Before He Cheats

• • • • •

Sakura hurried out of the classroom after Shikamaru, who had been out of his seat before the bell even rang.

Her green eyes spotted the familiarly shaped dark hair turning the corner down the hall and tried to weave through the sea of students that were eagerly making their way to the Cafeteria. By the time she finally rounded the same corner, there was no sign of her lazy friend; only random students who had taken their time leaving their classrooms.

She frowned slightly. What was he in such a hurry for?

Sighing, the disappointed pinkette made her way to the Cafeteria as well. As she turned around, she heard what she thought was yelling and quietly walked towards the sound, thinking that was where Shikamaru had gone.

• • • • •

"We can't keep this up much longer, Karin."

The redhead looked at him, blinking twice before giving a small, coy smile.

"And why is that?" she asked, walking towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him in for a long kiss. She released a small moan from the back of her throat as his hands slid down to cup her bottom.

As she slid a hand down to cup him through his jeans, someone walked into the stairwell, freezing mid-step.

The intrusion had seemingly snapped him out of his daze and he pushed the girl away, jerking his head to see who had just entered, his dark gaze meeting that of azure blue.

"… Naruto." He said flatly, giving the other boy a wary look.

There was a long, quiet pregnant pause, where the blond just stared at the two with wide, angry eyes before he exploded.

"What the fuck are you doing, Sasuke? "

The other boy merely stared back, not giving any type of answer.

What could he possibly pacify Naruto in this situation? Absolutely nothing, that's what. He might as well let the idiot vent his anger if he wanted any chance of keeping this a secret.

"You have a girlfriend!" he exclaimed. "A beautiful girlfriend who's going to be crushed if she finds out about this… how could you do this to Sakura?"

The Uchiha felt something tug at his heart at the way his friend said the pinkette's name; filled with love and sympathy. This was a similar speech to the one Shikamaru had given him.

The genius and Sakura's long-time friend had figured it out a lot sooner, though, and didn't waste time asking rhetorical questions. He dove right to the point, but in the end, they were able to come to some kind of compromise. It had worked out smoothly; he would tell Sakura himself in the next two weeks, or else Shikamaru would tell her himself.

In a way, though, Sasuke knew that Sakura wouldn't believe it 'til she heard it from his own mouth, no matter who was delivering the bad news. She just had that much trust in their relationship.

That same pull appeared deep within his chest once more at that last thought. Sometimes his girlfriend was too naïve for her own good.

"Sasuke, are you even listening to me?" His friend shouted, finally gaining his attention. He still had that fire in his blue depths, but Sasuke could tell that he was calming down. At this rate, he'd have the other boy on his side soon –or, well, he would have, if Karin hadn't opened her big mouth and pissed him off again.

"Naruto, would you just shut the fuck up!" she screeched agitatedly. "Sasuke doesn't need that pink haired whore, he has me now." She added with a mocking grin that had the blond boy looking ready to kill her.

He stepped towards her, his eyes flashing red with anger. "Don't you dare call Sakura a whore," he practically growled. "She's got more respect for herself than you ever will."

The two looked ready to lunge at each other when Sasuke suddenly cleared his throat, finally having their attention once more.

He glanced between the two as they stood before him. "If you two are done," he walked up to his best friend and placed his hand on his shoulder, surprising them. He stared into his cobalt eyes. "You're like my brother, Naruto," he began almost gently. "I already got enough of this shit from Shikamaru."

He let the information sink in. "Don't tell Sakura about this, dobe." He said, adding the term of endearment.

"But –"

"Don't bother," a soft voice said. "I already know."

• • • • •

I felt tears blur my eyes as Karin claimed that he loved her, and my heart dropped when he didn't even deny what she'd said.

My mind raced.

What was Sasuke doing? What was the point of asking me out if he would just have an affair with my rival?

'How long have they been getting away with this?'

My heart broke as I heard him mention Shikamaru.

'He knows, too?' I shook my head and felt a tear slip down my cheek. 'I must look like some kind of idiot…'

I had been walking around, thinking that my relationship with Sasuke was perfect; thinking that he loved me, but was just too insecure to tell me.

Suddenly, a bubble of despair popped within me, and I found myself shaking with hurt and betrayal, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

As I continued to listen to Sasuke trying to calm Naruto, I felt my sadness morph into an undistinguishable anger. How dare he try to snake his way out of being exposed.

The bastard.

I tuned back into the conversation just as my loving boyfriend tried to once again convince the blonde, Karin looking ever-so-smug when Naruto's shoulders slumped slightly.

"Don't tell Sakura about this, dobe."

I grit my teeth. He was giving up.

"But-"

"Don't bother," I called down to them. "I already know."

Immediately, three heads snapped towards me and I found myself staring into Naruto's sad blue eyes. They shone with regret and guilt, as if he were being weighed down by his decision to not tell me immediately.

It must've been hard for him to choose between telling me and helping his 'brother' keep a secret.

I fixed him a mild glare and he flinched back. Just because I understood his situation, doesn't mean I approve of his choice.

"Sakura…"

I turned to Sasuke with a blank face, waiting to see what he'd say.

To anyone else, he'd look calm, indifferent; but I could see the look of panic in his slightly widened eyes. I could tell he was trying to think of a way out of this messy situation –but we both know what's coming next.

We both know it's inevitable.

I had to lunge at him.

.xxEndxx.

Wow, it's been a while, huh?

Lol, hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but between school and Band (which has gotten VERY boring), I haven't really had any 'Me Time'. That's all gonna change now, though! =)

So, read and review. The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update!