Date: 5/28/13
Rating: T
Genre: AU, Action, Drama, Humor
Prompt: AU - Continuation of the bodyguard prompt (i.e. Chapter 8): a situation where Sakura protects Sasuke.

It was her fifth day on the job, and Sasuke still didn't know what to make of her. After the incident in his office, he prepared himself for more violent outbursts from his new bodyguard. But when Sakura arrived to work the next day, he was surprised to find her on time, ready to work, and completely professional. She only spoke when spoken to, and it was almost like she wasn't there. Like her job entailed, she was his silent shadow. And Sasuke didn't get it.

Sakura Haruno was a complete and utter mystery.

And now, whenever Sakura would leave to go home, Sasuke found himself eagerly awaiting the next morning when she'd once again appear on his doorstep.

It was so annoying.

"You were just lucky the last time, you know," Sasuke said, looking at Sakura from the corner of his eye as they walked to the bank, trying to spark conversation. Even if he knew it would probably make her angry, he was tired of the silence. He missed her fiery personality.

However, Sakura seemed unfazed. She wasn't even looking at him, instead fixating on the path ahead of them. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Uchiha-san."

He sighed and stopped walking. "The other day," Sasuke said, turning to face her, "when you attacked me; you just caught me off guard. That's all."

Her face remained expressionless. "Of course, Uchiha-san," Sakura said almost robotically, motioning for Sasuke continue walking. He ran a hand through his hair, disappointed, but nevertheless, led the way. "But for the record," she said, breaking the silence when they were only five minutes away from the bank, "I did not attack you. It was merely," she paused, "self-defense."

Sasuke smirked. "Hn."

"And one more thing, Uchiha-san," Sakura continued, "I still don't understand why you made me change my uniform. There was nothing wrong with my original one." She looked down at her outfit in dismay. She should have known when people were sent to her apartment for her measurements that Sasuke was planning something. Now, everything was more fitting; she could barely move. It was almost suffocating.

"You aren't just a regular bodyguard anymore, Sakura," he said sternly, hiding his amusement. "You're representing the Uchiha name. Consider yourself lucky I didn't make you change your hair color."

Sakura stopped, her eyes turning into slits. "You wouldn't."

However, Sasuke ignored her, chuckling as he opened the glass door and entered the bank. But he didn't move more than three steps when Sakura's arm blocked him. She pushed him behind her. "Wait," she said soberly, the lightness in her tone gone, "Something isn't right."

Sasuke scanned the room. Nothing seemed out of place. As per usual, only one window was open; it was Sunday—the day Sasuke always made his important transactions. Besides him, Sakura, and the teller, only one other person was in the bank, and he was making a deposit. Sasuke was about to tell her this when he felt Sakura's hand clutch onto his suit jacket. "Sa—"

"Get down!" she yelled as she pulled him behind a counter, but not before Sasuke saw the man at the counter turn around, a gun in hand. Three loud gunshots sounded throughout the room; the bullets hitting the glass door where they were previously sounding. "Shit," Sakura cursed under her breath as she peered behind the counter. "You're transferring a lot of money today aren't you?" She sighed, not waiting for an answer. "Well, it looks like someone found out."

"Uchiha-san!" they heard the man call out in a singsong voice, "You and your girlfriend can't hide there forever!"

Sakura reached for her gun and handcuffs, irritated that her new uniform prevented her body from moving in its full range of motion. She looked at Sasuke and shook her head, "I hate to do this, Uchiha-san," she said as she ripped off her sleeves and shortened her pant legs, "but present circumstances require I do this. Now listen to me, whatever you do, don't move. I've got this."

After silently counting to three, Sakura got to her feet, sprinting to tackle the assailant before he could fire another shot. Athough Sasuke couldn't see what was going on, he could hear everything. And the minute after she left him, Sasuke heard the loud thud of the man's body hit the ground. Sasuke raised his brow; that man looked more than twice Sakura's size. She was definitely a lot stronger than she looked. There were more sounds of struggles and curses, along with the screams of the teller.

But after a few minutes, things went quiet.

Sasuke scooted over to the edge of the counter, whispering, "Saku—?

However, one more gunshot rang through the air, one more piercing scream.

"Sakura!" He didn't care that Sakura told him not to move. She could've been shot, or, Sasuke didn't dare finish that thought. Taking a deep breath, he got to his feet, preparing himself for the worst. But when he ran from the counter he was met the sight of Sakura straddling his assailant as she placed the handcuffs on his wrists.

Sasuke's eyes widened. Sakura looked like a mess. Her hair was in knots. She had scratches and cuts everywhere. And her clothes—clothes that he paid for—were in tatters. He didn't know how it was possible, but he wanted to both kill and hug her at the same time.

"Hey!" Sakura's voice woke him up from his daze. "What did I tell you about not moving?" she said as she got off of the man who continued to express himself quite colorfully. Sakura rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'm sorry about my uniform. It sort of got," she paused, shrugging, "caught in the fray."

Sasuke sighed. "It's fine."

"Good. And Uchiha-san?"

"Yes, Sakura?"

She smirked. "Don't bother with a new uniform. Tomorrow I'm wearing what I want whether you like it or not."