book titles/foreign words

demon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ =later

- =next day

flashbacks are marked

Power of Love

I pull my knees to my chest and rest my head against is nearly all I've done for the past, oh say, week and a half, or however long its been since I left. I got a hotel room half off because the manager feels bad for me and I desperately needed a place to stay. I get free breakfast from the hotel, and don't have another proper meal until dinner. In between, I eat a few things I snag from breakfast.

Other than eating and going to the bathroom, all I do is sit on the bed in the position I'm currently in. Sometimes I cry- especially before I go to sleep. Other times, my head blares profanities at Sasori, and lists off everything that's wrong about him. I never watch T.V., because there are WAY too many romance T.V. shows and movies, and I know those will only hurt.

I'm not much of a person for holding grudges. It's hard for me not to when I can't find any reason to forgive the person though. Since I haven't found any reasons to forgive, I'm still pretty mad at Sasori. That doesn't mean I don't miss him though- I miss him a lot. I can't get my mind off of him.

Before this incident, we were going strong. I loved him a lot, and he meant the world to me. He wouldn't really understand exactly what he meant to me. Just thinking about him like this is driving me to the edge of tears.

I want him back. I'm such an idiot for being so mean to him. He probably hates me now. I'll do anything to have him back though. I don't care if I have to admit I'm an ingrate or anything else he can come up with.

I feel like a lost cause or something.

~:Sasori's P.O.V.:~

Deidara and Mitsuki are killing me. They don't mean to, but all their dating stuff is hurting. I've tried dating other girls, but none of them are as good as Momoko. She's beautiful and has one of the most interesting techniques I've ever seen. I should've never gotten so mad at her.

I didn't really have a point to my arguement. I should've just let her off after I told her she should've told me about Mitsuki. But no, I had to be my horrible self and shout at her more. And now I have no idea where she is and no way to contact her.

At night, if it's clear, I wish on stars that she'll come back. When it's not, I pray to the Gods. I haven't prayed or wished on a star since I was little. Back then, I asked for my parents back, but that didn't work.

She must hate me now then. She's right though. I am a worrywart and I really don't give her much credit. I should just stop my worrying and let her get a job. If she wants to work so badly, I should let her.

Heck, maybe she'll get a job at the place where I work. That wouldn't be so bad. We could go to work together and we'd be close to each other all day. I'd actually like that. And she'd probably like it too.

If only I hadn't gotten so mad at her.

~:Neutral P.O.V.:~

Mitsuki controlled her gleeful laughter as she calmed down. She and Deidara had just set up a prank on Sasori. It was sure to get them in trouble, but they couldn't resist. Especially when it made fun of Sasori's art.

Deidara slides his arms around Mitsuki's waist, pulling her back. "Oh!" She gasps. "Dei, be careful!"

"Sorry." He replies, holding her tight.

"Oh, it's alright."

"I wonder, if Danna misses Momoko so much, why doesn't he make a puppet of her un?"

"Maybe he doesn't have the time."

"Probably. Or maybe he just realizes that no matter how good his puppet is, the real thing will always be better un."

"That's probably likely."

"Aw man, now I feel horrible for pranking him un."

"Yeah, me too. But he'll probably catch us taking apart the prank."

"True. We probably should've pranked someone else un."

"Like who?"

"I dunno, anyone un."

"So you mean some sorry passerby?"

"Yeah."

"That would work, but what if Danna happens to be on the receiving end?"

"Then we're never gonna hear the end of it un."

"Well, let's go see how this one went."

They go out into the hall. A mere minute later, Sasori comes out of his room. Rather than tripping like they expected, he steps right over the string that would trip the prank. He continues to the front hall and grabbs something out of the dresser.

He leans back in, so he's looking down the hall and says, "Clean it up. I have no time or patience for your childish jokes." Then he leaves the apartment.

"He's such a party pooper." Mitsuki says, leaving the room to go get the cleaning supplies from the kitchen. She forgot where the string was, and trips, causing the prank to be set off. Deidara jumps in to take the hit, and both get covered.

"Aw man, Mitsuki, how could you forget un?"

"Sorry! I have bad memory!"

"Well, now we gotta clean this AND take showers un."

"We could take a shower together to save time......" She blushes.

"Yeah, that would............................save time un." His face turns nearly redder than Sasori's hair.

"Um, we should probably shower first so we don't get this all over."

"Uh, right, of course un!" He gets up, then helps her.

They scurry into the bathroom.

~:Momoko's P.O.V.:~

I've sulked enough for today. I force myself off the bed and grab some clothes from my laptop bag. I then change out of that skimpy nightdress I got from the hotel in Colorado. Afterwards, I take my time trying to get my hair to look good.

I'm going out to look for a job today. I'm in desperate need of money. I can't survive on one meal a day, I'm a growing girl. I already live on two technical meals a day.

I grab my laptop bag and purse. It's not that I don't trust people here, I just feel better having all my stuff with me. I'm almost worse than Sasori. But my stuff is worth hundreds of dollars, so if anything happened to it, it would be hard to replace. He has a point though- a human life is irreplaceable.

I grab my room key and stuff it in my purse. Then I check my appearance one last time before I head out. I'm such a woman, being so concerned with how I look. I can't figure out why though. It's not like I've got anyone to impress when very few people like me as a friend.

I'm a freak of nature. Sometimes I think the world meant for me to be alone. If I'm meant to be alone though, why did I meet Sasori? Why did we fall so deeply in love with each other if I'm meant to be alone? Did the world want to break my heart so that I may never trust again, so that it'll be a little easier to be alone? It'd be easier if I hadn't met Sasori.

I see a Help Wanted sign in the window of Ameya (candy shop). All I knew about it was that it was a popular resturant and waiters/waitresses got paid well. They were looking for a new waitress and would pay ¥2000 an hour. That was pretty good for a waitress. I walk in and make my way to the host's desk.

"Can I help you miss?" The host asks.

"Um, I saw you were looking for a new waitress......." I reply, struggling to see the host in the dim light.

"Oh, you'll have to speak to the manager. Right this way." He leads me to a door with a sign that read 'manager'.

He knocks and a voice from the room says, "Come in."

He opens the door and I'm temporarily blinded by the light. I blink a couple times and take in the room. Filing cabinets lining the walls, a desk near the middle strewn with papers and taken up partially by a computer, a chair, a man reclining in said chair, and two more chairs on the side of the desk closest to the door. My eyes resettle on the man in the chair- the manager.

"Sit." He comands, motioning at the seats.

I sit as the host leaves. The manager has sepia hair that brushed his cheeks and was straight. He has light green eyes and the expression of a business man. I figure that's only because he's looking me over.

"So, what brings you here, miss?" He asks.

"Um, I'm looking for a job and I saw the sign in the window...................." I reply.

"A girl like you wants a job at a strip club?"

My eyes widden. "This is a...................strip club? I had no idea."

"Yeah, it is. So, you gonna back out or not?"

"No, I don't care. I just didn't know. I should've guessed by the name."

"You are quite the girl. Ideal for a waitress, actually. The men'll love you!"

"Thank you. Are there any other men that work here besides yourself and the host?"

"One. The bartender. He attracts a lot of the ladies' attention. In fact, I think he's been dating some of them."

"Oh."

"Why so curious?"

"Just wondering how many male co-workers I'll have."

"Trying to stay safe?"

"Yeah, although this isn't the best job for it."

"You got that right."

"So.............you think I'm good for the job?"

"You're definately cut out for it. Say, how old are you?"

I wasn't going to lie. "15."

"Wow, for someone your age, you sure got the looks."

"Thank you."

"I'll tell you what. I'll let you do a trial tonight for ¥1000 an hour."

"That would be wonderful."

"Come back at 10:30 tonight to pick out your outfit-."

"Momoko."

"Ah, Momoko. Such a nice name."

"I'll be here. Thank you." I get up and leave.

~:Sasori's P.O.V.:~

I don't have work at the village leader's office today, so I'm going on a date. The girl's name is Miku, and, like all the other girls I've dated, I met her at my night job. Momoko never knew I hold two jobs and that's how we have extra money. At night, I work as bartender at Ameya Strip Club.

Miku is a girl with auburn hair falling to her midback and hazel eyes. I actually never wanted to go on a date with her, but she wouldn't stop pestering me about it. So now, I'm meeting her at a cafe for lunch. I don't know much about her other than she's annoying as heck.

"Hey, Sasori!" She says, running up to greet me the minute she spots my hair.

Ugh, maybe I should get it dyed. "Hi." I reply dully.

"Oh, I'm late, aren't I, and that's why you're unhappy."

"No."

"Then smile!"

I fake a smile. "Happy now?"

"Yup! Let's go!" She drags me into the cafe.

We're seated at a booth next to the windows. Great, I can stare out the window while she eats. It's silent while she thinks of what to order and I'm grateful for the temporary silence. She orders when the waiter comes by.

"You don't eat Sasori?" She asks after I decline wanting anything.

"I don't eat." I reply.

"Wow, that's kinda weird. Don't you ever get hungry or thirsty?"

"No."

"How?"

"I don't have a stomach."

"How do you survive then?"

"I'm not really sure myself."

"Oh. So, um, tell me about yourself."

Gladly. "I'm 39, live in an apartment with a friend and his girlfriend, and hold two jobs."

"Wow. I'm 20, I live with my parents, and I only have one job."

Better than being 15. "Interesting." A total lie.

"Do you talk to your parents often?"

"No, my parents died when I was little."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I don't say anything, just stare out the window. "So, if you don't have parents, who raised you?"

"My grandmother."

"Oh. Do you talk to her a lot?"

"No, she lives in another village."

"That's kinda sad. Although the rest of my family lives in Iwagakure."

"Hmm, my friend's from Iwa."

"Really? Maybe I know them!"

"Who knows." Her food comes, so I'm granted another silence.

When she finishes, I pay and she thanks me for the meal. Then, like a nice guy, I offer to walk her home. She gleefully accepts my invitation and, much to my dismay, grabs my hand. So, for some fifteen minutes I'm forced to hold her hand as we walk to her house.

"Thanks for everything, Sasori." She says at the gate to her house.

It looks like her parents are out. Oh well. "No problem. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Hope to see you again." She then kisses me, on the lips.

I don't show my disgust as I turn and head home.

~:Momoko's P.O.V.:~

It's quarter past 10 and I'm heading for Ameya. To be honest, I'm a little nervous. I know for sure that depending on how I do tonight will determine whether I get the job. I just hope I do well- I've never had a job before, so this is new to me.

I arrive a minute early, so I walk in. Instead of going to the host's desk, I head straight for the manager's office. I adjust my dress and take a couple of deep breaths. Then I knock on the door.

"Come in." The manager says, and I do as I'm told. "Ah, Momoko, right on time."

I'm amused he remembers my name. "I didn't want to be late for a trial." I reply.

"Love your be on time policy. Come, I'll help you pick out your outfit."

He stands and leads me out to a room labled 'Employees Only'. Inside are racks of costumes and changing rooms. He picks out a school girl uniform and chocolate brown cat ears and a tail. I take the costume and change in the changing room.

I come out and the manager looks me over. "That looks good on you."

"Thanks."

The shirt is white and midriff cut with a red bow. A bell is attached to the bow. The skirt comes about halfway down my thighs and is navy blue. To complete the outfit, I'm given knee-length white socks and brown loafers. There's also a red ribbon with a bell on the tail.

The door to the changing area opens. "Ah, good, I'm early." A familiar voice says.

"At least you aren't late." The manager replies. "I'd like you to meet a possible new waitress. She's only 15, which is young, but she's definately cut out for the job. Her name's Momoko." At that, the person who walked in looks at me and I manage to look away from the mirror. "You're in charge of showing her how things work. I'll be in my office if you need anything." The manager leaves.

"Y-You work here?" I ask, staring at their red hair.

"Yeah." They reply.

"Since when?"

"Since the day I started working."

"Why didn't you tell me Sasori?"

"Because you'd be mad if I told you I worked at a place like this."

"You're right, I probably would be."

"Anyway, you look cute in that outfit."

I blush. "Thanks."

He sighs and grabs an outfit from a rack, then goes into a changing room. He comes out in a white button down shirt, black pants, black dress shoes, and a messily tied tie, although that was probably done on purpose. "We have ten minutes before customers come in, and a half hour before they let people go wild, so I'll show you how things work now."

"Alright." I say weakly.

"Stop worrying. I'm sure you'll do great."

He leads me out past the host's desk and into the main room. It looks like any other restaraunt with tables and a bar. He starts explaining how everything works, which is pretty obvious. There's no food here, just drinks. It turns out you have to go to the host to pay. There are also stairs that lead up to rooms, but those cost extra, and the occpants have to leave by 9 the next morning. I decided I wouldn't ever agree to go up there. I was glad to hear that the waitresses weren't required to strip, and that waitresses were allowed to take breaks behind the bar. The shift lasts until 3:30 in the morning, the place being cleaned out by 3. Employees had a half hour to do basic cleaning, the rest was done by a cleaning crew that came in at 10.

When he was done explaining, I ask, "Do you think I'll get the job?"

"Of course." He replies. "The manager doesn't deny anyone a job unless they hide behind the bar the whole time. Just serve drinks and be yourself."

"Easier said than done."

"If someone gives you problems, point out a hot girl on the other side of the room. Doesn't matter if there really is one or not. They'll be too drunk to know otherwise. Once they go, move on to another table."

"Thanks."

"You better get going."

"Right." I turn to leave, but he grabs my wrist.

He pulls me close and kisses me. "I'm sorry................I'll walk you back................to wherever you're staying so we can talk."

"Alright." I then go out into midst of the tables while he walks up the few stairs to the bar.

In the light of the bar, I saw him smile.

A/N: Reviews are like sugar. Sugar keeps me going. So review peoples!