LIFE'S HARDEST LESSON

Ch 7: Race to the Heart

"Well, that was disappointing," Sakura says as she and Sasuke exit the theater.

You have no idea how disappointing it was. Sasuke thought grudgingly.

"I didn't even get to see the ending," Sakura continued. She stops and looks at Sasuke. "I guess I'd better get going then." She looks at him a bit longer and he can tell that she's debating over something in her mind. Finally, she just gives him a loving embrace, says good-bye, and starts to walk toward her house.

Wait; is that it, no kiss? I'm so stupid; I didn't even tell her what I wanted to.

Kakashi walks out the back door of the theater still smiling over his little prank, but he feels a familiar chakra approaching and he quickly hides. Then Sasuke appears, he seems to be mumbling to himself as he walked by saying, "Whatever, I'll just tell her I love her next time." Kakashi's heart stopped,

He loves her?! I didn't figure he would this quickly! This means that there'll be some alterations to my plans.

And with that, he was gone in a puff of smoke.

Sakura walked briskly home, wondering about the strange event the happened tonight.

It was so strange, when Sasuke leaned in to kiss me, it just didn't feel right. I've waited my whole life for that moment, but instead of falling head over heels at that moment, I pictured of Kakashi instead…wait, Kakashi?!

This puzzled Sakura even more when she realized what she thought as she unlocked the door to her apartment. She closed the door and sighed, "Kakashi." "Yes?" She heard him say. She spun around in shock to find the silver-haired copy ninja sitting on her couch. "What the hell are you doing in my apartment?!" Sakura squealed. Kakashi just smiled and said, "Truly Sakura, I'm offended, I only wanted to know how your date went." She huffed and plopped down onto the couch beside Kakashi. "Oh Kakashi, it was fine and all, but…but I just don't know my true feelings anymore. Now that I see this side of Sasuke, I don't feel anything for him anymore." She put her hands on her face and rested her elbows on her knees. She felt like she could cry from confusion when she felt soft hands gently land on her shoulders, and his hot breath on her ear, "Maybe your heart has already moved on without realizing it, maybe…your heart is ready for someone else." Sakura felt goose bumps rise on her skin as she shivered.

Is he saying that he wants to be with me?

She looks up at him and he gives a loving smile, "How about you and I have dinner tomorrow to plan your next course of action." Sakura smiles and whispers, "I'd like that." Kakashi puts a hand on the side of her face and she leans into it. His face was inches from hers when he says huskily, "See you tomorrow then." And he was gone from Sakura's apartment.

What was that all about? Why is Kakashi acting so different? And more importantly, why do I like it?

Sakura sighed in frustration as she dragged herself to her bed.

The sun's rays awoke Sakura to a brand new morning. She yawned and stretched as she looked toward her alarm clock, then she gave a yelp of surprise. "Oh my God! It's noon already! Why hasn't Kakashi come for me yet?"

Inner Sakura said, it also would have helped if you had set your alarm clock.

………shut up! I didn't ask for your input to begin with!

Sakura broke her old record getting ready for a date as she scurried to the bathroom to take a shower and prep up. After that was settled she rushed outside and right next to Kakashi's front door, only to find a note on it saying:

Sakura,

I thought it would be rude to wake you, so I decided that I'll wait for you at the back of the training grounds near the lake.

Kakashi

She nodded to no one in particular as she ran toward the training grounds.

Sasuke took another sip of his sake at one of the many bars in the hidden leaf village, compliments of the fifth Hokage. If anyone was paying any attention to him they would have noticed the annoyed look plastered on his face.

This is starting to get irritating, it should be simple enough just to tell her, but for some reason I can't. And there is also Kakashi, I know now that Sakura is not dating him, but I definitely know that something is going on between them, and I should find out before anything else continues.

Sasuke was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't notice that someone else has taken a seat at his table. "Oi! Sasuke! Wake up already will ya!" Naruto flailed his arms around in order to get Sasuke's attention. Sasuke looked at him to acknowledge Naruto's presence. Naruto asked, "What's eating you up?" Sasuke said, "None of your business." Naruto then smiled and said, "Oh, so I'm guessing that your date with Sakura didn't go as planned?" Sasuke glared at him, "Dobe." That made Naruto laughed knowing that it didn't by Sasuke's reaction. All of a sudden Naruto became serious as he said, "Well, if you want it to go better next time, I suggest you start acting nicer for a change, and maybe wear something nice or get her a gift." Sasuke raised his eye brows in surprise as he heard Naruto's words of wisdom for the second time this week; it must be a new record or something. But, then the look of surprise changed into speculation as Sasuke asked, "And you're just going to give Sakura away just like that? I know you have feelings for her too." Naruto merely shrugged and said, "I have an infatuation, but I know that some people are off limits. Besides, Hinata is really cute too, and she invited me to one of her family's parties, so I couldn't say no." Just talking about her made Naruto's face turn a slight shade of red. When Naruto saw Sasuke's smirk, he then put in, "This doesn't mean I won't tease you guys when you two become serious, also, and the fact that it's so funny to watch you drool after Sakura when it use to be the opposite." Naruto was then gone as soon as the words escaped from his mouth, and Sasuke was right on his trail. Innocent bystanders watched in bewilderment as they saw a yellow and orange flash whiz by laughing like a crazy man, followed shortly after by an enraged man with glowing red eyes unleashing a torrent of swears and curses.

Dear readers,

Once again I am extremely late in publishing the next chapter, maybe that is why I like Kakashi so much, I can relate to him. XD Anyways, I apologize as usual for my lateness and I'll try to make the next one without being too late, but don't get your hopes up. And once again, reviews could really persuade me to speed up the process. Love ya readers!!! ^-^

Your friend,

Darkened petal :]