Disclaimer: The characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, and I don't own them. But I do own the plot, so DON'T TRY AND STEAL IT! IT'S MY IMAGINATION! :P

Hey! It's been a while, I know. Sorry? I'm so sorry that I haven't really updated my other stories, but it's just so hard to get motivation to actually like them. And I don't even have that many reviews saying that people like the story. And just...AHHHHH. It's hard, you know? To write good chapters after you haven't written in a while. But I'll try. Seriously. I'll try.

Thanks for supporting me! And now...CHAPTER 7!

Chapter 7:

~ Sasuke ~

My head shoots up from where it was looking at my textbook, lost in a trance, as my professor calls out my name again, more frustrated than before. "Y-Yes?" I stutter.

"Pay attention, Uchiha-san! I have been calling your name for quite a while now!"

"Y-Yes, sir. Sorry."

My professor lets out an exasperated sigh and I can see him trying not to roll his eyes. "Now answer the question written on the board."

Once I did with only a moment of hesitation and thinking, the professor nodded with pursed lips (obviously annoyed that I had spoken the right answer). I breath out a sigh of relief and try to rub the tiredness out of my eyes. I'm so tired. College was already impossibly difficult and what week was it? The third one? Of course, I expected it to be more challenging than high school, but I didn't know that it felt like my body was being drained of energy even just sitting in a classroom, just trudging to my next class, listening to a dull professor.

I look around at the other students that are sitting in the wide room, many types of people: ones who paid attention, ones who knew everything already, ones who didn't care, etc. I don't know where I stand. The topic was interesting enough (I mean, who didn't want to learn about the history of the world and how it came to be today), but the other factors of the class - that never-ending, low hum of the radiator, the monotonous tone of his teacher (except when he was yelling, of course), the small talk that could be heard - made it unbearable.

I tilt my head back again and glance at the wristwatch on my right arm (a present from Sak a year ago) and then at the classroom clock, and then back at my wristwatch, as if it would make time double in speed or something. I silently groaned when it didn't. When I look again, it's only 3 minutes after than when I had first checked. My fingers twitch and fidget with each other in my lap. I want to go play guitar, or go outside and play tennis or something. I want to do something or talk with someone. Just do something that would help me get over my seemingly never-ending tiredness.

Every day it was the same routine: wake up, eat, go to class, have a break, another bunch of classes, come home, do homework, eat and then sleep. It was so boring. So...regular. Even though I had made some friends, it was never as interesting as coming to a dorm room where Sakura and Naruto were fighting, or Sakura was yelling at Naruto to "shut up and go make ramen," or being around any of my friends back in Konoha Boarding Academy. Though the name suggested otherwise, the time I spent at Konoha Boarding Academy was the best years of my life. Although, I wouldn't probably admit it.

And I missed it.

So much.

Well...I missed the people in it, more specifically.

Sakura.

I sigh again in frustration and rake a hand through my spiky hair and decide that I would try to focus on the lecture to get my mind off of Sak, so I wouldn't go into a moping mood all day. I look up, actually trying paying attention when my professor announces to the class our homework for the next two weeks: an 10-page essay.

Fricking great.

~ Sakura ~

I pursed my lips, tapped my fingers, played with my hair, looked around the room and did possibly every other thing than pay attention in class. Which was a first for me. I had always been one to pay attention, taking notes and everything. But somehow, this time, I didn't want to.

When I glanced back at the clock, it was only 5 minutes after than the time I had checked last and I groaned slightly.

I licked my dry lips and turned back to the screen being projected by the projector onto the board. The teacher was explaining the human parts of the body. I was in medical class (which only surprised me further as to why I wasn't paying attention) and the teacher, on the first day, had announced: "At the end of this semester, you're gonna have to be digging through a real body, so if you can't handle it, get out."

She was kinda strict. And disgusting. Like, seriously, did you have to say "digging?" What are we? Miners or something? Geez.

I had already studied the human parts enough and even though the thought of "digging" through a body that was once alive sends a shiver through my body, I actually think it's kinda cool. It's only one step closer to my dream of becoming a doctor. One that I hope I'll achieve soon.

But...every time I think of being a doctor, I can't help but think of my parents. And their (well, mainly my dad) reluctance to me being one. Are they happy with my choices? Every time I think of them, this dreaded feeling washes over me and I feel hot and cold and everything at the same time. Even though it was years ago since their death, I can't help but still thinking: it was my fault.

They would have never gotten on that plane if I hadn't yelled at them. They would have never thought to come visit me if I hadn't been a brat and a spoiled teenager. They wouldn't have tried to visit me if I had just called them and apologized like Sasuke said I should. Why did I do that? Why didn't I just call them back and say sorry? I felt terrible about it as soon as I threw my phone on the bed, even if I was still angry. Why didn't I call them back?

As these thoughts start to fester my mind, that same demeaning voice comes back. That same mocking voice that I thought I had finally gotten rid of.

It's all your fault. If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be dead right now. They would be happy. They would have been laughing. They would have been breathing. But because of you and your selfishness, they're not. Because of you, they're–.

"Sakura!"

My head whips up and I feel something wet on my face. Dismissing it as sweat, I say "Y-Yes?"

"Are you okay?" My teacher is right in front of me, and instead of an expression of annoyance, I see an expression of worry.

Why is she worried? What did I–? And then it hits me. I was crying. There are tears on my face. I reach up quickly to swipe them away, wishing everyone would stop staring at me.

"Do you want to go to the bathroom? Or the nurse?"

"Um…"

"You should go take a walk or something."

"Um...okay," I say. I guess I do need a breath of fresh air or something. I don't wonder

why she's so persistent in telling me to leave because the school's probably told her how I lost my parents already.

I get up, my legs wobbling ever-so-slightly and I leave the room, hoping no one can see them shaking. I walk down the empty corridor and go to the garden that's just outside the window of this building.

I sit down on one of the benches hidden from the classrooms because it's behind a tree and take out my phone. I want to call Sasuke. It's 10:27. I look up as I think. That means it's around 11:27 where he is. But his lunch time is at 12:30.

I sigh in frustration. Should I? He might get in trouble? But I really wanna talk to him. Finally, my greediness, my selfishness, takes over but instead of calling him, I text him.

Hey. Umm...I'm sorry if you're in class and get in trouble because of me, but please call me as soon as you can. Like...now, maybe? If you can't, I understand. But try, okay? Thanks.

I put a heart at the end of it so it doesn't sound too serious and press send.

While I wait, I look at the trees swaying in the wind, only then do I notice it's gotten quite cold for just the end of September. I don't mind though. Fall's my favorite season.

Moments later, my phone vibrates and my heart jumps as I see Sasuke's name written above the "New Message" notification.

One minute, is all the text says.

I look at the clock on my phone. 10:31. And I stare at the numbers until they become blurry. The time refuses to change to 10:32 and just as I'm getting annoyed why the clock won't change, I see a picture of Sasuke pop up and "Incoming Call" is written across my screen. I smile and automatically, I can feel myself getting warmer from seeing his face. I take the phone and bring it up to my ear as he says "Hello?"

It's in a whispery tone which makes me ask "Where are you?" instead of greeting him back.

"I'm currently in a closet."

This makes me smile. "What? You're not turning gay on me are you?"

I hear him chuckle. "Haha, very funny," he says sarcastically. Then his voice changes. "But what happened?"

My temporary airy mood goes away and the corners of my mouth come down from a smile. "I started crying in class today."

"What?!" I hear his voice get noticeably louder, but then soften so that no one hears him. "W-Why? What happened?"

Instead of answering, I say, "The teacher told me to go on a walk so I went outside."

"Okay, but what happened, Sak? Are you okay?"

I nod, forgetting for the moment that he can't see it. "Yeah. I don't know. All of a sudden, I started thinking of my parents. A-And–" I pause, because my voice begins to crack from trying to hold in my newly-formed tears and I hear him make a compressed noise. "that same voice. From before. I...It's my fault. That's what it told me. And I know it is. I just–" Soon my words start to slur together and tears fall heavier once again. There's a throbbing in my head and I know it's from crying too much. It hurts, so I rub my fingers on the right side of my temple, trying to soothe it.

"Sak…" His voice cracks a little too and I can't help but feel even guiltier for making him start to cry as well. I feel my heart drop when I hear that crack, though. It's probably the worst sound anyone can ever hear. The crack of a voice of a person who is about to cry. It's absolutely terrible, but then, luckily, he clears his throat, and Sasuke's voice is steady once more."It's not. It's no one's fault. It's just how life is. And you couldn't have gotten in the way of that. Nothing can get in the way of life and its decisions. Not even the amazing, beautiful Sakura."

I let out a laugh and a sob at the same time and it sounds like I'm being strangled, but I don't care at the moment.

"I'm serious, Sakura." His soft calm voice is the perfect kind to make my heart calm down from a panicked thudding, to a more excited beat that's still enough so that I can breathe properly. I absolutely love Sasuke's voice. It's soothing in all the right ways and all I want now is the arms and legs and the wonderful person that go so perfectly with the voice. I want Sasuke. To be wrapped up in his arms while he protects me. From that dreaded voice that reminds me of things I want to forget.

"Thank you." Two simple words that I know Sasuke understands the meaning of. It's more than just two words. And I know that he can feel the sincerity behind it.

"I miss you, Sak."

"I miss you too, Sasuke."

"It's been too long since I last got to hug or kiss you. No one's been hitting on you, right?"

The first sentence makes my chest and heart swell with happiness and the second makes me laugh. "No. No one has. I'm not even going to bother to ask about you. I'm sure there have been fangirl encounters. How many?"

He groans. "More than I count on my hands."

I laugh even though I can feel some jealousy.

"I need my Sakura to help me."

I scoff slightly. "Since when did I become yours?"

I hear the smile in his voice. "When I got the pleasure of kissing you that night of the dance."

I giggle. "Weirdo." I bring my hand up to my eyes and swipe away the tears. I feel immensely better already. Hearing his voice really does wonders.

"Hey! You love this weirdo."

Laughing, I say, "I do."

He laughs and I ask him why. "I was just thinking to myself that I hope the next time you'll be saying those two words will be on our wedding day."

And suddenly, I'm really glad I decided to call him after all.

~ Naruto ~

I don't even register the words written on the paper until Hinata-chan lets go of it and falls on the bed.

I get over my shock and go to her, kneeling down next to her on the bed. "H-Hinata-chan!" I fan her with her my hands as well as I can until I hear a gasp.

Instead of an immeasurable feeling of worry going over me like I had imagined, I feel nothing. It's not like it is in the movies or books (Yes, believe it or not, I have read books before). I feel...numb? I don't know how to describe it because its everything and nothing at the same time. But all I do know it's one of the worst feelings, experiences, I've ever had.

Hinata-chan getting married? To someone she doesn't even know? To someone who is not me? Is that actually going to happen? Are those actually the words on the paper? It's all a blur and I feel like I'm going to faint too when a hand lands on my shoulder. And then slowly, the world becomes clearer and so does the feel of the hand. The same familiar hand. The hand that's soft and small and delicate and lovely and makes an exciting feeling go through me. The hand of the person I love.

I turn to her to see her in the same state I'm in.

"N-Naruto-kun…" That's all she says, but I don't expect her to say much else because I mean, what else is there to say.

Then, I notice a small colored piece of paper that's a shade of blue that reminds me of the sky right before it turns into sunset. "Hinata-chan, I...think there's something else, too."

She turns her head and once she finds the piece of paper, she picks it up cautiously and slides the rest of it out of the envelope. With her hand shaking in a way that's almost unnoticeable, she holds the note between us. I grab the hand that's holding the note, but I find myself question who's steadying who.

We both scan over the note written in cursive, steady handwriting, not typed this time.

Hinata,

Come meet your future husband at the Hana Cafe this Saturday at 3:00 P.M. Bring your friend Naruto, if you please.

- Hiashi

The word "friend" stands out and I know almost instantly that Hinata-chan's father put it there purposefully to mock me. "Are you...going to go?" I ask.

"I don't really think it was a request, Naruto-kun."

I sigh, sitting back down on my butt instead of kneeling on my knees, putting my face in my hands. "I knew that something was going to happen sooner or later, but I didn't it expect it to be this sudden," I mumble into my hands. "And I definitely didn't expect it to be this." I feel Hinata-chan's hand on my back, rubbing comfortable circles into as the other arm wraps around me.

I lift my hands and encircle her small body, pressing it against mine.

Of course I couldn't say it out loud, but I had come to despise Hinata-chan's father. To loathe him. She was happy with me and really, isn't that the only thing that matters? Yeah, okay, money and all, but it's not like I am going to some crappy college. I've worked hard to get into this college and for Hinata-chan's happiness, I will work even harder to get a job to support us both. So I don't see what the problem is. What other obstacles are there? Her father says that I'm too naive, but I know how the world works. When you've been alone in it as much as I have, you kinda have to.

All of a sudden, I feel like I'm already counting the days down until Saturday. It's already Tuesday, so we don't have a lot of time to prepare. But...to prepare for what? What am I supposed to do? Say that I'm her fiance in front of other fiance? I can't do much other than that.

The same helpless feeling wash over me and I hold onto Hinata-chan tighter because I don't want to feel like that. I try to remember where I am to remind myself what I had to do to get in this college.

I start to calm down, but the feeling is still there and all I want is for it to go away. And now, it's worse because I just feel empty. Like there's nothing in my body except for my heart which feels like it's being crushed. I pull Hinata-chan closer until I'm on my back and she's hovering over me.

"N-Naruto-kun!" she says, embarrassed. Red streaks make their way on her pale features.

A smile breaks out onto my face after seeing the color on hers. She rolls onto my side and glances at the clock on her bedside table.

She groans. "You know, curfew is in less than fifteen minutes."

I groan too. "Really? Already?"

She nods and then yawns. Snuggling into my side, she whispers, "I wish you could just stay here."

I wrap my arms around so that she's fitted underneath my chin, one arm around my waist, too. "I do too," I whisper back.

But both of us know that the hall monitor comes to check all the rooms every night which is as annoying as it sounds. We sit, more like lay, in silence for a while.

"Naruto-kun?"

I grunt, signaling her to go on.

"I'm scared."

I lift my head and look at her to see her eyes filled with tears. She quickly blinks them away, but a few make their way down her face. "Hinata-chan…" I wipe them away as soon as I see them and she buries her face in my chest. I feel her sigh against me and I close my eyes.

I really want to stay here too. Maybe if I bribe the monitor or something…

"Hinata-chan, there's nothing to be scared of because I'm going to be there with you. And I promise you that you won't have to marry this random dude. Okay?" I feel her nod against my chest, so I continue. "Besides, it's not like we're going into war or something. There's really nothing to be afraid of."

That gets a small laugh out of her and she lifts her head to give me a kiss between my collarbones. "Thank you, Naruto-kun."

I kiss her forehead and smooth her hair down and in less than a minute, I feel her breathing go even and I move away carefully to see her eyes closed in the most delicate way, her long eyelashes just wavering over her face and her mouth parted the slightest bit.

She looks so serene. I smile and kiss her cheek. I take off her socks before I cover her with the blankets, as she told me before how much she hates falling asleep with them on and put them on the side. I tuck her in, but not too tightly and kiss her smooth hair once again before shutting off the light and closing the door.

And as I do, I promise to myself that I will see that serene face every night for the rest of my life before I go to bed.

Author's Note:

Heyyy! Thanks for reading this chapter! I hope you got the "closet" thing. I was going to put a star next to it and then explain it down here, but I'm pretty sure people know what it means. Yeah...If not, look it up! Hehe. I only found out like a year ago, so don't be ashamed. LOL.

Okay, well, please tell me how you like this chapter. I don't know how much longer this story is gonna be because honestly, I haven't really written any other chapters and/or found out what their resolves are going to be because I can't just like make Sakura or Sasuke quit college just so they can be with each other and I can't exactly just make Hinata say to her father "F**K YOU AND MY 'FIANCE' IM' NOT GONNA MARRY HIM" so yeah...There has to be some substance. Which I don't know how long will be.

But next chapter should have some juicy arguments. Ugh. Why did I use "juicy?" It's such a weird word to describe non-food things. I'm sorry that I did.

Anywayyyyyyyyyyy...

I want to sincerely thank you for taking time out of your day to read and review my story. It means so much to me to know that other people, people I don't even know, are liking my writing. AHHH. I'm getting happy again just thinking about it. :P

Thanks again!

~ booklover333

*****P.S. To the Guest who wrote this review*****

"I started reading Melting the Human Ice Cube yesterday afternoon/evening and finished around 4 a.m. and it was honestly one at the best stories I've ever read (INCLUDING ACTUAL BOOKS) and i started reading this sequel. I LITERALLY STARTED CRYING I WAS PRACTICALLY SOBBING! This is so sad! (The reason this hit me so hard is because I'm a huge Naruto fan and sasusaku shipper.) YOU HAVE TRUE TALENT! THANK YOU FOR WRITING THESE! THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!"

Thank you. So much. I'm responding to you here because I can't write back to you since you were a guest. Thank you again. Seriously. I've done this before - staying up really late and crying because of fanfictions, but only because they were so good. Like indescribably good and deep and stuff. And knowing that someone else did this for mine? My crappy fanfictions that I have trouble updating because I'm just too lazy? My fanfictions that are not even that well-written? Knowing that, is amazing. I feel so happy knowing that I have people like you who really love my writing. It makes me so happy that I can't even describe. So thank you. Thank you so, so, so much. Please keep supporting me and thank you once again. Even though those two words don't seem like much, they're shown through a lifetime of actions (which unfortunately, I can't really show you, so please just take my thank you :P). THANK YOU.