A/N: Sorry for the late notice.. here it is.. – Mind the grammar issues! Thanks guys xo

"Ms Haruno?"

'What is he to you? I thought intently about Ino's question the other night. I couldn't quite grasp the reason but I wanted to know him.. Why all of a sudden? Was I being selfish? My mind burned of the memory from last night. He knows about my secret and he could use that advantage to damage my image at school. The anxiety and tension doesn't work well for me, surprisingly school went on normally. I had expected my photo to be hung around the walls, but it was normal, no gossiping or anything.

I could hear a voice in the background.

"Miss Haruno?" the voice was getting louder and louder. "Sakura?"

My thoughts were cased aside and soon I had snapped out of my memories. Ino shot me glance and mouthed 'You okay girl?' With a brief nod I sunk deeper in my seat.

"Miss Haruno, are you okay?" I glanced up at the Teacher coming to the left my eyes heavy and sleepy.

Lunch was just after this class.

"Mmm uh" I mumbled resting my chin on the table, my hair thick and clinging onto my body. "Sorry Miss, I'm just not feeling well." I complained softly closing my eyes, I felt a cold coming through since yesterday, it didn't help when I got home yelling at my brother and completely passing out before him. My head pounded at every loud noise I can hear and my sinuses burned inside with every breath I took.

"May I be excused Miss?" I asked and peeped up at the blonde, her circular spectacles shoved tight into her face and swirl displayed lenses.

"Oh, you don't look well Sakura, Yes! You may..." She said with a concerned smile then looked around the room and spoke once again.

"Mr Uchiha please take Miss Haruno to the sick bay at once."

'Ugh' I thought of all people him and what's with the formalities.

"Hn, no problem" he replied from the back corner of the classroom. 'That cheeky smile on his face oh the leverage he has!' I was worried, very.

"Eh there's no need for him Miss" I pushed my voice groggy and my temperature increasing. "I can manage on my own."

"Hn, says the one with a fever" he smirked coming to my side. "Anytime now,"

"Ugh just be patient" I retorted and slightly annoyed that he had already evaluated my condition. I shuffled out of my seat, swung on my side bag and rolled my eyes over to Ino. "Here we go again"

"Okay class back to work" I hear the teacher announce.

Taking the lead, I head down the hallway passing by the school leaders and admiring their roles. If anything I should get away from this guy.

"Hey Sakura!" One of them calls.

"Hey Miku"

"You don't look too well Sakura" she says with regret.

"I'm on my way to the sick bay Miku-Chan" I replied sniffing lightly.

"Aw, get better Sakura.. Oh H-Hey Sasuke" Her rosy cheeks swelled within an instant. "It's nice to see you again"

"hn" he says.

"I guess I'll see you around guys. Take care" she hurries along talking with her peers.

"Thanks" Glancing behind I notice Sasuke hot on my tail without effort, He smirks at me and bluntly screens the classrooms. Many of the fan girls were smiling and pointing at him.

'Ugh that smirk on his face' inner remarks. "Ha how charming" I began.

"Jealous?" he replied.

"Oh very…" I huffed sarcastically. Forcing myself to move quicker; I could feel my chest pump in and out coarsely; a slight bead of sweat fell down my cheek and within an instant a hell of a headache washed over me.

An arm took me from behind startling my being; a pale hand flew to my forehead. I couldn't keep my weight any longer and soon rested on the arms. I glanced upward to see Sasuke towering over me, his face deep in thought and his eyes narrowed.

"You're stubborn and your temperatures rising" he said clutching my shoulders lightly. "Can you walk?" He asked.

I couldn't find the energy to reply nor argue with the guy. A deep feeling in my chest began and my heart started to heat up, was this normal? I shoved aside his hands and slouched forward. "I can manage on my own..Sasuke."

"Stubborn, I'll carry you" he concluded.

Honestly, my ego got the best of me and I don't rely on anyone else. Seeing someone like him, of all people him! Be the first to offer a back ride it made me choke.

"Hehe" I let out a soft giggle, light enough so my brain doesn't explode.

"What?" He said glaring at me and crouching into his hunched form.

"It's just..." I managed ".Oh no..aah!" I fell forward.

Sasuke wasn't prepared at all, he fell backward onto his back and I landed safety in between his chest muscles, bumping heads with him along the way. I felt his body descend and the sound of struggle leaving his mouth. I was shortening his air supply.

"Tck" His voice deep and throaty; I quickly rolled off the guy, sat up and watched him sit up in front of me. His cheeks were tinted pink and his hair was messy.

"You idiot" He teased. "You like taunting me don't you" He states and shoves his sleeves to his elbows and loosens several buttons on his shirt.

"...Taunt you huh?" I questioned and rubbed my nose. "I'm sorry okay" I admitted then noticed how childish he was. Under his facade a small genuine smile graced his marvellous face, within a moment he was chuckling, laughing at our clumsiness

"Shall we?" He said crouching once again.

Laughing inwardly at him I sat up and went behind him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, my forearms were under his chin. I moved forward enough to feel his hands take hold of my thighs, just under my skirt. My hair flew forward bathing him in my essence and in his perspective.

He puffs once, spitting my hair out of his mouth.

"Pfft"

"Hey, my hair is clean" I defended.

"I know. I use the same shampoo" He rises slowly with ease enough that my pelvis was above his lower back and my chest was onto his back.

"Funny how we have something in common" I huffed.

"I hate that smell." he replies I could feel him smirk.

"Tsk! Idiot" Resting on his shoulder. "Sasuke" I asked gently in his ear, I prepared myself for a serious question.

He took a step forward enough so that his stride was smooth and not rough. His heated hands were moving down my thighs, assuming he was trying to get a comfortable grip then resumed.

"Why haven't you told anymore about my secret?

The strong cologne on his neck hit my senses and I kind of liked it. The sweet musk filled my nose and I inhaled every bit of it. I felt his shoulders relax a little, maybe he was expecting this soon.

"Ranked number one in the school and I have one piece of photography that can destroy you" he mocked. "Did you want the school to know?"

"Blackmailing me now huh?" I grinned.

"No, this is for my own satisfaction" he grunted.

"Hmmpf!" I scowled at him.

He asked. "Why keep it a secret?"

"Curious huh?" I noted. "Well since you asked… my aunt owns the store. No matter how many times I try to resign she won't let me go" I laughed "I don't want to leave because my Aunt is forcing me… I do that to tease her."

I chuckled for a moment and continued. "I love working in an environment with team work; passion to serve quality food and talking to people. It wasn't long until my aunt decided to bring in cosplay and people mistake the place as a hook up joint or host club. It's all about the customer and food satisfaction."

"Teenagers are judgemental most days and they can really bring out the worst in people. If the teenagers know of my secret I'm afraid of what they will think of me. People look up to me in most classes. I don't want to let people down because of my….job" I turned away and held back my honesty. If pleaded with Sasuke would stop him revealing my secret so be it.

"hm" was all Sasuke could say.

"Which is why I was worried this morning about coming to school… I thought you would have mentioned something to everyone…" I admitted my chest tightening and arms stinging with aniexty.

"Please don't-"

"Is that so?" Sasuke grinned. "I don't intend to tell anyone of your secret"

I felt assured that he wouldn't tell anyone of my secret.

"BUT-" he began after a pause. "That doesn't stop me from teasing you for my own satisfaction. Besides having this leverage is fun."

"Don't think about visiting the store again Sasuke!" I warned, maintaining my emotions and stiffened up.

I wasn't okay with this at all, but knowing Sasuke I had to trust him to make sure my photo wouldn't leek in the school grounds. Trust isn't something I can do so easily, so instead… operation Steal Sasuke's Phone had orchestrated in my mind. My master plan will play out eventually and I will redeem myself.

"I haven't been carried like this in a long time" I mumbled letting my body sink into him and letting my mind reminisce on this feeling. My Father carried me to bed very night when I was young he eventually stopped when I hit twelve years old; I was ashamed about it. Since my parents are away for far too long there are little things I miss and breaks my heart when I don't get to share these moments again.

"uuuummp" My lips moved on its own, moaning in sadness. I could feel the corner of his eyes stare at me before switching ahead.

Our eyes lock in contact for a moment and soon I could feel the warm sunlight on my arms and forehead, we were outside.

"Thanks for keeping it a secret Sasuke." I stated; He switches his gaze ahead.

X x X x

In the library.

"Naruto" her tone soft under a wisp signalling toward the blonde male, his form approaching the automatic door.

"HEY HINATA" he yells without thinking and walks over to her.

"Shhhhh" the librarian announces and resumes her duties.

"Naruto…you can't yell in here.." Hinata said and clearing a spot on the table for him. "So what did you want help with?"

The blonde slides across the table and lands perfectly in the seat next to her. He puts his feet up on the stack of books laid out ahead and smirks over at the girl. His heart racing and yet he is able to mask away his hidden feelings.

"Thanks for today Hinata… I need help with my Chemistry studies. Geometry is hard"

"Naruto…Geometry and Chemistry are d-different fields" her voice softly giggles to his goofiness. It's not every day she gets alone time with Naruto, and since this is the perfect opportunity to get to know him, she wished for more than just a study session.

"Ah okay?" he scratches his head in confusion "Since when Geometry and Chemistry weren't in the same category?"

"Take your feet of the table young man" Instructed the Librarian from around the corner. Her eyes narrowed down at him. "Show some respect young man"

"Hai… sorry Miss" whined Naruto, he obediently takes his footing from the tables and neatly sits straight. "That lady likes to pick on me Hinata-chan"

"Hehe… she is kinda grumpy" Hinata replies, her fingers sliding through the pages of a thick red booklet. "Okay, well let's start off with C-Chemistry…"

"Hinata" Naruto confirmed, his mind focusing on different matters. "I didn't come here to study…" His eyes diverted to her, grasping her attention.

"Oh…if you wanted me to do your homework…t-then I guess" she had immediately summed the situation; her features held sadness and disappointment. She had been looking forward to spending time with Naruto and has heard these words on previous occasions.

She knew she couldn't compete with his best friend; Sakura was stunningly beautiful and understood how much it felt to be ignored, the way he stared at Sakura sent chills down her own arms. 'If only he had looked at me that way' she once thought.

"Hinata… wait…" Naruto forces his hands to cover her mouth. "Wait. What I mean… it's not what you think?" Her vision flutters ahead 'what does he really want? Did he really want to be here to spend time with me too?'

"Ehh… I'm a guy Hinata… and expressing this is hard. So try and understand." Her eyes lit in curiosity 'this wasn't part of his usual charm' she nods once approving his message.

"I mean…I came here today to Study… and to talk to you too.." He confessed taking a moment's time to figure out what his mind had made up, almost sounding like it was a waste of his time and he was in a hurry to leave. "He he I sound really pathetic now.."

"No not at all.." her voice responded behind his fingers, she puts them aside and smiles warmly at him. 'He wants me to do his homework'

Like every single time in the past, when it comes to study sessions; he only comes when he needs something sorted. She can't help but be a slave to it and get conned into this charm. 'Why do I always agree to this, why does my heart always try to tell me otherwise?'

"You do?" he asked politely.

Doing his assignments and his commitments before hers pushed her thinking, that maybe one day she can grab his attention. That string of hope locked in her chances to be with him; making sure she didn't disappoint him… she loved him deeply.

"What assignment did you want me to do and when is it due?" she asked, averting her eyes away from him once again. Her smile pained her expression and he could see it. She parts the table, closing all open books with ease and prepares her leave.

"What. Hinata?" He pushed; frustrated that he couldn't sum up the courage to tell her the truth. "No, that's not what I meant…"

'Enough is enough! I feel this pain over and over again, why has it stung me so bad this time. He carried me when I was sick yesterday, he held my body and I let him touch my skin. I was almost sure we were getting closer.' She felt a lump form in her throat and her breathing becoming irregular.

'Why…'

"If you want something next time Naruto, please tell me about.. don't send me mix feelings and d-don't lead me on again" her voice groggy and her eyes absorbing her sadness with silent tears forming under the rims.

Realising her form, she sprinted to the doors and flipped out her cellphone. Leaving a bewildered male behind.

"Hinata.. please wait!" He begged.

"Shhhhhhhh!" The librarian exclaimed coming from the side once again.

X

"Sakura!" she called dashing toward me and Sasuke.

"H-Hinata!" I wriggled under Sasuke's grasp, he let me go and I fell to my feet. I walked ahead, each step I took giving me painful headaches. I pushed my efforts aside and took refuge under the tree on a small table, my best friend running full speed toward me. Her eyes were red and swollen.

"S-Sakura….." she called I could hear her voice ache and her breathing pounding heavily.

"What's wrong Hinata?" I begged her; she ran into my arms for comfort weeping gently into my shirt. My arms automatically embraced her frame and I glanced up at Sasuke. My eyes full of worry and disgust. Eventually I coughed into the air, Sasuke stared back at me and felt his phone vibrate.

"Naruto"

They both blew at once. I stroked aside her hair and motioned the news out of her.

"I knew it Sakura…I was n-never going to get past the friend-zone…He only used me to do his homework" she wept louder. "I-It was the way he said it….like he's toying with me"

"Naruto what?" I hear Sasuke speak into his device. "Yes, Sakura's with me"

"What did you do idiot?" he asked his tone bored.

"Sasuke.. give me the phone!" I snapped slipping out from under Hinata. 'If Naruto is the cause of this… he will die within my grasp!'

"NARUTO!" I screamed into the mobile device, hoping it is loud enough to blow his ear drums out. "Why did you make H-Hinata cry! When I find you… Y-You are –cough- sooo dead!" I coughed a lot more, I had strained my voice long enough that it tickled a lot and I couldn't stop coughing.

"Sakura..please I can explain…." He sounded upset and regretful. "I don't know what I had done wrong Sakura…I really don't"

"AH BAKA! –cough- Of course you know what you had done –cough- Using Hinata like that" I was yelling at him, furious with my friend. "I won't help you on this one Naruto. You need to fix this!" I handed back the phone and pulled out mine.

Scrolling through my contact list, I thought long and hard who I should contact. It would be no use selecting Neji as he would only worry more and Hinata wouldn't tell him anything. Tenten is most probably with him. Ino is the only one that can take care of Hinata for now.

"I'm sorry S-Sakura" she whispered calming down and wiping away her tears. "I'm sorry for being such a burden on you"

"Nonsense!" I rejected and rubbed my nose. "I don't want you getting sick because of me, so I'll call Ino to take care of you while I rest up okay bub!" dying slowly between my words. "For now you hang tight. Naruto it stupid for not seeing how much you care about him, I can't believe him."

"Come on, let's get you to the sick bay unit then I can finally leave at peace" complained Sasuke.

"Once an idiot always an idiot" I teased, stumbling to my feet.

"Aw, Sasuke-kun.. I can take Sakura-chan on your behalf.. I'm not really in a study mood right now"

I stared at her for a moment I could literally feel her pain, I couldn't stand seeing my best friend like this.

'Ino, emergency.. Hinata. Met at the Sick Bay! Xo'

'Message Sent'

"She can be your problem now." Sasuke teased.

"UGH Idiot!" I shoved my cell phone deep into my pocket and wrapped an arm around Hinata's shoulders. "Let's go Hina."

Hinata lead the way, supporting my weight. I stared ahead with her next to me and made our way toward the sick unit. Half of my mind telling me to turn back to see if he's really leaving and the other half focusing on sleeping and bed rest. He wasn't going to follow us anymore and eventually left.

"Sakura-chan" Hinata broke the silence between us. "Are you and Sasuke okay?"

I nodded to her comments and pulled a fake smile, enough to convince her worries for me. "If anything I should be worrying about you Hinata"

"Ohh honey!" Ino called, running into the room with Hinata and I.

"Ino keep it down" I moaned pulling the covers over my head and resting with content. The medication the nurse prescribed sent my headache away and left me drowsy.

After letting Ino catch up to date with the new gossip; Hinata rests heavily against the chair. Her eyes were absorbing puffiness and tears.

"Hm is that so?" Ino concluded. "Do you think he was trying to tell you otherwise?.. I mean.. Naruto isn't so bright when it comes to explaining things?"

Hinata looked up at Ino her eyebrows rising to the new information. "What do you mean Ino?"

"Well.." She began rising to her feet, I pulled down the sheets to listen to what she had to say. "With what you've described to me… I'm sure he was trying to tell you something off the topic?"

"Perhaps" I mumbled and sat up in the bed.

"Hear me out guys, now I'm not taking sides or what... I think you, Hinata, should consider his feelings too and maybe hear him out?" Ino suggested her shoulders rising to add emphasis and persuasion, we both could tell she didn't want to offend our feelings.

"It may be true that he did use you to do his homework that's Naruto. But the Positive side is…he relies on you a lot Hinata, he could have asked Sakura to do his homework or ask someone else for help"

"HA.. yeah like I would. Lazy kid" I commented.

"But he didn't… He asked you Hinata." Ino took the courageous step and grabbed Hinata by the arms. "You need to take a step forward and don't jump to conclusion babe!"

Of course I thought about it too and figured that the incident between the two would have been a misunderstanding. If so I guess that was between Naruto and Hinata to figure out themselves. I had sat up completely listening intently on Ino's words, her explanations and words gave me better understandings about the situation.

"I guess your right Ino" she blew.

It wasn't long until we hear Hinata giggle and she was back to her normal self, but this time she was different. She was motivated and confident.

"Cheer up Hina! You can do it. Let him clear the misunderstanding and listen to him" Ino pulled her into a tight embrace and began to blabber on about her night with Shikamaru.

"Okay.. since we don't have to go class… Last night! He came by the store…" Ino began, explaining her feelings and being very descriptive about her night out. We all rested well and chatted about her amazing night out with Shikamaru and then as always the topic lead to me and Sasuke.

"Yes, he knows of my job and plans to use it as blackmail" I commented, coughing lightly and frowning.

"So I hate it say it, but he needs to come to your party Ino so we can steal his mobile and delete my photos" The girls agreed and soon we were all laughing again.

It was lunch and a herd of male Teenagers could be heard outside the building.

"Who do you think that new girl is?" One male teen asked.

"I don't know if anything she's hot" One commented back.

Ino, Hina and I all looked up at each other; glanced out the window next to the bed I was in. The males were blocking our view to see this person.

"A new student?" Ino viewed, jumping onto the bed near my feet. I launched up onto my knees next to Ino, Hina coming up onto the other side of me.

"She has red Hair?" Hina announced.

"Really?" I questioned just as her features were turned to face me, her black rims were in sight and her dark orb eyes connected with mine for a moment. I knew she couldn't see me, but with that look on her face, I sensed her anguish and terror.

"She's pretty hot" Ino stated.

"Karin" The girl around Sasuke's neck in the alleyway and sat in his seat… High School changed from that day onwards.

A/N: how was that? I hope you enjoyed this chapter? I know I know…. It's weird… But I hope you enjoyed it :D please let me know if you like it or think its crap. Please thank you all!