Disclaimer - I do not own...(sighs) like many fangirls, I wish I did.
Author's notes - I'm amazed. I thought for sure that this fic was going to sink for sure because the plot it really dumb and all. Amazingly though with only three chapters I've reached 77 reviews. Maybe by the time you all finish reading this chapter I'll have 100. (Laughs at my own joke because it won't happen, lol.) Anyway now for the important note - There will be some drug usage and some body hate in this chapter. So you've been warned.
It had been a week since Sakura asked Tenten and Sasuke what was wrong with them. She was probably better off not knowing. It wasn't a part of her business anyway. Yet deep down, Sakura secretly wanted to know why Tenten was so embarrassed about how she lost weight so fast, and why Sasuke had such a dazed look upon his face when he walked into the room. She had only to come to one conclusion; drugs. It seemed to be the only obvious answer. Dazed look, embarrassment, running off to rooms. It didn't quite make sense, but it was all she seemed to think of as an answer.
Since that day, Tenten seemed to be a lot well, thinner then usual. Her eyes and nose were red, puffy, and watery at times when she'd emerge from her dressing room. When Sakura asked if everything was alright, Tenten said that she was simply crying because she missed her boyfriend. For some reason, Sakura had doubts. Sasuke also was looking strange. There was days when she'd seem him at school, where he'd be healthy looking and his skin a light pink color. But then there were days where he'd look so sickly and pale, with large bags under his eyes. Just like Tenten. It worried Sakura, but she knew it was best to leave him alone. She didn't want to get snapped at again anyways.
In the week not only had Sakura tried to avoid Tenten and Sasuke, but Orochimaru. He was starting to bother her about the way she looked and was critiquing her often. After he found out the density of her hair, he insisted that she chopped it off down to a short length that made her 'weigh-less' and 'show off more of her facial features.' It bothered Sakura at first when she saw her pink locks fall to Orochimarus feet, but through time she began to enjoy it. Her hairstyles always turned out different from the models with longer hair and she was able to have certain styles that Tenten and the others couldn't.
After the hair-cut, Sakura began to talk to the Gothic-girl who also won. Temari was a nice girl, with an interesting attitude. At first, she scared Sakura with the chains and heavy black makeup. But through time she adapted to it and painted her nails black a few times with Temari. Despite Tenten, Sasuke, and Orochimaru's wild behavior, things seemed to be perfect for Sakura in the agency.
"Remove your clothes and step onto the scale, Sakura." Orochimaru pointed to her scale. This was her third photo-shoot this week, and at least her tenth weigh-in.
Doing as she was told, Sakura removed her clothing and stepped onto the scale.
"What does it say?"
"118lbs." Sakura read from the scale.
"Better. You've been taking the diet pills I assume?" Orochimaru studied Sakura's hair.
"Yes, with every single thing I eat."
His eyes trailed down to her stomach. Never had she worn any clothing that showed off her stomach, but it was nearing winter and swimsuits shots had to be done in the next week or so.
"It's not good enough. You're still too fat." He said simply.
"T-too fat? Orochimaru, I have taken diet pills to make my weight go down. What more could I possibly do?"
A smile formed from his lips. "Oh, innocent Sakura..." One of his hands ran through her hair, sending chills down her spin. "Don't you ever read the papers? You know so much about modeling, yet know so little on how some of them get thin."
"What do they do?" She was scared of an answer he'd give her. Sakura knew several reasons, but didn't want to believe them all. Models were good people, men and women who modeled out clothing and other products. She didn't want to hear the stereo-type that everyone thought models were.
"Starve yourself, Sakura..." He whispered. "You're fat and need to lose the weight. If you skip a few meals you'll be beautiful and everyone will want you to model."
"Or-orochimaru, I don't know..." She started to protest, but Orochimaru moved on.
"Don't eat a few meals, you'll be thin...and Sasuke likes thin girls." He continued to speak in her ear.
"Sasuke?"
"Yes...Sasuke just adores thin girls...don't you want to be beautiful for him?"
"Yes...but..."
"Then starve yourself...you need to lose weight for your job. Sasuke is a good motivation...and Miss, Ama can help you. She knows all about it..."
Sakura felt uncomfortable as she stood on the scale in her underwear with Orochimaru over her shoulder, whispering words to her. She missed having her long hair at times like these. She felt so naked without it. "I don't know..."
"You want to model, don't you?"
"Yes..."
"Then do it...go into Miss, Ama's room and talk to her about it."
"A...alright."
Carefully, she bent down and picked up her clothing beside the scale. Chills still ran through her body after Orochimaru left the room. He was supposed to be her coach, just guide her through the modeling life and help promote her to other people.
With her clothing back on, Sakura rushed to closest mirror. She wasn't that bad looking, right?
You're bottom is a little big Sakura... She placed her hands on each side of her bottom then glided them over to her hips. Orochimaru is being silly. I'm not fat. For my height I'm at the perfect weight. 118lbs isn't a lot anyway. I'm sure there are plenty of models that are famous that weigh that much. But still... Her hips did seem a lot wider then Tentens and her arms seemed to have a bit more on them then Temari's skinny ones. She wasn't really fat, was she?
A knock came to the door. "Sakura?"
Sasuke?! She violently turned her head towards the door. "Y-yes?"
"You have a photo shoot in half an hour..." Sasuke said in his usual bored voice. "We need to be at the Botanical Gardens."
"We?" Sakura asked, wondering if she heard correctly.
"Yes. And you better hurry, Orochimaru is taking us and you know how impatient he is."
Sakura blushed and quickly rushed out of the door. She had a photo shoot with Sasuke and didn't even know it. Not only that, but she'd be able to spend a lot of time with him, it was to good to be true, something was bound to go wrong.
"'Teenage Romance'?" Sakura said in disbelief. This was to good to be true.
"Well...you're actually modeling out a jean brand, but this is the theme they wanted?" Said Jiraiya as he began to set his camera up. "Why? Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No..."
Jiraiya smiled. "Then this shouldn't be a problem."
This isn't happening. Sakura thought as the artists began to do her makeup and hair. This isn't happening. I'm going to be in a photo shoot with Sasuke! Not only that, but we're going to be lovers in this shoot. Her eyes glanced over to Sasuke. At this moment, she'd kill to see what was crossing his mind as they prepared him for the shoot. Was he excited about it as well? Hating the thought of being next to her? Or did he not care at all and had no emotion of this?
"Remember, you're modeling out the jeans." Orochimaru said, standing behind the computer where the images would show up. "Try not to make it sexual."
Nervously, Sakura began to model out with Sasuke. At times, wrapping her arms around his neck and doing other romantic movements she had seen in couple photos on the internet. Moments came where she'd move her face close to his, as if leaning in for a kiss, but wouldn't make any facial expression to show that she was in love with him. Sasuke seemed to be more aware of his surroundings and gave off a much stronger appearance then Sakura. It was obviously driving everyone crazy.
"Dammit, Sakura!" Orochimaru yelled. "This isn't a hard shoot. You're doing commercial modeling and things should be simple since you're only doing romantic poses!"
Sakura jumped in fright. "It's not that simple for me..."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I just can't do it."
Orochimaru frowned. "Take a five minute break..."
"Thank you." She mumbled, rushing away from the set to a near park bench.
Stupid Sakura! This isn't hard. What's your problem today? This is supposed to be easy. You're just modeling with Sasuke...She sighed. That's why you're freaking out...because it's Sasuke.
"Do you always mess up this much?" Asked Sasuke, as he stood in front of her.
"No. I guess I'm just nervous."
"About what? These are simple."
Sakura frowned. "Easy for you to say. You've been modeling for so long, I've only been doing it for a couple weeks." Her cheeks were red from embarrassment and her lip quivered to show that she was ready to burst into tears.
"You know, if you just pretend I'm someone else, it'd be easier." He sighed, growing frustrated with Sakura's problem.
"Pretend?"
Sasuke nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure you can do that."
A smile formed in Sakura's lips. "I can."
When they got back to the set, Sakura was feeling slightly more confident about modeling with Sasuke. The shots were coming out better and didn't look fake. Once or twice, Sakura had an urge to kiss Sasuke to make the photo look better, but was to nervous to get an inch away from his face. At one point, Sasuke had placed his hands around her hips and leaned in to make it look like they were about to kiss. At first she was nervous, but quickly placed her hands upon his chest and leaned her own body it. It was 'the mater shot' as Jiraiya called it.
Orochimaru was slightly more pleased with her progression, but insisted she stayed late again at the agency so they'd be able over more poses.
"Do you do couple shots often, Sasuke?" Sakura asked on the way back to the agency.
"No. One or two every couple of months." He replied dully.
"Oh...with who?"
"Other random models..." He said dully.
"Mom and dad took me to 'Suna Models' yesterday." Ino said proudly before class started. "They said they loved my look and wanted me to model for them. Isn't that great?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. Sunday night she was given the same phone call about the same topic. "It's great, Ino."
"I know! When I walked in several women there were saying that I had beautiful hair, eyes, and a great all around body!" Her gloating continued. "I'm going to be better then Tenten. You'll see. Maybe even better then you, Sakura."
"Wh-what?"
"Yeah, I'm that good." She smirked and continued on with her pride. "I've only done beauty shots but they said I was stunning."
"Tenten and I get the same comments." Sakura muttered under her breath.
"Do you get comments on how beautiful your hair is? How stunning your eyes? How about your body? Do they ever tell you that your body is gorgeous and the eye of perfection?" Ino snapped.
"No, but—"
"See, I'm perfect."
Without hesitation Sakura jumped out of her desk and ran out of the classroom. Her face was hot with anger, hatred, and depression. Ino can't be better... Her mind raced as she continued to run to the nearest girls restroom. I won the contract, I was chosen. Not Ino...Ino can't be better. She's better at everything else. This is my area. This is mine...not Ino's...she's only wanted this for a short period of time, I've wanted this since I was ten. I'm not going to lose to her...
Once in the restroom, Sakura sat in one of the stalls, crying her eyes out for the next several minutes. No one at the agency told her that her hair was beautiful. Nor did they say how stunning her eyes were, and not once did she receive a comment about how her body was 'perfect.'
Ino's not perfect... Sakura looked at her wrists. The bones weren't visible when she looked at them unlike Ino, Temari, and Tenten. Ino's not perfect...Ino's not perfect...Ino's not perfect... She thought over and over again. When she finally came out of the stall she walked to the mirror. Classes had been going for a couple minutes and it was most likely that no one was going to bother her. Ino's not perfect... She thought once more as she lifted up her shirt and set it on the sink beside her. Examining her stomach she began to cry some more. Ino's not perfect... Sakura's fingers ran flatly up and down her torso. Ino's perfect... She turned her body around so she could look at her back. I'm not perfect... Her shoulder blades weren't visible like Temari's perfectly formed ones. I'm not perfect... She pulled her pants down a bit to show off her hip bones. They weren't visible like Tenten's perfectly shaped ones. I'm not perfect... She faced the from again and looked at her collar bone. It didn't stick out like Ino's thin and straight one.
"I'm not perfect..." She told her reflection.
"Sakura?" Ino's voice echoed through the entrance of the bathroom. "Are you in here?"
Quickly, Sakura pulled her pants above her hips and quickly slipped into her shirt. "Yes, Ino."
"Good. Iruka-Sensei sent me off to get you after you ran out. I've never seen him so mad before."
Sakura frowned. So Ino didn't come after her in concern? " It was an emergency that's all."
Ino's face formed a disgusted look. "Ew...well can we hurry? Iruka-Sensei is already made enough."
As the class went on, Sakura grew more depressed. The concern and thoughts about her appearance and Ino's so-called 'perfection' seemed to be the weight of the world. She hardly made eye contact with anyone and was slow moving as they did assignments through-out. At times she felt like Sasuke, sitting alone with no contact to the others. During lunch she sat next to Ino eating a small salad as Ino continued to talk about her new modeling job.
"S-sakura?"
Sakura lifted her head and saw Hinata in front of her. A scared look on her face as always and the latest issue of a popular teen magazine. "Yeah? What is it Hinata?"
Hinata walked closer to the table and set down on the magazine, opened on an article about the dangers of Myspace. Next to the article was Sasuke and Sakura's jean add. Sakura blushed as she saw what photo it was. Sasuke's hands where wrapped gently around her waist and her hands up against his chest. Heads tilted slight as if moving into a kiss and legs spread partly to get a look at how the jeans fitted.
"I-I was wondering...if m-maybe you could s-sign it?" Hinata asked, stuttering as usual. "I-I'm so sorry if I'm b-bothering you..."
Sakura blinked her eyes in disbelief. "No not at all, Hinata." She quickly pulled out a pen from her purse and scribbled her name at the bottom of the page.
"Th-thank you." Hinata picked up the article and rushed back to her lunch table.
"Hm?" Ino turned her body back to Sakura's, who had started working on her salad again. "What was that about?"
"Nothing, nothing." Sakura said embarrassedly. The last thing she needed was for Ino to see the add of her and Sasuke together.
Ino raised an eyebrow. "You can tell me, Sakura, you know that."
Sakura bit her lip. 'Oh Hinata wanted me to sign the ad I did with Sasuke where we look like a couple.' It just didn't sound right.
"Well?"
"It's nothing. I swear." Sakura turned a light pink and went back to eating her salad.
"Sakura!" Naruto's loud voice filled the cafeteria as he rushed over to her table, screaming her name out and waving the same magazine Hinata brought over in his hands.
Please no...
Naruto slammed down the magazine in front of Sakura and Ino, his eyes narrowed deeper then they already were. "Hinata came back to the table and was showing Kiba an article about Myspace..."
Ino's attention was full-on now.
"But see, it wasn't the article she was showing him!" Naruto quickly opened the magazine and turned to the article and her photo. "This is what she was showing Kiba! What are you doing with Sasuke anyway?"
Ino's eyes twitched slightly as she saw Sakura and Sasuke together, up close and near a kiss. "This is 'nothing'?"
"It's j-just a photo shoot." Sakura stuttered along. "W-we had to pose as a c-couple while modeling out the jeans..."
"That doesn't look like what you're doing." Ino snapped. "Looks more like you're about to kiss him."
"But Ino, you know that sometimes in modeling you have to act like you're doing something."
Ino and Naruto continued to glare at the photo, ignoring Sakura's defense.
"You haven't been to Tenten's room?" Orochimaru said crossly.
"No. You see, last time I was here I didn't have any time. Sasuke came to my room telling me..." She stopped after catching the look in Orochimaru's eyes. "Sorry...I'll do it before I leave for sure."
"Good." Orochimaru took a drink from the alcohol bottle that he just opened and sighed in annoyance. "Get on the scale."
'Get on the scale' had been four words Sakura dreaded. She knew what her fate was when she would read off the numbers. A bone-chilling whisper of names and hate. It scared her to death to have him whisper in her ear, and made her feel humiliated with the addition that she wore nothing but underwear as he did so.
"Read it." He took another drink from behind her.
"115lbs." She mumbled under her breath, scared to see what he'd say next.
"What is it?"
"115lbs..." She said louder.
"Better, Sakura..." He leant down to her ear. "But you can be better..." The sent of alcohol drifted from his mouth to her nose, causing her to feel sick and disgusted with it. "Much better...you'll make Miss, Ama look ugly...more people will want to hire you...and you'll be the idol of millions..." His hand softly played with her hair and moved down to her shoulder. "You'll be perfect."
She let out a small noise of fear, indicating that she knew what she had to do.
"I've scheduled runway lessons for you this weekend as well." Orochimaru smiled as he took yet another drink. "You'll be with Tenten and Sasuke, training for Tsunade's Fashion Show next month."
"Runway? Are you sure I'm not too-short for that?" Sakura said, quickly putting her clothing on.
"There have been plenty of models your height that have done Runway." He took a seat in the empty chair next to her dresser and took a long drink of beer. "You have beauty shots in five minutes, I suggest you go now," he added as he finished up the bottle.
Runway? He wants me to do Runway?! But that will mean that... She bit her lip as she walked out of the room. ...he'll want me to lose more. Who knows what clothing I'll be forced to wear on the Runway and Orochimaru will only want me to appear slimmer on it. I only have a month to do that, but how? As she turned the corner, Tenten's door was slightly open and an idea hit her. Why do I never lean on Tenten for help until the last minute? I know she'll be willing to help...and Orochimaru will be upset if I don't go today anyway.
"Tenten?" Sakura knocked on Tenten's dressing room door. "I need to ask you something about— oh my god..." As she pushed open the door a bit more to Tenten's room she saw a horrifying site.
The room was a littered with dirty laundry and magazines that Tenten had been in. Almost as though she had been attacked. Thankfully she sat on the small couch in her room. And was leaning over the coffee table in front of it. Her hair was a mess and looked as though it hadn't been brushed in days, her body looked pale and sickly. Several white lines of what looked like power were upon a small mirror that laid on the table, and her index finger was pushed on one side of her nose and she breathed deeply as the straw stuck up her other nostril started inhaling the white powder.
When Tenten finished one of the rows of white powder, she brought her head up and coughed a few times. She turned her head to the side and stared at Sakura with confused eyes.
"I...I have to go!" She quickly stuttered. Without thinking, she turned her heal and headed out of the agency in shock and fear.
Author's notes - Ugh, it's a little short and I'm really pissed about that...anyway, I did warn you about the stuff ahead. (Obviously my drug scenes will be off since I've never done them and I don't really know how they work and crap like that...) Now some may ask - "Why is Ino a model now?" Why? Because my friend wanted Ino to be one...though I hate Ino with a passion, I decided to do it for her. Anyway I'm pretty much dead for ideas on the next chapter, so if you have somethings you'd like to see let me know in a review or PM...I really have no clue what I'm gonna do next. (Nervous laugh.)
Thank you for reading. Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa to all my readers and I hope you enjoy the holidays! (Even if I am early...)