Sakura was avoiding Sasuke. She simply did not want to explain what had happened that night. She had been keeping extremely busy at work in the two days after the cheating incident, and she had so far managed to avoid a conversation.
Tonight she was tired. Saturday night was the busiest day at the casino, and Sakura and Naruto both always pulled 14 hour shifts. Tonight, they managed to get on break at the same time.
"Where have you been hiding the last couple of days?" Naruto asked. They were sitting on the floor of the back room in the main casino bar where Naruto was working.
Sakura was silent, nibbling on a potato wedge from the basket they were sharing.
"Okay, fine, I'll talk then," Naruto said. "Sasuke has been asking about you. He has questions. You're avoiding him, and I totally get why. Mako said a lot of things to him about you, the night they were drinking in here."
Sakura sighed. "You know what Zabuza said to me?" she started. "If Sasuke asks, I tell a version of the truth. I tell him that I was a doctor but I was disgraced, and that I had a gambling problem and got caught cheating here. Then I'm supposed to tell him that Zabuza, out of the goodness of his heart, instead of pressing charges, is letting me work off the amount I cheated off his casino so that I'll still be able to provide for my brothers back home."
Naruto paused. "But... none of that is true."
Sakura shrugged. "Nobody cares."
"I care! That's completely made up. What about the other stuff you have to do for the casino? The high rollers won't be happy when they find out Zabuza's stealing from their pockets."
"They won't find out," Sakura said. "No one can."
Naruto frowned, getting up to get some water. "Zabuza's really got this all figured out. He knows you won't tell because you'll get in trouble, and you can't afford to because of little Konoha and little Maru."
Sakura smiled up at Naruto. "Konoha isn't that little, you know. He's the same age as you are."
"Well, you spoil him like he's a child," Naruto grinned. "Sometimes I think he's less of a man than Maru, and Maru's only six. Besides, he's the only reason you got stuck here anyway."
Sakura sighed. "Yes, yes he is. He's old enough to make big mistakes now. But hey," she perked up. "If I wasn't stuck here, you wouldn't have me to take care of you."
Naruto scoffed. "Who takes care of whom more?"
"Shush," Sakura soothed. "Hey, do me a favour. If Sasuke starts talking to you, just give him that pack of lies Zabuza concocted, will you?"
Naruto scowled. "You know how I feel about what he's doing to you," he said. "But fine. I guess it's easier for me to say than for you."
Sakura gave him a pat on the arm as she stood to go, "Thanks, kid," she said, winking.
Naruto grinned. "Whatever. Hey," he paused. "You let me know if that Inuzuka starts getting handsy tonight."
Sakura laughed. "He hasn't crossed the line, yet."
"Keep smiling like that and he just might," Naruto mumbled unhappily.
"He tips well," Sakura said, walking out.
"He tips excessively," Naruto called after her. "Because he likes you!"
Sakura only clocked off at four the next morning despite there not being a poker game that night. The rich men of Leaf City – and their sons – just enjoyed lounging about in the exclusive Paragon Room talking shop and comparing cars or wives. The young Inuzuka had been very charming tonight, commanding almost all her time and attentions. Sakura had only managed to entertain other patrons when he had been engaged in unavoidable business conversations alongside his father.
He had insisted afterwards that she accompany him for a late night meal. Sakura was tired, but this was part of her job and she had to admit that Kiba was good company. She had the kitchen prepare whatever he ordered. They had chatted about his childhood, and laughed over the more adorable anecdotes.
"It's been a pleasure, Sakura, as always," he said as she walked him out through the lobby.
"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Inuzuka," Sakura replied politely.
He stopped at the door and turned towards her. "You really have to drop the mister, Sakura," he chided. Suddenly, he pulled her into his chest, one hand in the small of her back, holding her close to him. She felt her heartbeat quicken with surprise.
Just as quickly, he let her go and with a soft smile, he left.
Sakura sighed. The man was getting bolder every time.
She turned around and came face-to-face with Ino. "Sakura," the blonde woman said curtly. "Walk with me."
Sakura sighed a different sort of sigh as Ino began speaking.
"Sakura, it has come to my attention that you have been avoiding Mr. Uchiha. Now, I don't need to tell you that the longer this goes on, the more it looks like we have something to hide. So you will speak to him tomorrow during breakfast. 9am, his room. He'll be expecting you. That's all."
Sakura trotted after Ino who was already walking off. "Wait, but I don't have work till Monday night and I was hoping to head back home tomorrow morning," she said.
"That will not be happening," Ino said, and the matter was final.
Sakura left a message for her brothers as she went up to her room. Maru would be disappointed.
Sasuke overslept.
He woke in his hotel room to the smell of coffee and baked goods. He propped himself up on his elbows to see a room service tray loaded up with breakfast pastries by the sitting area in front of the window. He also saw a small figure curled up in one of the armchairs, asleep, pink hair falling over her face.
He weighed up the pros and cons of waking her up and apologising for sleeping through his alarm. Deciding that his appearance was less than presentable, he opted for a quick shower instead. When he emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed, he found Sakura still asleep, her legs tucked neatly up on the armchair.
He prodded her lightly on the shoulder. She snapped awake with a start, her bright green eyes widening at the sight of him.
"Good morning," he said, giving her a lazy smile.
She stood up quickly. "Mr. Uchiha, good morning. I apologise," she said, bowing slightly. Barefoot, Sasuke realised how small she was. With her hair down and wearing a short floral dress, she looked less stern and much younger. Sasuke realised it must be her day off.
"Sasuke is fine, and there's no need for apologies," Sasuke replied. "I'm the one who's late for breakfast. You should have woken me."
Sakura just smiled up at him, sweeping her bangs away from her face. "I was let in with room service, I hope you don't mind. I didn't want to disturb you."
They sat down. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't realise it was your day off. I would have insisted Ino schedule this for another time if I had known." Sasuke looked earnestly at Sakura as he said this.
To his surprise, she started laughing. "Mr. Uchiha, this brief conversation has been full of apologies. I promise to stop if you do too," she said, still smiling. "Now, how do you like your coffee?"
Sasuke grinned and marvelled at the way she managed to be charming in any situation. "Milk, no sugar, please."
"It's a little colder now than when it first got here," Sakura said lightly as she poured his coffee. "But you'll forget that once you start eating. Our baker, Haruko, is a master."
Sasuke was suddenly nervous. It had been a long time since he had sat down to a meal with another person outside of work. Breakfast was probably the least formal meal of the day, and this one was arguably still work-related, but the way she put him at ease made it feel a lot like a date.
"Lovely weather today," he mumbled, looking out the window.
Sakura sat back down and looked at him, puzzled at this sudden observation. "Yes," she said, smiling. He glanced at her. She was adorable in that dress.
Pull yourself together, Sasuke. She's just another client.
He cleared his throat and grabbed a mini-croissant. "I must say, I was surprised when Ino told me last night that you wanted to speak to me. I hear you've been very busy with hotel affairs," he said, buttering his croissant.
"Oh," Sakura looked surprised. "Well, yes," she said, and Sasuke realised that Ino must have planned this without her knowledge.
"This... wasn't your idea, was it," he said; a statement, not a question.
Sakura smiled sheepishly, "No, it wasn't, but I'm here to answer any questions you have regarding The Magellan, Mr. Uchiha."
Sasuke frowned at her formality. "Call me Sasuke," he said. "Please," he added. "I'm getting tired of having to say that every time you address me."
Sakura frowned slightly and nodded, but remained quiet. They sat in silence for a moment. Sasuke noticed her staring into her coffee cup, her mind wandering.
"What are you thinking of?" he asked gently.
"Home," she said wistfully, "And my brothers." Then suddenly, she seemed to snap out of her daydream and sat up straight. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to – "
Sasuke laughed, waving away her apology. "No more apologising, remember?" he said. Sakura, caught mid-sentence, smiled uncertainly. Sasuke just grinned back.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Sakura asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Sasuke said, still grinning. "Nothing," he repeated when her looks of suspicion deepened. "It's just... I first ran into you one week ago, the night that I arrived, and since then I don't think I've ever heard you say anything personal about yourself."
Sakura scowled as he continued. "Now I know that you have brothers, AND you have a home," he said cheekily.
"Brothers I won't see and a home I can't get back to for another week because I'm sitting here with you," Sakura said impatiently. "Now, Mr. Uchiha, how can I help you this morning," she said testily.
Sasuke, taken aback, dropped his grin and turned serious. "Where's home?" he asked.
Sakura sighed, deflated after her outburst. "It's a three hour drive. I don't usually get enough time to drive home and back between shifts." She smiled sadly at him and continued softly. "This is my first forty hour break in a long time, and I only got off at four this morning."
Sasuke frowned. "When was the last time you went?"
"Five weeks ago," she said. "But I didn't mean to be a baby about it. It's not your fault. My time this morning is yours," she said, smiling again.
Sasuke's frown deepened. "Let's go," he said, standing up.
Sakura started. "Excuse me?"
"Let's go. Pack your things and we'll go."
"We?" Sakura asked, an amused smile now playing on her lips. "Go where?"
"Yes, we," Sasuke said firmly. "It's Sunday. I deserve a day off and you deserve to go home. Besides," he continued nonchalantly. "I ran into Naruto last night, and he answered most of my questions anyway."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Sakura said softly. He could see her watching his expression from the corner of his eye as he pretended to squint at something out the window. Naruto had said a lot of things to him the night before, and Sasuke wasn't sure how much of it was true.
"Yup," he said cheerily, picking up his overnight back and beginning to throw some clothes into it. "When is your next shift?"
"Umm, tomorrow night at six," Sakura stammered. "Are you saying our appointment is done and I'm free to leave for the weekend?"
"So it's a one night trip," he muttered to himself, looking for his socks under his bed. "Oh, and yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.
She stood by the window, unmoving, uncertain. "And why are you packing?" she asked.
Sasuke stopped, grinning brazenly. "You didn't think I'd let you drive so far on four hours sleep, did you?"
Sakura just stared at him. "You're not coming," she said, moving over to take his arm and stop him.
"Miss Haruno," Sasuke said, turning to face her. He almost laughed at the stern look she was attempting to give him. "As a guest of this hotel, I would like to see the areas surrounding this city. Do me the favour of showing me around."
He took her arm and walked her to the door. "I will see you in the lobby in ten minutes," he said, pushing her out the door.
Giving her no time to protest, he shut the door and continued gathering his things.
