I Do Not Own Naruto
Sakura stood in the middle of Sasuke's apartment which looked more like one big house.
Blue-grey walls highlighted dark wood floors and black furniture. Floor to ceiling windows covered by white sheer curtains allowed some natural lighting.
Looking toward the kitchen Sakura noted it looked like something from a magazine. Black granite counters with white cupboards. State of the art appliances, some Sakura had never seen before.
"If you want to keep your mouth open at least don't drool on my floor."
Sakura snapped her jaw shut turning to glare at Sasuke who lazily stripped his coat off before working on his shirt buttons.
Sakura felt heat warm her cheeks when she caught a glimpse of Sasuke's smooth chest before finding the floor very interesting.
"Hn. Make yourself comfortable, I'll be a few minutes to pack and shower. Try not to wreck the place."
"I'm not a child, you act like I need a babysitter." Sakura voice was hinted with annoyance but refused to look up at Sasuke while he got comfortably naked in front of her.
"Then prove you can be a big girl and don't wreck my place." Sasuke's voice was bored but as he smiled down at Sakura he was quite amused. Dropping his shirt at her feet he watched while her body stiffened Sasuke was fully enjoying the awkwardness he was making.
Clenching her fists Sakra kept her eyes on the floor while turning away to the windows.
Sasuke passed Sakura a smirk she didn't see before soundlessly walking back to his bathroom.
'He's unbelievable! Not even a day with this guy and he is a total self absorbed jerk! And I act like a kid who hasn't seen a man without a shirt, ugh I'm an idiot.'
Sakura placed her warm forehead to the cool window pane and sighed. She had to admit Sasuke was one nice looking man, but she couldn't fuel the fantasy of a man like him to ever give her a second glance. If she wasn't forced to be here Sasuke would probably waltz by nose held high.
'Why am I even thinking about this?'
Sakura shook her head to clear all thoughts and just watched as life 25 stories below the penthouse moved along.
Sasuke cleared his throat to get Sakura's attention.
Spinning on her heel Sakura took in the form of fresh from the shower Sasuke.
Dark blue jeans hung low on Sasuke's hips paired with dark brown army boots, Sasuke's still damp hair dripped into his tight grey tshirt. A black back pack slung over one shoulder while a white duffle bag rested by his feet.
Sakura swallowed hard taking in the sight before her.
'To think he's my bodyguard, wow he looks hot. I should say something.'
"What happened to the suit?"
Sasuke smirked before he opened his mouth using a cocky voice.
"Boyfriends don't wear suits if they want to look normal."
Sakura's eyes grew, "What?! No way!"
"Deal with it princess. If I have to be by you all the time then it's the best alibi."
"No way! You can be my new acquired um friend."
"You can throw a fit all you want but this is how I plan on succeeding at my job, besides it's not like the boyfriend position is filled. I've read your file I know all sorts of fun stuff about you." With a wink Sasuke enjoyed the sight of Sakura's eyes light with fire.
Out of all the women Sasuke had to work with Sakra was the only one to ever have a fighting attitude that made things fun. For the first time a woman didn't swoon and sigh his name like it was a prayer, to him Sakura was a unique fresh air.
"Listen here Uchiha...!"
Sakura's grew wide again as her brain made a connection she missed earlier.
Sasuke lifted a delicate eyebrow waiting for their bickering to continue.
"Holy crap you're an Uchiha." Sakura whispered as realization dawned on here just who Sasuke was.
Folding his arms over his chest Sasuke mentally cursed, 'Well guess here comes another fan girl. Damn.'
"An Uchiha."
"Yea, I know my last name get to the point." Sasuke's voice sounded irritated all playfulness wiped clean making Sakura stare at him confused.
A muscle ticked in Sasuke's jaw as Sakura looked evenly into onyx eyes.
"Make your point Haruno." Sasuke's voice was low lined with warning.
"You're the son of the wealthiest man in Konoha and your playing bodyguard. Why?" Sakura spoke slowly not wanting to cross a line, but seeing Sasuke eyes flash to a deeper black she knew the damage was done.
"That's not really your business Sakura."
"Seeing as you know all sorts of fun stuff about me I think it's only fair actually."
"Life isn't fair."
"Don't preach to me about something I already know! I'm in a screwed up deal with the devil himself."
"Sakura-"
"Forget it!" Heading to the door Sakura bit her lip to hold back tears. Her whole life was a mess now and Sasuke had the nerve to rub it in. 'Work will clear my head and make this all be a bad nightmare.'
Sasuke rubbed his jaw, 'Good work Uchiha way to let the family name ruin the morning. Now you have to chase down a girl. Fantastic.'
Sakura took several deep breaths before walking into her mentor's office, she was ready for the lecture about overworking but she needed this.
"Haruno I know you're out there come in." A strong feminine voice called from the opposite side of the door.
"How did-"
"Not important. What is important though is why you are here on your day off...again."
Sakura opened a large office door to find a busty blond looking straight at her with caramel colored eyes waiting for a response.
"I know you can always use extra help at the hospital Tsunade and I need a distraction from life."
Sakura had only ever said that sentence one other time to Tsunade and it was when her mother had just passed away, Sakura had begged for an apprenticeship to heal some of her hurt.
Tsunade looked mournfully into emerald eyes that had turned a darker green over the years.
Sakura had been dealt a bad hand of cards in life and Tsunade sympathized with her knowing exactly what pain and loss did to someone. Losing her little brother and fiancé had been the reason she slept in the bottom of whiskey bottles every night.
A clock ticked minutes by before Tsunade nodded her head allowing Sakura to take over rounds for the day.
Sighing heavily, Sakura said a quick thank you and left her teacher to continue paperwork.
Heading to her office Sakura shed her commoner cloths for scrubs, sneakers, and her white coat.
Passing a glance at the photo of mother she headed out to do rounds in the child wing. Whenever Sakura could she would visit the little kids hoping that when they got home they lived a happier life.
"Forehead what are you doing up here, aren't you supposed to be off today?"
Sakura turned to face none other than Ino.
"Didn't really want to stay cooped up in the apartment."
"That's great and all Pinky but you really need to take time off."
"Ino just for once let it be." Sakura's voice was hollow sounding edged with exhaustion, she was tired of fighting with people she just wanted to work.
"Sakura what's wrong?" Ino knew Sakura better than anyone and Sakura never sounded like this unless something was truly wrong.
"Like I said Ino just let it be. I'm checking rooms." Sakura didn't look back while she spoke and headed down the hall.
Sakura walked to the end of a lone hallway to find the one patient she really came to see, Konohamaru.
Konohamaru had been in the hospital since she started working here, he was diagnosed with a long term illness that many said he wouldn't come back from but Sakura believed differently.
Sitting up in his white hospital bed Sakura took in Konohamaru's crazy dark hair and pair of green goggles he wore for emotional support.
Knocking lightly Konohamaru turned and smiled at Sakura while she came to sit beside him.
"Hello Konohamaru, how are you doing today?"
"Hey Sakura! I'm doing great I got to visit a few other kids today."
"Really? What did you do for fun?"
"Oh we got to play with these toy planes that-"
Konohamaru was interrupted when someone came running down the hall yelling his name.
Turning to find the mystery name caller Sakura's mouth dropped open as Naruto grasped the doorway while gasping for air.
"Konohamaru! So sorry I'm late. This crazy- Sakura what are you doing here?"
Sakura rubbed her temple trying to ward off an oncoming headache she just couldn't escape her new life situation.
"Whoa Naruto you know ? Oh that's so cool!" Konohamaru looked between Naruto and Sakura with excitement.
"I'll leave you and your guest alone for visit time." Sakura stood from her chair before Naruto spoke.
"Hey you don't gotta leave Sakura."
"No, it's best I do. I have other patients to see."
"Come on Sakura."
Naruto was full on pouting in front of Sakura making her body sag; she honestly didn't have any energy left to fight.
"Besides Sakura if you leave I'll have to text Sasuke and let him know where you ran off to. The bastard has been looking everywhere as for you, he's never lost a client before."
"Well then I guess it's score one for me. Listen I really do have to leave and check other patients." Sakura slid past Naruto as Konohamaru called out.
" did you know Naruto is the reason I wear these goggles? He's like my big brother always telling me to be strong. Please stay strong as well Dr. Haruno."
Sakura pasted a look from Konohamaru to Naruto.
After a moment of silence, "I will Konohamaru."
Shutting the door behind her silently Sakura smiled when Naruto and Konohamaru laughed and talked loudly.
Sakura had managed to stay busy all day effectively blocking out her home realty.
Leaning against a nurse station Sakura sighed and looked over paperwork.
"Dr. Haruno."
Looking up from a thick file Sakura noted a phone being presented to her. Slightly confused Sakura took the phone.
"You need to get your stuff and come outside now. No more games Sakura." Sasuke's voice was low and cold making Sakura cringe.
'A whole day of avoiding him, and now he finally figured out where to find me. Still; now I got him ticked off."
Sighing Sakura closed the patient file, "Listen Sasuke I don't have time for-"
"Either you come down here and get in this car or I physically do it for you." Sasuke's voice was teetering between annoyance and pissed off. "Your little game of hide and go seek ends now. Naruto finally called and told me where you were after we found your place burnt to the ground. So stop your shit and get down here in the next five minutes!"
Sasuke hung up the phone leaving Sakura shell shocked from his news.
Her house was gone.
Dropping the receiver Sakura sprinted to the nearest stairwell to descend the three floors in record time.
Rushing to the main entrance doors Sakura's eyes clashed with a very ticked off Uchiha.
Sasuke leaned against the BMW with arms crossed staring murder dead at her.
Stumbling out into the cool air Sakura waited with baited breath for Sasuke to speak, his entire frame was stiff and eyes seemed to glint red.
"Sasuke-"
"Get in." Sasuke moved fluidly to the driver side while Sakra silently climbed into the passenger side.
Sasuke steered the car out of the parking lot before speaking in a low tone.
"I understand you don't favor the way things are right now, but from now on you have to suck it up. No more running off on your own. If it wasn't for Naruto calling me earlier I almost thought you'd been taken ...or worse." Sasuke's knuckles whitened as he gripped the wheel tighter and sighed.
Sakura released a breath she didn't realize she was holding, Sasuke sounded concerned about her.
Minutes of silence ticked by before Sasuke spoke again. "I didn't mean to snap earlier at you, I try to keep that life separate from my guard job."
"Why?" Sakura's voice was a whisper among the car engine.
"Sakura this is what I mean by keeping them separate. To put it simply I'm the son that didn't live up to expectations, and so I handle the Vice President position when needed; which is rare."
Silence filled the car while Sakura absorbed the new information, and decided to leave things alone Sasuke had his own problems just like she did. Somethings were just better left alone.
Sakura stared out the window when a street sign she knew too well went blurring by, "Sasuke don't go by the house."
"Don't you-"
"No."
Sasuke quickly turned down an alley and came back out heading away from whatever migt of been left of the house.
Tension filled the air when Sasuke parked the car after a few minutes of driving, people rushed to and from stores in the main market area.
Sasuke spoke lightly being careful with his words, "Sakura I know this is going to be hard but your- umm the Prime Minister has been notified about the situation. He has offered you shelter in his home-"
Sakura's voice cut off Sasuke her voice sounded broken barely above a whisper. "Please don't make me go to him. That man everyone idols is a waste of air, I agreed to be present with him. I cannot love with him, you don't know what he's like."
Sakura bit her lip and clenched her scrubs to hold back the flood of tears. Things kept getting worse, first it was her father now she had nothing left to call her own. The entire apartment she made home was gone.
Sasuke swore when he smacked the stirring wheel making Sakra jump to look at him. Sasuke glared out the windshield, a muscle twitched along his jaw while he seemed deep in thought.
Before Sakura could even begin to wonder what was wrong Sasuke peeled the BMW into traffic.
"Sasuke! Holy crap slow down! What the hell is wrong with you!?" Sakura's moment of earlier sadness was ripped into confused anger at Sasuke.
"Tell me why you hate your father. What did he do to you?." Sasuke's voice was authoritative.
"Why?"
"Do you want to go see your favorite person instead?"
"No." Sakura voice sounded like a growl, Sasuke's attitude was getting on her nerves.
"Exactly."
"Why do you care? You're job isn't to care remember." Sakura folded her arms over her chest she so wasn't having this talk.
"Listen I can pull some strings and get you to stay at my place or something, but you have to tell me why you're this way toward him." Sasuke's voice lowered.
"I'll tell you if you promise me I won't be staying with him, and that I can stay with you. Please." Sakura's voice was calm and pleading toward the end.
Sasuke agreed and made some quick calls while driving to his apartment. The ride was silent until Sasuke broke it, "Before we get to my place do you have any clothes?"
Sakura thought a moment before sighing, "No. The only clothes I have were the ones from this morning, but their at my office. I have cash on me just stop quick here at this store. I'll go grab some to hold me over until tomorrow."
Sasuke didn't argue while he parked and climbed out with Sakura entering a small boutique.
The store was small and empty except for a lone employee restocking the jeans.
"Oh hello! Let me know if you need anything." The storekeeper had a light voice.
"I could actually use your help, I'm also in a hurry."
"Oh well what can I do?"
"I need size 4 jeans. About four pairs will do."
"I'll get some from the back. Be right back take a look at some of our shirts while you wait." The storekeeper quickly eased to back room leaving Sasuke and Sakura alone.
Sakura started looking at a few shirts.
Moments later the storekeeper returned with Sakura's jeans lying them on the check out counter as Sakura presented her four shirts of choice. The clothes we basic, just jeans and a few tshirts.
As the lady rang in the purchase she spoke," it's always so nice to see a boy help their girlfriend shop. You two are quite the couple."
Sasuke coughed while Sakura stiffened.
Quickly paying and rushing out the door Sakura caught a smirk riding on her drivers lips.
"What's got you all giggly Uchiha?" Sakura's voice was threatening.
"Just the fact that you now how proof that the whole fake relationship will be most believable." Sasuke voice was arrogant while the BMW purred to life. Sakura opened and shut her mouth trying to come up with a anything but fell short.
After reaching Sasuke's place he gave a quick tour before pointing her toward the bathroom to shower.
"You can keep your stuff in my room. I'll sleep out on the couch, the only time I'll go in there is for clothes." Sasuke sounded beyond bored while on the inside he was a little posses at himself.
Watching Sakura head to shower Sasuke thought over his pathetic idea.
'What the hell was I thinking! Never have I let a client stay here, and now I'm sleeping on my own damn couch?" Sasuke rubbed the bridge of his nose while pacing the living room.
"Um Sasuke?" Sakura's voice was cautious afraid to disturb the Uchiha.
"Hn." Sasuke sighed while looking at Sakura and felt his breathing stall.
Sakura's hair was slightly damp wearing a low cut blue shirt with tight skinny jeans that hugged her body in the best ways.
Simple clothes but to Sasuke she made them look like a fashion statement. Swallowing hard Sasuke mentally made sure to keep a stoic expression.
"I just wanted to say thank you. I know I've been a pain making your job harder."
Sasuke didn't trust his voice so he settled for nodding. 'She's just a client get your shit together Uchiha.'
Sitting on one of his leather chairs Sasuke slid down into the cushions letting his long legs stretch out, Sakura sat with her feet curled under her on the couch.
Moments of silence filled the room before Sakura broker it with a calm flat voice.
"He used to beat us."
Sasuke's eyes went to Sakura's direction to see her staring out the windows. Sitting up slightly Sasuke waited for her to continue freely.
"He'd come home so drunk almost every night and just start a session. Mom always tried to keep the angry attention on her taking his hits so I wouldn't have to deal with them, but it didn't really work. I remember one time he started after mom and I snapped. I was only seven, but I ran up to my father and with all the fight I had I punched him in the head. Mom had freaked out telling my father to stop, but it was too late he slapped her into unconsciousness before he turned onto me. For the last year he lived with us it was me and him throwing hits, I kept him away from mom by just entertaining his boxing game. One day he never came home, we waited a week before figuring he had left. Mom and I kept living never once missing him then she got sick and...you know the rest."
Sakura had told her story while avoiding eye contact using a dead flat voice, reviving the dead memories was painful but Sasuke wanted to know.
Sasuke sat with his elbows resting on his knees never making a sound as he took in the information.
Sakura had enough silence and moved to stand when Sasuke finally spoke, "The reason you were attacked yesterday, it's because no one ever knew you even existed. Word managed to get out. You're whatever you want to call him rushed to have you found first. He managed to keep you a secret all these years."
Sakura stood frozen before turning back to look at Sasuke as he continued.
"You're going to get a lot of attention both good and bad. I'm taking you've never shared that story with anyone and as your guard I won't either. Things are going to get rough so stay with me Sakura, I'll keep you safe. Even if it means keeping you safe from the man who put you here." Sasuke voice was even as he stared into jade eyes making her a promise he swore to take to the grave.
Sakura was lost for words but managed a nod before walking quickly to the bathroom.
Sasuke knew what she was heading to do and made no move to stop her. He didn't blame her, he knew what it felt like to have a shit deal of life. Sometimes you just needed to be alone.
Shutting the bathroom door Sakura slid to the cold black tile flooring next to the tub. The large bathroom echoed her attempt at silent sobs, hot tears raced down her cheeks.
She and her mother had been one big secret, the reality of why she was now even further into hell came crashing down. Her life was completely fucked up because her father kept her hidden.
Sakura didn't know when the tears had stopped or why the white ceiling seemed so interesting, but there she was sitting on a bathroom floor looking up feeling numb as ever.
"You want some food?" Sasuke was leaning against the now open door frame taking in how wrecked his charge looked.
Silence was Sasuke's answer before he sighed and pushed off the wall and into the room.
Sitting down beside Sakura, Sasuke hung his hands between bent knees and following Sakura's line of view. The two sat there staring at a perfect white ceiling while Sasuke spoke.
"My father has looked at me like some sort of weakling who's never good enough and never will be. My entire life has been spent trying to please a man who worships my brother Itachi. I tried for so long to get his approval before I finally said fuck it. Once I finally let go I found myself and became the best at what I do. I might work for my father but it's only because my mother said I still was their son, and so when Itachi decides he wants a day off I take over." Sasuke shut his eyes sighing loudly, never had he told someone his story not even Naruto his brother in arms knew.
"Do you hate them?" Sakura's voice cracked and sounded hollow.
"No. I never saw anything as Itachi's fault we are still brothers and we have that bond. My mother has and still does love me, but my father and I still don't see eye to eye." Sasuke stretched out his long legs on the floor waiting in silence.
"Why did you tell me that? It's not my business remember?" Sakura turned her head to stare at Sasuke from the side, taking in his dark hair and sharp features.
Sakura and Sasuke sat in silence before Sasuke rubbed his jaw, "Listen I want this job as your guard to go as easily as possible, I want you to feel comfortable around me. Like I said before we have to make the public believe we are a thing-"
"Sasuke that's not what I asked."
Sasuke sighed, "Alright listen, what I shared with you can never leave this room. I will keep your life story quiet, I'm just asking you do the same."
Sasuke got up as he finished but stopped short when Sakura hand wrapped around his wrist. Green bloodshot eyes clashed with dark onyx.
"Thank you Sasuke." A small smile was directed to Sasuke who seemed taken aback before recovering with a quick grunt and shrug.
"Dinner is getting cold."
"And just like that the mighty Uchiha resurfaces."
"You eating or not you annoying woman." Sasuke didn't look back to see Sakura climbing to her feet while she shook her head.
'Sasuke might be an Uchiha but I'm the Prime Minister's kid. Things could be easier between us.'
Alright Y'all These last two chapters have been slow and I apologize next chapter is guna have some action involving shots fired and public appearances for Sakura and Sasuke.
Review and comment thoughts/feelings.
Love hearing from the fans gives me some boosted writing confidence. Until Next Chapter Laters...