I seem to like stories where Sasuke comes crawling back to Sakura but she doesn’t love him anymore... Like this story!

Disclaimer: Naruto is not among the things I own.

This first chapter switches between the past and the present, so read carefully. Please R&R!

Chapter 1: The Call

“I’ll see you then.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

She stared at the cell phone in her hand, still hearing his voice in her ear. She clutched the phone and fell back onto her bed as memories washed over her. Seeing him for the first time, talking to him for the first time, kissing him for the first time, going out with him for the first time, then getting dumped by him for the first and only time.

“Uchiha Sasuke,” she whispered, “how do I feel about you now?”

The doorbell sounding pulled her out of her thoughts. She left her room and walked down the stairs of the two-story house she lived by herself in. She checked the peephole and smiled at the sight of her closest friend, Uzumaki Naruto.

“Hey,” she said, pulling the door open. The seventeen-year-old was wearing white shorts and a black T-shirt with an orange spiral on it. And of course he was wearing his goofy grin.

“Hey yourself,” he replied. He frowned and leaned closer. “You okay?” Naruto slowly examined her, Haruno Sakura, his old crush and like a sister to him. She was wearing a red tank top and a white skirt. Her almost shoulder length pink hair was slightly mussed from lying on the bed. Her usually bright emerald eyes were unhappy.

“Ah... I’ll tell you inside...” she said, opening the door wider and stepping back. Naruto frowned again but stepped inside. He slipped out of his white shoes and set down the white bag he was carrying beside them. He followed Sakura into the kitchen. He skirted around the counter and sat down at the island in the middle of the room. He tapped his fingers on the smooth black marble surface as he waited for Sakura to sit across from him.

“How long have we known each other, Naruto?”

“About 10 ten years or so...why?” he replied.

“Well then we know each other pretty well. So you’d be able to tell if I was doing something incredibly stupid, right?” she asked.

“Yeah...” Naruto responded slowly. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“I got a call earlier...” she said.

“From whom?” he asked, his hands forming into fists. Sakura looked up from the floor.

“From him.” She said softly. She said nothing more but Naruto immediately knew who ‘him’ was.

“What the hell did the asshole want?!” he demanded.

“He’s transferring back to our school,” Sakura replied. Naruto swore softly.

“I’ll finally be able to use these on him.” Naruto growled, looking at his clenched fists. He glanced back up at Sakura. “Was that all he said?”

“He said he transferred back because he missed me.” Sakura mumbled.

“What a load of bullshit. The fucker doesn’t deserve you. He never did.” Naruto fumed. He stopped and narrowed his eyes at Sakura. Slowly they widened.

“You still love him don’t you?” Naruto asked tightly. Sakura winced.

“I think so. Maybe a little?” she whispered. Naruto got off his stool and went around the island to hug Sakura fiercely. Grateful, Sakura hugged him back. “Naruto, what do I do?”

Naruto kept his arms around her while he thought about it.

“I don’t know,” he said finally. “It’s your decision, in the end. But I would meet with him first. You know him better than anyone now, I’m sure you could tell if he was lying.” Sakura nodded and squeezed Naruto tighter.

“Will you be there?” she asked.

“Of course! I’m going to kick his ass, no matter what he says.” Naruto confirmed. Sakura relaxed slightly and stepped away.

“So, um, what’d you come here for?” she asked.

“Oh, uh...” Naruto went back and grabbed his white bag. He pulled out a long, slim velvet box. He flipped it open and showed Sakura. “Do you think Hinata will like this?”

“Oh Naruto, its beautiful...” Sakura said in awe as she fingered the amethyst necklace. “Hinata will love it.”

“Really? Awesome! I’m going to give it to her as an anniversary gift. We’ve dating for 3 whole years!!” Naruto cried out joyfully. Sakura laughed. The two of them discussed how Naruto would give it to her in a fortnight. Naruto left as the sun was setting after they had eaten. Sakura returned to her room and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

School was starting two days after Naruto was taking Hinata on their anniversary date. This meant sixteen days until she saw Sasuke again. Sighing, Sakura stuck her head on the spray, letting the hot water beat over her head.

She’d first met Sasuke in their first year of high school. He’d moved from some other city to Konoha a few months prior but already had a fan club because of his physique and looks. She’d also been fascinated with him, Sakura remembered. As luck would have it, their lockers were right next to each other and they had all of the same classes. At first, she hadn’t dared to speak with him, knowing how he ignored all his fans. But then, their Chemistry teacher, Kakashi-sensei, had partnered them up for a project.

She’d tried to not act like a lame-brain fan girl but couldn’t help blushing whenever he glanced her way. Science was her worst subject but she’d tried her best. Sasuke had noticed her attempts to work with him but had ignored her. I found out where he lived, Sakura recalled. I marched over there and rang the door bell until he answered. Boy was he pissed. That was the first thing I learned about him, Sasuke isn’t a morning person. I pushed my way inside and demanded that he help with the project. He just kept staring at me until I asked why he was staring. He shook his head and muttered, “Nothing.” I made him change, because hey, he was in his boxers. They’d completed the project that day and had gotten the best grade in the class. Of course, the girls believed that Sasuke had done all the work. Sakura hadn’t minded, she’d just cared about the grade.

After the project, Sakura started saying hi to him whenever they crossed paths. Sasuke eventually started saying hi back. Slowly, Sakura started to ask how he was and Sasuke slowly opened up to her more and more. I still don’t know why he didn’t just ignore me... Sakura mused. Between his answers and a bit of Internet surfing, I found out about the murder of his family and that the prime suspect was his older brother, Itachi. Through his parents’ will, Sasuke had inherited half his parent’s wealth, while Itachi received the other half. Itachi disappeared the night of the murder with his half. Sasuke had sworn to avenge his family and kill Itachi, if he found him. I never brought it up though since he never did. Sakura thought as she stepped out of the shower and toweled dry.

Their friendship slowly grew and Sakura invited Sasuke over to her house. He’d reluctantly agreed. The dinner at Sakura’s house had been wonderful. Her parents immediately took a liking to Sasuke and vice versa. Sasuke had especially enjoyed her mother’s cooking. When I walked him back to his place, he offhandedly commented that Mother’s cooking was like his own mother’s. I was so happy when he said that. I replied, “Well, if you like it, you’re welcome to come over again anytime.” He half-smiled at that. A week and another shared dinner later, Sasuke asked Sakura to the upcoming dance. Sakura managed to coolly reply, “Sure” instead of screaming in joy like a rabid fan girl.

We became the school’s cutest couple after that, right above Naruto and Hinata. Sakura thought, stepping back into her room, wearing her pale pink pajamas. The year was almost over when... Sakura’s thoughts ended and her eyes squeezed shut as she remembered that horrible day.

Her parents had left a month before on an extensive business trip. They were supposed to return that day. I was so happy, I’d missed them so much. Sakura had been flipping through the channels on the television when she saw a breaking news bulletin. She’d froze in her seat on the couch when the TV showed a plane in pieces in the ocean. On one side of the plane were the words, Japan Air. That was same airline her parents preferred to use. Japan Air has a lot of flights, it could be another plane! Sakura had thought frantically. She’d believed that until the reporter on screen showed the passenger list. Dead center, Sakura’s parents named were listed. The reporter then said there no survivors.

“No no no no!!” Sakura screamed, tears pouring down her cheeks. She cried for at least an hour. Her cell phone rang, making Sakura wince because of the headache now raging in her skull. The happy tune of the ringtone made Sakura want to curl up in a ball and weep some more. But she’d gotten up and looked at the Caller ID. It was Sasuke.

“Hello?” Sakura said in a voice hoarse from violent weeping.

“Hey Sakura. It’s Sasuke. Can you meet me at Shuichi Road?” Sasuke said briskly.

“Ah, yeah, okay. I’ll be right there.” Sakura mumbled. Sasuke hung up. That was odd, what does he want? Sakura wondered. She washed her face and put on sunglasses to her red, swollen eyes. She quickly left her house and went to Shuichi Road. Sasuke was there already, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Sasuke!” Sakura called. He turned and Sakura was struck by the odd look in Sasuke’s eyes. Something’s wrong... Sakura thought. “What is it?”

“Nothing really. I’ve decided to move back to my old city. Oh and I’m dumping you.” Sasuke said coldly.

“What?” Sakura replied numbly. First the horrible death of her parents and now the love of her life was walking out on her. What kind of cruel joke was fate playing on her?

“You heard me. Bye.” Sasuke said and turned out and left.

Sakura wasn’t able to fully understand what Sasuke had just told her until she was alone in her house. Dazed, she looked around at the empty house and realized she was now alone. She had no one who loved her anymore. Wild with grief, Sakura stumbled up to her room and sobbed again for the rest of the night.

She’d been unable to return to school for the rest of the week, worrying her friends. Naruto finally showed up and broke into her house, for Sakura refused to get out of bed and open the door. Naruto had demanded to know what was wrong with her and had hugged her tightly when Sakura finally told her.

“Son of a bitch, that bastard,” Naruto swore softly. “I’ll kill him the next time I see him.”

Sakura said nothing, but merely hugged him tighter. Naruto absently stroked her hair.

“You’re not alone, Sakura. You know I love you like a sister.” Naruto said finally. “I won’t ever let you get hurt again. I promise. And you know I don’t back down from my word.”

Sakura nodded. “Thank you, Naruto.” She whispered.

Naruto did everything he could to keep Sakura happy and eventually, she recovered.

“Two years have past since then. I wonder if he’s changed.” Sakura mumbled before she fell asleep in her bed.