Author's note: This is my first Naruto fan fiction. I do write stories otherwise, like novels, but they're mostly memoirs. I hope to do well with this fan fiction and I would appreciate critique to better my story throughout my updates. It would be great if I could get positive feedback and critical feedback, but not negative (one word answer) feedback. I would not bash someone's story by simply saying "That sucked." so do not bash mine the same way. I do encourage reviews that may help me in the long run; that would be more than greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not profit from this fan fiction nor do I own Naruto. Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Title: Aikouka (Lover)

Author: Prank (Cait)

Main Characters: Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Tsunade

Minor Characters: Uzumaki Naruto, Yamanaka Ino, Hyuuga Hinata, Sai, Nara Shikamaru, Hatake Kakashi

Please read: This short story is not based on events in the anime nor the manga; there is no Konoha, there are no ninjas, there are no other worlds. The story is based in Tokyo, Japan and the main and minor characters are all assassins (not ANBU!) working for a company called Yūai (Fraternity/friendship). It's more real-life based, in a way. I will not give out any further information, but there is a twist in the company's ways that will be exposed later on in the story.

Aikouka

Ch 1: Gomenasai (I'm Sorry)

She sat in her black, tinted-windowed car. Before starting the engine, she let out a small exhale of relief. Relief that her assignment had gone well. Relief that her victim had not gotten away. Relief that she didn't let things get too far. Soon enough, guilt overrode her relief and her stomach churned. She closed her eyes and shook her head solemnly, knowing fully well she did not want to be in the situation she was in. Once one was in, one could never get out... It was too dangerous and she had no other choice. She was good at what she did... She reminisced on her assassination before driving out of the hotel parking lot:

"You look amazing in that dress." The man cooed, running his fingers up the pink haired woman's soft, slender neck.

He knotted his fingers in her hair and brought her in close to his lips. She gave a teasing smile and knew her job had just gotten easier. Placing a hand on his leg, she ran her fingers up and down his thigh, dangerously close to his crotch.

"Oh, Maria..." The man whispered, his voice cracking as she began to unbutton his pants.

She smirked, but not because he had moaned her name, but because he didn't even know her real one- Sakura Haruno- his worst nightmare. He gripped her hair tighter and pulled her face against his, grabbing her lip with his and locking her in a passionate kiss. Their tongues wrestled furiously as he hoisted her up and carried her by her thighs, pushing her up against the wall.

He exhaled deeply as their lips parted for a second, "This is the best hotel service I've ever received."

And with that, he crashed his coarse lips back onto her plump, inviting ones. She whimpered a fake, but believable, moan into his mouth as he slipped his tongue around hers. Quickly removing his pants, she slipped her hands in his boxers and began to stroke his aroused erection. He pulled his lips from hers quickly and let out a groan then lifted his arms for her to slip off his shirt. She did so and then slid her dress straps off her shoulders slowly, watching as his bright blue eyes traveled down to her big bust. He reached to take the dress off but she pushed his hand away and winked, wagging her finger back and forth, making a 'tisk tisk' sound.

She leaned in and nipped at his ear before whispering seductively, "Patience."

He shuddered against her at her sex appeal then gripped her waist and started to suck on her neck hungrily. A sneer came over her lips as her assassin assignment overtook her feelings of guilt for she knew had her victim right where she wanted him. All worked up, clumsy, lust-clouded, and vulnerable. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck at first as he left soft kisses down her shoulder. Faking another moan, she went to grab his hair and as soon as she started, it ended. She twisted his head quickly to the side and snapped his neck. His limp body fell into hers as drool and blood trickled out of his mouth and onto her shoulder. She pushed him off of her and stood up, looking down at her victim.

"Gomenasai." She whispered before turning on her heels and dashing out of the hotel room.

There were only two rules. Assassins were to never get caught. Sakura was no one. Neither were her fellow assassins, or her leader. To everyone else in Tokyo, they were dead. No one could know of their existence or Yūai would crumble, along with all of the people who invested their lives and time in the company. The second rule was to never let emotions get in the way of one's assignment. It would be hard to kill someone if one's hands were shaky and his mind was set on how inhumane his job was. He had to push the feelings aside and carry on with his assignment or his victim wouldn't be the only one fighting for his life.

Sakura pulled into the abandoned warehouse where her meetings with Tsunade were held. Tsunade was the woman behind the assassins. She was the puppeteer that strung her young followers along their wicked journey. But one shouldn't let her honey brown eyes fool him- she was the definition of trouble. Her nickname was 'Hennessy'. Why? She was smooth, rich, and distinguished. She rarely went by Tsunade unless she was being spoken to by a commoner. Sakura looked up to the woman. Hennessy was brave, strong, and sensible. She was respected by everyone. Everyone.

"Sakura-san. Welcome back." A tall, gray haired man with a mask covering half of his face nodded his head as the emerald-eyed assassin walked through the corridor.

She smiled in his direction and nodded her head as well, "Kakashi-san."

He began to walk along side Sakura as they made their way to Hennessy's office. They walked in a comfortable silence; words would only ruin the moment of success Sakura felt. As she knocked upon Hennessy's door, Kakashi took a left and they parted ways without a farewell.

The thick, heavy doors opened and Sakura was greeted by two guards who bowed as she walked through. Guards were always on watch just in case another company tried to override Yūai and take over Hennessy's business. Sakura approached Hennessy's desk and she cleared her throat before speaking.

"Hennessy, the assignment has been completed." She simply stated.

Hennessy's chair swiveled and Sakura's gaze met hers. She lifted an eyebrow as a smirk grazed her lips.

"Well done, Haruno Sakura." Hennessy praised. "Your next assignment is overseas, in America. Uchiha Sasuke, Yamanaka Ino and Nara Shikamaru will be your colleagues on this trip. I've made close friends with an organization in the States who needs our help. Your mission is simple. Take out the team of terrorists planning to invade an International White House Ball before time is up. Everything else dealing with your assignment will be explained more thoroughly when you arrive in the airport. You will be leaving in approximately forty-eight hours. Do you renounce this opportunity?"

"No, Tsunade-sama. I am up to the challenge." Sakura nodded her head and a smile played on Hennessy's lips.

"Great. Here are your supplies and equipment," Hennessy pushed a briefcase across her desk and Sakura grabbed it swiftly.

She nodded, "Arigato."

Hennessy waved her hand towards the guards and they opened the door. Sakura turned and headed out of the office, her mind wandering on the task bestowed upon her. At least she would have back up on this operation. She would contact Ino in the morning after she got some rest.

She slipped into the bathroom before leaving the building and stripped from her black dress, slipping into a more casual outfit. She pulled her cherry blossom colored hair back into a tight bun and put on a short, black haired wig. She took her time when placing her dark brown contacts in so that she wouldn't poke her eye out. They made her eyes water and her vision blurred but she blinked out the moisture and continued to change her physical features into a familiar identity. She smeared fire engine red lipstick on her plump, awaiting lips and dusted her pale cheeks with light blush. She left the building in a prideful stride and took a semi-long walk to a bus stop. She had to leave her vehicle at the Yūaibuilding for safety purposes.

She was known as Suzuki Yuumi to her landlord and neighbors. She opened her mailbox and pulled out the junk mail, sifting through it simultaneously. She said hello to a few neighbors who were coming in from work and moved out of their way to head up to her apartment.

Once she shut her door and locked it, she pulled off the wig and let her hair loose. She ran her fingers through the pink locks and smiled. It felt good to be herself again. A beeping sound went off and Sakura let out a loud sigh. It was unsafe to talk about her job over the phone so each of the assassins kept a pager they would use if they had to contact one another. None of the other assassins kept in contact by phone. She pulled the pager off of her belt loop and saw that it was Sasuke contacting her. Ah, just as I was trying to relax... She rolled her eyes as she pulled her hair back and put on the wig. She stepped out into the night; shivers ran up her spine at the briskness of the air. She wrapped her arms around her body, pulling her jacket closer to her body as she walked to Sasuke's house. He was about a ten minute walk away because the assassins of Yūai kept in close proximity.

"Sakura-san." Sasuke said, his eyes blank and not even a smile tugged on his lips as he moved out of the way for Sakura to walk inside his apartment.

She brushed past him and took in his familiar scent, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She turned to meet his coal-colored eyes, "Why did you contact me so late?"

"Hennessy told me to." He blinked expressionlessly and closed the door, making his way past Sakura.

Sasuke sat down on the crimson colored couch in his dark living room. Of course that would be the only reason... Sakura thought to herself before taking a seat across from Sasuke.

"I was to give you these." He picked up a black box and opened it then handed the contents over to Sakura.

She examined the passport and ticket, absorbing her physical identity she would need to gather before the remaining forty-five hours were up. After she looked over each object she nodded to Sasuke.

"Arigato." She smiled.

He didn't return the smile, but he stood. "That'll be all."

Sakura rolled her eyes in an annoyed manner and rose. She walked towards the door and let herself out. Her eyes began to sting and she knew what was coming- those infamous, fat tears that always seemed to make her feel weak and useless. It could not be helped. She wished that Sasuke would take his job less seriously. The man has no feelings or emotions. He was the perfect assassin. She was mediocre.

He tapped his fingers against the coffee table, thinking all too much about the girl that just left. He pushed all items off the coffee table in a quick swipe as he let out a frustrated growl. Sakura. The one girl that he always took a liking to. The one girl that he knew would come running if anything happened to him. The one girl that he knew would do anything to save his life. She made him feel, but he wouldn't dare show it. He had too much pride. He smirked. Too much pride or too stupid? He snarled at the inner-Sasuke's confession and gripped his hair. What was she doing to him?

He picked up the things he had thrown and set them back in place. He reminded himself that she was just a woman. She was just a fellow assassin. She was just his colleague. She was not his friend. He couldn't let her come any closer to him. If he did... He knew she would slowly start to tear down his wall that he so carefully built up over time. The wall that blocked emotions from overpowering him. The wall that his brother Itachi had caused. The wall that no one would be permitted to break. If he could have it his way, there would be no Sakura. Then she wouldn't be able to get under his skin and tear him up inside. Yes, no Sakura... That would be paradise. Stop lying to yourself, Sasuke...

She stared at the brunette, black-eyed girl in the mirror as she brushed the hair of the wig slowly. Taking a deep sigh, she closed her eyes. She just wished she could be herself. She wished that she could have more than a few friends who knew her real identity. She wished that the Sakura she knew inside was still alive. That wish wouldn't come true. Not now. Not ever.

She opened her eyes and her lips formed a small pout. She stood there for another minute before she picked up her belongings and headed out the door. It was a long journey to America along with her comrades. The assignment wouldn't be an easy one, but Sakura was ready. She had left her feelings at the door and switched on her career mode. She could handle anything and anyone that tested her.

Even Sasuke.