Disclaimer: The characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto and I don't own them.

Hey! I'm baaaaaaaaaaack. Sorry I haven't updated in a while - I've been really busy. Sorry! Read & Review! Thanks! :)

Chapter 2:

Everyone met each other at Sasuke and Sakura's house the day after the college applications were sent back to them.

"I-I won't be with Kiba-kun anymore," Ino sniffled.

Sakura put an arm around her lovingly. "Of course you will Ino. You both love each other so much, do you think he would just give you up like that?" she reasoned.

"I-I know, but the colleges are so far apart. A-And I've always had him there by my side for like 3 years! How will we be able to s-stay together when we won't see each other?" another sob racked her body as she thought of the possibilities.

Temari, Tenten and Hinata looked at her with sympathy. Sakura and Tenten knew what she was going through, as they were going through the same, but Ino was more emotional than them.

"If you're worried about breaking up with him, Ino," Tenten said firmly, "that's notgoing to happen. He's not going to lose you that easily."

Ino smiled a bit. "That's what he said."

Sakura nudged her a bit. "Then what do you have to worry about? Kiba's not one to break a promise!"

Ino nodded. "Yeah," she took the tissue Hinata gave her, smiling at her through glassy eyes gratefully. "Thanks, guys," she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. "I know that I'm being selfish, crying like that. You guys have to deal with this too, right?" She looked at Tenten and Sakura who looked down at the ground.

They stayed quiet until Tenten said, "Yeah. But Neji-kun really helped me. Yesterday, he came over and we talked…a lot. And I know that we're going to be together, even through college. I don't think that Neji-kun has ever been so serious. He told me straight out when he got to my apartment that he loved me and that he wouldn't let me go," Tenten blushed happily. "He also said that he would stay in touch everyday through college. I felt happy, knowing that he wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him," she paused, looking away. Her blush intensified. "A-And then we…um…" she trailed off.

Temari tilted her head. "You did what?" she asked innocently.

"We u-um…" Tenten was blushing a dark red at this point.

"Tell us!" Sakura said, impatient.

Tenten avoided their gazes. "Y-You know…did that."

After about 3 seconds, all the girls squealed.

"OH MY GOD, TENTEN!" Sakura screamed. "He's your first, right?!"

Tenten nodded. God, this is so embarrassing.

"That's great!"

Ino smiled slyly. "So…how was it?"

"I-Ino!" Tenten yelled.

"What?" Ino said innocently. "Oh, come on. All of you were thinking it!" she pointed her finger accusingly at the rest of the girls.

Temari shrugged. "I mean, it crossed my mind," a disgusted look appeared on her face. "But I don't need to know."

"I-It was…" Tenten blushed again. "Perfect," she stated, ignoring Temari. "He was gentle and sweet and-"

"OKAY. HOLD IT UP, SWEETHEART. WE DON'T NEED TO HEAR THE REST," Temari yelled, covering Tenten's mouth.

A silence occurred until Ino said, "Did you guys use protection?"

Tenten gaped at her. "OF COURSE, YOU IDIOT!"

Sakura and Ino laughed. Then, everyone looked at Hinata who hadn't spoken a word since the beginning of this conversation.

"Hinata-chan?" Ino asked.

Hinata was bright red and held a look of confusion, shock and happiness upon her face. "I-I'm sorry, i-it's just that it's weird to think that N-Neji-kun would…I mean him being my cousin and all…it's just h-hard for me to grasp."

Sakura laughed. "Yeah, I guess that would be kind of gross."

Hinata smiled nervously. "But I'm happy for you, Tenten-chan."

Tenten smiled.

"Huh," Ino said. "I did notice you were kind of glowing today."

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "Glowing?"

Temari nodded, agreeing with Ino. "Yeah, Ino, I noticed that too."

"See?" Ino said to Tenten.

Tenten rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Okay, can we please get off of the topic of Neji-kun and I-"

"What about me?" Neji asked, suddenly appearing in the living room behind Tenten.

"AHHH!" she screamed. "Neji-kun!" she said, holding her chest. "You scared the life out of me!"

Neji smirked. "What were you guys talking about?"

"Oh, u-um, nothing!" Tenten said quickly.

Neji looked at her weirdly and then looked at Hinata who shrugged innocently. Shaking his head, he asked Sakura, "Where's the Uchiha?"

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked. "Isn't he with you guys?"

Neji shook his head. "No. I just got here since I picked up a movie before I came and the rest of the guys are competing with each other in video games. Except for Shikamaru, of course."

"Really?" Sakura said, hopping up from the couch. "I'll go look for him, he's probably still in his room."

"Don't you mean his and your room, Forehead-chan?" Ino said.

Sakura rolled her eyes, slightly blushing. "Shut up, Ino-pig!"

Sakura left her friends and Neji and jogged upstairs.

"Sasuke?" she called. She knocked on the door of "their" room before entering, just in case.

Sasuke was out on the balcony outside of their room. He didn't seem to hear Sakura as he was standing perfectly still with his eyes closed and face turned towards the sun. His hair blew slightly in the wind, his hands in his pockets.

Sakura smiled at him, he looked so peaceful and she didn't want to disturb that. As she was turning to leave him alone, he spoke. "I know you're there," he opened his eyes and turned to look at her. "Come here," he motioned to the balcony.

Hesitating a bit, Sakura walked forward and stepped out onto the balcony. Instantly, she felt calmer. The warm day was just the right temperature to be outside and the wind blew perfectly.

Sasuke interlocked their fingers together and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, swaying gently to imaginary music.

Sakura closed her eyes, now knowing why Sasuke hadn't come downstairs to see everyone. Leaning back into him, she sighed contently. It was so quiet, so peaceful and Sakura realized that after this summer, everything would change. They would become adults now and hold more responsibility. Nothing would be as it used to. It felt as if they only had this moment.

Sakura held onto his hand tighter and made herself comfortable in his arms, they were warm.

"Sakura," Sasuke's voice sounded nervous.

Sakura opened her eyes. "Yeah?"

He was quiet for a while before resting his head on her left shoulder, kissing the space below her left ear and whispering, "I love you."

Sakura froze. The world seemed to stop. The leaves looked as they were stuck in mid-air. The wind had suddenly died down. Everything was still. Silent.

Had she heard that correctly? He had never said those 3 words before, only showing them through his actions.

After a moment, Sakura gasped slightly, realizing what he had just said and letting it sink into her. She gently squirmed out of his grasp and turned around.

Looking into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and honesty behind them let her know he wasn't kidding. Her eyes filled with tears and she tackled him, burying her face into his shoulder. Stumbling back a bit, Sasuke wrapped his arms around her waist again, catching his balance before he fell down.

The leaves fell again and the wind blew. Sakura could hear birds chirping. The world started up again.

Sakura lifted her head and kissed him, harder than ever before, pouring all of her feelings into the kiss, as it would be the last real one they would have. Maybe it would.

Should I say it too? Do I mean it? She opened her eyes and looked at him. His smirk. His beautiful eyes that she used to never get tired looking at. His perfect facial features. Him. Smiling, she made her decision and breathlessly panted, "I love you too, Sasuke."

Sasuke smiled one of his rare smiles and hugged her tighter to him. It knocked the breath out of her, but neither of them cared as of the moment. It was perfect. The perfect setting. The perfect timing. The perfect love.

Sakura looked into his eyes and he looked into hers. They stayed that way for a while, hoping it wouldn't be the last, peaceful, quiet moment they had with one another.

"I'm sorry," Ino pleaded. "Forehead-chan! Oh, come on!"

"Hmph!" Sakura turned her head away and refused to look at Ino.

"Please? How would I have known that you and Sasuke would be having a cute moment? I was worried as to why you were talking so damn long," then she whispered in a lower voice that she thought Sakura wouldn't be able to hear, "Now I know that you were sucking each other's face off." Ino had walked in on Sasuke and Sakura making out in the balcony.

"INO-PIG!" Sakura yelled.

Ino laughed nervously. "Kidding!" she defended.

Sakura rolled her eyes at Ino and turned away again.

"I'm really sorry, Sakura," Ino said sincerely.

Sakura couldn't believe that she said "Sakura" and sounded so serious, but when Sakura turned around, she was met with that same goofy grin she had known so well.

"Whatever," Sakura huffed, some of her anger vanishing.

"YAY!" Ino cheered, knowing that Sakura had forgiven her. She looped her arms around Sakura's neck, giving her a friendly squeeze. "Thanks!" Then, Ino pranced out of the kitchen where they were alone.

Sakura sighed and uncrossed her arms.

She leaned on the kitchen counter, her elbows touching the cool surface. Sighing, she closed her eyes. In this kitchen, these past summers Sasuke and her had made so many memories.

They cooked together and danced around in this very kitchen. It was perfect. They did everything together. Together. And now… they would have to be separated because of college. She ran her hands on the granite countertop. We cooked right here… with each other. It was so perfect and now… when will that opportunity come again?

Of course, not going to college wasn't an option. She knew that was the least she could do for her parents.

But, now, she wouldn't be with Sasuke. Or any of her friends, in fact. She would be by herself in her new college, for the next 4 years.

What am I going to do? she thought.

Because of her thoughts she didn't notice someone come into the kitchen.

But when she felt the familiar arms wrap around her waist, she smiled.

"Naruto, put me down!" she yelled as he threw her over his shoulder. (A/N: HAHA, you thought it was going to be Sasuke, didn't you? :P)

"So this is where you were hiding, Sakura-chan!" he grinned.

"What?"

"We've been waiting for you in the living room for a while, you know."

Sakura sighed. "Sorry...I was just thinking."

"Well, think later! Right now, spend time with your friends!"

She laughed. "Fine. Fine," she growled as she noticed as he hadn't put her down yet and was carrying her to the living room. "WOULD YOU PUT ME DOWN, YOU DOOFUS?!"

"NOPE!" he yelled back.

When they got to the living room, he plopped her ungracefully on the couch next to where Sasuke was and practically jumped onto the same couch Hinata was sitting.

"Where were you?" Sasuke said.

"In the kitchen." How long was I thinking for?

Sasuke nodded.

They watched the movie Neji had brought, which was appealing to everyone as it had action, romance, mystery and death. A lot of it.

But Sakura couldn't quite focus on the movie. All she could think about was about her future...which, as of now, didn't include Sasuke.

Sasuke noticed something was wrong, so he nudged her a bit. She turned to him and he gave a her look that said "You okay?"

She nodded as a reassurance. Even though he didn't believe her, he let it go. He had something to say to her after everyone left anyway.

Once the movie had finished, everyone started to leave slowly. Saying goodbyes, they all piled into their cars and drove off to their houses. They were planning to meet many times before the summer ended.

Waving to Naruto and Hinata, the last people to leave, Sakura and Sasuke stood outside of their house.

He took her hand and went to the front steps once Naruto's silver car had gone out of sight. They sat down beside each other, still silent. Sakura leaned her head on Sasuke's shoulder and he put an arm around her waist.

All of a sudden, Sasuke felt moisture on his shoulder. Sakura started to shake.

Looking down at her, Sasuke saw that she was crying. His eyes softened and he hugged her.

Sakura mumbled into his shoulder, still crying, "I'm sorry." repeatedly. She fisted his shirt into her hands.

Sasuke didn't say anything, opting to rub her back soothingly and let her cry. His mother, when he was younger, had told him that sometimes crying was the best option to let it all out sometimes.

The sun was still out, even though it was setting. The wind was a slight breeze. The air was fresh.

After a while, when Sakura's cries had died down, she lifted her head, wiping her tears. "I'm sorry," she said again.

Sasuke smiled a bit, wiping away the remnants of her tears. "Don't be."

"I-I just don't know what's going to happen to us. A-And I-I know that you said that we'll figure out a way. I just don't know how we're ever going to be able to see each other in the next couple of years," she continued on. "We'll both be so busy," she looked down and tightened her previously loose grip on his shirt. "I'm scared," she stated. "That something will happen to us."

"Sakura," he said seriously.

She turned to him with eyes filled with new tears that formed while she was talking.

"Don't think like that," he blushed slightly. "Earlier today, when I told you that…I-I love you, did you think I was joking? I wasn't. I really do love you. And so, because of that, I'm not going to let our relationship go so easily. I…" he avoided her gaze, embarrassed. Here goes my man pride. "I honestly don't know what I would do without you, Sak. You mean so much to me. More than you could imagine. And… you have changed me in so many ways. Your...your existence alone just makes me so happy that sometimes I can't even believe it. It makes me numb to see or hear you cry. It makes me sad. I feel something inside of me just… break. You make me feel emotions that I never felt before. My heart beats faster every time I see you and I feel happy and nervous and so much more that I just can't describe. But despite all that, I still want to be near you because I need you in my life. And… I know you might think that this is all cliche or whatever, but just know that these feelings are real. And so, my words are real too. I'll never let you go. Screw the saying that nothing lasts forever. Our love will. So please, just don't cry. And please believe that everything will be okay in our future."

"O-Okay, Sasuke. I won't cry," but tears started to roll down of her face. She was so happy. "Dammit," she cursed, wiping her tears furiously away. "I swear, I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm just so happy. I-I never knew that this was how you felt about me… about us. And I'm really happy to hear you say all this."

Sasuke smiled. He hugged and she hugged him back. The sun had set and the stars were visible in the sky now.

"I love you," Sasuke said once again, giving her a quick peck on her lips.

She smiled against his lips. "I love you too."

Sakura stumbled backwards as Sasuke moved forwards. Their lips were still together. It was night time by now. Everything silent except for the chirping of crickets.

Sakura's shirt came off first and was tossed carelessly to the side. Then came Sasuke's in a slow, teasing manner. Irritated by the lack of speed coming from Sakura, he ripped it off of his body, growling.

Sakura giggled at his eagerness.

Their lips met again and their tongues fought with each other for dominance. Sasuke led her to their room and pushed her down onto the bed, but still gently.

He climbed over her, putting his hands on either side of her head. Leaning close, he kissed her cheek. "Are you sure?"

Sakura closed her eyes and nodded. "Yes," she opened them when he spoke.

"Okay."

Their remaining clothes soon came off and their breathing became more erratic as time went on.

His touch burned. In the best way possible. It was addicting and Sakura loved the feeling of his hands on her skin. The way that they ran over her smooth skin left her wanting more. More. She never wanted it to end.

Sweat formed on their bodies from the sudden heat.

"Are you ready?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura nodded. "Y-Yeah," she was terrified, but Sasuke's light kisses of reassurance helped her.

He kissed the crook of her neck, her chin, her nose, her forehead. And then, finally, her lips.

The rest of the night was filled with moans, grunts and words of condolence shared with one another.

The next morning, Sasuke woke up first. He looked at Sakura's face which was lying near his chest. He smiled at her serene countenance.

Her mouth was slightly parted open, her hair was everywhere but she still looked beautiful - at least to Sasuke.

He covered her more with the blanket, noticing how she was shivering, after all they were both naked.

Sasuke blushed thinking about last night, but he didn't regret it. He was happy they did, it was another way for him to show his love for her. He kissed her forehead gently.

Sakura's face scrunched up and she curled into herself more, before opening her eyes.

She smiled at Sasuke. "Good morning."

"Good morning," he replied.

She yawned. "Do we have to get up?" she moved closer to Sasuke. "I'm cold and tired." Even though her eyes were closed and her voice sounded the same, Sasuke saw that she was blushing and probably thinking of yesterday too.

He laughed a bit, looping his arms around her when she came closer. "No. We don't have to. Besides, it's only 6:03," he said after glancing at the clock on the wall across from them.

Sakura suddenly laughed.

"What?"

She looked up at him. "Do you remember in like 10th grade when we had fallen asleep in your room? And when we woke up at this exact time?"

Sasuke took a moment to recollect but when he did, he laughed. "That's ironic."

"Yeah," she smiled sheepishly. "I remember that I really did want to stay with you then and sleep a little longer, but it was just...really weird and awkward so I tried to make you let go of me. But I guess I got my wish, because you," she poked his chest, "didn't want to get up."

"I didn't want to let go of you. You were warm and I was tired," Sasuke defended.

Sakura smiled, hugging him. "Thank you, Sasuke," she paused. "Am I still warm now?" she asked childishly.

Sasuke smirked and whispered against her hair, "More than ever. And this time, I'm never letting go."

Author's Note:

I'm really not good at writing those types of scenes, especially since this was my first time and hopefully my last. My best friend and I stayed up until 2:00 A.M. (she helped me write since I didn't do what to do) writing it and we were both so uncomfortable and just like "mehh." Like you have no idea how awkward we felt, but what are friends for? hehe. ummm...yeah.

I rated it T because it wasn't intense so please don't say anything concerning that. If you think it's "intense" you can skip it. Pleasee review and tell me what you think - BECAUSE ONLY TWO PEOPLE REVIEWED (WHOM I LOVE GREATLY).

So please, please, please review and follow and favorite. Feel free to Private Message me too about any comments, concerns or questions! Thanks! And thank you for reading this realllly long note.

~ booklover333