YAY! Chapter one of a new fic! I feel so accomplished! So from the start, I want to set a couple goals.
First off is I want to have it be at least 30,000 words. (which is a lot, because that is way more than all my other fics)
Second is that I want to have at least 200reviews, because it shows how much people want to read my work. (I've been on the reviewing end and it feels nice knowing that I've encouraged an author to complete something that they started.)
Third and final goal for this fic is to have it be a successful drama. I want there to be love, but also mystery, action, humor, maybe a little angst? That is where I will hope my readers can help me. If you think that I've not made something intense enough to be part of this drama, or that the emotions are only bland at best, tell me so I can fix it and make it better!
Disclaimer:I don't own any of these characters. Though Gaara is my dream lover. . . you'll find out soon enough.
Yet another day had come to a dreadful end. Working at the interstate diner had been a complete battle, as per the usual. Customers complained about the cooking, or flirted beyond recognition until all the waitresses had to sneak out back to take a calming puff by the trashcans. It wasn't all that bad, at least if you could ignore the creepy glances from the truckers and the even creepier vibes from the owner as he supervised the evening rush.
Sakura kept telling herself that there were worse places to work at. That she should be thankful that she had a job at all. The economy was bad enough without her trying to be picky. Her boyfriend Sasuke was a testament to how harsh life could be when you couldn't find work. Lately he had been prone to bouts of depression that ended often enough in fights between them to cause her a sense of unease whenever she came home. Work, by comparison, was a walk in the park.
Her friends had given up long ago on begging her to break up with him. Sakura would hear none of it. She loved the man, despite his wicked tongue and taste for alcohol. He had saved her from a family that had rejected her. Taken her away from those who would ridicule her and call her worthless.
Sasuke only ever did things to help her, to keep her from harm. Even if he had to play the bad guy and keep hold of her paychecks, she knew it was so they would have food for the month and not lose it on clothes or some other fancy she may want to spend it on. Or when he slapped her, it was only so that she would better understand her folly when asking to go run around the city at night without him. Who knows what could happen in such a dangerous place after all. Her friends knew none of this of course, they wouldn't understand.
A steady rain had begun to fall as the last of the customers trudged out to their cars and the closing crew finished cleaning. Sakura knew that she was expected home soon, so grabbed her jacket and umbrella and bade her fair wells to the other waitresses. As she stepped out into the rain, bright red umbrella in hand, she tugged on the knot that held her vibrant hair up with a sigh of relief. The baby pink locks dropped down around her shoulders as she opened the umbrella and ventured out into the night. Seeing the pink surround her face again made a smile grace her lips. It was her one true rebellion against everyone. Her parents never approved of her dying her hair and Sasuke thought pink looked awful, but she thought it suited her. It looked so much better than the blonde she had been when she was younger.
It wasn't far to their apartment, but on nights like these she was glad to walk. It gave her a chance to prepare for the next stage. She never knew what to expect when she opened her door, but going in without stealing herself was never good. Sakura knew she had to be strong, because showing weakness in front of Sasuke only encouraged him to hound her more.
"Maybe he'll be asleep by the time I get there," she whispered half longingly. The other half berated her for being so cruel. It wasn't his fault that she kept doing foolish things that angered him. He loved her and often showed her with kisses and caresses, especially after a fight. Sasuke didn't want her to think that he acted out of hate, but love. It didn't change the fact that she grew increasingly aware of this need to flinch whenever he grew near, or raised his voice.
Tiptoeing around a large puddle on the sidewalk, Sakura thought about the invitation she had received from her friend and coworker Ino.
"It's been ages since we've done anything," Ino whined while bussing one of the tables. Then with eyes shinning bright she bounced over and grabbed her friends arm.
"There's this dance place downtown called Ninjutsu. Wanna go?"
"I don't know what my plans are," Sakura stated blandly. She knew better though, it was a definite no. Sasuke would never approve. Ino puffed out her cheeks and stamped her foot impatiently.
"You always say that," she began to cry, but then stopped and thought about it. "Why don't we go this weekend? That way you can make sure not to plan anything and we can make a girl's day of it. Oh, you can even stay overnight if you want! That sounds like much more fun, I'm getting all excited now!"
Ino pleaded and pleaded, tugging on Sakura's arm all the while. In the end she agreed, cringing on the inside when she knew this would not end well at home. But she wasn't going alone and she was only going to hang out with Ino, so it should be okay, right?
Sakura was ripped from her musings as a car whooshed by, a wall of water spraying up onto her body. Gasping at the coldness of the water, she stood there trying to fight the need to hold her hands out and shake off the dirty gutter water. Instead she turned towards the retreating vehicle and shouted,
"Thanks a lot jerk!"
Anger was a faint, but much appreciated emotion to the girl as she continued to trudge home. It was better to show than fear, even though she was normally too passive to let it out. Inside she could rant and rave, but outside she wouldn't utter a peep. Silently, she thanked the inconsiderate driver. They had inadvertently given her the fire she needed to get home and tell her boyfriend her weekend plans.
Stomping up the stairs a few minutes later, Sakura stopped at her front door to fish out her keys. With a look of triumph, she snagged them by the ring and reached out to stick the key in the lock. Before it could slide home, the door jerked open revealing a disheveled dark haired man. His eyes were heavy lidded with exhaustion and his lips down turned into a permanent scowl.
"You're late," he murmured as he reached up to rub one of his eyes.
"We were short handed tonight," Sakura explained in a soothing voice. Heavy footed, he stepped aside to let her in. Hesitantly, she brushed passed and began to take her rain jacket and boots off.
"I was worried," he stated flatly as he shadowed her into the hallway.
"You could have-," Sakura started to answer, but the hand that now encased her throat made speaking impossible. It took her a moment for her mind to process how she had gotten into this position. Sasuke had grabbed her from behind and held her against the wall. His breath was on her left ear, his fingers digging into her trachea. She tried to push against the wall, but her hands were trapped in the sleeves of her half discarded jacket.
"What if someone had mugged you? Kidnapped you? Raped you?" he said in a venomous whisper. "How could I protect you then? How?" His hands released her as quickly as they had come, the force of their release causing the girls' head to smack the wall with a light thump. Reflexively, she gasped in a breath.
"I hadn't thought about that," she managed to rasp. Gently she rubbed her skin where his hands had been, already the tenderness feeling like a bruise. She could only hope it would be easily covered.
"You never do," he muttered as he wandered back to his chair. Stopping just short of sitting, he shook his head. "No, I think we've stayed up late enough. Let's turn in eh?"
Sakura nodded mutely as he passed her to their room. She followed after, stopping in the restroom to clean up from the rain before bed. When she returned, he was holding open the covers for her. Slowly, she slipped in beside him, her head resting on his chest and his arm tucked around her shoulders protectively.
"Sasuke?" she tested the air. His breathing hadn't settled evenly to indicate sleep, so she knew he heard her. "This weekend, Ino wants me to come stay with her. Have a girls night," she spoke swiftly, already feeling the tension tighten his chest muscles. "Like a sleepover, where we can paint our nails and watch movies and stuff," she added hesitantly. "You don't mind, do you?" Her smaller hand clenched at the sheet that covered her in anticipation. His warm chest rose then sank with a sigh, the tension leaving.
"I don't mind. It's been a while since you hung out with her, isn't it?" Lifting his arm that wasn't tucked under her like a pillow, he ran his fingers along her upper arm to grace them like a whisper across her neck.
"Yes. It has," she replied with a shutter as he kissed her on the head tenderly.
For those who are waiting to see Gaara, do not fret! He is in the next chapter. ^'^
