ichi ni san...gomen! eh...it's the summer...and i've had to go to the summer program where i teach ((annoying yet adorable)) litto kids, then i hafta "go" to classes at MIT XD hehe then there's my ever so beautiful procrastination skills...XD yup yupz buh ne! here's the seventh chappy! now i hafta go kidnap sasuke...heheee


Help?

Arriving at work that day, Sakura tried to balance her two cups of Starbucks coffee, several folders and her bag as walked in. A thousand thoughts clouded her mind and distracted her. She had no idea how the situation was between Kano and Sasuke, nor did she know how she fit into it. She made sure she took the coffee with extra, extra sugar that morning. Uh that should keep me up the whole day…hopefully.

Rubbing her eyes as she yawned, she dreamt of her comfy bed at home. She didn't get to sleep well that night. Her night had been plagued with, well, they could be called nightmares filled with kisses chasing her, Sasuke's evil look, and an occasional duck waddling past her, which confused the hell out of her.

She got off the elevator and went straight to her office. Hm, I don't feel very well…Maybe I'll feel better later.

Inside her office, seated comfortably, she fumbled around her bag for her compact mirror when a knock at the door brought her attention to a smiling Kano at the door.

Getting up, Sakura bowed and said, "Ohayoo gozaimasu, Kano-sama."

"Ohayoo, Sakura-chan." Kano smiled pleasantly, and Sakura wondered if he actually recalled any of what happened last night. "I've come to personally invite you to the ball next week! It'll be attended by my workers and Sasuke-kun's workers. I hope you can make it. Here is your invitation."

Kano handed her a small card wrapped in petal-made paper and tied with a lovely silk ribbon. Then he left the room. Wow a ball…I'll have to get a pretty dress!

Sakura sat down at her desk and turned the invitation over in her hands. No doubt Sasuke would be there…Omg what am I thinking! Seriously, Sakura, get a grip on yourself. Sakura shook off any remaining tricky feelings and got to work.

At lunch, she went to visit her fellow co-workers at her other workplace. Walking in, she nearly got suffocated by Chiaki, one of the girls there, in a big bear hug. "Sakura-chan! Oh we've missed you so much! Why didn't you come and visit earlier!"

The pink-haired girl's face nearly became the matching color of her hair. "Gomen nasai!" Sakura made a sharp bow and smiled shyly.

"Iieeee, daijobu, daijobu!" the blonde girl grinned. "Let's go and tell Sasuke-sama who's visiting us today!"

"Eh? Ma-matte," Sakura smiled nervously. "Ano, th-that's not necessary…"

"Hm?" Chiaki questioned. "Why not? He's the boss! He should know!"

"Eh…hehe…" Sakura watched uneasily as Chiaki bounded off in search of the their oh-so-wonderful boss. Meanwhile, she made the most of the time she had before being under Sasuke's watch.

"Ino-chan," Sakura called to her friend. Ino turned around. Surprised, she smiled and walked over to Sakura.

"Sakura…what are you doing here?" Ino asked pleasantly.

"Nandeee? Aren't you happy to see me?" Sakura asked, her eyes squinting in a kawaii, suspicious fashion.

Ino laughed and patted her on the head. "Of course!"

Everyone crowded over to them greeting Sakura. She was surrounded on all sides by people. The workplace seemed like a marketplace with all the talking and noise. As Sakura tried her best to say hi back to all of them, she felt like her energy was being drained from her. Ugh…I must be tired…maybe it's just a lack of sleep…

"Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan!"

"Sakura-chan!"

"Konnichiwa!"

Just when Sakura felt her head throb and her body weaken, out of the corner of her eye, Sasuke came into sight just as she collapsed unconscious…

Opening her eyes slowly, she shut them again as the light seemed to hurt them.

"Sakura, daijobu?" she heard a familiar voice say. It was a strong voice. The correct combination of deepness and attractiveness. Strong and authoritative. Realizing who she was describing in her subconscious state, her eyes snapped open and they stared into the face of her boss.

Deeply embarrassed to let him see her in such a weak state, she sat up and took off the small yellow towel that was draped on her forehead.

"Sakura, nande," Sasuke called out. He snatched the towel, pushed her back onto the tatami mat, and put the towel on her forehead again. He pulled the quilt over her shoulders as he said, "You're too weak to be so rash. Don't be an idiot."

The sniffling, pale-faced, pink-haired girl watched from behind her tired green eyes. Watching her, he felt something pull at his heartstrings. He felt the need to help her. To comfort her. To protect her. The realization and feeling brought a shock of horror, and it must have showed on his face because Sakura suddenly looked worried.

"Ano…am I sick? Or did I die…or something like that…? Hehe…"

"Uh, no, nothing of the sort," Sasuke tried to keep his voice emotionless now. Surprised that it was a struggle, he turned his back to her to tidy up the room.

Sakura looked at her surroundings. The room was beautifully and yet simply furnished and set up. The simple Japanese paintings hung on the soft-colored walls and the simple Japanese furniture gave the room a very warm atmosphere. Simple flower arrangements were displayed on the window sill. The traditional garden outside was absolutely beautiful. Almost like a picture. Peaceful and serene. Sakura frowned as she tried to figure out where she was. She wasn't aware of any room like that in the office. Her attention then switched to Sasuke. She watched his back as he fumbled around with medicine bottles and wet towels.

"Ano…Sasuke-sama," she managed softly. "Where am I?"

"My house."

Sakura said 'oh' when it had sunk into her brain. She looked around nervously. Suddenly, Sasuke turned around with a sort of grin on his face. It terrified Sakura.

"Don't worry," Sasuke's handsome face half smiled and half grinned. "Nothing will happen to you."

Sakura watched him dumbfounded. She blinked a couple of times, not sure of what his "real" intentions were. He just chuckled and left the room. Sakura looked to the ceiling. She lifted her arms helplessly to it and sighed. Oh my…I'm going to die, aren't I?