Wow. Finally up! I never thought I'd get it done! I never knew that it was that original! O.O
Well, sorry for the wait! I had graduation and all that jazz… I've also signed up for DeviantArt, so I've been busy with that too!
Sorry again!
Also, for fans of 'Not Your Fight Anymore', the chapter is almost finished! I just suddenly had a creativity boost for this fic.
I hope you like!
Chapter 2: Stalker
A day had passed since team seven had visited Jiraiya. Naruto was still completely pissed off, while Sasuke, while still enraged, managed to calm down a bit and control his anger while trying to restrain the angered Naruto.
And Sakura? Sakura left the building without a word. Sasuke, knowing now that she would most likely have some other perverted men following her, walked by her side.
"Sasuke… you don't need to walk me home…" She said quietly. Sasuke glanced over at her, surprised to see her face a light shade of pink.
It had been the first time he had seen her blush in a long time.
"Sakura?" He raised an eyebrow in question. "Are you blushing?"
Sakura bit her lip and sort of stepped away, her face becoming even darker. Sasuke tried to meet her gaze, but to no avail.
"Are you embarrassed about me seeing those pictures?" He continued prodding, a small smirk forming on his face. The Uchiha prodigy had seen her in less clothes during missions when they were attacked… or when someone spied on her while she was in a spring…
Man, there were perverts EVERYWHERE!
Sakura bit her lip. "I… I don't know… it just feels weird…" She replied quietly. The shyness of her voice rivaled that of Hinata.
Letting out a sigh, Sasuke shook his head.
"Sakura… we'll find the one who's been following you. I promise."
There was much silence after that. The only sounds that could be heard were the faraway cries of giddy children playing in the fields and the occasional twitter of birds.
"Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"Why are you getting so frustrated about this?"
Sasuke turned to her in question. "What do you mean?" Sakura smiled and shook her head.
"Never mind." She said with an innocent voice. Sasuke frowned, but didn't bother arguing.
As the two continued to walk, Sasuke couldn't help but notice all of the men turning their heads in Sakura's direction. There were even close calls of men passing by and reaching out to grab her ass, but quickly chose otherwise when they saw the Uchiha's death glare.
Sakura silently thanked the Uchiha for being with her. She had never guessed that there would be so many creeps in Konoha… or so many that read Icha-Icha Paradise. She had never really noticed before… but now that she looked, she couldn't believe it.
The two walked quickly the rest of the way to her home, relieved to find the road on the way there practically vacant. Because it was the middle of summer, the cherry blossoms had disappeared long ago, leaving lush green leaves. Both of them found the setting quite soothing, taking them away from their current problems.
"Sasuke?"
"Yeah?"
Sakura glanced up solemnly at her older teammate. "How long do you think this will go on?" She asked quietly. Sasuke shook his head.
"I don't know, Sakura." He admitted. It hurt to say that to her, but he truly didn't know what would happen. Sakura nodded sadly, her head hanging as she stared vacantly at the ground. Sasuke sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll promise you one thing though." He told her softly. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you more than they already have." He then frowned, imagining what Naruto would say at a time like this. "And same goes with the other two." The prodigy added after a moment. "Well… Naruto at least… I'm not so sure about Kakashi."
Over four years had passed by, and Sasuke, being seventeen, had formed a strange bond with the younger ninja. A light friendship was a good way to put it. He was like the older brother, highly protective of his little sister.
She was the closest thing to a sister he really had… and he didn't want to lose it so soon.
Before they realized it, the two shinobi were standing in front of Sakura's house. Sakura thanked him for walking her home and invited him inside for some tea. Sasuke agreed to her request and followed her inside.
One specialty he knew Sakura had was making amazing tea. It contained a strangely wonderful taste that differed from other teas, and at the same time, calmed you down.
"Here you go." Sakura said, placing a cup of the steaming liquid before him. The Uchiha nodded in thanks, lifting his cup and taking a sip. A sweet sensation rushed through his mouth. He swallowed the liquid, complimenting the Haruno's work once he was done. Sakura smiled and quickly left the room to get her mother's famous cookies.
As Sasuke waited, his eyes roamed the coffee table, trying to find something that would interest him. His eyes caught sight of a small, folded note under the vase. 'Saku' was all he needed to see to know it was for her.
Pulling the piece of paper out, he read through the note, his eyes narrowing dangerously once he realized what the note was referring to.
I want to see more.
You're one luscious piece of eye candy that hasn't quite been unwrapped yet.
I'd like to see it all… taste it all… have it all…
I want you, my little Sakura. You're my delicious candy that I'm just dying to have.
I see you everywhere. And with each passing moment I want you more. I'll always be there… watching your every move.
I want you, Sakura.
"Shit…" he muttered as he crumpled the note in his fist. Sakura soon entered the room, a small plate of cookies in her hands.
"Sasuke?" She asked, noticing the look on his face. The Uchiha quickly pocketed the note, shaking his head.
"It's nothing…" He said quietly. Sakura frowned, but brushed it off. She turned around and started to walk out of the room when Sasuke spoke up.
"Sakura… I don't think it's safe for you to stay here…"
"Huh?" She turned around and gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
"Well… they mentioned where you lived in the magazine… and I'm guessing you'll have some secret admirers after this…" He replied quietly. He didn't want her to find out about the note… she had just finally calmed down.
"That's true…" She murmured, glancing at the ground. "Where do you suggest I stay?"
"With a friend." He said sternly. "Maybe Naruto or someone like that…" Sakura smiled.
"Funny how the first person you mention is Naruto." She laughed. "You sure you can trust him with me?" She added teasingly. Sasuke smiled slightly despite himself and nodded.
"He's a good friend. I know he would never violate you." He replied. Sakura nodded in agreement.
"You're right, Sasuke." She murmured. "Thanks for everything."
& & & & &
"HINATA!"
The pearly-eyed girl turned her head at the sound of that oh-so familiar voice. Loud and cocky, slightly excited…
None other than Naruto.
A small blush rose to her face as a dust cloud was seen further down the road. There was Naruto, jacket tied around his waist as he ran up towards her. He soon stopped before her, breathing heavily.
"Hinata…" He breathed, looking up at her with those soft, blue eyes. "I'm… so glad… I found you…"
"N-Naruto?" She crouched down so that they were at eye-level. "W-what's the matter?"
"It's Sakura." He said, letting himself sit down right on the road. Hinata glanced down at him curiously. She knew perfectly well that Naruto didn't have a crush on Sakura anymore. What could have been the problem?
"Why don't w-we talk about it over s-some ramen?" She said, trying to remain as calm as she could. It wasn't every day that she asked Naruto out for ramen. Naruto's eyes shimmered and the next thing she knew, she was being pulled along by the orange ninja to Ichiraku.
"One pork ramen for me and a miso soup for my good friend Hinata here!" Naruto said as they sat down. He now had three minutes to explain what he could to her.
"You were at the beach with Sakura last weekend, right?" Naruto asked. Hinata nodded, still curious about what he was talking about. Naruto's face became grim as he looked at her.
"Someone took pictures of her… and published them in the forbidden book."
Hinata's eyes widened in shock. "W-what!" she gasped, not believing her ears. "But when…!"
"At the beach last weekend." He said, glancing down at the table. "Someone was taking snapshots of Sakura… registered her as over 19… and got her into the book."
Hinata gazed down at the table. "I can't believe this…" She breathed. "And Sakura of all people…" She then looked up at her long time crush. "I'll help you, Naruto." She said in such a firm voice that it shocked the blonde boy. "Sakura's my friend… a-and I don't want her hurt."
Naruto smiled. He had never heard Hinata say anything without stuttering in front of him.
"Thank you, Hinata!" he said, hugging her despite the table in between them. The Hyuuga gasped and flushed a deep red.
Her chances of not stuttering in front of him again were now slim to none.
The ramen was soon set before them. Even Hinata couldn't help but drool a bit.
"So where's Sakura n-now?" Hinata asked quietly as she lifted some noodles into the air.
"With Sasuke." He replied, looking up at her with a grin. "Something tells me Sasuke was more pissed than I was."
"W-what makes you say that?" Hinata asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
"It was the look on his face." He murmured, gazing at no point in particular as he thought back to Sasuke. "I swore he was going to kill the next person that crossed his path." He added with a grin.
Hinata smiled. She knew perfectly well that the members of Team 7 were very protective of one another. It was no surprise that the great Uchiha Sasuke would get angered over something like this.
"Yeah… you just gotta promise to keep this quiet, kay?" Naruto, said as he lowered his voice. Hinata nodded quickly, causing Naruto to grin.
"GREAT! Let's dig in!"
And with that, he was completely absorbed in his noodles.
"Oi! Dobe!"
Naruto choked on his precious food. The noodles hanging in his windpipe. Hinata had to rush over and slap him on the back several times until he was breathing again.
"SASUKE!" he barked, turning in the direction of the raven-haired boy who stood smirking. "What the hell!"
"Sakura needs a place to stay." Sasuke said, ignoring his friend's screams. "You're free, right?"
Naruto gave Sasuke a suspicious look. "Why doesn't she stay with you?" he asked, crossing his arms. "Besides… I can barely fit myself into that apartment anymore." He glanced over at the pink-haired girl beside the Uchiha. "Sorry, 'bout that, Sakura…"
The young Haruno smiled. "It's perfectly okay, Naruto. But now where will I go?"
"I vote Sasuke's!" Naruto called, standing up and raising his hand over his head. Hinata shyly raised her hand too. Sasuke looked from Naruto to Hinata and back to Naruto again.
"You told her!" He whispered harshly. Naruto shrugged.
"We can trust her." He said lazily as he ran a hand through his blonde hair. "This Hinata were talking about!"
"I agree with Naruto." Sakura cut in. "She's my friend. I trust her."
Sasuke stared long and hard at the orange shinobi, unsure of how to get back at him.
"… fine." He growled. "but nobody else, got it?"
Naruto stood up and did a mock-salute just to piss the Uchiha off. Sasuke growled and turned on his heel.
"Come on, Sakura. We need to get you moved in I guess…"
& & & & &
"Are you sure this is alright?"
Sakura stood at the door to the Uchiha home, carrying one bag in each hand. Sasuke, who had just unlocked the door, turned around to face her.
"Why wouldn't it be?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "It's not going to matter. You're going to have some problems if you stay at your old home."
Sakura nodded glumly. She had been shocked earlier that day when a giant pile of gifts was piled up at her front door… one of them most likely containing one of her fans.
Did all models go through this?
Letting out a sigh, she followed the Uchiha inside. She placed her bags down near the door and looked around.
It was the first time she had been inside his home… and she could not believe how beautiful it really was. Everything was clean… all except for a bit of dust here and there.
"Wow… Sasuke this is beautiful!" She gasped, her feet moving on their own as she began to explore. "My god… it's as if you have a maid here!"
"Nope." Sasuke said as he let himself fall onto the couch in the living room. Sakura glanced over at him in surprise.
"Are you serious? You don't have a maid cleaning this?"
"It can be arranged…" He muttered, letting one of his eyes open to glance over at her. Images of Sakura in a maid suit cleaning everything soon popped into his head and he couldn't help but snicker at the thought. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him.
"What exactly are you thinking about, Sasuke?" She asked hotly. Sasuke shook his head.
"Nothing." He replied with a sly grin. Sakura immediately began to worry about his intentions while she was here.
Wait. What was she thinking! She knew and trusted Sasuke. He would never do anything to degrade her.
As if he was reading her mind, Sasuke spoke up: "You don't need to worry. I wouldn't do anything like that to you."
Sakura smiled and nodded. Sasuke glanced at her and knew she was still a little upset about the eye-candy problem.
And at the moment… so was he.
And she already has a stalker! Perfect! Absolutely perfect!
He would tell Naruto about the note later. For now, he would help Sakura make dinner.
Because she was finally calm… finally happy…
He wanted to see that.
TBC…
Yup! Done! THANK GOD!
Well, I hope you guys like this chapter as much as you did the first…