It's been a week since the rain incident, and I still haven't faced Naruko. I've been too embarrassed, scared, and nervous, to face her. I can't bring myself to even look at her.

I walked down the stairs from my room, walking into the kitchen to see my mom looking through the refrigerator.

"Damn...were running low on food..." I heard her whisper to herself.

I then began to walk to the living room when my mom spotted me. "Oh Sasuke! Do you think you can do me a favor?"

Oh yes...the favor question...

"Sure..."

Great, now I'm stuck doing something when all I wanted to do was watch T.V...

"Can you run down to the grocery store really quickly and get some food. I'll make a list, thank you!"

I sighed as I walked over to the table to wait for the list to be made.

Why couldn't she ask Itachi before he left...he's the one with the car...

"Since I know the stores a pretty long walk from here, you should ask Naruko to go with you."

I nearly died as she said her name. "What?!"

"I just don't want you to walk 30 minutes by yourself. Even though it's a peaceful neighborhood, and no one ever comes to the countryside, it doesn't change the fact it's still not safe," She said with her motherly, lecture full voice.

I sighed as she passed me the finished list and some money. I began to walk out the door when she called out again: "Sasuke, I'm serious about bringing Naruko along!"

"Yeah yeah..." I retorted as I closed the door to the house. I sighed again as I made my way to her house.

As I stood in front of her door, I began to think about my life choices:

Should I really knock on this door? The first time I did, I was nearly raped, and the second time I was seduced and nearly forced to believe I liked her, which I don't, and now I don't know what's going to happen.

I decided to stop being a wuss and just ring the stupid doorbell. As I placed my finger on that button of death, I waited to hear the loud sound of her running to the door.

"Coming!" I heard from inside. The door slowly opened to show a just woken up Naruko.

"Oh, it's just you. Haven't seen you in a while."

I looked away as I saw her standing there in an oversized shirt. "Uh...can--"

"Yes, you can come in," she said as she interrupted me.

"That's not--"

"Just in case you haven't noticed, I'm in my PJs and I don't want people to see me in them."

"Eh?! But I'm seeing them right now! How does that make any sense?!"

"I don't care if it's you," she retorted as she began to walk away.

Those words hit me hard. Why doesn't she care...? What if it was Itachi?

I closed the door behind me as I sat on the couch. As I looked around, all I could remember was the day I met her.

"So what do you want?" she asked as she grabbed a brush to brush down her bed head.

"My mom wants you to come to the store with me."

"Your mom? Are you sure that's not an excuse to get me to go with you~," she asked teasingly.

"No!" I shouted back like a child.

"Hmm~ Whatever kid, you don't have to admit it if you don't want. Give me a good ten minutes to get ready." She then turned to walk away. "Oh, and feel free to use anything. My house is your house." Those were her last words before her bathroom door closed.

I stared at the turned-off t.v screen while I sat on the couch. "What am I doing here?" I whispered to myself. As I looked down to sigh, I saw the gift box my mom made me give her when she first moved in. That damn box started everything.

If it wasn't for my mother, I would have never had to bring that gift, and I would have never needed to meet her...

I then heard a door open as I saw her walk out with wet hair and some clothes. I looked at her seriously as I thought about my recent misfortunes due to her.

"What?" she asked while getting her house keys.

"I'm still trying to figure out if you're a curse or a blessing."

She giggled and flipped her hair proudly. "Obviously I'm a blessing in disguise."

I thought about it as I stood up. "Everything was quiet, normal, and ordinary, but then you came and changed all that."

"Huh?"

"Whatever, let's just go."

I then walked out the door with her following behind me in confusion.

***

We finally reached the store when I saw the store was full of people. Ugh...I was hoping it would be empty...

I walked in with Naruko following behind me. She then ran off to the magazine stand and yelled, "Hey kid! They have manga here!"

I sighed while walking away to get what I needed. As I walked down the refrigerated section, I saw Sakura.

Oh crap...

I quickly turned around before she could spot me, but like always, I failed, and I heard that fake tone of her's calling my name: "Sasuke~!"

I turned and looked at her the same way I look at everyone: annoyed.

"Sasuke, I didn't know you would be here! This must be fate, huh~?"

I stayed silent as I looked to my side and saw the gallon of milk I needed.

"Sasuke~ Do you mind if I stick with you? Just for a few..."

Yes I do mind! "Do whatever you want."

"Yay!"

I continued down down my list and she stuck next to me the whole time, talking the whole way. Once I got everything, I headed towards the check out when I saw Naruko running towards me. "Hey kid!" she yelled.

"Wha--" I was quickly interrupted with a shout of pain from the hit she gave me. "What was that for?!" I yelled as I rubbed my head furiously.

"Why the hell did you just leave me like that?!" she looked at me angrily until she saw Sakura standing next to me. "Oh...hi, who're you?" she asked.

"Oh uh...I'm Sakura Haruno. I'm one of Sasuke's friends from school."

"Friends?" she asked while looking at me with a smirk, "I didn't know you had friends." She began to laugh loudly, setting attention to us. Once she finished she showed Sakura her hand, smiling at her happily, "I'm Naruko Uzumaki, and I'm his neighbor. So don't worry girly, I won't go after him, believe it!"

When I heard that, I grew angry for some reason. I dropped the basket on the floor and walked out of the store.

"Hey Sasuke!" I heard Naruko yell.

I ignored her and sat outside on the curve to vent out my anger.

***

Naruko and I were walking back when she sighed: "I can't believe I was stuck paying for your crap."

I quickly dug into my pocket and paid her back.

"Thanks...why'd you storm out anyway?"

I stayed silent because I didn't know myself.

"Whatever, don't talk to me then..."

We were walking in silence the whole way until we reached my house. As we were getting closer to my home, I saw the car in the driveway which meant Itachi was home.

"That's your brother's car, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Hey, do you think he'll go out on a date with me if I ask em?!" she asked excitedly.

I grew even angrier and stayed silent.

"Just saying, but your brother's totally my type."

"That's nice..." I mumbled angrily.

"I mean he's tall, older yet still my age, nice, understanding, mature; he has such nice black hair, but he doesn't look like Saizo-sama, however, he's still pretty hot. Oh! Did I add the fact--"

I finally broke. For the first time, I was jealous and angry at my brother. Why? I would never admit it out loud, but I'm sure it's because he got her attention, and I didn't.

I dropped the groceries to the ground and pulled down on her hand, forcing her to reach my height. As my lips nearly touched hers, I quickly moved my mouth towards her left ear and whispered, "You've made me crazy...Naruko Uzumaki."

I let go of her and quickly grabbed the groceries from the floor and walked away. I didn't stop to see what face she was making, but I did finally realize why I always acted the way I did around her: I like Naruko Uzumaki, and she's made me crazy for her.