I woke up the next day to the smell of breakfast. I quickly tossed my blanket and ran to the table to eat.

"Looks great!" I yelled while opening my chopsticks. I was eating sloppily like always until I noticed Sasuke looking at me. I quickly stopped stuffing my face and lowered my chopsticks in embarrassment.

Crap, why am I suddenly getting embarrassed?!

"Why'd you stop eating? Do you not like it?" He asked curiously.

"Sh-shut up!" I yelled while turning red.

He smirked as he began to tease me. "Don't tell me you're embarrassed about eating like a pig."

"I'm n-not!" Damn it, I am embarrassed and I dunno why! I never care, so why now?!

I quickly picked up my plate and stuffed the rest of the food into my mouth. I stood up from the table quickly, dumped the plate in the sink, and ran to the door to put on my shoes.

"Imma be going now!" I yelled nervously.

"Okay...are you not going to change?" He asked while looking at me in my baggy pajamas.

I quickly kicked off my shoes, ran to my drawer, and ran into the bathroom to change. I slammed the door shut and sighed.

"What is wrong with me?! Get your head straight, idiot!" I yelled at myself so only I could hear.

I sighed again and quickly changed.

Hinata really got into my head about this love thing...This is so stupid! Ughhh I need to talk to someone about this because these feelings are so stupid and love is such a stupidly confusing topic!

I zipped up my jacket and tied my hair up into two pigtails. I need to be away from Sasuke right now.

I walked out of the bathroom and back towards the door. "I'm going for real this time," I said while fixing my sandals.

"Where?" He asked as he got up from the table to place his plate in the sink.

"Uh out."

He narrowed his eyes as he walked up to me and crossed his arms. "Naruko, are you going to meet someone?"

"No..."

"Is it a guy?"

I was taken back by his question. "Does it matter?"

"Ye--"

"Look Sasuke, one of the three rules we established was that we can't interfere in each other's personal lives. So I'll be going now." I went to open the door but I was quickly stopped by his hand.

He held onto my arm, stopping me from opening the door. "Let go Sasuke."

He stared into my eyes. The way his cold eyes gazed at me sent shivers down my spine as it made my heart pound. What's going on with me?!

His eyes had me in a trance, causing me to let down my guard. No matter how hard I tried to stop myself from looking at him, I couldn't bring myself to. I knew he knew I was captivated by him when I saw his lips turn into a sly smile. In that instant, he took the chance to pull me towards him, making me fall into his embrace.

"Naruko..." he whispered as he hugged me in his arms. His voice was smooth and his breath tickled my neck. His deep voice was enough to send my heart racing.

My body began to get hot and my heart wouldn't stop pounding. It was as if all time was slowing down around us.

This feeling...what is this? Why does this feel so right...?

I felt my body move on its own. My arms began to lift so I could place them around him, but at that moment, the image of Sakura appeared in my head, reminding me that Sasuke wasn't mine to love.

I quickly shook the feeling and pushed him away. "Get off of me!"

We stood apart, staring into each other's eyes.

"Naruko..." he said in complete shock. His eyes widened and the sly smile he once had was now reversed, making him seem almost heartbroken.

I felt my heart ache at his sad expression. I placed my hand over my heart and squeezed my jacket in my hand. My face was burning red from both embarrassment and frustration. You have to get away...

"You sick pervert, stay away from me!"

I then ran out of the apartment without another word.

***

Sasuke P.O.V

What am I doing wrong? Why does she hate me so much more than before? Are we really that unfortunate...?

I felt my heart begin to break as she ran out the door.

"Naruko..."

The pain in my chest was unbearable. I had never felt anything so painful before until I fell in love.

I need to know what I'm doing wrong...and as much as I don't want to ask for someone's help...I think I'm going to have to. But I'll gladly lower my pride if it means having a chance to be with her...

***

I was standing in front of Kakashi-sensei's house. My heart was raising and my hands became sweaty from nervousness.

What am I doing?! Asking for help is so embarrassing! What the hell is wrong with me? I take it back, my pride is too much for this!

I quickly turned around and saw Kakashi-sensei standing in front of me.

"Hey Sasuke," he said while crossing his arms, "Is there a reason why you're standing in front of my house?"

My face slowly began to turn pink from embarrassment. "No...I mean..."

"It's about Naruko, right?"

My face flushed red and I quickly looked away. "Yeah..."

I heard him chuckle as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Let's talk inside."

***

I sat across from him at his table.

"So, have you've been doing what I've told you?" He asked while reading his book.

"Mhm..."

"What have you done?" He asked as he flipped a page.

"Well...I've cooked every meal for her, I've been kind, and I've even physically shown her that I...that I love her--tch! Saying these cheesy things out loud is so freaking embarrassing!"

My face was burning from embarrassment, and my hands were sweaty from being nervous. I swear if he doesn't give me good advice, I'll kill him for making me say all these stupid things out loud!

Kakashi-sensei began to laugh happily at me. "Looks like you guys should be making progress!"

"Tch, if that was that case I wouldn't be here...we've actually gotten worse..."

"Worse? Worse how?" He asked as he closed his book, giving me his full attention.

"This morning I hugged her, and she shoved me away calling me a 'sick pervert.' It's as if caring for her makes her hate me more..."

Kakashi crossed his arms and sighed. "Naruko is a tough girl to handle...To be honest, I don't know what to say. I think your best bet is to ask one of your friends who are in a relationship."

"You...think so?"

"Yeah. There's only so much a single guy can help with," he said with a laugh.

I sighed remembering his love life was just as active as mine. I stood up and began to walk out the door.

Great, now I need to go embarrass myself in front of someone else...

"Hey Sasuke," I heard him call from inside.

I looked back to face him.

"I hope everything goes well for you guys."

I gave a small smile and walked out.

Thank you.

***

I was walking through town when I saw Kiba and Hinata together, shopping for clothes at the department store.

That's right, those losers got put together...They actually look happy...maybe I should--No. If I ask Kiba, he'll just make fun of me...

I watched the two from outside the store. Hinata was looking through the clothes racks, picking out shirts for her husband. The way Kiba would smile at her when she would pull out a shirt made my heart ache. I was jealous, and I wish that would have been me and Naruko.

I want to be that happy...

I sighed, realizing that if I truly wanted to be that happy, I had to ask them. This is for your future with Naruko. Just ask then walk away when you're done.

I quickly walked into the store and tapped Kiba on his shoulder.

"Oh hey, Sasuke! What's up?" He asked surprised to see me.

"Uh..." I couldn't bring myself to ask for their advice. It was taking a toll on my pride and my lips couldn't move from embarrassment.

Why is communicating so hard?!

"It's about Naruko, right Sasuke-kun?" asked Hinata with a giggle.

I slowly nodded my head at her words.

"Wait, for real?! Have you guys gotten together yet?" Asked Kiba.

I shook my head no. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you guys about..."

I told them the whole story, from beginning to end, and I waited for their answer.

"Yikes man, you've got a really unfortunate situation on your hands," said Kiba while crossing his arms.

"Yes you do, and I spoke to Naruko about this and she practically friend-zoned you," added Hinata with a sigh.

"What am I suppose to do?" I asked completely frustrated.

"To be honest man, there isn't much more you can do but wait. If she wants to be with you, she'll eventually go to you, but for now, I think you should keep a distance," said Kiba with a sigh.

"I agree. Naruko doesn't even know her own feelings. Only time will tell, so keep some space," added Hinata.

Keep some space? So be distant?

I was deep in thought when I felt Kiba grab my arm and he pulled me to the side so we could talk privately.

"Sasuke, if you want Naruko, you're going to have to make her chase you. Naruko's the type of girl that would never fall for you unless you treat her bad."

What? This goes against everything I've been told!

"Be cold. I promise you you'll have her in your hands in no time."

"I don't think-"

"Sasuke, I'm in a loving relationship, and last time I checked, you aren't. My advice should be taken without a second thought."

I clicked my tongue at his hurtful words. He's right...He is in a relationship full of love, and I'm in a forced relationship where my love is only one-sided...maybe I should listen to him.

Kiba patted my shoulder again. "Trust me. You'll have her begging for you in no time." He then walked away and back to Hinata.

Is that all I have to do? Be...cold?