Surprise! It's me! ^_^
Here's another chapter! And... For those who'd like to know, I'd like to inform you that the chapter 26 will be the last one for this story! But until then, I hope you'll enjoy this one! Thanks for the reviews and as always, I love you all!
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Chapter twenty-five – Friends or foes?
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One week had passed since the incident with Sasuke and yet, Sakura was still upset by the whole event. She was distracted, sleep deprive and totally clumsy. Ino was so tired of trying to figure out what happened that she end up giving up and trying to change the pink haired girl's mind by asking her to help her take care of her patients. But unfortunately… That wasn't a success.
"Sakura…Enough is enough. Mr. Sung's hand is blue!" yelled in panic the blond-haired girl as she spots the poor man whimpering on the floor.
"Huh! What?" whispered the girl in surprise before yanking the bandage away, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Let me help you get rid of that."
"No thanks. You've done enough." replied the man as he ran away from the pink haired medic toward the exit.
"Sigh, and here goes another one." said Ino as she rolls her eyes, "I apologize for this incident, here Mr. Sung go see Ayame in the next room."
As the old man leave the room with low grumbles, the pink haired girl sat on a chair and took a deep breath while Ino finish her patient, Once done and the young man out of the office, the blond walk in front of the girl and stop in front of Sakura with her hands on her hips in an infuriated manner.
"S. a. k. u. r. a…" spoke the Yamanka girl in a threatening tone.
"I know… I'm sorry." apologized Sakura as she looks away.
"I sure hope you are! Are you going to spit it out or what?" asked Ino in an annoyed tone.
"I have nothing to say." answered the pink haired girl, still not looking at her friend.
"Then you should leave, because you're not helping at all." concluded the blond-haired girl as she throw her hands in the air in exasperation.
"Sasuke." spoke shyly Sakura as she locks eyes with her friend.
"What?" replied Ino, mystified.
"He kiss my hand last week and have been walking me home after my hospital shift every day." explained the young Haruno.
"WHAT?" asked in pure horror the blond-haired girl.
"…"
"How come I haven't heard about that? Why haven't you told me?" added Ino with stupefaction.
"I…" begin Sakura.
"Ha!" interrupted the blond as a mischievous idea popped in her mind, "I sense a change of mind… I can't wait to hear it."
"Hear what?" asked the pink haired girl, not understanding where this conversation was going.
"Ino you were so right about me. I'm in love with him…" answered Ino in a high pitch voice, clearly making fun of her friend.
"No! I'm not! I'm trouble by his presence because I'm scared of him idiot!" replied angrily Sakura as she stood and hit her friend across the head like she often do with Naruto.
"Ow! Why are you so scared?" inquired the blond-haired girl as she massages her head.
"I don't know… I got time to think after my coma and…" tried to explained Sakura as she turns away and begin to hesitate.
Sensing the direction this conversation was taking, Ino took a deep breath and sat on the desk near the pink haired girl.
"You know I shouldn't be the one you talk about this?"
"Huh!"
"You have to talk with Sasuke." stated Ino with a serious tone.
"I'm not ready for that…" replied Sakura sitting back in the chair near the blond-haired girl.
"It's not a question of being ready or not anymore Sakura. You have to." explained her friend.
"…"
Receiving no answer, the girl sighs and jumps on her feet.
"Okay. I'll pretend you'll consider it and leave you alone with it. Sigh, why don't you take it easy for today and take the rest of the day?" asked Ino as she puts her hands on the other girl's shoulders, "After all, we have one heck of a night coming!"
"Yeah… About that…" begin Sakura, now worried.
"Tut. tut. tut. Don't speak. You're coming and it's final." said the Yamanaka girl with a devious smile.
"Alright then…" conceded the pink haired medic in defeat.
"Now go." ordered the blond before starting to fill some papers.
Giving up, Sakura stands up and walks out of the room before leaving the hospital for her home sweet home.
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Later
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Hurriedly walking up the stairs that lead to the cozy apartment of her friend, Ino tried not to stumble with her infamous very high high heels and knock on the door excitedly. The plan was working exactly as they had thought. Their friends were already waiting at the grill restaurant, she had put her most marvellous and sexy pink dress that reach her knees and she was on due time to take Sakura. Everything was under control.
"Ohayo Sakura! You're there?" asked Ino through the door with a sing-song voice.
"Yes Ino, I'm coming." replied the pink haired girl through the door.
A few seconds later, a clicking sound was heard and Sakura open the door to greet her friend and Ino couldn't help but find that her friend was absolutely gorgeous in her tight short red sunny dress.
"Wow, you're beautiful." complimented Ino.
"Thanks. It's just a dress you know." tried to explain shyly Sakura as she took the fabric in her hands and twirl around.
"So what? You're still beautiful." added the blond with a smile.
"You're not bad either." complimented the young Haruno, trying to change the subject.
"Of course, I'm always beautiful!" stated Ino as she tosses her blond pony tail around.
"Tch." grunted the pink haired girl in a mocking way at the arrogance of her friend.
"Come on or we'll be late." said the Yamanaka girl as she grab her friend by the arm and throw her out of the apartment.
"Late for what? It's just a diner between you and me for my rehabilitation as a ninja." replied Sakura as she yank her arm back and lock the door behind her.
"Well… Humm…"stammered Ino with a blush, "It's because I made a reservation! Yes and you see… We can't show up late."
"I guess you're right." concluded the pink haired girl suspiciously as she motioned Ino to show the way, "Let's go then."
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At the restaurant
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Sitting near the door, hidden by a small wall, Naruto and the rest of the gang were waiting for the two girls impatiently.
"Why are they late?" asked Naruto as he stops playing with his food sticks.
"Relax Naruto they're not late. We just arrived faster." answered Hinata with a small smile.
"Aww man, I can't wait to see her." whined the blond-haired boy as he collapsed on the table in a disappointed way.
"I hope she haven't decided to stay home like she always does lately." said Tenten as she lean back in her chair in an exasperate manner.
"Have you ever seen someone able to resist Ino?" joked Shikamaru as he remembers the explosive personality of his team-mate.
"That's for sure." added Choji with a small laugh.
"Yeah! You should ask Kiba, I bet he heard about that." intervened Naruto with a mischievous smile as he sits back properly in his seat.
As everyone turn their attention toward the Inuzuka boy, the poor young man was turning an interesting shade of red.
"I don't understand what you're talking about." replied Kiba trying to ignore the knowing smiles and smirks he was receiving.
"Yeah right!" said the blond-haired boy with a huge smile plastered on his face.
"Anyway… Sasuke?" begin Kiba as he tried to change the subject.
"Hn?" replied the said young man.
"I'm glad to see you're here." said the brown-haired boy.
"Yes, it's been a crazy long time since we saw you in a friendly context." added awkwardly Tenten as she glances at the quiet dark-haired boy.
"That's for sure. By the way, thank you for accepting me back." spoke Sasuke in a low tone.
"Why wouldn't we?" asked Lee, surprised by the Uchiha's idea about their opinion of him.
"It's been a long trip since I quit..." begin to explain Sasuke.
"And despise the events you're still one of us." interrupted Shikamaru, smirking.
"Yes. Shikamaru is right." added Shino in his usual monotone voice.
"Thank you." replied the Uchiha.
"Dickless? I'm not sure I understand what is going on..." said Sai with an interrogative expression on his face.
"STOP CALLING ME THAT IN FRONT OF MY GIRLFRIEND AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS!" yelled the jinchuriki in pure anger and humiliation.
"Guys! They're coming!" interrupted Tenten as she hit the blond in the face to make him shut up.
"Hide yourself." said Neji as everyone lean toward the wall to hide behind it.
Suddenly, the door open and two beautiful young women made their appearance. Sasuke was stunned by the appearance of the pink haired girl. Maybe it was the dress…
"Hi! I have a reservation." spoke the happy and melodic voice of Ino.
"Of course miss. Name?" asked the employee.
"Ino Yamanaka." replied the blond-haired girl.
"Alright. Follow me." said the man as he shows them the table.
"Why did you need to make a reservation for? The restaurant isn't that full." asked Sakura as she looks at the deserted seats around them.
"Because I had a large group to sit." said Ino with a smirk as they reach their table.
"What?" replied the pink haired girl in surprise.
Looking behind the wall that was separating her from the table, Sakura spot a pair of blue eyes staring back at her.
"SURPRISE!" yelled the group.
Surprised by the outburst, the pink haired girl backs away and looks at the group assembled in front of her with round eyes. So much for a small dinner between friends to celebrate her reintegration as an active ninja... As everyone stands up to hug her, the girl's eyes grew even wider as she spots the Uchiha sitting next to Naruto.
'So he came too…' thought the girl as she hugs the oblivious Lee and half-smile at him.
As the line of hug end, the blond-haired idiot jumps to his feet and engulf the pink haired girl into a huge embrace.
"CONGRATULATION SAKURA! YOU MADE IT!" yelled Naruto in pure happiness, "I'm so glad that you're finally okay. You really scared us."
"Thank you Naruto." replied the girl as the boy releases her and joins his girlfriend at the table.
As everyone regain their seat and begin to chat animatedly, a touch on her shoulder made her jump. Looking at her right, Sakura was surprised to see Sasuke looking at her. When she was about to ask him what was going on, the boy bend a little and hug her in front of everyone who were stupefied by the action. Gasping in shock and turning as red as a tomato, the pink haired girl was about to faint when the Uchiha release her.
"I'm glad to see that you're free of doing what you want. Naruto told me about what happened after the war. You sure have a lucky star." said the dark-haired boy with a smirk as he still holds her right hand.
"Humm… Thanks." replied shyly the girl as she looks away.
After a moment of silence that seems like an eternity, Ino cleared her throat and wait for the dark-haired boy attention.
"O-kay… Sorry to bother you guys but we have a dinner awaiting us and Choji won't wait any longer." finally said the blond-haired girl when the Uchiha look at her.
"Of course." spoke Sasuke as he release Sakura completely and sit on a chair next to Naruto, on his right.
Regaining her spirits, the pink haired girl replaces her red dress nervously and looks at the table for a place to sit. And to her dismay, the only one left was next to the only man she couldn't be near. Taking a deep breath, Sakura walks toward the boy and sits next to him. Completely ignoring her uneasiness, the Uchiha flash his best smirk to her and give her a menu before he and Naruto begin one of their infamous animated debate. As the chatter around the table begin louder again, the pink haired girl tried to focus her attention the best she could on what Kiba was telling her, but she couldn't help herself. It was hard to concentrate. All she wanted to do was to run away from this place, run away from him. She was so uncomfortable. His presence was so intoxicating, so frightening. She was so scared of falling for him again just by being next to him. But what was troubling her most was the reasons he was doing this. What were his motives after all? Half a year ago, he had tried to kill her more than once. He had told her clearly that he had no bonds with her. And now, he was acting as if he was interested in her, as if they were friends. Maybe it was a lure…
'He's acting so much out of character. How can I ever thrust him again?' thought the girl in panic as she pushes the menu away.
"Sakura?" asked the velvet voice of Sasuke.
"Humm?" replied nonchalantly the girl as she was thrown back into reality.
"The waiter is waiting for your order." said politely the dark-haired boy.
"Oh! Huh? Yes. I'll take the same thing as her." said Sakura in a hurry as she points toward Ino.
"I haven't order yet!" replied the blond-haired girl as the waiter was looking clueless.
"Oh! What are you ordering?" inquired the pink haired girl.
"Sushis and a plate of chicken meat to grill, why?" answered Ino who wasn't really understanding the girl's antics.
"I'll take the same thing." said the girl as she looks at the waiter.
"Alright miss." replied the man as he takes Tenten's order.
"Sakura? Are you sure you're feeling all right?" asked Ino, worried.
"Of course, why?" replied hastily the girl.
"You look so nervous." explained the blond-haired girl.
"No, no. Everything is fine." answered Sakura as she took a sip of her glass of water.
As the waiter take everyone's order, the young Haruno tried to calm down when the Uchiha put his hand on her shoulder.
"You sure you're okay?" asked the dark-haired boy.
"Yes, why?" replied sharply the girl.
"You look tense." said Sasuke as he takes back his hand.
"Never mind." answered Sakura as she end the conversation and try to listen at Shino and Neji's conversation.
Understanding the silent request, Sasuke didn't push the matter any further and resume his conversation with the blond-haired boy. After a few hours and a couple of plates later for Choji, everyone was enjoying the very expressive story of Naruto, when Sakura decided she had enough for the evening.
"And there was this huge guy with the big armour and weapon, when I finished with him he was crying!" said Naruto in a very expressive way.
"Yeah right… I'm sure you were the one crying." replied Kiba, mocking the blond-haired boy.
"I swear! Oh! Neji! You were there! Tell them!" tried to defend himself the jichuriki as he turns his attention toward the Hyuga.
"I don't see what you're talking about." replied Neji in a serious tone.
"WHAT?" yelled Naruto in anger as everyone burst into laughter.
"Well guys… It's getting late… I think I should be going home." interrupted Sakura.
"Awww come one Sakura! It's rare to be all here together." whined the blond haired boy.
"I'm sorry Naruto, but I'm really tired. I'll be going." replied the pink haired girl with a small smile.
"But…" tried Naruto with puppy eyes.
"No but Naruto, anyway it's true that it's getting late. We should go home." stated Tenten as she stands up.
"Yeah, the waiter is about to throw us out!" added Ino as she spots the waiter and the cook sprawled over a counter, extenuate.
"Alright… But we have to scheduled another party like that." said Naruto with enthusiasm.
"Of course idiot." replied Sakura as she rolls her eyes in annoyance.
After they had paid for their meal, and after Ino had stolen the pink haired girl's bill of course, everyone gather in front of the restaurant and bid their goodbyes. Once her line of hugs were given, Sakura walks away from the group and begins to walk back home under the shinning stars. Despise the coldness of the summer nights; the girl was enjoying her walk back home as if she was sitting in a hot thermal source. She was alone. No Sasuke to make her heart beats ten times stronger. Finally she could breathe without thinking about his so pleasant presence. She knew her attitude made no sense. One minute she was in love and in the next she was scared. But scared of what exactly? She had no idea… But his friendly demeanour was troubling her, it was enraging her to a point she didn't understand. She needed some time alone to think about this situation before she decided anything. But unfortunately for her, the respite was short. Suddenly, a second shadow appeared next to her. And she didn't need to look to know who it was.
"I'll walk you home." stated Sasuke in his velvet voice.
As soon as he spokes, something into Sakura snap. Ino was right; it was time to look for answers. She had enough of his crooner ways and his friendly attitude made no sense.
"Hn…" grunted the pink haired girl.
"You're starting to sound like me." joked the Uchiha as he smirks.
As they turn the corner and reach her flight of apartments, Sakura stop her walking and wait for Sasuke to do the same. Stopping a little after her, the Uchiha turns back and looks at the girl with interrogative eyes.
"What's wrong?" asked Sasuke, hands in his pants pockets.
"Why… Why are you doing all this?" inquired the girl with an irritated tone while looking at the ground.
"All what?" repeat the Uchiha not understanding.
"You know what I'm talking about!" replied the pink haired girl in a low tone as she held the boy's gaze, her brows furrowed in frustration.
"…"
"You being so nice, walking me home since you were freed from the prison, talking like we were old friends…" explained a little more the girl.
"I'm just being friendly, like we were before…" begin the dark-haired boy.
"Before what? We were never friends . Do I have to remind you of your own citations?" replied icily the girl.
"I was an idiot when I was a kid." stated the Uchiha as he remembered his childish way of acting with her.
"And you still are." said Sakura on the same tone.
"Probably…" replied Sasuke as he looks more seriously at the girl, "What's going on with you? Why are you so angry?"
"Because I feel like a fool." confessed more calmly the girl as she walks a little away toward her stairs.
"Why?" asked the dark-haired boy as he blocks her way toward the stairs.
"I think you're using me." stated angrily the girl.
"I'm not using you. Why would I do that?" asked Sasuke completely lost.
"To gain the thrust of everyone." answered the pink haired girl.
"I'm not doing that." said the Uchiha in a firmer tone.
"Then what are your true motives? Tell me, 'cause honestly, I don't understand your little lies." asked this time Sakura with anger.
"I just want to make things right with you." answered Sasuke in a sincere voice.
"For what? Making Naruto happy?" arrogantly replied the girl.
"No. To make you happy. I've been a jerk…" begin the boy.
"You bet on that one." interrupted Sakura with venom and sarcasm.
"And I want to apologize to you." continued Sasuke as if he hadn't been disturb, "I want to be with you. You are important to me."
"How could I thrust you? After everything you did to me. You tried to kill me for god sake!" almost yelled the girl.
"I wasn't myself back then and you know it." said the boy as his eyes search hers.
"That doesn't excuse anything." spoke Sakura as she tried to escape his scrutinizing eyes.
"I know that, but…." tried to interrupt the Uchiha.
"Anyway, why did you kiss me, why did you save me, why is it so important for you to be forgiven by me?" asked the girl with insistence.
As she was about to continue her accusative speech, the dark-haired boy grabs her by the waist and land a passionate kiss on her lips. The girl was so surprise by the action that she almost responds to it. It was so alluring, so demanding, just like that day, when she was fighting with him before the war. But, she remembered what happened next, she ended up unconscious. Upon the realisation, Sakura push him away.
"Why did you do that for?" asked the girl angry.
"I did this and all of these things because I love you Sakura." confessed Sasuke with soft eyes as he took her two hands in his.
"What?" asked in disbelief the girl.
"I thought by severing all my bonds I would feel better, I would be stronger. But the fact is that I can't deny my feelings for you. I love you since the chunin exam, Sakura. The night you confess your feelings for me had been the most difficult moment of my life. You don't know how much I regret it." explained the boy with emotion.
"Tch. Yeah right." replied Sakura, not believing the declaration.
"I had to become this way to keep you away from me and my brother. I had a plan with him, it was the only way to protect you and Naruto. I didn't expect to get caught in the game." explained the Uchiha.
"…"
"Sakura, give me a chance to prove you how much you mean to me. I love you." repeat the boy.
"I don't believe you…" said the young Haruno as she shakes her head in a negative way and try to pry her hands away from him.
"Sakura…" tried Sasuke as he kept his hold on them.
"I don't thrust you. I CAN'T!" replied Sakura, now crying.
"Please Sakura. I'd do anything." beg desperately the dark-haired boy.
"No." reasserted the girl.
At this moment, Sasuke let go of her hand and took a deep breath. His eyes closed, his jaw clench and a death silence installed itself between them. After a few minutes of hearing Sakura cry, the boy opens his eyes and looks straight at the girl.
"Why was it so important for you to bring me back then?" asked Sasuke, trying to control his deception and anger.
"For Naruto…" answered the pink haired girl while avoiding his eyes, "But personally I thought you would never come back."
"I wanted to come back because of you." explained the boy.
"You're lying." replied Sakura in a low tone.
"Why would I want to go through all this if it wasn't for you?" asked in disbelief Sasuke.
"To come back home, to have a second chance here, to have a better life?" tried the young Haruno still not looking at him.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT KONOHA!" snapped the boy, finally loosing his control.
At the outburst, Sakura grew tense and more tears flow down her delicate face. Sensing the discomfort he had create, the Uchiha take a deep breath and try to regain his composure before resuming his thoughts. He was panicking now, he knew it.
"This place is just full of lies and hurt." explained Sasuke in a low voice.
"…"
"You were the only reason…" begin the dark-haired boy as he sighed and look away.
"The only reason for what?" inquired Sakura.
"Nothing. Goodnight." answered sharply the boy before walking away.
"Sasuke…" said Sakura as she tried to stop him with her hand on his shoulder.
But nothing worked; Sasuke brushes her hand away and walks away in a hurry not sparing her any glance.
"Sasuke!" yelled the girl after him, in hope he would turn back, "SASUKE!"
But it was in vain, he didn't turn back. He walks toward the end of the street and one minute later, he was gone, Sakura remaining on her porch and looking desperately after him. As the tears fall, the pink haired girl sat in the stairs and let herself sob.
"I'm sorry…" whispered the girl, "I-I'm just not ready yet".
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