What if things were different?

Chapter 8.


Thank you for reviews! This is late I know, I kept writing like a little bit every day or so, then deleting it all and starting again, now that I'm happy with this chapter, please enjoy :)


It was ridiculous how nervous I was. I almost changed my shirt three times before realising I had to wear the special Tigress t-shirt.

Looking out the open window of Naruto's car I breathed in the fresh summery air, trying to calm down.

"How is Bioligy going?" I asked Naruto a few minutes later. He'd been quiet the whole drive up until now. Which is strange coming from the usual energetic blond.

"Fine. Well, I don't understand anything, Sasuke doesn't seem to mind doing all the work." He winked, and I noticed the smile that followed was forced.

I rolled my eyes, "How is he? Eh, Sasuke, that is."

A mischievous smile spread across his face, "Fine."

"Good," I said quickly, "And Hinata?"

His smiled disappeared suddenly and I saw a flash of sadness cross his face quickly.

"She's fine." He said casually.

I noticed how his hands tightened on the wheel and his shoulders tensed. For a moment I was shocked to see him not his usual playfull happy self.

"Just...fine." I said softly.

He swallowed, then nodded. Obviously something was wrong but I didn't sense anything abnormal between the two at lunch today.

"You want to talk about it?" I asked, searching for his bright blue eyes that looked straight on at the road - avoiding me.

He sighed. And this time he didn't hide his sadness. I could see something was definitely wrong.

"Later. We're here."

I hadn't realised we'd arrived, I was so intent on trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Okay," I said, not wanting to force him to talk about something he wasn't ready to discuss. I touched his hand softly, "Whatever it is, you're strong. And you will be fine." With that I climbed out and headed toward the Tigress.

And that's when the nervousness rushed back. Naruto's upset. Sasuke seems to have suddenly changed. What the hell is going on? Mentally screaming, I opened the restaurant door.

It seemed I was a little early. Only Karin was there. She was arranging the chairs and tables. Slowly, and nervously, I walked up to her.

"Can I help with anything?" I asked politely.

Her head snapped up to look at me. She just stared at me. Really looking at me. That's when I remembered Tenten's angered voice, Yeah, she usually gets like that when there's someone prettier than her in the same room. She was still looking at me. I wanted to stare right back at her. But I didn't want her to hate me. Flushed, I looked away.

"Think your so much better than everyone else." She muttered before heading towards the kitchen.

I blinked. I tried very hard to think what I had done to make her think that way about me, but couldn't find anything. The door opened then. Tenten walked in grinning.

"Look," She said, "at this."

She handed me a piece of paper. First thing I saw was the large A written at the top in thick red pen. I looked at her, she was grinning like Naruto often did.

"Read it, go on!" She urged.

Reading the piece of paper, I saw it was an article about a few nightclubs that had opened up in town. It looked very professional and was brillantly writ.

"Wow Tenten. This is really good." I said handing it back. "You're studying journalisme?"

"Yup. My second year now." She said tucking the piece of paper neatly into her bag.

"Well I'm happy for you." I said smiling.

For the first time I saw her blush.

"Yeah yeah. Thanks. Let's get to work." She said winking.

We started laying the tables with Karin wondering around behind us with some sort of evil aura surrounding her. It was almost amusing seeing her like that, but I never laughed. Well tried not to. Tenten kept pulling faces at Karin whenever her back was turned which made is quite difficult.

Jubi appeared then, coming out of a door near the small coat room holding numerous sheets of paper. As he noticed us, he smiled, his ocean like eyes brightening.

"Hey Mr. J." Tenten greeted.

"Hey you lot," He looked at his watch, "Where the hell are the others?"

As if on time, outside faint voices could be heard.

"You asshole, you should have let me drive." Said one voice.

"No way! I just got the damn car, only I drive the Lee-mobile." Said another voice, slightly louder now as they approached the restaurant.

I looked at Tenten who was rolling her eyes.

"Idiot," The door opened, revealing Sasuke glaring at a tall dark haired guy in tight green trousers and reasonably thick eye brows, "Don't call it tha-" Sasuke looked up to see all eyes on him.

Lifting one eye brow, he said, "Who names their car after them self?"

The thick eye brow boy stepped in then, shutting the door behind him, "I think it's a great name." He said smiling.

"Please. Lee, it's totally the worst." Tenten said laughing.

"Lee-mobile? Well, that's...different. Anyway, get to work, we open in five." Jubi said before going off back into the coat room.

"What does he do in there?" I whispered to Tenten as the boys got prepared.

"Oh, there's another door in there, it's hidden quite well. It's his office."

Just then, two older men entered smiling. I recognised them as the chefs.

"Right." Was all I said as I saw Sasuke frown in concentration at the reservation list. Even his eye brows were perfect.

As if sensing my staring, he looked up. "Oh," He said, "Hey."

I blushed, "Hey." He went back to checking the reservation book.

I swallowed, and made myself busy sorting out menus onto tables. A few minutes later people started to arrive, pushing down, hard, on my nervousness for Sasuke, I put on a smile and got to work.


Only two hours in and the place was full of people. I was either taking orders whilst carrying numerous dishes and trying not to step on feet or spill anything. Holding two reasonably heavy trays I made my way to the kitchen, constantly look down then in front. Just as I almost got to the kitchen doors, I stumbled, almost spilling everything on Sasuke as he came out of the two metal doors. Luckily he steadied the trays just before they fell.

"Sorry!" I said embarrassed. I could already feel my cheeks getting hotter.

"It's okay."

It was sort of awkward then. I was a lot shorter than Sasuke, and I couldn't bring myself to lift my head up and actually look at him.

"Maybe you should look where you're going before you stumble into people." That all too familiar sharp voice said from behind me, "Also, if you could get out the way, that would be great."

"Karin." Sasuke said, almost sternly.

I moved forward then, passing Sasuke and entering the kitchen, whatever Karin said in response, I didn't hear.

Putting everything away, I took a few seconds to relax a little. Just as I decided to leave I saw Karin walk up to me. She had a mean look in her eye and something told me she wasn't going to apologise.

"Look, Sakura," She said my name as if it were poison in her mouth, "Sasuke is my boyfriend. I've known him much longer than you, so stop this pathetic act of yours and leave him alone." She crossed her arms sternly against her chest.

Instead of feeling sad, betrayed, hurt? I felt angry. For just once I felt angry. And I left. Pushing hard against Karin I made my way throughthe Kitchen and into the restaurant. Tenten, noticing my abnormal behaviour jumped in front of me.

"What's wrong Sakura?" She said frowning.

"I can't take it anymore. I've had enough. I quit."

"What? Wh-"

Suddenly feeling that familiar sting in my eyes I rushed to the door, everyone staring at me, including Sasuke, and left. Is that why he'd been ignoring me all this time? That night, was he just looking for some fun? Did he just use me? Karin is probably older than Sasuke and I've never actually seen them together but it makes sense. Why else would he just pretend I didn't exist?

"Sakura!" Someone shouted.

I hadn't noticed but I was walking fast, and in a direction I had no idea went.

Turning round I saw Sasuke jogging up to me. He was the last person I wanted to see.

"Sakura, I don't know what Karin told you but it's not what you think." He said, panting.

"What should I think then?" I exploded, "All this time you've ignored me and all of a sudden you come back to me, as if I were some sort of toy! I'm sure you know what happened to my father, trying to get to me when I've finally come round? I'm not interested in you anymore Sasuke. You're just like everyone else." Tears fell down my cheeks, I cursed wiping them away and taking a sharp turn left down a another street.

"No." He sounded angry, "It's not like that. It's not like that at all! It's more difficult than that, you don't know the whole story. I'm sorry for your Dad! I know how it feels to lose someone who was close to you! Knowing that, I would never dream of taking advantage of you Sakura. And you're not a toy to me, you're so much more."

I stopped, I was a little in front of him, my back facing him.

"Then tell me the whole story, tell me." I whispered.

"Karin. She was my girlfriend. I've known her since I was five."