Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and do not gain any money from this one-shot.
Prompt: Tattoo Artist AU (from MadaSakuWeek tumblr)
This Princess Doesn't Need Saving
"Who is that girl?" Madara made a subtle gesture with his chin.
"Who?" Izuna turned around. "The redhead? She's Sasuke's latest girlfriend. That boy sure—"
He guessed that much from the way she clung onto Sasuke's arm. His nephew sure had peculiar tastes. "Not that one. The one with pink hair. I haven't seen her before." He would have recalled, had it been the case. She was not the type you could overlook in a crowd. It was not only the pink hair and the tattoos—Is that a falcon on her back? That's definitely a cherry flower on her forearm. It was about how she carried herself: shoulders back, chin up, sneering at whomever gave her a wrong stare.
"She's my tattoo artist."
Damn. He tapped on his glass. Madara would never fight his brother for a woman. "You're interested in her? Are you trying to impress her?" Why else would he bring her here?
"Why?" Izuna moved his face closer. "Are you jealous?"
"I don't even know the girl, brother."
Izuna rolled his eyes. "God forbid you show some human emotions. She's a cool chick. I can introduce you to her, but you're not her type."
Madara chuckled; he gulped down the whiskey. Not her type? He was everyone's type. "Why is that?"
"You're stuck-up, don't understand spontaneity, and are afraid of needles. Sakura is all about memento mori and sticks needles into people for a living."
You're wrong, Izuna. We're not that different, only that she could rebel without consequences. I, on the other hand, had to protect you. His eyes went over her body again. Sakura. It suits her.
"Why did you bring her here, then?" He never lost the trail of the conversation. He wouldn't admit to his brother: she intrigued him.
"I kept complaining when we met and she said she doubts eating caviar and drinking champagne can be that bad. Told her this lifestyle would ruin a wild soul like hers. I wanted to show her a bit of my world."
Madara chuckled in disbelief. Was that what she thought about their lives? That it was all roses? She forgot roses had thorns. She's glossing over the backstabbing, the expectations, the paparazzi.
He observed her. She walked as if she belonged there, but it was an act. A dark dress amidst colorful, flowy, summer ones, heels clacking too loud, curiosity too blatant. Sakura. An ephemeral blooming flower, beautiful and fragile, among a field of thorny roses. She appeared to be the toughest in the room, but compared to the lying, manipulative women he knew there, she was harmless—it was the fierce looks that made her so; people get what they expect with her. She doesn't play the innocent who turns out to be the mastermind of a plan trying to chain you down by faking a pregnancy. He shook his head. Where did this come from?
"I want to meet her."
"Interested?"
"Always in whomever you spend your time with, Izuna."
Izuna patted his brother's shoulder forcefully. "Stop with this over-protectiveness. You're acting like we're still ten." Madara winced. That was not a period of his life that he wanted to revisit. He felt his skin crawl thinking of his father. His body tensed as he remembered the shouting, the whip on his back, Izuna's crying, her mother's pleading… He's dead, Madara. Don't think of it anymore.
"I'm sorry, Madara. Are you okay?" He opened his eyes and attempted a smile, hoping that would wipe away the worry from Izuna's eyes. The shooting rang in his ears. His fingers itched. He grabbed a glass from one of the waiters, inhaled the vapours of alcohol and drank it at once. He couldn't evade the smell of blood.
"Of course." He saw Tobirama stomping his way to Sakura. That's bad. He knew how much Tobirama cared about rules and order—how he hated the smallest signs of rebellion. Sakura was like a walking red flag.
Maybe I should let him have his ass kicked. I don't think she's the playing time. Tobirama was ruthless. What if he tries to humiliate her? She was not part of their world. She did not deserve it. What was her crime? Having a few tattoos and her hair dyed pink? Madara knew how it felt to be humiliated, ostracized. When that bastard who dared to call himself "father" died, the clan tried to force his mother, Izuna, and himself in a recluse unit in a remote village. When he stood up for his family, they shamed Madara for his father's sins.
"Excuse me."
Izuna was right. This is draining me. There was only so much drinking that could keep her entertained. She lifted her leg and rotated her ankle. It's not as much fun as I thought it would be.
"I don't know you. How did you get in?"
I'll have one more glass and some cakes and I'll head out. Should I let Izuna know I'm leaving?
"Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"
One step. Two. Three. She slapped away the hand that was about to grab her.
The audacity.
"Do you go around grabbing women on regular basis? If so, you should be locked up." He froze. "Who the fuck are you, anyway?" He had whtie hair, but did not look old. Mid-thirties maybe.
"That's what I'm asking. How did you get in? You're definitely now someone I've seen before."
"I came here with someone."
"Ha! Who would bring such an unmannered partner? Allow me to escort you out. Let's not cause a scene." He grabbed her arm. It hurt. She could feel eyes on them. Would it cause Izuna any trouble if I punched the bastard? Should I punch him outside?
Someone came from behind, put one hand around her shoulders and grabbed the man's hand.
"Take your hands off my partner."
It's not Izuna. She looked up and was met by the sight of gorgeous man. Killer jaw, deep eyes, fantastic hair, warm hands… Who is this man? She got closer to him. His fingers tightened around her shoulder.
"Uchiha." He and Izuna are related?
"Senju."
"How there you bring someone like her at this important event? Have you no shame?"
"Pardon?" Sakura was growing angry by the minute. People were downright staring.
"Take her out and leave
"Like father like son." Tobirama's mouth twisted in disgust. Madara tensed up. He moved his focus somewhere above Tobirama's head. His father had been a bastard, but having Senju comment on it bothered him. It was this sort of hateful and fear instilling speech that convinced the Uchiha to go 50-50 with their company. "I told Hashirama he can't turn you into a gentleman." He looked her up and down. "Associating with the likes of her is your business, but don't bring your sluts—"
Before anyone could react, Sakura's fist connected with his face.
"Are you a gentleman? Who do you think you're calling slut?! Since when do tattoos stand as a sign for 'forget your manners'? Speak, you asshole!"
"A match made in heaven, huh? A slut and a jerk."
"You little!"
"Enough!" Madara's word hit the walls like waves hitting the shore. Some took a step back; Izuna's chest filled with pride. In his quest to protect him and their mother, Madara let others step on him. It was time stopped playing in defensive and charged head-on.
"Apologize to Sakura." He knew her name; she hid her surprise. He must know Izuna. How else could he know it? Her phone vibrated; a message: 'take care of my bro.' So he's Madara. Izuna told her about him.
"As if."
This asshole. "Let him be, Madara. Let's go."
"No. He should apologize." He grabbed his collar. Tobirama was defiant.
"In your dreams."
"Ah. That's not how you do it. Allow me." Sakura stepped next to him and grabbed his balls. She squeezed. Tobirama shrieked.
"I've seen your type: fed with a silver spoon, thinks he's always right, thinks money is the be-all end-all."
"You biiitch!"
"Feeling any remorse?" She wondered if he was aware that she could kill him. She squeezed a bit tighter.
"Sorry!" She let him go and he slipped on the floor. Maybe I exaggerated a bit.
Madara grabbed her hand. "Let's go."
"That was savage back there."
"That fucker deserved it."
"And more."
Her hand was still in his. She didn't want to let go.
"Let me walk you home."
"I don't know… I don't trust guys without tattoos." It was a lame joke, but he laughed. God, I'm so attracted to him. Her nipples peaked through her dress. They started wandering. Soon the restaurant was behind them.
"Then how about you give me one?"
"A what?"
"A tattoo."
"What would you like? I'll make you a discount 'cause your cute." She slapped a hand over her mouth. She hadn't planned to say that out loud.
He bit his lip. "I've never thought about it. But definitely nothing cute." They kept walking for a little while in silence. "Something ferocious maybe? Something powerful?" They came to a halt. He brought her closer. "What do you think?"
Sakura loved his confidence. There was something about him.
She pressed her palm on his chest. She raised on her tiptoes. "I'm not sure. How ferocious are we talking?"
"Very." His mouth indulged in hers, tasting her honey lips like a bee meeting a flower for the first time and not having enough of it.
"A sword?" She dragged her fingers on his abs. Lower. Lower.
"Already have one." He laughed and kissed her again. She put her palm up his shirt and caressed her back. He tensed under her touch.
"A dragon?"
He kissed and bit her neck. She moaned. "No one will be able to save you from this dragon." She rubbed herself on him, desperate for some sort of friction, of relief.
"I don't wanna be saved."
