Hello everybody! I know I really don't have any business writing a new story but a recent fanfiction that I read inspired me for this story idea. Not only that this story is my rebuttal to fanfiction admin. Recently, a popular story of mine entitle Havoc Entropy was removed from the site due to its lemon. I understand lemons violate fanfiction guidelines but come on! There are millions of fanfictions on the website that have lemons way worse than mine so why should mine be singled out? Anyway, this story isn't the same pairing as Havoc Entropy but recently I've become more interested in Naruto and Sakura fanfictions. So I hope you enjoy this story and I'd appreciate any feedback you have. Enjoy!
Inner Thoughts
Sakura/Naruto thoughts
Narration
"Dialogue"
Sakura's POV
She had to admit, she didn't want to do this. She was completely content with the current status of her life in New York City and did not have a will nor a want to move back to her small hometown of Konoha. She was a renown medic after all and could work anywhere in America. So, why was she on a bus on the way to the small town? She wasn't sure. It was bad enough that the town didn't have an airport, otherwise she would have been there hours early, but as the long bus ride dragged on she started to regret her decision to relocate more and more.
What exactly did she have to look forward to back in Konoha? She was pretty sure everybody there hated her because she was the only citizen that made something successful out of herself and escaped out of the God forsaken hell hole. Well, everyone except Shikamaru, who was the one person gracious enough to reach out to her and had in fact invited her to replace their former medic Tsunade. Other than him, everyone hated her including her former best friend Ino all because of a mistake she had made when she was young and foolish. She rolled her eyes. How immature could they actually be? It had been four years. They were all adults. She saw no reason why they couldn't put the past behind them and become civil to one another.
She sighed looking out the window before sitting up at the sight of the town's welcome sign. She could feel an uneasy feeling overtake her as the bus slowed to a stop in the town square (of course they didn't have bus stations if they didn't have airports) and the driver silently nodded at her seeing as she was the only one exiting. She stood up reluctantly and pulled her two carry on suitcase out of the top chamber and descended down the steps after giving her thanks to the driver.
It looked exactly how she remembered it. Dusty, dry, and…deserted? She looked around at the local shops (there only being one of each kind) and saw no one at all. Her brown boots crunched on the dusty gravel as she looked around actually hoping to see a face. Anything was better than this silence.
"Hello?" she yelled scanning the area. The wind blew softly in her ear but no one seemed to be around to hear her calls. Where could they all be? I mean it's not a big town. There's nothing to do here. Well, it is close to the Snow Ball County Fair. But that can't be for another three weeks.
She slowed her trudging to a halt before placing her hands on her hips. "Well this isn't what I expected." She mused aloud to herself. "I was actually expecting something along the lines of pitchforks and torches. But this, this is just creepy."
"It would appear the town are all sharpening their pitchforks down at Town Hall." A voice said startling her out of her musings. She looked over her shoulder and immediately regretted it. It was the bane of her high school existence. The bane of her existence period. She scowled and folded her arms over her chest as the blonde laid on the hood of what she assumed was his car.
Naruto Uzumaki.
She hated him. If there was a word far beyond hate she'd feel that way about him too. Now she remembered exactly why she didn't want to come back. This asshole. They had made each other's teenage years a living hell for what would seem no particular reason. Life at Konoha High was constantly filled with misery and woe for her thanks to the man standing, laying rather, before her. There were constant pranks, torment, and unbearable humiliation exchanged between the two and though she was set on bearing old habits when she arrived, this was just one person she was not willing to forgive.
"I knew you couldn't stay away." He said smirking slightly looking at her with his sapphire blue eyes. She groaned at his words prompting her to think back to their unfriendly "exchange" the night she left the town. She didn't know what was worse, the fact that he seem to be the same asshole he was four years ago or the fact that he was more devilishly handsome.
Did I just say Naruto was handsome? In a devilish way. Right.
His spiky hair had grown longer visibly down the nape of his neck and hung in his eyes a bit. His annoying baby face was lacking its annoying trait and was in fact more defined and toned. He definitely had been working out. She could depict his toned and chiseled chest through the white cotton t shirt he wore under his red and black plaid flannel shirt. He was truly….hot. But, nevertheless an asshole.
"Well, are you going to stand there or are you going to give me one of those old fashion Konoha hugs? Or are you too sophisticated for that now because you've been infected by the ways of New York." He taunted.
"Fuck off, Uzumaki." She said frowning. She really wished she could find anybody else.
"Such colorful language. Did you learn that in New York City?" he asked sitting up on the car.
"It's so refreshing to see that you're the same asshole you were four years ago, do you know that?" she asked.
"Sorry to inform you honey but I am never gonna change. Might as well get used to it. What happened to all that talk about never coming back and leaving us "small town fuckers"?" he asked raising an eyebrow and giving her one of those trademark smirks he used to give her in high school whenever he was up to something or planning a prank.
"I didn't say it like that. Besides if I have it my way I'll only be here for a few days and-…why am I even telling you this?" she asked more to herself than to the attractive man.
"Boy, you can never take the bitch out of the girl can you?" he narrowed his eyes at her.
She sighed. He was really testing her patience. "Where is everybody?" she asked rubbing her temples.
He slid off the hood of the car and jammed his hands in his pockets. "I told you. They're at Town Hall. You know if you're going to ever be a good medic you have to listen." He said tugging his ear for emphasis. She let out a frustrated growl before dragging her luggage in the direction of the town hall. "Looking good, Haruno!" he yelled getting back on the car.
She huffed and struggled dragging the wheels of her luggage over the rocky gravel. She couldn't believe how immature he still was? They were 23 for fuck sake! Shaking her head she began to take in the town's scenery. There was still one of everything: one grocery store, one clinic, one clothing store, one school, etc. The grass in the town square seemed greener and well-kept, of course it was hard to notice with the autumn leaves covering the ground, and there were even flower boxes with tulips and roses in them. It was such a shame the incoming winter snow would temporarily end such beauty.
The large steps of Town hall came into view and she braced herself for the reactions of the towns' people. It had been a while since she'd been home. How mad could they still be? She had given up her fabulous opportunity bringing job in New York (temporarily of course) to come and fill the position of town medic. They would probably be welcoming her back with open arms. Hell, she wouldn't be surprised if they gave her her own float in the Snow Ball day parade. She smiled nodding to herself in affirmation as she stood in front of the large double doors. She was about to grab the handle when she heard a rather heated discussion.
"Face it Shikamaru," a voice said. "This town is done for."
What are they talking about?
"Let's not get all riled up. We still have a couple of alternatives left." Shikamaru Nara said. Sakura could detect the firmness in his voice and smiled easily. He was still the voice of reason. She wondered if he was still as lazy.
Obviously they're talking about not having a medic on standby. This is the perfect time to be Sakura to the rescue! Now get in there and lift some spirits!
Sakura took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. The sun's rays blinded the inhabitants of the hall causing them to hold their hands up to their face as they eyed the intruder. Sakura stood in front of the now closed doors with a wide smile gracing her features. "I'm back!" she exclaimed with all the excitement she could stir up. "Never fear Sakura Haruno is back in town and I am here to save the day."
Silence. And then disgruntled murmurs. Her smile faded slightly as she noticed the anger displayed on the peoples' faces. A familiar blonde arose from her seat and placed her scrutinizing eyes on the browned hair man at the podium. "You called her didn't you!" she exclaimed irritated. "Nice going Shikamaru!"
The man in question tried to attain some order to the unruly crowd but to no avail. Sakura quickly ran by her only friend's side and signaled for everyone's attention. "Come on people! I know what I did years ago may have left a salty taste in your mouths but I am here with a solution to your problems!" she beamed. "Shikamaru was gracious enough to call me about your current situation and I am here temporarily to relieve you all of your medical woes temporarily of course. So how about we put the past behind us and let bygones be bygones what do you say?" she said holding a thumb up.
The silence of the crowd was broken by an unknown person throwing a book at the pinkette, luckily she ducked just in time. An uproar was unleashed as the angry citizens began to exit the building murmuring various things from "Go back!" and "Who does she think she is?" She turned to face her ally who had an exasperated look on his face. "What gives? I thought that speech would ease everybody's worries." She asked.
Shikamaru's mouth made a line before he answered her. "They're not having medic worries. They're having business worries. The town isn't making enough finances to support itself. It also didn't help that you came in with a Captain Save 'Em attitude either." He said.
"And why not? Someone should." She asked slightly annoyed.
"It is all your fault. Remember?" he simply stated causing the pinkette to feel a slight pang of guilt.
"Oh…well why isn't the town making enough?" she said trying to switch the subject.
The brunette stepped down from the stage and walked down the narrow aisle leading towards the door as Sakura followed. "Well, we haven't been getting any tourists and as you know we're lacking a business and marketing department so it's particularly not good for the businesses here." He stated. "But despite what they say, I'm glad you're here. What did you mean by temporarily?"
Sakura smiled as the man grabbed her things and she shoved her hands in her back pockets. "Well I figured I'd just be here until I found a suitable enough replacement and then I'd just go back to the city."
Shikamaru clicked his tongue and shook his head. "That's not going to hold over well. Especially with the guys."
Sakura brightened up a bit but then frowned. "You mean you still hang out with them? As in Ino, Hinata, Kiba, Choji, Lee, Neji, TenTen, and….Naruto?" she swallowed as he nodded. "Great. I can't believe nothing has changed here. Not even that jerk."
"I can't believe you two are acting like you hate each other." He smirked slightly.
"Shikamaru, you know I'm not a good actress."
"This we all know. I've been in a school play with you." He stated as a fact.
"Good. So then you know that I hate! That man!" she said. "So, where's the keys to my parents' house?" she asked. When her parents had passed they left her their home along with many other things. Of course, having moved to New York she decided to leave the home under the care of the Nara man in case of visiting.
"Actually, Sakura about that…we had to rent out your house to someone." Shikamaru said.
"What!" the pinkette exclaimed. "Shikamaru! How could you!"
"Well, you were gone for so long. And I really did fight for it but the town overruled." He shrugged giving her a sympathetic look.
"So where am I supposed to sleep?" The city didn't take cards of any kind and unfortunately that's all she had. She would have to get a ride two cities over just to get to a motel let alone an ATM. The brunette simply shrugged. She sighed. "Don't worry. I'll find somewhere to crash. Not everybody here could hate me."
"I beg the differ." He mumbled but then quickly smiled. "I have some business to attend to. Why don't you find somewhere to get settled into and then tomorrow I can get you settled into the clinic." The pinkette bid her farewells and looked around figuring out her next approach.
Let's see….Who couldn't possibly hold a grudge.
She dragged her luggage to the only restaurant/café in town and was moderately pleased with herself when the very person she was looking for walked out. She was so predictable.
The blonde stopped and stared at the pinkette before tilting her head back to the sky and closing her eyes. "Oh please God. Do not let this be Sakura Haruno in my presence." She prayed and then opened her eyes. "Shit."
"Ino! Hey!" Sakura smiled going in for a hug but the blonde quickly held her hand out in front of her to diverge it.
"What are you doing here? I was sure you were never going to trot your hooker heels back into our lives." She asked folding her arms.
"My heels aren't that high?" Sakura pouted slightly looking at the low heel of her boots. "Besides, I'm the temp medic. It'll give us time to reconnect. You know what will help that even more? Is if you let me stay at your place!" Sakura tried to which Ino scoffed.
"Oh God no. I can't believe you would even think about asking me that after all that you've done to me."
"And that being said, all I can do to pay you back…is to save your life." Sakura said. "Isn't that enough."
Ino chuckled and walked off. "I would never do this to you if the roles were switched!" Sakura yelled after the girl who seemed to be indifferent. She sighed and walked into the café. This was going to be a long day.
The sunset was truly more beautiful in Konoha than in New York, probably because it lacked so many lights, but Sakura couldn't fully enjoy it due to having dragged her suitcases every all day in search of a place to stay. She was horribly wrong about the grudge. People still cared about what she did. At this point, she almost hated herself.
She walked dejectedly into the bar that was playing a comforting country song that seemed to blend perfectly with the warm atmosphere. She sat her bags on the floor by her stool and sat down on it. "Give me a tequila shot." She said. "And please skip the ice." She added looking up to come face to face with the last person she wanted to see again. Both parties groaned audibly.
"Really! You work here? Why?" she whined to the blonde who rolled his eyes and began to pour the drink. "No don't answer that it's pretty obvious why."
"How much have you already had to drink to night? I'm pretty sure Raging Bitch doesn't come out unless it's happy hour." He said sliding the glass towards her.
She sniffed the shot glass and eyed him cautiously. "How do I know this isn't poisonous?" she asked.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Oh I don't know. You just sat here and watched me make it. Not very observant for a medic now are you?" he said walking towards the end of the bar. She downed the drink and sulked. She was going to need a lot more liquor to deal with him and being homeless.
"Excuse me! I didn't expect excellent service but at least some service would be nice!" she demanded causing the Naruto to slowly and aggravatingly acknowledge her. He approached her once again.
"I wonder how much you can actually intake before you succumb to alcohol poisoning. Complementary drinks?" he asked.
"Just get me the bottle." She said drumming her fingers on the counter.
"Not that I care but drowning away your sorrows for any particular reason?" he asked sitting a bottle of tequila in front of her.
"I've been here for seven hours with nowhere to stay and my feet are killing me." She said rubbing her foot. A light bulb went off in her head. No, no no no and no. They looked at each other at the same time.
"Hell no." Naruto said. "You're not staying with me."
"Like I want to." She scoffed. He was so arrogant like she'd even think of staying with him! We did just have that thought. She pushed out her inner's thoughts and downed half the bottle of the alcohol.
"Great not only are you a bitch we can add alcoholic to that list." He said leaning against the bar. "And how do you plan on paying for all this?" he asked.
Damn. She forgot she only had credit cards. She drummed her fingers on the bar and avoided his eye contact. "Sakura, where's my money?" he asked simply. "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
"What are you gonna do morph into the jolly green giant?" she joked but he met her look with humorless eyes. "Fine, just put it on my tab."
"Like I'd trust you with a tab." He scoffed. "Pay up."
Sakura grabbed her purse and rummaged through it for several minutes, all the while avoiding eye contact, before Naruto sighed. "You don't have any money do you. Ironic for such a city girl as yourself."
She rolled her eyes. "I have money but only cards. I just need to go to an ATM." She stated. He blinked at her.
"That sounds like a personal problem." He said. "I suggest you act fast."
Sakura blew her bangs out of her eyes and bounced her knee up and down. She can't believe she was doing this. "Maybe I can make some type of arrangement with you?" she suggested through clenched teeth. She really hated making deals with the devil.
"Are you trying to sleep with me?" he smirked. "I can't say I'm surprised."
"Ew! No!" she exclaimed. "I need you to drive me to the ATM! What's wrong with you? You are a sick little man." She yelled jumping down from the stool. She must have been drinking for a while because they were the only two people in the bar.
Naruto wiped his hands on a rag before walking around the bar. "That's two towns over. Hell no."
"Then how do you expect me to pay you?" she asked watching him turn off the lights. She was screwed. Where was she going to go now?
"Well, there is that sleeping with me thing." He drawled out. She frowned hauling her bags out of the bar, turning only to see him locking the place down.
"You're a pig."
He shook his head. "Look just pay me when you get your check." He said clicking his tongue in pity. "Not very efficient for a medic are you?" He made his way toward his car before noticing the pinkette wasn't going anywhere. "Aren't you going home?" he asked.
"I told you I have nowhere to go." She huffed.
His mouth formed an 'o'. "Well…..see ya."
Dick.
How was it? I know Naruto is pretty OC but it'll be great! I also would like to give partial plot credit for this episode to the writers of the show Hart of Dixie. I did use some elements in this chapter from the show but it went perfect for the story. Why does everybody hate Sakura? What did she do? How will her relationship with the citizens of Konoha evolve? Find out in the next chapter. Review. Sorry for errors. I will revise as needed.
