Chapter Three: Her Melting Ice Heart

Sakura's heart was beating really fast, although she was extremely blind, she could see Naruto's face clearly a few centimetres away from her own. Her heart was pounding and she tried really hard to hold her breath to not breathe onto Naruto's face. She couldn't hold her breath any longer so she let out a warm quick gasp.

The warm air caused Naruto to shift his head and by accident his lips landed on hers.

"Hnn.." Moaned Naruto in his sleep.

Sakura placed a finger on the warm area he had just kissed. 'No,' she thought. She was not capable of love. She did not know anything about Naruto except his name, birth date and phone number. How could she fall in love with a complete stranger just because he briefly resembled her brother? This boy in front of her was only here because she had paid him to. She could never expect him to love her.

She did not even know whether he was already in a relationship.

She jammed her elbow hard onto Naruto's chest.

"Wake up you moron, why are you on my bed? Did I give permission for you to come into my room? On top of that you have the guts to sleep on my bed!" She screamed.

"Ow," Cried Naruto, 'Stupid alarm.' Where is the off button?

"Quit it, you stupid alarm. Wait until I get my hands on you," Shouted Naruto as he tried to find the alarm, his palm patted on a soft patch of hair. He slowly opened his eyes and realised Sakura was staring angrily back at him.

He he, he smiled innocently.

She kicked him in the stomach which sent him rolling off the bed. Naruto's head bumped into the corner of her bedside table. 'Ow! Why do I have to wake up like this? I should have known, I should have known.' He chanted.

"Took you long enough to wake up! Do you think I am your pillow?"

"And if I had said yes?"

She didn't answer him but gave him a dirty look.

"Couldn't you have woken me up in a nicer way?" He asked.

"No! Who do you think you are? You're just a cleaner boy I hired." She replied.

"Is this how you treat people? I was only taking care of you because you were crying in your sleep. Do you not know how to say please and thank you. If you keep talking like this, nobody would want to be your friend!" He shouted back at her.

"God dammit, I don't know how much longer I can take this crap from you!" He muttered and continued giving Sakura his unimpressed stare.

Sakura didn't want to speak like this but her words had always came out harsh no matter how hard she had tried.

'Please don't leave me, I don't want to be like this,' she cried in her thoughts.

Naruto was about to head out the door when he noticed a tear rolling down her eye.

Sakura had never cried in front of anyone for a long time, but his words had hurt her. She couldn't control the tears that were rolling quickly down her eyes. She hurriedly turned her head around so that he would not be able to see her tears falling down her face.

Naruto realised he had said something he did not mean to. He was angry to have woken up in such a way that he had forgotten how fragile Sakura was. A bump has grown on his head... He understood the ice maiden was not made out of ice and could crumble as easily as any other girl. He leaned forward to press his chest to her back, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

If her heart could melt away it did in this second. His hold, his warmth, his kindness was so addictive; she wondered if he could grow to love her. She had only known him for one day but she felt so fitting to be next to him. She felt like she had known him for an eternity. Could he be kind enough to protect her from this harsh and uncaring world?

"I'm sorry too," she whispered.

"It's OK. If you are sad you can let it out. Whoa it's 8:30am already! I think we're going to be late."

"Ok," she replied as he got up.

She wanted to open her heart up just a small fraction so she grabbed his shirt and asked softly, "Can I be your friend?"

"Huh? Of course, let's get ready already!"

...

The both of them quickly got dressed in their school uniform and rushed out the front door. The chauffeur was already waiting outside with a cigarette in his mouth. The driver stared at the two teenagers with a smirk, no wonder it had taken her so long. He smothered his fag and opened the car door for Sakura to step inside.

"Naruto let me give you a ride to school." She offered.

"Ah ok, I thought you would never ask."

Sakura looked at him shyly and asked, "Will you be free after school tomorrow? Can I buy some more of your time?"

"Sure, I don't have anything on. Where would you like to go?"

"Meet me at the gates after school. I'll take you to see someone important to me. We'll take the public transport. Zetsu, I won't need you for tomorrow afternoon."

"Ok," replied the driver.

Sakura and Naruto made it inside the gates just on time, any minute later they would both be considered late.

...

From Sasuke's window seat, he could see the school gates clearly. In fact he saw the both of them step out of the car and he also watched the both of them rushing past the school gates. His fists clenched once again.

'That bastard,' he cursed.

Sasuke felt that the distance between Sakura and him had become further as she became closer with Naruto. He couldn't believe that prick was allowed to spend the night with his beloved. He needed to think of a plan fast to break the two apart. If only he could find Naruto's weakness and perhaps embarrass him in front of her.

Sasuke's image of Sakura from four years ago when he was 12 was slowly disappearing.

...

Sasuke's Flashback

Sasuke's mother had saved up really hard from sewing garments in a clothing factory. Her beautiful long hands that once played the piano have become rough and protruded with veins due to her overuse.

It was his birthday and his mother's gift to him was a ticket to an amusement park. He had always dreamed of going on the rides of a theme park. He was really jealous of other kids who could just go whenever they felt like it.

"I'm sorry Sasuke. I only saved enough for one ticket. Do you think you could go with your friends?"

Sasuke didn't have many friends because some mean kids at his elementary school had made fun of him for being poor. He didn't want to ask his only friend Shikamaru who was equally as poor. He didn't want to waste the ticket either so he went by himself.

Although alone, 12 year old Sasuke was really happy. He went early in the morning to escape the crowds. He watched all the shows and went on every single ride that was available. He went on the roller coaster for over 7 times to feel the thrill of his heart beating faster just before the slope.

He sat down for a rest but tears suddenly began to fall on his cheeks. It was past 3pm and he had not eaten at all. He could not afford any of the food from the theme park. He hated how he did not have a father. He hated being poor. He hated being teased at school and most of all he hated spending his birthday alone. He should not have come to this theme park after all. This was what he had originally thought until he met her.

She was like an angel.

...

"Why are you crying? Did you lose your mum?" asked a sweet voice.

Sasuke gazed up into the smile of a happy young girl with pink hair. She placed a tissue gently under his eyes to wipe away his tears.

"I'm not lost!" He answered.

"Why are you crying then?"

"I'm just unhappy, my friend wasn't able to come today so I am all alone. I'm also a little hungry."

"Would you like to eat my hot chips? Here."

She handed her hot chips to Sasuke.

He ate it hungrily and before he could say thanks the chip box was empty.

"Oh you must be very hungry, what's your name by the way?" She asked.

"Sasuke Uchiha, thank you for your chips."

"I'm Sakura Haruno. Don't worry about the chips, it's very cheap. Would you like me to be your friend for today?"

'Can there really be such kind people?' wondered Sasuke. He nodded eagerly.

Sakura glanced at her watch and said, "This theme park closes at 4pm. I think if we line up now, we can go on one more ride. Which ride would you like to go on?"

Sasuke looked straight ahead at the Ferris wheel, "That one!"

"Oh I wanted to ride that one. I heard if you make a wish at the top of the Ferris wheel it will come true. Here." Sakura explained as she extended her hand to Sasuke.

Sasuke clutched the small pair of warm hands and stood up. The two walked hand in hand and waited for the Ferris wheel.

"Last ten rides," shouted the operator.

...

Sakura and Sasuke was the second last pair to go on the Ferris wheel. Time felt as if it was moving quicker than usual. Sasuke wished time would stop so that he could remain holding her hand. He sat across Sakura and rather than staring at the beautiful scenery, he focused on her beautiful sincere green eyes.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"What is it?"

"It's my birthday today." Said Sasuke.

She stood up to sit next to Sasuke, "Aw you should have told me, I could have gotten you a toy."

"There is something you can give me."

"What's that?" She asked.

"You have to close your eyes first."

She closed her beautiful green eyes.

The ride was reaching towards the peak of the Ferris wheel. Sasuke closed his eyes and placed a gentle kiss on Sakura's forehead.

"I wish we can meet again," he whispered under his breath.

Sakura didn't expect to be kissed on the forehead. 'What a weird kid?' she thought with embarrassed pink cheeks. Sasuke blushed a bright red and turned away in embarrassment. While his head was turned, Sakura was frantically trying to brush the tomato sauce off her forehead. Sasuke had forgotten to wipe his lips after eating the hot chips.

As the ride was coming to an end, Sakura could see her brother from a distant.

"Look, that's my brother. I better go when this ride stops. Nice meeting you." She said.

As the gates of the compartment opened, Sakura rushed out like a bird set free from her cage. He watched the frame of her back disappear further and further away. His heart ached because he knew this could be his first and last time meeting this girl.

He watched her skip happily towards the boy with blonde hair; she jumped happily in his embrace. The boy looked like a high schooler and he was still dressed in his uniform even though it was school holidays. He studied the uniform with great detail and swore that he would enter that high school no matter what.

...

Sasuke was busy preparing student council activities for the upcoming school festival when Shikamaru burst into the room. The school festival was an annual event to raise money for the upcoming projects in the year. It required students to hold stalls in the school and the main money making event included: a combined concert and drama play conducted by the music and drama club.

"Sasuke I need your help," shouted Shikamaru from the music club, "Shino recently broke his wrist, we need you to be our lead guitarist. Besides with your great looks, we can attract a huge number of female customers!"

"I'm really busy. Can't you find someone else?" He stated annoyed.

"Sasuke brother, aren't you my friend? When a friend is in trouble don't friends help each other?" Asked Shikamaru.

"No." Said Sasuke adamantly.

"Oh ok, do you want me to spread a rumour that the president of the student council wears second hand uniforms?" Shikamaru threatened.

"Everyone listen up-" Shouted Shikamaru towards the corridor.

Sasuke placed a hand over his friend's mouth to shut him up.

"Fine, but you must not breathe a word of what you just said. I'll meet you at the music room during lunchtime. I have a free period after that so we can practise until the end of 7th period." Said Sasuke annoyed, 'and here I thought friends wouldn't threaten each other.'

...

During lunch time Sasuke was playing with Shikamaru and his band of friends. They chose a very popular song that was a huge hit from four years ago. While they were practising, Sakura was walking past. She stopped near the door of the music room as she recognised the song. It was one of her brother's favourite songs and before he hed died he was a member of a band too.

Sakura touched the door which was slightly opened, for a moment she thought that if she were to push the door, she would be able to see her brother's smiling face. Too late, the door opened on its own as someone from the music club had to rush out to use the restroom. Sasuke looked at the person standing in front of the door. Could he be dreaming?

"What? Why are staring at me? Can't I stand here?" Sakura asked coldly.

"Wait, it's ok if you want to stay and watch. We wouldn't mind an audience to give us advice. Our second guitarist will be back shortly." Explained Sasuke.

Sakura nodded. This won't hurt right.

Sakura felt really nervous as the copper haired boy continued to stare at her. His 'ogling' eyes sent cold shivers down her spine.

It had been a long time since she had heard the song being played in a band, hence she allowed herself to stay and watch. The whole time the song was being played Sakura was recalling a concert she had attended in the past. 'Her brother was naturally gifted in playing the guitar, but the band in front of her really sucked.' She did however thought playing the guitar was really cool but sadly she never got the chance to learn.

"It was ok but you really need to work on your singing." Commented Sakura, she has a tendency to say 'ok' to things she thinks were bad. No it was horrible.

"Sorry Sakura, I'm just replacing the usual guitarist because he broke his wrist. I'm a little rusty but I know it's no excuse," stated Sasuke.

"What's your name? How do you know me? Have I seen you before?" Asked Sakura curious.

Sasuke didn't want to remind her of their little past interaction. She seemed to have forgotten, 'thank goodness,' thought Sasuke.

"Ah, I'm Sasuke Uchiha the president of the student council so I have an idea of everyone's name in this school." He lied.

"I see... Nope. I don't think we have met before," replied Sakura who has a very short term memory. She usually does not stare at other peoples eyes, hence she had not noticed the boy in front of her.

'You don't remember me?' thought Sasuke looking hurt.

"Don't worry about it." He said

Sakura decided to build up her courage and study the features of Sasuke. Hmm. Sasuke didn't look too bad, in fact he had a nice cool and calm composure. He could pass as being called 'hot' in the eyes of most girls. He had an average height of at least half a head taller than Sakura. He seemed like a dependable and decent guy if Sakura hadn't caught him staring at her continously.

Continuously checking her out like a stalker, creepy.

"Can we be friends?" Asked Sasuke with all his courage, this was it.

It was his last chance to reach out to her.

Sakura thought about it for a long time. Her usual answer would be a quick 'N-O!' but she remembered how much courage it had required her to ask Naruto in the morning. She understood how it would feel to be rejected and she was glad that Naruto had agreed to be her friend. Besides, having one more friend was better than having one less friend. She sighed.

"Ok," She agreed unwillingly.

Sasuke blinked twice he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. His prays has finally been answered.

"I like that song but I don't know how to play the guitar." Spoke Sakura out of the blue.

"Would you like me to teach you?"

'No thanks' she had wanted to say but decided to act friendly and said, "ok."

"How can I contact you?" Asked Sasuke delightedly.

Sasuke was really determined to take advantage of the somewhat friendlier Sakura in front of him.

Sakura passed Sasuke her phone, "Here you can enter your number, when I am free I will call you."

Normally Sakura would never speak to anyone let alone give her contact details out. Ever since her first meeting with Naruto she found a new sense of courage. She wanted to open her heart up just a little bit; perhaps she could start to learn to trust people again. Perhaps she could start to make friends again.

Sasuke smiled happily as he was really glad Shino had broken his wrist. He was really grateful that Shikamaru's father had taught him how to play the guitar. He even appreciated Shikamaru's threat to have pushed him into the band.

TBC

Revised version of Ch 3

Ch 4: Her Secret Past