Wow! I got nice reviews! Haha! It made me work harder for the next chapters. You see, I already finished the story and I was just rewriting it and adding more scenes. Though it's more of a draft, I can assure you that I'll be able to complete this fic, which is new for me because I usually end up having writer's bloc and I can't do anything about it. And oh, it's my birthday! You all made me happy!:)
I kinda realize that this fic is very slow in its development. I mean, only a day had passed since the first chapter. And I also realized that I was concentrating merely on both Sasuke and Sakura (I was actually planning another pair, you see). Was that a good thing? I don't know… It's what you think that matters most, though. Plus, I think my details are way too much. I apologize for that. Hmm… The only reason I can see to avoid that (the slow development) would be longer chapters. What do you think? I need to adjust the entire draft so I need time. And I'm not used to setting up long chapters but I'll try to update as soon as I can. Help me with this one, okay? And thanks for the reviews!
Is anyone here from Palawan? I so don't have any idea about that place, might as well spare me ok?
Disclaimer: I ran off of ideas to write here. Still, I don't own it!
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The Detour
By: piNkLaLa-o3
Chapter 3: Of Storms and Sibling Rivalry
Sakura just gasped after hearing her client's name. It even sounded as if he was actually emphasizing his last name. Sakura just stared at him in awe and disbelief. No way! This guy… no way! True, Sakura had heard of Uchiha Sasuke from her boss. It happened to be that their agency is partly owned by the Uchiha's. Her boss would just be really airy when he's talking about the new heir of the Uchiha Co. He had said that he had had meetings with the young businessman and all she could hear were praises and such. But standing in his presence feels very differently. She looked at him for awhile, as if absorbing the fact of who he really is. "You are Uchiha Sasuke?" sounding a bit astonished. "You own our company?" she added while pointing on an embroidered crest on the right side of her shirt.
Sasuke just gave her a shrug of irritation. "Aren't we going?" he asked again. Staying in this ship for another minute might change Ino's mind on going with him to explore the island. He doesn't want to be with her at all that's why he wanted to go off board as soon as possible. "Just don't tell your boss that I'm here. We are registered in Ino's account that's why he was not able to trace me."
"Uh, okay…" whispered Sakura as she led the way out. She still can't believe what had happened. To think of it, she almost pushed his bitchy friend that treated her horribly away from her. She could have been fired if he'll tell her boss about it, for god's sake! She just pissed off a friend of the owner of their company! She's dead meat! But then, she thought, after reaching the exit of the ship. She gave a warm smile on the steward before looking at his client again. He seemed to be nice. But she still has her fingers crossed that he'll not remember what just happened way back on their first meeting. I'll definitely have an awful review afterwards! My promotion… She had been working as a tour guide for a year but she still hasn't had a promotion.
She eyed Uchiha Sasuke again as they descended the carpeted stairs. On second thought, she giggled before smiling inwardly, I can use him! All I have to do is to please the heir and all I got is a PROMOTION! Her eyes glittered in delight upon thinking of the word 'promotion'. Her plan could work! He seemed to be strong-willed but I know I can work my way to him. She straightened her top and adjusted her cap before bracing herself. "Sir," she started confidently. Sasuke turned his head towards her after hearing a different tone of her voice. "First stop is Calamian Group of Islands!"
She slightly pushed her cap upwards as they marched towards the small boats heralded in a dock that lead to the islands. "I believe, sir, that you prefer the private one, just like what you're friend had suggested?" she asked in her most friendly manner. Sasuke's narrowed his eyes towards the poor tour guide before he sighed. He knows that she's treating him that way to have a nice impression, or maybe to even have a promotion. Like that would work, Sasuke thought. Good thinking, but pathetic. When he noticed that the guide won't budge, he just nodded. He saw her greet the man in charge to rent a private boat. With her usual affability, she handed the man a card in exchange for a key.
"You can have Pedro to drive," Sasuke heard the man say, though he seemed to have difficulty in pronouncing those words. Sakura thanked him with a bow before tugging Sasuke's shirt with her.
"This way!" she said. In no time, they arrived into a small yacht with Pedro, Sasuke assumed. They sat in front as they heard the starting of the engine. He rolled his eyes towards Sakura who seemed to be very excited. Sasuke, you're staring, a voice inside his head pointed out. He then shrugged after his tour guide gave him a life vest. "This is fun!" she added with a giggle. "Calamian Islands are wonders!" She eyed Sasuke for a time before continuing. "Of volcanic origin, these islands are largely mountainous and forested, but have fertile areas yielding rice, sugar cane---."
"Enough…" she heard her client's irritated whisper. Sasuke turned his back away from her and admired the opposite view.
This isn't good! Sakura thought, shaking her head. First, he seemed really friendly and all, and now, he's dropping me out! I can't have a promotion at this state! She sighed inwardly before accepting the fact that she has to bid farewell into her anticipated promotion. So soon… and I was very, very close! She pointed out, which made her feel gloomier inside. But then, a more morbid-looking Sakura in war paint emerged inside her head, screaming the word 'promotion' over and over again. Now I have a better initiative! Without even thinking twice, she pulled her handy digital camera and began taking his pictures.
Sasuke saw flashes but he didn't turn towards her. Instead, he shifted so that his back is facing her directly. "Sir, the most important part of this tour is the memories you keep. And--," She wasn't that dumb not to realize that the successor is not really paying attention on her courteousness, it even seemed to her that he doesn't really want to do this tour at all. But giving up is so not in her vocabulary
"Well, seemed like you don't like the technical style of tour guiding, then I'll try another style," she murmured, accepting the challenge the heir put up. She'll get Sasuke's attention either by hook or by crook! And all that she needed was to be herself, nothing more, nothing less, along with her impatience and prying. "So, Sasuke, listen," she smirked, which made him jump from his seat, literally. He looked perplexed at the change in the guide's voice. "I happened to be in those islands several times." Though he didn't bother to look at her, she knew he was listening. "I can say they're endearing and one-of-a-kind. But then, the blazing heat of the sun can tan your skin in no time. I have a sun block with me, you can borrow it if you want. Look, if you're not Uchiha Sasuke, I won't share it with you, but since I work for you, you can have it," she tossed the sun block towards him. For a second, it seemed to hit him, but he was able to catch it coolly.
Feeling unimpressed of his unique reflexes, Sakura didn't expect that he would throw the bottle back to her direction to tease her and the result is a large hump on her forehead. "You'll pay for this," she muttered as the Uchiha brought an ice pack for her, still smirking. "I'll charge this on your account!" she hissed. But then, she realized that he OWNS her travel agency and that he could get away on this in a snap.
"I don't need your stupid lotion. Anyway, I think it's gonna rain," he said after claiming a seat next to her. Sakura then noticed that the skies were indeed dark, very unusual at this time of the day.
"This is so unlikely," she said. "I wonder what's wrong." She pouted meekly before rubbing her temple as Sasuke did the same. They had been in this craft for almost half an hour, which is quite too long, as what Sakura pointed out. Usually, from the main port to the Calamian Islands, it could only take fifteen to twenty minutes. They soon learned from their driver/captain that big and choppy waves caused them to travel slower than the usual. After reaching the shore, strong winds nestled the yacht. It even started raining after they arrived at the small reception area on a very small hotel.
"There's a storm," Sakura finally concluded. "I got a phone call from my friend on board and confirmed that a storm will hit us in no time. Argh!" she said to the heir in front of her, who's obviously uninterested. He sat by a small couch at the lobby as Sakura conversed with the girl in the front desk. She sighed inwardly and sat on the opposite couch. She placed her unusual large back pack beside her before placing a map on the table. That is when she noticed that Sasuke's phone was vibrating mechanically at the edge of the wooden table. "Hey, someone's calling you," she pointed out. She peeped for a second time to see whose calling. "Yamanaka Ino calling." Sakura repeated it over and over again as Sasuke grew rather impatient.
"Stop it or you'll lose your job!" he said with deep authority in his voice. Sakura was petrified for a moment before sighing dejectedly. The mere thought of losing her job can silence her to the next century. With that, Sasuke stood up and went to the front desk to ask some rooms, leaving Sakura and his phone behind. He got themselves rooms and went to them respectively, without even saying a word.
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"Are you sure, Hinata-chan?" Sakura asked scornfully on her friend at the other side of the line. "I only have one of the tourists with me, the others seemed to have backed out." She adjusted her bed sheets before looking gloomily outside. The rain seemed to be harder this time and her shell curtains nestled with irritating sounds as the winds blew. Loud thunder crashes were very evident and the trees outside were bending in defeat. "I know, it's a good thing those senior tourists of yours are very easy to manage, mine is very arrogant," she complained. But then, his gentle face invaded her mind.
"Sakura-chan? Are you still there?" Sakura almost dropped her phone as she snapped back to reality.
"Yeah, yeah. Say, Hinata-chan…" She wasn't sure if she really wanted to tell her about the heir of the Uchiha Co. but she's her best friend. Besides, Hinata won't barge around telling their boss about him. Hinata knows how to keep secrets and she's very trustworthy. "The tourist I'm with, you know, the guy who saved me from his carnivorous friend that almost gobbled me up in irritation… the guy who seemed nice but became reserved all of the sudden… he's actually… well… he's Uchiha Sasuke." She was sure that she almost whispered his name but she heard Hinata gasp. "But he told me not to tell boss about him. So not a word, okay?" she exclaimed immediately. But she didn't respond, and she's sure that Hinata was still in shock.
After being tongue-tied for a time, Hinata was able to react. She cleared her throat before starting as if she's regaining her lost composure. "You'd better do your job properly… you never know," Hinata warned her. "You know what happened to Kiba-kun when he was put under probation because of that incident with Mr. Itachi. Whether it's an Uchiha or not, our goal is to have nice reviews and feedbacks so bear with him, okay?"
Sakura smiled. She knew Hinata could understand her. "Just wish me luck. I'll call you as soon as we leave this island. See you!" She placed her phone beside her pillow and noticed Sasuke's phone still ringing at the bedside. After he left her at the reception area, she decided to keep his phone. Since he seemed to be irritated with the calls, she picked it up and decided to give it back when he's back to his cool self. She peeked at the small screen and saw that it's still Yamanaka Ino that's calling. Whoever she was, Sakura knows that the heir certainly doesn't like her. When the call was rejected, she saw that he already has 38 missed calls.
"Guess people are worrying about him," she murmured before putting her shoes on. "I think it's better for him to talk to this Yamanaka Ino." She ran out of her room and stopped at the adjacent one in front of hers. She knocked twice before Sasuke opened up. "Hey, I think they're worried," she said before placing his phone in front of him. After staring for quite awhile, he took it and slammed the door in front of her face. "Thanks, asshole!" she scoffed as she glared at the wooden door. But to her surprise, the door swung open…
"Yes?" he asked, his brows twitching in what seemed to be anger. She gulped and stayed silent for sometime and looked at him intently with those jade orbs.
"I… I'm starving," she said randomly. "I'll be eating, are you coming?" Like that would work, very, very stupid! she pointed out to herself.
"K," she heard him say before he stepped out. Though in shock, she followed him down the hallway before entering a small restaurant. It wasn't that fancy but the tables and the utensils on it were properly arranged. The ambiance is perfect because of the seaside view, though it's not too evident because of the hard rain. They sat meekly on a table beside a window as they took their meals. Sakura acted clumsily as she spilled her soup twice.
"I'm so sorry…" Her face was in deep red and her bangs covered her shame. Sasuke smirked at the sight before enjoying his meal, she gets really cute when being embarrassed. Honestly, he likes seeing her being self-conscious and mortified. It's not like he wanted her to look like a low-life or something, but it amuses him to see her getting very nervous in front of him instead of drooling at his presence. He prefers her actions that his shitty fiancé. Ino's very conscious about herself that it seemed to him that she's not really being true to herself. She wants to please everyone and thinks of herself as an elite, but he knows that she's just pretending and that she's nothing but a nosy rotten girl inside. He immediately brushed his thoughts about Ino before getting nauseous as he gazes at his tour guide. She seemed a bit calm now and she's sipping her soup silently. Their dinner went smooth and after finishing their dessert, she became very rattled as she got a phone call.
"What?! I'm okay! No, I don't need your help! I said I'm fine! No! Bye!" Her voice sounded irritated and fed up as she speaks to the person at the other end, Sasuke can tell. She sighed as she ended the call and pouted curtly.
"It's my sister," she told him. The Uchiha seemed uninterested. "Sometimes, it's good to have someone older that looks out for you," she started but it seemed to him that she's just blabbering to get something out of her senses. It's as if she doesn't really care if he's listening or not. This caught his attention. "You get a friend, a playmate, a protector, a comrade." He wasn't really sure about the whole point of this conversation but he noticed that her grip on her glass tightened as she continued. "… a rival, an enemy, a competitor, someone who looks down at you as if you're nothing compared to her, someone that makes you feel inferior, someone… someone who can easily tell you what to do without even hearing you out, thinking that it's best for you BUT IT'S NOT!" She felt her knuckles turning numb, her chest heaving unevenly after she lost control.
"You're just plain jealous." Sakura looked at him in shock as he continued. "You feel bad because the truth is she's way off better than you and that no matter what efforts you put up, no matter how hard you try, you just can't keep up with her. You're always the second best compared to her. I feel sorry for you." Sakura's brows meet but decided not to speak up. She doesn't want to argue with a person who doesn't understand her feelings. It even seemed to her that he talks like her sister. There's no point of making this arrogant person understand how it is to be compared and not taking credit of what you do.
"That's what my Dad told me before going in this cruise." There was a sudden change in atmosphere. Sakura couldn't believe her ears. She lifted her gaze towards him and started to listen. "I know he's better than me, but I do things my own way. But as you say, no one notices for their focus is all towards him." She wasn't really sure about the person he was referring to but she saw depth on his eyes as he continued. "I live up in expectations. It's all about credit in our family. My brother, who seemed to be the best when I was a kid changed into a person who's very distant and out of reach. And most of all, he brought me into hating him."
They both looked down and stayed silent for awhile. This is going to be a long night…
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"He still hasn't answered my call. Where could he possibly be?" asked Ino in the middle of her hysteria to a silver-haired man in a suit in front of her. She began crying as the staff eyed her furiously.
"I'm very sorry about this disarray, miss, but I can't do anything about your current situation. I believe your friend is alright. He might have been stuck somewhere else but I assure you that the tour guide in his customary will take care of him," he said before tightening his tie. Since the news about a storm is on their way, all the tourists of Holiday Tours complained about delayed trips and missing tourists. He got all fed up on their remarks as he narrated that they'll be fine. His tour guides are made up on this kind of situation and he knows that they'll put their lives on the line if they have to for the benefit of their tourists. But sometimes, people just don't listen.
"You just don't understand! Where's the manager?" she asked wrathfully while Tenten stopped her. She still believes that this Ino girl is over reacting. Sasuke knows how to take care of himself, she's certain about that. That's why there's nothing to worry. But his fiancé just won't budge. She likes to go things on her way.
"I believe that I'm the head of this agency. Hatake Kakashi at your service." He bowed slightly.
"You don't seem to understand how extremely important this person I'm looking for! For your information, UCHIHA SASUKE hasn't answered my call since he got out of this ship. I'm his fiancé and if he's fine, he should've given me call!"
"Uchiha Sasuke?" he repeated before being taken aback. "Somebody call Haruno, QUICK!"
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"I kept calling him since he left but he never picked it up. I think something happened to him." Ino is sitting on a red couch with Tenten in front of a mahogany desk, her hands trembling in anxiety. It was a small and somewhat crowded office yet it's very neat. A large shelf was located at the right side with files and maps on it. On the opposite was a ledge with trophies of what seemed to be awards the agency acquired on its entire service. Behind the desk was a large tarpaulin with the agency's name and logo. Ino cried in despair as the manager desperately talked to one of his staff, Hyuuga Hinata. After sometime, the manager dismissed the staff and turned his head towards the ladies.
"You have nothing to worry, Ms. Yamanaka," he started, giving her a warm smile beneath of what seemed to be a mask on his face. "One of my tour guides confirmed that Uchiha Sasuke is fine." Tenten gave out a sigh of relief but Ino seemed to be more upset. "He's currently at the main island of Calamian. Unfortunately, he's stuck there for the meantime because of this storm but I assure you that he's in good hands. Haruno Sakura, one of my most trusted and courteous tour guide is with him. Again, I am very sorry of what happened but Uchiha Sasuke's safety is now confirmed." He finished with a bow but Ino cried out more, which confused both him and Tenten. He scratched his silver hair and felt aggravated. "What is it now, Ms. Yamanaka?" he asked with outmost friendliness.
Ino whipped out a small hanky and dried out her eyes from her tears. "Mr. Manager, I'm his fiancé. If he hasn't talked to me then something must have been wrong. He usually calls me but now… I just need to talk to him," she exclaimed in between sniffs and whims.
"Ino, he said that he's alright," Tenten responded, feeling annoyed. As the time passes, Tenten began to notice how infuriating and irritating Ino could be. First, she always wants to get things in her own way; second, she started to become very stubborn that she never listens to anyone; third, she's really into overreacting, big time! "You know Sasuke, he needs time. He's gonna be fine." Tenten looked at the manager and he nodded approvingly of what she said. "Now stop crying. Neji's waiting downstairs for our dinner."
Ino tried to be defiant for sometime. She insisted that she wanted to talk to Sasuke but Kakashi was able to shoo her away in no time, thanks to Tenten.
"That girl almost annoyed me," Kakashi said before picking a cordless phone beside him and tried calling Sakura. He trusts that girl but he knows she could really get impatient and rabid sometimes. Besides, it's Uchiha Sasuke that she's with. He must make sure that she's at her very polite behavior. After few rings, Sakura finally picked it up. "Sakura," he said tediously, drumming his fingers on the table.
"B—boss?"She seemed to be rattled for a minute before she started talking again. "Hey, boss. What's up?"On the other end of the line, Sakura just finished her dinner with Sasuke and they were down by the lobby to check the weather. They both don't want to get stuck in this island. But then, the weather had become worse and they decided to stay overnight for their own safety. She wasn't really quite sure why her boss called her for she assumed that Hinata didn't tell him about her client, so she waited patiently for his boss' orders.
"Haruno, I will forgive your sorry ass for not telling me that you are actually with Uchiha Satoshi's youngest son." Her eyebrow twitched in surprise as questions swarmed inside her head. How? Why? When? "But don't ever turn yourself in if he gets really annoyed and pissed off by your actions. It's your job that's at stake, Haruno!" Sakura still can't believe her ears. He knows! Her boss knows that she's with him and now she'll be dead! She eyed the Uchiha in front of her before accepting her doom. "His fiancé turned up in my office, panicking her heart out. Would you mind if I talk to Sasuke?"
"Sure, boss…"
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Sakura sat at a bench as Sasuke conversed with her boss. She stooped her head and sighed as mass of thoughts invaded her mind. Now that her boss knows that the tourist in her customary is actually an Uchiha, she can tell that all her actions would certainly be monitored and be type-cast. Besides, if her boss would learn about what happened between her and the Uchiha's friend in their first meeting, she's certain that she'll be punished and be put under probation. She'll be lucky if she could get away with it with her job, but with Kakashi, that'll be completely impossible. She felt murky inside as she shifted uneasily on her seat. Actually, being kicked out of her job was not really her problem now. Deep inside, she's aware that the thing that made her really upset is when her boss had told her that Sasuke's fiancé had turned up. For god sake, she didn't even know he had a fiancé. He never told her about it. Just what is happening on me? Why do I care if he does have a fiancé? So what? She lifted her gaze towards the Uchiha as he talks to her boss and noticed that her stomach grunt. Don't tell me you like him, Sakura-chan, she told herself. That's the worst thing she ever imagined in her whole life. How could she possibly like someone who won't like her back at all?
She bowed even more and shadowed her face with her bangs. She knew this would come. After their dinner, Sakura knows that she felt something about the Uchiha. She still doesn't know what it is but she had grown customary with him. He could be very guarded and egotistical sometimes, but she saw a part of him that's unique and insightful. She doesn't deny to herself that she liked him, though she's still not sure how much but she liked him because he was the neither Uchiha Sasuke he read in the newspapers, nor the Uchiha Sasuke their boss brags about. She likes him because he seemed to understand her feelings. It's not everyday that she encounters such people who can relate to extreme sibling rivalry and such. Guess all she could do now is to watch him from afar. Just what is happening?! She suddenly noticed that she became too swallowed and dramatic as she imagined herself as a poor and classless girl over the famed heir with his princess-like fiancé. All this thinking just made her more upset and off guard. That's why when she felt a tap on her shoulder she practically yanked from her seat.
Sasuke eyed her weirdly before handing the cellular phone back to her. She remained mortified before accepting it. She sat quietly and secretly thanked him from saving her from all her unhealthy thoughts. Sasuke then immediately noticed her change of disposition and felt curios about it.
"That Kakashi can get really annoying sometimes," he started. Sakura squirmed upon hearing his voice again after her realization and contemplation about her feelings for him. Though she's now aware, she has no plan of getting caught and telling him about it. "I said I was fine. I said you took really good care of me. I think I smell a promotion, you know." The Uchiha sure knows how to tease him. He's pulling the right strings, which made her smile a little bit. Guess they still can remain friends, she thought.
"If I'll ever be promoted, it would be because of my efforts, not because of somebody else's recommendation." She felt fine now. Now she knows why she can't blame herself for liking him. The heir sure does have a personality. With his charms, he can sweep any girl from her feet. Well, that includes hers. "Hey, you never told me you had a fiancé before." She was not quite sure why she put that thing up but what's done is done. She cleared her throat before going on further. She tried to establish eye contact to avoid looking affected. Sasuke might figure her little secret out and then she'll be doomed. "My boss told me she's very worried about you. Is your fiancé's name sounds like Yamanaka Ino? She's the girl who kept calling you, right?"
Sasuke stared at her for sometime before raising a brow. Now he gets it. This girl… likes him? He knows that's too much to assume but if he wants to find the truth, he must learn to get along with it. "Yes, that's her. And I'm pretty much sure you two won't get along really well," he answered, his keen eyes observed every reaction she makes.
Her jaded eyes tapered but her facial reaction remained the same. The confession hurt. But at least she became aware of that fact. It would be a disaster if she learns about it a little later. She might not be able to come back. At least she has a valid reason to forget everything about him and live her life just like she always does. "We won't get along well?" she repeated, looking very confused. Logic tells her that this guy already knows her true feelings. She had let her guard down really long. He knows I'm jealous about his fiancé that's why he told me that we won't really get along well! So stupid! She gulped as she waited for answers.
"You even seemed to be really pissed off by her presence. I guess you already saw our connection."
This guy is not really making sense right now, she told herself, feeling more and more perplexed as the time passes. The Uchiha looked amused from her point of view. She, on the other hand, seemed not to get the hitch.
Then, it hit her.
Flashbacks of what happened earlier on their first meeting resurfaced. As Sakura remembers every scene, she felt disbelief, anger, irritation, and then disbelief again. "Oh no. Don't tell me your fiancé was that…" I must learn to watch my words, she told herself. Sasuke eyed her expectantly. "… that… that tall, blonde girl?" she asked. Actually, she wanted to use words such as offensive, shitty, rotten, et al. but that would appear rude. She doesn't want to spoil her character because of that Ino. Not in a million years. Still, she hopes that his fiancé is not really that girl she almost threw outside the glass window… almost.
Dark curtains drew towards her as she saw him nod. If she could slap her forehead at that instant, she would definitely go for it. But she can't for Sasuke might assume that she likes him. It's not because it's not true, actually it is, but… you already know the details. "So, how long have you been with each other?" Her emotions died halfway along. Though it hurts, she went along with it and braced herself for defeat.
"Us? No, you're getting it wrong." Sakura had given him all the signs he needed and now he's positive that she feels something for him. He had gone through this a couple of times. It's not really hard to tell if a girl likes you or not. The question now is how much. But, he doesn't really want to know, honestly. "I just met her last week," he narrated in outmost boredom. "My parents just introduced me to her. They were after her family's business and such. I just don't have a choice. Neither does she. But I think she's fine with it. She planned this cruise to get to know me and you just saved me from her, literally."
"Don't forget about the storm," Sakura added, her warm smile filled her face. So far, so good. She still doesn't know what to do with her feelings but what matters most was that she's happy now. "But, seriously, she annoyed me to some extent." She giggled as Sasuke smiled. "Good thing she's not here." She had meant that from the bottom of her heart. It doesn't concern about his feelings, but to hers. It's a good thing that Ino's not with them. She gazed at Sasuke for a time before realizing that her emotions had gone through a lot. But what matters most is at the end of the day, she's happy. For sure, she deserves to be happy, right?
Sasuke smirked and lowered himself further at the comfy couch before feeling relieved. This cruise is such a good idea after all. It's a good thing he gave it a shot. He never considered the possibility that he'll get separated from Ino and spends the rest of the night with a friendly tour guide. He lifted his gaze towards her as she smiled ever so politely. He never met someone like her in his entire life. It's as if he felt at ease and relieved while she's at his side. He annoyed her for a time, but that would be because he just wanted to leave the darn ship. Her actions never bothered him, which is very unusual for him. Deep inside him, he can feel that this girl treats her very specially and fondly. But then, Sakura can't change him, that's what he thinks. He just met her this morning, how could he draw conclusions like that? I guess there's more to come, he thought.
"So how does it feel to be controlled by someone else?" Sasuke's chain of thoughts broke as he heard Sakura's gentle voice. He shifted his head towards her to show that he's now paying attention. "I mean the engagement between you and the girl you just met last week. Don't you feel a bit rebellious towards you parents?" she asked out of sheer curiosity. She thought that being bonded would be really awful for you can't think and choose your own preferences. Sakura wanted to be rich, she really does. But she never knew the consequences of being one. And with Uchiha Sasuke in front of her confessing his commitment to a stranger really makes her sad.
"You don't really get a choice, you see. They did the same to my brother and it turned out well," Sasuke answered curtly.
"Their marriage or their business?" Sakura still can't see the point why Sasuke kept on accepting what his parents told him to do. It's his life, they can never dictate his happiness, she told herself, feeling sorry for the guy.
Sasuke sat silently for awhile, trying to see the logic behind her pitch. She does makes sense at some point, but she won't understand how it is to be caught in the middle where all you can do is to swallow what's offered upon you. It's not like he would tell that to her. Sakura is just plain curious, he can tell. There's no point of getting mad at her by telling those harsh words. He contemplated for sometime as he searched for the right choice of words. On the other hand, Sakura tolerantly waited for answers. "They're just being practical. They know what's best for me," he said. He thought that his answers would end this conversation but Sakura has more up in her sleeves.
"Practical?" she repeated, disbelief evident in her eyes. If she doesn't know this guy personally, she could have laughed out loud but since he's an Uchiha, she knows he won't be very pleased by that. "They don't sound very practical for me. I could be poor. My family is in the US but that's because of my sister. I don't get to buy fancy stuffs for I can't afford them but what makes me happy are my friends. I live a very simple life and receiving my month's pay can put a smile on my face for almost a week. I never even experienced a full meal in a large restaurant. " Sakura paused for sometime before continuing. "What I'm trying to say is that the world isn't always about money, or business, or the future. It's the people you meet and treasure as you go on with life. It's all about having fun and being what you want to be." Her voice sounded very tranquil in his ears. It amused him. He drew out his barrier of self-control as he moved closer to her. Sakura stammered at his actions. The air felt intense as Sasuke reclaimed the remaining space between them. Her heart throbbed perilously inside her chest, feeling suffocated by his intimacy. She felt helpless as he drew his face nearer.
"Uh," she interrupted. "Let's call it a day," she said comically, trying not to sound nervous and affected but she failed. Her voice sounded hoarse and afraid. She inched herself away from him as she regained her composure. Sasuke, on the other hand, snapped back to reality as he eyed the confused tour guide sitting beside him. His actions were hasty and he let his guard down. He almost kissed her! After realizing what he just did, or what he was about to do to her, he cleared his throat and started apologizing. "Uh," she whispered, feeling uneasy at each passing minute. "I think I'll be going. I feel… tired." He started talking but she pretended not to hear anything as she gathered herself. She got up and smiled shyly before running towards the stairs.
He followed her with his gaze as she went up the wooden staircase. Great. He just scared the hell out of her. He wasn't thinking at all and now Sakura was freaking out. His body could be really unresponsive at times and his mind can get him into this kind of mess. He saw fear in her eyes. He just blew the respect she built up on him and now he can predict that she'll never be the same again. "Shit," he mumbled as he stood and made his way towards his room. Upon reaching it, he gazed at the opposite room, her room. It seemed to be quiet inside. He entered his room and noticed his phone ringing again on top of a wooden table. Without second thought, Sasuke threw a pillow on it and slammed himself to bed.
On the other hand, Sakura slopped herself at the side of her bed, clutching a soft pillow by her side. She still can't believe what had happened: Sasuke tried to kiss her. He could have succeeded if she didn't break away. It's not because he don't what him to do that but… It's just… It's just because the set up was so dumb… and dull. She had imagined her first kiss to be full of romance and such. She smiled at that thought, feeling calmer now. If she'll take that situation seriously, she won't be able to look at him again. But since she's still his tour guide, she needs to cope up and set aside what had already happened. "That's so rude of me, I didn't even say good night. Uh…" She giggled as she pulled her sheets towards her. There's more to come, she thought before falling asleep.
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Whew! A longer chapter. That was very hard. My brain felt really exhausted. I am not accustomed in writing long chapters (it wasn't even that long, right?) that's why I messed up on the last part. I ran out of ideas but I hope you understood the whole chapter. At the start of this chapter I pointed out that this story was very slow in progress but now I am beginning to notice that it sped up all of a sudden. I already spilled some details that Sakura liked Sasuke and Sasuke was, well, interested in our dear tour guide. I wasn't even able to explain why Sasuke acted differently on her. WHOA! BIG PROBLEM! VERY BIG PROBLEM! ARRRGHHHH! Hmmm… (takes deep breaths) thinking… thinking… thinking… WELL… I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT!!!! (taps her five inch long nails on the messed up computer table) I… I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING!!!! (monitor suddenly went berserk as Samara/Sadako looms her way out to scare the hell out of the disturbed author) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! (faints)