You, Always {Uchiha Sasuke}

Assumptions

        "How could you forget us?!" A blonde exclaimed while holding his hips and peering down at the nervous Ayu.

        She waved her hands defensively, knowing that the two would come for her the next morning of the school day. "Sorry... I just had to go."

        "It better be worth making us wait out in the cold like that!"

        Of course, in her mind, it really was worth the trouble just to find the Uchiha in one piece. She never felt so relieved in following her instincts to run after him, talking to him again and witnessing his guarded wall broken down. It was all worth it.

        "Alright, spit it. What were you doing that was so important to ditch us?!"

        "With me."

        Then their heads twisted to the one and only Uchiha who walked aimlessly to them. Startled by the reply, Naruto's mouth dropped when he sees him saunter normally with a blank face.

        Sasuke looked towards them. "Got a problem with that?"

        "N-No... I mean, yeah! But why?"

        "None of your business," he simply answered, not wanting to go into detail since his memory of that night haunted him throughout his sleep. "Ayu was just asking for an itch cream. Nothing new."

        Staring at him disapprovingly, the brunette wished he could've made a better excuse than that. Now they're questioning how she got an itch in the first place. So Ayu laughed it off to shake off the subject.

        "I had a bug bite, of course," she was sweating like an old man at the gym, but luckily they bought it.

        "Wow. How come we weren't invited? New Year's Eve would've been fun spending at Sasuke's apartment." Naruto fantasized.

        "No way. Having Ayu around is annoying enough." Despite his comment, the raven aimed his eyes at the girl and reminded her angrily. "Make sure you don't forget about our study session today, just like last time. I really hope you won't fall asleep on me again."

        Ayu blinked and then snorted, slapping his arm as she retorted. "You don't need to tell me that!"

        He just growled at her for making an irrational move and then suddenly grabbed a piece of her cheek, yanking it torturously. After of wishing for mercy, Sasuke finally released her reddened cheek as it snapped back to her face.

        "Ow!"

        "That's what you get for hitting me."

        They didn't know but a pair of eyes were examining the two bickering with each other and teasing. By the appearance of this, Sasuke just seemed more than just normal to her.

        The bell rang momentarily, and it caused an abrupt enlightenment of students cleaning up their mess and head towards their homeroom. Before Ayu can follow her friends back to Iruka's class, a hand lightly tapped her shoulder.

        "Hey, Ayu," it was Sakura, "can you go to the bathroom with me?" 

        She thought it was just a normal query from her which she gladly accompanied her to the closest restroom in the halls, thankfully no girls were loitering inside. It was just the two of them.

        Ayu was just washing her hands until she heard the pink headed girl come out from her stall, sighing and then joined the brunette in lathering their hands in soap.

        In the middle of drying their palms, Sakura questioned. "Can I ask you something, Ayu?"

        "Sure."

        For some reason, she held a hesitant atmosphere so Sakura shyly casted her green pools down at her fiddling hands.

        "I was just wondering.... " she trailed. "Do you like Sasuke?" Ayu almost choked. Before she could react, Sakura stopped her by halting her with a hand in front of her face. "I know, I know. You have Satoshi, but... I just want to know if you do."

        Was this the reason why she asked her to go to the bathroom? Pretty sneaky.

        Without making a rude expression, Ayu's lips curved into a nervous smile by the thought of liking the ravenette. "Me and Sasuke? What makes you say that?"

        "Well, you two have been awfully close lately, so I just assumed... that you do." While arching her threaded brows at her, her brown head just shook as she just laughed at her assumptions - more like she was surprised that her friend would appoint that.

        "Sakura, if I like Sasuke, I wouldn't be with Satoshi." Once she said those words, the pinkette's quivering expression turned into relief as if a boulder had finally crumbled off her shoulders.

        "Ah, o-of course. Yeah... that would make sense. Sorry," she stifled a chuckle. "It's just that... things seem different between you guys. Sasuke looked like he's back to his usual self now."

        She actually thought it's true. Sasuke has been more like the usual stump he is and finally found his path, even someone like Sakura can notice such a thing.

        "You're very observant." Then Ayu patted her back encouragingly and widened her smile. "You still like Sasuke, don't you?"

        It was hard to make out a word from her as she stuttered her sentences like a four-year old, blushing madly and hiding her face with her long, silky hair. Her demeanor said it all which it brought Ayu snickering.

        "You don't have to worry about me liking your man. That prick is all yours," she assured happily as she watched the girl's profile lengthening with delight.

        "Thanks, Ayu," Sakura smiled gleefully. "By the way, we should do some shopping before the dance."

        She blinked. "What dance?"

        "Spring dance, duh! It's this week and everyone is going. We have to get our dresses sooner or later. You don't want to be the only one without one, right?"

        Ayu was astonished by her explanation, counting up the days and months in her head until today's date. Her mouth gaped, and then twitching an unsure smile. "Y-Yeah."