this is: chapter three
He was trudging along, his fur lined hood up when he spotted her sitting forlornly by the duck pond in his park.
She looked up in emerald-eyed surprise when he stopped in front of her.
"Waiting for someone?" without an invitation he sat down.
"You could say that. I'm waiting for a friend." she sighed. "My boyfriend didn't call this morning."
He rolled his eyes. "Why, does he call every morning at ten o'clock on the dot?"
"Yeah. Whenever he wakes up so I can hear his sleepy voice." she fiddled with her powder blue scarf.
"So why didn't you call him?"
"I did. He didn't pick up. Later his best friend calls me and says that they crashed at a friend's place." she sighed. "I didn't know that he went out."
"So your boyfriend likes to keep tabs on you, but you don't keep tabs on him." he looked at her. "That doesn't sound right."
"It's not. But I don't worry." she had pride in her voice. "He's faithful to me."
"And how would you know that? You don't keep tabs on him."
"Because he proposed to me, remember?" she waved a heavy gold ring in front of his face – inlaid with tiny diamonds and rubies in the shape of a fan.
"Ah." he eyed the trinket with some derision. "That's just a flimsy symbol. My buddy and his girlfriend aren't the marrying kind – she loves her freedom, and so does he – but that doesn't stop them from getting into fights with people that just give the other a glance. Does your fiancé do that?"
"I can't do that! I'd end up being expelled from my university if I did that with every female I saw staring at him!" she frowned, looking down.
He reached out and tilted her chin up to look at him. "You didn't answer my question."
She jerked out of his grip. "Who said you could do that?"
"Who said you should avoid direct questions?"
"Who gives you the right to ask me questions like that?" she shouted furiously, jumping up in her high-heeled boots.
"Hey, now, don't scare the ducks." he grinned at the expense of her ire. "I was only asking innocent questions. Who is this…ludicrously perfect boyfriend of yours?"
"He's someone I'd prefer to keep a secret." she pursed her lips as she sat back down.
"What makes him so fantastic then?" he asked indulgently as he stretched his body.
"He remembers my birthday. He knows my favourite foods. He surprises me with flowers, chocolate, and presents. He's an amazing kisser. He's so good looking. I can't believe he's mine. He makes feel like a princess." she said simply.
"…Nothing else?" he inquired curiously.
She blushed prettily, pink travelling up her cheeks. "W-we haven't made love yet." she stuttered.
His jade eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "You're a virgin?" he choked.
"What?" she turned even redder.
"Wow. Just…wow." he closed his eyes. "I'm pretty sure I haven't talked to a virgin since graduating high school…"
"I was saving myself for him."
"You're insane." he heard himself say. This chick was the craziest girl he'd ever met, he decided. "Your fiancée has sowed his wild oats, and yet you haven't even been plucked?"
She hid her heart-shaped face in her jacket.
"That's nothing to be ashamed about, Sakura." he gave her a strange smile. "I commend you for it. It must've been difficult to do." he murmured, sliding his hands into his pockets.
She poked her head out. "I just kept my head buried in books." she said bashfully. "And said no."
He leaned back into the bench, still amazed by this piece of information.
"W-What about you?" she asked shyly.
"Me?" he gave her a sly grin. "Why do you want to know?"
"Information trade?"
"Hmm…" he pretended to consider it. "I'd rather keep it a mystery." he winked.
She frowned. "But I revealed a secret!" she exclaimed childishly.
"Doesn't mean I'd give one of mine up. I'm a taker, not a giver." he smirked.
"Sakura! I'm sorry for making you wait!" a girl in a black coat ran up, wispy strands of brown hair falling out of her buns. "Did I make you wait long?"
"No." she muttered, put out.
"Who's this?" the newcomer turned her gaze on Gaara. "A friend of yours?"
"Something like that." he said smoothly. "I'm Gaara. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. I'm Tenten." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took in his oversized fur-hooded jacket and tattoo. "You don't seem the usual kind of person Sakura would be hanging around with." she said bluntly.
"That's where the 'something like that' comes in. You see, she spilled coffee on me yesterday. In payment she gave me some of her precious time." he enjoyed the apprehensive look that crossed Tenten's face.
"Let's go, Tenten." Sakura tugged on her friend's sleeve. "Kin and Tayuya are probably at our meeting place right now."
She gave him a last wary onceover, and the two girls bid their goodbyes and walked off.
He watched them wryly as they headed through the garden aspect of the park before striding off in the opposite direction.
"I do not like that dude one bit." Tenten shivered, tucking her hands into her pockets.
"You only spent two minutes in his presence." Sakura shrugged, pushing her hair behind her ears. "He's quite nice. Even though I was the one who dumped hot coffee all over him, he bought me a new one. He didn't even get angry at me!"
"Doesn't matter. He's got tattoos."
"You have a tattoo of a bow and arrow on your shoulder, Tenny."
"That's different. I bet he has gang tattoos on his chest and arms. Like come on, he's got one on his forehead! Only a narcissist has a tattoo of 'love' character on his face. Stay away from him."
She paused for an intake of breath. "And that oversized fur jacket. That's alarm bells ringing. He dresses like a gang member."
"Stop stereotyping, Tenny." The pink-haired woman said softly. "You of all people should know that looks don't make the person."
"I know." she sighed. "I'm just getting a weird vibe from him, okay? At least be careful around him. Don't mention him to Sasuke."
"Course not! He wouldn't approve."
She knew she shouldn't hang around him. He wasn't of her normal crowd – hell, she didn't even know if he even went to college or had a steady job!
"Hey-hoo, Tenten! Sakura! Over here!" Tayuya waved from the courtyard of the tiny café they frequented.
Once they sat down, Kin waved her hand at the waiter, who promptly served a mocha latte and a cappuccino.
Sakura sipped her drink thoughtfully, analyzing the taste after a moment. "It doesn't quite taste the same as the one I had yesterday."
"Did you come here?" the black haired girl asked, stirring her tea.
"I actually was somewhere else."
"Well duh."
"…well, the one I had was better than this one."
"Are you serious? This is Sweet Cheeks Bakery, the highest rated café and bakery in the city. It serves the best of everything." Kin rolled her eyes. "There was probably a large amount of addictives and sacchrides in it so it tasted better." she dismissed. "No place in this city is better than here for caffeinated drinks."
"Maybe you're right."
"Course I'm right. I'm a nutritionist, and I read all of the popular food blogs."
Tenten turned to her. "So? I've had a better burger at McDonalds than that grossly-expensive place you recommended last week?"
"No way! There were so many good reviews about that place!"
He was starting to grow on her, she admitted to herself. His quick wit was refreshing compared to the constant drone of science and feminine company she heard everyday.
And he was quite attractive, with his unusual good looks. He was unconventional-looking, just like her.
She frowned.
But Sasuke was more handsome, with his pale, translucent skin, and raven-black hair and onyx eyes, she decided. No dull-jade eyed redhead could ever replace her dark prince.
In a sudden flux of insecurity, she excused herself and headed to the bathroom.
In the dim lighting, she put in a couple quarters into the payphone and dialled.
"Hello?" a male voice muttered groggily.
"Hey, Sasuke. It's me."
"Sakura? Is there something wrong? You're calling me in the middle of the day."
She hesitated.
"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to hear your voice, that's all."
"Why are you using a payphone? Where are you? Are you alone?"
"I'm out with the girls having coffee at Sweet Cheeks."
"I see."
There was a pregnant pause.
"Want to go out for dinner tonight?"
"Let's eat light."
She frowned at this, but agreed. "Why?"
"I'm a bit unwell."
"What? What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?"
"Nothing serious. A headache. Nothing that can't be fixed by some sleep and aspirin."
"Okay…if you're sure…"
"I am. I'll pick you up at seven. We'll go to Porcelain."
"I've never been there."
"I know. It's good. Shikamaru went there. Talk to you later, okay? I love you, keeper of my heart and soul."
She laughed. "That's so cheesy. I love you too. See you tonight!"
He hung up first.
And thangs just ain't been the same since the day I came forth
You wear your heart on your sleeve
I sport that white tank boy
I really hope people are enjoying it so far.
Next chapter will be catalytic.
Review, for reviews are expressions of love, hate, and criticism.
Plus the more reviews I get = happiness + the will to write.
:E hypheniated