Picking up Sasuke
Naruto Story [Number of Chapters Undecided]
Pairings- SasukexSakura, Small hints of NarutoxHinata, TentenxNeji, and ShikamaruxIno
Summary: Sasuke never REALLY knew the meaning of crazy until he met his new pink-haired, green-eyed, and not to mention irresistibly alluring secretary.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, then Itachi and Kakashi would be all mine, not to mention the total Ninja fight thing would be turned into a cliche shoujo
.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.
"Well, I think that it's safe to say that that was an. Epic. Fail." I concluded miserably. Way to go, Sakura. You were officially dumped—not that we were ever even together in the first place–by Uchiha Sasuke, a.k.a. my boss and one of the most powerful men on the face of the planet.
"Oi, Sakura-chan!" Naruto's deep voice knocked into my skull. Along with his voice maturing, I could actually admit that my cousin looked—somewhat—decent. Some would even call him "good-looking." The baby look he sported all these years had vanished, replaced with an adult type of face. Deep set cheekbones, a defined jaw, and a pair of determined cobalt orbs. Not to mention his fashion sense changed for the better. He still wore that hideous shade of orange, but toned it down for the better.
I could see why many of the female workers set their eyes on the dobe, fond of his bubbly personality more than the boss's menacing aura.
The very same owner of that voice brought me back down to Earth. "Sakura-chan? Sakura-chan? Earth to Sakura!"
Snapping out of my daze, I mentally snapped myself for—I shuddered—ogling my own flesh and blood. "What is it, Naruto?"
"Hey Sakura-chan! You're back from LalaLand! How was it?"
"Cut the crap, Naruto," I sighed, suddenly remembering what my gloomy mood was about in the first place. A blunt rejection from my boss.
"Sheesh, Sakura. No need to be so harsh. What's with the glum attitude anyways? Your atmosphere is affecting everyone here!"
Was it really? Well, judging from the look on Naruto's face I guess at least one person was concerned about my feelings. I refrained from letting loose a sigh. I should really at least try to act happier, but with the way my day was going…
"You know, Sakura-chan, I'll always be here if you need a shoulder to lean on."
Seriously cheesy, but I don't doubt it. That's what makes Naruto such a great guy. Now if Sasuke was like that… "You know what, Naruto? Your boss is such an ass."
.:. .:. .:. Naruto .:. .:. .:.
Sasuke-teme? It's about him? But I thought just a while ago they were acting all chummy together. What did the teme do now?
"Ne, Naruto. Can I tell you a story?"
Judging by the tone of Sakura's voice, I knew this was going to take a while. But I wasn't planning on going anywhere.
.
.
.
"…and so now I'm here, trying not to bawl my eyes out," Sakura concluded, another sigh leaving her lips.
I held back a string of curses directed to my so-called best friend. What a bastard he was! Why I ought to—
"Hey, Naruto. Why did I fall in love with a bastard like him?"
Now that question made me stop and think. Why did she fall in love with Sasuke-teme? There were plenty of nicer fish in the sea, and Saku— hold on just a second. Was that a confession? An outspoken confession?
Sakura must have caught the surprised glance I sent her way, for she gave me an exasperated look. "Yes I said it. I. Love. Uchiha. Sasuke. Now just answer the question, damn it!"
Pushy, pushy! But I could sympathize with her. Sakura didn't deserve to be in pain like she was.
Even so, when Sasuke was around Sakura never seemed happier. And having known him for so long, I could say the same thing about Sasuke. I answered honestly.
"You guys are polar opposites. Everyone who's anyone knows that opposites attract."
An immediate response. "Yeah, and then they blow up."
Touché. "Hey, hey. No need to be so negative, Sakura-chan. Remember, if worse comes to worse you always have me."
That got a small grin out of Sakura. "As if, Naruto. Remember, we're cousins, you dobe. And what about your precious Hinata-chan?"
"Well, I guess your right there. Wouldn't want you interrupting us when Hinata's cooking up some ramen for me."
Sakura managed a giggle, and I sighed contently. This was the Sakura I know. The happy-go-lucky, cheerful, beautiful Haruno Sakura. The Sakura that always had a smile on her face, that was calm in whatever situation was ahead of us.
But why couldn't I shake the feeling that she was actually lonely? Just so, so lonely.
.:. .:. .:. Meanwhile with Sasuke .:. .:. .:.
I let my eyes fall shut as my fingers danced over the keyboard. I had so much work to do it wasn't even funny.
Well, maybe to Itachi, who'd no doubt laugh at my misery.
I had to arrange a meeting with Tsunade-sama, finish up this damned paperwork, have someone hire a new attorney for the Inuzuka Corps, and read over a contract signaling the deal between the Aburame Clan and me, making sure it was fair to both of us.
And I had to finish this all today. Today. Today. Ugh, today's going to be horrible.
Well, for now I'll just play it by ear. I'll make sure this—huge—stack of paper before me disappears by lunchtime, and then I'll go grab some lunch. Maybe ask Sakura if she wants to join…
Sakura…Sakura, my secretary. Sakura, my co-worker. Sakura, my…what exactly was Sakura to me. She was certainly a friend…
But was she possibly more than just a friend?
And her stunt today, what was with that? Was what happened supposed to be a joke? Or was she completely serious?
Just what in the Devil is that woman planning? She's driving me crazy! I'm running into walls, apologizing to furniture, even attempting to feed my lamp some broccoli! Not that anyone needs to know, especially the dobe.
Well, I'm just going to let everything fall into place, and let the hands of God take over. Hopefully, they'll steer me in the right direction.
.:. .:. .:. Naruto .:. .:. .:.
It was hours after Sakura's breakdown, and my rage for Sasuke-teme hadn't cooled a bit. What sane person would reject Haruno Sakura? That Sasuke-teme, thinking he's all that. Pish-posh! I'll show him. Hmph, I'll make him pay for making Sakura act that way.
I came to a halt in front of the said bastard's office. "Oi, Sasuke-teme. I got a bone to pick with you," I fumed, banging on the polished mahogany wood. It opened with a slight squeak, and I peered inside curiously.
It was empty.
Hmm, that's so unlike teme there. He's usually so pristine and never forgets to lock his door if he's not in his office. Something's wrong.
I scurried past employees to the elevator, planning to ask the lady in the front desk if she's seen that chicken-haired guy, when I heard a familiar voice.
"Hn."
Oh, that was definitely teme. But why was he in the bathroom talking to himself? I crept towards the room and pressed my ear against the cool metal surface of the door. "Why won't it copy? Stupid damn printer."
I sighed and shook my head in relief. Everything's okay. Sasuke-teme's safe, and—wait a minute! There's no printer in the Men's Bathroom!
Something's wrong with teme indeed. And maybe, just maybe it has something to do with a certain pink-haired cousin whose name started with an S…
I peeled my ear away from the door, careful not to arise suspicion in Sasuke-teme, and cackled evilly, completely ignoring the 'is-that-guy-insane?' looks from my co-workers.
I have a plan.
.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.
"I'm sure it'll work, Sakura-chan! Just trust me on this!" Naruto insisted as he gave me a firm nod. We were sitting in the Ichiraku booth across the street from our workplace, where no one could see or hear what Naruto was plotting. He was giving me a rundown on his latest scheme, but I wasn't exactly keen on the idea.
"Naruto, I'm not so sure. I mean, I've already been rejected and honestly, I'm not sure if my heart can take another rejection like that."
"Come on, Sakura. What's life without a couple of risks? If everything works out, then you'll get the man and everything's a-okay. But if it doesn't, then we know that for sure teme's gay. You know, people are really wondering about his sexuality."
I couldn't stop a giggle from escaping my lips, and Naruto grinned through his Miso Ramen. "Now that's the Sakura-chan I know and love. So are we in for this?"
I paused. Moments passed. Then…
"What the heck, Naruto. We'll try this crazy plan of yours."
.:. .:. .:. Days Later .:. .:. .:.
People eyed Naruto oddly as he skipped down the corridor, humming the Mission Impossible: Theme Song while inconspicuously attempting to smuggle a bowl of…something…in his coat. Naruto stared back at his co-workers, daring anyone to challenge him. This wasn't his usual routine to stay 'sane,' but he didn't mind mixing it up every once in a while.
The whisker-cheek man—yet undoubtedly still a child on the inside—reached his best friend's office, and kindly barged into the room, obviously not heeding the multiple 'Knock Before Entering' lectures Sasuke had given him.
"Yo, Sasuke-teme!" Naruto beckoned exuberantly. "How's it goi—"
"Didn't I tell you to knock before barging in my office, dobe?"
Naruto waved off the warning, replying with his own, "And how many times have I not listened to those uninteresting speeches, teme? You're way to boring for your own good. How do you expect to score some points with Sakura-chan if you're always like that?"
"Tch, who ever said anything about scoring points with Sakura?" Sasuke retorted.
Naruto tsked. "Oi, teme, you know it's not good to lie, so I'm wondering why do you do it so often whenever the topic about Sakura-chan comes up, huh? Hmm, it makes me wonder…"
Sasuke's eyes bore into Naruto's brain, and the latter smiled sheepishly, while shifting to a defensive position. "Hehe, I was just trying to lighten the mood a little. Jeez, teme."
The change in posture didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke, and he—finally—took notice of the bowl hidden in Naruto's jacket. The onyx-eyed man raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at the bowl.
Naruto grinned. "Thought you'd never ask, teme." Then, it was as if the world went into slow motion. The bowl slowly, slowly, slowly—
"Hurry it up, Naruto. This isn't some movie. It's a fanfiction."
"Right." Naruto chuckled nervously, and whipped out the bowl.
Hmm, anyone in the mood for some Trail Mix? Because perched in the small container was an arrangement of peanuts, cashews, walnuts, and almonds.
"It took you that long to show me a bowl of mixed nuts?" Sasuke shook his head in disbelief, and pivoted back towards his computers, fingers flying over the keyboard once again.
"Well, teme, you need your daily dose of drama, and I've supplied a healthy amount for today, don't you think?" The almost inaudible 'Hn' was Naruto's answer.
The blonde placed the bowl onto Sasuke's steel table and headed towards the exit, but not before stealing a couple of peanuts and popping them into his mouth.
"Well, I'd love to stay and continue this nice chat with you, but I got to go for a quick run to the little boy's room. So, see you later Sasuke-teme."
"Hn."
Naruto bounded out of the room, turned to his left, and gave a thumbs-up to Sakura, who was standing right outside Sasuke's office. "He's all yours," Naruto whispered, before standing guard to make sure no one disturbed Sakura and Sasuke's alone time together.
Sakura nodded, and walked into the room.
.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.
I nodded at Naruto, before strutting into the room. Okay, I wasn't exactly how Naruto's plan was going to work out, seeing that it's Naruto who decided this and all, but the plan was so crazy that it just might work.
"Hey Sasuke." My voice sounded strange to my own ears. Slightly strangled, maybe. Well, I'm hoping it sounded perfectly normal to him, though.
"Sakura." Sasuke glanced up briefly before turning back to his screen. Well, that's a start. I trotted further inside, assuming what was—hopefully—a relaxed attitude.
Glancing at the bowl rested neatly on Sasuke's desk, I walked straight in front of it, causing Sasuke to look up. Holding my breath, I released the air nervously before putting my plan into action.
"So, got any raisins?" I asked, while carefully fingering a cashew. At first, Sasuke seemed confused as to what I was talking about. One look at the nut resting in my fingers, though, and he understood. The man gave me a 'why-don't-you-look-in-there-and-see-for-yourself?' look, and I gave a sheepish shrug.
"No? Then how about a date?" There, it was done and over. I had attempted another way to attract Sasuke's attention, and I was either going to end up together with the World's Most Wanted Bachelor, or I was going to have to end up going to the thrift shop in major need of a tub of chocolate ice cream.
And judging by the look Sasuke shot me, I think I was going with the latter option. Uh oh, not good. I should have never gone with Naruto's plan.
.:. .:. .:. Sasuke .:. .:. .:.
"So, got any raisins?" Sasuke asked. It took a while for me to catch on to what she was saying, but when I finally did, I raised my eyebrow, and gave her a look that said, 'why-don't-you-look-in-there-and-see-for-yourself?'
Sakura shrugged, and replied with, "No? Then how about a date?"
I blinked back shock. Was that just another attempt at a pick-up line? This was getting interesting.
I answered her question honestly. "No, but I'm granting you permission to go buy some from the grocery store. Stack up on some tomatoes while you're at it. I think we're running low."
.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.
Ouch. That hurt. Almost as much as the first time I was rejected.
I sighed, but complied with Sasuke's suggestion, not bothering to say goodbye. I trudged out of the room with a broken dignity, and an order to stock up on our fruits.
Strike 2 for me.
.:. .:. .:. Sasuke .:. .:. .:.
I watched as Sakura walked out of the room, shoulders slumped. Things were really getting interesting.
Remember when I told you that this day was going to be horrible with all the work I had to finish? Well, a woman by the name of Haruno Sakura just made my day a whole. Lot. Better.
I sighed to myself as I turned back to my computer, energy renewed. "She really doesn't know what she's getting herself into."
.:. .:. .:. Normal POV .:. .:. .:.
"She really doesn't know what she's getting herself into." But while he said that, the grin never left Uchiha Sasuke's face.
[a/N So, what do you guys think? I'm sorry for the late update! Let's just say my week's been hectic, and I wrote the entire chapter yesterday, and did the fixing up stuff this morning. Tell me what you think]
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