CHAPTER 5

I gazed at him, not saying anything for a while. I sighed, completely content in this moment. When did we become so dependent on each other? He's become everything to me- the most important person in my life. And…I love him for it. I'm not IN love with him, that was definitely not the answer. But he has always been here for me. He's always made sure that I was taken care of and safe. Sure he was the biggest sarcastic ass hole but…he was Sasuke. He was one thing in my life that was stable.

"I know I'm sexy but really Sakura you flatter me." Moment ruined. I just shook my head.

"You conceited ass hole." We arrived at the last bus stop, following the remaining few kids off the bus. It was a matter of seconds before we were walking across his front yard.

"I'm sorry what did you say a minute ago?" He was smirking mischievously at me.

"You. Are. A Conceited. Jack. Ass."

"Hn." He punched me in my arm, playfully. So this is how its going to be. I punched back of course, and I knew it, we wrestling. I pinned his arms back before he flipped us over, pinning my arms to my sides. I started wiggling my legs fiercely causing him to slip forward and loose his balance. His face was inches from mine. Both of us stared at each other, blushing madly. It was like he was too shocked to move. He stared me in the eyes, and I stared back. The fact that we were outside his house, for the public to see was completely forgotten. It was just me and him in this moment. My phone started vibrating in my pocket but I barely noticed.

"I know I'm sexy but gosh Sasuke, you're flattering me." I mocked, winking at him. He chuckled, a little off, but chuckled nonetheless. We got up and walked into the house. His family was away….still.

"When is your mom and dad coming back?"

"Don't know and really don't care. Don't tell me you hate spending all your time with me already. Its only been a week." I threw my backpack at him.

"You're not that lucky, kid." I walked into my room and pulled out my lap top, deciding to work on homework. I didn't hear from Sasuke for the rest of the night.

"SASUKE!" Ino yelled from down the hall. I was standing there, literally in the middle of a conversation with him when her loud ass mouth cuts in. It's been about 5 days since we wrestled and Sasuke has been distance since then. He spends all his time with Ino. I mean I guess you can expect it but seriously. Just drop your whole previous life why don't you. He turned to flash her smile, looking apologetically to all of us.

"I should...um...I should..." He began, struggling. I cocked an eye brow at him, crossing my arms as I leaned against the locker.

"Go?" I offered. He nodded and left. I watched him go, feeling like I was saying goodbye forever. He turned around once, staring at me, more like through me, before turning away back towards her. I sighed, looking back to my friends.

"Hey, I'm going to head to class guys. I'll see ya later." I smiled at them and started walking the opposite direction Sasuke went. Luckily, we didn't have class together for a while. But as it appears, luck was not on my side today.

"Sakura! Can we talk real quick?" Neji placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. Before I glanced at him I looked at his hand, pointedly. It didn't take him long to understand. I still haven't talked to Neji much lately. I wasn't sure if Tenten told him or not, but I certainly wasn't about to get in the way.

"What's up Neji?"

"Well, look, I know that I've been getting on your nerves lately. I can be overbearing I know but I just…worry about you. And I did have a thing for you. But I'll stop and leave you alone. I just want to know if were cool or not cause I miss talking to you." I chuckled, feeling relief wash over me.

"Of course we are." I gave him a quick hug, feeling just slightly awkward. And with that Neji and I were cool again.

The day went by in a breeze. My thoughts were of course preoccupied with Sasuke and the unfortunate fact that he was with Ino. I didn't even realize what class it was until a piece of paper landed on my desk.

'You ok?' I turned around, thinking I was in history class. Neji always sat behind me in history. I opened my mouth to say of course but shut it promptly when it was Sasuke who looked back at me. I thought about it. Ah, today was Wednesday. I was in Applied Nutrition not history.

"Hi." I said with a small smile.

"Hi. So you about ready to tell me the truth yet?"

"Nothing, god damn. Get off my case daddy." I giggled at him, unaware that class had started.

"Sakura, would you like to share what you and Sasuke are talking about?" Ms. Anko asked, slamming her hand down on my desk.

"I just needed a pencil ma'am. It's not as interesting as you think. My decision is between pink and blue. Why Sasuke even has a pink pencil quite frankly is beyond me bu-" The class started laughing at my sarcastic remarks. The teacher didn't find them very funny.

"Watch it Haruno. I haven't handed you a detention in a while. Don't make me start again." And with that I shut my mouth.

"Now, we're going to be making posters to hang up around the school. Partner up and get to work!" She yelled.

"I'll be back." I got up to get paper and markers, feeling his eyes bore a whole into my back. When I walked back, my desk was turned around facing his.

"You gonna answer my question?" He asked. I avoided his eyes for some time, drawing McDonalds signs and fries. What was I suppose to tell him? Seeing you with your 'girlfriend' makes me sick and I don't like it so I think you should break up with her. I snorted in my mind, keeping quiet. Smooth, soft fingers lifted my chin up. His eyes were very concerned. I hated when he did this. It made my heart melt.

"You can't keep it from me forever, pinky. Something else is bothering you." He whispered. I'm certainly not telling you how I'm feeling…you know what, what the hell.

"I don't like your girlfriend Sasuke." He laughed.

"Well geez Sakura. Don't be blunt now." He was cracking up. I didn't find this the least bit funny.

"I'm serious. There is something…off about her to me." He tried very hard to keep a straight face but his eyes were highly amused.

"You worry too much. Seriously you've been all bent out of shape because of Ino?" Yeah kinda.

"Eh..."

"I like her Sakura. She's nice. And you just have to get to know her." He began to randomly write facts on the poster board while I continued to draw pictures.

"Whatever you say." At least I told him the truth…sort of. We sat and made small talk for most of class. When we finished our poster, Neji called me over to help him.

"Hey Sakura, can you help me?" I looked up at Sasuke who looked beyond irritated.

"Your pet is calling 'come hither'." I smacked him playfully on the arm, but got up.

"Be nice!"

"Thanks! So…I need your advice." We started talking about Tenten. Apparently she did tell him and he didn't know how to ask her out. It didn't take long for us to decide for him to just ask her outright. She'd say yes. We both knew it. After we hugged I headed back over to Sasuke, who was even more agitated.

"Did you have fun with your pet?" Sasuke asked as I sat back down. I smiled over at Neji encouragingly. He took out his phone, probably texting Tenten to meet up later.

"Hey! Be nice! He's my best friend." He coughed a laugh, which earned him a glare.

"Best friend? Don't insult me, pinky." I smiled up at him.

"I suppose you are."

"Whatever." His eyes travelled to the door, stopping what he was doing. I followed his gaze to see Ino standing there. It was almost time to leave but…it just seemed creepy. She was just standing there watching us. I wonder how long she's been there.

"You gonna go say hi?"

"Nah. She can wait." He began to pack up his stuff, slowly. I was surprised by his answer. This completely contradicted everything he said earlier. As this fact registered in her head, she started glaring at me.

"Well…you better do something because if she continues to glare at me it's going to be more than just 'dislike'." He scoffed at me but when he looked up, he cocked a brow. She didn't notice him looking at her right away but by then it was too late.

"Interesting. It would appear she doesn't like you either."

"No, really?" We smirked at each other, but his eyes were guarded. When the bell rang we walked out together as we always did.

"Hey babe." He said, kissing her on the cheek when we got to her.

"Hey…" She looked at me expectantly but I completely ignored her.

"I'll see ya at home, ok?" Her face darkened in horror, and I smiled at him.

"See ya." He smiled back until he looked at her.

"You live together?" She was skeptical. I mouthed a sorry to him, though I wasn't all that sorry.

"Sigh…it's a long story." He began as they walked away.

5 hours passed since school got out, and I was still all alone in the house. It was about 7 PM. I looked out the front window, letting disappointment sweep through me.

"Where is he?" I thought outloud, checking my phone for the up-teenth time for a message. Nada. I sighed in frustration. AND I was shivering. Although that was really my fault. I was in a red cami and short boy briefs which honestly didn't cover hardly anything…but I was alone so.

"UUGH!" I stomped down the hall, looking on the walls for the thermostat, suddenly highly irritated. Finding what I was looking for, I stared curiously at it. It couldn't be that hard to use- it was just a button to switch it on right? The only problem was it was slightly out of reach. Because everyone in this damn family is abnormally tall. After a few times jumping to reach it and most notably failing, I stood there with my hands on my hips.

"Maybe if I just stare at it, it'll turn on."

"I don't think so." Sasuke said from behind me. I jumped so high the impact hurt my ankles. I placed a shaky hand on my chest while he just stood there laughing at me.

"What the hell! When did you get here?" I asked, breathing a bit hard.

"A few minutes ago. You should get your ears checked." He said, pulling his coat and shoes off. I almost gave him the middle finger.

"Then why didn't you help me turn this on?" I asked, pointing to the thermostat.

"I was having too much fun watching you try." He laughed again earning a death glare from me.

"So how was it with the girlfriend?" I walked into the kitchen, grabbing soda and a bag of chips.

"Ok I guess." He shrugged. I rolled my eyes, seating myself on the floor, back against the couch.

"You guess? Oh I'm shaking in my boots from all this enthusiasm." He scowled at me, grabbing a soda himself.

"Hn."

"So...is...I..." I began, feeling idiotic. He stared at me lazily, waiting for me to finish. I just smiled sheepishly. "Nevermind."

"Whatever." As we sat there in silence eating our chips, I began to shiver again.

"That's right you're cold." He chuckled, moving directly to my left and pulling me into his lap. His arms wrapped around my torso, pulling me tight. His heat radiated throughout, instantly warming me up. I couldn't suppress the sigh that escaped my lips. I also couldn't deny the rush of butterflies in my stomach.

"Thanks."

"No problem…You know, maybe if you actually had clothes on, this wouldn't be a problem." I was about to refute him but when I looked at his face he was looking away, an unmistakable redness on his cheeks.

"Yea…but..." One look from him cut me off. We stared at each other delicately. My eyes travelled down to his lips and as much as I wish I could have stopped myself, I couldn't help but lick mine, wondering what they would feel like colliding with his. I went to say something but shut my mouth, thinking better of it.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing."

"Sakura…" He said when the ceiling became the most beautiful thing to look at.

"I have nothing to say." And it was true.

"It looked like you wanted to kiss me." He said. I didn't look at him, just sighed and glared balefully at the ceiling. No point in lying to him.

"Maybe." He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him.

"Then kiss me." And for whatever reason, I did not hesitate. My lips crashed down on his, feeling the sparks everywhere. My arms wrapped around his neck, feeling the fire everywhere. His hands gently pressed my back closer, pressing me up against him. Our kiss deepened in one instant, causing my body to respond. I could feel it inside me, something unraveling then. But I pulled away, knowing this was wrong.

"Sasuke...we can't...I mean…Ino…" I said. He seemed to snap back into reality at the mention of her name.

"Ino..." He said with a sigh, dropping his arms like he was burned. Well damn. That hurts.

"Yes, your girlfriend…Sasuke…what was that?" I asked, anxiety washing over me. I was afraid of what his answer would be.

"I..." He took a deep breath before looking directly through me. "It never happened." He said simply. I just smiled, ignoring the pain in my chest and letting myself go with it for arguments sake. It was probably better that way.

"Sure...it never happened." I said, standing up and walking into my room. I closed the door and locked it, putting in my head phones. A little music always helps…at least I thought it would. I couldn't stop the tears that were racing down my cheeks. I couldn't stop the anger or pain that was drowning my heart. And I couldn't stop the startling realization of what was happening or more precisely what just happened because that basically sealed my fate. I shut my phone off, and cranked up the music. And even though it was loud, what hurt worse was the fact that the knock I was expecting didn't come at all.