I'm confused.

It was late afternoon. My first day of work was complete. It wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be. The people I work with are very friendly for the most part. They don't talk a lot, but that's fine. I went into Tsunade's office to retrieve my clothes. I waved goodbye to her and stood outside.

Sasuke agreed to come pick me up from work. He said he wanted to talk to me about something. I couldn't even imagine what it could be. Maybe it was the topic of Naruto again? Did Naruto call Sasuke and tell him what happened between us at the hospital? I'm slightly confused.

As soon as I walked outside, Sasuke pulled up in his car. I took a deep breath before opening the car door. When I got in his car, Sasuke was still wearing his shades. The sun is damn near gone from the sky and he still wore his sunglasses.

"Hey."

"Hey Sasuke."

Sasuke drove off. I looked off to the side, peering out the tinted windows of his car. This awkward feeling invaded my body. I was too nervous to say anything else to him. I did notice one thing; Sasuke's car didn't have that same odor in it as before. The smell was different. It was a bitter smell with small hints of sweetness to the aroma.

"Is it alright if we talk at your place tonight?"

"My place? Yeah, sure I don't mind." He wants to talk at my place? What could he possibly want to talk about?

When I looked into Sasuke's face I couldn't tell what he was thinking. It was even harder to tell when he had sunglasses on.

Before I knew it, he was parking in front of my apartment building. We hopped out of the car and made our way upstairs.

This would be the first time Sasuke ever seen my apartment. When people are coming over, it's natural to worry about whether your apartment or house is clean. I didn't really care though. I've been having such an exhausting experience.

We walked up to my door, but he hadn't said anything to me since we've gotten out of the car.

I opened up my door and flicked on the lights. The TV could be faintly heard when the door opened up.

"Welcome to my home. It might be a little messy, forgive me."

"It's fine. Don't worry."

I laid the bag with my clothes on a small table near the door.

I navigated Sasuke to my living room, so we could sit down, and have this talk.

He went into his pocket, pulling out a box of cigarettes, and a small lighter. He lite the cigarette putting the end in his mouth. Sasuke inhaled deeply, letting out a huge cloud of smoke when he exhaled.

I waved my hand in front of my face, guiding the smoke away from me before it could enter my lungs.

"I'll be right back." Sasuke sat down on the couch while I went into the kitchen to pour us something to drink. I wanted to show him I had some kind of hospitality.

While I was standing in the kitchen, I could hear a news reporter talking about a missing person alert. The news reporter said "A female of the name of Hinata Hyuga went missing. If anyone has seen her call this number."

"Hinata? She's missing. Hm. That's strange."

After I finished pouring the drinks, I walked back into the living room with Sasuke. My entire living room smelled like cigarette smoke. I wanted to smack the shit out of him. The smell stinks so badly. Now I have air out my apartment.

"Hey, did you hear about Hinata going missing?" I placed the glasses down on the small coffee table. 'It's iced tea, by the way."

"Hinata missing? That's odd."

"I know. It's just strange. Neji always looked after her so well."

"It must be really hard on Neji, knowing that his cousin just went missing out of the blue with no trace."

"Poor Neji. I wish them the best. I hope that she's okay and nothing happened to her."

"I'm sure she's fine Sakura." Sasuke patted the couch cushion next to him.

"Right." I sat down next to him. "So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"So what's been going on with you? Someone told me they seen you walking out of the hospital."

"Oh… I had a little accident, but I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?" Sasuke laid his hand down on my shoulder with the stitches. I tried not to jump too much because my skin was still sore. I haven't been taking the pain pills the doctor prescribed me.

"I'm positive…" My mind traveled back to my experience at the hospital. I let out a little sigh. "Naruto." I mumbled his name softly.

"Naruto, What about him?"

"Well while I was at the hospital, Naruto arrived. Well we had a little talk."

"A talk about what?" Sasuke leaned in a little closer, staring me down."

"We just talked about our relationship. We officially broke up."

"Oh really now, Maybe I should pay him a visit and talk to him about it."

"No, no, it's fine. It's not a big deal you know." I looked at my hands and fiddled with my thumbs."

"Sakura..." Sasuke lifted my head so we were eye to eye. "I've always admired you and your fighting will. You're a beautiful girl."

"Thank you, Sasuke. I appreciate it." I didn't know how I should have felt at this moment. Maybe this was just his way of showing me he was my friend and here for me. "Everything is just getting so overwhelming you know."

"I understand. I'm going through a lot myself." Sasuke smiled at me. "You should be with me Sakura. I wouldn't treat you the way Naruto does. Constantly making you worry and suffer. Naruto doesn't deserve someone like you. You're too good for him…"

My heart started to ache. Those words were burning me to my core.

"That isn't true. Naruto always tried his best for me…" I looked away from Sasuke for a moment having to think back to all the time I spent with Naruto. I felt so confused. What Sasuke was saying wasn't true, but it was at the same time.

"It's okay to be in denial at first…"

"Maybe I didn't deserve Naruto. He was always trying to move mountains for me, trying to give me everything. Maybe I was too blind to see that and I pushed to where he is now."

"Oh Sakura…"

"Even if we aren't officially together anymore, I still feel like I should wait for him. I have faith in him even though I shouldn't. He lied to me all the time, but I still believe Naruto can get better. I'm only hoping that when he's better, he'll still want to be with me."

"You really think Naruto is going to get better, huh? You naïve, girl you." Sasuke brushed some of my hair behind my ear gently while he continued to stare. "Naruto has no intention of getting better. Do you really think he cares about you? He lies to you all the time. When was the last time Naruto took you out? When was the last time Naruto did anything for you in general? You're better off with someone that generally cares about you Sakura and that's me. "

"I…"

"It's okay; you're confused about what you want. Let me take you out one good time and you won't regret it at all. It will be the time of your life. You can even consider it as a friendly get together more than a date."

"I don't know, Sasuke."

"Awh come on…"

"I guess, but I don't like this."

"It's alright; you don't have to like it, but you will when the fun begins."

Sasuke squeezed on my shoulder roughly. I was in pain, but I didn't know how to react to it. Between my shoulder and my aching heart, I didn't know which brought me more pain.

"I have to be on way now, Take care Sakura." Sasuke left.

I couldn't move. My body was frozen in place. I couldn't even comprehend what just happened. Was Sasuke right about Naruto? Maybe Sasuke was trying to send me a message. He is Naruto's best friend. Maybe he didn't want me to get hurt. I'm so confused.

Sasuke's POV

I had to get out of her apartment as quickly as possible. While I was sitting in there, I had the meanest urge to wrap my hands around her dainty little neck, and choke the life out of her. Everything about Sakura just pissed me off. Why couldn't she just leave Naruto alone so we could be together?

My precious Naruto is always getting so worked up over her. When I get rid of her, he won't get upset anymore. He'll be so much happier without that pink haired bitch.

I had to make a quick stop at the hardware store. I needed to pick some things up.

The hardware store was one of the places I had the smallest amount of peace at.

While I was at the hardware store, I purchased some duct tape, strong rope, and some garbage bags. The rope and tape were going to be used at a different time, but I had to get Hinata's body out of my house. It was stinking up that room.

I decided to pay my Naruto a little visit. I wanted to tell him it was almost time for us to finally be together, but I didn't want to spoil my plan though.

I missed him so much. I missed the way he squirmed under me while my fist pressed against his soft face. I missed the sounds of him begging for mercy. My precious Naruto, I love you dearly. He has such a strong will.

Naruto's POV

Itachi returned the next night.

"Listen Naruto, I'm sorry that I stormed off like that yesterday. I was just upset."

"It's okay, Itachi. I understand."

"By any chance, did you change your mind?"

"No I didn't. I'm sorry. I'm honestly trying to tell you, I have no idea what I can do for Sasuke anymore. The old Sasuke is gone. I don't even believe there was an old Sasuke. This could have been the original him all along and he was just leading us all on like idiots."

I couldn't even express my real intentions when it came to Sasuke. I was planning to kill him. I had to get rid of him. When Sasuke was gone, I'm going to move and take Sakura along with me. We could start our family and live happily without any nonsense.

Itachi let out a little sigh.

"I completely understand how you feel."

"Itachi, you must be hungry. Let's go in the kitchen. I'll make you something to eat and we can talk over this properly."

"Alright."

We walked into the kitchen. I started pulling random things out of my fridge. I was never good at putting together a meal. Let alone cook for myself.

Itachi took off his coat. I got a good look at him. He looked like he was in good shape. His arms gotten a bit muscular.

"Where do you keep your pans Naruto?"

"Under the counter on the left side of the sink."

Itachi leaned down and started pulling out pans.

There was this strange ominous feeling that began to surface in my house.

I heard my front door fly open and a familiar voice echo.

"Honey I'm home!"

"Sasuke…" I froze in place. Looking over to itachi who was still bent over, I shoved him in the tight space where the pans where. "Stay there, don't move." I slammed the cabinet doors closed and walked out of the kitchen.

"What do you want Sasuke?"

"Is that how you greet someone who loves you?"

"What do you want Sasuke?" Sasuke was smiling. There was a strand of saliva rolling down his chin. It was like he hadn't seen real food and I was the first piece of real meat he'd seen in a while. His eyes had this demented and twisted look in them.

"I just wanted to come see you. It's been so long since I've seen you my darling." Sasuke swayed over to me, wrapping his arms around one of mine.

"Get off of me." I jerked my arm away and stared at him. "Are you drunk?"

"So cruel, it's okay. I've only came here to give you a little update anyways. It's almost time, Naruto. It's almost time for us to be together. My plan is coming along smoothly."

"Your plan? What's your plan?" Sasuke didn't say anything after that. He placed a kiss on my cheek, but I pushed him back. He walked out of the door leaving it open. "Sasuke!" I chased after him, grabbing his shoulder. I jerked him back my way. "What plan?!"

"You'll see…" Sasuke giggled like a school girl. I was instantly terrified. I've never seen him laugh like that before.

Sasuke yanked himself away from me, hopped in his car, and left.

The only thing I could think about was Sakura being in danger.

I wasn't officially ready to kill Sasuke, but….

The time has come.

I have to do what I need to protect the one I love.