Disclaimer: Lalalagirl does not own naruto. If she did, she would update 7 times a week (yessiralldaysoftheweek) and would make sasusaku canon. And stop making Sasuke such an asshole -__-.
A/N: If everyone is wondering WHERE THE HELL I've been the past four months XD I wrote a 12 chapter story within that time _; I ABSOLUTELY promise that I will update sooner and finish this story before I write another XD. Besides, I still love this story 3 Enjoy~
Chapter 10: Intrusions Galore!
Sakura stared at Jiraiya in disbelief. Jiraiya, smiling the silly grin he always smiles, gave a thumbs up to annoyed pink-haired medic. She intensified her glare towards the frog-man and he gave a silent 'eep' at the sight of her dagger-like pupils. He brushed his hand up and down the back of his head in a nervous fashion, secretly wishing to himself that the show would just end as soon as possible, since it looked like he was going to be dead before Sakura chose the winner.
Gaara noticed the tense air and put a gentle hand on the pink headed kunoichi who sat beside him. She quickly shifted her attention towards the extra weight on her shoulder and then looked at Gaara. He gave her a serene look and that seemed to have calmed her down a bit. Jiraiya sighed in relief, he then looked back at the still-rolling-camera and said, "Well, Sai, I guess it's your lucky day! You and Sakura Haruno will be heading to the all-famous E.M.O Nightclub! Meet at the club at 8 pm today; you two are partying 'till the A.M!"
Sakura once again looked over to the white haired sannin. She sighed and nodded in understanding, she would be partying with Sai.... Great, just great. The emotionless prick of a teammate and a nightclub didn't seem like an altogether 'great' idea. She gave a small, obviously fake, smile to the camera and signed off. As soon as the cameras stopped rolling she leaned back in the red love seat and sighed a heavy sigh.
"Sakura... I guess this is goodbye for now. I will see you soon," Gaara said in almost a whisper.
Sakura jerked forward and stood straight up.
"Goodbye Gaara! I will see you in a couple days! After my last two dates~!" Sakura bowed in respect.
Gaara gave her a light smile and nodded her way. She smiled back at him as she watched him walk away smoothly. Gaara... wasn't like any of the guys in Konoha. He was especially different, just something about him made her feel all giddy inside. Also, she had this wanting to protect him, reason being because at times he would have this innocent look that you just can't help but want to mother. She smiled inside and out, maybe... just maybe he would be the one to change her mind about Sasuke. But she had to take consideration of all of the dates before Gaara's. She walked off the stage with a smile planted on her face.
"After these final days... I'll finally know what to do; how to feel. I wonder... will I finally be over Sasuke-kun? Actually, I'm kind of excited.... I want to know... I want to see... if I can do it," Sakura thought to herself.
...
.
...
Sakura was dressed in a green halter, that matched her green pumps, with a sexy white skirt that could make men drool in an instant. She tied her hair into a messy bun, letting her pink bangs show off her heart-shaped face , and wore silver hoops with silver bangles. She gave herself a final wink in the mirror, clearly happy with her appearance, and headed out her door. Tonight was going to be one heck of a night... she could just feel it. Call it women's intuition.
...
( E.M.O)
Sakura pushed her way through the crowd and finally sat down at the bar. Sakura was not old enough to drink, but she needed a place to sit down. The bartender gave her a flirty wink and she looked away in embarrassment.
"So, I saw you on 10 just a couple of hours ago... I was waiting for you," A masculine voice pierced her thoughts.
She quickly moved her head towards the direction of the voice and gave the voice's owner a scowl.
"Why are you even talking to me?" Sakura asked bluntly; clear to the point.
The bartender chuckled. He was a man no younger than 30, yet he was hitting on a 17 year old girl. He was attractive, she gave him that, but he was really annoying with his cocky attitude. She had enough cockiness from her teammates, Naruto and Sasuke.
"You're feisty; just like I thought you would be. You see here, I've been watching the show every night now and I developed this kinda-sorta crush on you. Go out with me and you will not regret it hon," the bartender winked.
Sakura face palmed and got out of her seat. This man was really annoying her and she wasn't in the mood to be even more annoyed. To be truthful, she didn't want to go on the date with Sai. After her date with Gaara, Sakura wanted nothing more than to sit at home and eat chocolate ice cream watching her favorite dramas on television- to cry with her mom right beside her during all of the sad parts, and to see her father shaking his head in annoyance at that sight. Two dates in one day was too much for her to handle and the fact that this was her eighth date in a row, she was mentally and physically exhausted.
Sakura started to walk away from the bar, heading towards the front door in hopes to find the late teammate of hers. Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"You listen here girl, no one walks away and ignores me, NO ONE!" He shouted at the surprised kunoichi.
She knitted her eyebrows and focused her chakra to her fist. On most days she would never use chakra on normal citizens, but taking into consideration that this man in front of her was literally twisting her wrist; she didn't feel so generous. Sakura was prepared to knock the shit out of this man before someone beat her to the punch; literally.
The man was knocked the ground about thirty feet away; his head meeting the wall in a large "thump" that caused him to go unconscious. Sakura widened eyes shifted from the attention of the man to the fist's owner. She was surprised at who was before her.
"S-Sasuke-kun," Sakura managed to heave out.
Sasuke's pissed expression did not let up, he grabbed her by her arms and shook her back and forth.
"Why didn't you fight back?! What were you thinking Sakura?!" He yelled at the still surprised kunoichi.
"I was going too, but you came just before I was! Enough about me, what about you? What are you doing here?!"
Sasuke was obviously still pissed.
"I came here with the dobe. He didn't mention you were going to be here. Are you here because of a date?"
Sakura nodded. Although secretly Sasuke had been watching the TV show, he actually missed the one today. Instead, Naruto called him up, and for an odd reason, dragged him to come to the club. After meeting Sakura, he was certain that Naruto took him to the nightclub for that reason.
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose like he was frustrated. Sakura examined the situation and finally said, "Sasuke-kun, not to be rude or anything, but I really have to go find Sai..."
Sasuke head jerked her direction. Sai and Sakura... Sakura and Sai... Sasuke, Sakura and SAI. Sai and Sakura... without Sasuke. Why in the world was he absolutely LOATHING this picture?
"Don't tell me, he's the next guy?!" Sasuke shouted once again, without himself knowing.
Sakura quickly nodded.
Sasuke turned away and grunted in frustration. He missed just one night of that stupid dating show and it turns out it was the episode where Sai gets picked. Great. Sasuke hated Sai. Sai was like his replacement... he even looked like him! This fact always got to Sasuke's head; like Sakura and Naruto treating him as if he was the great Sasuke Uchiha himself. He also couldn't help but wonder if Sakura had grown any feelings for this guy. But then he would always think of that time when he and team seven met up again. After almost three years without seeing Sakura, his first look at her was when she was grabbing Sai by the throat. This thought was a happy thought, but then he would remember the lies he told to Naruto and Sakura and I guess you could say he was a bit guilty. He really did care about them, but he put his goal ahead of that.
And he still did. He knew Itachi was somewhere in the village. He didn't know where he found to the strength to suppress the urge to look for him, himself, and kill him. But he knew that he would be defying the hokage, and that the hokage would punish him... to death. That would only bring Itachi more triumph, after he died of course. I mean, it would be like Itachi killed Sasuke after he was dead! It was cruel, but he had to remain calm. His time to kill Itachi would come soon, he just had to have the patience to wait for it.. and of course, that was a whole different challenge by itself.
"Ah.. there you are, Sakura-san!" A familiar voice said.
Sakura turned her attention towards the smiling figure. She gave him a small smile back.
"Hey Sai, where were you?"
His smile stayed painted on his white face, a thing that annoyed Sasuke each passing second.
"Looking for you, Sakura-san.... Ah... hello there Sasuke-kun. What brings you here?" Sai's smile was still plastered on his face. Something that was like a target board for the great Uchiha himself.
"I don't have to answer to you," Sasuke knitted his eyebrows.
Sakura gulped and hastily grabbed Sai by the arm, surprising Sai.
"C-Come on, Sai! Let's go! See you later, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said nervously and dragged Sai away.
Sasuke blankly watched her go.
TENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTENtenTEN (Tenten:Dammit, stop saying my name!)
"Who does Sasuke-kun think he is! Honestly! I could take care of myself -thank you very much! Now that I think about it, Sasuke-kun had no right to get in my way! Honestly, why did he do what he did?!!?" Sakura thought.
"Well, what other reason would he do that?! Think, Sakura! He wanted to protect you!" An inner voice replied back.
"*groan* I thought I got rid of you in part 1 of Naruto!" Sakura thought.
"Hey, breaking the fourth wall is not the way to go. Anyways, yeah, our Sasuke-kun DOES care about us no matter how you look at it," Inner Sakura replied.
"Uh...sure....... but he doesn't care for us romantically...it's completely platonic," Sakura sighed internally.
...
"Sakura-san... could you please let go of my arm? I think I'm losing my circulation..." Sai slowly asked with a smile printed on his pale face.
"A-ah! S-Sorry!" Sakura responded. She let go of his arm like it was hot water.
Apparently Sakura had been gripping Sai's arm tighter and tighter as she discussed "Sasuke" matters with her inner self. She felt increasingly guilty as she watched life flow back into Sai's arm.
"Sakura-san, care to dance?"
Sakura looked up at Sai with a confused expression, "you dance?"
Sai's smile grew wider, and he said, "I learned just an hour ago, I read this great book called 'Dancin' in 10 minutes'! It really worked."
Sakura sweatdropped at Sai's explanation. Of course SAI would read a book; he did it for many things. She remembered the time where she met him in the library reading a "how to make friends" guide. To Sakura, Sai was weird, but in a good way.
"uh, yeah, sure. Let's dance Sai," Sakura shrugged. She had no expectations for the emotionless nin.
Sai lead the calm kunoichi to the middle of the dance floor. Oh, he was going to show her a good time. He was going to prove to Sakura he could be good at anything he tried. Oh yes, he'll show Sakura he was better than his supposed "alter-ego", Sasuke.
A new song started almost like the DJ knew what Sai was preparing to do. A techno-y beat blasted onto the dance floor, causing the crowd to erupt in delight. Sai smoothly grabbed Sakura's waist and brought it closer to himself. Sakura, completely dazed, watched helplessly as Sai started to move his body along with hers. She widened her eyes as realization hit her like a falling brick.
He. Was. Grinding. On. Her.
She abruptly attempted to move out of his grasp. His grip only tighten as he said to her, " just relax, Sakura-san. I promise it'll be okay."
. . .
"LIKE HELL IT WILL!"
BAM.
Sakura punched him straight in his nose. Sai fell over and turned side to side in pain. Damn, it was almost as hard as when Sai insulted Sasuke for the first time. Sakura felt no remorse as she witnessed the scene before her.
"Next time, you better think before you put a finger on me!" Sakura shouted over the blasting music.
Sai was baffled at her response; the book claimed to have a positive effect for females... He watched Sakura's growing anger in slight horror, for he was not prepared for this.
"Ah~ Sakura-chan!" A familiar voice broke through the tense situation.
Sakura and Sai turned their heads in sync towards the happy blond. It was definitely Naruto.
"..Naruto-kun?" Sai asked.
Naruto gave his typical grin and replied, "That's right! Such a surprise to see you here, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura crossed her arms, "Really? Because when I spoke with Sasuke-kun..."
Naruto's eyes opened wide, "You spoke with teme!?? Damn! I just can't seem to find him anywhere!"
Naruto's attention turned towards the sparkling emerald necklace placed on Sakura neck.
"The necklace I got Sakura-chan..."
Yes, it was indeed the necklace Naruto had purchased at Sakura's favorite store on their date. All this time, Sakura had been wearing it. Though, no one questioned where she had originally got the necklace. Naruto smiled happily, did Sakura return his feelings for her?
"Sakura-chan..." Naruto started as he made his way towards the pinkette.
Sakura grew nervous at Naruto's approach; the kiss they shared on their date didn't completely vanish. Sakura's cheeks grew a slight pink as Naruto stood before her.
"Sakura-chan....I-"
"KYAAAAAAA! MY FAVORITE SONG!!!"
A new song started to play as the crowd grew wild with excitement. A hoard of girls pushed through the crowd and knocked Naruto off his feet. Sakura was pushed the other way during the excitement, being completely separated from Sai & Naruto.
Sakura, now pushed back by the bar counter, sighed and rose the white flag. She headed over to a seat and sat down in annoyance. The bartender, now a female, rose an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What's a hot girl like you sitting here by herself?" She asked.
Sakura met eye-to-eye with the unfamiliar girl. A girl no older than twenty-five was dressed in a blue tank and white skirt. She had long brown hair with blue eyes and smiled a flirtatious grin.
"um, excuse me?" Sakura blinked. She was confused with the girl's behavior.
"Just sayin' that a girl like you shouldn't be here by yourself," The brunette shrugged.
"S-Sakura!?"
Sakura jerked her head towards a voice that she never thought that she would hear in a place like this. Her mouth dropped at the sight of the voice's owner.
"K-K-Kiba-kun!?!?!"
The pretty bartender chuckled at the sight and left the two in privacy. She had her fun for the night.
"What are you doing here? Better yet, why are you here alone?! I thought you had that date with Sai??" Kiba asked as he plopped a seat beside the agape Sakura.
"I'm here with him! Er- I guess I was until he got separated from me with Naruto," Sakura replied back, "what are you doing here?"
"Ah... that...Well my sis dragged me here. She's 'soul mate' searching and just had to bring me along for approval," Kiba explained, "& what is Naruto doing here?"
Sakura sweatdropped. That was a bit unnecessary to explain so Sakura just laughed /awkwardly/ it off. Kiba smiled at her cute laugh. One could easily say that Kiba liked Sakura a whole lot, more than a majority of contestants on the show. His feelings for the kunoichi were genuine, and Sakura held Kiba in high regard as well. Kiba suddenly turned red as she nervously looked away from Sakura.
"Ah... well... you know... I never stopped thinking about our date since it happened... Sakura-chan, I think I like you, a lot," Kiba said as he blushed deeply.
Sakura widened her eyes as Kiba leaned in for a kiss. Her thoughts at this point were a complete and utter mess. She knew Kiba had some feelings for her and she knew she had a thing for him as well... but did she truly like him? Or did she truly like someone else? Cluttered thoughts were shattered as a strong voice halted the attempted kiss.
"Sakura."
Her head turned slowly towards the stoic ninja. Just like months back, when she first laid eyes on him after three years, she mouthed his name breathlessly.
"Sasuke...kun.."
They shared an intense look to each other, forgetting everything around them. To be truthful, Sasuke was shocked at the sight before him just moments ago. The dog ninja and Sakura together, HIS Sakura, almost kissing... it paralyzed him. The reality then sent shock waves through his head, did Sakura even love him anymore?! And even if she didn't, would it even matter?
No, there was no denying it. Sasuke liked Sakura, no. LOVED her. He loved her more than he could ever admit, and he couldn't bear to witness someone other than himself getting a hold of her.
"OI! Sasuke! What are YOU doing here?!" Kiba viciously growled towards the Uchiha. Kiba was mad at the fact that Sasuke still had this control over Sakura... like a bond that no one could break. He didn't know if it meant that Sakura could ever love someone other than Sasuke or that they had this undeniable relationship that was stronger than most, and it made him furious. He wanted to be Sakura's everything!
Sasuke and Sakura ignored Kiba's attempts, unknowingly, and continued to watch each other. Finally, Sasuke reached out a hand and grabbed Sakura's small wrist, bringing her outside and leaving a helpless Kiba behind.
They stood in silence, until Sasuke started to speak.
"Sakura.. what are you thinking?" Sasuke asked weakly.
Sakura watched Sasuke carefully. She was baffled at the Uchiha's behavior, she had never witnessed this weird behavior from him before.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm confused. Why did you bring me out here?" Sakura almost whispered.
Sasuke and Sakura stood in silence for a while.
"I don't know that answer."
Sakura could hear faint footsteps in the distance followed by happy conversations.
Sakura was planning on asking Sasuke if she could leave, but no words would form. The silence was deafening, but yet she could not bring herself to end it. She was slightly relieved when Sasuke did so for her.
"Sakura. Do you remember?"
Sakura rose an eyebrow. "..remember?"
"Remember four years ago... when I left. You said to me that you..."
The gentleness in his voice was shocking. The subject was also something that shocked her.
"How could I not?" Sakura slightly laughed, "I was so young and naive, how could you listen to me! You must've thought I was so annoying! Well then! Just forget... about it..."
Sasuke grabbed Sakura's shoulders.
"Forget? Are you saying you feel differently now?! Did those 'dates', those small one-day dates cause you to fall in love with someone so quickly?! I thought you were better than that Sakura!" Sasuke yelled in anger.
Sakura smiled sadly.
"I don't know exactly how I feel anymore... but I realized something important. I realized that there are others out there..."
Sasuke's eyes almost showed... sadness.
Almost. He would not give up until he knew the truth.
"Sakura, what are you saying?"
Sakura did something that she absolutely forbid herself to do in front of others. Something that she hated, loathed, rejected. Something that she swore off when Sasuke had left her years ago.
She cried.
Sasuke watched helplessly. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how. He knew that just by touching her, it would only make it worse. So he stood there, sadly watching the kunoichi cry. Again. Cause by him, again.
And it went on for a while.
One thing was for certain, Sakura was UNSURE. She didn't know whether or not she had loved the Uchiha like she did before, and that feeling alone was enough to give everyone an equal chance at winning her heart.
....
...
..
.
(The next day)
"We areeeeeeeee back on Ten Unforgettable Dates! With your favorite host, me, Jiraiyaaaaaa!"
Sakura and Sai sat silently on the red love seat. The date last night was a TOTAL wreck. Not only did several people interfere, but she also had been separated from Sai the whole night. Causing her to walk herself home.
"Well then, onto our favorite subject! Sakura! How was your date with Sai?! Tell us, please do!"
"U-um.. well... it was certainly something..." Sakura replied bluntly.
Jiraiya grunted at Sakura's unenthusiastic reply. He then shifted his attention towards the smiling lad beside her.
"I love Sakura-san!" Sai replied with a smile.
Sakura violently turned her head to Sai, speechless at his sudden claim.
"OH HO HO~~~~~~ WELL WELL THEN! EVERYONE WE HAVE OUR FIRST CONFESSION!!!!!" Jiraiya's happiness shone through his smile.
"... at least, that what the book said for me to say on television! Lie, smile, and exaggerate on television- is what it said to do..." Sai said and he whipped out a book titled 'How to Ensure TV Popularity".
Sakura and Jiraiya fell out of their chairs.
"W-Well then! Let's just move onto the clip! Oh yes, the clip!"
The lights dimmed and the dreaded white screen lowered.
The first scene was between Sasuke and Sakura.
"Why didn't you fight back?! What were you thinking Sakura?!"
The scene then shifted to a closeup on Sakura face with her saying, "Why are you even talking to me?"
Then it showed Sai doing something she absolutely did NOT want to see on a big screen.
He. Was. Grinding. On. Her.
It shifted to Kiba and Sakura and their previous conversation.
"What are you doing here? Better yet, why are you here alone?! I thought you had that date with Sai??"
It shifted to a poorly edited scene with Sakura "replying" "um, excuse me?"
"What are you doing here? Better yet, why are you here alone?! I thought you had that date with Sai??"
It then showed Kiba leaning in for a kiss until a sudden clip showed Sakura "refusing".
"Next time, you better think before you put a finger on me!"
The clip ended at that. Sakura, fuming, was still slightly relived that the cameramen were not there long enough to record Sasuke and Sakura's conversation afterwards.
". . . I have no words to say, Jiraiya. Only that.. YOU HAVE A NEW LOW! LOWER THAN ROCK BOTTOM! I HEREBY PROCLAIM IT AS JIRAIYA BOTTOM!!!!" Sakura breathed fire as she lashed out these words.
Jiraiya laughed nervously to himself and muttered something with the words "can't" "until" "this" "over".
"W-Well then! Such a marvelous date, wasn't it!!!?!?!?! Sakura hating on Sasuke Uchiha, rejecting Kiba and dirtyyyyy dancing with this guy right here! Exciting, isn't it!?!"
Sakura's eyebrow twitched in deep hatred.
"W-w-well then! Let's just move onto the wheel! I bet everyone is absolutely dying to know who the 9th date is!?!?"
The crowd roared in approval.
"Okay then! Ladies, spin that wheel!"
...
Then something happened unexpected.
CLICK.
The "clicker" fell off! The stopper was broken and it cause the wheel to move freely. Surprisingly, Jiraiya looked anything but surprised. Amused, if you will.
Eventually the wheel stopped.
The metal part that used to hold the clicker was the supposed substitute for the clicker itself. The square-like metal did not specify exactly who it chose.
For it was evenly between two names.
Two, deeply regrettable names.
With one thing in common.
Jiraiya's smirk grew wider.
"Well, since the Hokage and I discussed that if this should supposedly-happen~! We resolved a solution early on! If it is stuck on two names, it will be combined into one single date! More like a competitive date~!!!! Oh, this is so exciting!! So this is it! The ninth and tenth date are here~!!!! ALL IN ONE~!"
Sakura eyes could not widen any further.
A combined date?!?!?! ESPECIALLY WITH THESE TWO!?!?!??!?!?
"Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha! You two are up nexttttttttt!!!"
A/N: I don't think anyone POSSIBLY saw this coming XDDD I did actually plan this a long time ago~ So yes, it's supposed to happen this way XD What I did not plan though is such a serious date between Sai and Sakura XD Actually, you can't even say it was a date since they were not really with each other XD It was supposed to be humorous, but it turned out to be so serious XD But all is well because I promise the next one will be funnier XD
I hope everyone enjoyed! Hope to see you soon!~
~lalalagirl
1. Shikamaru Nara
2. Kiba Inuzuka
3. Neji Hyuuga
4. Naruto Uzumaki
5. Suigetsu Hozuki
6. Rock Lee
7. Kazekage Gaara
8. Sai
9. Sasuke Uchiha
10. Itachi Uchiha