Title: Heard it Through the Grapevine

Rating: PG-13 for slight swearing

Summary: Because, really, she didn't know of a better way to get his attention

AN: READ&REVIEW

Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto… because then I would've made sure Sasuke smiled more

Prompt 15- rumor

Sasuke was angrily shucking off his shoes and slamming doors by the time he made it into his apartment, causing the windows to rattle with the force. It was only then he noticed that his Sharingan was activated and most likely the cause of why everyone in town steered clear of him.

Not that it mattered in the slightest. Nothing mattered. Sakura had clearly moved on without him so why keep up the pretense that anything was alright in the world.

She had moved on...with someone else.

Someone that wasn't him.

He clamped his eyes shut, determined to keep the images that plagued him at bay.

It didn't work.

Deciding instead to keep his mind occupied for a few hours, the Uchiha stalked over to the shelf that held all his books and scrolls on all different type of jutsu. Maybe some cleaning would help him forget of his pain.

Sakura squealed with delight, skipping happily into the small bathroom of her apartment and dropping her clothes in a heap on the floor.

She couldn't once stop smiling.

The water made her shiver as she waited for it to heat up. Ducking her head under the spray she let out a merry laugh as she replayed the the days events from earlier that day in her head.

She had always considered herself a kind person. Always helping those who were in need. That was why when the owner's son from the tea shop was having trouble setting some tables outside, Sakura knew exactly what role to play.

"Thank you for all your help, Sakura-san," Daisuke said, as he finished placing the last of the chairs. Taking one last look at a job well done, he turned to her with a smile. "Pease, come in for some tea. On the house, of course. I insist."

"That's not necessary, Daisuke-san," Sakura gently let him down. "I didn't do it for free tea."

"I know you didn't. But my father would kill me if I just let you go empty handed after you took the time to help me." He laughed but it suddenly died down. It was when his face grew somber that Sakura wondered what had gotten into him. But before she could question him, he quickly asked, "Do you have a boyfriend, Sakura-san?"

She blinked. Where had that come from? The question was so out of the blue and although she hadn't known him for long, Daisuke didn't look like the kind of person to butt into other people's business.

Not wanting to seem rude and keep quiet (he'd most likely take it as a yes, anyway) Sakura opened her mouth to dismiss any allegations, and quickly stopped when she sensed a familiar chakra just around the corner. There was no mistaking it was anyone but his.

Actually, if she really thought about it, Sakura had been sensing Sasuke a lot lately. At first she wanted to confront him, ask him if everything was okay. Because up until three weeks ago, at one of Ino's infamous house parties, he hadn't been.

Drinking led to stupid games, which led to stupidity itself. One round of Truth or Dare and ten seconds later, Sasuke and Sakura were thrown in a room together, forced to make out with each other in order to be released. She had only intended it to be innocent and fast. He was her friend and as such, knew his like of people and contact were severely limited. But, as she found out, maybe not.

Sasuke seemed to be doing his best impersonation of a Boa constrictor, coiling himself around his target. Only instead of killing his prey, it was pretty clear what was on his mind, if his roaming hands, heavy panting, lips trailing ever inch of skin were any indication.

Sakura, for her part, stood stalk still. Eyes wide, she couldn't believe what was happening. Sasuke was making out with her!

All too fast, the door had swung open and the moment was over. Sasuke had fled the party with the worst blush she had ever seen and Sakura didn't know what to make of it. Was it a one time thing, all apart of the game? Or could it be there was something else? Something more...

Since that day, all she could think whenever she came across his familiar aura was that it was just a coincidence. But lately, she couldn't help but imagine that maybe there was more to it than that one kiss. Maybe he really did feel the same she always had. Why else would he be following her all this time?

Sakura grinned inwardly. This could be my chance to finally tell him how I feel!

"I...am currently seeing someone," the young woman told her temporary companion as she bowed her head slightly, in part to cover the smile that so badly wanted to split her face in half. "Nothing official." Yet.

"He's one lucky guy," he smirked.

"I think I'm the lucky one. I have known him for a long time, ever since we were children, I can't imagine being any closer to my partner."

There. If that doesn't tip him off I don't know what will!

"I should actually get going, Daisuke-san," she excused herself. "I just remembered I have some... things I need to attend to. Maybe I can come by later?"

And here she was, standing in her tub with the water turning cold from how long she had been in there. Pondering on what he must be thinking, what he must be doing.

How he must be feeling.

He has to know how I feel by now. Sakura shut the water off and simply leaned her head on the wet wall. That kiss meant more than it did, I just know it. With a new confidence boost, she stepped out of the bathroom.

Her clothes weren't going to pick themselves out.

She looked great for a first date, Sakura decided as she twirled in front of her mirror once more. The dress wasn't too revealing, but was just the right length and cut. Her face was fresh with little makeup and her hair was blown to perfection. Simple earrings, followed by a gold bracelet and practical flats completed the look.

Sakura looked like a girl ready for the night of her life. Now it was only a matter of time her knight in shinning armor would came knocking on her door, demanding answers to the rumor that she was seeing someone. Sasuke would want to know who he was. And then she would let him have it.

It took nearly all her self control not to laugh out loud at the thought. But she managed.

Barely.

Throwing his arms up over his head, Sasuke stretched his back with a resounding crack. He had dedicated his time to clean his bookcase only to end up re-reading through everything out of boredom.

It was now past ten.

'What do you know? Time also flies when you're not doing nothing fun, it seems, Sasuke thought wryly, getting up and heading straight for the kitchen, feeling hungry. When was the last time he ate?

He was halfway across when he heard a knock at his door. Well, it was more like a bang. Who could it be at this hour?

The banging, getting louder the longer he hesitated, was the last thing he wanted to deal with at this hour. It was late, he was tired. All Sasuke wanted was to get something edible in his system and forget the words that had been haunting him ever since she said them.

Sakura...in a relationship?

Even the hours of trying to focus on whatever he was reading didn't manage to chase the thought away entirely.

As he opened the door, Sasuke expected, the idiot, the artist idiot, or even Kakashi. Not her.

It was a moment later the shock wore off and his mask of indifference slid into place. He would not let her see him vulnerable and hurt. "Aren't you suppose to be on a date?" he coldly asked in detached way. In his mind, words to help him keep her at a distance echoed like broken record. They repeated themselves like a mantra: I don't care one bit what Sakura does with her time or who she spent it with. I don't care. I don't care. I don't...

"He stood me up," was her response.

The switch was pulled and at once Sasuke was seeing red. This asshole, whom Sasuke still didn't know shit about, dare have the nerve to stand up his friend? Whoever this guy was, when Sasuke got his hands around him, he was going to fuck him up badly.

"I'll kill him," he silently vowed. For her peace of mind or himself, Sasuke wasn't sure.

"He's strong. Maybe too strong for you."

At the comment he faltered. "You don't think I'd win?" His heart clenched.

"I honestly don't know who would win between you... and you."

"What?" His eyes widened.

"You were suppose come over to my place for our date," Sakura fumed as she explained. "Did you not here me say I was seeing someone when you were eavesdropping on mine and Daisuke-san's conversation? I was talking about you, dummy! You were suppose to track me down, demand answers, and we were going to end up making out in my living room!"

"Making out?" Sasuke squeaked out.

Roughly grabbing his arm, Sakura angrily continued to pull him out of his apartment, only stopping slightly when he bent to put his shoes on with hands that had gone numb with the information. "Not anymore we're not!" she barked out. "You had better have something fun in mind to make up for your idiocy, Sasuke. This is suppose to be our first date and you're screwing it all up."