Author's Note:Please re-read the first chapter. There were a few changes I had to make, otherwise the story wouldn't have flowed the way I wanted it to. I know this story isn't really popular, but it's one of my favorite stories and I really wanted to continue it. I'm also working on Both Collides (Original and Re- Write). For those of you who are a fan of this story, thank you for your love and support! I'll do the best I can to tell this story :)

Requested and Dedicated to: aochikku

Disclaimed:Don't own Naruto

Summer time. Second year Junior high. Pt 1

It's been a month since Naruto and Sakura started going out. Although it was hard at first to see them walking around hand in hand, it was something I forced myself to deal with. The friend Sakura was talking about moved into town 3 weeks ago. His name is Sasuke Uchiha. Of course before meeting him, Sakura would talk none stop about him and how him and I would get along perfectly. So by the time I finally met him, nothing could have prepared me for what I was to encounter.

Last week, Sakura had invited us to her house so that we could all do our homework together. It was my first time meeting him since he goes to a private school. I have to admit, when I first laid my eyes on him, my heart jumped to my throat and I felt as shy as I did when I first met Naruto. My knees felt like jello when he turned his head to look at me. Onix eyes locked with my pale violet eyes. My mouth opened to offer some sort of greeting but no words came out. He gave me a plain look for a moment and without offering a greeting of his own, he looked away and continued his conversation with Sakura.

I stood there looking at him blankly for a moment. Somehow, I had a huge feeling that he was the complete opposite of Naruto. How right I was! I saw almost immediately how much of a jerk he was! Since that first meeting, the four of us have gotten together a few times and each of those times he'd totally ignore me. Even when I'd say hi to him he'd barely acknowledge me. At first he barely spoke to Naruto, but by the third time we got together, the two of them started talking and are friends now. Sakura would always say "Oh don't worry about it…he'll warm up and before you know it the two of you will be dating!".

That was two weeks ago. Today was like any other time, Sakura invited us to her house and the four of us sat in her room doing our homework. Once again Sasuke completely ignored me as he struck up light conversation with Naruto and Sakura. I had to say, I was getting really tired of feeling left out. As if by luck, Sakrua stood up and announced that she had to go to the store quickly to pick up more refreshments. I don't know if she had this planned out but she also asked Naruto to tag along. He looked up from his notes and smiled at her. "You could go ahead, I don't wanna lose my train of thought with this essay." He then looked back down and continued to write.

Sakura still smiled as she looked down at Naruto. "I understand that, but don't you think it's proper to go with me and help me carry the bags back?" She asked in a calm voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

"I don't mind going with you." Sasuke said as he stood up. "I needed to stretch out my legs anyway." Sakura was about to protest as he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room. Both Naruto and I looked at them then at each other. We couldn't help to giggle cause of the surprised look on Sakura's face.

"I have a feeling she's gonna get an ear full out of him." Naruto commented after a couple of minutes. I looked over at him and saw that he was looking at me. I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks as I looked away.

"I could only guess why." I said softly as I went back to doing my homework. "It's pretty obvious what she's trying to do. It's also obvious that he doesn't feel the same."

"You like Sasuke?" I could hear the pitch of his voice go up in surprise. I looked up just in time to see the look on his face. It was a mix of surprise, hurt and a bit of jealousy. I gave him my own look of surprise and he looked away for a moment as he cleared his throat. "I mean he's a really cool person, I think the two of you would get along fine."

"Really? I wouldn't know, the guy hardly talks to me. I think he hates me." I said softly as I looked away. I could feel my cheeks getting hotter. It was a rare moment to be alone like this with Naruto and what are we talking about? Some stupid jerk who ignores me for no good reason!

"He doesn't hate you." I heard him reply. I looked back to see he that he had given me a warm smile. "It's impossible to hate someone as sweet and kind as you. You're really an amazing person. I just can't imagine someone not falling head over heels for you."

"You say that to be polite." I said as I gave him a half smile. His eyes widen slightly at my comment then to my surprise narrowed slightly. My jaw dropped slightly as he reached out his hand to touch mine. He gave me a serious look.

"I mean it. From the first day we've met, I thought you were an interesting person. When we became friends, I really got to see what an amazing person you really are. How you care for your friends. How funny you can be and most importantly how you can grow as an individual. In the time I've known you, you've grown so much." He paused as he looked away, a deep blush now across his cheeks. "To be honest with you, I wasn't sure if I should tell you this or not. I felt like I probably should keep it to myself."

"Keep what to yourself?" I asked as I continued to look at him.

For a long moment he paused. His eyebrows knitted together in deep thought, then he pulled his hands away. The deep blush still crossed his cheeks as he turned to look away. Just then a thought came to mind and I remembered that time he was about to say something to me when we were in the nurse's office. He never got to share his thought with me because we were then interrupted by Sakura. Was he now going to tell me what he was trying to tell me then?

As he looked back at me, I could see something in his eyes that I never saw before. It was a mixture of pain, confusion and even anguish. I opened my mouth to ask him what was wrong, but he shook his head and the warm look I've come to know was back in his eyes. "Sasuke actually does like you. We spoke briefly about it the other day. He's just as shy as you so he has a funny way of showing it." A bright smile was on his face and it was almost as if the past couple of minutes were a figment of my imagination. I gave him a stunned and confused look. Was that what he wanted to say to me? The look on his face and his whole body language told otherwise.

It took a moment after that for the words that he said to sink into my mind. My jaw dropped. The guy who's been blowing me off for the past few weeks actually likes me? I felt that familiar feeling in my heart but this time it wasn't towards the one person who's always been on my mind. True Sasuke is very attractive and I've resolved to move on and be happy for Naruto and Sakura. So if he really does like me then shouldn't I be over the moon with excitement? Somehow though, I secretly wondered if that's what he really wanted to say. It took a moment for me to compose myself before I spoke up.

"Sure he likes me as a friend." I said softly as I looked down.

"No, he really likes you. Much for the same reasons as I do.." He muttered the last sentence under his breath and I barely missed it. I was about to question him when the doors open and Sakura and Sasuke walked in. They were in the middle of a conversation when Naruto suddenly stood up and walked towards Sakura. He grabbed her hand and started to walk out the door with her.

"I just forgot there was something I needed from the store." Sakura barely had time to protest as she dropped her bags and was out the door again. Both Sasuke and I looked at the door for a moment before he broke the silence.

"He's an interesting guy, I'll give him that." He then turned to look at me and that stoic look was once again on his face.

"Yea," I said softly. "Never a dull day with him around." I paused as I looked up at him and a deep blush crossed my cheeks. Not only did I remember the conversation Naruto and I just had, but this was also the first time that Both Sasuke and I were alone and actually talking. I figured now was as good as a time to break the ice. I took in a deep breath and asked him what's been on my mind for weeks.

"Um..." I looked away as I continued to speak. "Sasuke, do you hate me?" I dared myself to look back at him, just in time to see a surprised look on his face. It was quickly replaced by his look of indifference.

"Why would you ask me such a thing? Why would I hate you?" He looked away but not quick enough for me to see a slight blush on his cheeks.

"So then why do you ignore me? You talk freely to Naruto and Sakura..." My voice trailed off. I don't know where this sudden courage came from but it was suddenly dwindling down. I felt the shyness get the best of me again. I don't know what caused me to say it, but it suddenly came out of my mouth and I almost immediately regretted it. "Naruto said that you like me. That you really like me." I covered my mouth and my eyes widen in shock. I looked away quickly not wanting to see the look on his face.

There was a pause for a very long time before Sasuke spoke up. "That damn idiot." He muttered under his breath. Another long pause, then a deep sigh. I took a chance to look back at him and was surprised to see the soft look he was giving me. The blush still deep across his cheeks. "Before I moved here, Sakrua wouldn't shut up about you. Even when I got here, before we met she would go on and on about how great of a person you are and how she'd love for us to get together and go on double dates."

I wasn't surprised. Sakura can be quite persistent when she has her mind on something. "She's always been like that." I said softly. "But she means well. Maybe she didn't want me to feel left out since she started dating Naruto."

"Yea but that persistence can do more harm then good. Even before I met you I was determined not to date you cause it's what she wanted." He then lowered down and sat next to me. I felt a slight shiver up my spin and my heart started beating faster and faster. He looked at me and I could see a different look in his eyes.

At that moment I couldn't help but to think that I really hoped that he likes me as Naruto had said. He looked away for a second before he looked back at me and continued. "But once we met, I couldn't help myself. I kept fighting against my own feelings. But every time we all got together I felt my reasoning behind rejecting you slip away." A pout crossed his lips. "If we do this dating thing, I don't want it to be because Sakura 'hooked us up', I want it to be more honest than that."

It was my turn to pause for a long time before I spoke. Was this the first time a guy has confessed his feelings to me? My mind raced as I tried to think of the right words to say. Deep down I knew that I liked him but at the same time I didn't feel like I was 100% over Naruto. I couldn't stay hung up over Naruto forever. I knew I had to move on. I bit my lower lip as I looked at him and said the only thing that would come to my mind. "So, what do we do?" I looked down and felt a sting to my heart. That felt more stupid to say out loud than it did in my head.

"Maybe we should go out." He said softly. I looked back up at him and saw a warm smile on his face. If I thought that Naruto's smile would blow me away, I most certainly wasn't prepared for Sasuke's smile. I felt the wind being knocked out of me. "But, I don't want Sakura to know just yet. Otherwise I'd never hear the end of it. It would be a bit easy since we go to different schools and summer break is coming up."

"I'm not sure if keeping it a secret is such a good idea." I said softly. "She'll figure it out eventually, and knowing her it would be sooner. We're choosing to go out because it's what we want to do right? So I don't think there is anything to hide." I took a chance to look at him again and felt a deep blush once again cross my cheeks. He reach out his hand to gently touch mine.

"I know you're right, but I just don't want Sakura to think that we're going out because she tried to play matchmaker. I want to go out with you because I sincerely like you." He paused for a moment, his voice getting softer, "Since I first met you, I thought you were amazing and sweet. You're funny and kind and even though you're shy, I can see how much you care and want to help others. You've got a beautiful inner strength."

At that moment Naruto's words echoed in my head. He had said something similar too. For a moment I thought about the conversation we had before Sasuke and Sakura returned and for the first time one piece of the puzzle connected. Did Naruto like me as more than a friend? Impossible! He had Sakura! I knew for sure there was no way he could like me like that. Otherwise why would he be with Sakura and not me? At least Sasuke is telling me how he feels. If Naruto likes me then...

My thoughts trailed off. I couldn't let myself dig any deeper. What's the point? He's with Sakura now and I really should move on. I do like Sasuke and I think we could have something. I really need to push Naruto out of my mind. With my heart and mind resolved, a small smile crossed my lips as I looked at him. "Ok." I said softly. His eyes widen slightly, as if he weren't expecting my answer. I gave him a playful smile. "Even though you were distant towards me, I understand why now. So I don't hold it against you."

"I'm sorry that I treated you so badly." He said softly. A look of regret crossed his eyes, "I just didn't know how to react or what to do." Just then a smile came across his face and his eyes brighten, "How about tomorrow night I take you out for dinner?"

"D...Dinner?" I asked, my voice squeaking. I felt my heart jump to my throat as he slowly inched his way closer to me and I felt myself tighten up a bit.

"Yea, and after that we could walk around in the park for a bit." He leaned in a bit closer. Where was his sudden boldness coming from? He went from ignoring my existence to invading my personal space, not that I'm complaining much. "Then I could walk you back home and then.." He paused as our face were inches apart. I could feel his hot breath and I felt a shiver go up and down my spine. I swallowed hard.

My fist kiss! Oh my gosh! Is he going to kiss me?! I felt myself tighten up. I wasn't ready. I haven't even practiced! Did my breath stink? Oh gosh is it his first kiss too? No way! He must have dated several times before! My mind was racing all the while as he leaned even closer to me. My eyes fluttered close and I puckered my lips bracing myself for impact. The next think I knew I felt a soft kiss on my forehead. I opened my eyes slowly and our eyes locked. My lips turned into a pout and a playful smirk came across his lips.

"Where you expecting more?" He asked teasingly.

I leaned back quickly, nearly giving myself a whiplash. My mind scrambling for a coy come back but all I managed to squeak out was, "Well, this would be my first kiss, so yea?" Ugh! Really? That sounded so lame!

The smirk on his lips widen as he leaned in toward me, all the while we silently looked into each others eyes. Like in those scenes in the movies, our face drew closer and closer, our eyes closing, then we kissed. His lips were soft and his kisses tasted sweet. I found myself lost in his touch and kisses. I never imagined my first kiss being like this and it seemed as if it lasted forever. Maybe we both had the same feeling cause we stopped kissing and turned to look at the door at the same time. My face must have been as red as a tomato because standing at the door was Naruto and Sakura. Both of them had a look of shock on their faces. The look of shock quickly faded from Sakura's face as a proud grin spread from ear to ear and her eyes sparkled.

"See! What did I say?! I told you that those two would be a great match!" She saidhapply. "I'm so happy for both of you! Congratulations!"

"It's not because you encouraged it, I really thought she was beautiful and amazing when we first met. You're words do her no justice." Sasuke said as he looked away with a blush.

"Sure, if that's what you say. But I knew that it would have worked out since I know both of you so well." A playful smirk crossed her lips as her and Sasuke continued to talk. I tuned out from their conversation as my gaze was still locked on Naruto. As Sakura and Sasuke continued to talk, Naruto and I held each others gaze. He hadn't moved an inch from where I first saw him. He hadn't said a word either. At that time, I clearly remember that he looked as if someone punched him hard in the guts. He had a mixture of pain anguish and jealousy written across his eyes.