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His voice shook her out of her reverie. She jumped up, defiance flashing in her eyes. "Don't even, Sasuke."

The boy caught her arm. It was like a fire had been lit in his palm. They both flinched, the electricity of the touch now apparent to both. Sakura rubbed her arm unconsciously.

"I'm sorry."

She looked at him; it was like he hadn't slept in days. But then, she realized, neither had she.

"That doesn't change anything." Her voice was a whisper, and she didn't know why. "That doesn't change the fact that you're pretty much controlling me."

Sasuke gaped at her. "What are you talking about?" But she wasn't looking at him anymore.

"I mean, every time something goes wrong, you're always there. Always. But when we're apart, why do I feel so lost and alone? And why is it that every time I kiss my boyfriend, I feel like I'm betraying you? Tell me!"

Sakura's voice had escalated to a near shout. The boy chose his next words so carefully it was as if his life depended on it. And in a way, it did. At least to him.

"Maybe because you know that there's something else between us…other than friends."

The ball had been dropped. The course of motion had changed so drastically that the possibility of a happy outcome was very bleak indeed. Sasuke couldn't stop the flow; all he could do was ride it out. And pray.

Ha! I knew it! Sakura's inner-self was awake at last.

You know, Sakura informed her; you really should work on your timing.


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"I-I don't know what you're talking about." the girl stammered weakly.

He stepped forward, causing her to back away. "No?" His voice was in that dangerously low register. "Then what was that song of yours all about?"

The show was beginning to falter; the dance that they'd performed for so long: skirting around the one issue that consumed them, was moving at such a pace that Sakura couldn't keep up. The truth was unravelling before her, whether she wanted it to or not.

"It was nothing."

Sasuke shook his head. "That's bull and you know it. You can't tell me you don't feel it; every time we touch my nerves fly off the handle. You have to feel something."

"What if I don't?" That defiance was back. "What if—"

But her next words were cut off by a pair of lips determinedly crashing into hers. Sakura was now backed against the stage with no way out. By the time Sasuke pulled away, she felt like she'd pass out.

"Don't tell me," he panted, leaning his weight on the arm by her head, "that you didn't feel anything."

Sakura didn't think her heart would ever stop pounding. "But I don't want to…"

The boy smacked his hand inches away from her left ear; she jumped.

"Dammit Sakura! Why won't you just admit it! What are you so afraid of?"

Question 85: What is his/her worst fear?

She couldn't meet his gaze. "You know what."

"Please…" He leaned so far down that their noses were practically touching. "Refresh my memory."

The anger that she didn't know she had finally boiled to the surface.

"Fine! I'm afraid of losing you to some stupid bimbo who doesn't give a damn about you except for your family name and your bank account. I'm scared you'll leave and never come back!"

Her voice cracked as she turned back to lock eyes with him. "But what about you, dear Sasuke-kun? What does the great Sasuke Uchiha fear the most?"

Sasuke opened his mouth, and closed it again. What could he say? That he was afraid of feeling unneeded by the girl he loved?

"Thought so."

Sakura's voice was hard as she ducked under his arm and walked away. Sasuke sighed and hung his head as the moment seeped away. It was now or never.

"Wait."

They both turned simultaneously, each wearing different looks: one of hurt, and the other; of defeat. The boy sighed again and ran his fingers through his hair, a habit he'd picked up from Naruto. The Uchiha had not been pleased to find that the dobe had rubbed off on him.

"You want to know what scares me? I'm scared you don't need me anymore. Not to hold you when you cry, not to tell you that everything will be okay, even when we both so obviously know it won't. I was so afraid that you'd changed when you'd left last year…that you'd changed towards me."

As his little confession wore on, Sakura could feel her jaw dropping. The boy turned away slightly and continued.

"I'm scared you'll meet some guy who, who'll replace me. Some guy who doesn't deserve you for anything." He lifted his head, and let out a tiny laugh. "God, you scare me, Sakura. You scare the hell outta me."

It was her turn to lose her tongue. "What…" She swallowed uncomfortably, her throat suddenly bone dry. "Why would you—"

"Because…because I love you."

Sasuke's rose and fell as the weight of what he'd just said came crashing down on their heads. Sakura's jaw hit the floor with an imaginable bang. The boy covered his face with his hands, moaning quietly.

"I love you, okay? That's why I was overprotective of you when you were dating Kiba."

He spat out the name as if it tasted foul in his mouth. Sakura could tell the salt water in her eyes was threatening to spill over. Sasuke's eyes were blazing with colour and emotion. Black. Red. Onyx. Crimson. Anger, relief, anxiety, confusion, and finally she understood…Love.

Who was right? Me! Her inner-self danced around her mind in triumph. The girl felt dazed, like she was about to pass out. Again.

But what should happen next but the entire school walking in on them.