A/N: Hello again! Of course, it's time for the weekly update! Enjoy!
Rich Boy, Poor Heart II
Chapter Nineteen
000
JULY 27 (three more days left!)
Sakura woke up with a warm pressure on her lap. Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw Sasuke resting his head on top of her lap.
She giggled softly as she reached over to play with his locks.
"What are you doing…?" He murmured as he lifted his head up.
"You should drop by home to freshen up," Sakura suggested, poking home. He smirked.
"Do I smell?" He asked her, teasing.
"Yes!" She lied, giggling. He rolled his eyes.
"I'll be back in an hour," Sasuke told her as he approached the door. Sakura mumbled something that he couldn't quite hear.
"Hn?" He questioned, cocking up an eyebrow. Sakura's face turned florid.
"…Can you get some more pocky…?" She asked shyly as she bunched up the sheets in her clenched fists.
Sasuke merely smirked widely as he left the room.
000
"How's Sakura?" Shikamaru asked casually as Sasuke entered the summer home. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him, and crossed his arms.
"She's good," He replied, almost suspiciously.
"Hm…maybe I should go back with you so I can visit her too," Shikamaru continued. The Uchiha scoffed.
"Or maybe you should just stay here with Ino," Sasuke answered back. The other boy sighed.
"Look, Uchiha. Sakura's just a very good friend. We've both become close during this vacation," Shikamaru explained, nearly cross.
"Yeah, whatever," Sasuke said as he passed by him to go into the kitchen. He grabbed a pocky box and smiled faintly at the memories from yesterday.
"Sasu-chan!" Mikoto cried out happily. She thrust a box into his hands.
"I made some chocolates for Sakura-chan! Make sure you give them to her! Now, go back to her!" She said pushing him out of the kitchen.
"Ah…wait, I have to go take a shower," Sasuke mumbled as he set the food on the counter and left upstairs.
000
Knock knock!
"Come in!" Sakura said. She expected to see Sasuke walk through the door, but was surprised to see someone else.
"Yumi-chan…" Sakura whispered in awe. The blonde girl walked smugly into the door and slammed down a vase of sunflowers onto the side table.
Yumi quickly rummaged through her bag and threw a package onto Sakura's lap.
"Chocolate chip cookies. I baked them. I didn't poison them, if that's what you're thinking," She said, crossing her arms. Sakura beamed at her with nearly tear filled eyes.
"Oh gosh, don't you dare start crying," Yumi told her, glaring slightly. Sakura continued smiling.
"I thought…I would never see you again," Sakura replied. Yumi turned around to face the window, and stayed silent.
"Hey. About Sasuke-kun. You can have him," She finally spoke. Sakura's eyes widened. Yumi flipped her hair.
"You…you deserve him more than I do. I mean…there are lots of other fish in the sea," She blurted out.
"I…thank you," Sakura said, not sure what else to say. Yumi blushed from sheer embarrassment.
"B…but this is the last time you'll ever see me! Be grateful I even showed up!" Yumi exclaimed, huffing.
"I'm going on a plane to Paris today," The blonde shrugged before Sakura could question. Sakura frowned.
"I've decided that I'm going to study there and pursue a love life later on," Yumi said, looking out the window. Sakura finally smiled lightly.
"Maybe you'll find love sooner than you expect," Sakura replied. Yumi sighed, and turned around. Sakura was shocked to see that tears were running down her cheeks.
"You know…it's really hard giving up…especially when I know I'm the one who's wrong," She muttered.
"You'll feel glad when you know you're doing the right thing," The pink-haired girl said. Yumi picked up her bag.
"Yeah…well…I'd better get going. If you…uh…ever want to visit me in Paris, let me know," The blonde said before hastily walking out of the hospital room.
A few minutes after Yumi had left, Sasuke entered the room.
"I saw Yumi. She was…crying," Sasuke said. Sakura smiled.
"She gave me flowers, Sasuke-kun!" She said cheerfully, pointing at the sunflowers basking under the sun from the open window.
"She told me that if I hurt you, she'd hurt me," Sasuke deadpanned. Sakura giggled.
"I guess we were meant to be friends after all…" She said happily.
"Ah…and tomorrow morning, I get to be admitted out of the hospital!" Sakura said loudly. Sasuke smirked.
"But then…we're going to be separated, aren't we?" The pink-haired girl questioned. Sasuke sighed.
"That's something I still need to think over, Sakura," He replied uncertainly.
"There's only three more days left…" She pointed out sadly.
"We can think more on that…after breakfast," Sasuke said as he set down the paper bag on the side table. Sakura opened her mouth reluctantly, then closed it again.
Silently, Sasuke put a piece of bacon into Sakura's mouth. She munched on it slowly, and snuck glances at him.
"I…want to stay with you," She whispered. He frowned. He moved over to sit on the edge of her bed and took her hand.
"I'll try my best to keep us physically together," Sasuke told her firmly.
"I just can't believe that soon, I won't be able to see anyone anymore. I wish that vacation could last forever…" Sakura said sadly.
"If you"—
The door quickly slid open, and Sasuke scowled as Shikamaru walked into the room.
"What's with that face, Uchiha? I did say I was coming over," He said, hiding a smirk. Sakura smiled and Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Hello, Shikamaru-kun!" She greeted happily.
"Yeah, sorry I didn't bring anything over. I just felt like seeing you, is all," He replied as he sat himself down on a chair beside the bed.
"No, I felt like seeing you too," Sakura answered back as Sasuke continuously started glaring.
"That's nice to know," Shikamaru commented jokingly.
"Ah, Ino doesn't know you're here?" The pink-haired girl asked. Shikamaru scratched the back of his head.
"Ah…well…she got mad at me," He admitted. Sasuke scoffed.
"Serves you right…" The Uchiha muttered under his breath, earning an elbow from the pink-haired girl.
"But it's something I'd rather not talk about," Shikamaru said quickly, after seeing Sakura's concerned expression.
"Oh…" Sakura whispered.
"Well…ano…Ino's pretty moody. So she'll probably be okay with everything later," Sakura said quickly. Shikamaru sighed.
"I'm not so sure about that this time," He said truthfully.
"I'm pretty sure that I know what you did," Sasuke spoke up, slowly seething. Shikamaru stared at him.
"But…I won't say it. Not here. Let's talk outside," Sasuke said, standing up and putting his hands in his pockets. Shikamaru eyed him carefully before following him out the door, leaving Sakura alone and confused.
000
"I can see Sakura's important to you," Sasuke pointed out. Shikamaru said nothing. The Uchiha continued.
"She's definitely different from Ino. Sakura's innocent, quiet and nice. Ino's not so innocent, loud mouthed"—
"Don't. Don't say that about Ino," Shikamaru cut in. Sasuke scoffed.
"You obviously still have feelings for Ino. But stay away from Sakura. I can't trust you with her," The Uchiha continued.
"Of course I like Ino. Sakura was just a big contrast from her that I felt…interested. But I have innocent intentions, Sasuke," The other boy explained.
"Then what did you and Ino argue about?" Sasuke asked.
"She just misunderstood. I'll clear things up with her later," Shikamaru replied. Sasuke crossed his arms.
"How would you feel if I constantly visited Ino?" He asked suddenly. Shikamaru frowned at this.
"Okay, Sasuke. I get it. I'm…sorry. Sakura's only a good friend to me," He finally said. Sasuke turned around, smirking.
"I'd be going over to Ino right now if I were you," He commented. Shikamaru nodded silently and left.
Sasuke returned back into the room to find Sakura soundly asleep. She stirred as he entered, and he sat down quietly.
He watched her silently. Sighing, he reached over to tuck a batch of pink hair behind her ear.
"You're so…" He mumbled. He shook his head and smirked.
END JULY 27
000
JULY 28 (2 more days left!)
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Sakura yelled, tugging on Sasuke's shirt with her good hand. He grunted, and she giggled.
"Hold on…" Sasuke said as he dragged her bag behind him.
"But I want to get out of the hospital as soon as possible!" The pink-haired girl whined.
Once they had exited the glass doors of the hospital, they were greeted by colorful confetti.
"Congratulations on being discharged from the hospital!" Naruto shouted, grinning. Sakura beamed at the group. Sasuke noticed contently that Shikamaru had an arm around Ino, who was smiling happily.
"We've decided that today we're going to go up on the huge hill behind the summer home!" Mikoto said, clapping gleefully. Sasuke looked at her uncertainly.
"Isn't there a forest we have to walk through to get to the hill?" He questioned.
"Well…yes. But it'll be fun!" Mikoto said. Sasuke scowled.
"Sakura has a broken arm," He pointed out.
"She'll be fine as long as you take care of her!" His mother countered. Sasuke sighed and silently admitted defeat.
"I'll be alright, Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered quickly.
"Neji and Ten Ten, and Itachi and Rain will each be in charge of bringing over the picnic baskets," Mikoto decided, observing them. "If that's alright," She added.
"No problem!" Ten Ten said cheerfully. Neji nodded quietly. Itachi sighed, but Rain quickly got him into agreeing.
"Naruto and Hinata will bring up the blankets…and…Sasuke-chan, can you persuade your father into going?" Mikoto asked. Sasuke blinked, confused. Mikoto sighed.
"I know it's not very likely…but the vacation's almost over…so, please?" She asked, slightly pouting. Sakura nudged him.
"I…yeah…" Sasuke finally muttered. Mikoto jumped up, grinning.
"Thank you, Sasuke-chan!" She yelled. Sasuke nodded, but frowned at the idea of trying to persuade his father.
000
"Your mother put you up to this, didn't she?" Fugaku asked as a ghost of a smirk appeared on his lips. Sasuke sighed.
"Yes, she did. But I guess I agree. Vacation's ending, and you should have some fun too," Sasuke pointed out, fidgeting slightly. Fugaku chuckled, much to his surprise.
"Yes, yes, I suppose so. I'll consider it," He replied. Sasuke nodded, and took this as a closure. He stood up and left the room.
As he shut the door, walked forward, and then stumbled over something. The thing squeaked. Sasuke widened his eyes.
"Sakura, what are you"—
He quickly helped up the pink-haired girl. She rubbed the ankle that Sasuke had stepped on.
"I was just sitting there to make sure Fugaku-san would say yes. But I guess I fell asleep…" She said, laughing lightly. He sighed.
"Is your ankle okay?" He asked. She nodded quickly.
"I keep…hurting you," Sasuke mumbled. Sakura giggled.
"Sasuke-kun, whatever happens isn't your fault," She told him. He opened his mouth to counter back.
"And me falling off the roof wasn't even your fault!" She added. Sasuke sighed, and shook his head.
"Whatever…I just don't really want to talk about this," He replied.
"Sakura! Sasuke! We're almost leaving!" They heard Ino yell from downstairs. Sasuke knocked on his dad's door.
"Father, we're leaving soon," He said. Sakura waited impatiently for the answer.
"I'll be there."
Sakura looked up and beamed at Sasuke, who smirked back.
Mikoto smiled when she saw Fugaku coming down the stairs.
"Ah! You're going with us!" She said happily. Fugaku nodded contently.
The whole group ambled outside and towards the forest.
"Does everyone have a flashlight?" Mikoto asked. Everyone nodded as they took theirs out and turned them on.
"Careful now," Fugaku said, putting a hand on Sakura's shoulder. She turned back and smiled at him.
"Did any of you guys hear that…?" Ino asked nervously, looking around at the tall, dark trees. Neji scoffed.
"There shouldn't be anything around here except rabbits," He answered back.
"Y…you never know…" Ino mumbled, slightly embarrassed.
"Hopefully if something does happen, Shikamaru won't be too lazy to help you," Naruto said jokingly, earning a scold from Hinata.
"What exactly are we going to do up there?" Itachi asked curiously. Mikoto grinned.
"We're going to have a picnic underneath the beautiful stars!" She replied.
"Lame…" Itachi murmured back. Rain elbowed him lightly, and he grunted.
"I just want all of you to have a romantic night before the vacation ends," Mikoto huffed at her eldest son.
"Sasuke-kun, you're being quiet…well, more quiet than usual," Sakura said, looking at him through the glow of the flashlight.
"I'm just…thinking," He told her, shaking his head.
"Nothing to worry about," He added. Sakura frowned.
"Okay then…" She said uncertainly.
"We're finally here!" Ino cried out, ungracefully tumbling onto the soft, green grass. Ten Ten plopped down happily and tugged Neji down with her.
Naruto carefully spread out a blanket for him and Hinata, and Itachi and Rain took a seat by a patch of blue flowers.
Mikoto and Fugaku stood up while Sasuke and Sakura sat near them.
"I'm so hungry!" Naruto shouted as he picked out food from the picnic basket.
"Sasuke-kun, are you feeling alright?" Sakura asked as she bit into a rice ball. Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Follow me," He told her, standing up. Confused, Sakura carefully stood up before rushing after him.
"Sakura…I…" Sasuke started. Sakura looked up at him with wide eyes, fearful of what he was going to say next.
"Damn, this is really hard to say…" He mumbled. Sakura frowned.
"Are you…breaking up with me?" She asked. He shook his head frantically.
"No, it's…it's the exact opposite," The Uchiha replied quickly. Sakura rose an eyebrow.
"I don't know what you're trying to say…" She told him, looking concerned.
Sasuke kneeled down, and looked up at her. He was grateful that it was dark, or else she would have seen his red face.
"Haruno parents, please give me permission to marry your daughter," Sasuke said, now looking up at the starry sky. The stars twinkled back at him merrily, and he smirked. Sakura looked breathless.
"Sakura…will you…" He began, fishing something out of his pocket. He held up a little silver ring.
"…marry me?"
Sakura suddenly sucked in a quick breath, and began choking on the air. Sasuke quickly stood up and patted her back. She giggled as she hugged him.
"Yes, I will!" Sakura told him, smiling. Sasuke, looking mildly surprised, gingerly slipped the ring onto her finger.
"That's why you were so quiet," Sakura said. Sasuke nodded.
"It's really…nerve racking," He muttered, looking away.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun," The pink-haired girl told him. He cocked up an eyebrow.
"For what?" He asked. She grinned.
"You've made me smile probably a million times. You make my day, and you're always there to take care of me. I'll probably never be able to return the whole favor, but I'll do my best," Sakura told him, nodding.
"Uchiha Sakura…sounds good," Sasuke smirked.
000
"P-proposed?" Mikoto shrieked once she saw the ring on Sakura's finger. All of the others turned to look.
"Oh…my gosh…" Ino said before laughing and hugging her friend.
"Oh…oh this is so great!" Mikoto said as tears filled her eyes.
"I always thought it would be Itachi first…but this is still so great!" She said happily. Itachi rolled his eyes.
Fugaku watched the group contently.
'Kimoto, it seems I've somehow been able to keep our promise.'
"Fugaku! Guess what? Risa-chan's pregnant! I was so nervous when I found out!" Kimoto said, laughing. Fugaku patted him on the back.
"That's great news, Kimoto," He replied, smiling. Kimoto grinned.
"Promise me this, Fugaku. Promise me you'll help me raise my daughter. You're my best friend, and I know I can't do this alone," He requested.
"Of course," Fugaku said. Kimoto sighed, relieved.
"Whew! Thanks, Fugaku. Really. I'm glad to have you as a friend. I hope she grows up to be a good person like you."
Fugaku sighed heavily, and looked up at the starry sky.
END JULY 28
A/N: Okay…so I kind of half-assed some of these days, haha. I'm sorry! Oh, and for those who forgot who Kimoto is, refer to the chapter 'Feelings' and there should be a flashback mildly explaining the situation between Fugaku and Sakura's father, Kimoto.
Thank you for reading! Two chapters left!