note: thanks to all who reviewed. reviews make me feel like i'm actually not wasting my time

He hadn't passed by her restaurant for days.

And she was heart broken.

She felt lonely, empty without her handsome dark prince. She missed him, missed his handsomeness, his perfect face, his perfect hair, his perfect body, his perfect voice. . . even if all he did was insult her.

The point was that she missed him.

Dang it!

Was it too much to ask to see a pretty face other than hers once in a while? Was it her destiny to be plagued with fished-faced chefs and annoyingly preppy coworkers with make-up caked faces?

Lately, the only one that did come by was that stupid blond. Although, the man wasn't ugly, he was no Mr. Sexy.

Yes, the blond was no Sasuke.

She shivered when she thought about his name. It fit him so perfectly.

A sigh escaped her as she entered the restaurant. Sasuke was just simply perfect!

She was so distracted with thoughts of Sasuke that she nearly bumped into the manager.

Jugo caught her by her shoulders and gave her a stern but gentle look. "Be careful. Don't day dream while walking." She nodded her head and moved toward the back of the restaurant. "Wait, Karin," Jugo called out to her. "I'm going to have to give you extra tables tonight. Haruna called in."

What! Hell no!

"Sure," she said with a forced smile. Who in their right mind would refuse such a creepy boss?

"Oh and since it was Haruna's turn to close up, you'll have to do it."

"Even better," she hissed through clenched teeth. A nice cherry on top of her lovely day.

She walked by the kitchen to find that Suigetsu wasn't there. Good, she wouldn't have to deal with his stupidity. At least that was one thing on her side today.

After she tied her white apron around her waist, she reluctantly began another day of work.

It had been a really long day.

"Hello and welcome to The Spotted Sparrow. What can I get you?" She held her pen and notepad ready to jot down the orders.

A really, really long day. Her feet were sore from walking too much and she had forgotten to put the insoles in her boots which added to the pain in her poor, little feet. There had been a couple wise-ass customers who hassled her every five minutes. Half her tables gave her crappy tips. Toss in that her back was killing her and she was about ready to collapse. She didn't have the energy to speak much less walk, but there she was, trying to keep going.

With a couple hours until closing time, there was nothing in this world that she wanted more than to finally leave.

"You seem exhausted."

That voice.

That voice!

She quickly glanced at the customer.

It was him!

Sasuke was back! And dear lord did he look just as sexy as the first day she saw him.

"Er, um. . ." She fidgeted with her notepad. The words didn't seem to want to come out of her mouth. She coughed before forcing out a quiet, "The usual?"

Sasuke glanced dismissively at the menu laying in front of him. "No. I think I'll get something different today. How is," his black eyes skimmed the elegant words, "the red king salmon?"

"Oh, the chef who makes a killer red salmon isn't here today. I suggest waiting to try his first, but the poached chicken is delightful." She inwardly flinched. Ewww, did she just compliment Suigetsu? He must never know!

Sasuke closed his menu and handed it to her. "I'm willing to try it if you say it is worthy."

What was that tone? She slowly took the menu from his hand. Was he flirting with her? Or was he just being polite? She took her notepad and asked for any drinks he would like. He answered and she scribbled it down half-distracted by her thoughts. There was no way it was possible. Usually, he insulted her and ignored her while she tried to catch his attention. So he couldn't be flirting, right?

It was puzzling.

Even after she left for his order and while she tended to the rest of her tables, she felt his gaze on her.

It confused her more.

What the hell? He was a reserved jerk a couple of weeks ago and now he was all Mr. friendly? What happened during the days he didn't come by? Why was he suddenly giving her attention?

Not that she didn't welcome it. She adored the subtle looks he was sending her. Maybe Sasuke had a change of heart? Maybe now he was realizing what a beauty he had in front of him and wanted to strike before another beat him.

Well, she was very attractive if she did say so herself.

Somehow, after knowing Sasuke was present and watching her, the atmosphere grew lighter. Her mood changed enough so that even her tables felt the difference. The people were nicer, her feet and back seemed to suddenly become painless and she no longer cared if people tipped well or not.

Once while she was with a table, she glanced at Sasuke and he gave her a small half-smile.

She was in heaven.

"You look more happy than usual, Karin," a coworker told her in the kitchen. "Happy 'cause it's finally closing time?"

"What!" She threw her wrist up to look at her watch. It was true. A couple more minutes and she could go home.

"Yeah, except that one hot guy is still at your table. Looks like he doesn't want to leave yet."

Ah yes, Sasuke had stayed.

You heard right, bitches! Mr. Sexy stayed for me!

Sasuke stayed and she had no doubt that he had waited for her. He had to be waiting for her. Why else would he stay after finishing his meal?

Looks like she would finally have some personal time with her prince charming.

"I'll make him leave," she replied with a smile and made her way toward him.

His dishes had been picked up some time ago and he didn't look like he was going anywhere.

"Excuse me, sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave," she said in a playful manner. For a second he looked like he wasn't catching her humor and she panicked. "I didn't mean it like that! I just, I was just kidding. I mean, we are closing, but. . ." and her voice died. She must've looked like a fool because she certainly felt like one.

He didn't seem to mind her nervousness and instead he stood up.

"I," he paused, "I was wondering if I could accompany you home. It's late, and, well, It isn't safe for a lady to be out so late."

"Of course!" She would have squealed if it wasn't for her short breath. Being around such an attractive male did that to her.

He follow her out of the restaurant and waited for her as she locked up.

She was glad Jugo made her stay until closing time. Not only did the manager thank her for being so willing and actually praised her for a job well done, but she had Sasuke as an escort!

Life couldn't get any better.

"I'm Sasuke Uchiha." He held out his hand as she faced him.

She took it gladly and marveled at his warmth. "I know. I'm Karin." She didn't miss the way his eyebrow rose and quickly giggled nervously to cover up her slip. It was their first conversation, she didn't want to seem like a stalker. When her future babies ask her about the first time her and their handsome future father walked home together, she wanted to tell it like a fairytale. It had to be perfect. They had to be perfect. "It's a nice night."

Sasuke glanced up at the dark, cloudy, purple sky. "I guess it is."

And they started walking.

ah, i was listening to some jazz and it happened to be romantic so this came out. i didn't intend to have too much romance between karin and sasuke but it slipped. although it isn't alot if you ask me.

next chapter, sasuke's finally going to spill EVERYTHING :o