IMPORTANT NOTE: PEOPLE, since I cannot decide whether to include a lemon in this story not, I am going to end up posting TWO brand new chappies for my next update. The first chapter will contain T-RATED romance, edits and details what Sasu/Saku. The next chapter will contain an M-RATED lemon. So that way, everyone is happy? Got it down pack? Happy with my decision? Let me know in your review! On with the chapter!


Chapter 17: Face Down

Written By: Kumi-Chan/Tobi-Is-Fluffy-Chan


Disclaimers: The goodness and awesomeness that has you all reading this story does not belong to Kumi-Chan! All praise and credit goes to Simone Elkeles. The characters who we have all come to love belong to Kishimoto-sempai. Kumi-Chan only owns a little bit of small things, such as edits, add-one and the thought of doing so. A few big ones. Also, in loving memory of vocie actor, Marcia Wallace, a breast cancer victim, and known for her amazing, stellar performance as Ms. Krabappel in The Simpsons, an American animated tv show, and one of my favorites. She will be featured in this chappie. R. I. P MARCIA WALLACE.


Sakura

After I used two boxes of tissues, Ten-Ten gave up on trying to cheer me up and let me cry myself to sleep. I woke up in the morning, from her loud ringing alarm. My eyes slowly open as she gently shakes me to make sure I am up.

Just great.

School was today.

Chemistry class was today. I'd have to see Sasuke.

She is about to open the her fuchsia pink curtains but I beg her to keep her curtains closed and shades down. There's nothing wrong with me staying in bed all day is there?

"Thanks for not saying I told you so..." I croak, as I get up to scan her closet for something to wear today, after she forces me to get up.

She's standing by her dresser, applying a little bit of makeup that toned her cheeks. "I'm not saying it, but I sure am thinking it." She sighs. "Thanks," I say dryly. Ten-Ten pulls a pair of skinny jeans and a long, navy blue cardigan and red tank top from out of her closet. "Here, wear these. You won't look half as good in my clothes as you so in yours, but you'll still look better than any girl at Konoha High."

I grimace at the colors she chose, regardless putting them on.

"And don't say that..." I murmur, trying my best to hold tears back. I don't want to be the prettiest girl... Just for Sasuke.

"Why, Sakura? It's true."

"No it's not. My top lip is too fat."

She shakes her head, letting out a snicker. "So what, Saku? Guys think it's sexy. Movie stars pay big bucks for big lips."

I touch my nose. "My nose is crooked."

"Only from a certain angle."

"My boobs are lopsided."

"They're big, Sakura. Guys are obsessed with big boobs. They could care less if they're lopsided."

"My forehead... it's too big..." She pulls me in front of the mirror. "Yet, it's cute! Face it, Sakura. You're model-gorgeous. Okay, so your eyes are bloodshot and you've got heavy bags from crying all night. But all in all, you've got it goin' on. Look in the mirror, Saku, say out loud I'm the bomb."

"No."

"Come on. It'll make you feel better. Look right in the mirror and yell my boobs rock!"

"Nuh-un." I sniffle.

"Can you at least admit that you've got good, amazingly pink hair?" I look at Ten-Ten.

"Do you talk to yourself in the mirror?" She smiles wide and nods her head. "I do. Wanna' see?" I shrug my shoulders as I am pushed aside and she moves up close to the mirror. "Not half-bad, Ten-Ten," She tells herself, twirling around and looking at her butt. "Neiji happens to be o e lucky guy." She perks her breasts up and smiles broadly, giving herself a 'thumbs up'. Ten-Ten turns to me. "See, it's easy!"

Instead of laughing like I should be, I start to cry. Tears roll down my cheeks and I bury my eyes with my hands.

"Am I that ugly?" Ten-Ten asks, touching my shoulder.

I shake my head.

"Is it because I don't have clothes with bling? I know your mom kicked you out, but do you think she'll let us go over and raid your closet? I don't know how long you'll be able to stand wearing my size-six clothes on your size four body."

My mom didn't call here last night looking for me. I kind of expected her to, but then again she rarely meets my expectations. And my dad... well, he probably doesn't know I didn't sleep at home. They can keep my clothes. I'll probably sneak on during the day to check up on Yoshiko, though.

"You want my advice?" Ten-Ten asks.

I look at her warily. "I don't know. You hated the idea of me and Sasuke together from the beginning."

She and I sit down on her bed. "That's not true, Saku. I didn't tell you this, but he's actually a nice guy when he loosens up. I had fun the day we went to Lake Konoha. Neiji did, too, and even said Sasuke was cool to hang with. I don't know what happened between the two of you, but either forget about him, or give him everything you've got in your arsenal."

"Is that what you do with Neiji?"

She smiles. "Sometimes Neiji just needs a wake-up call. When our relationship starts getting comfortable, I do something to switch it up. Don't interpret my advise as an excuse to go after Sasuke. But if he's what you really want, well... then, who am I to tell you not to go for it? I hate seeing you sad, Sakura."

"Was I happy with Sasuke?"

"Obsessed is more like it. But yeah. I saw you happy. Happier than you've been in a really, really long time. With someone you like that much, the lows are as low as the highs are as high. Does that make sense?"

"It does. It also makes me sound bipolar." I say, grinning a bit.

"Love will do that to a person."

I nod. "Let's go to school, Ten-Ten. And help me face this."


Sasuke

I'm eating breakfast in the morning after Sakura's warehouse visit and our break-up, when I glimpse spiky blonde hair peeking through my front door.
"Naruto, if that's you, then I'd stay the hell away from me." I call out.
Mother slaps me on the back of my head. Her sudden soft, beautiful middle-aged facial expression twists up into cynical, stern features. "That's no way to treat your friends, Sasuke."

I go back to eating the heap of eggs and senbei on my plate while she opens the door for that... traitor.

"You're still not mad at me, Sasuke," Naruto asks, "are you?"

"Of course he's not mad at you, Naruto. Now sit down and eat. I've made some senbei and eggs. Not to mention my specialty green tea that you and your mother used to love so much."

"Thank you, Miss."

She flashes Naruto a warm smile.

Naruto has the gall to pat me on the shoulder. "I forgive you man."
I look up then, first making sure that my mom isn't paying attention, then at Naruto.

"You forgive me?"

Mother places a huge plate, piled with food and a now warm tea kettle on the glass coaster. Her fingers caress Naruto's chin to make him look up at her. "You've got yourself a real swollen and fat lip, Naruto," she sighs, examining the damage I've done to it.

He touches his lip lightly. "Yeah, I fell onto a fist. Haha, you know how it is..."

She clicks her tongue in annoyance, shaking her head. "No, I don't." Mother places her hands on her hips in disdain. "You fall onto too many fists, you're going to end up in a hospital one day." She warns, shaking a finger at him."I'll go get a first aid kit, but the after that I'm going to work."

"And Naruto, please try to keep away from fists today, okay?" She says, after handing him ointment. "Apply it to your lip after eating, but wash the left over food substances off first."

Naruto nods his head. "Thanks again, Miss. You're so kind to me."

My mother smiles. "Anything for Kushina's son and Sasuke's best friend." - "She would've been so stern with you, Naruto. Keep away from those fists!"

Mother grabs her working kimono and heads out the door. "Lock up before you go out, Sasuke, please..."

I glare at Naruto.

"What?"

"You know what. How could you gave brought Sakura to the warehouse?!"

"I'm sorry," Naruto says as he chows down on our food and then pours himself some tea.

I roll my onyx colored eyes. "No you're not."

"Okay, you're right. I'm not."

I watch in disgust as he uses his fingers to scoop some eggs up and shove it into his mouth.

"I don't know why I put up with you." I say.

.

...

..

...

.

"So what happened with you and Sakura, last night?" Naruto asks, while following me outside.

My breakfast is threatening to come up, and it's not due to Naruto's eating habits. I grab his collar. "It's over between Sakura and me. I warn you. I don't even want to hear her name again."

"Speak of the devil." The blonde says, craning his neck. I release Naruto and turn around, expecting to see Sakura. But she isn't here and the next thing I know, Naruto's fist is in my face.

"Now we're even." He chimes, as I collect myself from off the ground, holding my cheek. "And boy, you've got it bad for Ms. Haruno if you're threatening me if I use her name. I know you could kill me with your two hands," Naruto says. "but I've got to admit... I didn't think you'd do it..."

As I test my jaw, I taste blood. "I wouldn't be too sure of that. Tell you what. I won't kick your ass anymore if you stop interfering in my life. That means Tobi and Ms. Haruno."

He scratches his head full of blond spikes. "I've got to tell ya, interfering in your life is what keeps me going. Hell, even the beating that old man gave me last night when he was shit-faced drunk doesn't give me as much entertainment as your life."
I lower my head.

How could I forget for the slightest second that Naruto's mother, Kushina, and father, Minato are dead and that he's adopted by an abusive drunk asshole? Until he's eighteen years old, my best friend is in hell.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I shouldn't have hit you. You get it enough from that bastard."
Naruto murmurs a "don't sweat it."

Last night was the first time I've regretting using my fists on anyone. Naruto has gotten beat up so many times by his old man, he probably has permanent scars on his body. I'm a complete asshole for hitting him. I know he forgave me.
"Ready for school?" He questions, breaking my train of thoughts.

I nod.

I however wasn't ready to face Sakura.

But... In a way, I'm glad that it's over between me and Sakura. I'm unable to control my feelings or emotions when he's near.

My only hope is that outside of chemistry, I can avoid her. Yeah, right... Even if she's not with me, thoughts of her are always in my head.


Sakura

"Ms. Haruno?"

I snap my eyes open, jolting up from my seat. "Y-Yes?"

"Pay attention in class. This is an important lesson for your exams. If you even make it there, yet... HA!"

I sigh, nodding my head but not before hearing a snide comment from Temari.

"She's too busy slumming over to the south..." She sneers, earning laughs from her friends and other people in the class.

I turn around, facing her. "W-What did you s-say?"

"T-Too busy s-sluming to th-the south." She mocks me, rolling her eyes and high giving a girl behind her. The whole entire class was laughing now.

My hands clench into fists and I narrow my eyes. "Girls, quit it now. Ms. Haruno, take your seat, please."

My head whips around. "Did you not just hear her?..." I question in a high pitched tone.

"Ms. Haruno... Please just-"

"Give her a detention and call it a day, Ms. Krabappel." Temari chimes, raising her hand.

"Tape it to her forehead, while you're at it!" Ino adds in, making the class boom with laughter. I look to my left at Hinata, who is just shaking her head and glaring at Ino.

"Temari... You're just... You're just a ..." I start to say, but lower my head, not feeling the need to even stand up for myself.

"Aw, what's the matter...? Your gang member boyfriend dumped you?"

My eyes widen and my head snaps up.

I stare at the girl who I used to consider as a friend. A devious smirk is engraved in her facial features and she is soaking up the attention the class is giving her by laughing.

"Okay, that's it, I'm calling security, right now!" The teacher threatens, rushing outside, leaving the class to turn into utter chaos. "Sercurity!" She yells down the hall. After a few seconds, she comes back in the classroom with a heavy sigh.

"Oh forget it. HA!" She sits down, pulling out a small bottle of whiskey and chug it down, slumping into one of the office chairs. "Please... Get no blood on the floor... I could get fired, you know."

"Hey, Ino. He's all free. I heard he's hanging out in the pool area during chem-class just to avoid her big two by four by forehead."

"Thanks for the info... I'll be claiming what's mine... And don't worry Temari. I'll happily rough up that bitch after school. Three o' clock."

The class went wild.

Great, so I was going to get my ass kicked by Ino at three o' clock.

"Ino! That's enough! All of you! That is ENOUGH!"
Everyone is silenced and I am in shock. Hinata was standing up, with her hands balled up in fists, slammed on the desk. Her usual relaxed, pale skinned expression faded and she was beyond angry.

Ino stood up pointing a polished fingernail at her. "This has nothing to do with you, Hina! Stay out of this and go back to your little corner where you stalk Naruto from!"

Snickers erupted from other people as the scene played out.

All of a sudden, Hina stomped over to Ino, looking her in the eye. "You are nothing but a trouble maker. Sasuke and anyone else would never really give you the time of the day."

The blonde's eyebrow quivered up and she clenched a fist. But suddenly, a song started to play signifying that the belk had sung and it was a class change for some and lunch for others, including this class.

Ino immediately stalked out the classroom, making sure to give the two of us a death glare along the way. One by one other students, including Temari and her crew left as well, just leaving me and Hinata.

I grab my purse, walking over to her. "Are you okay?" I ask, hugging her. I can feel her wince at my sudden hug, but slowly she returns it.

"Y-Yes, I am fine." She is quick to say. "Let's head over to lunch."


Sasuke

Rumors are flying in a heartbeat about what happened in Ke class about Sakura, Hinata, Ino and Temari.

"Damn, Haruno's got a lot of spunk, yeah. Sasuke, she might be a hard one to tame if you ever get in those designer panties, hm." Deidara laughs, as we waited in the food line.

"Yeah..." I say, not mentioning the the bet is technically off since we are not a thing anymore. Naruto just shakes his head, grabbing a slice of pizza and putting it on my tray.

I give him a look.

"Remember, you owe me." He chimes, smugly grinning. Rolling my eyes, we move forward in the line until we are at the cash register paying for our lunch.

"It's a bit chilly today, so let's sit inside near the clan, yeah." Deidara suggests.

We nod, following him over to a table where most of our clan members and associates are relaxed, chatting and eating at. I take a seat and begin to sip the cranberry juice, I brought, glancing out of the corner of my eye at the table where Sakura would be sitting with her friend, Ten-Ten and those other snobs, including Hidan. They aren't there.

I quickly try to get Sakura out of my head.

"Who cares anyways?"

"What was that, Sasuke?" Jugo questions, leaning forward. I shake my head. Damn me for talking out loud.

"Oh. But onto to more better shit. Did you hear what happened between the girls today? Looks like Haruno got a bit sassy with some help from Hina." He exclaims, chuckling a bit.

"I also heard that Ino was planning to beat the flower's ass, too." Another Uchiha adds in, chugging down his soda.

Ino wanted Sakura's head?!

What for?!

I catch Naruto staring at me as of he is trying to peer into my soul.

He and I both know that I had to stop that from happening, no matter what happened between me and Sakura. I could also tell from that look that he was concerned for Hinata getting involved as well...

This wasn't going to be good...


Sakura

"Ten-Ten, please tell me you didn't tell anyone about Sasuke and I..." I plead to my best friend as her, me and Hinata are walking down the hallways to the cafeteria. She quickly shakes her head.

"Then why did Temari say that? And what does Ino want with me?" I question, shaking a bit.

"I-I think she just did that to take you off guard, Sakura." Hinata says, patting my back.

I instantly calm down.

"Yeah, don't worry Sakura. This is going to die down soon enough. Let's just enjoy the forty minutes of lunch that we have, okay?" Ten-Ten assures me as we walk into the lunch room.

"Why are people staring?" I whisper to Temari as we enter the lunch line.

"I don't know, Saku... Just don't pay attention. Act like nothing has happened." We pay for our food and go to a small round table where Hinata was sitting, with a bagged lunch from home, I assume.

I slowly chew my food and Ten-Ten slowly sips her water, trying not to mind the stares.

"Oh-no..." I see Hinata murmur. I turn around just to see Ino and a few other girls coming over. A crowd starts to gather. My heart beats accelerate, and my breaths hitch.

"Ten-Ten!" I hear Neiji call out, rushing over to his girlfriend. He drags her away from the crowd.

"Wait! What about Sakura and Hinata!" She yells, before they are out of sight. I gulp, standing up.

Hinata drops her lunch and stands next to me.

"I decided that it is time to show you something early.

In front of everyone. Including Sasuke, his friends and your ex!" I watch as she reveals a silver, brass knuckle from underneath her shirt and attaches it to her clenched fists.

I glance to my right just to see Sasuke and his crew, including Naruto. Then to my left just to see Temari, Hidan, The M-Factor and other people who I used to consider as my friends.

"We don't want any trouble..." I quickly blurt out, shaking.

Hinata steps forward. "Ino, why don't you just sto-" Ino lunges forward, pushing Hinata to the floor, causing the crowd of students roar in anticipation.

"We grew up together and you choose to protect this spoiled brat?!" Hinata is on the floor, holding her cheek, gazing at Ino in astonishment.

"What the hell, man! Hinata!" Naruto rushes over to Hinata with Sasuke in tow. "You guys are fucking standing up for Hina when she decides to side with this northside trash?!" Her wicked baby blue eyes narrow.

"Sakura, I am gonna' fuck you up!" She shouts, rushing over to me with a fist held up.

I duck, closing my eyes and everything goes black.

.

..

...

..

.

When my vision comes back to me, I am faced with everyone, including Hinata, Naruto and Sasuke staring at me in shock.

Ino is face down on the floor. And it takes me a moment to realize what I just had done. My fists were bruised and tears start to come out of my eyes.

As if I am a robot, I seethe to her in a cold tone,"You stay away from my friends or else." Ino slowly raises her head up, actually showing fear in her eyes for the first time, probably in her natural born life...

What did I do? Was that me? Or an inner me?

An inner Sakura?

And most importantly... Why did I feel a sudden need to fight for Sasuke? Fight for his love? Fight for my friends? Fight for my freedom? Fight for Yoshiko? And most of all, fight for my true self?


REMINDER!:

IN THE NEXT UPDATE, TWO CHAPTERS WILL BE POSTED.

A T-RATED CHAPTER.

AN M-RATED CHAPTER.

EACH CHAPTER WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT TITLE NAME .

(IX:

Chapter 18: Wildest Moments, T.

Chapter 19: That's Why You're Beautiful, M.)

So guys. How did you like this chapter?

was it okay? Did it meet your expectations? I really would love your opinions on it.

RIP TO MRS. KRABAPPEL, VOICE ACTOR FROM THE SIMPSONS. SHE WAS BATTLING BREAST CANCER. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE. ONE MORE OF HER LEGENDARY LAUGHS IN WORDS...

OO. . . . . .OO . . . . OOOOO . . . . . OOO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OO. . . . . .OO . . .OO . . . . OO . . . .OOO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OO. . . . . .OO . . .OO . . . . .OO . . . OOO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OOOOOOOOO. . .OOOOOOOO . . . . OOO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .

OOOOOOOOO . . OOOOOOOOO . . . .OOO . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .

OO. . . . . . OO . .OO . . . . . . OO . . .OOO . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OO. . . . . . OO. . .OO . . . . . . OO . . OOO. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OOOOOOO . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OOOOOOO . . . . . . . .

Thanks For Reading!

Kumi-Chan/Tobi-Is-Fluffy-Chan

p.s: I'd like to feature the 150th reviewer in one of the upcoming chappies. Interested? For the 150th reviewer, your OC will be feature in a chapter with a much more longer ever, and it will be an awesome surprise for all readers, including you.

Hurry for I can pick, and submit your oc info, if you know you are the 150th reviewer!