Standing before her teal apartment door Sakura hesitantly reaches for the door knob but jerks her hand back for the umpteenth time.
She groans at what a wimp she is.
Once that door was open she'd have to face...him.
The two faced, lying, brilliantly handsome, dark eyed Uchiha.
Her feelings on him were still a mystery to herself. To say her heart was confused was an understatement.
Rubbing the bridge of her nose in hopes of calming herself down the rosette inhales sharply, shaking her arms to relax her shoulders.
"Stop being so pathetic Sakura, you can do this." She reassures herself, staring down at the slightly rusty doorknob.
Finally, with a spark of determination in her eyes, she forcefully reaches for the doorknob and ever so slowly opens the door, which creaks in a horror like fashion.
What she sees sends a shiver down her spine.
She's not used to how the apartment looks with the shades covering the windows causing a dark and shady aura. It was only noon, yet it looked liked twilight.
The place smelled of left over Chinese food, and there were sweats draped over the futon.
She reaches for the light switch by the door and flicks on the lights.
No Sasuke to be found.
"Hello?" She squeaks timidly, taking her white wedges off and surveying the living/kitchen area very slowly.
Finding no trail of him in the said area, she maneuvers towards the bedroom door, and just as she's about to touch the knob the door flings open revealing none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
His dark eyes widen as he stares down at the rosette who has a wide pair of eyes of her own.
He's dressed in a slick black form fitting suit, that she couldn't help but notice suited him very well, and his hair was slightly combed making him look the part of a professional buisnessman.
But, tired lavender bags curve under his prominent eyes and his posture is slouched.
"Sakura." His voice soft in shock.
Sakura's breath hitches in her throat.
"Where the hell have you been all night? You didn't respond to any of my texts or calls?" He says annoyed, taking a step forward.
Sakura bites the inside of her cheek and takes a cautious step back.
"I was out with friends." She hesitates the lie, not daring to meet his eyes.
He scoffs.
"Aren't you a great liar with that men's cologne sticking to your clothes." He smirks devilishly knowing that he's caught her in the act.
Sakura's heart beats even faster as she begins to panic.
It hasn't even been 5 minutes and he's already onto her.
"And this dress? You weren't wearing this when you left the house." He says with more curiosity than anger. He lifts a brow as she fumbles with her words.
"I...I..erm..."
Sasuke lets out a loud breath and his hard eyes soften. He's made her nervous, not something he was intending to do.
"Sorry I probably came off mad just now, but where the hell have you been?" He asks with a genuine expression.
Sakura has yet to find a good excuse.
He continues.
"I left you a ton of messages and you didn't pick up any of my calls. I was worried sick that something happened to you." He says, his deep voice laced with care and concern.
His smooth melodic voice causes Sakura's heart to squeeze inside of her own chest.
Why did he have this strong of an affect on her?! She feels completely horrible for lying to him now seeing just how awfully she'd worried him.
But, being honest could get her killed. Literally.
"I'm sorry I wasn't ignoring you but I went out with a friend and then we stayed at her place and she lives with her boyfriend so maybe this morning I accidentally put on his cologne not my perfume I don't know we stayed up late and I was tired..." She trails, trying her hardest to sound convincing.
Sasuke purses his lips before nodding slowly.
"I'm just glad you're ok." He finally says, the sentence causing the rosette's heart to continue violently beating against her rib cage.
"Sasuke-" She begins, but is cut off when a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her petite body, hands landing on her small waist. A nose is buried in the crook of her neck and jolts of electricity spark throughout her whole entire body.
"W-What are you d-doing?" She stammers, completely paralyzed by the proximity of their bodies and the way his hands caused her whole entire body to tingle in pleasure.
Why did this feel so right to her?!
"I thought you were hurt," his fingers rub small gentle circles against her waist,"Don't do that to me again Sakura, please." His voice is small, and the rosette practically melts at just how vulnerable and helpless he's acting.
Sakura is speechless, Sasuke...cares about her? She realizes that she has the upper hand.
She makes him act this way. He's vulnerable and worried and broken down because of her.
Sakura has power over Sasuke Uchiha.
Oh how the tables have turned.
Reluctantly she forces herself to pull away from him, even though she more than enjoyed the embrace.
She can't fall into his trap, he's a criminal not Prince Charming.
The rosette stares pass him pretending not to notice the light blush on his pale cheeks and that's when she spots a packed black suitcase lying on the floor.
"Packing?" Sakura asks curiously lifting a brow.
Sasuke seems to snap out of his fantasy land and brought back down to earth as he clears his throat and nods.
"I didn't get the chance to tell you but yesterday I got a call from work and I have to leave in tonight." He says rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly as Sakura's eyes widen.
"Well this is sudden."
Sasuke breathes out loudly and nods.
"I'm sorry Sakura, how can I make it up to you?" He apologizes, his eyes sad as he looks at her.
Once again her heart squeezes.
"Well, do you know the best way to apologize to a girl?" She asks in a teasing manner.
Sasuke decides to play along, although slightly nervous.
"How?" He asks afraid of what the pinkette might come up with.
She turns around and opens her arms wide, revealing the mess behind her.
"Cleaning!"
She smirks as his expression falls.
.
.
.
"You look sad." She teases, hanging upside down on the couch as she watches Sasuke grumpily scrubbing dishes in the kitchen.
Sasuke snorts.
"Why would you say such a thing Sakura?" He asks sarcastically, grabbing another dish and scrubbing it down.
Sakura giggles to herself.
"Pink looks very manly on you." She says eyeing the apron on him.
"Shut up."
"I'm serious it brings out your muscles."
Wait.
Did she just say that?
Crap.
He turns off the sink and turns around with the most devilish smirk she's ever seen plastered across his handsome face.
"So you like a man with muscle huh?"
Sakura's cheeks turn the color of a cherry.
"I didn't s-say that!" She squeaks feeling completely embarrassed.
Sasuke rolls his eyes playfully.
"Mhmmm and I also didn't say that your choice of lace underwear happens to be one of my favorites." He says smugly, turning back around to continue scrubbing away.
Confused at his words, she looks over to what he might be talking about when indeed she realizes that due to her upside down position on the couch her dress has completely gone up revealing creamy lace underwear.
Sakura could die right then and there.
"OH MY GOSH." She screams loudly, whirling around on the couch in an attempt to sit upright but failing as she lands flat on her face on the floor.
Scrambling to stand she finally is up on her feet and in rapid speeds irons down her dress so that it covers her under garment.
Feeling her face reaching temperatures that could easily compare with that of a volcano, Sakura storms over to the bedroom and loudly announces that she is going to change.
The last thing she hears as the door shuts is Sasuke's laughter.
Once the door is closed she slumps against it.
"At least he thought it was cute...right?"
.
.
.
Once the rosette was all changed up in a pair of denim jeans and a light blue tight long sleeve shirt, she takes a good look in the mirror and fixes her short cherry blossom colored hair.
After she's finished checking herself out in the mirror, the rosette glances around the room looking for the prized object. (As Naruto and Gaara called it.)
Walking over to the Uchiha's suitcase she digs her hand into it, trying her hardest not to mess up the neatly folded clothes.
Her hand hits something hard.
"Gotcha!" She whispers eagerly to herself, pulling out the hard object which reveals to be a midnight black laptop.
Carefully, Sakura makes sure to place the laptop on the bed before racing towards the door and locking it. Once the lock clicks into place the rosette knows it's now or never.
Plopping down on the bed, she reaches for her purse and shakily pulls out a bright orange USB stick.
The rush of adrenaline coursing throughout her body is unreal. Never had she felt so sneaky, so alive!
Taking a deep breath, she stares at the USB and at the closed laptop.
Guilt slowly settles into her chest.
Should she really be doing this? This single contraption, this bright orange USB could ruin Sasuke's whole entire life.
Sakura had never had this much power in her hands before. And she didn't want it now that she had obtained it.
Sasuke...a criminal or not he was just Sasuke to her. The high school boy she followed around with heart eyes and fantasized about.
He's not a criminal...he didn't even act like one towards her...
No! Sakura what are you thinking?!
Shaking her head from her thoughts, the rosette holds her breath and opens the laptop slowly, as if opening a treasure chest.
A metallic grey lock screen lights up on the screen asking for a password and giving the time.
Still holding her breath, the rosette shakily brings the USB towards the slot and hesitantly drives it into the slot.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun." She whispers softly, feeling her heart weigh down in her chest.
Why was she still feeling sorry for him? She knew all the facts and yet still...still she had feelings for him.
Suddenly, the computer screen switches off and then back on revealing his desktop screen, where a load icon pops up and the download process begins.
Sakura sighs.
The screen flashes codes only an agent would understand, and the process is slower than Sakura expected.
The rosette takes a deep, calming breath to ease her nerves a little. She decided to put on some makeup so that Sasuke won't suspect how long it's taking her to get ready.
Walking up to her makeup drawer, the rosette looks at the bags under her eyes from last night's stress. Tossing the thought aside, she applies concealer, mascara, and finally some blush to cover how tired she looks.
"Sakura?" She hears Sasuke's voice from the other side of the door. The pinkette jolts and accidentally drops the tube of mascara.
She frantically rushes to the USB stick and pulls it out, her breath heaving from anxiety.
"Everything alright in there?" He asks worriedly, and Sakura feels the anxiety course through her body.
"I-I'm fine! Just give me another minute." She says, clutching the USB tightly as she quietly shuts the laptop and quickly makes her way over to the opened suitcase.
She hears Sasuke grunt an "okay" before his footsteps are heard walking away from the door.
Sakura lets out a long breath of relief.
That was too close for comfort.
Quickly she slips the laptop back into the suitcase and zips it shut.
Collapsing on top of the laptop, she breathes out a long and tired breath.
"This is too stressful."
.
.
.
By the time 4pm rolls around, Sakura had successfully cleaned every inch of her apartment and now standing in the living room staring at her her clear space, feeling beyond satisfied.
With some nice music playing in the background and the fresh scent of a clean apartment Sakura deemed herself worthy pats on the back.
Sasuke had announced about two hours ago that he had an important buisness meeting to attend to and would be home for dinner, so out of boredom the rosette cleaned.
She debated on whether or not going to deliver the USB to the two agents, but she decided against it once she opened a cabinet drawer in her kitchen and saw a colossal bug that looked like it could eat her alive.
She valued her own life and a sanitary living space more than the information on the USB.
Wiping her salty brow, the rosette rolls up the white sleeves of her button up and strips of the pink apron, and is about to toss it on the couch when she sees a critter crawling along the kitchen table she spent about 20 minutes cleaning.
"H-HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!" She yells across the room, wiping on her apron and tying a tight knot in a very swift fashion.
No way was she going to let this stupid bug live in her apartment like some V.I.P guest.
Just who did he think he is?!
Grabbing one of Sasuke's large black shoes she stalks over to the critter, and with fire in her eyes and a menacing giggle she towers over her victim.
"I got you now!" She yells, like some evil empress that's about to slaughter a village of hundreds.
Mere centimeters from destroying this bug's hopes and dreams, the door clicks open.
"Sakura, what are you doing with my shoe?" A masculine voice asks, pure confusion lacing his voice.
Sakura freezes, shivers running up and down her body.
Quickly she stands up straight and hides the shoe behind her back, nervous sweat trailing down her face.
"N-Nothing! I was just going to...erm...kill this...bug?" She says nervously, her eyes motioning to the large bug on the counter. (Which is happily rejoicing that it's not indeed dead.)
Sasuke's brows furrow, and without a word he walks over to Sakura.
Because of his stern gaze and lack of words the rosette feels panic.
"I-I'm so sorry Sasuke, your shoe was the only one...erm...-"
. . .
"HUH?!" She screams out, staring in bewilderment as the bug crawls onto the Uchiha's pale finger.
Sasuke stares at it and then looks over at the startled rosette.
"I'll let it outside, it's probably just as frightened as you are." He says calmly, walking over to the window in the living room and opening it up before letting the bug fly away.
Sakura stares in bewilderment.
He's so gentle.
On the outside he acts like a threat, intimidating others with his cold stare but on the inside...
Sakura tilts her head, a soft and warm smile on her lips as she stares at the back of the Uchiha who's dark strands of hair sway in the breeze from the opened window.
...He's warm.
. . .
"What's with that creepy smile?" He asks mockingly, flicking the rosette's forehead.
Sakura's cheeks flare.
"I-It's not creepy!" She pouts, flailing her arms at him and he shakes his head, a smirk on his lips.
"Whatever."
Sakura huffs in annoyance at his stupid remark and places a hand on her hip.
"You didn't really do a good job at cleaning you know? I had to basically re clean the whole house!"
Sasuke gulps.
"Something important happened at work, couldn't miss it, I'm sorry."
His expression is tense, and the look on his eyes is cold. Something bad definitely happened.
Could it be something having to do with his sudden departure?
"I-It's fine Sasuke."
Sasuke snorts, a small laugh escaping his lips.
"What's so funny?" The rosette asks, tilting her head to the side.
Sasuke leans against the kitchen counter across from her.
"Ever since you met that blonde, you've stopped adding 'kun' to the end of my name." He says simply, and Sakura's emerald eyes widen.
She didn't even realize it.
"I-I didn't even notice..."
"You've changed a lot you know Sakura." He says, reaching out his hand and taking a hold of hers.
The chill of his hand causes her whole body to tingle, the contact electrifying.
With an intense gaze from Sasuke, Sakura feels her whole heart churn and her cheeks beginning to heat up.
No Sakura! Don't fall into his trap!
"Oh Sasuke, I love this song!" She says a smile spreading across her face as she steps back, letting go of his hand.
Sasuke eyes her.
A sweet french melody resonates throughout the cozy apartment, a song that lifted the spirits of the rosette immediately and distracted her from Sasuke's words and from her own beating heart.
Without thinking she twirls around to the beat of the music, cascading around the apartment like a goddess.
Sasuke watches from his position behind the counter, slightly impressed by her hidden talent.
At the climax of the song, the rosette rushes up to Sasuke, who has by now taken a seat on one of the kitchen stools, and with a flushed face and sloppy hair she takes a hold of one of his hands.
"Come dance with me, don't sit around like some kind of a sourpuss." She mocks light heartedly, tugging on his hand.
"Men don't dance Sakura." He says, feeling his brow waggle in irritation at her remark.
"Sasuke pleeeeaaaasseeee its my favorite song!" She continues to beg, tugging harder on his hand and grabbing the other one in hopes of getting his lazy butt of off the stool.
Still no avail.
"Sakura this is childish, I have self respect." He says more sternly, having just a tad of a difficult time staying seated.
"Didn't you earlier say you'll do "anything for me'?" She asks innocently with large dough eyes.
Sasuke's upper lip twitches in irritation and he scowls.
"You're hearing things."
Sakura laughs at his struggle to remain cool and collected.
"Just one song!" She pleads, and tugs him even harder.
Sasuke, who now feels on the verge of a mental breakdown, finally caves in and stands up intertwining his fingers with rosette's and leading her into the area between the living room and kitchen, a decently sized space for dancing.
A slower song comes on, the melody softer and more gentle than the last song.
He twirls her around, her short pink hair moving elegantly in the soft breeze.
Sasuke watches her closely as he guides her through a very simple ballroom dance, and he can't help but notice how much happiness something so simple brings her.
Her sweet laugh, and that brilliant smile of hers.
"S-Sasuke." Sakura says quietly, his onyx eyes staring at her making her feel small and fragile. A soft hue of cherry caresses her pale cheeks as she averts her eyes.
Sasuke moves his hand under her chin and tilts her head softly so that her eyes meet his.
Slowly, he brings his lips towards hers.
Both hearts beat wildly, as if in sync with the music and with each other.
His lips ghost over hers.
-RING! RING! RING!
Sakura jerks back immediately, her face completely flushed in crimson and her breathing heavy.
Sasuke clears his throat, raising a hand to cover his mouth as he looks away from the rosette.
"I-I think that's my c-cellphone." She says shakily, rushing past the Uchiha and into the bedroom, where she shuts the door and collapses against it.
Did Sasuke and her almost just...
"Kiss?!" She whisper to herself in shock, throwing her head in her hands and shaking her head rapidly.
.
.
.
Slamming his phone down on the counter, the redhead grunts loudly and taps his finger rapidly along the counter.
"That blasted woman, she isn't answering any of my calls!" He yells out angrily, shooting a fiery gaze at the blonde who is lounging on the couch with a bag of potato chips resting on his lap.
"Calm down, she's probably on her way here now. Have more faith in her Gaara." Naruto says calmly, although little does Gaara know that he's actually sweating buckets just thinking about her.
Was she safe? Did Sasuke do something to her?
It was now close to sunset, 6:20 pm to be exact.
He was managing with his worries by devouring potato chips. It helped calm his nerves.
The ding of the doorbell grabs the attention of the two, and immediately Naruto springs up on his feet, racing to the door and without hesitation opening it up.
He's met with the sight of a pink beauty who is wearing a dark wash of jeans and a sky blue sweater.
"Sakura-chan, how'd it go? You aren't hurt are you?" The blonde asks hastily, scrutinizing the blonde.
Sakura waves her hands in the air, a nervous smile on her lips.
"Don't worry, I'm fine Naruto. Really." She reassures him and the blonde takes a longer look at her before nodding and stepping to the side to let her in.
She steps in, takes off her blue flats, and walks over to a stool at the kitchen counter where she reaches into her purse and pulls out the orange USB.
"Here, I have what you asked for." She says, tossing it on the counter.
Gaara glares at her from across the counter.
"Why didn't you answer any of my calls?" He asks sternly, grabbing the USB.
Sakura freezes.
The real reason was because she wasn't able to get over the fact that her and Sasuke almost kissed and she was too frantic to even sputter out a sentence that made sense.
Even when she was leaving the apartment the best she could do was squeak out a pathetic goodbye. Sasuke on the other hand could barely look at her and just waved telling her to be careful.
She felt so stupid!
"Phone's on silent, sorry." She mutters under her breath.
Both agents raise a brow, but drop the subject.
After a moment of silence Sakura sighs.
"Well, are we going to see what he's hiding or not?"
Gaara nods and retreats to his office to retrieve the data.
Naruto on the other hand takes a seat on a stool next to the rosette.
"Did something happen?" He asks quietly and Sakura's eyes widen.
"What are you talking about?" She asks, turning her attention to him and sees that he's drawing circles with his fingers across the table.
His eyes remain downcast.
"You seem shaken up and a little angry at the same time. You don't have to talk about it, but I'll listen if there's something bothering you." He says with genuine care, a soft blush on his cheeks which is barely visible.
Quickly he looks up and sheepishly adds,
"Gaara shouldn't be done for at least a half hour."
Something warm spreads across Sakura's chest and a smile settles on her features.
"Thank you Naruto." She says warmly.
Naruto's face turns even redder and he stares at his lap.
Sakura turns her attention away from him, leaning her elbows on the countertops and stares at a photograph of Naruto and Gaara on top of the Empire State Building.
Gaara looks cold as usual, and Narutos wearing a big goofy grin while attempting to throw his arm over Gaara's shoulder.
Sakura giggles, before her eyes turn sad.
"Neh, Naruto."
Naruto perks his head up.
"Will Sasuke be okay after tonight?" Sakura asks, feeling slightly guilty for doing so.
The blonde sighs.
"He'll get what he deserves that's for sure." He says, and Sakura can't help but note the slight tinge of vengeance in his voice.
"And what's that?" She asks hesitantly.
Naruto opens his mouth to respond but a voice in the other room echoes throughout the apartment.
"A BULLET TO HIS HEAD! GOOD RIDDANCE!" Gaara yells loudly which is followed by a dramatic banging of his fists against his desk.
Sakura pales.
"N-No! You can't do that!" She yells, shooting up from her position on the stool, an exasperated expression on her face.
Naruto chuckles under his breath.
Sakura stares at him with a shocked expression.
"Calm down Sakura, he's just joking around." Naruto reassures her, biting back another laugh.
Sakura's shoulders slump and she lets out a long breath of relief.
"Just don't hurt him too much." She says quietly.
Naruto's eyes turn stern at her remark and he rubs his temple.
"Sakura, he deserves a punishment that's worth his crimes. His family killed my parents, he killed his own brother, and now he's selling illegal drugs across the country. He's a murderer, a criminal and criminals don't get a happy ending." He says firmly, a sliver of fire in his eyes.
Sakura swallows hard.
She couldn't say anything to him because she knew that deep down he was right.
Sasuke needed to be punished, no matter how kind he acted towards her...he killed people for his job.
That's not something that can be let off the hook so easily.
"Do you get it Sakura-chan?" Naruto asks, more gently this time.
Sakura nods slowly.
"Yeah, I do." She says quietly, sadness lacing her voice.
Naruto takes his hand into hers, and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"I promise, everything will be okay Sakura. I'll protect you, no matter what it takes." He says firmly, his ocean eyes sparkling with determination.
Sakura's breath hitches in her throat as she stares at his sincere eyes. The warmth of his large hand on hers causes her insides to tingle with excitement and warmth.
It was a different type of jolt from when Sasuke touched her. Something on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Naruto was so honest. He was warm and made her feel completely safe. Something she rarely felt with anyone.
It excited her.
"Thank you, Naruto." She replies, a faint blush on her cheeks as she smiles genuinely at him.
Naruto nods, a blush of his own spreading across his cheeks.
"Ahem." Gaara clears his throat, causing the two to jump away from each other like frightened cats.
Naruto and Sakura's cheeks both burn brightly.
"G-Gaara that was faster than expected." Naruto says, casually leaning his hand against the kitchen counter.
Gaara nods.
He strolls over the to kitchen and sets his laptop down to reveal his findings.
His screen is filled with all of Sasuke's emails, and some codes that Sakura could never in a million years decipher.
"What's this all mean?" She asks curiously.
"Meeting times and locations. He's currently going to attend a meeting in an office building about fifteen minutes away from here." Gaara informs the two, exiting out of one page only to click on another email.
"Meeting time is in twenty minutes. Then he's to be departed somewhere afterwards. The location is unknown as of right now."
Naruto purses his lips.
"We should probably get going then right?" The blonde asks, turning his attention away from the computer screen and standing up.
Gaara nods, standing as well.
"Good idea, go get changed from those grimy soccer clothes. We leave in five." He says, leaving the computer open and walking over to the fridge to grab a cold bottle of water.
The boys retreat to their rooms, leaving Sakura all alone in the kitchen.
She sighs, rubbing her temples.
Wait...
"What the hell am I supposed to do?!"
A/N: I'm not dead!
I promise that I'll be updating more frequently now. Hopefully this chapter wasn't too bad, and sorry if there are grammer mistakes or such, I was using my phone to write this and it was the hardest thing of my life because my stupid fingers kept clicking the wrong key and omg it kept asking to insert a freaking and I hate my life. (LOL)
PLEASE OMG PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW I MISS TALKING TO YOU GUYS.
Let me know what you think of the story! ALSO, I honestly kind of like Sasuke in this story...so like idk you guys... *gets killed*
ANYWAYS I LOVE YOU ALL THANK YOU FOR THE MASSIVE SUPPORT.
Until next chapter, toodles~