AN: HOWAH! (is random) Gomen for being updating so late! I've been rather busy (damn you, uni). Blasted assessments. Thanks for the brilliant reviews as well! I can't believe you readers actually discuss my fic over lunch! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy in side X3...Anyway, we have an exciting, fast paced chapter this time. No I did not mention "A short chapter", I mean "Fast paced." It's a Sasuke-at-work chapter. Gaara, accompanying Ino at the time for an interview with Sasuke's designer, will see how he goes. And the elusive designer that never shows his face in public will he agree to be interviewed by Ino? But who the hell is he? And maybe I'll throw in the other couples now...let's see, yep, Sakura was totally desperate, she even thought so herself, when she first asked him and he rejected...but on with the show! (a fashion show! well, not really...)
Chapter 6: Ash and Oak
Silence followed the deafening shout. Sakura was fixed to one spot, frozen, terrified. Even Temari was shocked. Even during Gaara's bloodthirsty days, he never shouted so loudly, and never looked so furious. One look into Gaara's murderous eyes was enough to kill a person. Temari went over to Sakura and took her out. Slowly.
"Let's go Sakura...maybe you can come another day..."
"Never. Never set foot in here again. In fact, I never want to see you again." Gaara hissed. "If you ever approach me again, I'll make you regret it." Sakura stopped. She turned her head to face Gaara. What he saw next completely baffled him, and probably told him why he still does not have a girlfriend.
Tears were streaming down Sakura's face. Tears of fear, or disappointment, Gaara didn't care.
You cold bastard, have some remorse. Now was definitely not a good time for Shukaku to open his invisible mouth.
Out. Now. Then Gaara paused. Did Shukaku just tell him off for being his usual self? What the hell was going on?
"Fine. I won't go near you. Sorry for being a nuisance, and approaching you the wrong way." Sakura broke his train of thought and rushed out of his room, ran straight out of the apartment door, slamming it loudly behind her.
"What the hell?" Gaara and Temari heard Kankurou mutter. Temari turned to Gaara with a reprimanding look. Gaara knew where this was heading. If it was it seven years ago, Sakura would be dead, Temari giving him such attitude would be dead, and Kankurou, who was now entering his room to also reprimand him, would also be dead. Unfortunately, it's not seven years ago, and he's become somewhat of a softy, too soft in his opinion.
"She was practically stalking me." Gaara argued before either older sibling called say anything. "You heard her damn messages. No sane woman would do such a thing. She should be sent to a mental institute, I truly pity Sasuke for putting up with this all his life..." Temari hissed at Gaara.
"She was scared shitless! Have you forgotten your reputation, Sabaku no Gaara?" Temari cried.
"Well...a lot of people have, actually..." Which was true. Other than being able to bluff good love advice, what ever other reason that landed him the Love Advisor job was beyond Gaara's thoughts.
"That's no way to treat a girl, stalker or not." Kankurou added. "You must present yourself as a gentleman no matter what situation." Silence followed.
"You're one to talk." Temari remarked to Kankurou, unimpressed. Then she turned back to Gaara, allowing Kankurou to ponder over what he had (or had not) done to make her say that. "Gaara, you HAVE to apologise to her. I don't care if she wronged you, but what if she spills out to the public that W4eva's new Love Advisor threatens women?" Gaara never thought of that. His reputation for the magazine would be over. Itachi would throw him out the window, and was actually capable of doing so. Now he was utterly screwed.
You are so utterly screwed.
I'm going to send that comment right back at you.
"I'm not going to apologise." Gaara responded stubbornly. Temari shrugged.
"I'm not the one who's going to be chased down by angry women. Or murdered brutally by Itachi."
---
It has been three days since the Sakura incident, and Gaara has done nothing about it. Now he has not seen Sakura, Sakura has not seen him, nor has she even visited any of her friends at work. Deidara was complaining to random people, including Gaara, about how it wasn't as fun without her around. Gaara found Deidara's complaints rather annoying. His reputation is safe, and so Itachi has not destroyed his mind with insane jutsus. He was enjoying his days, until he finished his work. Ino threw a collection of files on her desk, and wore the most excited grin on his face.
"I can't believe it...they chose me to do the interview! And I'm only an Arts and Crafts person, it would be believable if they made me do something on horticulture, since my family owns a flower shop, but this is fashion!" Ino has never been so excited in her life. Gaara looked from his computer and frowned. Ino understood that frown.
"We're going to hunt down the creator and designer of the elite fashion label 'Ash and Oak'. He never does interviews, hell, we don't even no what he looks like. He always shows up to fashion shows with a Kabuki mask like every ANBU..."
"Maybe he is ANBU." Gaara answered. Ino narrowed her eyes.
"Very funny." she remarked cynically. "But I have to get to the Hyuuga residence today. They're using one of the halls there for a show, and apparently he's appearing today. Sasuke has a contract with Ash and Oak, you know. Once you have a contract with Ash and Oak, your career as supreme super model is sealed. They are THE label of the now. Sasuke's really lucky...and good looking..." Ino entered dreamland. Gaara sighed. Time to snap her out of it.
"Why don't you get Sasuke to introduce you to Enigmatic-man, then?" Gaara suggested. Ino shook her head.
"You think I didn't try? Even Sasuke hasn't seen his real face either. The man's face has never been seen. His identity, completely unheard of." Ino replied. She looked around suspiciously before bending closer and whispering to Gaara. "In fact, he could be someone we know, and he's not telling us. He could have walked right past us, without us knowing. This will require some really tough investigating from me." Gaara nodded. Ino straightened her back, and suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! How much work do you have? Are you free today?"
"Basically. I finished all my work for this week, so I'm sitting around and reading all of Jiraiya's Mills and Boon. They're horrible."
"Oh good." Gaara didn't know whether she was commenting about him on the Mills and Boon or the fact he was free. "Sasuke asked me to ask you if you were free. Something about being in debt to you or something. And he wants you to come along when I go today to find Ash and Oak's designer."
"Well, if it gets me away from Jiraiya's Mills and Boon, I'll agree. I wish not to see descriptions such as 'rippling abs', 'flowery curvaceous body', or how the human scent smells like when they're at it." Gaara shuddered. Ino was impressed with Jiraiya. If he could crack a statue like Gaara, then his Mills and Boons must be quality garbage. Of course, there was no time to spend admiring Jiraiya's low class literature. Ino had a designer to hunt down. They left the premises and took a taxi to the Hyuuga residence. As they left the taxi, and Ino paid their fare, they bumped into Hinata, who was also entering the gate.
"Ino, Gaara! Are you here for the show?" Hinata asked. "It hasn't started yet, but you might catch Sasuke off guard or something..." Ino looked hopeful. Gaara elbowed her.
"Sorry, I'm actually here to find the deisigner of Ash and Oak." Ino answered remorsefully. Hinata clasped her hands together.
"Oh, I must come with you! I really want to see who he is as well...are you both interviewing him or something?"
"I'm not, I'm a drag-along. Apparently Sasuke wants to see me." Gaara replied. Hinata nodded.
"Well, that's much more easier than finding Ash and Oak's designer..."
"Oh, who do we have here, more guests, or damned journalists." Neji looked at Ino. He smirked. "Or even worse." Ino flipped back her ponytail.
"Yes, I'm worse, I'm a journalist for a WOMAN'S magazine, got something against that?" She hissed back. Neji took a step back, feigning defeat.
"Are you still pissed off about that incident in the Chuunin exam where I rejected your advances?"
"Hah! Don't give yourself too much credit." Ino placed a hand on her hip. "Now, do you know who and where the designer of Ash and Oak is?"
"No, but I know where your dream boy is." Neji turned to Gaara. "He told me he's in debt to you. He's...you know..." Neji showed Gaara a fist with his little finger stuck up high. Gaara couldn't believe it.
"No way! He's got a girlfriend already? Using my advice?" Gaara blinked. "I'm better than I thought..." Neji gave a quiet, cheerful laugh.
"Maybe. Come on, let's go. Hinata-sama, I'm sorry I have to do this to you, but I'll leave Ino to you." Then Neji and Gaara left before Ino could retaliate, Hinata giggling behind her hand. Neji lead Gaara through the large halls of the Hyuuga residence, which were full of people rushing to and fro, holding equipment, notepads, coffee cups, clothes. Gaara had to admit, the darker Ash and Oak clothes were pretty nice. Eventually they reached Sasuke's dressing table, where a group of women were fawning over Sasuke, and deciding which makeup would be good for his complexion for which clothes. Sasuke saw Gaara, and eyes lit up with glee.
"Gaara! Over here!" he called out. Gaara raised an eyebrow, not that anyone noticed, as his sand coating covered his brows. Neji, however, was wise enough to understand Gaara's current thought.
"Angst-ridden Sasuke is a thing of the past. After he and this girl started going out, he's been really happy and bubbly." They headed towards Sasuke.
"Gaara, I actually doubted you would come. Didn't think fashion shows were your thing..."
"They're not. It was a choice between here or Jiraiya's novels. I chose here." Gaara answered in a matter-of-tone. Sasuke nodded complacently.
"I see. I understand why you came then..." he shuddered. The first time he read Jiraiya's book was his last. His brother, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy them immensely...not that he'd admit it... "Hey, I wanna introduce you to someone." Sasuke directed Gaara towards a plain yet beautiful girl around their age. She had her straight light brown hair tied in messily in a bun, and her light grey eyes were full of life. She saw Sasuke heading towards her, and she gave him a serene smile.
"Sasuke, are you taking a break?" She asked, her voice was pleasant. Gaara nodded approvingly. Sasuke made a good choice. Definitely better than Sakura or Ino anyday. Then Gaara shivered. Sakura. What on earth was he going to do about the previous incident? In his opinion, he should just leave it be, but if he does nothing, he'll never hear the end of Temari. Or Kankurou's Gentleman speeches. Gaara scoffed inwardly. Kankurou. All talk, no action.
Is that Sasuke's girl? She's so cute, I'll eat her any day. Mm-mm-mm...
Is that a dirty thought? No dirty thoughts in my mind, you bastard!
"This is Runa, the girl I was telling you about..." Sasuke blushed. He turned to Runa. "Runa, this is Gaara." Runa offered her hand to shake.
"Hello, Gaara, Sasuke told me who you helped him out." she greeted. Gaara shook the offered hand. He actually told her I helped him! Honesty and trust so early in a relationship...interesting...
"Well, it's my job..." Gaara responded. Runa smiled.
"And a very good job you're doing too..." She looked at Sasuke. "I still have some work to do, but I'll meet you for lunch, okay? Bye now!" She waved to Sasuke and Gaara. "Nice meeting you, Gaara!" And then she left. Sasuke sighed happily.
"She's a nice girl." Gaara remarked. Sasuke nodded, a large smile stretched across his face.
"I knew she was the one when I first saw her."
"Good going, though I would have thought you were a bit quick, I only told you that advice a few days ago..."
"I just felt it was the right time." Sasuke answered. Gaara shrugged.
"And your instincts were right, you didn't need me." Gaara then remembered about Ino. Might as well. "Hey, Sasuke, do you who the designer of Ash and Oak is?"
"Ino asked me this too...sorry, but I don't know him. He comes completely covered when he does. He's coming today though..." Suddenly, Sasuke had an idea. "Gaara, to pay you back, even though it's worth little...but I have a plan..."
---
Enigmatic Man was sneaking around the Hyuuga gardens, trying to find a way in. There was no way he'd let himself go to the front door and let himself in, nor is he going to let himself be seen. His employees respect that, and so they will respect his decision to remain uncovered. Anyway, ten percent of Ash and Oak's popularity is due to his enigma, the rest is due to his almighty talent. He adjusted his Kabuki mask and prepared himself for a break in. Hopefully he wouldn't have to break anything.
As he entered, there was no one around. Good, he won't be swarmed. All he has to do now is dawdle in and pretend like he had always been there, even though his employees would know otherwise. His enigma was quite predictable, in a way. Suddenly, he was found by the current male face of Ash and Oak, Uchiha Sasuke.
"Oh, hello, Boss-sama." Sasuke greeted cheerfully. Enigmatic Man knew this cheerfulness was due to the relationship that was blossoming between Sasuke and another employee. Who said going out with someone at work as bad? For all Enigmatic Man knew, this was actually increasing work morale.
"Hello, Sasuke-kun, how was work toda - " Engmatic man was interrupted by something on the ground. "Sasuke-kun, why is there a lot of sand on the grou - !" Faster than he can say "Dammit", Enigmatic Man was swept in a wave of sand, and then encased, with only his masked head in view. He swore he heard a very silent "Sabakukyu"...
"Well, look you got caught up in sand..." A cloud of sand suddenly conglomerated together to form Gaara. Engmatic man cocked his head to the side, as much as he could.
"Who the heck are you?" He asked in a confused tone. There was no malice in his voice. Just pure confusion.
"Sabaku no Gaara."
"Ah! I've heard of you! Quite the monster, I've heard. But now a Love Advice columnist, nice work! 'Love Style' I think you're column was called...what was your alias again?"
"Prince of Ardour."
"Good lord, even I wouldn't use that..." came the reply. Gaara rolled his eyes as he stepped forward to pull off Engmatic Man's mask. For someone so secretive, he sure liked to talk...
Like a certain someone I know by the name of Gaara...
I blame you for this.
What the? Don't sound unreasonable, you - Shukaku never got to finish, as Gaara ignored him and pulled off the mask. Sasuke gasped in shock and almost choked. Gaara was shocked too, but not to Sasuke's extent.
"Wha-wha-?" Sasuke stuttered. In front of them was a beautiful young man with long dark hair, and goes by the name of "Haku! What the hell are you doing here!" Haku gave his trademark nice-boy smile.
"Promoting my show?" He looked at Gaara. "Seems I was caught off guard, nice work...it was bound to happen one day. I am Haku, designer of Ash and Oak, master of needles, ice, and now, clothes." Gaara blinked a couple of times.
"Sasuke, do you know this guy?" He asked Sasuke quickly. Gaara was at a lost. "And is it me, or does he look like a girl?"
"Nope, he really looks like a girl...in Naruto's words: 'He's cuter than Sakura-chan!' although his voice finally changed into a more masculine one. And I know him, from long ago...didn't know you had a career change..." Sasuke raised an eyebrow as he spoke to Haku.
"Oh, it was Zabuza-sama's idea. Said it wasn't fatherly of him to let my be his puppet, and decided I should get a better education, and I then discovered a knack for designing things! Though Zabuza-sama said fashion design is for fruity men, but what the heck, it's raking in the money..." Haku replied with his complacent smile. Sasuke let the last thing Haku said sink in. Did he just say it was all for the money...? That was very un-Haku like, but then again, they didn't know Haku THAT well...
"Gaara-san, do you mind removing the sand from me? I have some work to do...including revealing my new collection of men's wear, which means more Sasuke-kun on the cat walk..."
"That means...you're really the true creator of Ash and Oak!" Sasuke exclaimed. Haku nodded as much as he could.
"That's right, Sasuke-kun." At that time, Ino and Hinata happened to walk that same hallway. Ino heard the two very last comments. She saw Gaara, Sasuke, and a very beautiful androgynous being wrapped in sand.
"Gaara, you found the Enigmatic man?" Then she saw the mask in his hand. Then she noticed there were only three people that she and Hinata bumped into. And of those three, she knew only two. Which left...
"THAT BEAUTIFUL PERSON IS THE CREATOR OF ASH AND OAK?" Ino felt light headed.
"Seems my secret has been blown. Hello, miss and miss, I am Haku, creator of Ash and Oak."
Ino fainted.
Five seconds later...
Ino's eyes slowly fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Hinata sending chakra into her body. Hinata sighed in relief.
"Ino, you're alright..." However, Ino did not register Hinata's comment into her mind.
"Hinata, I had the strangest dream where the creator of Ash and Oak was one of the most beautiful people I've seen."
"Why thank you, I would say the same about you too, Ino-chan." came a smooth, melodic voice. Ino turned to the source of that voice. So it wasn't a dream. Haku turned to Hinata. "Nice work, Hinata-sama, she was up in a jiffy."
"What is going on?" Neji now came into the picture. He saw everyone gathered around Ino. Unimpressed, he crossed his arms. "What are you doing on the floor, woman?"
"Neji-sama, she fell unconscious." Haku explained. Neji raised an eyebrow. He turned to Sasuke and Gaara for clarification.
"Who is he?" Neji snapped, jerking his thumb at Haku. Gaara and Sasuke didn't know what to answer. Does Haku still want to keep his secret.
"Haku, creator of Ash and Oak." Haku introduced. He picked up his mask and covered his face. "See?" then he took it off again. Neji wasn't so shocked. Must be something to do with maturity. "This day was to come, though I did not expect it to be so soon. Nevermind. But I do want to request something from you five. Please do not reveal my identity to the public just yet. I will announce myself at the show. I will pay you back of course." He looked at Gaara. "I'll do the interview for your magazine."
"She's doing it." Gaara indicated Ino. Haku nodded.
"Of course. I will also help you anyway I can, so don't mind coming to ask me for anything." He helped Ino up. "Well, Hinata-sama, Neji-sama, do you mind helping Ino-chan to a place to rest?" They left with Ino in tow, and Haku turned to Sasuke.
"Come on, Sasuke-kun, we have a show to get ready!"
"Y-yes, Haku, erm, I mean, Haku-sama!"
"You can drop the formalities." Haku responded. "Gaara-san, I would like to invite you to our show, bring your family along. Here's a VIP ticket." Haku handed Gaara an envelop of tickets. There were ten. "There's more than enough, you can probably bring some friends. I'll give Ino her set later. So what will you be doing?"
"I think I'll get back to the office, my work is done here." Well, actually, I had no work to begin with.
"Okay then, goodbye, Gaara-san! I hope I'll see you again soon!" And Haku and Sasuke left to work. Gaara found his way out of the house as a sand cloud.
---
Hmm...maybe I shouldn't go straight home and wait till they go to sleep...so I wouldn't have to put up with another one of Temari and Kankurou's chivalry speeches...Gaara thought as he headed home from work. The only thing he did back at the office was read more of Jiraiya's Mills and Boon. Having too much time was a bad thing.
"GAAAAAAARAAAAAAAA! WHAT IS THIS I HEARD ABOUT YOU FINDING OUT THE REAL IDENTITY OF ASH AND OAK'S DESIGNER?" Deidara jumped out and basically pounced on Gaara. "Man, I love that brand! That man sure knows who to design good clothes...anyway, what does he look like?"
"Androgynous...like you." Gaara answered. Deidara nodded.
"Mmm...explains, un. All great minds look androgynous." Deidara remarked to himself. Gaara rolled his eyes.
"Don't you have anything else to do?"
"Nope. Just asking though, have you seen Sakura-chan?" Gaara twitched. Why did Deidara have to bring that up again? "Even Sasori's beginning to mope, although he won't admit it, un..."
"Haven't seen her, don't care." Gaara responded harshly. Deidara narrowed his eyes, suspicious.
"Did something happen...I mean, she's also following you around, un..."
"Nothing." Gaara lied. "I bet she's just busy at the hospital and all..."
"Un..." Deidara sighed. "Eh, well, I'll just go off now...just remembered I had a few documents to look over..." And he left. Gaara sighed in relief.
So...if he didn't endure Temari's wrath about Sakura at home...then he'll have to put up with Deidara's whining at work. Just great.
It seems he must do something about this, before he starts begging Itachi to kill him.
AN: Well, this was a rather long chapter. And Sasuke's girl was a made up character, I just couldn't pair any of the other girls with him, but what the heck, their story isn't THAT important, but that event contributes to the Gaara X Sakura scenario. And that post note in the last chapter mentioned Haku, aye? It was a lead to this chapter, in a very different fashion (as in I told you the character, not his/her position). I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO SASORI. Well, I'm going to "dismiss" what happened to him, and just go on with this fic. Deal. I changed all of Deidara's Yeah to Un...makes life easier (more accurate) Dunno if I should change it in the previous chapters though. I didn't proof read this, as I'm too lazy to re-read the whole thing...for those who are also Bishounen no Jutsu readers, I'll try my best to update that (I got a block for that story half way through a chapter...) Someone already said that they'll cast a jutsu worse that Bishounen no Jutsu on me if I don't update...I love that comment XD Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, readers! (Just in case I don't update or see you or something XD)