A/N: You know what I find really annoying? Not sticking to a plan. I will assure you that NaruHina and SasuSaku will, someway, somehow, hopefully, most likely…eventually happen.

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm dragging out the ships but if it does, then I am, so I guess the moral of this author's note is….to keep calm and carry on reading?

~Life is like a multiple choice question. Sometimes it's the choices that confuse you, not the question itself~

7: Multiple Choices

It's been two days since Sakura had gotten that text message and she tried everything in her power to ignore it, so she did. Two nights ago on their anniversary Sakura spent the night with Naruto and yesterday Sakura made sure she wasn't available to anyone. In fact she skipped school, told Naruto she had food poisoning and switched off her mobile. Why? Well because she wanted to miss all contact with Sasuke. There was no way she could be around school knowing Sasuke could be there, it will only make things worse and she couldn't bring herself to tell Naruto the truth.

"What would he want to talk about?" Lying in her bedroom Sakura pulled out her mobile and re-read the message from Sasuke: Hey, there's something you need to know. Sakura, we need to talk. Can you come by later?

"Wait, there is a lot more to the message than we need to talk" frustrated, Sakura realised how over-dramatic she has been. In her mind all she wanted to see was the bad – the bad being the guilt, so when Sakura opened the text that day, she instantly read the 'we need to talk' and assumed the worst – plus the timing didn't help either. "Maybe Sasuke just wants to talk, nothing else. But why word it so seriously and it's not even in capital letters – I must have imagined that part. Argh! I'm such an idiot!"

"Sakura Haruno, you get up right now!"

"What!"

"Mind that tone! You're going to school today and there is no way in hell food poisoning is going to save you this time. You hear me young lady?"

Yep her mother knew she was faking "Damn it! All I needed was another day" the cherry blossom said completely disappointed.

"What was that Sakura?"

"Err…Nothing Mother! I'll go to school." She jumped out of bed, got her toiletries and slowly walked into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Sakura was getting dressed when she remembered something, something that could...no would take her mind off things and that something was tomorrow. Yes tomorrow would be the last day of school and that means summer vacation "Hanakotoba-ko." She looked into the mirror and wondered in awe, she let her hair down instead of the usual ponytail and brushed away the knots. Sakura turned away from the mirror and placed her hairbrush on the counter "I can do this!" and with that in mind she stormed out of her bedroom recognising how late she was.

It was at least an hour later when Sakura arrived at Konoha High and in doing so she couldn't miss another minute. She made her way through the halls budging and pushing almost everyone in sight - including the girl with the Hime-shaped hair "Ow!"

"Hinata! I am so sorry but I can't stop, I'm late for class!" Sakura rushed through the halls unable to help the fallen girl and her notes.

It was a lovely day, the sun was shining and some of the students made their way to the canteen, others –especially those who brought packed lunch, headed outside. Lunchtime was probably the best time for students, they had an hour off classes therefore there was no way anyone would miss that opportunity. Instead of staying in, Sakura thought it would be nice to go outside for lunch but unfortunately others weren't so used to the idea "Do we have to Sakura?"

She dragged him by the arm "Yes Naruto, now c'mon!"

"Haha, you two look very cute together" Ino said tagging along.

"Ino you're not helping"

"What do you mean Naruto?"

"Well I was supposed to meet Sasuke for lunch" Sakura pulled him tighter "We haven't really spoken since he got back, so I thought it would be a nice catch-up." She pulled harder, "Hey stop that Sakura!"

They heard a chuckle behind them and when they turned around it wasn't someone they expected it to be "Hinata!" Naruto waved happily "Hey! How did the quiz go this morning?"

Hinata shyly looked to the side "The quiz…turns out I – I didn't need my notes after all. It was pretty easy"

Notes…they spoke this morning? And then Sakura remembered "OMG that was my entire fault this morning, sorry Hinata." There was an awkward silence and for a brief moment - though still holding onto Naruto's arm, Sakura noticed something awfully weird, a stare. The two of them staring at each other and even if it was only for just a few seconds, Sakura knew that look too well. "Hinata if you don't mind, my boyfriend and I need to get going."

"Oh I'm sorry, I…I didn't mean to…I just thought we could… it doesn't matter, I'll be on my way then. Um thanks again Naruto" as Hinata walked away, Naruto instantly gave Sakura a look of confusion.

"Sakura! Why the hell did you do that for?" The pair started bickering.

"I told Hinata I would always be there for her but you just indirectly told her to go away. What's she gonna think of me now?"

"Oh please, I did nothing of the sort!"

Ino rumbled through her backpack, she had all sorts of stuff in there - mainly makeup but when it came to the really important things like her mobile, Ino knew exactly where to look. How else did she kill time in class?

"Sakura don't you get it? I just feel sorry for her." Naruto said rubbing his hair with his free arm.

Sakura hit him on the head letting Naruto free from her hold "I do get it but why you get it?"

"Ow! That hurt" he rubbed his head again "Get what?"

"Jeez you really are oblivious, you know that?"

Ino took out her brightly neon yellow and black phone "While you guys tear each other a part, I will call Sasuke for you Naruto."

"No!" Sakura grabbed the mobile.

"What the hell Sakura!? You didn't have to take my phone."

"Sorry. I… just want to be alone with Naruto"

Ino gestured her hand for her phone and Sakura reluctantly, gave it back. "Jeez make up your mind! I had plans this afternoon but you practically begged me to come with you and Naruto."

"Shut up Ino!"

Naruto glanced at Sakura "Wait, what are you talking about Ino? Is that true Sakura?"

"Naruto I-"

He interrupted her "There's something you're not telling me and it's to do with Sasuke right?"

Sakura froze and in a lighter tone said "Why? Why do you always assume it's about Sasuke?"

Naruto examined the expression Sakura was making. "Because it always is" It wasn't that hard for Naruto to guess because he had known 'that' expression for far too long, it was like Sakura's 'tell' and he wasn't stupid. Naruto noticed the distanced between Sasuke and Sakura ever since he got back. So the sudden 'lunch outside thing' was just an attempt to separate the two.

But who was Sakura trying to separate? Naruto from Sasuke or herself from Sasuke?

"I'm probably going to regret asking this, but tell me, what's going on?"

"You really want to know Naruto?"

"Hey!"

Ino spun to see their approacher "Speak of the devil."

A group of fangirls started to squeak from afar, no matter whom Sasuke was with or what he wore, Sasuke Uchiha was every girl's dream but that dream was just about to be broken "Naruto you weren't in the canteen but here you are."

"Sasuke?" Naruto replied somewhat shocked to see him.

"Hi Sasuke" Ino smiled as she was greeted back with a nod. The only person to not acknowledge Sasuke was Sakura, she just stood, quietly.

"Sakura you okay? Your Mum told me about the food poisoning. Is that why you didn't reply"

"I'm fine" Sakura said abruptly.

Reply to what? Naruto felt like he was missing something and he couldn't figure it out. It irritated him to an extent "Will someone please tell me what's going on!"

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, then at Sakura and saw an expression he didn't like. This wasn't Sakura, what he saw was a vulnerable girl in which Sasuke felt he needed to amend. As kids he had always promised to protect her and no one was going to take that away from him –not even Aiya. All Sasuke needed was five minutes "That's exactly what I want to find Naruto. So if you don't mind." He took the cherry blossom by the palm attempting to take her outside as Sakura urged him to stop. "Do you really want to do this here Sakura?"

"No but I need you to let me go. Sasuke I need you to not call me, not text me, just let go of me. Naruto is watching us back there, what is he going to think?"

"I just want to talk to you. It's not like I'm going to hurt you"

"But you have….twice." she pulled her arm away from Sasuke and suddenly felt overwhelmed by the whole situation.

"Sakura stop that …it's annoying"

Tears started to flood her eyes and in spite of Sasuke's stunned appearance he tried to calm her down but it was only a matter of time before Naruto and Ino saw this and came rushing in.

"What did you do to her Sasuke!" a furious Naruto clenched his hands around Sasuke's shoulder pushing him against a wall, as he watched him in detest, Sasuke didn't retaliate. Why would he? He has done nothing wrong. At least that's what he thought.

"Honestly! Do you want to create a bigger scene?" Ino said yelling at the two boys. "Come on Sakura, let's go." Ino held Sakura by the arm and took out a spare tissue from her pocket.

"Ino, hold on, where are you-"

"Let me deal with this Naruto. She'll talk to me, I'm sure of it. Trust me." As much as he didn't want her to go, Naruto nodded his head in agreement.

The two girls go into the restroom together and after Sakura cleans herself up, Ino helps apply her make-up. "I'm your best friend Sakura and I hate seeing you this upset. If something is bothering you, maybe I can help."

"Are you done?" Sakura said in a monotone voice, she fixed her hair in the mirror and got prepared to leave.

"Are you really going to leave? Don't be idiot. You're hurting and you're hurting Naruto. I know he hasn't said it but I'm pretty sure he's blaming himself right now."

Sakura stopped "For what?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

She hated feeling like this and she certainly didn't want Naruto to feel the same "Naruto hasn't done anything to me Ino, in fact he is probably the best thing that's happened to me."

"Then what is it? Let me help you"

Sakura's voice cracks "I've been stupid. It's me… I've done something wrong. Naruto should be blaming me" She moved away from the door and let out a hand to Ino "I'll tell you everything, just promise not to judge me until I finished"

What could she have possibly have done? It can't be that bad. Ino looked at her hand then looked up to face her "I promise" and shook her hand.

A/N: Well, well, well. The truth will come out! But is there more to the story? Find out in the next chapter! (Lol cheesy author's note )