Obligation

Chapter Two

-Dinner-

Sakura walked into the formal restaurant and looked around before going up to the podium. She had decided to wear a small black dress, since it was really one of the only nice things she had. It came down to mid thigh, and cut straight across the top. The sleeves came across her arms, leaving her shoulders bare. The dress was tight the whole way down, showing off her developed figure. Her hair was curled in ringlets, and around her neck she wore a simple black choker made from a ribbon.

She stopped at the podium. "I'm here to meet someone. My name is Haruno Sakura." She said.

The man's eyes widened, and he walked around the podium hastily. "Right this way Miss." He said, leading her through the restaurant. They walked up to a private table in the back, where Gaara was already seated. "Miss Haruno, sir." The man said, and Sakura couldn't help but wonder who exactly Gaara was that they would treat him so respectfully. They usually only did that with their more prestigious clients.

Gaara stood and stepped around the table. He looked extremely sharp in his black tux and black tie. He offered his hand out to Sakura and pulled her chair out with his other. "Thank you Steven," he said before looking down at Sakura and giving her an appreciative once over.

"Thank you." She said, taking his hand and then her seat.

He moved back to his seat and sat down, not taking his eyes off of her. "You look stunning."

She looked up at him, slightly startled. "Oh, thanks." She said, blushing slightly. "You look nice too."

"I tried." He shrugged, seeming to just brush it off as no big deal. "I wanted to look nice tonight. After all, it's a very important night for the both of us."

"And why is that?" she asked him, placing her napkin in her lap.

He gave her a knowing look and opened his napkin, placing the silver wear in its proper place. "Why don't we save the business for after dinner?" he said, placing his napkin in his lap.

She sighed. "I suppose." That probably meant she wouldn't get her father's letter until then either, and by then there would be no point in leaving. She picked up her menu and read over it, trying to pick something out to eat. She had never been here before, since it was so expensive, and so didn't know what they served.

Gaara leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his folded hands. "I remember the first time I ever saw you."

"Really?" she asked with a raised brow, crossing her legs and placing her elbow on the table, leaning on it.

"Oh yes." He smirked. "I think it was about…four years ago. You came and interrupted my meeting with your father, demanding to know where he was getting the money to further you in your study of medicine. You looked amazing then too, so innocent in that white sundress with the pink ribbon tied around your waist."

Her eyes widened slightly, and her raised hand hit the table in shock. "You remember what I was wearing?"

He leaned back in his chair, enjoying her reaction. "Well…something like that." He said with a sigh. "You were very pretty. You know, I've actually been keeping tabs on you ever since. I like to make sure that my clientele are well aware of what I am capable and willing to do. Should things take a turn for the worse."

She sat back in her chair, unsure of whether or not to be flattered or extremely creeped out. "What do you mean by clientele? I have never spoken to you until the funeral. And why were you following me around? Are you some kind of sick, psycho stalker?" she asked.

"Please. Sakura, I wasn't following you around. I had someone do it. And you were not in business with me. Your father was, I just wanted to make sure that he knew how far I was willing to go should he try and evade his…payments." Gaara said, casually glancing up as the waiter came with a bottle of wine.

"Are you and your lovely date ready to place your order Mr. Sabaku?" he asked, giving Sakura a small nod.

"Yes. We are. To start we'll have the Seafood Medley. And two Caesar Salads after that, and then for my entrée, I would like the twelve ounce Prime Filet Mignon, with a side of fresh asparagus." Gaara said clearly, gesturing for him to fill their glasses. He finished and popped open the bottle of red wine and poured them both a glass before placing it in the ice.

"And you ma'am?" the waiter asked, pulling out his notepad once more.

She snapped out of her slight trance and then looked at her menu. "Yes, um, I would like the Atlantic Salmon with a side of Sweet Potato Hash please." She said, handing him her menu.

"Very excellent choice." He nodded, taking both before leaving them to place their orders. Gaara reached forward, taking his glass and tasting the wine slowly.

"So, Mr. Sabaku," Sakura began, grabbing her glass and smelling the wine as she swirled it slightly. "What business did my father have with you that was so important you had to have me followed for four years?" she took a sip then.

He looked up at her before setting the glass down, that arrogant smirk once again on his face. "You."

"What do you mean, me?" she asked, looking confused.

He sighed, "You were the business."

She set down her glass and crossed her arms. "Are you going to elaborate, or am I just going to have to wait for that explanation too?"

"Well…" he looked off, actually avoiding her gaze. "I'd like to keep things pleasant until absolutely necessary."

"How exactly is this meal supposed to be pleasant, hm? My father's funeral was yesterday, and at said funeral I was told to come to dinner with some creepy stalker whom I've never met before in my entire life. And said stalker has a letter to me from my father, which I'm probably not going to get until the end of the meal, and that letter is the only reason I came. What about that sounds pleasant to you?" she glared at him lightly, beginning to swing her foot under the table in her agitation.

He just looked amused, simply watching her. But then let his light demeanor faded. "Do you really want it that badly?"

"Why wouldn't I want it? It's from my father." She said.

He sighed and sat up, unbuttoning his jacket and reaching inside the flap. He pulled out the letter and held it out to her. She took it from him, quickly ripping open the seal and pulling it out. She unfolded it, and felt her breath hitch as she began to read the letter.

My Dearest Cherry Blossom,

I am so sorry. I know that usually, when someone knows the time they were about to die, they will everything they have to whom they love most, and tell them how much they love them. Know that I do love you, deeply, and that I am sincerely sorry for what I have to leave you. I got into some trouble with a casino, and I was going to have to pay with my life. Luckily, but not so luckily now, a man intervened. He paid off the men, and in return I had to do…things that I hope you will never learn of. Everything seemed to be going great after that, but then you wanted to go to medical school, and there was no way I could afford to pay for it on my own. And I didn't want you to be indebted to anyone once you were finished, and have to live a hard life the way I did. I knew you would have a wonderful life if you could become a doctor. So, I asked, no begged, for the money to send you to school. The day you came to me, you met the man I hoped you would never have to come into contact with. Unfortunately, he would not accept favors this time around, and I was forced to pay back my debt, which I could never complete. And now that I am dying, I've been informed that if I cannot find the rest, you will be responsible for completing it. Be careful, my beautiful daughter. And I am so sorry for involving you in this dark world. I hope you can forgive me, and I love you very much.

Love your father,

Kazuko

Sakura sniffed and hastily wiped at her eyes, keeping her tears from falling. Her father had gotten involved with some type of gang? He wasn't perfect, she knew that for a fact, but how could he be so stupid? And now she was left with his debt?

A wave of guilt washed over her when she realized it was her fault. He had done it for her, so that she could go to medical school and become a doctor. She'd initially wanted to go in order to find a cure for her mother's cancer. But when she died, her reason changed so that she could help people, and keep them from losing their relatives.

She sat the letter down on the table and looked back up at Gaara. She took a steadying breath. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, her voice shaky from her effort not to get upset.

"More than you can afford I assure you," he smirked, enjoying the small turmoil within her. He could tell she was finally realizing just who he was.

"Then how am I supposed to pay you back? I'm just now starting my residency at the hospital, and it will be a while before I have any kind of extra money." She said.

"I know." He said simply, looking up when the waiter came back with their appetizer and salads. He left quickly since he assumed, by the look on Sakura's face, the matter was very serious. "Which is why, I've thought of a way to where you can pay off your father's debt and not have to spend a single penny. That way you can continue with your life career and I get what I want."

"And what is it that you want, exactly?"

He couldn't help but smile as he picked up one of the shrimps and dipped it in the cocktail sauce. "See Sakura, I am the head of the mob. And as you might suspect, it's very hard for me to choose a woman I actually like who I don't want to kill. They're all so needy and annoying and gold diggers, and I don't enjoy people who want money." He explained, eating the shrimp and swallowing before he continued. "But I…I like you, you intrigue me to no end. So to pay off your father's debt…I want you to date me."

She just stared at him. "You…want me to date you." She stated in disbelief.

"Um, well…yes." He said, taking anther shrimp.

"For how long?"

He thought for a moment, "Well…the original debt was two hundred and eighty thousand dollars."

Sakura paled visibly. "And how much did he pay off?"

"About ten thousand. So that leaves two hundred and seventy thousand left."

"So how many dates is that?" she asked. If she knew that, then she would be able to count them down and have something to look forward to. Because she could already tell she wasn't going to enjoy dating this arrogant man before her.

He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'm willing to compromise…a little…maybe." He smirked. "Just tell me what you think would be fair."

She smirked and crossed her arms. "Twenty."

Gaara actually laughed, shaking his head. "Either you are insulting me or you really think that twenty dates with me is worth two hundred and seventy thousand dollars."

"Twenty-five then." She said. "I'm a very busy woman Mr. Sabaku, and my time is valuable."

"And you think my time isn't?" he arched what could be a brow.

"Oh I'm sure in some circles it is, but I actually help people and save their lives, whereas you don't." she told him. "What about thirty-five?"

"Fifty."

"What?" she asked. "Forty."

"Sixty." He sighed.

She sighed. "Fine. Fifty."

"Fifty-five."

Her eyes narrowed at him. "Very well, fifty-five it is."

He just smirked. "Perfect. Fifty five dates. I look forward to them. Oh," he paused, picking up his fork and began eating his salad. "And this doesn't count as one."

"Why not?" she asked, finally starting to eat, since she was hungry. "I dressed up and everything."

"Darling," he teased, looking up at her. "This is our introduction. To break the ice, and this was all business. The rest is all romance and nothing more."

"Romance." She said, giving a skeptical look as she took a bite. "And what makes you think that I won't view these dates as anything but platonic?"

"Hope?" he shrugged, "So how do you like your salad?"

"It's alright, though I really think you paid too much for something I could make at home." She smirked slightly and took another bite. "It's a nice restaurant though, I've never been here before." She said after swallowing.

They continued to eat, since Gaara was a man of few words and Sakura, well, she just didn't really know what to say, nor did she want to speak to him. Finally, their main course arrived and it looked absolutely mouth watering. Sakura began to eat her salmon, making an appreciative sound at how good it tasted. She still thought the place was really pricey, but she'd admit that they knew how to cook.

"So Sakura, what would you like to do for our first date?" he asked, eating his steak. Despite her original thoughts of gangsters, he actually seemed very well mannered.

"I'm not sure." She said, taking a sip of her wine. "Why don't you surprise me?"

He snickered, locking gazes with her. "If you say so."

She rolled her eyes at him. "So, when is this alleged first date? I need to make sure I'm free."

"Why don't you just tell me when you are free, and I will work around your schedule. Unlike you, I control the world I live in."

"Fine. Then give me a way in which I can reach you, and I'll send you a copy of my schedule." she said, taking another bite of her dinner.

He set his fork down and pulled out a card from his jacket pocket, handing it to her. "That is my cell phone number. Don't give it to anyone either. I hate being annoyed."

"Don't we all." She said, taking it from him. She looked around, and, not really having anywhere to put it, since she had left her phone in the car and didn't bring a purse, she slid it into her bra. "I'll contact you tomorrow around six when my shift ends."

He glanced up from her chest, a small smirk on his features. "Sounds perfect." They finished their meal and once Gaara had paid the check he got up and walked over to her seat, offering his hand down to her. She took it and he helped up from her seat. They left the restaurant and stopped at the valet, waiting for them to get both of the cars. Sakura's blue sedan arrived first, and she turned to him.

"I'd say it was a lovely evening, but I don't like lying, so…I'll go with interesting." She said, looking up at him.

He laughed, sticking one of his hands in his pocket. "Well you did almost cry. So I'd have to agree. I assure you though, before this is over you will enjoy yourself. And who knows, you might even want to go past fifty five." He smirked, as a black Lamborghini Reventon pulled up behind her piece of crap. "See ya later." He said, taking her hand and kissing it.

He held up his hands and caught the keys as the valet threw them to him. "I had a wonderful night Sakura. I can't wait to see you again." He waved, walking over towards his car and getting in. The engine started, making all the heads turn and get a look at the scene. The car took off then, a small gust of wind blowing past as he drove away, not caring about the speed limit.

Sakura rolled her eyes and got in her own car. "Can't say the feeling is mutual." She muttered, driving away towards her small apartment. Tomorrow she would send Gaara her schedule, and then, her hell would begin.