Black Butler
Chapter Ten : Good Day Bad Day?
Konoha High. Basketball court…
"Move it! Move it! What are you, girls?!" scolded the coach standing by the sidelines as he observed his all-female basketball team played.
He expects no less from his students even if they were to be females…
"We ARE girls, Ebisu-sensei! Now shut your trap and let us play!" fearsome girls that is. "Oi, you! Pass the ball!"
It's the girls Red versus Blue team, both consisting of fearless and fearsome young ladies who were none other than being rough and tough. Even when it comes to a practice they meant business, there are no friends when it comes to the battlefield.
"Ten Ten, prepare for action. We are going to stop that ball!" the brunette nodded.
"Heh, catch me if you can!" a sinister grin and in a flash the opponent slid pass, aiming for the net.
"Ah?! Sakura, in coming Temari!"
"Hmm? Wha—Ouff!" the ball was sent directly into the face of the pink haired female.
PWEET!
Ebisu-sensei blew his whistle to the offence of attacking players instead of the net.
"Foul! Foul! Temari-chan what do you think you're doing?" referring to the blonde female who's hair was segregated in four pony tails.
Despite of her blunt facial expression, she is one of the most skilled players of the Blue team and a cruel player, showing no mercy when she thinks that others don't deserve it. Caring she may be at times…in a brutal way.
The boys who were spectating rushed up towards the commotion.
"Get up." Temari ignored the teacher and eyed at the fallen pink haired player.
"Why you, Temari. What do you think you are doing hitting my face, the net's over there!" Sakura rubbed her sore cheek.
"I hate others who tend to space out during the game. Be thankful that I am not using full force on that face of yours. I am not going to bear any plastic surgery expenses!" she left afterwards.
See, that was an example of the caring side of Temari. How sweet.
Sakura mumbled under her breath, the pain still aches but it was a good wake up call, she ought to thank Temari for it and it was her who could see right through her.
"Sakura-san, are you okay? Want me to carry you to the infirmary? Or maybe the hospital?"
It's Lee again. He was being too concerned, it gives her the creeps.
'Or maybe you could get lost, coconut!' she wished. "I am fine, thanks but no thanks…" she faked.
"Are you sure, you don't feel anything unwell?" that voice, that lovely dark voice that Sakura loved so much.
Hyuuga Neji!
That long dark hair with mesmerizing pale eyes which sends Sakura off to wonderland, his deep vocals were ever the music to her ears. He is not just academically a genius but also the boys' basketball leader and a sharpshooter. And Hinata's cousin.
The perfect man…
Sakura's heart skipped a beat whenever he speaks to her even when they were meters close (usually observes from afar…very, very far).
And he is also one of the reasons she joined the basketball team.
"Y-Yes, I mean no…No I mean yes! Er…" she shuddered badly. The others were well aware of her crush towards the Hyuuga boy.
"You mean you are alright?" Neji spoke deep.
"Ah…yes…that's right…" she blushed to the colour of her hair.
"Eh, Sakura-san. Where is your boyfriend? I don't see him today, how heartless of him that he isn't around when you are hurt!" Lee blurt without considering the situation. "Don't worry I will give him a good scolding."
That earned a capital 'WHAT' in bold from everyone.
"Boyfriend?! Who who who?!" Ten Ten grabbed Sakura's singlet straps.
"What boyfriend? I have no boyfriend!" Sakura eyed Lee badly and sadly she watched Neji left without further concerns for her.
Nonononononononononooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo!
'I'll grind you idiot coconut!' cracking her knuckles.
Time out…
"Ne, Sakura. Cheer up, nobody said that you have a boyfriend. It's just a joke," Ten Ten tried consoling the moody female sat curled up at one corner with dark aura (anime style).
"Y-Yes…I know…But Neji left without knowing it…" she muttered under her breath.
"Oi, dreamer!" Temari shoved a chilly bottle against the nape of Sakura's neck.
"Kyaa! What's that for Temari!"
"Stop spacing out, it pisses me off!" the blonde growled. "Here take it," offering Sakura the bottle and took a seat beside her.
"Uh, thanks…"
Temari may seem to be cold but she is a real friend when she gets along though not everyone could get along with her as she chooses her friends. She is the kind who prefers people who are up to her challenges and had the guts to stand up against her views. And she despise scardy cats.
"I heard you have a boyfriend. Had a fight with him?" she uttered blunt.
Here it goes again.
"I am still single Temari. No boyfriends, no nothing!"
"Uh huh, so how do you explain that space out?"
'Because of that stupid butler who puts me into a difficult position as acting princess!' her heart screamed. "Tired…"
"Ch. Don't give me that crap, you sleep ten hours daily."
Grr…the one thing Sakura hated about is that when others drives her into a corner with their interrogations and read her mind like they knew everything about her.
"Your parents, isn't it?" the blonde uttered softly. Temari is one of Sakura's friends besides Ino who she did mention about her parent's financial problems.
"No, not really…"
"Then what is it? Can I help out in some way?"
Temari is being too caring sometimes to the extent she would even offer. Sakura could never have the heart to exploit her sincerity even if she really needed help.
"If…you were given a choice to choose between an opportunity of riches and your dreams. Which will you pick, Temari?" Sakura hugged her knees.
"Eh…Stupid question, riches of course! You won't have dreams when you don't have the money to realize them so what's the point."
That was a quick answer…a realistic answer to the modern civilization. Temari was rather right.
"Riches, huh…?"
"What's up with that?" the blonde eyed curiously.
"Um, nothing. I was just asking…" Sakura shrugged.
Royal summer residence…
Without having Sasuke tagging behind her, Sakura enjoyed her sole walk 'home'. The royal residence to which she had started to return to every evening instead of heading to the lower class areas downtown to an old apartment.
Before all this happened, she would complain in her heart about the poverty she endured and how she wished she could be richer…just a bit richer than being so poor due to the bankruptcy of her parents then she might be happier then. However, she begin to change her mind about that…
Now that she had sneaked into the royal's riches she did not find that too pleasurable, it ripped her off of her freedom. Rules were stringent to adhere to, not that she could go out as she pleased.
A few days earlier, the Minister Uchiha Madara came to pay her a visit which made things worse and Sasuke had finally revealed the truth behind his reasons in having her into this princess play.
Flashback…
"No…way…" Sakura's mouth was agape like a gasping fish. "You've got to be kidding…"
"This is a serious matter, I would not take this lightly."
"You want me to go up against that Minister guy? What can I do, I am no smarter in politics you know!"
"Politics, yes but not in that sense. You are to go against him in exposing his nefarious schemes, that is why you must be the next heir to the throne." Cool and composed, Sasuke spoke.
"Me? Hey, you are missing something here, buddy. I am a fake. There is another princess to the throne remember?"
That made Sasuke smirk. A smirk that tells her that she had spoken words that interests him much.
"What if it is a battle between both fake princesses?" Sakura choked on her words.
"You mean…" she gasped surprisingly.
"That Minister is the puppet master behind the scenes of Princess Toruhiko, she is just his mere royal puppet to gain power, in my perspective."
"Your perspective?! You have no evidence in this? Are you mad, butler?!"
"No I don't, that is the reason I need you to expose them. The throne must never fall into that man's evil hands."
Sakura turned silent. Such risk and yet he uses her to gamble in his games.
"But you are going against you own people…"
"Hn! So what. I serve none other than the Royal House itself, I pledge my loyalty and life to protect it." Whistle, what a butler! "That is why I said, if you were to cooperate, you will be gaining a life of royalty for the rest of your life. What do you say?"
"Aren't you also a crook here?"
"Better than Madara." He paused. "And there is one thing…"
"What?"
"If you are fully into this, you need to be well prepared for the worse. Your life will be on the line once you are officially a crowned princess. I am sure Madara will use all means and ways to eliminate an obstacle like you."
"Hey, why are you telling me all this now, butler. It's like I am dying for your sake as a pawn!"
"I am too taking my risks, that is why I swore to protect you no matter what the cost."
How could this man say things as if life itself was a mere gambling chip to place in a bet. His expressionless face pisses her off.
"And one more thing, you must fully commit yourself into this or else everything will be in vain. Quit everything you have, including school and street dancing."
"What…?!" Sakura's nerve twitched. "You want me to throw away everything?! Street dancing is part of me!"
"You have no choice and it is too late to back down now. If you quit now, I guarantee you'll be spending the rest of your life in prison."
A threat, and those obsidian eyes of his meant that it was in his capability of doing so.
Sakura was angry, so angry that she held those tears back. She would not cry now, not in front of this butler.
She began to hate him.
"But I have one condition…" Sasuke was all ears to her. "I will do this after the street dance competition and after I graduate from school, they are only a few months away…so let me…" she swallowed a lump in her throat.
"There are two conditions not one…" he uttered darkly as she remained silent, lowering her head.
Then she heard him sigh helplessly.
"Alright…"
End Flashback…
BZZ BZZ!
The pink head's phone vibrated in the depths of her pockets of an incoming call. She fished it out by the line of her attaching keychain.
"Hello, mom—MOM?!"
"Hello there little cutesy princess, trying to find your mommy?" chuckling to his evil tone. It gave the teen a silent gasp and a furrowed brow.
"What do you want? Where is my mom?!" she furiously questioned.
"Heheh. No worries your mommy is safe...as long as you bring some of those pretty little stones you've got in your jewelry box. BUT IF YOU DON'T, I'LL CUT HER THROAT OFF!" and the line went dead next.
"Hello? Hello?!" she redialed the number once more.
"HELLO, WHAT IS IT? I SAID GET THE JEWELS!"
"I know! At least tell me where are you so I could deliver them, are you stupid or what?!"
"Oh, yeah, you're right. I didn't think of that, thanks for reminding kid." This guy is being stupid or what, thought Sakura.
"I am at your parents' apartment. NOW GO GET THEM OR YOU'LL SEE THE LAST OF HER!" the line went dead again.
Grr! Some guts that punk has to cut her line as he sees please to and he demands a handful of pricy gems as ransom. This really isn't her day.
Sakura groaned.
Sorry for the late update...Chap 10, hope you like it. XD
REVIEWS please~