11 Chapter Ten

Aiko's Pov

"Aiko..." The way he calls my name, sounds so right. Just what of all people, you, Sasuke?

He leaned down on my forehead more and I couldn't tell if it's one of his schemes like what he did earlier, messing with my feelings. I bet he's unaware of my feelings anyway. But at this moment, the atmosphere was way different. That's what I thought until i began to stagger and the smirk on his lips were now evident.

I knew it.

Slowly and painfully was I waiting for my fall..

This is how he plays with me..

....

....

I opened my eyes to only meet a pair of familiar onyx ones. I wasn't on the ground as I expected. In fact, with one arm of his, my waist wrapped and my body was brought closer to his. It was like our foreheads were glued back to each other. I didn't even notice my arms were wrapped around his neck.

My heart wouldn't stop beating so hard it started hurting even more, I felt like crying. I don't know what to feel anymore. I want to ask him, ask him something I know I couldn't bring up, Sasuke, what are you doing to me?

I wonder.... What is he feeling right now? Does he feel nervous like I am? Does he feel overjoyed like I am? Or does he think playing with my feelings is fun? Wait, no...does he thinks I like him? I felt like panicking, crying, screaming. I want to punch the wall or slap him.

I want to push myself away from him but I couldn't. I got too busy taking in the pleasure of being in his arms that I couldn't even bring myself to detach myself from him. Tears of mixed, unidentified emotions began to prick my eyelids. I wanted to stop myself but I couldn't. Why am I even crying? More importantly, in front of him. I refused to breathe through my nostrils because I know I'll snivel, he'll sense that I'm crying. But even as I used my mouth, taking breaths and heaving them out turned out to be shaky.

Then as I heard this, I felt like my world just stopped. Everything just.....halted. I felt light headed.

"Aiko, what are you doing to me?"

That one question I couldn't bring myself to ask him...

His whisper made me shudder and it was like I was paralysed in the state of shock. Have you ever had that feeling where you suddenly were told about something that's so good or even so bad that you couldn't get yourself to move anymore? No? How about when you get called by your math teacher to answer an equation you don't even know about? Yeah, that's how I'm making feeling right now.

I couldn't get myself to process anything anymore. Should I even answer that?

The least I could only do was look him still in the eyes, not caring if mine were filled with tears. I can't run away from these feelings for the time being. Fast or not I know this is how I'm feeling. But, should I keep running away and keep myself in denial?

I stared into his eyes, trying to read his thoughts but such power can't be possessed by any normal person. This is reality, the real world! I want to punch myself to know if this is a dream of not but with the pain that my heart is conducting, I know this isn't a dream.

And like it was, the guy whom I've been calling my best friend began to lean even closer and closer. I tried backing off but his arms stopped me from doing so and I was too weak on the knees to let myself be. I gulped. I could feel his soft lips brushing against mine. If possible, my heart was beating harder and faster than its already been. I want to feel his lips on mine but for some reason, it seems Les like something was holding me back. The question is, what is?

I want this, but I'm beyond scared. Come to think of it, to him this just might be a kiss but for me, it will change everything. I'm sacred. What will happen after this? Will things really change? It was taking forever for one of us to at least make a move. So he's hesitant about this as well..

I closed my eyes and gave in, relaxing my tensed muscles and slowly taking my arms off his neck.

Sasuke's Pov

I don't know if she feels the same way. I'm fearful of the outcome of what I am doing but I couldn't hold myself any longer. I'm willing to take every risk there is, even if it means changing our relationship. I don't know how I'd come to think hi is, but I do know that I get frustrated whenever the scene is Aiko being in Neji's arms plays in my head. I couldn't shake it off.

Now, here she is, in my arms, barely leaving space between us. My heart and mind is demanding me to have the balls to take another step and finally capture her lips on mine but my body tells me otherwise.

I've been covering up my feelings for her this whole time and now look what it's gotten me into. It's like Neji's hands of making me jealous finally opened the jar that contained every bit of my feelings for her for the past few years. That's right...years. I've been in denial for years, saying that I don't like her when I do. No one knows about this, not Naruto nor Itachi. Imagine the ruckus it may cause.

And this time, there's no holding back. It's obvious that she knows what I'm feeling about her now.

"Sasuke...." Her sweet voice called as she painfully took her arms off my neck with her eyes closed, "I'm scared," She continued and wiped her tears using the back of her hand. That moment, for the first time in my life, I felt like the whole world just turned against me. Like my whole life just got torn into two.

She burst into a fist of laughter but I know her and I know they were forced. My heart ached when she stepped back, making her way out of my grasp. Her bangs covering her eyes as she looked down, fiddling on the hem of her shirt before gripping on it tightly with her clenched fist, "You should really stop your pranks Sasuke. It's not even funny." Aiko finally looked up, cheeks tearstained with a tight grin on her face

I felt like....

"You're mean for a friend, Sasuke." She continued with a pout, crossing her arms over her chest while letting out a cute huff.

...my heart just shattered into bits.

I heard her voice again but I couldn't quite get what she just said. The thoughts were clouding in my mind that I couldn't even get myself to function back properly anymore. The fact that she had emphasized the word friend to my face, the fact that she thought that this was all an act, a joke, a prank! But Aiko! A prank for what?! What are you thinking?

It hurts. She thought this was all a prank? Is she really that naive? Maybe I'm rushing things for her, no, maybe I don't like her after all in that way. Maybe I just like her as a sister. I mean, Neji also thought of her that way, maybe I'm just jealous of the close relationship they have. He treats her like a sister he could never have and she thinks the same way! Yeah, maybe i just want her sisterly support.... Maybe... I...

When I finally got myself to snap back to reality, I no longer found her in front of me or anywhere in my radius. I began to panic, frantically running my fingers through my hair. Where could she have gone?! Did she run away?! What's wrong with me? How much stupider can I get? To even think that she'll be paying after this! She even cried for heaven's sake!

I ran into every room that she could possibly be in. She wasn't in her room, not in the guest room either. Not in the bathroom, even in her large walk in closet. Where? Aiko where are you?

I know she told me something before she was out of my sight. But I was too deep in my thoughts to even heed any attention to her. goddamn it! I was burning in anger towards myself. How could I be such a jerk? I've always been one! And what's worse? I've been the most Jackass person in her life, probably! I don't see anyone else treat her badly like I do!

I love her....but then why? Why am I like this to her?

I sighed and laid my back on the bed of her room, covering my eyes with one arm.

This is it...from now on forth, I will love her as my best friend.....as a sister, for her sake. She doesn't feel the same way I do so why bother? This won't take me anywhere at all! My lips curved into a grin with soft chuckles of disappointment escaped the pair of edges of my mouth.

My lips.....her lips.....we were so lose.

My fingers found its way to touch my own pair of lips. We didn't kiss and its o NJ KY been a short while since I felt her soft ones brush with mine and I already miss them. I felt my eyes stinging as my heart continued to break. I have no choice but to love her, like how a brother would love his sister. That way, nothing will change.....completely nothing.

"Eh? What's Sasuke doing here?" I heard a voice that sounded familiar to me. That voice that belonged to my best friend who pisses me off often. But whatever the situation, he's still my buddy. "Huh, come to think of it, how did you end up in my room, duckbutt?" The moment I heard Aiko's voice, I immediately say up to advert my sight to her, but I regretted doing so. There I saw Naruto with his arms wrapped over Aiko's shoulder.

I would be lying if I'd say I'm not jealous. But then again, I shouldn't feel this way. First of all, Naruto's her best friend, it's normal for the two of them to be like that. Second, I'm trying to overcome these feelings. "I was looking for your Aiko. If you were so scared about Thai prank then you should've just pushed me away or kicked me or physically violate me for defense. Not run away and worry me louder." I finally played along, keeping my cool.

But only if she knew....

She laughed and Naruto gave us a gloomy look, "You guys had a fun day without me." Aiko patted and ruffled the Uzumaki's blond hair, giving him a toothy smile. She waved a hand at him saying, "Aw, there are more days to come for us best friends!"

....how much it's tearing me apart on the inside.....

I can't sulk! Especially not when I'm in front of them! I grit my teeth against each other and clenched my fist, "Would the two of you shut up, you both are so annoying!"

Aiko's smile was replaced with a smirk, planning a hand on her hip, she replies, "Oh but you love us~"

What do you mean us?! I only love you! Pft yeah right!

As if nothing happened between us...everything was back to normal. So I guess that's that? Pretend that nothing really happened.

"Hm, Father would be disappointed if he's too see you, Sasuke. How low, being in Aiko's room without her permission." My eyes narrowed to the figure that was behind Aiko. "It's absolutely against my will to intrude in a girl's room Itachi. If in any car, Aiko wanted me to check if she had any tampons left since her monthly red tide would start tomorrow. She shamelessly asked me to buy if they weren't any." I pouted and crossed my arms.

But seeing Aiko's expression of disbelief and then rage mage me smirk all the way. I knew she wouldn't expect such an answer. What even made it funnier was Naruto seemed to buy it. But Itachi.....well, not really. He knows me too much.

Itachi simply shook his head and gross on to Aiko who looked like she had the urge to pounce on me and rip my throat out with hey own teeth. Naruto followed shortly behind them with a puzzled look, scratching the back of his head.

"A-ano, Sasuke. What happened earlier?" He walked back and this time, closed the door behind him. Leaving the two of us inside her room. For someone like Itachi, they might think we'll be doing something funny inside a girl's room.

I raised my eyebrow, pretending not to know what's he's talking about. But clearly this is Aiko. "What do you mean what happened?"

"I'm confused. The moment I came here, Aiko was like crying but she still forced a smile on her face. Is she really on her....you know...period?" I wanted to facepalm myself at his level of guilelessness but then again, I was thankful about it or it would've been another story.

I simply bobbed my head in a nod and post his back add I stood up. But before I could even open the door, it slammed onto me...hard as heck. "God damn!" I cussed out loudly, holding my nose which was beginning to bleed. A pair of onyx eyes peeked from behind. "Oopsy." Mr brother cooed, opening the door wider with so much force that it made me roll my back until I was completely on the other side of the door.

"ITACHI!" I growled, grasping on the edge of the wooden door. He faced me with an innocent look, "Oh my! What happened to you little brother? Did karma get you for selling awful stories?"

"I swear, once I get my hands on you I will str-" I began as I stood up but he cut me Tobit, shouting loudly, "Dinner's ready! I bought some food!"

I heard a happy squeal of elongated 'yay' coming downstairs and it belonged to Aiko. To know that she's happy makes me happy. I guess that's what really matters.

Maybe I'll just have to love her like a sister. Yeah, that's it....like siblings.

"Sasuke! Will you hurry and get your duckass down here?! I don't know what the and Naruto are doing and I don't want to know about it! But whatever it is you can continue it tonight In your room not mine! You'll get my bed dirty!"

Love her.....like a sister.