Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

A week.

To say he was irritated was an understatement.

Ryou took a whiff of the cool, Japan air, trying to calm his furious mind. When he had originally called his secretary, asking that a flight back home be scheduled immediately, he got a call a half hour later telling him that all the flights were booked until the following week. He had spent an extra of seven useless days away from home, away from setting things how he wanted them to be.

Thankfully, his chauffeur had been at the airport on time to collect him. Ryou swiftly got into the car, relaxing back against the cushioned seat, running a hand through his hair. He was satisfied to be back home. However, there was one thing—rather,one person who was plaguing his mind.

Sakura.

Just the thought of her sent a feeling of predatory rage through him. He wondered what she had been up to during his absence. They hadn't called each other at all; the need never arose for such thing. All he knew was that he was anxious to get to his house. Ryou leaned forward, barking out a command for his chauffeur to drive faster.

The house felt… dead. Ryou knew something was off. There was an unsettling feeling in the air, and it only seemed to strengthen as he peered into the kitchen and scanned the upstairs rooms. His loud footsteps bounced off the walls as he stormed back down to the living room in simmering anger. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mayu emerge from one of the guest bedrooms. He didn't notice the slight falter in her step when she met his presence and continued on to the kitchen with a formal head nod.

"Where is she?"

Mayu turned around, hands clasped neatly in front of her. "I was told to take a leave for a couple days. I returned this morning," she lied, her face as nonchalant as ever. "I do not know, Sir."

Ryou muttered a curse under his breath, stuffing his hands in his pockets. His chauffeur had brought in the last of his suitcases, setting them neatly next to the couch and quickly disappeared after noticing the anger on his face.

So she was… gone. He figured as much. He did not know if she was aware of the fact that he had not filed the divorce papers. She truly wanted a separation from him, and she had proved it so by moving out completely. The rooms with her belongings, from her clothes to her small valuables: they were all gone. She left no trace. It was as if she had never lived here before…

Ryou flipped out his phone, scrolling through his contact list and dialed her number. He gritted his teeth after a few seconds, his brow furrowing in frustration when all he heard was the incessant ringing of the phone; no woman's voice greeting him in nonchalance or iciness. But, what made him think she'd pick up in the first place? Ryou cursed again; what was the use of a private investigator? He had not been informed that she had moved out at all since his last conversation with the man.

He'd have to find someone more effective…

The feeling of being moved in was quite satisfactory, even though the living room was still a bit overwhelmed with brown, taped boxes. Dressed casually in a tank top and shorts, Sakura fell to the couch, stretching her sore limbs. The whole moving process had taken about four days in total. Of course, she had to buy new furniture. Sakura wasn't going to take anything from the house. Sasuke had been able to get her a few deals on some of the more expensive furniture, and contacted one of his preferred companies to help with moving them in; it was something she was very grateful for. Afterward, she had made continuous trips to and from the house, gathering small valuables and trinkets that she had left behind in various places. The fourth day had been purely for checking if she had left anything behind.

It was a cozy, two-bedroom apartment overlooking the Japanese business district. The Uchiha Corp. building was the tallest among the various edifices that stood if one were to look out the window. Sure, the space was significantly smaller than the mansion she used to live in, but Sakura found herself appreciating it more. It was something she had all to herself. After all, she couldn't continue living in dependency on the man who had wronged her with his infidelity.

It had been a busy week. Juggling the day shift at work and then preparing for the move to her new apartment had been a handful. It hadn't caused her any stress. It just kept her busy until her fingers and feet were sore from constant movement. Sasuke had jokingly said that he would excuse her absences from work and allow her to focus on packing up, but she had sweetly declined. Sakura smiled and stifled a laugh, remembering his sinfully handsome face when he had made the playful suggestion. Just the thought of him sent secret tingles that seemed to emanate from her belly.

"You have piqued my curiosity. What's so funny?"

Sakura jumped slightly, glancing up to see Sasuke's agile formed leaning over her from behind the couch. "Hey!" she greeted cheerfully. "I didn't know you'd be stopping by again today."

"You don't want me around?"

Sakura laughed. "You know that's not what I meant."

"I thought we were past the heads-up stage."

"Indeed we are."

Sasuke followed her into the kitchen, suddenly holding out a neatly wrapped gift box. He smirked at her surprised expression. "You've officially moved in today. It's is a housewarming gift."

Sakura stared at him in guilt. "This is too much! You've already helped me with the furniture and moving expenses, Sasuke."

"So?"

"That's a gift in it of itself."

"Well this is the last one," he insisted.

Sakura bit her lip in indecision, very much touched by the kind gesture. "Thank you, Sasuke." She handed him an ice-cold glass of water, taking the box from him excitedly and skipped back over to the couch. She weighed it in her hands, a sweet smile present on her face as she tried to mentally guess exactly what he had decided to give her as a present. "I wasn't… expecting this."

Sasuke shrugged as he sat next to her. "There aren't many people in my life I give presents to."

Sakura blinked, secretly touched by his candidness. "Well, I'm happy to be one of those people." She tugged his collar lightly, pulling him forward. "Thank you." Their lips met briefly before she pulled away, her attention now directed toward the unknown gift in her hands. "Hmm… it's pretty heavy, and big."

Sasuke sighed. "Just open it."

"I'm just trying to savor the moment," she replied, placing the box on the coffee table in front of her.

"I'll give you something to savor later on," he murmured, nuzzling the side of her head while she fiddled with the thick paper packaging.

Sakura laughed in amusement as she unwrapped the colored paper while he pressed soft kisses on the side of her face. He pulled away once she had revealed his gift. It was a rather expensive looking set of floral scented candles, neatly packaged in a wooden box.

"I saw a lot of them around your… previous house," he explained lowly.

Sakura set the candles down on the table, reading off each scent in her head. In all honesty, she really liked it. It was very thoughtful and sweet of him. "It's perfect! I love it. Thank you so much," she exclaimed, turning to wrap her arms around his neck. She turned back to look at the candle set in pure interest.

"You like it that much?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I?"

"No, that's good. I wasn't really sure about what you'd like."

"It's very thoughtful of you." Sakura gave him a quick peck on the cheek and stood to place the candles on the shelf that had been hoisted onto the wall across her.

"Do you have plans for the rest of the day?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her middle from behind.

Sakura shivered at the feeling of his hot breath fan the side of her neck and shoulder. She felt her body automatically heat up in anticipation at the slight touch. She had become so attuned to him already. "My friend is coming over later on. She wants to… um… see the new place," she informed shakily when his hands began to roam her half-clothed body.

"What time?" he asked after pressing a kiss to her mouth once she turned around in his possessive hold.

"Around 2, I think." Sakura hummed in pleasure when he kissed the sensitive hollow behind her ear. Her arms were tightly coiled around his neck in compliance and eagerness.

Sasuke pulled back to look into her eyes that were glazed over with a look of desire. "What time is it now?"

"12:30."

"We have a couple hours. How about I help you… settle in?" he suggested silkily, grinding his pelvis against hers.

"I'm guessing it has nothing to do with unpacking those boxes."

Sasuke chuckled, swooping down to capture her mouth in deep, involved kiss. Their bodies rubbed intimately against one another as physical lust began to direct their actions.

"We have a couple hours," he informed. "We can do that later." His hands smoothed down to the curve of her bottom and the tips of his fingers played with the edge of her shorts, hitching them up her thighs in the process.

"Sounds good to me," she whispered, pulling his head down once more. Sakura vaguely registered the ringing of her phone, but she was too busy getting lost in sweet, sweet sensation.

For him, it seemed as though Friday had come too early and gone too fast. Genma had found that his life had fallen too much into routine. It was work in the mornings, and then back home in the evening at which time he would flip on the television, or end up surfing the web for useless information if there weren't any good shows on. He was not necessarily complaining, but routine was mundane and tedious. He wanted some excitement... some spice in his life.

Going after the beautiful, yet married Sakura was of no use. He had tried before she had begun wearing that diamond ring on her finger, but each time he had been kindly refused. If there was one thing he knew about her as a colleague was that Sakura was one of the most considerate people he had known. She was very intelligent not to mention attractive. He wasn't the only one who was attracted to her feminine beauty during her bachelorette days, but it seemed Ryou Arata had excelled in his pursuance of her. He had wondered though, during the news of the wedding, what she possibly saw in the man.

Genma shook his head. He did not want to get involved in anything, especially if it involved Ryou Arata, because of his well known reputation regarding the dealing of his opponents... not to mention a few "allies". However, Genma could not help but concern about Sakura.

However a part of him felt it wasn't Sakura's doing...

The sound of his phone ringing alerted him to the present. His eyes widened in recognition when he read the caller ID, and Genma quickly got up to slip on his jacket while he answered the phone. "Yes, Hana, I'm on my way." Grabbing his car keys, Genma jogged out the door and to his car.

It was a fine time for him to forget he had a date.

"Okay! I will be waiting outside," replied the woman in a cheerful voice.

Revving the engine, Genma pulled onto the street and sped down the road. Hana was a family friend of his he had finally summed up the courage to ask out. He knew longing after Sakura would get him no where, really. She had made it clear that she wanted nothing more from him than a simple friendship, and it would be rude of him to pester her with incessant proposals. So, he had begun directing his attention elsewhere. Hana was... pretty; very amiable, not to mention cute in her own way. He was aware of her interest in him for sometime now after one of his other friends had told him. She was always there with kind smiles and sweet words. He figured: why not give it a try? A low chuckle escaped his lips when he remembered the ecstatic look on her face when he asked her out for dinner.

It may just work out.

"Have you been here before?"

"Yes, once. They have good food." Genma closed the passenger side door once Hana got out of the car. "Do you want to sit outside or in the restaurant?"

"I kind of like the night air. Is outside okay?" she asked.

Genma smiled. "Sure. Why not?"

The waiter came just in time with two iced glasses of water, and quickly recommended their bestselling dishes. The two of them ordered their food and drinks within the next few minutes and the waiter hurried into the restaurant to place their request.

In all honesty, Genma felt... freed. He was happy that he wasn't hung up on Sakura. They hadn't really had a relationship of any kind except for an occupational one. There was nothing for him to regret, and neither did he feel the need to. "So where do you work now?" asked Genma, wanting to start a conversation.

"I work for a makeup line. I am in charge of product development." Hana took a sip of the water, shivering at its cool temperature when she swallowed. "What about you?"

"Lira & Co."

"No way! That's amazing, Genma."

"It was all networking, really. There was a lot of competition for the job," he added.

"I remember you telling me about the woman who helped you... Sakura, right?"

Genma nodded. "Yes, she..." Genma drifted as he glanced up. It must have been pure coincidence to see the managing director of Lira & Co. walking into the restaurant with a dark-haired man following after her. He couldn't quite make out what the mystery male looked like, but Sakura was too hard to miss. Two dark-suited men began patrolling the entrance of the restaurant soon after their arrival. Whoever she was with, it was someone important.

"Isn't she married to Ryou Arata?"

Genma reverted his attention back to the woman in front of him. "Yes, she is."

However, he knew the man he had just seen with her was not her husband. Ryou had lighter colored hair. Was she... cheating on him?

Just what exactly was going on?

"I think this is a little too much just for a new apartment," remarked Sakura, taking a sip of the wine.

"Just enjoy yourself. You're too uptight."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "I am just saying, you've done enough for me." She set down her glass. "You've spoiled me. I have to repay you somehow."

Sasuke smirked, a teasing glint present in his eye. "I refused before, but since you are so keen on doing so, I can think of a couple ways." He raised a thoughtful hand to his chin.

Sakura leaned in, choosing to play along. She licked her lower lip, noticing how fixated his eyes were on her mouth. "Do tell," she prompted naughtily.

The dull sound of his phone vibrating dispelled the sexual tension that had built between them. Sasuke frowned, glancing at his phone. But his displeasure disappeared when he recognized who was calling him.

"Yes?"

Sakura watched his face for any sign of who or what his conversation was about, but as usual, his masterfully stoic face gave nothing away.

"Keep me updated. Okay... good." Sasuke put his phone back in his pocket, redirecting his attention back to Sakura who gave him a curious look.

"Who was that?"

"Bodyguard. They're just keeping a lookout."

"But doesn't that make you more noticeable?"

"They maintain good distance. I don't usually travel with them, but I have been barraged by photographers to no end for the past couple days."

Sakura laughed. "What, you don't like the camera?"

Sasuke assessed her silently, challenging her to continue. "What makes you think I would?"

"Haven't I told you how cocky you are before?"

"Indeed, you have. Tell me again, Sakura."

The woman blinked. "You, Sasuke, are an arrogant, egocentric man."

Sasuke smirked, taking a hold of her hand. "And who exactly is dating this arrogant, egocentric man?"

Sakura blushed scarlet when he pressed a warm kiss to her knuckles. "The luckiest girl in Japan."

"Exactly."

He was honestly trying to focus on conversation, the delicious food, and the woman he was currently dining with, but Genma found his mind reverting back to Sakura and the mysterious man she had arrived with.

Who exactly was he?

Hana was too occupied in what she was saying to notice her date's absentmindedness. "I had come back only to see—who are those men?" she suddenly asked, staring behind Genma.

"Who?"

"Those two men in the suits. They're walking toward us."

Genma set down his fork, but before he could turn around, he felt the uncomfortable presence of two people on either side of him. A heavy hand landed on his right shoulder and the deep sound of a man's voice made his heart speed up a little.

"Please come with us. There is someone who'd like to have a word with you."

"And that would be?" Genma asked, turning toward them.

"Please come with us," insisted the second man.

"I am not obligated to go with you."

"Do not make a scene. Just do as you are told."

"Who are you guys anyway?" asked Genma, pulling his arm out of the man's reach.

"Don't ask too many questions. Get up."

"You seriously expect me to go with you?" asked Genma incredulously. "You're not even telling me who I am to meet."

"Mr. Uchiha."

The name struck a feeling of wonderment inside his head. Uchiha? As in… the Uchiha Corp. executive? Why would the man want to talk to someone like him?

"Genma…?"

The man turned toward Hana, a nervous look present on his face. "Look I'm really sorry. I didn't know this would happen. I—"

"Let's go," urged one of the men.

"Hold on," Genma pressed, irritated. "Just wait for me here, okay Hana? I'll be back in a few minutes."

The girl nodded soundlessly, watching the three men disappear into the restaurant.

The flash of pink had been hard to miss.

It had been pure coincidence that the woman he was to trail happened to be dining at the restaurant next to the bar he was sitting outside of. He had skillfully captured a clear enough picture of her walking in, but the man who was accompanying her lay in the evening shadows that had slowly crept in as time had progressed. Whoever this man was… it wasn't his employer.

As he sipped his beer, the man couldn't help but notice the aimless, yet slow wandering of two suit-clothed men. His trained eyes watched them survey everyone who was dining away happily, engrossed in conversation. About twenty minutes later, he noticed them close in on a couple seated on one of the tables outside of the restaurant amongst the crowd of dining people. He could see that an argument was taking place and whomever they we confronting was clearly not inclined to follow whatever it was they were saying. He watched the man turn to say e to the lady seated at the table with him before following the two suit clad men into the restaurant a few minutes later.

Though he dismissed the event as unimportant, he couldn't help but think its underlying meaning. No one else had really noticed the exchange except for him and possibly those seated closer to the confronted man. For some reason, though, it had bothered him.

Chugging down the last of his beer, the man placed his glass back on the table along with a few bills and quietly left. He had attained a good amount of evidence for one night.

By now, Sakura would have voiced her distaste for a second interruption, and sure enough the words were on the tip of her tongue, however, the sudden change in atmosphere made her remain silent as she watched Sasuke flip out his phone once more.

"You did?" Sasuke looked mildly surprised. "Out back? We'll be there," he confirmed after a minute, glancing at Sakura who's brow was furrowed in concern.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Someone has been spying on us."

Sakura recoiled back. "How long have you known this?" she asked in shock.

"We weren't sure, but apparently we have noticed a particular man who coincidently seems to be at the same place as the two of us."

"We?"

"My bodyguards," he informed simply. Sasuke stood, morning for the woman to follow him as he walked a winding path through the various crowded tables and to a back exit.

"Do you know who exactly he is targeting?" she asked, hurriedly following him.

"No."

"You don't think Ryou is having me followed, do you...?"

Sasuke glanced back at her wordlessly, placing a hand on the small of her back in support, and leading her out of the restaurant. A rush of cool night air and the scent of cooking oil filled her nostrils as Sakura stepped out, rubbing her bare arms to generate some warmth. She immediately noticed three men standing a few feet away, and she followed Sasuke as he walked toward them.

"You cannot force me to stay here!"

That voice.

Sakura gasped in disbelief and pushed past Sasuke and toward the man who had just exclaimed out loud. There was just no way... was this the person who was supposedly spying her? "Genma?" she asked, incredulous.

Author's Note:

I know this is a few hours late. Truly sorry. There's just a lot going on personally... let's just keep it at that.

Please review. It really does make me very happy to hear from all my amazing readers. I love you all!