Disclaimer

Neither the characters nor the story are of my property, they belong to their respective authors.

This story is a dark stalker romance with extreme dubious situations.

Please proceed with caution.

Sakura

The spider is huge, and it wants to fucking hurt me.

Its body must be the size of my head, with strong, furry legs scrambling as quickly as Mr. Bingley's. It's making some creepy otherworldly noise and I start to scream at the top of my voice, louder with every decibel that leaves my body.

My eyes fly open, and I stare at the bare ceiling of my bedroom. There's a pair of eyes there. Dark black-gray eyes, staring back at me with an intensity that's almost painful. I remember those eyes. I saw them, just a few days ago...

A nightmare. It was only a nightmare.

I'm soaked in sweat, covered in it. My duvet feels heavy on top of me and I groan, pulling myself up and making my tabbies, Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Hudson, mewl in displeasure. I shush them softly and pad over the floor into my bathroom. It's two hours before my alarm is supposed to go off, but this is nothing new for me. I've had trouble sleeping since I was a kid.

I splash cold water on my face, and notice my fingers are trembling as I pat myself dry. And so, another day of the grind begins.

It's a well-established routine by now. I brush my teeth, take a quick shower, dry my hair, apply minimal amounts of makeup and make myself a quick breakfast. I feed the tabbies, their tails and button-noses rubbing against my feet. The whole time, I fight back the thought of the stranger who'd stared at me the a few days ago at the hospital. It was the kind of chance meeting you struggle to forget, trying to understand whether fate put that person in your way for a reason... or whether you're just being a naive fool by thinking that.

"Come on," I usher the cats away from the door, grabbing my keys. "I'll see you later, guys. Be good!"

I blow them kisses, blushing as I meet the eyes of my next-door neighbor in the hallway. She must think I'm going crazy at only twenty-seven, talking to my cats like that. But they're the only family I have, and if my uptight neighbor wants to judge me for it, so be it.

I give her a perfunctory smile before taking the stairs, so I don't have to talk to her in our shitty elevator. It keeps breaking down, anyway.

I've got the mathematics of walking to work down, pat. I know which route will get me there the fastest. I know the route that's three minutes longer makes me walk past a stray cat I've named Phoebe, a couple blocks away. I take that path now, clutching my messenger bag where an unopened can of tuna is waiting for Phoebe. It's not much, but I reassure myself it's better than nothing. Phoebe's been waiting for me lately, meowing with delight when she sees me coming up to her.

Sure enough, my new friend is waiting, and I scoop out the tuna can on the pavement for her before giving her a few head pats. And then I have to rush off to the hospital for another day of misery.

It's not like I hate my job.

I just hate the people.

Working as a nurse in the ER, you see everything, from domestic disputes to child abuse. It all makes for a mélange of memories I'd rather forget.

Still, it's not as if any of it is as bad as my life was before the hospital.

Growing up in a boarding school, being tossed from foster home to foster home until I finally got to leave at eighteen. I got a scholarship and worked two jobs besides college to get myself through. I couldn't afford a medical degree, so I settled as a nurse. The pay was better than average, the hours were horrendous, and yet it offered the kind of security I'd been craving my entire life.

"Hey, Saku." Ino, my friend from the intensive unit wing, bumps her hip into mine and winks at me as I pass her in the hallway. "Dr. Yakushi's been asking about you again."

"He has?" I groan inwardly. "Wow, um..."

"Lost for words?" Tenten laughs as she joins us, and we walk down the hallway together. We make quite the trio – Ino with her distinct Russian accent, a doll-like face and thin, perfectly poised body, and Tenten, who has tanned skin and wears her hair in braids woven together in an impressive bun. "Isn't it such an honor? He's totally into you, Saku. Everybody knows it."

"I don't know if I'd call it an honor," Ino cringes. "He's always seemed off to me. The guy's creepy."

"And you're jealous." Tenten rolls her eyes.

"I'm happily married with three kids, bitch." Ino wiggles her fingers at her.

"And without sleep," Tenten teases and tugs on my arm. "What are you going to say when he finally asks you out?"

"I don't think he will." I dread the thought. I've always been a loner, and I'm not exactly looking to add another person to my tiny family. My cats are all I need.

"You're delusional, girl." Tenten comes to a stop in front of the elevator and makes a face. "Well, it's down to the morgue for me. Let's hope the zombie apocalypse doesn't start today, ladies."

"Good luck!" Ino and I say in unison, crossing our fingers. Our friend gets in the elevator and we take the stairs to floor one, where the good coffee machines are, and where Ino works.

I'm not due at my station for another hour, but since I couldn't sleep anyway, I decided to surprise my friends with some fresh pastries from the corner bakery on my street. Now, as Ino tucks into a bear claw, I'm glad I made that decision.

"So... About Dr. Yakushi," I mutter, looking down the hallway to ensure we're alone. "You really think he's going to ask me out?"

"Pretty sure he might." Her blue eyes sparkle as they lock with mine. "Would that really be so bad, Saku? How long has it been since your last date?"

I grumble a reply, unwilling to admit the shameful truth.

It's been over a year since I broke up with my boyfriend Shigure, a guy who was recently promoted from intern to doctor and has since deemed me beneath him. I haven't even attempted to date since then. It's hopeless, and I've accepted a long time ago I'll just end up alone, anyway.

"I'm just not sure I see myself with him," I mutter. "He's what, forty-five?"

"So?" Ino scrunches her face up at me. "Is that too old? Since when do you care about age? I thought you didn't want a family or to get married... This could be the perfect situation for you."

I groan, rubbing my eyes and watching her sink her teeth into a jam-filled donut. "I just don't want to make another mistake."

"Look, babe." Ino reaches over and covers my hand with hers. "I know what happened with Shigure was a disaster, but you can't let it hold you back forever. There are plenty other fish in the sea, and you deserve to be happy."

I don't exactly agree with her, not because I don't think I deserve happiness, but because I don't need a man to give me that kind of security. I'm perfectly fine with my cats and my job – my life is full and busy enough. Adding a man to the mix would only bring trouble.

"Maybe we can figure out a way so I can let him down gently," I mutter, and now it's my friend's turn to groan.

"You can't spend your life running away," she reminds me. "Life's giving you another chance at happiness, Saku. If you ask me, you should take it by the balls."

I laugh out loud and lift my head at the sound of approaching footsteps. My smile instantly fades when I see the person approaching us is none other than Dr. Yakushi. Speak of the devil...

"Hello, young ladies," he says in his deep, booming voice, and my stomach does a flip. I'm not sure whether it's because I'm icked out by the term he used, or because I'm excited.

Admittedly, Dr. Yakushi is a very handsome man, and as Ino and I say good morning to him in unison, I find color flushing my cheeks. Damn my pale skin. I can't hide anything when I blush like an embarrassed five-year-old any time a man so much as looks in my direction.

"What a wonderful day we're having," Dr. Yakushi goes on pleasantly, and I give him a doubtful look. It's raining outside, and it's foggy as hell. Plus, working in the ER isn't exactly an experience I'd describe as wonderful.

Still, I find myself nodding to his words, sheepishly agreeing with anything he says. After all, his position is above mine in the hospital. I don't want to risk pissing him off. Dr. Yakushi is a powerful figure around here.

"I was wondering if I could speak to your friend in private, Ino?"

"Of course," Ino replies with delight, shooting me a meaningful look that seems to say two things – good luck, and don't fuck this up.

I manage a nervous smile before Ino slides away from her seat, taking the box of pastries with her and winking at me. Then it's just me and the doctor, and my nerves which are already getting the best of me.

"Is this about a patient in the ER?" I ask dumbly, my heart pounding as Dr. Yakushi laughs easily. Of course, we both know it's not, but I still don't want to embarrass myself by being presumptuous. "If you need my help before my shift starts, I'd be happy to come down with you now."

"Don't worry, Sakura," he says with an amused glance my way. "This has nothing to do with work. I was just wondering whether you'd allow me to buy you a cup of coffee sometime."

"Oh?" I ask lamely, my heart racing. "You don't have to, Dr. Yakushi."

"I know I don't have to," he says firmly. "But I'd very much enjoy your company."

An uncomfortable silence descends upon us and I chew my bottom lip nervously as I whisper, "I'm just not so sure it's a great idea, Dr. Yakushi, I –"

"Kabuto," he interrupts with a blinding, pearly white smile. "Please, sweetheart. Call me Kabuto."

I don't like the pet name he's used, but I tell myself I'm picking up on the smallest of things again, so I swallow my reply and manage a shaky smile in his direction, repeating the name with an uncomfortable edge to my voice. "Kabuto."

"Good girl."

Fuck.

Those two little words floor me, reminding me of all the other times I've heard them. The dirty videos I watch, where men whisper those two little words in whimpering women's ears, reminding them exactly who they belong to.

Instantly, I'm putty in the man's hands, and I find myself smiling deliriously as he goes on.

"Well, how about dinner tonight? Let me treat you, the way a girl like you deserves."

I'm about to bite back and tell him I'm not a girl anymore, but I save my breath, remembering Ino and Tenten 's words. They're right. I've been pushing men away for far too long. Maybe it's time for me to get back in the game.

"Okay," I reply hesitantly, fighting back my instincts that are telling me to run. Dr. Yakushi shoots me a brilliant smile and I do my best to replicate it, but I'm tense, nervous. "I would love to have dinner with you tonight, Dr. Yaku… Kabuto."

His eyes warn me not to repeat my mistake from earlier, and he smiles when I use his first name.

"Wonderful." He picks himself up and stares down at me, as if he's trying to devour me with his gaze.

I glance up too, picking up things about him I haven't noticed before. Like how chiseled sharp his jaw is, and how his faint hint of stubble reminds me of one of my foster fathers. It sends an uncomfortable shiver down my spine, and I shake my head to get rid of the thought.

"I'll pick you up at your apartment around seven thirty. Does that work for you?"

"Sounds good," I say, hoping he can't hear the uncomfortable edge to my voice. I rattle off my address and phone number, and he saves them both in his phone before flashing me another grin. "I'll see you tonight."

"Cannot wait." He rubs my shoulder for a second before disappearing down the hallway. I only notice I've been holding my breath when he finally leaves, and I exhale a sigh of relief just as Ino reappears with the now empty box of donuts.

"So, how did it go?" she gushes, and I make a face at her.

"As well as it could have, I suppose. I'm meeting him for dinner tonight."

"How perfect!" She claps her hands together with excitement and I cringe inwardly. I'm really, really not looking forward to this date. Not only because of Dr. Yakushi... Kabuto's expectations, but my friends', too. "You're going to have a great time. Now, for your clothes…"

As Ino launches into a long monologue about date outfits, I wonder why I accepted the doctor's offer in the first place. I should've just let him down gently; explain I don't date.

Besides, there is a rumor I've heard floating around the hospital, gossip circulating about one of the other nurses, Masako, who got transferred to another hospital in the area – one that's well-known for being badly run, and not a great place to work.

I've heard it whispered that Dr. Yakushi was the man behind her transfer, and though I never thought to ask why, I have a feeling I wouldn't like the reason.

My mind instantly goes to Hisame Roga, another nurse, a head nurse to be specific, who left a few days ago. The staff has been busy gossiping about her reason for leaving.

Some say her husband is in the mafia, others swear they saw her with a known hitman in the city.

Whatever the reason is, Hisame has gone. Just another unsolved mystery to add to the mix.

I shift my thoughts back to Dr. Yakushi. I have my doubts about the guy, but my friend seems so excited, I allow myself a glimmer of hope, too.

Maybe it's finally time for me to stop living my life like a recluse.

Maybe it's time for me to live a little.

Besides, there's no doubt Dr. Yakushi is the perfect date. Charming, kind and a talented doctor, he's everything a woman would want in a partner.

I just need to ignore the nagging voice of doubt in the back of my head, telling me something's going to go terribly wrong tonight.