So I had an idea...
And I had to write it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Tokyo Ghoul.
Sakura sipped on the warm cup of coffee between her hands. She closed her eyes and listened to the bustle of the city. The warmth from the afternoon sun warmed her face and she tilted her head backwards, her hair sliding over her shoulders.
She could hear the coffee machines spitting and churning coffee beans, how the waiters walked silently on the wooden floor every now and then asking the customers if they wanted any refills or cake to go with their drinks. She could hear the pedestrians walking outside, the thump of their footsteps creating a thrum of movement and the soft sounds of humanity.
It was her day off from the hospital and she was enjoying it thoroughly at her favorite café with one of her most loved books.
She opened her eyes and smiled at the waiter who passed by—a dark-haired, dark-eyed young man with a severe mouth—and leaned forward in her seat.
She was just about to pick up her novel and begin reading anew when the television crackled on and the static voice began speaking.
"…Ghoul attacks have been increasing in the past couple of months—please stay inside and stay safe everyone—around the city outskirts and we urge that anyone who has any information about them go to the police. That's it for today, folks, tomorrow we talk about…"
She frowned, taking another sip of warm, rich coffee before taking out her phone and noting down the districts. She knew that sometimes she would walk home on those streets so she would have to take the necessary precautions.
"Still listening to that mindless gruel, Sakura?" A familiar voice asked.
Sakura jumped at the closeness and then smiled as she saw Karin's red hair and Ino's sly smile. Grinning, she stood up and made space for them at the booth.
"What are you guys doing here?" She asked, signaling for the waiter to come over and take her friends' orders.
Ino giggled and shrugged. "Come on, Pig, we thought we would visit you—you're hardly ever out of the hospital these days."
"Yeah, what she said and—ooh that man is fine." Karin exclaimed watching the waiter Sakura had seen earlier come closer to their table.
Sakura kicked her under the table. "Now, now Karin, I know about your man-eating tendencies but please refrain from picking up the waiter until I'm gone."
Karin wiggled her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue. "Why, want him for yourself?"
Ino scoffed and grabbed Sakura's coffee cup, taking a big slurp. "She's never ever inclined that she wants to have sex—or even has those urges—at all, what makes you think she'll start now?"
Karin's eyes widened and then she looked at Sakura sympathetically, "Oh honey. Cobwebs between your legs?"
Sakura flushed furiously and sent a glare towards Ino who smirked and took another sip of her coffee. "Shut up Pig. And Karin, I'll have you know that I did have a fun time with that lawyer last week."
Ino spat out a mouthful of coffee and Karin choked on her retort.
"Last week! Why didn't—"
"Forehead you finally hit puberty—"
"Shush girls, he was so good with his tongue—Oh look the waiter's here." Sakura smiled innocently before turning towards the bored-looking waiter.
Karin sat up and adjusted her top, smiling beatifically, flashing perfect white teeth. "What do you have on the menu?"
The waiter scowled further and Sakura hid behind her novel, biting her lip to stop from laughing at Karin's surprised expression.
Ino giggled and tucked a lock of white-blonde hair behind her ear, batting her pretty blue eyes.
"It's a coffee shop, Ma'am, I'm sure your imagination can pick up it from there." The waiter replied, his imposing presence becoming more stifling.
Sakura watched as Karin's mouth slipped open into a small 'o' and Ino's surprised expression. She shook her head before putting her bookmark in her novel and glancing back at the waiter.
"Hi, do you think I could have another refill of coffee for myself? We'll have some herbal tea for the lady with the blonde hair and for the lady with the red; she'll have some tiramisu and a latte." Sakura smiled politely, ignoring the glare coming from Karin.
She would thank her later.
The waiter nodded and walked away and Sakura laughed a little when she saw the relived slump of his shoulders.
"Why did you order food for us? And tea? Really, Forehead, that's not classy." Ino asked, suddenly and Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, we never eat out—you know it's too expensive for us college students." Karin butted in, flipping a strand of red hair behind her ear.
Red eyes tracked Sakura's movements, unknown to her, and Ino dug a fingernail into Karin's side.
Sakura sighed and tugged on her collared shirt, loosening up the top button. "Ino, I've already told you—your constant diets are not healthy—and Karin, you guys never eat out except here. I've already gotten used to your guys' weirdness so I'm chalking it up to the fact that this café makes food and drinks to die for."
"That's true." Ino said smiling happily, when the waiter came back carrying a tray of lemon tea.
A latte was placed in front of Karin's hands and the red-haired girl gave the man a simpering smile, which made Ino roll her eyes.
The dark-haired man refilled Sakura's coffee cup and the pink-haired woman smiled as she watched her friend flirt with the stoic—he seemed mostly annoyed—waiter.
A buzzing interrupted her thoughts and Sakura frowned when she saw Sasori's ID number light up her phone. Swiping a thumb across the screen she put the phone to her ear and angled her head to hear better.
"Sasori? Why are you calling? Is something wrong at work?" Sakura asked, oblivious to the way that the entire table tensed at the name.
The waiter's dark eyes darted towards the two girls across from Sakura and their eyes gleamed with something.
"Oh! I'll be right there. The key is under the flower pot, yes?" Sakura said, picking up her yellow coat and smiling apologetically to the two girls.
Slipping a banknote onto the table, she picked up her purse and novel with one hand.
"Sorry—Sasori's a bit worried about his exhibition and he thought of a new—okay! Jeez, baka-chan, I won't tell them anything about it. Anyways, I'll meet you guys later?" Sakura smiled before dashing out the door, her pink braid thumping on her back.
They watched her disappear in the masses of people, the familiar blue backpack and yellow coat slipping behind a corner, before Karin whirled on Ino and the waiter sat down in the booth, sipping at Sakura's unfinished cup of coffee.
"I didn't know she knew Sasori." Karin spat out, glaring at the blonde's tense shoulders. "And you didn't tell me either—how are we going to keep her safe if she's –"
"I know, Karin, I know. But have you ever tried telling that girl to do anything? It's like hitting your head against a wall—repeatedly and enjoying it." Ino sighed and picked at her teabag.
"And with the god damned Akatsuki watching over her every move, she's only bound to get more attention." Karin growled, slamming a fist on the table angrily.
The dark-haired man breathed out a sigh and sent a glance towards the masked man behind the counter. "You guys have to stop hovering over her. Sakura's already been getting a lot of attention from the Community lately and your constant surveillance isn't doing her any good. Itachi agrees with me and—"
"Okay, Bastard, how are we supposed to protect our childhood friend then?" Karin snarled and the dark-haired man rolled his eyes.
Dark eyes hardened and the man sighed, running a hand through black hair. "I don't know, Karin. But I know that Sasori has taken a liking to her."
Ino paled and he was quick to parry when she opened her mouth.
"Not like that Ino. He thinks she's very pretty, sweet, human. He likes how she is. As a person, not a meal." He said, taking a sip from the leftover coffee.
The liquid swirled in his mouth and he closed his eyes, enjoying the one human food that he could have.
"Well…we all know how Sasori is like with his people. He could get…bored." Karin winced and Ino hunched over.
"Why are they so interested in her, god damnit?" The blonde girl whispered, clutching the lemon tea between her cold hands.
"You know full well why." Karin said quietly. "We shouldn't have befriended her when we were little."
The three sighed and the table was full of tense, silence before the masked man behind the counter called for the waiter.
"I'm coming Kakashi-sensei." He shouted back, slipping out of the booth. "We can talk about this later, with everyone."
"Sure Sasuke. I'm heading to class, see you." Ino said, leaving the herbal tea on the table.
The girls slipped out of the café and Sasuke watched as the customers filed in during the four-o'clock rush.
"I hope they don't get themselves killed over a human."
Tell me how it was! I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking your time to read it :)