Sorry for the long wait guys :( Been kinda busy and having tons of problems as usual. FML. I just want to die. But not yet I should probably finish my stories first for your sakes..lol

But I hope this chapter could make it up to you somehow... Er.. :poop:


"I just want it to be okay again

Is what they always say.

Well tell me something,

What if I don't remember anymore

how it felt to be okay?"


Play Along

Chapter 7

By her request, Akasuna went right up to the roof after the lunch bell just to discover that she wasn't there.

It has been eight minutes since then.

"What took you so long, Haruno?"

"Sorry," she stepped up to him and forced a grin, "I had to go to the restroom with Ino."

"So," he impatiently groaned. "What now?"

Haruno came at him slowly. "I need to..."

And somewhat like it was on purpose, their lips met. It happened so naturally – they weren't so surprised. Sasori ran his fingers through her long hair down to her neck and down her back and deepened their kiss.

Sasori tore away from the girl and stepped back before he totally immersed into her. He shook his head and sighed.

"What was I thinking?"

Haruno was confused at his withdrawal but restrained herself from showing it. She merely pouted and looked at the ground. They were quiet for a while before Sasori decided to speak up.

"What was that about, Haruno?"

Sakura slowly tilted her head back up with an eyebrow raised. "Did you... kiss me at the party?"

The silence returned. Not one of them moved before he let out a sigh.

"No," he grumbled and turned his head to the side. "Why would I do that?"

Sakura's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to make out what he just said. She wasn't sure if it was pain, or relief. The tension of the moment didn't let her ponder anything else.

"What do you mean by that?"

Sasori looked her in the eye and hesitated, he shoved his hands in the pocket of his loose hoodie and balled them into fists. Sakura patiently waited for his answer.

"I don't go for girls like you."

Her defense mechanism impelled her to walk away.

"Sure," she stopped and exhaled before the entrance of the descending stairs, and with that she left.


According to Sasori, there were two types of people. The first kind were the ones that didn't care and never really have any commitment whatsoever in terms of relationships. They just like it that way, and are against pushing for anything more than messing around. They're the people that don't like to engage themselves into something emotional that they could lose and are totally happy with spreading themselves around or being with somebody who has no intentions of staying. Said people often date several people that could be aware or unaware of each other.

The second kind were the ones who did "care". These folks, normally young and innocent imagine relationships as a fairy tale romance which resembled the movies. They expect happy endings, when in reality there were no such thing. They believe strongly in faith and a perfect unwavering commitment wherein the two individuals would always love each other for all eternity. Those people to Sasori were foolish. Those people were not to be messed with.

And that was his rule.

At first, he convinced himself that the reasons why he didn't let Sakura take the drug at the party was because he wanted to protect her from Hidan's intentions, he wanted her for himself and that if she got too high then it wouldn't be as much fun as when she is at least a little sober.

But when he got the chance to be alone with her, he stopped nonetheless. Not to mention her kiss felt a lot different than any other he had.

In all honesty, Sasori was pretty confused about what he was doing the whole time that night, but now, he had figured it all out.

Sakura fell into category two.

Despite her front, he knew. He did not want to be involved in such a dragging, childish foolishness called love. If he went for her that night, it would have caused him a lot of problems.


Sakura didn't know what she should feel at the moment. Her ego was bruised very badly from the fact that Sasori had pretty much turned her down. It wasn't anything like a heart break though. She didn't really know Akasuna yet to feel so attached. However, after so many years, this was the first time she had kissed someone and got refused.

Then there was confusion. She was almost sure that he kissed her, but the way he coldly said he didn't must have been true. She tried not to dwell in the thought.

She also felt relieved that she didn't do anything stupid because if nothing happened between her and Akasuna, then her life goes on and she can keep playing along with her "toys".


Weeks have passed since Sakura and Sasori have actually spoken. Their lives continued awkwardly on as mere classmates, although not one of them has been rude to the other. Once in a while they would have some small talk, and greet each other good morning, or give comments about the weather but that's about it. Both civil yet indifferent.

Sakura went to parties even more often. What used to be every weekend became every other day. She would go out with Ino and Shikamaru to college frat parties. In one of those parties, they were asked to model for a student majoring in photography and accepted. Their photo shoot became a huge success and they automatically became even more popular all around their school and the colleges all over town.

Time and again, Haruno and Akasuna noticed each other walk down the halls alongside somebody of the opposite sex before class or during lunch.

Akasuna was quite absolved of the fact that Haruno easily found herself new company. This somehow gave him some assurance that she was not going to bring him any problems. However, he could not resist to criticize her escorts. They all seemed to tick him off for some reason. Maybe because they were too hideous, or because he considered them as losers, or maybe because he wished that he didn't reject her therefore he would be in their place, enjoying her instead.

Just until now, Sakura had never realized that Akasuna might just be like her – a devilish, charming player. However, if he was, why didn't he go for her? Was it because she was too disgusting? Was it because he thought she had been with a lot of guys?

Either way she could care less. What's there to analyze when she was coldly rejected. She will not commit the same mistake twice. Besides, guys were all the same. They were all just change their damned underdeveloped minds. She couldn't beat him up for that anyways since she had been hanging out with Sanada ever since winter season has approached. He had been picking her up and taking her home every time she asked him to. She also had a lot of things to do. The big game was coming and they had been practicing their cheer routine tediously.

She smiles at him, he smiles at her in the school hallways; while they both held on to someone else.


-The Day of Big Game-

As expected, Otogakure High School was a very close contender to Konoha's basketball team. They game was tight throughout the five lead changes and two ties before halftime. Naruto scored the most so far, 19 out of 41. The opponent's score was currently 44 with their top player, none other than former Konoha High's own MVP, Uchiha Sasuke scoring 21.

The moment for the halftime presentation came and it was all up to the KH Cheerleading squad's turn to raise the team spirits. However, for Sakura it was a little harder to even raise her own.

Sasuke was sitting on the front bench, watching her dance at the middle of the gym. A girl sat right next to him. She was a cheerleader as well. She had nerdy glasses and shaggy red hair. The said girl leaned on his shoulder and he calmly wrapped an arm around her. Sakura avoided his gaze and held up her fake smile, forcing her body to move and continue dancing. She tried her best to endure until the very last sway then immediately walked out of the double doors of the gym.

"Sakura," Ino called following behind. "Sakura wait up!"

No words came out of Sakura's mouth yet she turned to the blonde anyways.

"Hey, I know why you came out here. I don't know what to say," Ino bit her lip and forced out a grin. "Just think about the bright side, Sasuke's new girlfriend is so fugly! A-and he probably regrets leaving you!"

Sakura's lip pulled to the side. "You don't have to comfort me, Ino. Go back inside, I'm fine."

Ino stood there, uncertain. After pondering for a few seconds she gave her a concerned look and proceeded inside.

Sakura leaned on the nearest wall which happened to be the one by the college building and looked around. The place looked deserted and empty. She unzipped her purse and pulled out a cigarette. She shoved the stick in between her lips, flicked the lighter on and sucked in a whole lot of smoke, burning out the cigarette almost halfway through.

"Can I have some?," a voice unexpectedly came from behind her, which made her turn her head and look.

From the opposite corner leaned Sasori. She didn't know if he had been there and was confused why she hadn't noticed.

Haruno kept silent.

"I saw everything."

"Are you here to laugh at me?", she spat impatiently. Her eyebrows were furrowed now and her knuckles turned white from digging her nails into her skin. "I'm fine!"

Now it was his turn to be quiet. He did not move one bit.

"Besides, that girl, I'm certain she will be hurt by him in the end too.

He's probably going to leave her like he did to me.

Just wait till he gets tired of her."

Silence enveloped them and a cold breeze blew, causing her to shudder. Akasuna stripped off his jacket and wrapped the clothing around her shivering shoulders.

He flashed a casual smirk. "Don't look so miserable then."

"Who say's I'm miserable?! I'm fine!" Sakura stepped back and growled. She turned away and walked back towards the double doors. "Leave me alone."

She really tried to convince herself that she was okay, but deep inside she thought, "Who am I fooling?", she doesn't even remember when she last was really okay. She doesn't even remember anymore when there was a time that she didn't have to pretend or force a smile, or when there was no sign of bitterness in her heart. All that she ever was since she met Sasuke was anything but fine, anything but okay.


"I'll help you find a way out of this, Sasuke-kun," Sakura purred as she hugged her boyfriend from behind. It was an hour before midnight, they were sitting on his bed while playing a movie. Sasuke's parents were at a business trip and nobody else was in the Uchiha Mansion but them.

He met her gaze and flashed a smirk. "And what is your plan, Sakura?"

"I don't know," she bit her lip as she positioned herself beside him. "Rich people do have a lot of rules! I don't know much of them..."

The Uchiha frowned and set his gaze downwards. "It's all my stupid brother's fault, now I gotta clean up after his mess."

Sakura cheerfully gave him a hug. "I know, I understand... But, your brother fell in love, he has a family now."

He gave her an annoyed look and clicked his tongue then forced a smile. "Let's make a family of our own too, what do you say?"

Her cheeks burned as they turned blood red. A lump formed in her throat and it took her a minute to respond. "O-oh okay, S-Sasuke-kun!"

Soon afterward she found herself pinned down by him while he kissed her neck. He nibbled on her earlobe before whispering, "Let's start right now."

She wished she never met Sasuke, or at least never fell in love with him. Because if she didn't then she wouldn't have had to believe in his empty words, change herself, feel so insecure in her skin. She wouldn't have been led on, wouldn't have been taken advantage of and she didn't have to cry and feel so worthless in the end.

If only she knew better, if only she knew then what she knows now. All that comes into her mind when she sees him are regrets.

And the hardest part about regret is that it won't let her forgive herself. So she threw herself carelessly at anything that can make her forget.

And this is how it all turned out to be.


The basketball league ended with Otogakure winning the championship. They ended the game with the score of 89-92. Sasuke scored a total of 47 points which mostly were from free throws and three-pointers. His finesse made the other players step up the game. Their newest members were pretty tall and jumped high as well. Oto team also used their height and speed to stay in the lead and had a strong defense at the same time.

Ino had been texting all the time since the beginning of the weekend. She grew even closer with Deidara after the whole basketball league since her schedule allowed her more leisure. She even slept over at Deidara's once. Nothing to worry though, she said nothing at all sexual happened between them. Sakura had nothing against Deidara, so she didn't mind Ino hanging out with him. Maybe it was also because Ino found in him a sibling that she never had and always wanted. She pretty much grew up with Sakura as her closest companion and never really had the chance to understand the nature of boys since her other childhood friends Chouji and Shikamaru were nice but never so only thing that ticked off Sakura at the moment about Ino being with Deidara was that she wouldn't stop tapping on her goddamn iPhone to pay attention to her best friend instead!

"Ino-pig!," she stomped her foot in frustration but bitterly forced a smile, "I'm asking you a question."

The blonde irritably shut off her phone and shoved it in her pocket. "What is it, billboard brow?!"

"Do I really need to go to this orientation thing with you?"

Ino's face lit up at her words and flashed a smile. "Yes," she cheered. "It's actually not an orientation it's more of a show! Only college students can go but Deidara-twin hooked us up!"

Sakura rolled her eyes at this and made a bored expression. Ino grabbed her best friend's hand and latched on to her arm before dragging her towards the college building. "Hurry, we're late!"


Ino dragged Sakura along while she ran across the long halls of the buildings as she searched for the certain room where they were supposed to meet Deidara. Sakura was starting to hate her bestfriend for dragging her along in between classes to go to the college building for an extra credit event when she could just use that time for smoking a cigarette and being herself and sulk alone at the rooftop.

"Ah, there you are!", Ino hollered at her non-biological twin. At the girls' surprise, Deidara wasn't waiting alone. There stood along with him some familiar faces from before. Pein and Konan waved from the back of the crowd. Hidan grinned widely. Sasori just looked away. He was accompanied by a girl who introduced herself as Naoki.

Sakura and Ino flashed her a big, fake smile and once all the formalities were done, they proceeded to the event.

"Art for all sake is in the eye of the beholder", they say, but to Sakura everything was so confusing. The gallery was inconveniently filled with articles that occupied too much space, leaving people so little room to walk. She continued to try to understand the pieces that were on display.

At some point there was a path in the gallery in which you could only walk in four in a row. Some sort of concept the artist wanted to establish. Ino and Sakura were walking along with Deidara and Sasori and Naoki were close behind them. They were already next in line and the organizer was calling for the next batch of people. Their group stood in realization that they were an odd number.

"It's alright, I'll go," Sakura volunteered, cutting herself off from the crowd and prepared to go.

Sasori spoke for the first time. "No, you go with them. I'll leave."

Just before he was about to step out of the line she held him in place by the arm and smiled.

"Trust me, It's okay. Besides, I'm a little tired. This will save me the trouble of walking."

Everybody stood as Haruno graciously walked away from the line and headed to the exit. Sasori's eyes never left her figure until she disappeared.


The room beside the gallery showcased a shiny grand piano. It was unlocked and empty. She let out a heavy sigh and approached the chair.

After lifting the wooden lid, she raised her index finger and pushed a key downwards. She knew better than this, yet stubbornly raised her other index finger then did the same, meaninglessly playing a horrible, unmelodious tune.

Her favorite key was the highest note at the very right. It was the key that needed much effort to make a sound. To her, it was like a high pitched scream coming from the deepest bowels of her heart. Laughing at the thought, she rapidly tapped on the key and let her thoughts wander off.

Unbeknownst to the pink haired girl, she hasn't been randomly pounding onto one key anymore. Slowly and eventually, she became aware that she was now playing a familiar tune she remembered as she played. Her fingers were gracefully moving around the piano, like they had a mind, a memory of their own.

"Such a sad tune. But you play beautifully."

Her reverie was cut short. There was somebody else in the room. She looked up to meet the gaze of the owner's voice. It was Sasori, he followed her there and he was alone. Sakura wanted to fulfill her curiosity by asking where Naoki went but decided not to bother.

She forced a smile bitterly. And pulled the wooden lid back down.

"Thanks. Took me a lot of effort to get better at something that never interested me."

"Then why do you do it?"

"This was one of the things I did to meet Sasuke's high standards." She chuckled, then took a few steps away from the instrument.

"He's the reason why you're like this towards guys?"

Sakura scoffed, turned away from him and headed to the glass window at the farthest end of the room.

"Guys are all perverts that want to get in my pants. That's why I am like that to them."

"Ouch," Sasori charmingly remarked, showing much offense taken and earning a chuckle from Haruno.

"Heh," Sakura shook her head. "You're different."

"Not really," he muttered. "I wanna get in your pants too." He sounded like he was teasing her.

A laugh escaped her lips. "But you are different."

"How so?"

"You fascinate me. Just now, you're honest and blunt... Makes me feel like I could be the same, and not hold back. Also, you genuinely rejected me which is something that is ...not very common..," Sakura realized that she had said more than she wanted to and bit her tongue.

He stood next to her, back against the wall, a smile on his face that was mostly hidden by the darkness. Only his eyes vibrantly shone under the moonlight. Inevitably comparing, Sakura found his warm angelic amber more radiant and meaningful than Sasuke's plain and inexplicable pools.

The sound of his voice woke her from her daydream, overwhelmed by her surprise she distressedly bit her lip and shook her head.

"Well, since we're spilling beans," a silhouette of his smirk was seen,

"I think I should tell you something as well."


Sasori knelt down.

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

Oh I would do anything for you, would you, Marry me?"*pulls out a ring*

(Oh, I wish that happened to me)

Lol that got you going, didn't it? XD Sorry but this is not part of the story. This is just me fantasizing about a fictional character (A very hot fictional character) proposing marriage to me. I even used a line from one of the best leading male charcters in literature, Mr. Darcy. kekekeke -3-

Anyways, I just finished my chapter,

and I almost went crazy,

but here I published,

so Review maybe?

:3