Frightened by the sudden appearance of the man in question, Ino, TenTen and Hinata shrieked. Sakura jumped slightly. She turned to see a red-faced, fiery-eyed man dressed in a pristine ebony designer suit, minus the tie. He was even more stunning up close, but it was always the best looking ones that let you go the hardest; something she had learned early on in her dating experience. The faces of past lovers flashed through her mind, each face bringing back the sting of heartache. Her face began to meld into a grimace.
"May I help you?" Sakura asked with an annoyed tone, the sour memories of relationships past coating her words with acid. He stood angrily for a few seconds before he managed to respond. "What did you just say about me?" She looked at him questioningly. "Why do you ask? It's obvious you were eavesdropping. But if you really want me to say it again...you have a small dick."
The man's face seemed to become impossibly redder as his jaw set in anger. He stared bewildered at her for a few moments before closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. He seemed to be collecting himself just as his friends arrived.
"What the hell did you do to him?" the blonde one asked as he stared curiously at his furious friend. "I must've bruised his ego." Sakura said with a slight smile, her lips hidden behind her wine glass. She sipped away leisurely as the egotistical man continued to fume.
"Sasuke. Hey. Calm down, would 'ya? You're embarrassing us in front of all these, lovely ladies." The blonde one flashed them a smile to which Hinata blushed furiously. "I'm Naruto, this here's Sasuke, the one with the girly hair is Neji and this lazy one is Shikamaru. You'll have to excuse my friend for his hissy fit, he's pretty sensitive."
After he glared menacingly at the blond, the dark haired man turned to Sakura. His eyes smoldered with what seemed to be disbelief mixed with rage. His mouth opened, but he was at a loss for words. How did one answer to such an allegation? Sakura decided to help him out.
"Sasuke, is it? I bet you're wondering who am I to judge what's in your pants." Sasuke nodded curtly. Sakura whirled her wine around, staring at the crimson whirlpool.
"You see Sasuke, I am a scorned woman. It just so happens that I attract good-looking douche bags, guys much like yourself, with their abundance of money and their big headedness. I've ended up dating these douche bags and I put up with their shit and their deficiency in the genitalia department only for them to rip out my heart. And shred it. Into a million pieces. So you see Sasuke, if anyone is to judge what's in your pants, it's me. Because even though I just met you, I know you inside and out." She took a sip of wine. "If it's any solace, I never meant for you to hear my comment, regardless of how true it was, because I know just how fragile your ego really is under its overconfident exterior."
She turned back around, crossing her legs and sipping more wine. She was met with the astonished faces of her friends. "What?"
"He's not one of your past boyfriends, he's a complete stranger. Stop attacking him like he's done something to you." TenTen staged whispered. Ino looked like she was in pain.
"Sakura, what the hell are you doing?" she hissed.
A hand slammed down on the table. Following the length of the arm, she was met with Sasuke's smirking face. He had more or less regained his composure albeit a light flush to his pale skin. Sakura squinted suspiciously. She knew that smile: he thought she was playing hard to get. He figured that with a couple of minutes of smooth talking and smiling, her resolve would break and she'd enthusiastically agree to a date. Little did he know, her resolve was impervious to such attempts. Any shit he tried to pull, she was about to dish it right back.
"Sakura, is it? That's pretty." She scowled. "Well, Sakura, you might've dated many guys like me, but I am anything but similar to them. You can't possibly think a stereotype you concocted based on your past dating experiences can apply to me. Because obviously, I'm a lot more, choice than your previous boyfriends."
"Are you suggesting that I have low standards?" Sakura asked slowly, her eyes burning with premature rage. "Hardly. I'm merely alluding to the fact that any man you've dated before me is inferior in comparison." He flashed an alluring grin. Sakura heard Ino gasp.
"I thought it was your friend that had the superiority complex." Sakura said, jerking her head in the long haired brunette's direction. "Neji? Most definitely. But when you have an ego as big as mine, it's kind of impossible not to develop one." He smiled.
She shrugged. A reasonable explanation. "So when am I going to pick you up?" She trained her disbelieving gaze on the man smiling down at her. "You're not serious are you?"
"As serious as a heart attack. I'm attracted to you and even though you'd rather not admit it, it's obvious that you're attracted to me, then again, who isn't? —" Sakura grimaced at his arrogance. "—so of course we're going on at least one date." Sasuke said haughtily.
"What makes you so sure I want to go out with you?" Sakura asked, an angry glare beginning to form. His smile grew wider and he placed his left hand on her shoulder.
"What woman doesn't want to go out with me?"
Naruto groaned, Neji shook his head disapprovingly and Shikamaru sighed. "Here we go again." He mumbled under his breath.
Peeling his hand off repulsively, Sakura retorted, "I've dated my fair share of conceited bastards but I have never and will never go out with someone who's so full of himself that he boasts about his ego. Got it? Or do I have to say it slower so you can comprehend what I'm saying?" she questioned, her tone insulting.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly before he responded. She was becoming increasingly irritating. "I think you can make an exception. I've dated my fair share of stunning women but I have never set my sights on someone as average as you. You're a beautiful girl and everything but I'm more inclined to take out a fashion model than someone like you. In yet, I'm willing to lower my standards and take you out. Shouldn't you do the same?"
Hinata, Ino and TenTen's faces visibly paled as Sakura's face contorted with annoyance and fury. The men standing around the table felt the air of the conversation change. This was going to end badly.
"Oh boy! Look at the time! It's getting pretty late. Well, it was nice to meet you but we've got to go, Right. This. Very. Minute. Good night! Sakura, we better get you home. You have work tomorrow." Ino urged hurriedly as TenTen tugged desperately on her friend's arm. She didn't budge.
"What." Sakura shot out, the questioning tone replaced with a snarl. Sasuke shrugged innocently. "I'm just saying. You have to admit, you're looking a little dowdy tonight." He said, flicking a ruffle on her blouse. "Almost matronly."
A plume of red began creeping up Sakura's neck, a warning beckon to all those around her of the approaching danger. Sasuke, oblivious, continued on.
"Don't get me wrong, I think you're stunning, underneath all that misery and tasteless clothing. It's just that, appearance means a lot to me, as you already know. I like to look my best and I want the people I'm associated with to look their best too. For instance," He straightened up and gestured to the women around the table. "Your friends. They look like a group of beautiful ladies who decided to eat dinner together. You on the other hand look like a bitter secretary drowning her sorrows with alcohol." He leaned casually against the booth chairs. "That of course can all be fixed once you agree to go out with me."
The remaining wine left in Sakura's glass ended up dripping down Sasuke's face and onto his white dress shirt in a matter of seconds. Sasuke slowly wiped his face as the group of six, and now several nearby diners, looked on. "I guess that was a little too much." Sasuke speculated.
Then with speed that surprised the four men in front of the table, Sakura's hand shot out and yanked Sasuke from his leisurely stance causing him to stumble forward awkwardly. Gripping his shirt, she brought him to her level.
"Listen, closely. I do not like you."
"You don't seem too likable either." Sasuke interrupted.
"I'm about three insults away from maiming you."
"Very intimidating."
"I would rather die than spend an entire evening with you."
"That's a bit melodramatic don't you think?"
"You'll be able to get a date from me once hell freezes over."
Sasuke smirked. "Well, Satan better go buy himself a parka and some blankets."
Neji, Shikamaru and Naruto groaned while the girls seated before them smiled. Except Sakura. Sasuke loosened her hold on his shirt.
"Come on. You couldn't even smile? It was almost funny!" Sasuke reasoned with a smile.
Sakura glared. "Not even remotely."
"You need to loosen up. Let your hair down. Relax." He swiftly removed the chopstick holding her hair together. It flowed gently down her back. She looked at him in angry surprise. He smirked back. "See, I knew you'd look better with your hair down. Now all you need to do is take that stick out of your ass."
The 6 onlookers all gaped in surprise and horror at Sasuke's brash words. Sakura stood up in an instant. The red grazing her neck inched higher up her neck, a tell tale sign of irritation. "If I took it out, I'm sure I'd impale you with it." She hissed.
"Really?" he asked with a suspicious glint in his eye. "So you're into that dominatrix stuff? Makes sense why you'd lose so many boyfriends."
Hinata squeaked once in apprehension, attracting the attention of Neji. His eyes widened slightly in recognition. But before he could speak, Sakura replied loudly, "You are the biggest dick I've ever come into contact with!" Several heads turned.
"I know that being in my presence makes you flustered but you have to talk properly and stop mixing up your words." Sakura's eyes narrowed. "You meant "have', Sakura. Not are."
~*~
