A/N: Hello folks! Without further ado, here's the next chapter. Still unbeta'ed but I'll be posting the beta'ed version some other time. For now, please enjoy!

Chapter 33: Inteammate Side C

"The trick. . .is to find the balance between the bright colors of humor and the serious issues of identity, self-loathing, and the possibility for intimacy and love when it seems no longer possible or, sadder yet, no longer necessary."―Wendy Wasserstein

…

It was 2:00 AM in the morning.

Kakashi patiently sits in the corner booth of a quaint coffee shop. With a heavy sigh, he flips his book open. 'This meeting better be important than my well-deserved rest…'

"Sorry for the wait."

Smiling through his mask, he nods at the newcomer. "Just in time, I already ordered coffee for both of us."

Itachi smiles back, sitting down. "Thank you."

Knowing from experience that Uchihas mean business, Kakashi closes his book. "You're not the type to call someone out in this ungodly hour so I'll go straight to the point. What is it?"

"Firstly, I want to thank you for keeping an eye on Sasuke for me," Itachi states. He was deathly worried about Sasuke's masochistic behavior that he had to ask his former instructor to keep tabs on him at school.

Kakashi rubs the back of his head shyly. He isn't used to compliments, let alone from someone younger than him. It beats…certain norms. "Think nothing of it. You weren't kidding when you mentioned that little tidbit. After I saw Sasuke on his birthday suit at the gym and opened that rude of his, yup. It's true."

"His fan girls will kill you if they find out," Itachi chuckles lightly.

Kakashi cackles like an old biddy with a juicy gossip. "Well, he warned me not to take pictures. It was such a perfect opportunity."

Still smiling, Itachi retrieves a box inside his shirt pocket. Flipping the lid open, he shows its contents to Kakashi who peers at it with interest. "This is?"

"It's a voice recognition chip found inside Koichi's body."

Koichi? That name didn't ring a bell. "How'd a chip ended up inside of a Koichi?"

Itachi rolls his eyes. His teacher's ignorance of the school's extracurricular activities is disappointing. "It's the name of the doll Sasuke used during Jiraiya-sensei's Sex-Ed project. The chip inside it replicates baby sounds & enables it to respond to its parent's voices."

Wow, impressive. Kakashi carefully takes the chip in between his fingers. "How did the principal acquire such advanced technology?" he probes, putting it back inside the box.

"My father used the school project as a diversion to test its effectivity. Chips are installed on each doll then used by the students. Better than those flour sacks, don't you think?"

Kakashi sniggers lightly. "Ara, ara…we had to do a lot of cost-cutting during your time. So, why so interested in your dad's tech?"

"We had a problem with it at the supermarket when the doll addressed Sasuke as his dad. It's a prototype but the voice recognition software inside it was topnotch."

Kakashi points the obvious. "Sasuke technically is the dad."

"Not while in normal clothes."

Their orders finally arrived. Kakashi takes the mug. "And that's a big problem?"

"If you include Sakura-san in the big picture, then yes." Itachi laughs. "The poor girl nearly died when she thought she cheated on Sasuke's alter ego. He was seconds away from crushing the doll."

Kakashi wanted to see that. That stoic & irritating brat acting like a fool – he coughs. "Back to the subject…"

"I had Sasori replace the chip with an imitation," Itachi continues. "He reprogrammed it to recognize Sasuke's alter ego as the dad. Once the dolls are returned to the company for evaluation…"

"It won't be long & they'll find out one of the chips is fake," Kakashi concludes. He slaps a hand across his forehead. "And since Sasuke's voice is recorded in the chip, Fugaku-sama will find out that his son is not in Suna as planned. How cunning of him."

Itachi nods. Uchiha Fugaku wasn't called CEO for nothing. His meticulous way of executing his plans was feared in the corporate world. "It's only natural since he donated a sizable amount of money to the school. Once Sasuke's alter-ego is exposed, it'll cause a huge commotion."

Their father blatantly stated that Sasuke will replace him as CEO after the latter graduates from college. The Spartan training & prestigious education at Sunagakure were the first steps.

However, his youngest son wasn't keen on inheriting a multi-billion company. Instead of studying at an elite school in Suna, he sneakily enrolled in Konoha.

Kakashi's brows furrow. "But why in Konoha? Suna offers the best education for prestigious families."

Itachi sighs, acting like a doting parent. "My little brother is undergoing that teenage rebellion phase. Studying in Konoha meant defying our father. I've done it before so it's highly likely that he'll follow my footsteps."

Kakashi nods, understanding his student's adamant decision to continue with the charade. He reminded himself that this will be the last time he'll get involved in his students' family dramas. With an unfortunate exception for his former student who graduated in their school with an impressive school record. Simply put, he couldn't say no to Itachi. "What do you want me to do?"

Said person grins. "I want you to continue protecting Sasuke's alter ego inside the school. According to Naruto, Chouji's bullying tendencies kept on increasing & that idiot planned on enduring it until graduation. Normally, he can defend himself but he wanted to be valedictorian so…"

"He decided to be a pushover." Kakashi ends. 'To think the brat will go that far just to be top of the class – gotta admire his guts.' If he were to assist Sasuke in his goal, he would require stealth. Directly approaching him was a no-go.

And they have to figure out a way to end Chouji's bullying streak. Come to think of it, he and his burly thugs would usually act according to their leader's whim. Of course, Kakashi knew who their leader was.

Itachi's perceptiveness beat him to it. "Hyuga Neji."

"Yes," the older man replies. "I often see them hanging around at the soccer field. According to Asuma, the reason why Sasuke became their target was because he sat on Chouji's jersey by accident during freshman year."

Itachi tucks a hand under his chin. "My, my. A klutz, was he?"

"Like your brother, Neji is very popular at school. Good at everything, but temperamental. Most of the students are wary whenever his posse are around. It just so happens they favor your brother because of his passive attitude."

"Such a dimwit. I don't see what Tenten & Sakura-san see in him."

Kakashi's ears perk up. "Tenten & Sakura, you say?"

Itachi raises a hand over his mouth in an 'Oops' gesture. He laughs softly. "Tenten has a one-sided crush on him. With Sakura-san…it's interesting. She makes him do peculiar things."

"Such as?"

"Getting him out of character. There are plenty of times he almost exposed his cover-up in front of her. Apparently, the school project was his challenging feat yet."

"Aah, young love. When I first saw him drag the poor girl at the marriage booth, I knew they're destined to be together." Kakashi sighs dramatically. Maybe love was the solution in getting Sasuke's cooperation?

Itachi grins. "Funny how you married Sakura-san to the wrong guy."

"He's the only guy around; unless he wanted me to marry her off to a post."

The two laugh at Sasuke's brash antics.

"Anyway," Kakashi brings them back to the topic at hand. "In order to put those bullies in their proper place, I need your brother's cooperation. I had a hard time convincing him to testify against them."

Itachi taps his fingers on the table. An idea forms inside his head. 'It might work, but he'll need a lot of help.' He hears a light chuckle and he glances at Kakashi as if he already knows what he is thinking.

"Well," Kakashi smiles, "You already know what my reward is for helping your dear brother."

"Of course. That limited edition of Makeout Tactics. I already told Sasori to reserve a copy for you."

Even with a mask on, Kakashi grinned. Itachi definitely knows how to curry-favor people into doing things for him. "Yare, yare. Looks like I have no choice but to help your brother accomplish his dream of being valedictorian."

Itachi nods. "In order to do that, we have to get his bullies out of the way."

His brother will not like him interfering with his life but he can't help it. There are pressing matters they still need to attend to but for now; he has to make sure Sasuke enjoys his last few weeks of high school.

After all, college will be the next best thing.

Sasuke sneezes for the umpteenth time. He & Sakura are hanging out at the living room after their conversation in the kitchen got too intense. Seeing the pinkette's concerned look, he waves a hand dismissively. "It's nothing. Someone must be talking about me."

Sakura's pretty face is filled with mirth. "That someone must love you so much since you kept sneezing after we left the kitchen."

"Ha-ha funny. Where were we?"

"My first date with Neji."

"Aa, that one."

Nodding, Sakura retells the part in which Neji acted like the perfect gentleman by pulling a chair out for her & paying the bill himself. Sasuke snorted at the ludicrous display of sweetness.

He didn't expect his rival would shower someone who was not of Hyuga blood with affection. Like him, Neji is also loyal to the family & will hurt anyone who dares to badmouth their name. Glancing at the petite girl, he's amazed that she lasted.

Staring at her empty mug, Sakura adds wistfully. "The next years were a blur. Just like any common relationships, we underwent the same cycle. We had fun. We had problems. We solved those problems. Until recent events made it difficult."

He raises a brow. "Such as?"

Her expression saddens.

Okay… "Is it me?"

Sakura blinks. "I – " Not him? He's the sole reason why Neji's breathing down her neck after that dreadful conflict at the supermarket! Who am I trying to kid?

It didn't help that Sasuke's smug countenance mirrored the time he brewed her that dreaded cup of milk tea. He wanted answers. However, she preferred not to humor his nosiness right now.

"His enmity for you is deep," she reiterates. "I'm nothing more but an obstacle to his goal. It sucks that the reason why he & I were together was because he wanted to upstage you. Or more like –"

"A convenient punching bag for him to vent on," Sasuke finishes in a clipped tone. He crosses his arms, already sick of her distracting him from the answers he anticipates. "Haruno, don't you ever get sick from this vicious cycle?"

Sakura bites her lip. She didn't like where their conversation is going. "He wasn't like that at first," she protests. "Before he saw you at the party, he was already acting strange. I mean, I ruled that out as excitement from seeing a childhood friend."

"He only went there to rub your relationship in my face."

She nodded.

"So is it safe to assume I'm the reason why you cried earlier?"

Sakura puts her mug down on the coffee table. Her mouth set in a tight line. "Stop implicating yourself."

Onyx eyes stared with conviction. "From the looks of things, I'm the other half of that so-called feud so technically I caused your love story to fall apart."

"You make it sound like it's a good thing."

Sasuke mentally counts to ten. His patience was getting short and he didn't want to scare her with his prickly retorts. He had no idea that showing concern for her was this hard.

He never had any problems with Naruto and Tenten since they're both outspoken of their feelings.

Only Sakura was getting on his nerves.

He gritted his teeth. "I'm only pointing out the obvious. No matter how you twist your stories, it always leads to the same end. Now, I'm going to ask you again, am I the reason you cried earlier?"

Her cheeks redden. It wasn't easy being stuck in a bizarre love triangle wherein the boys were mauling each other to death while she pondered on which one of them made her heart flutter.

Does she really have the guts to tell Sasuke she loves him?

Her sweaty palms & quivering lip remind her she isn't mentally prepared for the big announcement.

Not that it is a big announcement to begin with.

A bitter laugh escapes her throat. "This is ridiculous. I cried earlier due to my life taking a stupidly wrong turn due to my parents' actions. It had nothing to do with you or Neji so stop assuming things."

His gaze locked with hers. "If you aren't vague in telling me what is really going on inside your head, I don't have to."

She glares at him. He doesn't have any sense of subtlety. "I don't need to tell you every damn thing."

Sasuke stands up. He is fed up with her pig-headedness. His patience is so close to zero and he didn't succeed in making her talk.

Friends are supposed to be open with each other.

'But if you need them to start talking, start wringing their necks' he smugly adds as an afterthought. He wasn't the type of person who knows how to coax others to talk.

Reaching out to others was Naruto's forte.

He wasn't good in that department.

Screw the unspoken rules of friendship.

This time, he'll do this his way.

"Not this again," Sakura mumbles, palms covering her face. She didn't have any strength left to argue with him. Battling an onset of tears, warmth slowly spread on her fingers. Her eyelids flung open, surprised to see Sasuke crouching in front of her with his own hands covering hers.

"Liar," he hissed quietly.

"Huh?"

He sighs. "You said we're friends. Friends are supposed to be open with each other."

"I did, but..."

"It was all lies, wasn't it?"

Bringing to mind their kiss & his cold dismissal, she carefully detaches his hands from her face. They may be on good terms due to Naruto's intervention but she won't forget how he hurt her. When it comes to treating the opposite sex, he and Neji share the same traits.

It was a mistake to cry in front of him.

This has got to stop.

She forces a smile. "You caught me. I thought it would benefit me if you became my friend since Neji kept chasing after you. I did it out of pure curiosity on why he'd go to such lengths to get your attention."

Sasuke raised a brow at her statement. He wasn't buying her reason this time. Like earlier, she tries to avoid answering his question like a plague. It was such a simple question, so why was she getting so worked up?

Unless, she is hiding something.

For now, he'll go along with her ploy.

Sakura shrugs her shoulders as an attempt to intimidate him. "I lied to you about friends being open to each other – I knew how much you valued your personal space – so I completely disregarded it."

Curling her hands into fists to ease the shakiness on her palms she continues, "Now that I'm experiencing it firsthand, it feels like karma biting me back. Revealing my thoughts to another person, there'd be no room left for me to sort my feelings out."

The tension is smothering her. His heated looks and stiff posture shows he was not convinced with her answer.

For now, retreating was the best option. Rising from the sofa, she bows her head in apology. "Thank you for keeping me company. It's already late & I don't want to trouble you any further. Goodnight."

Before she can make a hasty retreat, Sakura is stopped by a warm hand enclosing her wrist. 'This is it, another rejection,' she considers wryly.

"I'll say this once so listen up."

She didn't show any inclination to argue.

"I thought I was content with my brother, Naruto & Tenten as sources of comfort but when I met you…you were so persistent in pursuing me to be your friend. At first I thought you're just being annoying but recent events…" he swallowed, "made me think otherwise."

"It's too late for that," she counters.

'Kami-sama, this will take long,' Sasuke groans. He allows a familiar memory to occupy his head. "Remember the time you asked me if I'm concerned about your relationship with Hyuga?"

Sakura nods, events vividly playing back. She gets nervy at their sudden closeness. Sasuke's towering height adds more to the growing discomfort in her stomach. She pretends not to be intimidated by this disadvantage. "I do."

"Back then, I assumed it was unimportant so I didn't prod any further. In truth, I was worried. Hell, it's the first time I worried about someone who was not my brother or my friends."

"Things are different now," Sakura retorts hotly.

Sasuke's grip on her wrist tightens. "Why would you think that? I accepted your offer of friendship."

"You did. And then you rejected me!" Sakura reveals hotly, tears appearing at the corners of her eyes. Her emotions are already running haywire and his thoughtless goading is the last straw.

His hand on her wrist stiffens & she surmises his fingers left long red marks on her skin. Guilt immediately crossed her rose-colored features, knowing her spontaneously timed outbursts relived the most underlying issue between them.

"This is about the kiss last time, I presume?"

Her silent confirmation hit the mark.

As always, Sasuke's bluntness never ceases to amaze her. His nonchalant disregard of that memory forced all her suppressed emotions to come out in the open.

With her free hand, she poked him not-so-lightly on his chest. "Sasuke-kun, you may think this is an easy issue but for me it's not! You simply don't kiss people then leave them hanging as if nothing happened!"

He swatted her hand away, he replies a matter-of-factly, "That matter is already over. Why dwell on it now?"

"It's not over. You never explained why you left," she retorts.

There was a pregnant pause before Sasuke finally answers, "It's because you told me I was untouchable."

Sakura exclaims, "Kissing me to prove your point is totally wrong!"

Sasuke angrily releases her wrist. He had enough of her girly ramblings. He didn't want to push further on the issue because it'll awaken…unnecessary thoughts. Thoughts that might go beyond his control if he didn't cease her childish tirade.

'I knew it. Her being my friend was a bad idea,' he mentally scolded himself. Slowly but surely, his self-control was slipping by the minute.

Sakura was even doing that pouting gesture of hers which he furtively found endearing…and annoying.

"I didn't do that just to – argh!" Sasuke ran a hand through his hair – a habit Sakura was well aware of. It meant he was getting irritated at something. Or someone. "This is ridiculous. That issue is finished. Don't bring it up again."

Sakura's lips quivers at his harsh dismissal. Itachi did warn her about his brother's callousness. Recalling the times he often gave her the cold shoulder, she supposes, he was only doing it to protect himself.

Protecting his self from what, exactly?

From getting hurt by her?

"Sasuke-kun," she opens up. "When you left last time, I thought you hated me. You made it perfectly clear when you ignored me the next day. Maybe it's because I'm Neji's ex-girlfriend and you being my friend wouldn't seem right."

"Haruno – "

"If you keep on pretending that there's nothing between the two of you then you're just fooling yourselves. And, I'm pretty sure that's not your only problem."

Naruto's words rang inside her head.

The kiss was no longer an issue.

She couldn't tell him out loud that she was deeply hurt by his cold rejection because she had fallen in love with him.

So why did he kiss her then?

To prove he was untouchable? That was a ludicrous reason.

Friends don't kiss each other.

Unless, he was also feeling the same way?

Which is a no, since he still wore the same blank expression on his glabrous face. That expression of his, according to her observation, served as a front for whatever he was actually feeling – a barrier, which, not even Itachi-san and his friends cannot go into.

There must be a way to reach out to him unscathed.

Sakura discerned it too late to pursue that issue since she still need to deal with the annoyed male in front of her who was already fed up by her trivializing denials. Ino cited one time that the pinkette sucked big time when keeping secrets.

Not to mention, crying in front of him made things worse.

She sniffles. If he wants to know that much then –

Trembling, she wipes her tears. "I was devastated when Neji & I fell apart." With a somber gaze, she resumes. "When he chose you over me, I felt betrayed. Almost four years of relationship gone…just like that."

"Haruno –"

The pinkette hiccups. Her confidence decreases by the minute so she centers her scrutiny down her feet. "When you said I was Neji's pet, I repeatedly asked myself if that's what I am to him. Thinking about the times I followed his every whim, I guess it's true."

Breathing deeply, she continues. "Like I said earlier, I wanted to confirm if you're a different person from Neji." Remembering Itachi's story about Sasuke's sordid childhood, she rambles on. "Even if you're a callous grouch, you rescued me several times. I wanted to know more about you so I asked you to be my friend."

"I agreed."

She nods. "I was thrilled you're starting to see me as one of your friends. But…"

"Until I kissed you," Sasuke finishes.

Sakura exhales half-heartedly. "I tried comprehending your words but I didn't have any leads. So I concluded that you're not keen on making friends with an outsider."

"Is that all?"

She nods.

Sasuke knew where this is going. This is the reason why he'd have nothing to do with people connected to Neji. Reaching out to Sakura will reveal several aspects of his persona. Sooner or later, she will discover his duplicity at school. And if that happens, he will –

Sasuke shudders inwardly.

Well, there's no use brooding on a non-existent situation.

But it can happen.

An image of Itachi urging him to trust his friends more flashed inside his head. He certainly owed Naruto & Tenten an explanation but unfortunately, in Sakura's case –

His loud sigh echoed throughout the living room.

Sakura's yelp indicates she was baffled by his behavior. Uncrossing his arms, he admits, "I rejected your friendship because there are things you're better off not knowing about me, Haruno."

Sakura places a hand on her hip. "Naruto made me join your group. Precisely, I'm now your friend so I also have a right to know everything about you."

Sasuke murmurs, "A bad mistake on your part."

"Perhaps," Sakura affirms. "But you're wrong. It's not a mistake because the more I spend time with you, the more I –" Intensity of the moment forces her to add, "– find myself liking you."

Realizing what she just said, she instantly watched his face for any signs of violent reaction. In any case, hearing his rival's ex-girlfriend pouring out her feelings for him might be too much of a shock for him. 'Now, I'm done for.'

Sasuke is eerily quiet. The pink-haired girl sworn she could hear imaginary dusty old gears clicking inside his mind.

"Liking me…what exactly do you mean?"

Green eyes widen. "Huh?"

Sasuke simply cocks his head to one side. His handsome face a mixture of oddity and…awe? "You said you like me."

She is at a loss for words. "It's –"

"Do you mean it as a friend or…" His voice is low & hushed. "Something much more?"

"I…" This is not the type of reaction she expects from him! How can he be so calm from all this revelations? He's like a human ice cube! Sakura curses herself for her hyper emotional volatility. Why, oh why didn't she keep her mouth shut?

Sasuke smirks. "Seeing your face all wrinkled up, it must be the latter option."

Sakura fumed.

"However," he adds quietly. "I'm relieved you're finally telling me everything." He hated seeing her cry, especially by his own doing.

Itachi is right.

He cares for this stubborn annoying girl who single-handedly broke the wall he put around himself. Neji is a fool for letting her go.

For the first time in his life, he felt his shoulders lighten. As for their remaining issues – heck, it didn't matter anymore. Sasuke was getting tired from maintaining his passivity.

He reached a hand out to grab her wrist. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but he caught her off-guard by tugging her close to him. Wrapping an arm around the petite girl's waist, he unobtrusively buries his face on her shoulder.

Sakura's body instantly froze.

"Itachi said I was unfair," he mumbles wearily, breathing warm against her neck. "My friends accepted me for who I am & yet…I kept all of you at a distance." His hold tightens, "He told me I should trust you guys more. I couldn't. You know why?"

Her breathing quickens. "N – No."

Sasuke straightens his back. Peering at her inquiring orbs, he explains, "I come from a family bred for perfection. In order for them to achieve that, they'll break you until there's nothing left but submission. And," his eyes darkened. "If my father's enemies find information about our weaknesses, they'll use it against us. Trusting others was the last thing on my mind."

His sudden change of attitude puzzles Sakura. "W – Why are you telling me these things?"

He smirks. "We're friends. You spoke to me what's on your mind; wouldn't it be fair if I did the same?"

Friends.

Her heart sank. He tortuously rejected her by that simple word. She tries to push him away. "I told you earlier I lied. Friends aren't supposed to –"

Onyx eyes bored into hers. "Was it all a lie?"

How perceptive of him. There it is again. His usual blank expression is firmly in place along with his tendency to push others when they get too close to his personal space.

Sakura's shoulders drop resignedly. I give up. "No."

He smiled knowingly.

'I admire Naruto & Tenten. They must've had a hard time adjusting to his tenacity,' she supposes. Their loyalty was beyond limits. The signs are there: Tenten's overprotective nature, Sasuke's wariness for someone who didn't belong in his circle of trust and Itachi-san's forewarnings of his younger brother's icy demeanor.

Only Naruto is the nicest one of the bunch.

Seriously, the bewhiskered male did justice to his role of being the linchpin to an apathetic Sasuke and loose-cannon Tenten. Up till now, she has no idea what Naruto saw in her when he once asked her to join their group.

The pinkette fidgets, realizing she is still ensconced in his arms. Glancing up, she notes the contemplative look on his face. She is so used to hearing his infuriating responses and this…this calm treatment of his is unsettling.

Beads of sweat form on her forehead.

Calm Sasuke is deceptively more frightening than annoyed Sasuke.

Despite the things that transpire between them earlier, an apology is in order. It is rude not to be appreciative of his efforts. He did try his best to listen to her outbursts. "I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. I fibbed to stop you from prying into my personal problems."

His grip tenses. "It's too late for that."

She smiles sadly. "I know. You've seen right through me."

"Your emotions are clearly seen like a mirror."

"I know."

"You worry me with your stupid lies."

"I know."

"You like me."

Sakura breathes deeply. "I do," she whispered softly. Placing a hand on his arm that was holding her tightly, she finally says what's in her heart. "I do like you, Sasuke-kun."

A/N: And there you have it! There are some loopholes in this story but I decided to create companion stories for some unresolved issues in the story. I apologize for the delay but like I said before, this story will still continue. Thank you very much and see you all in the next chapter!