Ocean Of Blood And Fire [Sasusaku]

Chapter Fifteen: Sasuke's P.O.V.

All I remember was frustration. She wasn't answering me. I'd tried almost everything I knew to get her to talk, and nothing was working. This girl was possibly as, if not more stubborn than Naruto.

Then I was suddenly reminded of the one time I was able to get an answer out of her.

Well, I thought. I haven't tried everything...

With that idea in mind, I got up slowly, trying to act nonchalant, and walked around the table. I could feel her eyes on me, watching like a hawk. She was very perceptive of everything, so I would have to be very careful not to give anything away about how I almost enjoyed doing this.

What? No I don't...

Shut up, yes you do.

As I silently fought myself for about a millionth time, I slid into the booth next to her, facade still intact.

I was pretty good at pretending.

I had sat closer than I meant to. I hadn't meant to get that close to her, but I guess my ability to judge distance was a bit off today.

So I just used it to my advantage, leaning forward and bracing my hands behind her.

I put my mouth right next to her ear and whispered, "Tell me, Sakura."

I really hadn't meant to make her uncomfortable. I didn't really know what I was doing, to be perfectly honest. I'd never felt so inadequate in the presence of a girl before. I usually didn't try too hard to get their attention, because I genuinely didn't care. So I never paid attention to whether I was adequate or not.

But now, it seemed like everything I did was incompetent in Sakura's presence. I didn't know why I cared, but the undeniable fact is that, somehow, I did. I wasn't sure what this was- maybe because she seemed so much better than me. Maybe it was because she was so strong, I didn't want her to think I was weak. So, no matter if I felt like I messed up, I had to act like I didn't care, or like I meant to do that.

But I guess this time I shouldn't have.

I saw in her eyes the exact moment she snapped. Being this close to her, I could see the broken look in her green eyes, and the tears starting to swim. She squeezed them shut and turned her head away. Her breathing became shallow, and she was desperately pushing against me. I blinked, confused and more than a little worried. Then she gripped my shirt in her fists and cried out- a gut wrenching, heartbroken sob that was so obviously never meant to be heard.

I quickly backed up, knowing somehow I had caused that. I'd never felt more guilty about anything in my life, with only one exception. What the hell did you do?! I mentally screamed at myself as she pushed past me and rushed out the door, whimpering for air.

The few people in the shop seemed to not notice anything, which I was thankful for. I knew Sakura hadn't wanted anyone to see her like that. She probably couldn't control herself in that moment.

I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I remembered her serious look when she told me I wasn't the only one who had some revenge to be had.

What happened to her...?

A sudden, white-hot anger engulfed me, similar to whenever I thought of Itachi.

Whoever could cause her- or any human being, for that matter- that much pain, deserved to burn. Die. A slow agonizing death.

I still had no clue what she'd gone through, but I knew it must've been terrible if she reacted like that to me. Whatever I did.

I needed to apologize, I thought. I quickly made my way out of the shop, hoping not to draw attention.