"Here's your tea, Sasuke," Hinata said softly as she offered a cup of the steaming liquid to him. She then gave the other cup to Sakura then went downstairs as well. Sasuke sipped the drink, it somehow replenished his strength. Then, he turned at Sakura who was blushing intensely and was looking ahead.

"Are you alright?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Sakura bit her lip and then slowly turned to him. She then looked at him from head to toe, Sasuke watching her in confusion.

"What?!" he asked. Sakura looked away and uttered, "Sasuke, kindly put your shirt on….its—cold," she stammered then immediately walked away and entered her room. Sasuke watched her walk away in amusement, 'Kindly put your shirt on.' He smirked as he thought of it then continued to drink his tea.

"Hn, stalker," he uttered. Sasuke then felt a pillow hit the back of his head. "Oww!" he moaned and held his nape due to the impact.

"I heard that!" Sakura exclaimed from the room. Sasuke turned around and saw a fuming Sakura. He smirked at her then looked away, sipping his tea once in awhile. After a few moments, he then felt another pillow hit him hard on the back. This time, his drink spilled and burned his hand.

"What was that for!?" he exclaimed as he looked at Sakura and wiped his hand with his shirt.

"I said put on your shirt and……….and get lost!" she exclaimed and then turned to a book she was reading. Sasuke shook his head unbelievingly, "I'm having too much wounds and bruises just by hanging out with her for about five hours, she really is something," he hissed then put on his shirt.

"I mean it! I'm holding another pillow!" Sakura shouted once more as she was starting to aim the said object towards Sasuke's back.

"Alright, I'm going, okay?! Sheesh," he exclaimed as he heavily slammed the cup in a nearby side table and walked out.

"Dumb bell!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Stalker!" the boy answered back.

Sakura held the pillow tightly and was about to throw it but he was already gone since she had heard the front door close. She stared at the door for a moment. When she had already gotten back to her senses, she loosened her grip on the pillow and lay it down on her bed slowly. It was so odd and unusual, but yet it felt good. Talking and fighting with the said boy somehow relieved her in some way. It was as if they had known each other for a long time. Sakura took a deep breath and plopped on her bed. Closing her eyes, she was thankful that the war between them had ended.

'He isn't that bad after all' she thought. She remembered the first time she saw him took off his shirt, she couldn't even move back then. But today, she had thrown at least two pillows to him, which was something to be proud of. She grinned as she thought of this, wondering if the dumb bell was feeling the same way.

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He was lying on his bed, unable to sleep. Her face was the only thing that he could see when he would close his eyes and it was freaking him out.

'I'm just overwhelmed, that's all,' he thought and then shut his eyes and tried to sleep. It didn't work. Already annoyed, he sat up and opened his lamp. It felt really good, having someone believe and trust you even thought you barely knew him. It's as if a thorn was pulled out from his chest, he had no more to worry about. He smirked; awhile ago, he was a total loner, a stranger. But now, it was different, and he liked it.

"I guess moms really know the best," he whispered to himself, and grinned at his own statement. 'You did it again, okasan.'

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Crystal chaser's note: I told you I liked writing this one. Haha, maybe because it's more suiting to my age. Yup, maybe that's it. Anyway, I wished you've enjoyed reading it as I enjoyed writing. Please read and review!