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Tempest

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Chapter Six

Knock Knock! Job Opportunity!!

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I can see when you say though nothing happens

Does it feel right, late at night

She barely got a wink last night. Memories flooded her mind.

Her mother, screaming, crying.

Her father, yelling, cursing…

She let out an irritated sigh as she looked at the clock one last time.

6:45. Dammit.

It's only been an hour and forty-five minutes since she last checked.

With that, she got up and headed for the bathroom that was just next door to her room. As she opened the door, she found her father sprawled sideways on the ground, in the hallway, just between her room and his. After glaring at him with pure hatred, she continued to the bathroom.

She winced when she saw her reflection. She looked like shit. Lack of sleep really does take a toll on someone's appearance, doesn't it?

With a sigh she splashed her face with water, sighing as it hit her face. After brushing her teeth and hair, she walked out of the room. As she walked past her father once more, she had to contain the urge to kick him in the gut.

Bastard.

Locking her door, she commenced undressing. She threw her pajamas in her closet and took out her uniform. It was plain. The skirt was red and reached two inches above her knees. A fairly decent length, compared to the other girls in school. The blouse was tight fitting and short sleeved. The girls also had to wear ties, though she was glad that they weren't boy ties. That was just embarrassing! And to finish off her uniform, her white socks reached up to her knees and her black shoes were plain and in style. Cute.

She decided that she'd pull her hair up in a high ponytail today, leaving her bangs to frame her face. It was her favorite style. After all, who was she trying to impress? She was going there for school, not to make friends or get a crush.

She frowned and looked down.

She's had enough bad experiences with crushes.

She took out all of her books from her backpack and put new notebooks and folders in. She turned around and made sure the door was locked with all three locks. Then she got her keys, put them securely in the backpack and walked to the window. She jumped on top of it after opening it and looked out. No one was watching. Good.

She crouched down and slowly lowered herself onto the tree branch that was so conveniently placed in front of her window. When she was sure she was safe on it, she placed a rock right in front of the window so it would not close before jumping off the branch and onto the ground.

After straitening her clothes, she looked around. Where was she going to go now? It was only seven thirty. She had an hour until school started.

After a few moments of pondering, she decided to go to town and see if there were any job openings. She needed to do something after school to keep herself busy and stay away from the house.

As she walked around, she saw everything come to life. The sun rays hit everything, making the colors brighter and everything warmer. The early morning chill was gone and the sun left a golden glow on everything.

A bright red sign caught her attention.

'Job wanted! No talents or certificates required!'

It was a café. She could totally do that.

Running to the café, she smiled when she found it open. The manager was an elderly man with white hair and a hunchback.

He turned around when he heard the door close. With a gently smile, he greeted her.

"What can I do for you, young lady?" He asked.

"Hi. Um, I'm looking for a job and I read the sign…" She said, fidgeting with her blouse. She did not look professional at all…

"Oh? You're asking if you could work here." He asked. She nodded, smiling. "Great! You can start this after noon!"

"What? Aren't you supposed to interview me?" She asked, surprised that it was that easy. He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, that's right." He said, rubbing his chin. "Let's see…are you still in school?" she nodded. "Are you going to drop out?" She shook her head no. "Great. That's all I need to know!" He smiled. "Come this afternoon at five. You can work from five until seven. Is that okay with you?" She nodded.

"Thank you!" She said before running out. He laughed as he watched her run down the street.

"Kids…" he said. "…so eager to grow up."

…

…

…

Sakura sighed when she entered the driveway of her house again. She unlocked the garage and got in her car. After getting out and locking the garage again, she pondered on where she was going to go.

A crazy thought entered her mind and she couldn't help but comply to her inner mind's demand.

The park was just as she remembered it. Small, innocent…

She got out of the car and walked to the swings. As she swung slowly, her feet still touching the ground, she couldn't help but remember the even that occurred here…the worst day of her life.

-Flashback-

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura said softly as she walked up to the young boy. Sasuke looked up at her slowly. He knew she was there long before she spoke. It was almost a daily routine. He would come to this park seeking solitude…

…and she would follow him, seeking affection.

Neither got what they wanted.

He watched her watch him…the bright red blush decorating her pale skin as her long pink hair blew sideways in the breeze. She looked so fragile and pretty…like a flower. A strange thought came to his mind.

He often stepped on flowers, thus, killing them. Hmmm…

"I…wanted to tell you something…" She whispered, getting a step closer. He watched her silently. What? What did she want to tell him? Hurry up and leave me alone!

She was only a few feet away now, too close for his comfort.

"…For-for a long time, now…" Her voice was shaking, her eyes wide and beautiful as they watched for any reaction from the boy. None. "I've…you see…um…I've really, really-"

"Hurry up, Sakura!" he said, not meaning to sound so aggressive.

"Hai!" She squeaked. Why was she so afraid? What did she have to tell him that was so important? "Well…I…I like you! A lot!" she closed her eyes, too scared to look at him. He watched her quietly. She liked him? So?

"…"

"And…I was wondering…" She said, opening her eyes again. "If…if you like m-me t-too?"

"No." He said. It was the truth. He did not know what he felt for the girl. What he did not know was not important to him.

"Oh…" Her voice was laced with disappointment and hurt, tears ran down her cheeks. "O-okay then…"

"Are you crying?" He asked, standing up. Why did it hurt her that he said no? He was telling her the truth…He did not like her at all.

"N-no!" Liar.

"Yes you are…" He said, coming closer. She blushed and cowered away from him. "You're such a baby." He wiped away her tears.

"You hate me…" She whispered, looking away, still hoping that he'd change his mind.

"No." He said. "I just don't like you…"

"Not even a little?" She asked, begging.

"Nope."

"Oh…"

"…"

"…"

"I don't like it when you cry…" he said. "Did I make you sad?" She shook her head. Liar. "Did I hurt you, Sakura?" She shook her head again. Liar!!

"N-no!" She whimpered as more tears ran down her cheeks. He didn't understand…why was she crying? She's such a baby!

Suddenly, her eyes widened. His lips were soft as they pressed against her cheek. She stared up at him as he blushed slightly.

"There! Now you can stop crying!" He said, crossing his arms and turning around slightly. She couldn't speak. Her heart was hammering in her chest. Does this mean that he-

"

The worst day of her life…

"Sakura!" She nearly jumped out of her skin as the voice called from right in front of her. She lost her balance on the swing and fell backwards, her legs shooting up in the air.

With a squeak, she pulled her legs down and her skirt down enough to cover her privates. She blushed and sat up.

"What the hell?!" She snapped, glaring at the person before realizing who it was. Bastard.

"Hn. I've been calling your name for five minutes, idiot!" He said, glaring at her. She looked at him.

She sighed and pulled herself up, mumbling a sorry for yelling at him.

"…What are you doing here?" He asked as they stood there awkwardly. She looked at him and blushed. Suddenly, the scene looked so familiar.

"…Reminiscing." She said. He watched her closely for a few seconds and she fidgeted under his intense gaze.

"Hn." He muttered before turning around and walking away. Yup, familiar. Once again, she watched him walk away from her.

But this time, two things were different.

She didn't cry.

And…

…He stopped to wait for her.

Sasuke was irritated. She interrupted his solitude time in the park…and she did not even say a word to him on the way to their cars and to school. She did not say a word to him through homeroom and through the next class that they had together.

Now it was lunch and she sat next to him again. He could tell she was nervous and he actually thought it was cute the way she blushed and started apologizing for even the slightest contact.

No one else noticed.

No one else but him noticed the glances she stole at him when she thought no one was looking…

No one else but him noticed the way she bit her lips so sexily whenever he accidentally touched her arm while reaching over to punch Naruto in the face.

No. No one else did. No one…but him.

And he loved it. For some reason, he loved doing that to her. He loved making her uncomfortable. He loved teasing her, taunting her. He wanted to know how far he could push her until she snapped…

…and he wanted to know what she'd do when she does snap.

That was his personal mission. He is going to make Haruno Sakura crack.

A part of him wanted to believe that she was just like any other girl, that he'd do this to any other girl.

But another part of him…a deep, dark part of him told him otherwise. He was trying to get back at her. Get back at her for what she said and did all those years ago.

Get back at her for lying…lying about something that mattered to him…something that was so important to him…

Something that he lived for…and she took it away when she left…leaving him an empty shell, with nothing but a dark past and a decided future to live for.

Oh, yes. He's going to make her pay for what she did.

The school day ended quickly, Sakura thought as she thanked her manager and exited the café with her work uniform on.

The first day of school was a lot tougher than the first day of work. The old man was nice. She was going to enjoy working for him, even if it was for a little while. After all, she needed some money to get a phone and pay for her bill, then she's going to start working on her personal mission.

To be a singer.

It has always been her dream, ever since that elementary school play when everyone complimented her on her angelic voice, she's wanted to be a singer.

And she was going to make that dream come true. But she knew she had to work hard. She had no connections and the only way to get into the music industry is by hard work and skill.

And she was good at both.

As she drove home that evening, she felt that nagging feeling in her stomach. Her father must be home. She'd have to go in through the window again. But she didn't eat anything all day. She even forgot to pack her lunch.

Sighing, she looked at her wallet.

Ten bucks. That was what her weekly allowance was. After selling the house she and her mom lived in, she used the money to buy gas for her car, school supplies, clothes and her food.

But she'd have to be careful with it, though. Most of that money, she was saving for when she decided to finally get away from the man she was supposed to call father. Not.

She sighed and made a quick U turn. She looked around town and found a nice drive through. After ordering a simple sandwich and soda, she drove back to her house. She ate her 'dinner' in the garage, listening to the radio. She had all the doors locked, just in case her father decided to pay her a visit.

She was grateful that he didn't.

After finishing her dinner, she locked the garage door behind her and walked towards the tree in the backyard, near her window.

She was glad that the branches were low, so she had no problem climbing to the branch right across from her window.

The window was still open. So far, so good.

As she slowly crawled towards her window, trying to balance herself and her backpack on her back, she couldn't help but gulp when she looked at the ground.

Stay calm, you've done this a thousand times over the summer! She chanted.

She reached the window. Her face brightened with a smile as she hoisted herself onto the window sill, but her socks got caught and she let out a hiss when she felt her skin break in a form of a cut.

She gently released her socks from the branch and jumped inside her room. She put the rock holding the window inside and closed the window. It was getting a bit chilly.

She slowly changed into her pajamas and sat at her desk. Grabbing her books obediently, she continued the math problems that she started at work.

Ah, yes. Life was satisfying.

It's been a two weeks and three days since that day. Today was Friday and school is out! Everyone cheered as they gathered their books and started planning their weekends.

"Hey, you want to come over tomorrow?"

"Sorry, can't my aunt's sister's brother-in-law's son' cousin's kid is having a birthday party and I have to go-"

"-let's watch a movie this weekend-"

"-sorry I have a date-"

"-have fun at the party-"

"-Oh! With who-?"

Sakura sighed as she gathered her books and waited for everyone to leave the class room before walking out. She must have been the only girl on the face of the earth that was not happy about the weekend. Weekend meant no school, and no school meant more time at the house and more time at the house meant…

…more time with him. Koteru Akirawa. Her 'father'.

Sakura groaned and wished that she had someone to hang out with, just to get away from that man!!

Anyone…please, anyone-

"Sakura-chan!"

Thank you god!

"Hey…Naruto." She said, smiling. She didn't feel as nervous around him anymore. He seemed to be more like his younger self…the Naruto she knew…as more time passed by. And she liked that. He was familiar to her, while Sasuke was almost a complete stranger.

Or maybe she just didn't know him in the first place?

"You're going with us to the mall this weekend!" He said, pulling her towards their lockers. They all had their lockers in the same place, according to homeroom.

"Uh, I am?" She said, wondering why he was demanding that she go with them.

"Yup!" He said, grinning as he threw his books into his locker and slammed the door shut.

"I don't know about that, Naruto…" she said, closing her locker slowly. What the hell! Wasn't she just begging for someone to hang out with? WTF?!

"Aw! Sakura-chan!!" he was whining again.

"I don't know about the mall…" She said, trying to make up an excuse not to go. For some reason, she just didn't feel like hanging out with him… She wanted to hang out with someone else. Someone like-

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.

-Hinata.

Sakura turned around only to find her face hitting a wall. A wall of pure hot, sexy masculine muscle that just wanted to be freed of the hideous uniform and be worshipped by her fingers.

"Hn." He said, staring down at her. She took a step back and grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry, Sasuke…" She said. She dropped the 'Sasuke-san' when he asked- demanded- that she do so.

"Sasuke! Tell Sakura-chan that she has to come with us this weekend!" Naruto winked at Sasuke. The boy's grey eyes narrowed a bit.

"What makes you think I'll go just because he said so?" Sakura asked, turning to Naruto while pointing at Sasuke with her thumb.

"You're going." Sasuke said, just to piss her off. He really didn't care if she went, but he was making a point. Remember his personal mission? Yeah, it commenced.

"Um, no I'm not!" She said before side stepping and walking away. Suddenly she stopped when she heard Naruto whisper:

"We'll just have to sneak in, in the middle of the night, and grab her…hmm…maybe she'll be naked." She blushed.

"Naruto! I can hear you!" She snapped. He grinned as Sasuke smirked and walked past her, brushing the tips of her breasts. She instantly brought her hands up, dropping her books and blushing like mad.

"I know you did!" Naruto grinning, oblivious to everything. Man was he glad she came back! It's like old times.

Sasuke looked at her before bending down and picking up her books. He stared up at her, smirking devilishly. Oh yes, this was a very nice view. This was the second time that he's had this view. The first time was that day in the park, when she fell off the swing.

Hmmmm…very nice….

His eyes ran up from her shoes, up her well toned calves, up her creamy looking thighs, just a bit higher before Naruto stepped right in front of him and he found himself staring at the blonde's behind.

With a growl, Sasuke stood up and kicked his best friend in the back, sending him flying into a wall. He shoved Sakura's books in her arms, making sure to let his fingers linger on hers before turning around.

"Hn. We'll pick you up tomorrow at seven." He said, looking her over one last time before smirking. "Dress a bit more…sensual, will you?"

The sight she left him with was one to remember. Her face flushed, her hair in pigtails, just proving her innocence, and her green eyes wide, her lips parted.

"We'll pick you up tomorrow at seven…" He said.

What the hell did he mean?! She was panicking and she knew it. Glancing at herself in the mirror for the thousandth time that day, she glared at herself before beginning to pace around the room again.

Why was she so uptight about this? It's not like they were going on a date or anything. It would be a bit weird going out with your ex-best friends on a date at the same frickin time!!

Kinda hot though, isn't it?

Stop it!! I cannot be thinking like this!

She kept wondering why they would offer to take her somewhere on a weekend when they could be going out with their girlfrie-

Whoa there! Hold up. Rewind. Pause!

Do they have girlfriends? She never saw them with any other girl except the girls in the group and none of them seemed like their girlfriends. In fact, Sasuke barely talked to anyone while Naruto talked to everyone.

Do they have girlfriends out side of school? Maybe they like older women?

Fire shone in her eyes. She had to know. But how to find out? Hmmm…

Suddenly, she heard a car honking from the front of the house. She opened her room door, knowing full well that her father was passed out from over drinking. She often wondered what he does for work, to get this kind of money. Her mind always ended up on the same thing…drugs.

Sakura looked out the window to find a beautiful Nissan Eclipse parked right in front of her house with a very nicely dressed, very sexy man walking towards her house. She let out a squeak and ran to the bathroom.

She looked over herself. Hair, let loose and straightened. Check. Make up, light, barely visible. Check. Clothes, not sensual, just to piss Sasuke off, and shoes…flats. Check. She couldn't help but pull the overly wide neckline of her long sleeved shirt a bit under her shoulder. She was wearing a black tank top under the red shirt, with black jeans and red flats. Nothing too dressing and not too casual. She just loved the color red, and black jeans make her big thighs (or so she says) a bit smaller.

There was a knock on the door and she took a deep breath, not really knowing why she was nervous, before walking out of the bathroom. Another knock. Man, this guy was impatient!

"Coming!" She shouted.

"Sakura?" A groan came from the man sleeping on the couch. The can of beer dropped from his hand.

She ignored him, grabbed her purse and keys, and opened the door. She smiled at him, happy to see the irritated scowl on his face.

"What took you so long?" he muttered as they walked to his car. "I said I'll pick you up at seven. Not at five past seven." Sakura rolled her eyes and got in the passenger seat of the Nissan. The sports car was amazing! But it was small. It was only for two.

"Where's Naruto?" She asked.

"The idiot decided to come along and sit on the roof of the car." He said sarcastically. She got his point, where was he going to sit? Right. "He already left. And he made me promise to drag you there if you didn't want to go."

He looked down at her as he started the car. She was gorgeous.

"I thought I told you to show some skin?" He said, glaring at her jeans. He loved her thighs. Better than the other anorexic girls with big boobs and no thighs. Those girls were so disproportioned. Sakura's hourglass figure was perfect.

"So? Since when do I have to do what you tell me to?" She said, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow at him. He smirked. Getting really confident, isn't she?

"Oh, yeah?" He said, leaning closer to her. She blushed and moved back until her back was pushing against edge of the seat.

"Um…"

He blew on her face and she instantly closed her eyes. After a while, nothing happened. She opened one eye to see him smirking at her.

"Arrogant prick." She muttered. He snorted before starting the car and driving. She was amazed at how smoothly he drove. The engine made no noise at all, the brakes were clean and smooth. The boy was like a perfectionist in everything he did. She couldn't help but be a little bit intimidated by that.

"So, where are we going?" She asked, eyes big and curious as waited for his answer. He smirked at her.

So innocent.

"You'll see." He muttered, not really used to talking this much.

"No! Tell me!" She whined. He smirked, but said nothing. "Jerk."

After about a half hour of driving in that beautiful, amazing car, Sasuke stopped suddenly. Sakura, who had fallen asleep, nearly jumped in her seat as he shook her.

"What? What? I'm up." She said, still a bit disheveled. He chuckled slightly but did not remove his hand from her shoulder. She noticed and blushed, pulling away slightly.

He growled and grabbed the back of her head.

"What's the matter, Sakura?" He hissed hotly in her ear, making her shiver and whimper from the sensation. "Don't like me touching you? Are you too innocent to be touched?"

"S-Sasuke…" The way she said it, oh god. It turned him on like no other girl had ever. With just a whisper, a look, a pout, and she's got him hard as a rock. He groaned and leaned back in his chair, trying to think of disgusting things that would get him back to normal.

"Sasuke?" her voice was filled with worry. She reached out a hand and put it on his shoulder. He visibly flinched. She pulled away as though she was burned and looked down at her lap guiltily. "Sorry."

For what? Just a simple touch got me thinking about all the things I could do to you right now.

"Hn." He said, looking away, trying to calm himself down.

"S-Sasuke…" She bit her lip. He did not turn to look at her. "…Can I ask you something that a bit…personal?"

Now he turned to her. What kind of question can she possibly ask? Did he have sex? Hmph, everyone knows he's the sex god.

"Hn."

"Good." She said, determination evident in her eyes. She looked at him and said:

"Do you have a girlfriend?" He stared at her. What the fuck?

"Hn." Without answering her, he got out of the car and started to walk away. She hurried after him and he clicked on the button on the keys to lock it.

"Hey! Answer me!" She said, running in front of him. She looked like she was going to pounce on him. Fucking hot!

"Why should I?"

"Because!"

"That's mature…"

"Shut up, jerk! Now answer the question!"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please, Sasuke?!"

"….No."

"…Sasuke-kun…?"

"N-" he froze. She just called him that name…the name she only called him when they were younger. Does that mean what she said was true?

"What if I do?" He said, leaning closer to her and smirking. "Jealous?" She blushed bright red and shook her head.

"N-no! Just curious, that's all!" She said lamely.

"Yeah, right, Sakura." He muttered, leaning closer. Was it just her, or was it getting hot out here?

"W-wha-" Her breathing stopped. His lips, his breath, his body…so close. He smirked against her neck as he trailed his lips up the smooth skin, across her chin, up towards her lips, but never touched them. Her eyes widened when he pressed on her cheek, just like he did so long ago.

With a last smirk, he walked ahead of her. She turned around and only then did she realize that there was a limousine parked right next to their car, and there were teenagers pooling in through a double door with security guards everywhere, keeping everyone in line.

"No way…" She whispered as she grabbed his jacket and followed him blindly. He smirked as he led her through the doors and to the back, where the rest of the guys were waiting.

Sakura…I'm going to make your life a living hell…

A/N: How was it? It was longer this chapter right? Good, I tried. Well, more of the plot is happening now. I will get everything explained soon, though I think it's pretty obvious what's going to happen…

Keep reviewing please! I love the support! It makes me want to type all the more! Thanks again!!