Black Coffee

Hey, readers!

I know I should have updated like, a YEAR ago... and I'm really sorry. I was gonna update last week, but some kind of a family crisis came up -sweat- sorry! I really am. -nervous laugh- PLEAS FORGIVE ME!

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to review! It always instantly makes me feel better! I probably couldn't go on without your support. :)

Disclaimer: I disclaim any and all Naruto characters in this fiction.

So, here we go! (I'm hungry... -.-;)

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"So...Let me get this straight," Tenten said, trying to hold in her laughs, "You confessed to him,"–I nodded–"and let him see your underwear?"

"No!" I protested indignantly, "I didn't let him! I told you, it just...happened!"

"Wow..." she said, chuckling, "poor him..."

"Poor him??" I exclaimed in a volume that would've made Ino proud, "POOR MEEE!"

"Ok, ok," Tenten was in a fit of laughter now, "but come on, he won't care..."

"But that's just it! When I said it, he didn't even do anything! I swear, I would've gotten more reaction if I proposed to a dead monkey!"

"Then forget about him."

"That's easier said than done..." I pouted, "and even if he doesn't care, I'd still feel weird around him..."

"At least you're not going to see him everyday now..." she comforted, "that should make things less awkward."

My eyes lit up, "YES! I'm a teacher as of tomorrow!"

Tenten smacked her forehead, "How do you forget about that?"

"Well," I argued, "I've had...things...on my mind..."

Which was just a mild way of saying: Sasuke Uchiha has officially taken over my thoughts.

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After straightening out my clothes, I took a deep breath and walked into the classroom. I was nervous, oh yes. But hey, they're just grade 2s...how harmful can they be? I mean, just look at those innocent eyes...

"Hello," I said, giving the children a smile, "I am Haruno-sensei."

"Good morning, Haruno-sensei." their cute little voices said in unison.

As the day went on, I was starting to love every minute of this. I was so occupied with them, I could hardly remember who the hell Sasuke Uchiha was. So what if he had the most amazing pair of eyes I'd ever seen? I mean, I am SOOO over him! It wasn't like I—

"Haruno-sensei?" a little girl tugged on my sleeve.

Oh, right...the children...oops.

"Yes?" I looked down at her, "What are you still doing here, Momoko-chan?"

"Well..." she twirled her pretty black hair around a finger shyly, "nii-chan's supposed to be here by now, but he's not..."

"Oh, that's alright," I reassured, "I'm sure he'll be here any minute."

"Ok." she smiled at me, adorable blue eyes twinkling.

And I smiled back, who could help it? It wasn't like I was a heartless and emotionless bas—

"Nii-chan!" her small voice exclaimed as someone walked in.

I looked up —worst mistake ever— and the classroom immediately felt small. So small it was hard to breath. (Guess who? Just guess...I dare you.)

Standing there, leaning against the wall of my classroom, was Sasuke Uchiha. "Nii-chan" is Sasuke Uchiha? Suddenly I had the urge to scream WHY GOD, WHYY?! But, I didn't, I took a deep breath, and looked as if I totally did not just confess to him and show him my underwear the day before.

"Hello." I said, remaining calm.

"Hn." he sounded amused as he stared at me.

"Umm..." Momoko began, "I need to go to the bathroom."

"Oh! Ok." I beamed at her.

Wait...NOW I'M ALONE WITH HIM! Life's so unfair...

"So..." I began, trying not to be awkward, "I didn't know you have a sister..."

"Half-sister." he corrected coldly, never taking his eyes off me.

But wait...what does that mean?! Geez, what a confusing person.

"I suppose you're not working at the café anymore." he suddenly said with a flat voice.

"Just on the weekends..." I answered, fidgeting all the while.

"Ok, nii-san. Let's go." the little girl walked in, and totally rescued me.

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"Wow..." Tenten said, snickering, "He's everywhere!"

I groaned, "He really is..."

"But maybe it's just a one-time thing, you know..."

"But..." I made a childish, whiny sound, "I liked seeing him..."

"Aww, Sakura, you're so confused." she said, all mother-like.

"I really, really am..."

But as it turned out, she was wrong. Sasuke Uchiha showed up everyday, clad in business attire to pick up Momoko. But thankfully, there were no more bathroom breaks. So really, no conversation at all.

Which was good! I don't like him. Nope. Not one bit.

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I looked at the ridiculous thing in front of me, "Why do we have to wear this?"

"Because," the boss lady said, "it's almost Halloween, and we have to get into the spirit."

"By dressing up like this?!" I whined, seemed like I did that a lot these days.

"You know, the other girls didn't have such a problem with this. Now stop complaining, and change into it!"

"B-B-Buh..."

"Sakura..." it was the "warning" voice.

"Ok, ok! I'll put on the stupid maid outfit!" I grabbed it and went into the staff bathroom to change.

"Oh, yes, Sakura! It'll look perfect on you!" I could hear the complete and utter excitement in her voice.

I looked at the mirror with disbelief...how unholy was I? The dress was black, it reached right above the knees, white ruffles adorned the hem. Around the waist, there was a white, frilly apron. Oh, and here's the kick in the pants—cat ears. Yep, life was sweet.

From, there, the day did not get better at all. The dress was extremely uncomfortable, the fishnet (FISHNET!) stockings were torture, and I slowly lost count of the number of perverts that tried to feel me up.

Dammit, what is it with these men? I thought miserably, my temper becoming worse and my patience wearing thin.

That's when, of course, Sasuke Uchiha walked in, looking god damn perfect in every single way. But he didn't sit at his usual table. Instead, the bastard thought it might be fun to sit on the other side of the counter, right across from me. Oh, the humilation!

"Welcome back," I greeted before grinding out, "master."

One eyebrow raised in pure amusement, "Nice ears." he said.

"Thank you," I said through gritted teeth, "and what would you like today?"

"Black coffee, in case you've forgotten." he tilted his head, still watching me for entertainment.

"Coming right up." I answered, feeling that vein on my head getting bigger.

Even as I poured the coffee, I could feel his gaze...didn't he bring a book? Geez, what was so fascinating about me?

"Enjoy your coffee." I said, forcing a smile.

"Aa." was the simple response as he took out the book he carried, and finally started reading.

Now it was my turn to stare. Well, not openly— just stealing glances here and there. It was stupid, wasn't I just mad at him? The spoiled, arrogant, mean, stupid, gorgeous, intriguing, smart, perfect—

INSULTS! We are insulting the guy.

Right...uh—

"Oh, Sasuke-kun!" I heard a shrill voice yell from the door.

"Dammit," he growled, "of all the fucked up things..."

In seconds, a beautiful woman wearing glasses attached herself to him, flame-colored hair framing her face.

Aww, what's this, his girlfriend?!

"Get. Off. Me." I heard Sasuke Uchiha command.

"Aww," she cooed, "don't be such a stranger, Sasuke-kun."

"How the hell did you find me, Karin?" he was clearly annoyed.

"Well," she smirked, feigning interest in her nails, "Naruto can be very resourceful when threatened with the safety of his male body part..."

I kept my face down as I pretended to wipe one of the coffee cups, listening to their conversation. Of course, I wasn't supposed to, but hey, when given the opportunity...

"So, Sasuke-kun, you're going to that presidential ball in Paris on Monday, aren't you?"

"I have to." he said, sounding bitter.

Dammit! How rich are these goddamn people?!

"Why don't we go together?" the woman suggested, attempting to seduce.

"No." he dead-panned.

"But..." she said in disbelief, "you can't show up alone."

"Who said I was going alone?" he countered, and my ears immediately perked.

He had someone he would willingly go with? Since when?

"You...you have a date already?"

"Yes. So, go away."

"No!" she suddenly yelled, "I'm not leaving until I meet this precious date of yours!"

Wow...I'd hate to be that poor girl...I thought.

"Well, she's right here if you want to get acquainted." he stated matter-of-factly.

Wait...who? Right where? I looked up, curious— and instantly regretted it. Because the woman, Karin, was glaring holes through me.

"HER?!" she screamed, turning to Sasuke Uchiha, "I GOT REJECTED BECAUSE YOU PICKED THIS...THIS...BIMBO?!"

"You know..." he said slowly, eyes on the book, "You should really look in the mirror before you call someone else that."

"AAAH!" after a she turned back to me, "AND YOU! YOU JUST WAIT! DADDY WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"

After that, she stormed out, stiletto-heeled boots stomping their way onto the street. Only then, did it finally register.

"WHAT?!" I exclaimed.

He shrugged, "You heard me."

"B-B-But...Why me?!" I demanded, confused and upset, "I'm sure there are more qualified women than me to go to a presidential ball in Paris! I have to work!"

"If that's your only excuse, then just take 3 days off."

"But— wait...THREE FRICKEN DAYS?!"

"Yes," he had the nerve to look calm, "we're leaving tomorrow afternoon, I'll pick you up."

"No! I'm not going!"

"Yes. You are." he said with finality.

"No." I crossed my arms childishly.

"Yes." He hissed before throwing out a ten-dollar bill and leaving the café.

Great! Well if Mr. Invited-to-Presidential-Ball says so...

And then, I realized everyone in the room was staring at me.

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"WOW! MY FAMILY DIDN'T EVEN GET INVITED!" Ino screamed, "YOU HAVE TO GO! WE ARE SOO GOING SHOPPING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!"

"Ino! You're missing the point!" I yelled.

"No, I'm not!" she said, "I can't help it if you need a dress."

"But I have one...WAIT! That is not it! I am just not going."

"You like him though, don't you?" Tenten butted in.

"You're no help..." I muttered.

"C'mon! I just don't get why you're mad...most girls would die for something like this! It's Paris!" Tenten said, "You'd be helping him out. And just think! Of all the women he could have taken, he picked you."

"Only because he had to, and I was the only one available at the moment..." I pouted.

Ino rolled her eyes, "Just go..." she whined and turned those treacherous puppy eyes on me, "for us?"

"Fu–" I took a breath in preparation for defeat, "fine..."

The blonde squealed excitedly, "YES!"

"I don't really need a new dress, do I?"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, WOMAN?! IT'S THE PRESIDENTIAL BALL! PRE. SI. DEN. TIAL!"

Just like that, I was going to Paris...accompanied by a painful ringing in my ears.

------

After throwing my suitcase in the trunk, I got in the passenger seat, pouting.

"I'm going. But I won't enjoy it..." I muttered.

I could hear the smirk when he asked, "Still brooding?"

"Yes." I glared.

He just shrugged and looked at me, steering smoothly with one hand. I was fighting it, but there was no use, I was turning red again. Why him? Why can't I fall in lo— I mean, like a guy who's not a robot? Hey, wait a minute...if he's staring at me, then...

"The road! Pay attention to the road!"

------

"Tell me again why we're sharing a hotel room?" I pried after several torturous hours on a plane.

"Because everyone stays in the same hotel, and it just wouldn't look right if we stayed in separate rooms."

"You and your logical reasoning..." I grumbled.

"Well, if you want Karin to come after you in your sleep..."

"Ok! Whatever you say." I shuddered at the image of Karin, her hair and eyes on fire.

Chuckling humorlessly, Sasuke Uchiha opened the door to our hotel room.

"...Whoa."

I took in the lavishly decorated room with amazement. Damn, rich people had it good; beyond the flowing red curtains, there was a balcony. By the curtains, there was a beautiful black four-poster canopy bed. Hold on...

"One bed?! There's a plasma screen TV and a fireplace, but they can't put another bed in here?!"

I'm in some sort of a pickle, aren't I?

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To be continued...

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Hope you liked it...

Again...I am really, really, really sorry I updated so late. I promise it will never happen again! -cries and begs for mercy-

Ok, now I'm really starting to worry about the OOC-ness...pleas tell me if there was any.

Also, you all know how much I love comments and suggestions!

Well, that's about it for now. See you soon, Promise!