Behind Those Eyes

Summary: Sakura is a strong and spirited sixteen year-old college student, working as a nightclub waitress. Becoming someone's mistress wasn't what she really wanted. All she wanted was true happiness. She doesn't want to pretend and lie anymore. Love seeks her but is it true love?

Italic underline is sasuke's thoughts.

Chapter Eight: Some Things I'll Never Say

Sakura hurried to the nightclub after receiving the call, her mind was racing. The bartender mentioned that Sasuke was drunk and needed her to send him home. Sakura pushed open the door and with her hands on her knees, gasped, "Sasuke!" Sasuke was sitting along the long counter, slipping great amounts of alcohol; there were a heap of empty glasses beside his right arm.

The bartender looked up at the exhausted Sakura and said, "I'm glad you're here. Boss is feeling quite high today and has offended quite a lot of customers." He gave Sasuke a rather concerned look as his head was resting on the counter and there was alcohol running down his chin.

Sakura nodded and went to Sasuke's side. Sasuke's face was flushed and his eyes were bloodshot. She wondered what happened to him last week and what made him become like this. She shifted a stool towards her and sat next to him. She bit her lip and said, "Sasuke…"

Sasuke, alert for a few seconds from the voice, stopped drinking and looked at her, "… H-hey… you kinda look like my… friend… Sakura…" Friend. Sakura was only a friend.

Sakura narrowed her eyebrows, "I am Sakura. Look at you, why are you so drunk?" Sasuke either did not hear her or was pretending. He stretched out his hand but Sakura stopped him from reaching for another glass.

The raven-haired male's face contorted into an irritated expression and he drawled grouchily, "I'm feeling happy and high. So why can't I drink? It's not a crime." He fiercely shook out of her grip and grabbed the glass, drinking it down in a spilt second.

Sakura's hand was half-way to reaching for Sasuke again, but slowly replaced it by her side. She looked concerned and alarmed at his odd behavior, "Why are you so happy?"

Sasuke smiled and slurred, "I… finally gained my freedom although I'll lose everything… but that's alright… I don't mind…" He asked for two more glasses, one for him and another for Sakura.

Sakura looked down and tried to think of something to say, "… W-wow… that's great…"

Sasuke passed her the glass and looked at her seriously before sipping his own. Sakura gripped the cool glass tightly, sighed and drank. She didn't know what she was doing. She was supposed to drag Sasuke back but now she was enjoying herself. The world was revolving around her in a different motion.

Sasuke placed the glass back on the counter and laughed, "Everything has ended. Everything! No more worries, no more troubles. I feel like I'm eighteen again!"

Sakura in spite of herself, giggled, "You are eighteen… you are seriously drunk… haha." She brought her half-empty glass to her lips and allowed the bitter tasting substance to slip down her throat.

Sasuke smiled again, "No, I'm not. All the worries and troubles made me old. But now that everything has been cleared, my age can come back to me."

Sakura looked at the glass, studying her distorted reflection. "I'm so freaking old. And I know my age won't return to me." She sighed and closed her eyes in contemplation.

Sasuke's smile disappeared and he asked, "Then do you know who took away your age? Fight for it."

FLASHBACK

Sakura was seven years old.

"Sakura! Mummy is going to go out now, take care of your own meals!" Her mum slammed the door, sending a rush of wind to where she was standing.

Sakura stared blankly at the door. She was still wearing her elementary school uniform. She looked down at her feet and felt hot tears pricking the back of her eyes. The phone rang and she went to pick it up. Her hand clenched tightly around the receiver.

"Sakura! This is daddy. Where's your mum?" Her dad yelled into the phone.

Sakura grimaced and mumbled, "… Mum just left…"

"Okay. Tonight we won't be home so take care of your own meals and remember to attend school."

Sakura replaced the phone on its cradle. She was used to days liked this. She used to have a maid but after something her father did, her mother had to send the maid away. She looked at the flat. A place not fit for humans to live in.

END OF FLASHBACK

Sasuke nudged Sakura who was staring dazedly at the glass. "Sakura… are you alright?"

Sakura shook her head to rid of her accumulating thoughts. She smiled at the glass and replied, "Yeah. I know my real age won't come back to me."

Sasuke laughed, "That was just a joke! Troubles and worries just makes your thinking a bit more mature. It had absolutely nothing to do with your age, Sakura!" She frowned and traced the top of her glass with her finger, "… I'm an immature brat…"

Sasuke got up, "I think you are rather mature. I'm a childish and immature jerk."

FLASHBACK

Sasuke slammed his palm on the counter and shouted in demanding, "Where's the waitress? What kind of bar is this?"

The bartender shook his head and placed the glass he was wiping firmly on the table, "The waitress is on her way… this is your bar if you still remember…"

Sasuke spun around and looked at the person in front of him. He had his hands around a pinked-hair lady. He stormed up to him and yelled for all to hear, "HEY! What are you doing with my Sakura?"

The man looked irritated, "She's not yours and she's not called Sakura!"

Sasuke took a good look at the girl standing beside him and mumbled, "…Sakura looks better than her…"

A look of outrage crossed his face and the man clenched his neck, "Hey dude… do you want to fight?"

Sasuke smirked and within a second, the man and the girl fled for their lives.

Sasuke went back and sat down. As he drank more, he kept on mumbling under his alcohol-stained breath, "Sakura…"

END OF FLASHBACK

Sasuke wobbled on his steps, his arms flaying uselessly beside him. Sakura immediately held him by the waist and he draped his arm around Sakura's neck for support.

"I think I'd better take you home now…" Sakura said gently and slowly walked each step with him as he was heavier than her and he couldn't stand up properly. He repeatedly bent over to his side to vomit and some of it got caught on Sakura's clothes but she did not mind and just escorted him to her room.

FLASHBACK

Sakura was five years old.

"Damn that whore… took my money…" Her father flung bottles around the home and sat on the sofa in a heap. He drank some more beer and broke the glass. He screamed, "SAKURA! Get your butt here and clean this mess!"

Sakura hurried over and grabbed a dustpan and broom. She swept up the shattered pieces of glass, she was trembling. As she was sweeping in front of her father, he intentionally vomited on her. "SAKURA! It's your own fault since you stood in front of me."

Her father pushed Sakura away like she was merely trash and Sakura fell, laying flat on the floor. She felt the warm tears running down her pale cheeks and felt the blood draining away from her hand as she clenched it tightly. She did not know how many pieces of glass pierced her but she knew one thing. It was not her fault.

END OF FLASHBACK

Sakura had him sitting on the bed and she said, "I'll go and get some hot water so just sit here and wait for me, okay?" Sasuke lazily nodded in reply and Sakura went out to get some hot water.

Sakura was walking back, carefully carrying one jug of hot water in two hands. Before she could walk back to her room, Temari and Kin had flung open their door and the hallway was filled with their malicious laughter. "The slut's back…"

They had two men with them and they smirked, "Do you need us to help you fix her?" Kin smiled with delight and waved her hand airily in front of her, "Sure. It will be quite a pleasure to watch."

One of the two men walked forward and deliberately pushed her jug of hot water out of her hands. The hot water spilled over the carpet. Sakura stared blankly at the floor.

FLASHBACK

Sakura was seven years old.

She was boiling the hot water. After it boiled, she held it unstably and tried to pour the hot water into the cup noodle. But as the kettle was too heavy, she lost control of the kettle and the water spilled all over. So hot and painful.

END OF FLASHBACK

One of them held her hands so she wouldn't try to punch them or try to escape. "L-let go of me…" Sakura gasped through ragged breaths and attempted to free herself. But it proved to be futile; the other man held her face and smirked, "Such a beautiful bitch. It would do wonders to fuck you."

He had his hand around her waist and he leaned forward. He kissed Sakura with unwanted force but Sakura allowed his tongue to enter her mouth as she knew he was enjoying all this. She bit his tongue hard. She could taste the blood trickling from his lips and spat it out on the floor with disgust. He branded her face with a hard slap.

"Time to get serious," He said to the other man who was holding her wrists. He smirked and pinned her against the wall. He forced his weight against her so she couldn't escape. He began taking off her top slowly. He untied the ribbon which showed a bit of her bra. "G-get away from me!" Sakura screamed.

The other man came back and shouted, "Quit your yelling, bitch." He groped Sakura's thigh and reached for her skirt. "NO!" Sakura shouted. He unbuttoned the skirt and tried to yank it down. The another man pulled down her top and started nibbling on her bra. He tried to unhook her bra until they heard a loud sound.

"GET AWAY FROM MY WOMAN!" Sasuke glared at them venomously. Woman. Not friend.

The man who was unhooking her bra smirked and looked up, "So what will you do if I don't get away from her? She's such a sweet thing; you are selfish to keep her all to yourself." Sasuke punched the wall, "You'll get this."

Minutes later, Sasuke was now holding Sakura by her waist. He shouted at the two badly beaten-up men, "SCRAM! I never want to see you guys anymore!" Then he turned and looked at Kin and Temari who were terrified against the wall. "Bitches. Don't you guys ever learn? GROW UP." He turned around swiftly and slammed the door.

He glanced at Sakura who was just next to him. He still had his arm wrapped securely around her waist. "Sakura… are you okay?"

Sakura breathed in his manly smell and wished she could have his hands around her all the time. She rested her head on his chest wordlessly and relaxed her body. Sasuke looked at her hair and asked again, "Are you okay, Sakura? Did they do anything to you?" Sakura slowly shook her head and mumbled, "No."

Sasuke removed his arms from her but Sakura instantly held on with longing and placed them around her. "Sakura… what's wrong?" He asked; his face etched with worry. He felt Sakura's cold hands on his. "Sasuke… do you really mean what you said before?" She penetrated the dark depths of his eyes.

"What thing?" He looked at her emerald eyes. Sakura said softly, "You said friend then you said woman. What am I to you anyway?"

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed together and asked cautiously, "Did Naruto say anything to you?" Sakura shook her head and said pleadingly, "No. Just answer me!"

Sasuke smirked, "You are my woman but you're a great friend too." Sakura's eyes brightened considerably and asked, "Really?" Sasuke shuffled her hair and held her tightly in his embrace, whispering in her ear, "Really."

Sakura giggled. Sasuke smiled, "You had me worried. I thought Naruto said something to you." Sakura shook her head slightly, "Nah…"

Sasuke looked at her body and joked, "You stink! Let me get you cleaned." Sakura pouted but then she frowned, "You're not drunk anymore?" Sasuke pushed her into the bathroom, "Yes."

Sasuke began peeling off his clothes. "Y-you're going to bath with me?" Sakura asked with a shiver. Sasuke stopped, "Y-ya…" Sakura stepped back and fumbled for the doorknob, "T-then… you can bath first…"

Sasuke held her arm and said quietly, "Sakura. This one week meant a lot to me. It'll be alright." He positioned her in front of him and slowly took off her clothes. Sakura looked down and said nothing.

The bathtub was half-full with warm water. Sasuke was sitting opposite of Sakura. "Sakura…" He said. Sakura's cheeks were flushing a deep scarlet and she mustered all her courage to look at him.

Sasuke was worried, "Hey Sakura… why do you look so sad today? Sakura…" She did not reply and Sakura crept towards him, the water running over her body and laid her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her long pink hair reached his thigh. Sasuke stared at the top of her head, "Sakura…"

Sakura screwed her eyes shut and broke free from reality. The running of water. The sound of breathing. The clashing of two bodies.

FLASHBACK

Sakura was twelve years old.

Her mum was sleeping and her father had just come back home. He was drunk to the point where his entire mind was clouded. "Beer! Waitress! Bunny girls!" He yelled as he lazily walked around.

"Dad… you're at home. This is not the bar," Sakura said.

Her dad glanced at Sakura and smiled, "Sakura. How old are you now? Fifteen? Sixteen? I've never tasted an underage girl before…"

He placed Sakura tightly on the sofa and tried to remove her clothes. "DAD!" Sakura shouted. Her dad slapped her and said, "Now you troublesome kid, don't bother me."

Sakura tried to protest as he removed her shirt and shorts. He began feeding on her breasts. Sakura tried to push her father away but he was too strong for her. He took off her undergarments. This is the time. "GET OUT! YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Sakura yelled with all her might and closed her eyes.

Her mother awoke and rushed to the scene, pushing her husband dad away from Sakura. "What are you doing to Sakura? She's your daughter!" She screamed in reprimanding.

Sakura quickly put on her clothes. He shouted, "She's no daughter of mine since she called me a motherfucker. I don't need a bitch like her living in our house." Then her mother turned sharply at Sakura and yelled at her, "Sakura, how dare you call your father names! Go and live with your aunt for the time being. I'll send your stuff over."

Sakura, without another glance at them, ran out of the house. Her eyes were glazed over with tears, blurring her vision. She didn't want to live in this kind of house, in these kinds of conditions. She was sick of her father trying ways to rape her. She was sick of her mum defending her father when he was wrong. They were not her parents.

She didn't want this kind of life. A cold life without a spark of happiness. Love was never found. Tears flowed mercilessly down her face.

"SAKURA! You are not a loser! You live for yourself and not for others! Time will heal all wounds. SAKURA! Get back on your feet! Someday, you'll shine," Sakura said to herself with defiance.

Someday, you'll shine. You have to believe it. That's because you are you and nobody can ever replace you

END OF FLASHBACK

"SOMEDAY, I'LL SHINE!" Sakura shouted suddenly. She opened her eyes to the blinding light. It's morning already. Isn't it midnight? She saw one leg entangled with her leg and it didn't look like hers. She turned slightly and saw Sasuke lying next to her.

"ARGHHHHH!" She screamed. Sasuke was woken up by her cries and panicked, "What?"

Sakura pulled up the blanket, "W-what are you doing next to me… naked too…" Sasuke said drowsily, "Hey… you fell asleep in the bathtub and I had to carry you here… man, you were heavy!"

Sakura stuttered, "D-did we do that? That?" And made a rather sharp gesture to indicate her meaning.

Sasuke tilted his head to one side and smirked, "You can't blame a drunken man." Sakura shrieked, "What?" Sasuke smiled, "I was not even drunk." He removed the blanket to show Sakura that she was wearing her bathrobe and said almost proudly, "See that?"

Sakura heaved a sigh of utmost relief and let her head fall back on the pillow. Sasuke asked, "Why are you… so scared?" Sakura looked at him and said uncertainly, "I-I… was… nearly raped by my father four years ago and the wounds have not healed yet."

It only took a few seconds to process her words in his mind. Sasuke stormed, "What? What kind of father is that?" He moved forward.

She lifted herself into a sitting position. "A father who only cared for himself. But my wounds are healing and I think they are already healed," Sakura whispered and looked down.

Sasuke hugged Sakura, "I'm sure you'll be ready one day."

One day.

"Y-ya… I'm sure too…" She hugged him back. Sasuke pulled her closer and looked at her, "I'll wait for you." His words pricked her heavy heart and all of a sudden Sakura felt sad all over again, tears stung her eyes. "Sasuke… what will you do if you find out I lost my virginity to someone other than you and Naruto?"

Sasuke leaned in closer, "I will… kill him." Even if the person is my brother. He kissed Sakura lightly. Sakura kissed him back with a bit of force. He tasted her sorrows and sadness. He wanted to know so much. Why won't she say?

He forced her mouth to open and let his tongue slide in. He felt her bitterness and sourness. He wanted to taste so much. He nibbled on her lips. He licked her lips. Salty. She's crying.

He broke the kiss and held her by the shoulders. Droplets of tears rolled down her cheeks. He gently wiped the tears away with the back of his hand and whispered, "I want to be the one who dries your tears."

Sakura blinked and said apologetically with choking tears, "I'm sorry. I hide so much from you. I'm sorry."

Sasuke smiled and cupped her cheek, "That's alright. Give yourself time. Everyone's past is carved with ugly scars. I'll wait. I'll wait for you, Haruno Sakura." Sakura sniffed and rested her head on his chest, "The day will come. I want to be the angel in disguise. I love you."

FLASHBACK

Sakura was three years old.

Sakura and her mother were walking home. Something white and pure began showering upon them. "Mum… what is that?" She asked, pointing excitedly at the small flakes of drifting white.

Her mother smiled and said simply, "That's snow." Sakura looked up in awe and smiled at all the snow that was falling down. "It's so beautiful," The young girl breathed and reached out to feel it.

Her mother shuffled her hair, "Do you know what comes after winter has ended?" Sakura blew up her mouth in thought, "Hmm…spring?" Her mother laughed at her daughter's cleverness, "That's right. And do you know why you are called Haruno Sakura?"

Sakura shook her head, her short pink hair bouncing on her shoulders. Her mother looked up at the sky and said softly, "It means cherry blossom in spring. Spring brings happiness to everyone. Everyone's so happy during spring. And I want you to be the one that showers happiness and love to everyone," She paused, "Although you are unable to receive much love from us, we hope you can spread the love around. That's why you were born. To spread love. Love is something that can't be explained. I know that someday you'll find your love. Seeking and searching for it. True love never dies out…"

Sakura nodded and reached out for the snow again. Snow melted. Love is not like snow. Love is forever there.

END OF FLASHBACK

A/N – IMPORTANT!

Wow. I spent three hours writing this chapter. It's romantic, isn't it? Just click the "go" button! I might take a month or a week to write depending on the reviews because writing this chapter is never an easy job. Hees. Sorry that there are too much flashbacks in this chapter because I really want to show sakura's past. REVIEWS! Thanks so much for reading and sparing some time. I just want to know whether people are reading. I'm going to post lemons in the next chapter. State whether you guys want it or not. Thanks.