I am sorry it's taken me so long, but it's been kind of a hard couple of months. But at least I wrote for you guys :D So here's the new chapter! Enjoy and please Review!
Sakura woke up the next day rather groggily only to find two large black caterpillars in her face. She reached out, her vision still blurry from sleep and grabbed one of the caterpillars with full force and power.
"Gah! Cherry Blossom! That hurts! Pulling my manly eyebrows is not very youthful!" A familiar voice screeched. Sakura's eyes popped open as she realized the fluffy caterpillars were in fact Gai's eyebrows. She pulled away quickly with a scream and with so much force that she became tangled in her sheets and toppled to the floor. Gai covered his ears with his large hands and gave her a glare.
"Are you always this loud in the morning?"
"Are you always going to be creepy and stand there in the morning and watch me while I sleep?" Sakura retorted, attempting to untangle herself from her green sheets. He pouted and crossed his arms.
"It is not creepy, it is youthful to enjoy your youthful and peaceful image," he grumbled at her "creepy" comment. Sakura rolled her eyes and shimmied out of her tangled sheets with little difficulty. Gai blushed at the sight of her small tank top and short shorts along with her disheveled pink tresses.
"Oh! Cherry Blossom! You're so cute and youthful!" Gai gushed as he squeezed her in an awkward embrace. Her full cheek was pressed so hard against his oddly firm pectorals that she could feel her teeth almost piercing the moist tender skin on the inside of her mouth.
"Gai-" she struggled, "Can't-breathe..."
In mere seconds Gai was thrown off of her petite form and landed somewhere in the hallway in a crippled mess of limbs. Sakura breathed in heavily and glanced up at her rescuer. Asuma stood there looking completely interested in his short uneven nails on his left hand, his right hand crossed around his torso.
"Thank you," she whispered up at him. A small almost unnoticeable smirk graced his lips, but disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. He cleared his throat and turned towards the opened door, but glanced behind him as he came to the door.
"I bought some breakfast," he mumbled awkwardly and quickly scurried out of the room as he shut the door. Sakura stared at the closed entrance for a few moments before blowing a pink strand of hair out of her face and sighing. She leaned against the bed frame for a second before thrusting her body into a standing position. She scratched the mess of pink locks groggily and walked toward the pastel green vanity that was situated in the corner of her room located next to the bay window balcony. She glanced at her ivory face and groaned, her hair sticking up in every direction possible.
She looked for a comb for a few moments before giving up and running her slender fingers through the tangled tresses. Giving up on taming the wild mane, she took one of her hair ties off of her wrist and forced her hair into a rather messy ponytail. Sakura rubbed her eyes and stared at her reflection. The discoloration on her cheek was almost invisible. A small sad smile formed upon her soft pink lips as she thought about her new life.
I guess I can forget about my past now and just focus on finding a job and working hard.
Is it just me or is Gai buff?
Where the hell did that come from?!
Well when he was squeezing us, didn't you feel like he could crush us with his strong powerful arms and well-defined torso?
Oh my Kami ewww! I can't believe you would ever even consider him as attractive! He's so gross! Why would you think something like that?
Technically speaking, I'm you, so therefore YOU are the one who's thinking about it.
...
What no retort?
I have no words for that logic.
A knock came at Sakura's door. She turned quickly, brushing aside the revolting thoughts of Gai and her... together... and rushed to the door in order to greet the mystery intruder. A mess of silver hair upon a masculine face and a bare perfect tan torso made Skaura's heart beat faster and her face turn three shades of red.
Kami that man is hella hot!
Kakashi placed a muscular arm over her head and onto the door frame. He was so much taller than her that she had to crane her neck in order to look him in the eyes, which was a pleasant distraction from the blaringly beautiful abs that flexed with each movement he made and made her stomach tie in knots at the thought of running her slender hands over their rippled form. She noticed how dark and mysterious his eyes were, and just how much more appealing they made him. Her breath came out in short shaky puffs as he smiled a lazy crooked smile at her.
"Aren't you going to come eat breakfast?" His voice was so deep and sleepy and... sexual. Sakura almost made a motion to wipe imaginary drool off of her open lips, but stopped herself and instead gulped hard and nodded. He flashed his brilliantly white teeth at her and slowly lowered his hand toward her hip and around to her lower back.
"Then let's go shall we?"
Let's go to bed! I want to learn the ways of love making!
Shut up!
Quit being a pussy, RAPE GIRL RAPE!
How are we even the same person?
Kakashi led Sakura's tingling body toward the stairs, and guided her down to the kitchen where all of the semi dressed men stood in random positions.
I think I just entered heaven. Sakura's inner-self sing-songed.
I'm not going to disagree with you this time...
Sakura took a seat in between Genma and Kakashi and was served a large helping of pastries and orange juice. The glazed donuts were obviously fresh, the thick sugary coating dripping off the sides of the warm doughy circle, pooling on the sides in little sticky puddles. She dipped her pointer finger into the warm sweet liquid and raised it to her mouth, not noticing the eight pairs of eyes that followed the slow movement. She slowly, innocently licked the saccharine frosting and drew her small wet muscle back into her full pink lips. She sighed at the delicious taste and placed her finger in her mouth entirely to savor the remnants.
A loud thud was heard from across the room and Sakura looked up quickly to find Jiraiya lying on the floor unconscious with his nose bleeding profusely. Gai stood over him, a mysterious trickle of blood leaking from his nostril as well, giggling like a school girl. Kakashi and Genma gave each other stupid grins as if they had just shared some inside joke, Kotetsu and Izumo stared open-mouthed and wide-eyed, while Asuma and Iruka simply smirked and looked at their coffee mugs. Sakura looked at the men, confused beyond belief, but shrugged, rolled her eyes and proceeded to eat the delectable doughnuts and drink her orange juice.
"So, Sakura, what's on your agenda today?" Iruka asked, bringing his piping hot black coffee to his thin lips and glancing up at the munching girl. Sakura flashed her viridian eyes up at the man, her cheeks full of half macerated pastry. She swallowed roughly and swigged some orange juice before answering his question.
"Well," she began, "I guess I'm job hunting today. Though I need to find a means of transportation to get around town. I'll probably call Ino since today is her day off..." Her voice trailed off as she considered her predicament. How would she get around town? She didn't have a car, and the guys probably wouldn't be able to give her a ride. Knowing Naruto, he's probably been bumming rides from friends or Hinata. She sighed heavily and popped another piece of doughnut in her mouth.
Why can't anything ever just be easy?
Because this is all a sign saying that you need to just rely on these guys to provide for you. Maybe you can become a reverse polygamist and have eight husbands instead of a guy having eight wives? Eh? Eh? Sounds like a damn good plan to me.
Sakura stopped to consider the scenario then quickly shook the thoughts away.
You're an idiot, and that's a terrible idea.
Again, I'm you, so you're calling yourself an idiot. It seems like you keep making this mistake.
Yeah well, shut up.
"I could take you."
Sakura was taken out of the tumultuous feud in her mind by a masculine voice and the tempting proposition. She glanced around to find Iruka staring intently at her. She really didn't know how she felt about him taking her around town; she had only spoken a few times to him and it was normally pleasant but very brief.
Genma stood quickly, his protein shake spilling all over the table, though he didn't notice. How dare Iruka offer Sakura a ride! If anyone was driving her around town it would be him, and Kami help anyone who objects.
"No way! I'll take her!" He shouted loudly, not even paying attention to the frantic Sakura, her past coming back to her. She rapidly sprinted to the kitchen mumbling apologies along the way, and grabbed the roll of paper towels on the counter beside the stove. She quickly wet a few and wrung them out, frightened and flustered. She rushed back into the dining area to sop up the sticky mess Genma made, not taking into account all of the worried faces surrounding her. She dabbed the towels on the table, and began to scrub, trying to soak up the syrupy liquid.
Her rose colored eyebrows scrunched in concentration as she continued the ministrations on the lifting goo. Her hand stilled as a warm, tan larger hand rested gently but firmly on her's. She looked up confused at Kakashi's worried expression.
"Sakura," he began calmly, "Why do you do stuff like this?"
Sakura's eyes widened and she gulped hard.
She cleared her throat before speaking, trying to think of the words to say, "I just dislike messes?"
Kakashi lifted a silver brow at her meager attempt to throw them off. Her lip quivered as she looked back at the once messy table, the protein shake cleaned completely. She sighed and pushed Kakashi's hand off as she made her way back to the kitchen to throw away the used paper towels. She washed her hands in the sink, her mind running a million miles a minute.
They're going to find out eventually... You know that right?
Not if I can help it. I don't want to burden them with my past. Besides it is in the past after all... I mean they've done so much for me in such a short period of time, I can't very well say anything about myself that might change their opinions of me.
You think they're going to change their opinions of you? If anything they'd probably be pissed off with your dad. Hell, it might benefit you to tell them. Maybe they'll go kick his ass!
It's not an option okay? I don't want them to think I'm damaged goods or anything... I've already gone through hell, and it's nice here. I don't want to ruin anything, besides, they're too busy to hear about my problems. I mean I don't want to bother them, so let's just leave it at that. I shouldn't tell them anything.
You're an idiot.
Sakura sighed quietly to herself, "I know."
"What do you 'know'?" A masculine voice asked, causing Sakura to squeak in surprise. She turned towards the door of the kitchen to see Iruka leaning against the frame. She gave him a broad slightly guilty smile and shook her head quickly. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Look, I worked it out with Genma. I'll be giving you a ride around town, so go get ready."
Sakura's eyes widened, and she quickly nodded in response and finished drying her hands and scurried past him and towards her room, not noticing Genma's brooding expression as he sat and poked at his half eaten bagel. She closed and locked her door and jumped over to the wardrobe, shuffling through the different outfit choices quickly. She didn't want to make Iruka wait, seeing as how kind he was being just to give her a ride out of the blue. She grabbed a light pink bra and a random pair of underwear, along with a loose white v-neck and some black leggings.
After getting dressed, she surveyed her outfit in her vanity mirror and decided that it was nice enough to go talk to a few employers. She arranged her hair in a nicer more pulled back and slick ponytail and made up her face a little, settling for some foundation, blush, mascara and eyeliner. Satisfied with her appearance she rustled around her room looking for her wallet and purse. She found the Purple tote easily enough and grabbed the pink and green wallet off of her dresser. Sakura glanced around the room once more, making sure she had everything, before nodding in contentment and shuffling out the door, closing it behind her.
As she made her way down the stairs, a loud wolf-whistle echoed at the end. Sakura looked down to find Jiraiya, awake from his perverted stupor, looking her up and down with a cat-like grin. Sakura scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on Princess! It's a compliment," Jiraiya whined at her cast-off action.
"Really? Sounded more like a perverted pass to me," Sakura snorted as she walked past the older man. He pouted at her comment, but his eyes lit up as she passed him, her full round hips swaying naturally. He reached out his large hand and pinched her rear teasingly, giggling as he did so. Sakura gasped and turned, her face bright red and her eyes flaming. Jiraiya gulped at the sight of Sakura's sudden change in demeanor. She was livid, and boy did he know it.
A loud smack could be heard from the dining room where the other men sat, eating the remnants of their breakfast. They all looked up to see a seething Sakura, followed by a sobbing Jiraiya who was holding his blood-red cheek in his hand.
"Sakura! It was just a joke! You didn't have to hit me so hard!" He cried great big crocodile tears as she ignored him and continued to walk towards Iruka, her arms crossed angrily across her chest.
"Well next time you think of making a joke, leave the pinching of my ass out of it. Iruka, I am ready to go when you are."
All seven pairs of eyes of the other men were glaring bullets at Jiraiya who cowered behind one of the dining chairs. Sakura grabbed Iruka's hand as he stared hard at Jiraiya and pulled him out of the house and towards his car. Iruka huffed an irritated sigh and followed Sakura willingly. Just as they stepped to his plain green Nissan, a giant howl of pain could be heard from the house and several bangs and booms filled the air as Jiraiya was beaten. Sakura and Iruka simply ignored this and continued on their mission to find a job for Sakura.
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They searched.
And they searched.
And they searched.
Iruka and Sakura could not for the life of them find anyone who was hiring. They went everywhere in Konoha. Literally. Even the not so morally well-to-do places. Sakura was practically on the brink of tears when they stopped looking for work and took a break to get a bite to eat. They were already at the local mall, so they just went to the food court where Iruka ordered some burgers and fries and Sakura sat at one of the little tables in a corner and sulked, her shoulders slumped and her head in her hands.
It's hopeless! I'll never find work!
I know, and to think, even the strip-clubs wouldn't take us!
Well, Iruka wasn't exactly pleased with that idea, and neither was I. Plus, they don't allow seventeen-year-old girls to work there.
Oh come on! You're telling me that you wouldn't like to learn a couple of moves that you could try on the guys?
...
What?
*facepalm*
"Cheesburger, just cheese and lettuce and a large fry. Here you go," Iruka announced as he took his seat across from Sakura. She stared at the greasy burger and sighed, poking at the gooey cheese.
Iruka stared at the young woman sadly. He knew this had to be hard for her. Hell, finding work for himself was difficult until he decided to start subbing for elementary schools. Sure kids drove him nuts, but he liked it for the most part. Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed one of her hands. Her eyes shot up with her head to look at him startled. A small tear that she had been fighting slipped from her watery eyes. Iruka's heart ached at the sight. He didn't understand why she had such a hold on him, after all they had only known each other for a few days, but he couldn't help but find her atractive and sort of magnetic, though he noticed the same pull on all the other guys. Sakura just had this pull on people, even the women she interviewed with. Something about her just draws people to her.
He reached out his other hand and lightly brushed the tear away with his thumb, cupping her cheek in his hand. The warmth of his calloused fingers felt nice against her smooth cool skin. She closed her eyes to force the tears back and reopened them when Iruka's hand left her face.
She sighed and rubbed her temples.
"What am I going to do Iruka? If I don't get a job, then I can't pay rent. If I can't pay rent then I can't keep living with you guys, or anyone really. I'm screwed."
Iruka gave a small smile and replied, "There's no way in hell that any of us are going to kick you out."
Sakura looked back up at him, "But I'm just taking up space if I'm not contributing and paying my dues. I don't want to be a burden."
Iruka scoffed at the comment and shook his head.
"You think you're a burden? Please, we like having you there. It actually relieves some of the tension between all of us. Puts a little estrogen in the mix."
"Although it creates some too..." Iruka muttered inaudibly. It was true. Tensions had been higher before Sakura came into the picture, though competitiveness became more prevalent, each guy vying for her attention. Hell, the way he "worked things out" with Genma was by threatening to take all of his toothpicks and burn them. (Genma's trying to quit smoking so he has to have somehing in his mouth at all times) Genma pouted and sat down, not having a retort or opposing threat. Iruka noticed though that Genma wasn't the only one who was upset that he was getting to take Sakura around town, but they all had work so they all silently sulked.
Sakura had a sudden burst of energy and stood, taking Iruka's mind off the subject of the events of this morning.
She fist-pumped the air and yelled, "I can't give up! I'll do whatever it takes!"
She then proceeded to sit back down quickly and scarf down the burger and fries. Iruka watched surprised, along with all the other mall patrons in the immediate vicinity. He stared a few more seconds before chuckling softly and joining her in eating.
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Sakura still didn't have much luck, but she decided to stay positive about the matter. Sure it may take a while for her to get on her feet, but after talking with Iruka she felt that she had the ability to do anything, and she would find a job.
They were both exhausted by the time they got home, crashing on the sofa. The others were still at work, so they were alone.
Iruka groaned and sat up, running his large calloused hand through his disheveled hair. Sakura giggled at the mess of hair on his head that continued to get messier by the second. Iruka stopped and stared at her as she tried to contain her chortling. His eyebrows narrowed which just made him look funnier to Sakura. She couldn't help herself, she started laughing so hard her abs hurt. He looked like Einstein on steroids; his hair was literally nearing afro proportions.
"What?" He asked, confused.
She pointed at his hair and continued to laugh.
"You think my hair is funny do you?" He asked, in a mischievous tone. Sakura just nodded still giggling. His smile grew wide and he pounced on her. He began to tickle her sides and flat belly. She rolled around trying to get out of his grasp and laughing so hard she was close to tears.
"No *gasp* Haha! Iruka! Uncle uncle!" She giggled. He stopped, straddling her waist, hands holding hers above her head on the couch. She pouted and glared at him while he just smirked triumphantly.
"Not fair you jerk," She muttered. He chuckled and stared at her. Sakura was pinned underneath him with nowhere to go, though she didn't mind too much. Hell, would you care if some beautiful man was straddling you? She looked back up at him and they just stared at each other for a few moments before he began to lean down. He knew he shouldn't even think of doing this, but Kami she just looked so nice and her lips were parted, and he just couldn't help himself.
Sakura took a sharp inhalation of air as he neared her face, staring at his lips the whole time.
Oh shit. Oh. shit. Oh shit.
Oh yes! Oh yes! Oh yes!
The front door burst open, effectively killing the mood. Before he could be murdered, Iruka quickly got off of Sakura and went to the kitchen, acting like nothing happened. Sakura sat up and stared after him shocked and confused. Asuma and Kakashi walked in, greeting her before turning on the television and surfing the channels before settling on the football game.
Damn.
Please go vote for the guy you want! The poll is on my profile. And leave a review if you love me! Leave a comment saying which younger suitor you'd like to compete for Sakura's affections.