Welcome to the Rich and Crazy

Chapter 4

Sakura led me down to one of the private rooms that I haven't been in then locked the door behind us. She then strolled over to one of the chairs and sat down and looked up at me expectantly. What was I suppose to do? What did she want? A foot massage? Oh shit if that's the case let me grab my gas mask and the forty-dollar lotion she'd no doubt want me to use. What a joyous time that will be.

Actually it wouldn't surprise me if that was it.

"Yes?" I asked and looked around at the room; it was fucking huge with ceiling to floor paneled windows and an entire wall dedicated to just being books shelves. I'm fairly positive none of those books have actually been read. The chairs looked just as expensive with some fancy design carved in; they reminded me of the ones Temari won't let me sit on because the last time I did I may have spilled some juice on the cushion. I was six then.

"Gaara." She sang my name which was creepy as hell.

Crap. This isn't a set up is it? Sasuke said as long as I don't fuck up, I'm good so…what is this? Oh man there are assassins in here aren't there? They're just waiting for the right time to jump out and put a bullet in my head!

"Come have a seat Gaara." She pointed to the chair opposite her.

"Alright." I took the seat, still waiting for an ambush. The blood rushed in my ears as my legs gave out and I all but collapsed like a drunk onto the chair. How much more suspense can my heart take before it gives out? Wait, don't answer that.

She looked at me with concern in her eyes. "Why'd you run away last night?"

Wow, blunt isn't she? "Because…you told me you're Yakuza." I answered slowly, was this a trick question? Wouldn't any other sane person do the same thing? Come on, people rarely interact with the Yakuza and come out alive. Or sane.

Sakura nodded and frowned. "But…you just ran off. And left tire marks in my driveway."

Damnit! I knew that would come back to bite me in the ass! "Yeah…sorry about that. It uh-it wasn't intentional you know." Nervously I massaged the back of my neck. Right about now an assassin would be welcome. I'm not really in the mood to scrub her driveway with a toothbrush and wait for her inspection.

"I spoke to Sasuke." She sighed and crossed her legs then leaned heavily on the arm rest. "He's the Boss around here . He promised he won't have you killed."

I almost raised my arms to block the flying bullets but froze. Wait, what? I thought she brought me here to die! Cautiously I raised an eyebrow and tried to breathe evenly before speaking. "Wait…you did that for me?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"You hate me sounds like a pretty good reason to not do what you did."

"But I don't hate you."

"You don't?"

"No. Why'd you think I hated you?"

I peered at her. "…You tried to have me fired."

"Oh. That." She sighed. Really, she sighed. Excuse me but I'd like to order a shot of Whiskey, Double Black right now before the Apocalypse hits. Sakura sighed. As though she was feeling sympathetic to me.

"Yeah. That. And the fact that you order me around like a slave might give me and anyone else looking on the indication that you hate me and would like to see me dead." I drawled.

Sakura looked aghast at the thought, her jaw essentially dropped to the floor; I could see the backs of her teeth before she caught herself and had the decency to blush. "I-I wouldn't want to see you dead. That's horrible."

"I agree. I like living." Personally I think it's a hell of a lot better than someone finding my body scattered across four states. Then again I am biased.

"So do I. I like the fact that you and I are alive."

What the hell kind of conversation is this? But you know what; I'm not going to complain. I'm just going to go with it. Talking to a pink haired sassy-assed woman about my possible death like we're chatting about the weather isn't what I expected, but I'll be lying if it's worse than having my throat slit.

"Glad we agree."

Sakura nodded; obviously pleased with herself for some reason I have yet to figure out. Did she draw some sort of conclusion from this weird exchange of words? "I like you Gaara. You didn't give me time to say that last night when you left so fast." Is that a bit of passive-aggressiveness I sense there?

I nodded with one eyebrow raised. "Yeah, I'm…fond? Of you too Sakura. If it weren't for you I'm sure this job would be less…dramatic."

She beamed and nodded. "I agree. It was a bit boring before you showed up."

"Alright…maybe I should get back to work now. Or rather start work." I moved to stand up just as she shot out of her chair and stood over me.

"No! You can't!"

"And why not? You just said Sasuke said I-"

"Itachi's still here."

"Who?"

"Sasuke's older brother."

"Again, who?"

"You met him!"

"I did? When?"

"Yesterday! He's the one with all the men in jackets, the boss of the Yakuza!"

Oh, him. The one with the entourage. "So? I still have to work and everything should be fine so long as I keep my nose out of everyone's business." I eyed her accusingly. "And trust me; I have no desire to find out other people's problems. I've got enough of my own."

"But if he see's you he might…" She trailed off annoyingly.

"He might what? Sakura?"

She sighed and threw herself back down into the chair and curled her legs up. "He might take you away!" She stressed and glared at me as though everything was my fault.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Sorry? He might what now?"

"You're a good worker Gaara. A really good worker and Itachi's always looking for good workers. And you're not ugly. Why aren't you ugly? You should be ugly because then he won't take you and I can't stop him if he wants to take you. Yeah, I could cry and maybe he won't but Sasuke can't stop him either and I don't want you to go!" She wailed which made me incredibly uncomfortable. First she tried to get my fired and now she's crying that she doesn't want me to go. I think someone's been off their medication for a few days.

Sakura is crying over the thought of me leaving? What the hell? I glanced around the room just to look anywhere but her. "Listen Sakura…calm down." Obviously I don't do well with crying women. "Don't worry and stuff alright?"

She continued to sniff and cry and I avoided looking at her as if she were a gorilla.

"Why don't I just go back to work now okay?" I stood up and she with me. "No no, you can uh…stay here and…" Calm the fuck down! You don't know me and I don't know you; in fact I don't want to get to know you so I don't know why you're getting all emotional!

"No." She wiped her eyes and sighed. "No I'll come with you. What are you going to do if Itachi wants you? Hm?"

I had no response for the stupid sentence. What? Is he gay and has a fetish for red heads? I see no reason to be worrying over something he can't do; no one can 'take me away'. I'm not a damn dog.

OOO

True to her word Sakura followed me to Naruto, watched while I suited up. Which was a bit uncomfortable if I'm being honest. She then followed us into the main room where we had to wax the floors. Have I ever mentioned how boring floor waxing is? We have to clean the floor first, and then start waxing but no; we can't use a mop which would be too easy. We have to get down on our hands and knees with a damn sponge and get up close and personal.

"Oh wait, hold on." Naruto stopped in front of me and I rammed the mop I was holding into his back.

"Sorry."

He didn't even acknowledge my apology.

"Shit." Sakura cursed.

It was then I looked around at my surroundings; the main room wasn't empty like it was suppose to be there were men milling about smoking, and talking but towards the center stood Itachi and Sasuke. And neither looked to be in a nice pleasant mood. Sasuke looked like he was sucking on a lemon and Itachi was doing a good impression of an annoyed father.

"What do you two want?" Sasuke asked and looked over at us.

"Given the buckets and cleaners I think they are here to clean Sasuke." Itachi spoke and strolled over to us. "Really, I thought I taught you better than that." He tutted arrogantly.

Itachi eyed me with what I fear is mild interest; I was quickly learning that mild interest around these people tend to lead to horrible situations for me. He gave a slight sneer before turning and looking at Naruto before walking back to Sasuke. "Brother."

Apparently Sasuke wasn't too fond of the tone, or maybe it was even the word and scowled. "Don't call me that."

"But we are brothers." Itachi smiled and opened his arms like a minister, which was disturbing. "I am in need of a butler at me home."

At that Sasuke looked murderous, I swear he would have pulled out a knife and gutted his older brother if it wasn't for one of the men placing a hand on his shoulder. "Oh? And what, may I ask, happened to your butler?"

"He had an accident." I would have laughed out loud at that statement if it wouldn't have probably gotten me shot.

"Sure. Right." Sasuke looked to the side and swallowed. "And you can't get someone in Japan to be your butler?"

"Now Sasuke you know how hard it is to get people to be quite when they aren't…use to my sort of life."

"Of course."

"And you have always been one of my most trusted partners."

Sasuke snorted. "No doubt about that."

"I like the red head. He always seems quite and from what I've seen he's very capable."

"Who?"

"The red head."

"What red head?"

Itachi turned and pointed to me. "That one. Are you alright in the head?"

Sasuke paled at the realization and I almost shit myself. "You can't have him."

"Why not?"

"He's not one of us."

At that Itachi frowned. "Don't lie to me Sasuke you wouldn't have someone working here who didn't have inkling about what it is we do."

"You can't have him."

"And why not?" Itachi's voice turned dark and low. Did the temperature just drop? He looked over his shoulder at me and smiled. "You. Pack your bags you're coming back to Japan with me."

I paled and took a step back, ready to run as fast as I can out the door and, well honestly I don't know where I'd run to but I'll definitely run. Japan?! Who the hell does this guy think he is? He might as well have said 'go and check the temperature outside with your penis' from his tone of voice.

"No, sorry no. I-I can't go to Japan."

"Sure you can. You pack your bags, get on a plane, and the pilot does the flying." Itachi answered without a hint of amusement in his voice. "What's your name?"

"His name is Gaara and he isn't going anywhere with you." Sakura stepped in front of me, hands on hips craning her neck to stare up at Itachi. She was doing an impressive imitation of an angry mother. Which seemed slightly disturbing with Itachi's angry father look.

"Sakura I-"

"No! I don't want to hear it Itachi, Gaara's not going to Japan with you! He's staying here!"

Sasuke almost laughed but instead smothered it behind a cough. Apparently he's been on the receiving end of her tantrums and demands before. I however was not in a laughing mood and my stomach decided now was a good time to try learning contortionism.

Itachi sighed and massaged his forehead. "Sakura now's not the time for this okay?"

"Why him?" It was kind of hard not to miss the mild disgust and confusion in Sasuke's voice. "Of all the employees I have here?"

Itachi regarded me with one eyebrow raised. "Initially he looked quiet, competent, and strong. The exact type of employee I want. However," He paused and a cynical smile appeared on his face as he slowly turned to face his younger brother. "After hearing how…desperately you and little Sakura here want him to stay…" He looked around the room and smiled beseeching at Sakura still standing in front of me. "I'm willing to accept Sakura as well. Why don't you come back to Japan with me?"

At that Sasuke actually made a sound I didn't think anybody was capable of making and leaped in front of Sakura. "Fuck off Itachi; you're going too fucking far." He hissed.

It was at this point I finally backed away; having Sakura stand in front of me was uncomfortable. But Sasuke standing in front of Sakura standing in front of me was too much, I was starting to look like a helpless child in need of as much protection as possible.

"Brother y-"

"Don't 'brother' me! You do this all the damn time Itachi!" Sasuke glared up at his older brother. "Come here, intrude into my business, take my employees then run back to Japan! Sakura left you! Okay? She fucking left you and came here to me! And guess what! She likes it-she is happy here because there is no one hovering the fuck over her!"

Not once during Sasuke's outburst did Itachi move, he remained completely impassive and waiting patiently until Sasuke finished before clearing his throat. "Why don't you let Sakura talk for herself?" And shifted his gaze to Sakura.

Oddly she stepped back to stand beside me. "I'm not going back to Japan with you. And neither is Gaara." Then she grabbed my hand.

I would have pulled my hand away before anyone got the wrong message but it was too late, it was in Itachi and Sasuke's eyes.

They think we're dating.

Fuck! Why won't someone shoot me now?! I know all these men here have guns on them why don't they do me a favor and put me out of my misery?

Both of their eyebrows disappeared up into their hairline and my face went hot, for some reason I don't know why I'm blushing! I don't like this psychotic pink haired woman that keeps shoving her and me into problems I have no desire to get into!

But that doesn't explain why for some reason I can't will the blood out of my face and honestly –and I do hate to admit this- it feels kind of nice having her hand clutching mine for support. So I gave her fingers a little squeeze. Don't know why, just did; felt like the right thing to do at that time.

"Oh…I see what's going on here." Itachi offered a small knowing smile; but he didn't know so I don't know why he did because if he did know then he would know there would be nothing to smile about because there is nothing between Sakura and me. "Well come, let's talk dear brother there are many things to discuss regarding Sakura and her…and Gaara."

OOO

I'm happy to let you know that I then spent the next few hours sticking to Naruto like glue while we went around the club cleaning and shining things. At least with him near there was less of a chance for Itachi to have someone kidnap me and put me on a plane to Japan. However Sakura took to following me around like a lost puppy, she kept tailing after me with a stupid smile or frown on her face. As weird and unnerving as that was she didn't talk or yell at me so I basically ignored her and did my job.

It was lunch time when Sasuke came and found me and ordered me into his office, naturally Sakura followed.

"You should know not to talk back to Itachi." Sasuke spoke casually.

"Alright."

"I mean it."

I eyed him beside me. "Listen I know you're use to obedience but if he wants to send me off to Japan-"

"Take. He wants to take you to Japan." He corrected without looking at me. "There's a difference."

"The difference being what? He wants to romance me?" I snort.

"He wants to buy you."

Fucking hell what? I stumbled and chocked on my own spit. "What the fuck?!" Correct me if I'm wrong but we don't live in the sixteenth century! You can't just buy me! Slavery no longer exists!

Sasuke glared and looked around. "Shut up! I don't want him to hear you!"

"You can't-buy?!" I hiss and glare at Sasuke. "He can't do that! I'm not-not a fucking slave!"

I felt Sakura slip her hand into mine and used her other to massage my shoulder. "Shhh, it's okay Gaara. Sasuke will explain everything if you just listen." She cooed.

I pulled myself out of her grip and glared at them both. If it wasn't for that pink haired menace everything would be fine! It's her fault I'm in this fucking mess in the first place and I'll be damned if I sit back and let them do more shit to my life! "You two can suck my dick you fuc-"

Sasuke shoved me against a wall, elbow pressed against my throat successfully cutting off my air supply. "Shut your fucking mouth." He hissed, nose inches from my own.

I gasped for air and glared for all I was worth.

"I'm not going to let him take you. Got it?" He shoved his forearm roughly against my windpipe.

I made a sound I never thought I could make. I whimpered. Whimpered.

"I asked if you understood." He whispered and jerked his arm against my throat again.

Vaguely I nodded and then he released me and I slumped to the ground, grateful for the air. Never before have I ever been so acutely aware of how wonderful breathing was and how delicious air tasted. Within seconds Sakura was by my side fanning me.

Sasuke stood over us and looked down the length of his nose. "Hurry up." He muttered and started to adjust his jacket and shirt cuffs as if by simply touching me he could become working class. "I don't have all day."

OOO

All constructive and unconstructive criticism welcome.