"Wha—What are you doing here?",I stammered taking a step back when he walked in and casually leaned on the doorframe. "Why are you in Naruto's house so early in the morning?"
"First, this isn't Naruto's house. You are in my apartment. Second, it's already mid-afternoon."
"What?!"
Dammit! No wonder the room looked different but more than that,it's already past lunch?! What about my supposed appointment for today?
I groaned and touched my head when it throbbed again. Sasuke sighed and guided me back to his bed.
"Sit down."
"Why am I in your room? How did I even get here?",I asked looking at him in confusion.
Sasuke stared at me for a moment before suddenly leaning in taking me by surprise. Our faces were just inches apart that I could hear my heart beating wildly inside my chest. Now that I'm looking at him closely, the pattern of his rinnegan is really breathtaking.
I yelped in pain when he suddenly flicked my forehead and stood up properly, looking smug.
"What was that for?",I complained teary-eyed.
"I ordered some food so get dressed and quickly come out.",he replied instead and turned away.
"Wait! You are just going to walk away? At least tell me what happened last night!"
Sasuke immediately stopped and turned around to face me. "You don't remember anything that happened?"
I frowned and tried to recall anything from last night but all I could remember was Hinata trying to comfort me.
"I...I don't remember."
He stilled for a second and smirked. "Then try to remember because I'm not telling you anything."
"What?"
"It's your punishment for drinking.",he replied casually leaving me dumbfounded.
Urgh! He is so stingy. Feeling frustrated with my hanging conversation with Sasuke, I grumpily grabbed the soap to wash my face. Dammit! I really want to know what happened. I want to know how I ended up sleeping in Sasuke's apartment?
I was in the middle of drying my face when a memory suddenly flashed inside my mind.
"Oh? I found you!! I found Uchiha Sasuke!"
I chirped drunkenly while raising my hand in the air like an excited kid. He tilted his head in confusion and raised his eyebrow.
"What are you doing?"
I giggled to myself and wobbly walked towards him. "Where is Naruto? Why are you---"
"You!",I yelled cutting him off while pointing my finger at him, taking him by surprise. "You damn womanizer!"
As if he was trying to process my words, Sasuke remained standing still while looking at me in bewilderment.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"It's quite frustrating because you are not just popular here but also in the real world! Do you know that you have a lot of fans? You---"
I didn't get to finish my sentence when I tripped on my own feet. However before I could kiss the ground, Sasuke swiftly placed his hand on my waist, catching me.
"Seriously, what the hell are you doing?"
Just then, he took a sniff at the air around me and stared at me in pure disbelief. "Did you drink?"
I could only groan in his chest in reply making him sigh in annoyance. "That idiot. Why did he get you drunk?"
I lifted my head to look at him and raised my left hand to touch his cold cheek. Sasuke looked down at me while I smiled like an idiot.
"Woah~you are so handsome."
I was brought back to reality and I stared at my reflection in the mirror in horror.I quickly buried my face on the towel and screamed in embarrassment. What the hell was that?!
After using the clothes that Sasuke prepared, I sat down on his bed and grabbed a fistful of my hair in exasperation. I'm so embarrassed that I don't want to face him but I'm also very hungry.
Closing my eyes tightly, I took a deep breath and stood up. I really can't take it anymore. I'm so hungry that I feel like I'm going to pass out.
"It's okay. I'll just pretend that I don't remember anything.",I mumbled to myself and moved to open the door.
When I got to the kitchen, Sasuke was already there washing his hands. "Uhmm..."
He turned around after noticing my presence and gestured at the food on the table. Feeling self-conscious, I took a seat on the stool and pulled the bowl of porridge closer.
"Thank you for the food."
I was on my third bite when Sasuke leaned on the counter and calmly tilted his head. "I was wondering when you will crawl out under your rock of shame but it took you earlier that expected."
I spluttered the porridge and looked at him in shock while he smirked. How did he know I was lying?
"W-What are you talking about? I told you, I can't remember anything."
"Hmm really? Even the time you told me I was a gigolo?"
"I didn't say that! I only said you were handsome!",I quickly retorted without thinking making him grin.
Realizing that I easily fell for his trap, I immediately closed my mouth and groaned in humiliation. "Seems like you remember pretty well."
"Just leave me alone.",I groaned in defeat while he stifled a laugh.
After getting my fill, I proceeded to wash the dishes while Sasuke was lounging on the balcony. I was on my last bowl when someone knocked on the door.
"Hm? Is someone outside?"
Someone knocked on the door again so I had no choice but to call Sasuke to check it out. When I got to him, he was sitting on the railing with a deep frown on his face while easily twirling the shuriken in his right hand.
"Sasuke,I think there is someone outside."
He didn't budge, as if he hasn't heard me and kept playing with the shuriken making me sigh. I don't think he has noticed me at all.
"Sasuke!",I called in a louder voice and grabbed his arm.
Sasuke flinched and turned to me in surprise. "What?"
I frowned and moved closer while he leaned back in confusion. Sasuke pushed my forehead using his two fingers and sighed heavily. "What are you doing now?"
"I was just checking if you were alright.",I replied taking a step back. "By the way, there is someone outside. Whoever it is has been knocking for some time now."
Sasuke frowned and moved to open the door while I followed behind him in curiosity. As soon as he opened the door, he suddenly pushed me to the wall making me yelp in surprise.
"Shikamaru?"
"Hm? Did I just hear something?",Shikamaru asked tilting his head in wonder.
"You must be mistaken. Do you need something?",Sasuke asked diverting his attention.
Shikamaru scratched his head and sighed. "Well, I just wanted to tell you that we are having a small gathering tonight at Iwasaki restaurant."
"You should join us for a change.",Lee added energetically.
"Everyone apart from you has agreed to come.",Neji continued making me frown in wonder.
Are all the boys outside? To think that they are coming all this way to invite him. A smile curved on my lips as I nudged his side. He glanced at me while I mouthed the word, 'GO'.
"Sasuke, is there something wrong?",Shino asked.
Out of nowhere, Akamaru started barking and I flinched realizing it must have recognized my scent.
"Akamaru, what is it? Do you smell something?"
Akamaru barked again and I gulped in anxiousness preparing for the worst. "Sasuke, I think Akamaru spotted someone in---"
Sasuke suddenly stepped outside and closed the door taking me by surprise. Eh? I pressed my ears on the door to hear their conversation but before I could, the door swung open again and Sasuke stepped in.
"Is everyone gone?",I whispered.
"They left already.",he replied and walked to the living room. That was fast!
"Are you going to join them tonight?"
Sasuke stopped walking and turned around to face me while I looked back at him in question. "Hmm?"
"Do you want me to?"
Why is he suddenly asking me? I tilted my head in wonder before nodding. "I think you should. It's a good opportunity to know everyone. Besides they even came all the way here to tell you. Do you know what that means?"
I looked into his midnight eyes and grinned. "They really want you to be there."
Sasuke stared at me for a moment before letting out a small smile. "Then I'll go."
"You are really going?!",I exclaimed in disbelief.
He simply nodded in response and continued walking again. I silently watched him as he sat down on the couch and leaned back to rest. Noticing my gaze, he turned to me and raised his eyebrow.
"What?"
Smiling, I shook my head and sat down beside him. "I'm just really happy. Back then, everyone was distant to you but now, they are approaching you at their own volition."
I faced him properly and subconsciously stroked his hair. "Good job, getting here."
Just then, another memory played inside my mind making me freeze up.
"Your hair is so soft and silky!",I giggled happily while stroking his hair. "It's so unfair~"
Sasuke breathed in annoyance and caught my wrist making me turn to him, feeling a little bit dizzy. "Stop it."
I pouted and gave him a sullen look. We exchanged stares for awhile before he finally sighed in defeat and released my wrist. I grinned in triumph and immediately resumed playing with his hair.
"Seriously...",he muttered to himself not bothering to stop me anymore.
I eventually shifted my attention to his face and moved to cup his cheeks, making him turn to me in surprise. I was still smiling when I stared into his eyes but when he grabbed my hands and gently removed them on his face, the smile instantly disappeared on my lips.
He must have noticed the change in my mood, because he immediately released my hand and looked at me in concern.
"Shizuru?"
"I'm sorry.",I said softly while keeping my gaze low. "I'm really sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"I'm sorry.",I choked as tears streamed down my face.
Sasuke muttered a curse and carefully raised my chin so that he could meet my gaze. However when he saw my tears, he stilled for a moment before wiping my tears using his thumb.
"Stop crying.",he whispered gently and pressed a kiss on my forehead.
I dared to look into his eyes and when our eyes met, the emotional atmosphere that was brewing between us instantly switched into something else. As if we were both caught in a spell, Sasuke lowered his gaze and leaned in while I closed my eyes...
I quickly withdrew my hand away from him and stood up in shock while he calmly stared at me. What was that just now?
Just then someone knocked on the door again but this time, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Sasuke-kun!"
It's Sakura...