And she slapped her, hard on the face. Sakura's cheek had a slight red tinge as she turned back to face Karin, angry as ever. "Since when was he yours, fucker," she spat.

Karin laughed and she slapped Sakura again, this time much harder.

And she answered. "Since I bore his baby in my womb."

At that Sakura felt her world beginning to whirl around her very eyes.

And she realised she was hurt by him.

Very very hurt.

And then she realised that she had fallen deeply for him, and now she was broken.

HEY GUYS!! Sorry for the late chapter gomen gomenasai...(bows repeatedly) You see I just finished secondary/elementary school and I'm in a junior college now and things have been hectic school ends later sometimes 10 at night and when I go home I feel like SHIT. No kidding.

Thank you for your reviews so much... I really appreciate ALL your enthusiasm. YOSHI!! Let's get this going!!;D

(Listen to Stolen by Dashboard confessional for extra effect -wink wink-)

Ino laughed loudly, slapping her palms on the table. There were tears in her eyes. Tears of mirth.

"You actually went to the girl's SHOWER ROOM?? NO KIDDING!!" Ino's eyes bulged as she tried to contain her amusement.

Shikamaru was red in the face after the game of Truth Or Dare. He was smiling though, a little embarrassed, but alright. He laughed lightly, playing with his empty glass. "It wasn't a pretty sight, if you ask me."

"I bet that's because the girls were beating you to a pulp, and you didn't get to see anything," Ino said, the corners of her mouth curled upwards.

Ino saw Shikamaru wince, his thoughts obviously lingering on an unpleasant memory of the past. "It was really... painful," he said slowly. Ino laughed again.

"That's funny. Now it's my turn, isn't it?" Ino sat up straight and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I pick Truth."

This was what Shikamaru was waiting for. He leaned forward, his face serious.

Ino smiled.

"So. What's your question?"

"Ino... only now, why did you agree to go out with me?"

Oh SHIT. Does he know?

Get a hold of yourself. You're supposed to be the rational one. Of course not...

Ino leaned forward until she came face to face with him. He could feel her breath on his face. "Why do you THINK I went out with you?"

Before Shikamaru could react, he felt two slim hands tug at his collar of his vest and slowly her lips met his.

What the hell am I doing?

Saving our ass. And losing our first kiss in the process. Want to know what the worst part is?

...

I don't feel anything. Not anger, upset, nothing at all. It feels so right.

Hinata gasped as her Byakugan eyes found her target.

"What? What happened? Where are they?" Naruto asked anxiously, his face overwhelmed with concern.

"I can't find Kiba and Zizi.. nor Sakura and Sasuke. Tenten and Neji are in huge trouble Naruto-kun. Orochimaru.. he's there with his gang," she finished her sentence. At the same time Naruto bared his fangs and snarled.

"Stay here," he commanded, and ran stealthily to the direction at where Hinata was pointing.

-Flashback-

It is raining. A girl stands in the middle of the road, crying. A body lies limp in front of her, her body stained with the scent of blood. The engine of a yellow car that has stopped nearby died down slowly. In the background, people are gathering. Among them hushes and gasps are heard.

Do you know her?

Yeah, she's the neighbour, you know, the one that works in Club 71.

Her daughter?

Poor girl.

Who's calling the ambulance?

He is... It's too late anyway...

Among the hushes the cries of a ten-year-old could be heard. She wasn't aware of the people surrounding her, or the driver of the car who hit her, who stood stock still, speechless, unable to apologize. Nor was she aware of the rain, and the lightning and thunder that was booming in the sky, something she was afraid of ever since young. She could only see her mother, and only her mother.

Lying on the floor, motionless.

Lifeless.

I told you not to do it. I told you!

Zizi woke up sweating and panting. It was as if she had relived the entire nightmare.

Oh mother. How I wish you were here.

Zizi suddenly felt alone. She curled her body in a hugging position on the bed, where she cried until she could cry no more.

"Let her go. You don't know what you're doing."

"Why should I? She's the bitch here. She wants to ruin our life hun. Don't let her get away with this! You remember what I have, don't you?"

"Karin, please, for my sake, let her go."

"...All the more I wouldn't want to let her go. Because she'd come running back to you, that BITCH!!" Sakura was awoken with a tight slap on her face. She let out a scream when Karin's long-nailed fingers smacked her cheek painfully.

The long bony fingers of hers forcefully tilted her face up so she could see eye-to-eye with Sakura. And Sakura saw deep pools of intense black light in those eyes of hers.

And she remembered what happened before she passed out. Immediately tears rolled out of her sad jade green eyes, and landed on her lap.

She wasn't even aware of the surroundings, nor the sting on her red face. She could only remember Karin's words.

Since she bore his baby in her womb.

His baby?

Who's he?

No, it can't be.

No, it just can't...-

Then suddenly she heard a shriek, and her head snapped up automatically. She squinted through her blurry vision due to her tears, and saw someone.

No.

No, it can't be him.

"Sasuke..." Sakura whispered, and said his name over and over again as if it were a mantra(chant).

He was looking directly at her, never taking his eyes off her. He was trying to make his way towards her, dodging attacks from the others.

He kept mouthing something. And she realised he was mouthing her name.

Can you save me?

He got closer. Closer. He was coming fast. And he extended his hand towards her. His eyes dark and unusually readable.

Karin was behind him, running toward him, her face contorted in rage. Her hand was also extended, reaching for him.

"Sakura! Give me your hand! NOW!" he yelled.

She didn't move. She wasn't sure of herself. Neither was she sure of him.

She just stared.

Until he reached her and said in an extremely gentle tone. His black eyes brought her to a different realm where maybe he could save her.

Maybe.

"Sakura...Trust me."

And she did.

I am super sorry for sending this in so late, and it's short ( I haven't had much time lately and I am NOT giving up on this story. I REPEAT, NO. So far...

Anyway I hope you enjoy this one. The next one will be focused on Tenten and Neji, and Sakura and Sasuke, of course.

Review if you want improvement or to give me encouragement okay. A writer needs that, I'm sure you know ;)