II
6, The Fight
( .:a clash that was to be expected:. )
Guess who?
09/03/2009
11:45:12
The girl stared at the little screen on her cellphone. Guess who? Yeah, that's what she'd like to know. Unknown caller ID. Dunno, u tell me, she sent back.
"Your dad texting you again? Popular girl." the girl sitting across from her teased.
"Nope. Hey Tenten, what would you do if someone texted you randomly, unknown caller ID?"
Tenten slumped forward in her seat and leaned on her hands. "Em, send random things back? You got a stalker? Popular girl!"
"I know right?" The words were said with an air of arrogance, though jokingly so. "Oh, I got something back: Come on pig, take a guess." She fell silent for a few seconds, and then... "PIG? How dare she!" Quickly, she began writing a response back.
"Pig? No way, is that...?" Tenten sat up, eying her friend with interest.
You are CORRECT! Guess what? I gots myselves one brand new LG Cookie! Oh yes, let the questions come. I'm prepared!
09/03/2009
11:46:35
Wide blue eyes stared down at the screen. She tried speaking, but no intelligible word came out.
Tenten, too, was looking at the screen, but she recovered far more quickly than her friend. "Ino, you okay? It's just a phone."
Ino snapped her head to the side. "This isn't just a phone! It is an expensive phone! Where on earth did she get the money to afford that?"
On the other side of town Sakura sat at a table in the cafeteria of her school, very much aware of the commotion she had likely caused. She giggled at herself, feeling giddy all over. The past two days had been great, with today going off the chart on the scale of awesomeness.
After she spent the night at Deidara's place and went to school the next day, she was picked up by Hidan—she really, really did not like that dog Hidan always brought with him—who dropped her off at the blond's place. Deidara returned some time later along with Hidan and bags upon bags full of stuff from her parental home. After they had hauled everything up to the luxurious apartment, the three of them sorted through all the clothes and items and threw away what wasn't needed or deemed worthless. The throwing away was mainly done by the guys, for if it were up to Sakura she would have kept everything. It didn't take long for the guys to exile her to the couch so she could watch how over half her wardrobe ("Ugly as hell!" according to Hidan), her cellphone, computer and many other personal items were discarded. Her protests were ignored and she was assured by Deidara she would get everything replaced by something better, and all the things she didn't get replaced, she simply didn't need.
While the guys carried the soon-to-be-thrash down to the dumpster, Sakura managed to save one picture book which she carefully hid away.
When they came back, everything that she was keeping was stored away and they had been off to the mall, where Hidan had left them alone and Deidara had bought her everything she wanted. And that wasn't exaggerated in the least. Sakura usually bought clothes from cheap stores, stuff that was on sale, she was lucky if she was able to get a popular or expensive brand. Deidara, however, took her to all the stores she had never been to other than stand in front of the windows to bask in the light of those pretty things she always wanted. He had also gotten her a laptop that worked ten times faster than her old computer and after all this, he bought her one of the newest and prettiest looking cellphones on the market, the same one he had himself: the LG Cookie.
Once they were back at the apartment and all the new clothes were stored away as well, Sakura had fallen backwards on the big canopy bed and looked up at the ceiling. Having some very precious items taken away from her, most of them memoires of her friends... it hurt to know that she hadn't been able to do anything about it. But despite that... it felt good to know she was taken care of this well. Deidara had kept true to his word, paying for everything. It was almost like an unspoken message was send out to her:
You don't need your friends, you have me.
Sakura was so immersed in her messages she didn't notice a blond girl walking past her, stopping momentarily to peer over the pink haired girl's shoulder suspiciously. Walking onwards, she moved towards a table stacked with people and sat down. "You won't believe this." Everybody listened attentively, stopping their own conversations. "What I heard during second period is true, that pink scoundrel has an LG smartphone!"
Sounds of astonishment were heard. "Isn't she homeless?"
"Last time I checked she couldn't even pay for prepaid for that ancient cellphone of hers." Puck shrugged. "It's not like I don't know how she got money all of a sudden."
"Really?" Ami crossed her arms.
"Come on," the tanned guy said, "Don't act innocent, you all know what I'm thinking."
Everyone sitting at the table chuckled, except for one person who stared at the lonely girl sitting all by herself at a table, but somehow still appearing happy. She wore new clothes, he noted. Designer brands, at that. Along with the new phone... They were all gifts of a certain annoying partner of his, he knew. His brown eyes watched her carefully. 'So she's now a paid whore, huh.'
Well, she ought to be grateful for what he had done for her, texting Deidara so he would take her with him. Of course, she didn't know she was headed for a fall. Looking at her, in her new designer clothes, with her new phone, under the care of Deidara... she hadn't the slightest idea of who she was dealing with. He wondered how long the blond was willing to keep her around. After all, she was a pain to deal with. The sight of her alone was frustrating. Every time he focused on her hair, he had the urge to burn it, cut it off, or in the mellowest case, dye it. Putting a hat on her might work too...
"Sasori!"
He blinked and looked at the source of his interruption. "What?"
"Why are you looking at her like that? Is she that interesting to you?"
Sasori inwardly rolled his eyes at her obvious jealousy. "It's nothing that should worry you."
Ami scoffed. "Yes, it worries me! You're looking at her while I am right here, talking. I should be more interesting to you than that skunk! What do you have to say for yourself?"
"You're overreacting." He despised dramatic teenagers. In fact, he despised overly emotional people in general. Ignoring her frustrated complaints and going against her wishes, he stood, grabbed his bag and sauntered over to the other side of the cafeteria where Sakura was sitting. She didn't even look up as he pulled out the chair next to her and sat down on her left, still engrossed in her phone. He remained silent for a couple of minutes, watching her texting away. Eventually he became fed up over being ignored and he spoke up.
"So, an LG KP500. Brand new, I see."
She still didn't look up. "It's an LG Cookie."
"That's the same thing," he informed her. "Where did you get it?"
"The mall," she answered vaguely. "And how come you know about cellphones so much?"
Deidara had the exact same thing and had bragged about it long and hard, comparing it to Sasori's 'ancient' one and explaining how his was so much better, so that's why he knew. But he wouldn't elaborate to her. "Who bought it for you?"
"What makes you think I didn't buy it myself?"
She still didn't look at him and it started to piss him off. "Because you're an outcast living in solitude and poverty, a stray I've taken in two times in the past week, who couldn't even afford food for herself."
Her eyes drifted away from the touchscreen in her hands, finally looking at him.
"Don't you lie to me, saying you bought it yourself," he continued with a calm, but cold voice, "When I know it was Deidara who got it for you."
She was silent now, her big green eyes looking at him. "...How did you know?"
"Why do you think he showed up when he did? A little bit too convenient, wasn't it." She was silent again, staring at him dumbfounded. Oh for the love of god... she hadn't even given it a thought. Sasori was seriously starting to question her intelligence. Was she so naive she believed in miracles? People randomly showing up whenever she was in need, saving her like she was a princess in her own fairytale.
"Did you—"
"Yes." Her eyes became larger, if that were even possible. Sasori couldn't help the sigh that escaped him. "You are pathetic."
He had expected her to get angry at that point. After all, she usually did. This time though, she surprised him.
People rarely did.
She put the phone down on the table, got off her chair and enveloped him in an embrace. It were Sasori's eyes that widened now, if only slightly. He quickly adjusted though, and when he saw Ami watch their every move with a poisonous stare he wasted no time in putting his arms around Sakura too. Sakura felt strengthened by this, tightening her hold on him, and he in turn did the same, nuzzling her neck and reveling in the anger that oozed off Ami's slight frame on the other side of the cafeteria. He had already had enough of her anyway, he thought it was about time he did away with her and changed the structure of this school's hierarchy.
When Sakura felt herself being pulled forward onto his lap, she went along with it and sat down on him, still embracing him. "Thank you, Sasori."
He didn't answer other than moving his hands so he could position her more comfortably.
"Thank you so much. If Deidara hadn't come, I don't know what I would've done..." She sighed softly, feeling very relaxed in his hold. Then she realized just exactly in what kind of position they were in, cuddling with each other... on a chair in the cafeteria during lunch break at school. "Okay, this must look very weird," she spoke, "I'm getting off."
"No you're not." He pulled her back.
"You're not letting me go?" She tried to stare at him questioningly, as far as that was physically possible when her face was in his neck. Turned out, it wasn't. His answer was affirmative, so she decided against putting up a fight and settled with relaxing in his hold again, despite the looks the two of them were getting from their fellow students.
"You know," she began eventually, "After all the mean things you've done, I didn't think you could actually be... nice to me. I started to think you were an apathetic asshole. Glad to know I was wrong."
Sasori smirked, though she couldn't see. "Of course you were wrong." He felt her tense for a second and knew she was tempted to react to this, but she remained quiet. He could see Ami was discussing with her followers. She got up then, turning around and catching his gaze. She held it for a moment, then started moving through the cafeteria, towards him.
Time for the finishing touch.
"To think you thought I didn't care for you. I do care for you... I just have a hard time showing it. I'm sorry I made you feel bad." He stared into her vivid green eyes when she looked up at him.
"You... care for me?"
Something inside her told her this couldn't be true. He didn't care for her, he didn't care for anyone but himself... right? But maybe... maybe he was a lot like... him. It was the whole reason she even tried to be nice to him in the beginning anyway. Now she thought about it, they really were similar. Both acting like apathetic assholes, with Sasori more leaning towards the 'asshole' part and him more towards the 'apathetic'.
Sakura held his eyes, searching for something that could tell her he was being real... that she should give him a second chance.
Sasori brought one of his hands up, caressing her face. "I care for you." These words, along with his smoldering brown eyes, made the last of her apprehension disappear. Then he leaned forward, their noses touching, gently persuading her to close the gap. She got the hint and a blush crept up her face as she quickly solved the inward debate on whether to comply or not.
Sasori felt very smug about himself when she accepted his unspoken invitation and met his lips with her own. He didn't let her down and kissed her slowly, but passionately. Just in time, he thought to himself. His eyes were mere slits as he witnessed Ami and her entourage standing beside them, completely speechless. By the time they finished their kiss, they were gone and moments later, the bell rung.
Awkwardly, Sakura got off the redhead, grabbed her phone and bag and took off towards class while mumbling a goodbye. Sasori watched her leave, a small, faraway smile on his face.
They didn't meet again until the last class of the day, which they shared. Aside from the casual "hello" and "hey" nothing much was said at first. The class carried on though, the teacher explained something new that required everyone's attention. After this, the students were allowed to work for themselves on their assignments, finally presenting an opportunity to talk.
"So... you... like me?" Sakura hated how unsure she sounded.
"That is what I implied, didn't I?" Sasori's reply was nonchalant.
"Um, yeah," she said. "So you do?"
He appeared thoughtful. "Yes, I do."
Sakura bit her lip as she stared at the book on her table. "Then... what does this mean? What are we now? Are we... you know?"
What were they now? This was their second kiss—the sleep-kiss didn't count as far as she was concerned—and she didn't even know why he kissed her the first time. Sure, she had provoked him, but they hadn't spoken of it afterward, instead they had just pretended like it hadn't happened at all. And now this happened, totally unexpected.
"Do you want us to be something?" Sasori inquired while peering at her out of the corner of his half lidded eyes.
"I dunno. Do you?"
"I asked you first."
"And then I asked you." She glared at him. "So answer me."
"You answer me." He glared at her too. When neither of them gave in, they tore their gazes away from one another and busied themselves with their assignments. Well, Sakura did, feeling a little better with the knowledge that the redhead was acting like himself again. Sasori just skimmed the pages over and proceeded with staring out the window.
"What about those morons you hung around with," Sakura began again eventually.
"What about them?" He sounded like he couldn't care less.
Her gaze ventured over to him, seeing him seemingly engrossed in something that was happening outside. "I vaguely remember that bitch Ami telling me to back off, claiming that you were hers." He didn't react, so she continued. "She probably hates you now."
"I don't really care."
"You should if you want to stay 'popular'. She'll be aiming to ruin you."
This evoked a slight laugh out of Sasori, and he abandoned the sights outside to look at her. His expression was one that made her instantly feel on edge, despite the modest smile. The words he spoke made her feel even worse.
"Do you honestly think she is capable of ruining me? The thought of her even trying to make me miserable is ridiculous, she couldn't do it even if she wanted to. I on the other hand am very capable of having her nailed to the pillory. If she tries to cross me, it'll be her own downfall." Not that he hadn't already planned it for her...
Looking around herself briefly, Sakura saw that no one was paying attention to their conversation, they were all talking amongst themselves. Turning back to Sasori, she noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"But why would you care?" he went on, his voice taking on a sweet tone. "She is nothing but a bitch, as you mentioned just now yourself. After the way she has been acting to you, wouldn't it fulfill you with joy to know that she's hurting?"
It took her a moment to respond to this. "Wouldn't that be cruel? Sure, I imagine her having accidents all the time, but for her to actually get hurt... No, I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
His eyes narrowed, smile still in place. "What's the difference between imagining it and actually making it happen? The fact that you're thinking of it makes you just as cruel. You're just not brave enough to step up and make it become reality."
"Not acting on the urge to make someone else hurt is the difference," she hissed back. "I'm not cruel, I don't want people to get hurt. Hell, I want to be a doctor, I want to cure people, make them better. Isn't that the exact opposite of being cruel? You don't know what you're talking about."
"Someone's on the defense," Sasori murmured, amused with her reaction. "Well, whatever makes it right for you."
She glared at him, offended by his accusation. "You are so—"
The bell rung, signaling the end of class. Before Sakura had the chance to stuff all her books into her bag, Sasori had once again snatched one from her table and put it in his. She shouted after him as he disappeared between the other students who filed the hallways. The garderobe was crowded, making it nearly impossible for the girl to get to her coat, so she waited until most of the people had left. It soon turned out to be a mistake.
More people came in, blocking the entrance to the garderobe Sakura had just entered, but she didn't notice, with her facing the other direction. She did notice the hands that suddenly grabbed her arms from behind, restricting her movement.
"Hello Sakura."
Alarmed, the girl froze. She recognized that voice immediately; the usually high sweet voice now low and dangerous... Ami. Sakura's eyes darted around her and saw members of the cheerleading squad among the people around her, along with jocks. They were watching her, some even smiled cruelly. How had she not noticed them before? The hands on her arms forced her to turn around and the next moment she stared into Ami's blue eyes.
"You're not greeting me back? How inconsiderate, after I've gone to the trouble to remember your name." Sakura stayed silent and Ami's eyes narrowed. "Still not answering? I think you should learn a lesson or two about respecting the higher ups in this school, you insignificant gutter-child."
The pink haired girl felt her heart speed up, emotions boiling underneath her skin. Finally she opened her mouth to speak. "Don't call me that."
The blond girl laughed out loud. "Oh you're right, you're not a gamin anymore. You've been upgraded to trollop!" She laughed some more, letting Sakura's arms go.
"I suppose it's better than sleeping outside," Karui chimed in, laughing too. "Must be good to have a rich pimp who buys you expensive stuff."
"Geez, I'm curious now." Puck came up to Sakura and circled her, as if he were judging a piece of meat, ending up next to Ami who elbowed him in his side. "Don't even think of it," she hissed. "She's ugly and filthy. I'll kick you if you do her."
"Not as filthy as you." Sakura couldn't help herself. She had enough of those ignorant lowlifes picking on her. From day one, when she transferred last year, she had to deal with their shit again and again and again. Ami, the queen bee of Yuudai High, the leader of the cheerleading squad, self proclaimed most popular girl, thought it necessary to make her life miserable when she was already venturing in a deep valley at that moment, being torn away from all her friends, moving to another part of town, her parents arguing with each other all the time. She didn't need those stupid witches with their infuriating harassment to make it even worse. She had put up with it for far too long. Sure, she usually had her replies ready to fire back at them, but somehow she thought if she was laying low they would eventually just stop and leave her alone. What was wrong with them anyway? Had it become one of their life goals to make her suffer or something? Had she done something wrong from the very beginning? What was it?
And now, with all of them standing around her, making comments, laughing at her, ridiculing her, Sakura felt her anger reach a boiling point.
Enough.
Taking two strides, Sakura came up in Ami's face, effectively stopping her from laughing. The others stopped their antics too, watching the scene play out with interest. The two girls stared at each other.
It had been too much for too long. Looking back, it was a miracle in itself she had been able to hold back all that time. But now, her boiling point had finally been reached.
Something snapped inside her.
Ami never saw it coming. It was only after impact had been made and she fell to the ground that she realized she had just been punched in the face by the very girl she had belittled for as long as they had known each other. The entire crowd was quiet, staring at the pink haired girl and the blond girl lying on the ground in shock. Ami slowly pushed herself up and stood. Karui gasped when she saw her friend's face, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth. Watching her friend's reaction, Ami frowned in confusion, but soon after felt something warm trickle down her nose, run along her lips. Sticking her tongue out a bit, she tasted the metallic droplets. She also found she couldn't breath through her nose anymore.
Her eyes went wide and she turned her head to look at the girl who had hurt her. "You bitch..." Her hand came up, fingers trailing under her nose. When she looked at them, she saw the red blood covering her middle and index finger. Her eyes met the other girl once more, this time glaring with hatred. "You made me bleed!"
She lurched forward, tackling Sakura to the ground. Reaching for what was nearest, Ami's hands gripped Sakura's pink hair and yanked on it. The cry of pain that her action instigated only gave her more motivation to go on, but what she hadn't counted on was a knee in her gut.
Sakura's anger was getting at a never before reached high. She only felt pure satisfaction as Ami's face contorted in pain, gasping or breath. Moving quickly, she pushed Ami away and got up on her feet. She watched Ami for a couple of moments before her tunnel vision started to fade away and she realized she was surrounded by Ami's friends, jocks and cheerleaders.
The hesitation didn't last long, especially when someone grabbed her from behind. At first there was panic, shortly followed by familiar anger.
"Feisty lil' bitch," a male voice spoke behind her, belonging to one of the jocks.
Sakura whipped her head around to see who it was, but no matter how she twisted and turned she wasn't able to look at the person behind her. She clenched her jaws, heard laughter all around her and promptly stomped down on one of her assaulter's feet. He immediately let her go, cursing agitatedly, the other jocks laughed at him for being bested by a girl.
As soon as Ami noticed Sakura was free again, she charged again. Wildly throwing herself at the pink haired girl, Ami succeeded landing a hit to her opponent's face and grabbing a fist full of that pink hair.
Sakura didn't know what was coming over her, but she welcomed the unknown feeling as her own and didn't think twice before acting on it. She thrusted her left elbow back, making it connect with Ami's chest. With her hair released, she whirled around and grabbed hold of Ami's shoulders, forcing the girl down and raising her own knee quickly, kneeing her in the gut once more. With her breath having left her, Ami stumbled backwards. Sakura went after her while pulling her arm back, then punched the blond girl's face, knocking her to the ground. She wasted not a second and jumped on top of the body lying on the ground, forming fists with her hands, raising them and punching the girl underneath her, again and again and again, releasing all her pent up hatred.
She couldn't go on for long because multiple persons yanked her away from Ami. Although Sakura fought it, wanting to go on, to continue hurting that awful girl she hated so much, the forces holding her back were too much for her to take on. As soon as she was hauled off the body, the members of the cheerleading squad crouched over their leader, lying limp on the floor.
Sakura screamed and growled, vehemently trying to wrestle out of her harassers' grips, but in vain. "Let me go!"
"Holy shit, you fight like a fucking dude!" The jocks seemed impressed, laughing amusedly as Sakura continued to fight their hold on her.
"Shut up, fuckface!" She brought one of her legs up, almost kicking the guy standing before her to his head. More laughing ensued, angering her even more.
Suddenly there was an end to the chaos around her. It happened so quickly and smoothly that Sakura had trouble progressing it. One by one, the jocks around her fell to the ground. Some of the cheerleaders who had been paying attention gasped wide eyed, absolutely shocked. When the last jock was knocked down, there was just one person left standing.
Sasori.
He looked calm as ever, not a drop of sweat to be found. The way he had effortlessly knocked all those jocks down without taking a single hit, not even a scratch, made it seem as if he did these sorts of things every single day for breakfast.
Sasori didn't wait around long, for he intensely disliked waiting in the first place, and also because the jocks weren't exactly knocked out, some of them were already starting to get up slowly. He walked over to Sakura, who was standing a little dazed and eyed him with confusion. Without a word he took hold of one of her wrists and pulled her along with him. Near the exit of the garderobe he pulled Sakura's bright red coat off the rack and pushed it in her arms, then pulled her along by her wrist again. He took her all the way outside the building, not speaking a word to her still. The first time he spoke to her after he had snatched her away from the fray was when they walked down the stairs of the station to the platform where the train would take off to Sasori's neighborhood.
"Want to hear an interesting quote?" They arrived at the platform and he pulled her to a bench, where they sat down. "Listen to this: I imagine her having accidents all the time, but for her to actually get hurt, no, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I'm not cruel, I want to be a doctor, I want to cure people. I'm the exact opposite of cruel." He relished in her wide eyed expression. "Sounds familiar?"
Sakura was speechless. Not only because he remembered her words so well, but also because he dared bring it up at all. She stammered, trying to find the right words. "That's... that's not fair, I... I... Get that smile off your face!"
"No, I won't. You know why? Because I am right and I want to hear you say it."
"You what?" She shook her head, then glared at him. "You're not right about anything. Forget it."
His hand latched onto her wrist in an instant, making her visibly startle in surprise. "I won't forget about it, your little fight just now is just too ironic to ignore." He gave her wrist a tug, forcing her closer to him. "Admit it: you enjoyed making her hurt, having her suffer. You loved it. Admit I was right. Say it."
She avoided his intense gaze, looking anywhere but his eyes, mostly opting to search for the train that would be arriving from the dark tunnel anytime now. However, Sasori wouldn't accept her avoidance and gave another tug on her wrist, almost causing her to crash with her face into his. "Stop it! I won't admit it."
"You will admit it. Say it." His breath fanned over her face.
She couldn't avoid his eyes anymore. "No. I won't."
His hazel brown eyes bore into hers. "Say it now."
She couldn't look away. "Make me."
"I will," he responded with a low voice, lips touching hers.
Suddenly she felt a sharp pain on the wrist he held. She looked down and saw the cause of her discomfort: he was pinching her. She quickly tore her wrist away and slapped his cheek. She actually felt surprise as her hand made contact, she half expected him to stop her.
Sakura watched as he turned his head around, back to facing her. He held the cheek she had hit gingerly with his left hand. "Did that feel good?"
The girl frowned. "You deserved it."
"Ah, yes. I deserved it because I made you feel pain, isn't that it?" He smiled once more, seeing recognition appear on her face. So he continued on: "You like causing hurt to those that caused you pain. You just admitted it yourself, you feel it's justified. Do you agree with this?"
Sakura sighed. "There's no arguing with you."
Sasori chuckled. "And why do you think that is?"
She rolled her eyes. "You always have to be right and things always have to go your way. Again, there's no arguing with you."
"Why argue something when I'm right anyway?" Sasori shook his head slightly. "Well, no matter. You know what I still want to hear from you."
Sakura just gave up. "Fine. I enjoy making people hurt. Because you know, I'm just cruel like that. That's what I do, beat the shit out of people."
"Who you feel deserve it," Sasori added. "You're being your own judge."
She stared at him, silent. She didn't understand where he was going with this, nor did she want to know.
"But that's okay, rest assured. The system in which we live allows for such things one way or another, believe it or not."
A rush of air was heard, the fast approaching noise, and the train entered the station.
Sakura stood up, feeling she had spent enough time with him for the day. There were many things for her to sort out in her head, she could use the time for herself. "I don't need to get this train. I'm going to take a taxi, so I'll see you tomorrow."
The redhead stood too, stepping closer to her. He grabbed her arm before she could leave and pulled her to him. His brown eyes locked with her green ones. "What happened today, don't make too big of a deal out of it."
She blinked. "What specific incident are you getting at?"
He leaned forward, lips brushing against her ear as he spoke. "You know exactly what I mean." He then moved to the train, dragging her with him. He turned around in the door opening, pulling her against him. Sakura was trapped in his hold and the moment she looked up to question him on what the hell he thought he was doing, Sasori captured her lips in a searing kiss. Contrarily to the one they had shared earlier today, this one wasn't slow and steady. Instead Sasori ravaged her mouth, tongue swirling around, massaging hers, exploring her thoroughly.
Three annoying beeps were heard, signaling the train doors closing.
Sasori cut the kiss short and gave a last whisper in her ear. "Don't tell Deidara, it's our little secret."
The doors closed, separating them. They stared at each other through the small glass windows for a second before Sasori walked away to find a seat. The noise of the train engines roaring to life filled the underground platform and within moments, the train had left the station. Sakura stood unmoving on the edge of the platform. It took a while for her to get a hold of herself, walk up the stairs and exit the station. It was only when she had managed to get a cab and plopped down on the back seats of the vehicle, that she finally let her thoughts rampage through her mind.
After everything that had happened that day, all that was left were questions. Lots and lots of them, ranging from 'what does he feel for me?' to 'oh god no, why did I beat the crap out of that bitch?' While sitting in that taxi, Sakura felt like putting her hands in her hair and pull it all out in her frustration, but she figured the cab driver didn't need to see that. In fact, nobody needed to see that, and her hair certainly didn't deserve it.
Heaving a big sigh Sakura slouched down, feeling like a heavy bag filled with potatoes. The rest of the cab ride was spent in silence as she mulled over her turbulent thoughts. At last the cab driver pulled her out of her own inner world by telling her they had arrived. The girl thanked him, handed him the money and got out of the taxi, now standing before Deidara's apartment. As her taxi drove off and she was left standing alone on the sidewalk, a lone little thought entered her mind, one that related to her homework.
"He still has my book! That bastard!"
"Wake up in the morning with a head like 'what ya done?'
This used to be the life but I don't need another one
Good luck cuttin' nothin', carryin' on, you wear them gowns
So how come I feel so lonely when you're up gettin' down?"
The music filled the air, breaking the silence. The sound wasn't superb, but the fact alone that such a tiny device could play a song so loudly in the first place was amazing enough. The fact that it was able to play a song at all was astounding, seeing that Sakura's previous phone wasn't capable of it. This new device really was a... smart phone. The girl rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. Reaching over, Sakura picked up her phone and looked at the screen to read the caller ID.
Oh no, no freaking way she was answering this call. She really wasn't in the mood to deal with them. She'd prefer listening to Jake Shears' voice any time of the day. Besides, this song rocked.
"But I don't feel like dancin' when the old Joanna plays
My heart could take a chance but my two feet can't find a way
You think that I could muster up a little soft shoe gentle sway
But I don't feel like dancin', no sir, no dancin' today
Don't feel like dancin', dancin', even if I find nothin' better to do
Don't feel like dancin', dancin', why'd you break it down when I'm not in the mood?
Don't feel like danc—"
Well, that sucked. That didn't even last two minutes. So much for patience. Not that she'd be answering anyway.
"That's an old song, hmm." Deidara walked into the room dressed in nothing but a towel around his waist. Water was still dripping from his hair, he had just finished taking a shower. He walked over to the couch she was lying on and sat down next to her. There was enough room on his big-ass couch anyway, so Sakura didn't need to worry over being squashed by a half naked man. "Why didn't you answer?"
"I'm not in the mood. And I like that song." She looked over her shoulder. "I don't feel like dancin' is awesome and you know it."
One of his eyebrows went up and he smiled. "I'm not too sure about that. We're talking about a guy in a tight purple spandex suit here, with a voice that sounds like he's been kicked in his nuts, hmm."
"What's wrong with his voice?" Sakura laughed and gave Deidara a soft push. "He's a great singer."
He pushed her right back. "I know of better singers."
"Hah, like who?" She was actually curious about it, she didn't know what kind of music Deidara liked. "Name at least three male singers who you think are better."
"It's all a matter of preference, hmm."
"I call bluff—aaah!" Sakura shot up when Deidara started tickling her. "That's not—no, stop it! Stop—aah!" She tried to resist him but failed. Then she tried to get away, but he wouldn't let her do that either. In their tickling slash wrestle match they ended up falling off the couch and continued their battle on the floor. Finally after lots of laughing they stopped when Sakura surrendered by giving up. Laying pinned underneath a bare chested Deidara, the pink haired girl tried to regain her breath. "You can't think of a better singer, I knew it."
"Don't test your luck, girl," the blond spoke from above her. He leaned down to rest his forehead on hers. "I win."
"For now," she conceded, and smiled.
"You kidding?" Deidara chuckled as he rubbed his nose against hers, "I always win."
Sakura blinked, feeling like she had heard this before recently. Ah, yes, Sasori. "You can't always win," she said.
"Oh yeah?" He inched closer to her. "Watch me, hmm." He closed the remaining space between them and started nibbling on her lips.
Sakura felt herself heat up as she felt him trying to get entrance to her mouth. The debate in her mind, whether to allow him to or not, was short and ended with her giving in. She'd have to sort things out later. For now, she thought she deserved some positive attention.
"Wake up in the morning with a head like 'what ya done?'
This used to be the life but I don't need another one"
"Mmm..."
"You don't need to take this, hmm..."
"Good luck cuttin' nothin', carryin' on, you wear them gowns
So how come I get so lonely when you're up gettin' down?
So I play along when I hear that favorite song
I'm gonna be the one who gets it right
You better know when you're swingin' 'round the room
Looks like magic's solely yours toni—"
"See? Clearly it wasn't that important." Deidara's hand released one of her wrists in favor of going through her pink locks.
"But it's the second time they've called, maybe it's..." She was cut off by Deidara who had captured her in another kiss.
When he pulled back for a bit, his sky blue eyes looked into her green ones. "It's not important until they've called at least three times, hmm. Besides, I thought you weren't in the mood..." He kissed her some more, chaste ones this time.
"I'm not," she murmured. Her free arm went to his back, feeling the muscles there. "You know... If this is what security guys look like... mmm... I know where I'm getting my future boyfriends..."
Deidara claimed her mouth once more, pushing his tongue in and playing with hers. "What makes you think you'll have future boyfriends?" he said when he pulled back, and their eyes locked again. "Maybe I won't allow it."
"What are you saying?" She laughed softly. "You want to be my boyfriend?"
He didn't answer. Instead he leaned forward and captured her mouth in yet another kiss, slow and passionate. After only mere seconds Sakura had already forgotten he still needed to answer. And you know, maybe this kiss was an answer in itself. Or maybe she was getting her hopes up too high.
Both her arms were released now and she wound them around Deidara's torso. He had one hand tangled in her pink hair and held her close in an intimate embrace.
"Wake up in the morning with a head like 'what ya done?'
This used to be the life but I don't need another one"
"Mmm..." Sakura unwound her arms and tried to to push him off her with no success.
"No you don't," Deidara whispered, holding her tighter to him.
"But you said... mmm..." He pulled back, allowing her to catch her breath and speak. "Maybe it's important." Her vivid green irises stared up to him. "They're still my parents."
He stared right back at her, frowning. He was clearly not happy, but eventually he relented and reached up, grabbing the phone himself. But to Sakura's dismay he didn't give it to her. Deidara got off her and sat up.
"Give it to me!" the girl demanded.
Deidara payed her no heed and answered the phone. "Who is this, hmm?"
Sakura blanched. The person on the other side of the line was silent as well. "You moron," Sakura whispered angrily, "You know who that is. Give it to me."
He ignored her. "Listen up," he said to the person on the other side of the line, "Tell me who you are now or stop calling."
"I think a better question would be: who are you? I expected to hear my daughter and instead I get this bullshit."
Sakura heard the voice emanating softly from her phone. She recognized that voice instantly. "Mom."
"Who was that? Sakura?"
"You're not talking to her," Deidara spoke. "You're talking to me, hmm."
"Who the fuck do you think you are, telling me what to do. Sakura, talk to me."
"Deidara, give the phone to me please," Sakura pleaded. "She'll get mad."
"She's already mad," he replied.
"I heard that," the woman answered through the phone.
"I don't care." Deidara's voice had an edge to it that made Sakura quiet down.
"I called because our house has been broken into. Strangely enough nothing of value was taken. The only room that was completely raided was our daughter's room. I decided to call to let you know that I've reported this to the police and I'll have you sued for theft."
"Is that so?" Deidara questioned, not sounding intimidated at all. "Well, I wonder how you're going to go about that."
"As soon as Sakura tells me where she is—"
"Tells you?" he interrupted. "What makes you think she'll tell you?"
"Sakura sweetie, I know you can hear this. I don't know where you are but your father and I are getting the message that you're serious about this. We feel this has gone on long enough and we want you to come home. Don't you want that sweetie?"
Deidara rolled his eyes and watched Sakura out the corner of his eye. "Do you buy that shit, hmm?" The girl didn't answer.
"I heard that, you little crook."
"Again, I don't care." Deidara felt his patience wear thin already. "I can tell you now that Sakura isn't coming back to you. Give up and leave her alone. It's out of your hands, hmm."
He hung up.
Sakura watched him with wide eyes, not believing what she had just witnessed. Deidara gave her phone back to her and she took it wordlessly. As she looked down at the screen and read the 'call ended', she wondered whether she should call back and if she didn't, whether to pick up if her mother called again. "I can't believe you just did that," she said softly.
"I can't believe you wanted to speak with that, hmm."
Despite everything, she couldn't resist the small laugh. "You're right." Maybe it was because of the utter weirdness of the situation that she could see the humor in it. "So, I'm not coming back home?" She heard him get up and walk to her. He sat down behind her and wound his arms around her slight frame.
"This is your home now."
Later that night, Sakura lay on the king sized bed in Deidara's bedroom. Some books were splayed out before her, containing the information needed to deal with homework. With a tired sigh, Sakura rolled on her back and looked up at the ceiling. She was all done... with the exception of trigonometry. Damn that Sasori for stealing her book.
Deidara was out, had said he needed to go to a job. She hadn't questioned it and made dinner for herself, then started on her homework. It was 10:24 PM, if her new cellphone was to be trusted. She felt about ready to go to sleep, not caring to wait for Deidara when he came back. Who knew, maybe he'd be done with his work well after midnight and she wasn't willing to sacrifice her night rest for that.
Forcing herself, she sat up and got out of bed, then walked to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Putting her phone down on the counter top, she selected a song to listen to while she was readying herself for bed.
"Let's see... what song... ah, choices, choices..."
There it was, the perfect happy song to brighten her mood. As the music started, she put toothpaste on her toothbrush and started cleaning her teeth while half humming, half singing along with Owl City's Fireflies.
"I'd like to make myself believe... that planet earth turns slowly... Mmm mmm mumu munanana nana when I'm asleep, 'cause everything is never as it seems! And I'd get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance. A foxtrot above my—"
"Wake up in the morning with a head like 'what ya done?'"
Sakura nearly choked on her toothpaste. That song was becoming a horror melody, there to haunt her when she least expected it. "Whut? No! Not now! Guh..." She rinsed her mouth quickly and dried her lips with a towel. Watching her phone anxiously, she wondered whether she should answer it. Did she want to deal with her parents? No, she didn't. Did she need to? Honestly, yes, she did, especially after what Deidara had done that afternoon.
Taking a moment to calm herself, Sakura picked up her phone. "Sakura."
"Finally I get to speak with you. Your mother is furious, you know that?"
Sakura moaned. "Yes, I guessed as much."
"Where are you? I'll pick you up right now."
"You don't need to, dad." Sakura sat down on the ground, inwardly readying herself for a storm. "I'm fine with staying here."
It was silent for a moment. "Are you sure about that? Listen Sakura, what do you know about this kid you're staying with? And what about his parents, they're okay with this?"
"His parents aren't here, he lives on his own." As soon as the words had left her mouth, Sakura knew it had been a bad thing to say. It would have been much better to have left her parents in the illusion she was staying with another family instead of telling them the real situation.
"You are staying at a boy's house without parental supervision? Sakura, what is up with you! How old is he?"
She sighed. Too late to lie now anyway. "He's nineteen years old and he's financially independent. You don't have to worry about—"
"Do you even realize what kind of situation you're in? There's only one reason why a guy would take in a young girl like you. If you have any sense of self preservation, you leave that guy and come home."
"For what?" Sakura bit back. "Only for you and mom to fight with me again and kick me out?"
"Don't be like that Sakura. If only you behaved better, we wouldn't have to get mad at you!"
"I'm sick of it! I'm not the one at fault here!"
"Yes you are, you little bitch! Listen to me—"
"No! Shut up! You listen to me! I have had it with you! I'm not coming back! Not now, not ever! You can forget about it!"
The voice on the other end of the line shouted back with an equal amount of anger. "Fine, then don't come back! I'll have the locks on our doors replaced so don't even bother returning. Stay with your new boyfriend, I hope you're happy with that little criminal!"
"He's not a criminal!" The line went dead, a solemn beeping the only thing that was left to be heard. Sakura took a deep breath, exhaling shakily. "And he's not my boyfriend..." she continued with a soft voice.
Or was he?
The pink haired girl hauled herself off the ground and exited the bathroom. She went over to the bed and crawled on it, then pushed the books off carelessly. She nestled herself underneath the blankets and looked at the screen on her phone. Two incoming messages. She opened the first.
I'll be back in an hour. X Dei
09/03/2009
22:55:16
"I guess I was right," Sakura spoke softly in the dark confines of the room. "He's back around midnight." She opened the next message.
Hello pink haired brat. Want to catch a movie tomorrow? I won't take no for an answer. Yours truly.
09/03/2009
22:54:19
"A movie?" Sakura frowned, not knowing why he would want to do that. She didn't recognize the number, but she had no doubt who it was. Deidara must have given him her number. They had sent her a message around the same time, so they were probably just finished with their job.
Now, the question was whether or not she wanted to go out with him. He was essentially asking her on a date, as strange as that was. Then again, he had told her earlier that day that he cared about her and to top it off, they had kissed multiple times.
Sakura blushed at her next thoughts, even though she knew she shouldn't feel embarrassed because nobody was there with her. She was all alone in the security of a dark room, but still... She had made out with two guys in one day. Surely that couldn't be a good thing. Deidara would be pissed when he found out.
No, not when. If. If he found out, and she wasn't about to let it come that far. Sasori said that what had happened that day would be their little secret, so she trusted he kept it as well.
Making up her mind, Sakura began typing a reply.
What movie did you want to go to? And don't start a text calling me a pink haired brat, it doesn't really set a good mood. Love, Sakura.
09/03/2009
23:02:45
It probably wasn't a good thing to mess around with two guys at the same time, but there was only one way to find out who she liked better. And maybe it wasn't even a matter of 'who she liked better'. She simply relished in the attention she was getting from them. Sue her for trying to enjoy it to the fullest. And it wasn't like either of them were her actual boyfriend...
Main point of attention was to keep Deidara out of the know. Sasori obviously had his suspicions, even though they were false, but Deidara was still under the impression she loathed Sasori. It was important to keep him under that impression, seeing that she had the feeling he considered her 'his', like she was his property. There would no doubt be a fight if he found out, because she didn't think he was a person who liked to share. But then, she wasn't his property. She could do whatever she wanted, he had no say in it.
Unless he threatened to kick her out. But it wouldn't get that far. After all, what doesn't know, doesn't hurt.
First of all: sorry for the slow update. Second: thanks for the reviews! Without them, I probably would've taken longer. Each and every review I get is another motivator to get me writing! Third:
Happy birthday JohmanX! This is dedicated to you!
For those less knowledgeable in music, the songs mentioned in this chapter were the Scissor Sisters' I don't feel like dancin' and Owl City's Fireflies. In my profile, I'll link to the songs mentioned in Collateral just in case you can't find them.
I'd love to hear what you guys think, so I encourage you to review and share your thoughts!