Hey Guys,

Okayyyy, so here's the update I promised you.

I got a lot of helpful reviews and suggestions from some of you guys and figured out how I want the plot to continue. There were a few of you saying that I'm "review-whoring" and "threatening" you guys. Well, I'm not.

I like reading what you guys think of certain chapters and what your reactions were to certain twists because that helps me decide if I want to make some changes to how I planned for the story to play out.

I like to hear how you like my version of the characters and the series and whatnot so I can make the outcome something unexpected. But, very often reviews just consist of people saying "Update soon" or "Love it, update soon". That doesn't give me much insight to what you specifically liked or disliked about the chapter/story.

Aaaaanyway, I'm grateful to all who review!

And now, ONTO THE STORY

[Can someone tell me how to do that line bar thingy?]

Before He Cheats

• • • • •

I sat there, feeling guilty and for once, sleeping wouldn't help. Every time I closed my eyes, Sakura's face would appear in the darkness behind my lids.

My best friend's innocent green eyes would shine along with her dazzling smile that seemed to light up her heart-shaped face.

I still don't know why I agreed with that bastard; why we made a compromise that would benefit only him. Sakura would definitely get hurt either way…

"May I ask what seems to be troubling you so much, Shikamaru?"

My eyes flit up to meet a pair of dark ones, pale skin and a too-cheery-to-be-sincere smile. Sai.

I observed him guardedly. This kid kind of just appeared out of nowhere, and no one really knew anything about him. He was always everywhere at once, like some kind of ninja. It was creepy.

"Nothing, Sai," I replied cautiously. "I'm just tired."

He nodded, as if that made perfect sense.

"Well, I noticed something odd seems to be occurring between you and Sakura; she seemed rather upset when she left Kakashi's class earlier."

Of course she was. I left before she could talk to me.

"I just wanted to tell you that I heard a commotion in the Eastern stairwell while I was drinking water." I raised an eyebrow and he smiled at me again. "Doesn't Sakura have Chemistry with Kurenai right now?"

I nodded, my eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.

'Sakura would be going up the Eastern stairwell,' I thought, waiting for it all to click together. 'It's the closest one…'

My eyes widened as I realized what Sai was implying.

That was their stairwell. Sasuke and Karin met there before each class!

"Fuck," I ran out of the classroom door, ignoring the teacher as she called after me.

As I neared the stairwell door, I could hear the commotion that Sai was talking about. It was definitely Karin screaming, and I could hear Naruto yelling at someone…

I thrust the door open and was down the first flight before I froze at the loud slap that crackled in the air.

• • • • •

I felt like I couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding too hard, and it felt like someone was stabbing me repeatedly.

I could hear chaos around me; yelling, but it sounded so far away. Distant. The only thing that mattered right now was the man in front of me –if you could call him that.

I prefer the term scum, or maybe even filth.

He was pitiful. Sitting here, holding me against the wall beside the stairs with my arms above my head, pressed tightly against me.

I almost laughed at the irony of this situation. Once upon a time, I would've found this position arousing, and I would've turned into goo in Sasuke's hands, but all I felt now was disgust.

As I felt his breath on my lips, I wanted nothing more than to spit in his gorgeous little face.

"Sakura, calm down," he whispered as he gazed into my blazing emeralds. "I can explain-"

"Save it, you bastard." I growled, feeling slight satisfaction at the flash of hurt in his eyes, but it was short lived.

He tried again. "You don't understand, Sakura, I –"

I spat in his face –

Yes!

– And met his glare head-on. I heard a door open in the distance, but ignored it, my eyes widening at what he said next.

"At least try to be mature about this." He hissed as he wiped his face. Before I even thought it through, my free hand flew across his face, the loud slap echoing in the closed space.

It was then that I remembered Karin was there, screaming because I dared touch herSasuke-kun.

"You little bitch! How dare you! Why can't you just be happy for me and Sasuke-kun?"

The blonde in the room snapped back immediately. "Don't call Sakura a bitch!"

That's when I snapped. I mean, what's the point of trying to be loyal now?

"Oh please, Naruto," I sneered, earning a hurt look from him. "You punked out before, you might as well stick with your choice!"

I yanked my arm out of Sasuke's now-limp hold and walked towards the stairs. "The only genuine one here is Karin!" I cried. "At least she acts like what she is; a whore. You two are just two lying, two-faced bastards who–"

My shoulder was suddenly enveloped in a firm grip as a very familiar voice reached my ears.

"That's enough, Sakura," he soothed. "It's not Naruto's fault –"

His voice was as lazed as ever, but I wasn't having it today. If there was anyone I was angrier with than Sasuke, it was Shikamaru.

"No, shut up, Nara." I snarled. "You have absolutely no right to even talk to me!" I spun around, meeting his surprised, dark chocolate gaze. Those were the same eyes that I'd looked into throughout my entire childhood.

I scoffed. "What kind of best friend are you?" I shouted. "You were like a brother to me," my eyes filled with hot, angry tears. "I trusted you…"

He opened his mouth, but I had pushed past him before he could even get a word out and I was running through the parking lot doors and into the safety of my car before I knew it.

It was only when I pulled into the driveway of my house and parked the car that the day's events really began to affect me.

I couldn't breathe again, and my heart began to ache as I burst into tears, no longer angry at anyone but myself. I couldn't help but wonder if all of this was my fault.

Maybe I owed everyone an apology.

.xxEndxx.

Heeeeeeyyy, did you miss me ? Lol

Sooo, not what you expected, huh? Yeah, I know, I'm using the old "fragile Sakura" mentality, but don't worry the good part's coming soon.

Well, tell me what you thought. Reviews and criticism is much appreciated