Chapter 2
Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed the last chapter! And guess what! I have the next one for you! The ideas just keep hitting me and I'm loving writing this story! If you have any input I'd love to hear it as a review! Thanks for reading!
Strangers in the Night
SAKURA
…
She woke up the next day, a little worried, but mostly nervous and excited. Sakura took a shower and started going through her closet. What to wear to an interview at a fast food place? Nice but not too nice? She ended up going with a pair of slacks and a flowing jade colored blouse. It matched her eyes and really made her hair pop. She went with a small amount of mascara and blush for makeup, and curled her hair. At least I'll look nice for the interview, before I come home covered in oil every night.
Sakura left the apartment and locked her door. Maybe Karin will be up for some coffee? She knocked on Karin's door and was greeted by the biggest case of bedhead she'd ever seen. Worse than a ratty Victorian wig.
"Whaaat are youuu doing her." She grumbled and held up a hand, mumbling something that sounded vaguely like "Fih-minuttt". The door closed and Sakura rocked on her feet, waiting for her redheaded neighbor. Must have had a late night.
Karin opened the door, still a little worse for wear, but her hair had been tamed and she'd put on fresh clothes.
"Are you doing okay? You look like you've had some night."
"Ugh. Coffee first."
"Hungover?"
"Something like that. Headache? Definitely."
Sakura waved at the Jiraiya the doorman as they left. He smiled back at them and waved.
"Have a nice day, Haruno-san, Uzumaki-san."
"Same to you, Jiraiya!" He smiled as they left out the revolving doors. Luckily for them there was a coffee shop directly across the street from the complex. Perfect for a morning after coffee. It's still morning right? They walked inside and up to the counter, where they were greeting by a wonderful lady.
"Hello! I'm Kurenai! How may I help you today?"
"I'd like a chai latte, and… anything you'd recommend for a hangover," Sakura said, looking pointedly at Karin.
"I've got you covered. Names?"
"Sakura and then Karin."
"All right ladies. That'll be 4.50." Sakura pulled out her wallet, but Karin slapped a five on the counter and grumbled, "Keep th' change," before wandering to the pickup area. Sakura smiles at Kurenai before following her neighbor. They waited there for a minute in silence.
"A chai latte for Sakura? And a snooze button special for Karin!" Sakura picked up their order and walked over the least-well-lit table in the far back of the place. She set Karin's cup down and took the opposite chair.
"Do you come here often?"
"Eh." Karin said as she took her first sip of the coffee, grimacing at its taste.
"What's in that stuff?"
"Ya know? I don't really know. They say it's the best for a hangover though, and I don't like to ask questions I don't care to know the answer to."
"Fair enough." They sipped their coffee in silence, enjoying the ambience of the coffeehouse.
"Wanna talk?" Sakura broke in.
"Eh. Not much to say."
"What do you mean? You look like crap. Surely there's more to it than that."
"Not really. My work just gets a little… intense."
"What kind of work leaves you looking like this?" Karin gave her a look and gulped half of her remaining coffee.
"Look, mom, just drop it. It's nothing new, it happens all the time, and it'll be all fine by tomorrow." Her sleeve rode up as she tilted her cup back and showed Sakura several sets of bite marks on her arm. Some were new and still an angry pink, others looked like they'd occurred ages ago. Apparently her predicament had been happening for a very long time. She wanted to ask about it so badly, but knew Karin wouldn't crack so she dropped it. For now.
"So you've got an interview today."
"Yep."
"Want me to come with?"
"Sure."
…
They took the bus to Wendy's this time, only taking about five minutes to get there instead of a couple hours, like the previous day. They had some time to waste, and Karin wanted to go to the bookstore, so Sakura waited outside the store on a bench. Tons of people passed her entering the store or going to the side entrance of the café, but none she recognized. That streak of silver alerted her again but she wasn't quick enough to look up and see who it was before they went inside.
Damn, I missed the old dude again. She turned and looked inside the window to try and follow them, but they were lost in the small crowd barging through the door.
Sakura pulled out her phone and messaged her parents.
[Unpacked. Everything's good. Have job interview today.]
Her mom replied quickly.
[That's great honey. Where at?]
[Wendy's. Hopefully temporary until I find something else.]
[We're incredibly proud of you no matter what you do sweetheart. We're both sure you'll get the job! Don't forget to let us know if you need anything and to check in every once in a while!]
Sakura waited around for a few more minutes and checked the time on her phone again. 2:40. Karin, come on, what are you doing in there? I'm going to be late! I have to go!
She tapped her feet and waited until 2:45. She knows the way, hopefully she'll catch up later. Sakura started to walk towards her, hopefully, new job. And hopefully it's not the fifth circle of hell it looks like on the outside.
Sakura opened the door once she got there and a small bell rang.
"Hello and welcome to Wendy's." A less than enthusiastic voice called out from the dining room.
"Hi, I'm actually here for an interview?"
"Oh, okay. I'll get my manager." Sasuke appeared from behind a table, carrying a broom and dustpan. Sakura wasn't sure whether he was actually cleaning or just slacking off and giving himself an alibi if he got caught.
"Sorry to interrupt your cleaning." She got no response beyond a slight puff of air. Sakura waited away from the order counter, taking in the slightly outdated décor of the restaurant. At least it's clean. At least it's clean.
"Hello? Ssakura-chan?" That creepy voice said as a cold hand toucher her shoulder.
"Hi!"
"Yess. You're here for your interview?" She nodded.
"Thiss way, please." He gestured towards one of the tables in the dining room. Which, coincidentally, was empty. I really wish there were people in here right now. This guy gives me the heeby jeebies and it's worse because we're alone.
"Hello, Haruno-san. Have you ever worked in food service before?"
"Some, about a year in the college cafeteria."
"Perfect." His voice gave her chills as she tried her best not to look too intimidated or afraid.
"How are your time management skills?"
"I believe they are excellent."
"Okay… let's say you're in the middle of a large order for the drive through and you've just gotten started on the order and the front register needs a sandwich made. What do you do?"
"Finish what I had already started for the drive through, make the front's sandwich, and then switch back to drive through."
"Excellent answer, Sakura," Orochimaru smiled his creepy snake-like smile.
"Thank you."
"Do you have any customer service experience?"
"Yes, I worked for the University bookstore all four years I went to school."
"Great! Fantastic. I'd like to start you at 10.50/hour. Do you have any questions for me?"
"Not really."
"All right. When can you start?"
"Hmm… today's Wednesday? I can start tomorrow."
"Perfect." They stood up and shook hands.
"See you tomorrow around 2, Sakura-chan."
"Same to you, Orochimaru-sama."
"Just Orochimaru, Sakura-chan." She nodded and turned to leave. Thank God Karin was waiting outside.
"Dude where were you!?" She looked away sheepishly.
"Sorry, I ended up being sucked in by the butler café. I swear you'd love it. You should go Sakuraaaa…."
"Nah, another day. Can't believe you found something you'd rather do than see Sasuke." Karin pouted as they walked to the bus stop.
"They were just all so cuteee!" Sakura rolled her eyes.
"You're such a meanie, Sakura!"
"Yeah, well I'm the one who had to interview with that creepy guy alone!"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
KAKASHI
…
Another day of work. At least they put me in the bookstore today. Thank God I don't have to service thousands of girls who would like nothing more than to jump my bones. Hey you should consider yourself lucky Minato-san doesn't put YOU on the menu. Oh so true. He'd make a killing, to be sure, but he'd never actually do that. He knows you're way above prostitution. At that thought Kakashi stopped labeling a box of new books and realized… maybe he wasn't. If I'm really that meh of a person that I'm still single at 36, maybe I should be considering whoring myself out? Nah don't be ridiculous. No one would take you! He sighed and went back to labeling the books. The box only had a few more copies of the latest release of some manga. Boruto? He thought. Maybe some fresh air would do you some good.
Kakashi set the box behind his counter and turned his checkout light off.
"Shino. I'm going out for some air."
"Alright, see you in a bit." He walked out the door and around the side of the building opposite the café. Really don't need to be mauled down today. He squat down against eh wall and breathed deeply. What if this is all I'm even good for? Will I be a butler my whole life? What about when I start balding? The girls would stop coming for him and he'd lose his job. Maybe I should look for something with a more solid benefits package? I know Minato-san needs all the help he can get right now, but I just don't see myself in this job forever. Maybe I'll buy a paper on the way home and look at the classifieds.
He felt a little better with himself and decided to go back inside. On his way in, he saw the pink-haired girl sitting on the bench outside his work. Waiting. I wonder who or what she's waiting for? She looked occupied and only just looked up as Kakashi passed through the front door. He sighed. Would she never see him? I'll never know the beautiful girl from the 5th floor. He flipped back on his checkout light and started checking out customers.
"Hello, did you find everything okay?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you."
"Do you have a rewards card?"
"I believe it's in here somewhere…" a customer said as she threw her giant tote of a bag up on his counter. "Now just to remember where I put it…"
It was going to be a long day.
…
Kakashi worked at the Book Hidden in the Trees. His boss wasn't all that great with names, but their logo, a tree with a book opening in its trunk, was pretty cool. His coworkers were Genma, Gai, Kiba, Shino, Sai and a couple other part timers. Yes all of them were men. (Who else would operate a butler café in their downtime?) Kakashi preferred the bookstore side, working with Shino-san mostly, who was a bit anti-social and did not want to participate in the butler side business.
The building wasn't bad, just old. A rather large building, with several aisles and rooms. All had seating in them somewhere. The store encouraged an atmosphere where people could try out the books before they purchased them. It really helped generate interest in new series, surprisingly. In the very back of the store was an 'EMPLOYEES ONLY' door to the café. The little place itself wasn't all that small. The downstairs had room to seat about 40 people, with an upstairs that seated 20 and a VIP room. The kitchen was downstairs behind the main dining area. Genma and Gai were both also butlers but Gai stayed mostly on door duty or in the kitchen with Minato and his wife Kushina. In the 15 years he'd worked there, only one incident had happened with overzealous fans.
His best friend.
Obito.
…
Kakashi finished his shift and decided to take the bus home. His joints ached and he didn't feel like walking. He picked up that days paper from the shelf as he locked up and left for the night. Maybe if you actually approached women, you'd have a god-damned girlfriend. This eternal bachelor-style thing you've got going on is sad. Don't you want to have a family one day? Kakashi sighed. Where did that thought come from? Plus… the only one I'm interested in right now is that pink-haired girl, and I don't even know her name! How'd you lose your virginity again? You're pathetic. You're right! She's too good for me anyway. Probably already has a man and all that.
Kakashi got off the bus and walked into Konoha Tower. Jiraiya had his bar open for the night.
"Hey… Kakashi! You look like you could use a drink!" He stopped and looked up at the older doorman/bartender.
"You know what, Jiraiya, I think I'll take you up on that tonight."
"Alright! What would ya like? House special is sake!"
"I'll have two shots of that."
"Perfect. Hot or cold?"
"Cold. Definitely cold."
"You go it boss." I'll probably regret this in the morning… but hey what's to stop me?
SAKURA
…
It was now march. Work was going well, her first week or so was just making French fries and chicken nuggets. If she were asked to comment on it, she would have told anyone that it was boring. Fast paced, yes, but boring. Luckily, she was only stuck doing fries for the first couple of weeks. After that they started training her on sandwiches. They were all fairly simple things and she learned them with ease. Management also had her train on closing shifts and front register. It meant late nights, but Sakura didn't mind so long as she got plenty of sleep. It might not have given her much time to have a life, but she got over it quickly, a good paycheck will do that to you. She was making close to 800$ a paycheck because of how many hours they were having her work.
However, even after working there for almost three months, they still had refused to teach her how to operate the grill. Something about only teaching men the position. It was the only position she didn't know, and it was the only thing holding her back from management as well.
Orochimaru still worked there, but had been demoted severely, one more toe out of line and he was out the door. It had come out that he had been date raping the assistant managers. (Made sense why they were all women). There were other shift managers, but the main General Manager and the Assistant had always been Orochimaru and a woman. It gave Sakura an immense relief that she hadn't become manager before he'd been demoted. Once she found out she purchased a Taser and carried it with her everywhere. She and Eiko had swiftly become friends after, and only hadn't done so sooner because Orochimaru had been afraid Eiko would blab to her.
Eiko was now the GM, and while she was an intense woman, she was smart and kind. She always treated her employees fairly and was fairly flexible with everyone's lives around work. She'd come over to Sakura's apartment once or twice to drink, and while her lips had been loosened, she'd heard the truth about Orochimaru.
What he'd done to the poor woman and all who'd come before her.
He needed to go to prison for half the shit he did to those women. Eiko was certain he'd killed people and had no remorse for it, and was thus not confident in going to the police about all of it, or pressing charges. Sakura constantly asked her to forget her fears and just do it for the wellbeing of all. So that women everywhere would have one less creep after them.
Today was Saturday, and it was Sakura's day off. She planned on sleeping in, then going out shopping with Karin. It ended up being noon by the time Sakura woke up. Ten hours of sleep? Accomplishment reached! She got up and made herself some toast. Before hitting the shower, Sakura picked a cute dress and leggings to wear out. The dress was a rust-red hue, with an empire waist under the bust, and ended at her knees. The edges were trimmed with creamy white lace. The leggings she had chosen were chocolate brown with caramel boots to match. Her last choice was a thing cream colored shawl with a printed flower pattern to finish her look. She and Karin were going to slay all the beautiful men they saw today. They'll never see us coming! She showered quickly with her favorite soap, apple strawberry. Sakura toweled herself off and got dressed. Karin will be hear any minute… she thought, even though she knew it was usually her who would be retrieving the other. To her surprise, Karin actually did knock on her door, just as she was pulling her purse over her shoulder.
"Ready?" Karin asked.
"Yep!" Sakura smiled.
"You look killer by the way," Karin compliments her, "I wish I could wear red. It just clashes with my hair. But hey, you will slay all their hearts today!"
"I suppose you're right about it clashing with your hair, but hey other colors look good on you! That periwinkle and violet dress you have is gorgeous, and navy blue is all you."
"Yeah… I just love red though. Especially red like Sasuke's eyes." She sighed. Ugh.
"Well anyway!" Sakura said as she locked her apartment, "What are our plans for today?"
"How about the bookstore? You still haven't filled that bookcase I gave you, and I have just the series you'll love."
"I guess we can go there first, but we are not getting lunch at that café." Karin waved it off.
"Whatever you say, Sakura. You've never been there, how can you judge it so harshly? I don't know what you have against it!"
"Ch. We'll see." They stepped off the elevator and waved at Jiraiya on the way out.
"Have a nice day ladies!"
"We will thanks!"
The two waited at the bus stop and got off at the stop between Sakura's work an d the bookstore. Karin walked in front of her, swinging her bag and humming, no doubt thinking of Sasuke. She opened the door and they walked in.
Sakura was astounded by the exquisiteness of the interior. Most bookstores she'd been in had been cold and modern. This place was like you walked into the library of a Victorian mansion, and everything was for sale! There were floor to ceiling bookshelves, with a second level and a moveable ladder to reach the higher shelved books. In the middle of the store was large oval-like area with several dark blue high wingback chars that looked like they'd swallow you, complete with claw feet legs and pillows. Behind them were an adjustable brass lamp, attached to small tables, one at each chair. In the middle of the chairs was a small coffee bar, manned by two baristas. There were tons of people in the store, but many more could fit comfortably.
"Oh. Wow. Karin."
"I told you you'd love it!" The redhead took her hand and pulled her toward a bookcase off an alcove on the right hand of the store, already knowing where she was going. She let go of Sakura and ran her fingers across the spines.
"Icarus… Icha Icha!" She plucked a book out and handed it to Sakura. "Here's the first one." Sakura took the orange book. It had a man chasing a woman on the front and an 18+ symbol on the back.
"Well… I guess. If you insist!"
"There are like 30 more, and he's releasing more all the time! Plus the author is anonymous but they say he's local! I think I may know who he is!"
"Who is it?" Karin turned away and played coy.
"I'm not telling you! Read them first!"
"Eh. Okay." Sakura took her purchase to the checkout and paid.
"So?" Karin nudged her.
"So what?"
"Can we go to the butler café?" Sakura sighed.
"I guess. Why not?" Karin jumped up and punched the air.
"YES!"
The two left and walked around the building to the café. There was quite a line and they ended up waiting around half an hour. By the time they got to the door and were seated, it was rather close to closing time. The man at the door, a tall, dark-haired fellow with extremely bushy eyebrows let them in and closed the gate.
"No more today! So very sorry ladies! Please come back tomorrow and share in the eternal youth!"
There were many groans, but they all left without too much fuss. Sakura and Karin were led to the middle of the establishment, and seated in a small table for two. A young man with red triangles painted on his cheeks approached them.
"Hello ladies, Karin, and who might be your gorgeous friend with you today be?"
"Her name is Haruno Sakura." The man took her hand and gently placed a kiss upon it.
"What can I do for you today? Anything you'd like and it would be my utmost pleasure to serve."
"Aren't you so sweet! What's your name?"
"I apologize, my name is Kiba. I am so very sorry I did not introduce myself earlier, ladies."
"You're fine, Kiba-san." Karin said. "I think we will have two daily specials with your root beer."
"Excellent choice Madams, Uzumaki, Haruno, I will return shortly with your beverages."
"Thank you." They said together. As Kiba left Sakura turned to Karin. "They're all so cute! We MUST come here more often."
"Told you so!" Karin declared.
Kiba returned not a minute later, their beverages balanced on a circle tray.
"Two root beers, my dears. Have you need of anything else at the moment?"
"No thank you, Kiba." Sakura said.
"Your meals should be ready shortly." He bowed deeply and walked away. Sakura noticed all the staff were dressed in suits. It was all very formal and professional.
"What is the daily special, Karin?"
"I think it's a roast beef and Swiss sandwich on toasted rye bread. Comes with salad and cake." Sakura's stomach growled.
"Mmm… my stomach agrees that sounds delicious!"
Kiba came back with their plates and everything on them was as delicious looking as a magazine stock photo. The sandwiches were hot and cheese was oozing out of them. A small toothpick with a bit of colored cellophane on the end was stuck in the center of each half to help hold them together. One the side was a romaine lettuce salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons and cheese with their choice of ranch or Caesar dressing. He set a small bell in the middle of their table.
"Please feel free to ring your bell should you need an assistance ladies! Enjoy your meals!"
Their butler bowed again and left them. Sakura took a sip of her root beer and was surprised.
"They make it themselves?!"
"Yes!"
"Oh my gawd, new favorite place. Right here."
Karin was stuffing her face with salad, but responded around it,
"Me-foo!"
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