Hi, guys! Okay, so does anyone have preferred pairings so far?

Let me know, okay? :)

Also, I apologize again if I offend you with Hinata's too much OOC-ness. That's just how it is in this story, I guess. Thank you!

Warning: OOC-ness

-Itachi's Queen

Battling With A Hot Guy

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44

I can still remember the first time I met Uchiha Sasuke. I was seven year old. My classmates and I were all busy coloring pictures and building undistinguishable structures of lego. Although everyone was in their own group, we were all happy minding our own business. That was until a boy whole look liked a kid you usually see in TV commercials and ads entered our room with a smile that drew everyone's attention. I, on the otherhand, didn't pay him any attention. While everyone crowded him with fascination, I continued coloring some dinosaurs. For me, he was just someone who wanted to be the center of attention so I deprived him of mine.

As you could see, I dislike him even when I was that young. I know that he knew it since then but he continued provoking me. But what I was really pointing out is how much I really dislike him even before he and Sakura-chan broke up. So I couldn't possibly in love with him, right?

Even when I reached home, I still found myself contemplating. And so to distract myself, I decided to give all my energy to our Physics homework. Out teacher asked us to do a research on newly discovered concepts in the subject so I went online and started doing my research.

As I did, I checked my email. And as if Dei, now a friend of mine, has ESP and knew exactly what was going on in my mind, she sent me this email entitled, "Signs of Falling in Love."

Opening the message, I read through it quickly. There are 10 signs written in there.

1. You know you're in love if you can't stop thinking about him.

Alright. Well, I do think about him. But that is because Sakura-chan and I are on a mission to get revenge on him. Plus he is everywhere I go!

2. You call him everyday to talk about nothing.

Okay, so technically, I do that. But it wasn't because I wanted to. He forced me to do it so it's still a no.

3. He's the only topic you talk about.

Oh, God. Since when was complaining about someone become a sign of one's infatuation towards that person? I talk about Sasuke all the time not because I like him.

Already sure that the list was erroneous, I decided to give it one more try.

4. Your heart beats wildly every time you see him or when he's near you.

If that was true, then I am not in love, because as far as I can remembermy heart never acted that way when I am with Sasuke. Except for today, I guess. Or did I experience it more than just today?

Closing the email, I went back to doing my research. But I still can't concentrate. For some reason, what Sasuke did earlier was stuck inside my head. I mean, he made Karin apologize to me that no one has ever accomplished, that is why it's a big deal. And how he defended me against Karin really made me wonder if he really felt that way or if he is still teasing me and making a fool out of me like he always does.

Picking up the phone beside the computer, I dialled Ino-chan's number for distraction. I don't know why but calling Ino sounds like a better idea than calling Sakura-chan. Besides, I'm not sure how Sakura will take it if I tell her I'm having confused about my feelings towards Sasuke, her ex-boyfriend. And I still haven't thanked Ino-chan properly for helping me earlier.

"Hello?" Ino-chan answered after five rings.

"Hey, Ino-chan." I responded immediately. "I just want to thank you for what you've done for me earlier."

Ino answered with a chuckle. "Don't mention it. And besides, it was actually Gaara who did a lot for you." She said teasingly. "Have you had a proper conversation with Sabaku after he saved you?"

"Well... No. I still really couldn't face him alone." I suddenly remembered what she told me. "But wait a minute. So you and Sai-kun, huh?" I asked excitedly and teasingly. I have been rooting for them to be together ever since I found out Sai's sincerity.

"Yes, we are together officially. Only a fool wouldn't accept a proposal like that. He asked everyone in the varsity to sing for me. I'm never going to forget the date March 14th." Upon hearing her, I remember that tomorrow would be my second birthday. "Oh, hey. Isn't it your second birthday tomorrow?"

Yup, I technically have two birthdays. My original birthday is December 27th, and March 15th is the one I call second birthday. It was the day I got out of a really, very bad accident and was declared out of danger. I was eight years old when I got kidnapped but my father called the police in time. We were involved in a car chase which almost costed me my life. Imagine the trauma an eight-year-old got. I was very lucky my family and everyone in school who knew are very supportive and caring towards me. My second birthday is almost as important as my original birthday and only very few people who are close to me knew about it.

That is why I am curious how Uchiha Sasuke knew about it. Actually, every year, whenever my second birthday comes, Sasuke would give me small box with nothing inside but a note saying his present is still being prepared. Of course I knew it was another one of his pranks. "You know I don't celebrate this second birthday of mine. This year is no different." I answered her.

"But it is going to be different this year because you have a boyfriend. Do you think he'll prepare a surprise for you? Since we still can't celebrate your original birthday because it's during winter break, maybe we could celebrate it this time." She asked teasingly again.

It was definite that he would. He'll probably give me the same thing he has been giving me all these years. It was funny how he never got tired of it. "If there's one thing I've learned from being with Uchiha Sasuke, it's never to expect anything from him. He never does anything I expect him to do anyway." Suddenly, I felt something vibrating in my pocket. I took out Sasuke's phone and saw 'wifey' flashing on the screen, signaling an incoming call. He must have charged it before giving it to me. "Hey, Ino-chan, I need to go. Someone's calling on my cellphone."

"Okay then, I'll see you tomorrow!" She chirped then we both hang up.

As I answer the call, my heart started beating fast again. It was like I'm nervous to talk to Sasuke. Probably because he might bring up what happened earlier. "Hello?" I spoke, forcing myself to sound normal and trying to stop my heart from bursting out of its chest.

"Is your cellphone retarded? I already beat your high score in Free Kick but it won't save my score." He complained immediately as if he just lost a million dollar bet. It was a good thing though, because it broke my nervousness.

"There's nothing wrong with my phone, dummy. You probably just didn't know how to properly save it." Honestly, I normally should be feeling annoyed at something small he's fretting about but surprisingly, I'm not. "If you're really not happy with my phone, just give it back. I don't like yours anyway."

He instantly said no to that. "You're always saying the opposite of what you really feel. I bet you already checked every single message and picture in it." He teased and I could imagine his smirk.

Due to his teasing, my heart started racing again. What is the matter with you, heart? To stop myself, I tried to change the topic. "So are we going to change phones or what? You keep complaining about my phone."

"If you think you'll be excused from your probation just because it's your birthday, you're wrong. Let's just meet by your locker tomorrow at exactly seven in the morning, okay?"

He remembered my second birthday. "Maybe you could just leave me alone as a birthday gift, hm?" He didn't reply.

We hang up after that. He said he still have a homework to do which I doubt.

The next day, as I rush to my locker so I wouldn't be late, knowing he will insult me if I am, I was surprised to find him nowhere. Thinking he's probably late, I decided to wait another five minutes. But he still didn't show up. He didn't even call or send a message.

I caught sight of Sakura and Naruto-kun walking alongside each other. Knowing that Naruto-kun is the Uchiha's bestfriend, I decided to ask him.

"Sakura-chan, Naruto-kun." I called as I approach them. Then I turned to Naruto. "Have you seen Sasuke anywhere?"

Naruto has a curious look, surprised that I asked about Sasuke. "Maybe he's absent." He replied and shrugged like nothing's wrong. But I felt otherwise.

Could it be that Uchiha Sasuke took my words seriously last night?