Ring, Ring, Ring.

  I slowly turned my head towards the window. There was Sasuke, with a discreet smile, looking straight at me. I got out of bed on tiptoe ao the door, log it carefully. Then I went back to bed, unlocked the window and ope slowly.

  An ued heat, which had nothing to do with summer, surged through my body as soon as I saw Sasuke jump through the window and fall gently onto my bed.

  - What are you doing here? - I asked, my voice still full of surprise.

  - I o see you. - He said, his lips so close to mihat I could feel his warm breath, as he ed me in his arms and made me lie down on the bed.

  - “I have so much to tell you, Sas.” My voice faltered, overwhelmed by his closeness.

  - “Shhh, don't say anything. - He whispered, interrupting my words.

  I obeyed, and his lips traced a warm, urgent path down my neck. Every kiss he left there made my skin shiver in a way I'd never experienced before. When his lips met mihe kiss was intense, full of lust and love, making it clear that I was his. His hands went down to the hem of my blouse, and before I k, I was no longer wearing it.

  - God, it's a sin that you're so wonderful. - He whispered in my ear, kissiween my breasts.

  I struggled to trol the moans that were about to escape, my body begging for more, but we knew we couldn't make a sound.

  I snuggled closer into Sasuke's body, and the heat of the night, bined with the rush of our touches, covered us i. A stolen moment, before I could uand what was happening.

  - We should stop. - I said, interrupting his kisses and pulling away a little.

  - What... why? - Sasuke asked, ing to his senses, surprise and doubt in his voice.

  - You know why. - I didn't o say any more. He took a deep breath and fell beside me on the bed.

  If it went any further, and we left behind any evide could take us to pces we couldn't escape. It was one reason why everyone married young: waiting was torture, and doing it before was a crime.

  - I have to go. - He whispered; his voice heavy with urgency.

  - 't you stay a little longer? - I asked, my voice choked with silent sobs, as I put my blouse ba. - Sasuke...

  - We o go. We're pushing our luck. - He got ready quickly, and before jumping out of the window, he touched my fad kissed my forehead. - Sakura Haruno, one day you'll sleep in my arms every night. I love you, Sakura.

  - I love you, Sasuke. - I replied, feeling my heart squeeze.

  He smiled a. It could have been just a hot dream, but it was real. Moments like that gave me the ce I o move on. Ce to face my mother's disappoi when I wasn't chosen, and ce to deal with the surprise when Sasuke's family finally found out who his secret girlfriend was.

  ***

  - Look how pathetic they are,” said Izumi, approag the huge windows in the living room. Outside, in the garden of the imposing Uchiha mansion, a select group of young people were peting for a wedding. The Sele even eased the situation a little for Sasuke, but a few days ter, the girls returo their inal suitors, leaving the prin the sidelines once again.

  - I just came t the week's vegetables, Izumi! - I replied, heading towards the kit. Izumi followed me, after all, nobody leaves an Uchiha dy talking to herself.

  I arrahe vegetables on the worktop.

  - Have some tea with me. You know that your preseimidates these matchmaking girls.

  Izumi looked impeccable in a light blue dress and a headband of the same color. She was the picture of elegance. I, oher hand, was wearing an old bd gray checkered fnnel shirt, a white tank top, worn jeans shorts aher boots that Mr. Inoichi had given me for my birthday.

  - I'm not the type to drink tea,” I said, washing my hands in the sink.

  - Then a Coy friend shrugged. - I just don't want to be aloh these chis.

  - I have to go, I have css, Izumi.

  I turo leave, but before I could get through the door, I bumped into Kim Hamezuka, one of Caste Two. She looked me up and down, a venomous smile on her lips.

  - Izumi, dear, you're so responsible for taking Mrs. Mikoto's pce with the servants...

  - Kim, you're such a fool. Did Sasuke get tired of you drooling over his golf clubs?

  That's when I noticed Kim's clothes. She was wearing a bd pink golf uniform, with a white glove in her hand. I could never afford something like that.

  - I have to go. Bye, Izu... - I said, getting ready to leave. But Kim blocked my ulling a of his pocket.

  - I'll have a cold water, Sakura. - Her dark eyes sparkled. A Four couldn't afford to deny a request; it was an unspoken but clear rule. - Don't make me recite the stitution of the Land of Fire, love. - Kim sang, with that ione.

  I rolled my eyes and walked over to the bar. I picked up a gleaming crystal gss and headed for the fridge. That's when Kim started.

  - You shouldn't treat the staff like that, Izumi. Sooart to get ideas. Sakura's mother walks around with her uck out like she's a Two, but her father... Ah, at least he knows his pce. Every time I go to her house, he's covered in dirt, croug down, just like where he belongs.

  Kim's words dissolved into thin air, but the anger blinded me. I didn't notice when I turned and poured the water all over her. Her make-up melted and her fine linen jacket was pletely soaked. I knew I was screwed.

  That's when Sasuke walked into the kit, with his arm around the shoulders of one of Kim's friends, and two of his friends behind them.

  - What's going on here? - He asked, with a fused expression. I eechless, but my friend wasn't. Izumi took the cup from my hands and stood in front of me, as if that would make me disappear.