A Walk in the Park-
Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto!
Chapter Five
Not so Private-
After we finished our meal, I paid the bill and we left in my black Zenvo ST1. It didn't take long to get to my workshop and I had Sakura close her eyes on the way in. I held her hands in mine, pulling her through the side building and into the gigantic space. High quality tools and extra car parts were neatly placed around the walls.
Team Konoha's SGF was parked in the middle, still crushed on the passenger side from that idiot. I was still pissed at him but it was only a test car, we wanted to push its limits and see what it could do. It isn't a major loss, though this time it had gotten a good amount of work done before he killed it. This is the fourth time this week he's wrecked it.
"Alright, open your eyes." I said, letting go of her hands.
Sakura opened her eyes excitedly, smiling brightly as she did. She looked around with interest, obviously impressed. "Sasuke... this is... wow... Do you work on race cars?"
"Hn. I work for Konoha. It's a legal street racing team." I said simply.
"R-really?" Sakura stammered in disbelief. "Do you race?"
"No, not anymore. I'm the head mechanic for Konoha. With a driver as reckless as ours, I've got my hands full." I explained as I ran my hand over one of the dents.
Sakura thought over my words as she walked around the wrecked car. "I can see that you do... I hope he's okay... So, why did you quit racing? Was being a mechanic more interesting to you?"
I hesitated in answering her. It's not as if it was some must keep secret, but it wasn't something I freely told people either.
"It's . . . complicated."
The front door suddenly opened and I snapped my head around as a blonde entered the workshop.
"Sasuke, what are you doing wh-who's the girl?" Naruto asked with wide blue eyes.
Shit. Of all the people to walk in here at this time of night.
"Oh my god, are you on a date? You're totally on a date! You are Sasuke, right? Sasuke-don't-fuck-with-girls-Uchiha? I can't believe this, no wonder you were in such a hurry today! Tell me Itachi knows, well he does know everything, so yeah. Why didn't you-"
"Naruto." I cut him off. "Shut up. If you tell anyone about Sakura before I do, I will castrate you."
I don't need his big mouth telling the whole world before I get the chance to ask Sakura to be my girlfriend. I quickly glanced over at the pinkette to gauge her reaction. She looked nothing but stunned.
"Okay, fine, Mr. sensitive pants." Naruto laughed and my eyebrow twitched. I'm going to kick his ass.
He moved to go over to Sakura, but I rounded the car and stepped between them.
"Close enough, dope. I don't need you scaring her off." I said and mildly glared at him.
"Bastard, if she isn't scared of you and your Uchiha glares then she'll be okay with me. I'm the nice one." He insisted. Then he tilted his head around me and waved. "Hey, there. I'm Naruto."
"Uh... Hey, Naruto... Nice to meet you, I'm Sakura." Sakura was seemingly flustered by the situation, but her politeness showed with ease.
Naruto beamed at her and I allowed him to side step me.
"Nice to meet you too! Tell me, cause I gotta ask, are you here against your will?" He joked and I smacked him upside the head.
"Do you remember the idiot I was talking about earlier? This is him. He's the one that wrecked this second-generation fusion." I explained as I plotted our escape plan.
"Oh... well good to know he's getting around alright. And um... no, I'm here because I want to be." She answered and I hoped he wasn't making her uncomfortable. Not everyone can handle his energy.
"Really? That's good then. Can't have this heart throb acting all sketchy. And see? She was concerned about my wellbeing, unlike you. The first words out of your mouth were 'What the hell did you do to the SGF?' He's so mean to me, Sakura, he didn't even ask if I was okay." Naruto pouted. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
Sakura's eyes went to my face, a mixture of confusion and doubt crossing her features. "Really? I had a feeling you weren't always so sweet."
Naruto's jaw dropped before he busted out laughing. "Oh, man, hahahaha, she's awesome!"
Fuck. My brain tried to think of a response but I drew a blank. Did she really think that?
"Hahaha, you actually got him speechless! Way to go, Sakura! The Uchiha charm is useless, aha, never thought I'd see the day, hahaha! Busted!" Naruto continued to laugh.
I don't see what's so funny about this. What can I say that won't sound like a lie just to appease her?
"Sakura . . . it's not like that. I-"
"You what?" Naruto interrupted. "You didn't mean it? Are you gonna admit that you were wrong and you love me like the best friend that I am even though you're a bastard? Go on, Sasuke, we're listening."
This little shit, now I'm really going to kick his ass. He is going to die a very, very painful death.
"Now, now... Naruto, settle down. I'm sure Sasuke just doesn't express himself as well as you." Sakura chided Naruto softly, to which his laughter immediately ceased.
"And you, Sasuke... Naruto wouldn't be talking to you this way if the two of you weren't close. Sometimes, even if it's hard for you, you should be more open with your friends." She sighed as she walked between us, laying a hand on both my shoulder and Naruto's. "Now, why don't we all calm down and you can both tell me about your work."
Naruto smiled that annoying and contagious grin of his while placing his hand over hers. "You are pretty cool, Sakura. She's a keeper, Sasuke. Don't you lose her."
"I don't intend to. Now move your hand." I warned but not too harshly. I had a feeling I was walking a thin rope with Sakura at the moment.
"Easy now, you know I have a girlfriend." He reminded but moved his hand anyway. "So you wanna know about our work, yeah? Well I'm the extremely talented driver for team Konoha, here. Sasuke's our genius head mechanic and leads the rest our guys. We're sponsored by Kakashi Hatake, he supplies all the parts and stuff.
"He's also the owner but really can't be trusted with anything time sensitive. The guy would be late for his own funeral. Then our team captain is Sasuke's older brother, Itachi. He's awesome but really scary when he's mad. Though he always goes easy on Sasuke, stupid favoritism. Have you met Itachi yet?"
Sakura laughed, liking Naruto's enthusiasm. "Actually, I haven't met Itachi yet. Sasuke and I are just getting to know each other better."
"We're in the middle of a date." I added and Naruto had the decency to look sheepish.
"Oh, sorry about that. I just came to get my spare keys. Let me know when you do meet him, Sakura, I'd love to be there, hehe. Would you mind exchanging numbers? I'm not a creep or anything! It's just if Sasuke brought you here I know he's serious. I'd like to hang out sometime, maybe double date? What do you say?" He asked.
Sakura's face showed her surprise at Naruto's forwardness, if I could keep her around she would soon learn to deal with his annoying antics.
"Um... Sorry, I think me and Sasuke will both agree that we want to spend some time alone for a while before we go on double dates or anything like that."
I hid a small smile and tried not to laugh. That dope. If it was that easy to get her number, I would've gotten it the first time I talked to her. She may seem shy but she's no push over. I wouldn't have her any other way.
"Okay, I get it. Maybe sometime in the future, then. Well, it was nice meeting you. Keep an eye on him for me, yeah?" He asked.
"You got it. And it was nice meeting you again!"
"Yep! See you, Sasuke." He said and grabbed his keys off one of the metal carts. He waved goodbye as he went out the door and I sighed.
"I have to deal with that every day." I told her.
Sakura laughed a full laugh that told me she wasn't judging me, and for that I was grateful. "He was something else... I want to meet people like him that are close to you, it makes me feel closer to you... But, I also want you to myself."
I smirked and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against me.
"My sentiments exactly." I told her and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.
"Ah," Sakura squeaked, her face flushing bright red as I leaned back to gaze down at her.
She was blinking rapidly at me; seemingly taken aback by the sudden affection I'd given her. Hell, if a kiss to the forehead could bring on such a reaction, I couldn't wait to see what I'd get out of a little more.
"I'll take you home." I offered. I don't want to rush things but she's making it really hard not to.
"O-okay..." She nodded, though I could have sworn a fleeting look of disappointment flashed through her eyes.
I kept one arm around her as we walked back to the car. She gave me directions to her apartment and I held her hand during the drive. I know she might have wanted more but I was determined to do this right. Sakura, she's . . . precious.
"Shall I walk you up?" I asked her as I parked out front.
"You don't have to... but, if you want to I wouldn't mind..."
I turned off the car and stepped out, going around to open her door for her.
"I certainly don't mind." I told her. "Why would I?"
She smiled at that and took my hand. I didn't let go of her as we walked up to the apartment. Her hand was so soft and warm, it made me unconsciously hold on tighter. It was disappointing the night was over, but I would see her again.
"I'll be seeing you, Sakura."
"Yeah . . . see you."
I stood at the door for a moment longer before leaving, letting go of her hand at the last possible second. I wanted to know more about her, every detail. The ride home was lonely without her there. When I got home, I was attack the second I walked through the door by a ball of black fur.
"Hey, girl." I greeted as she kept licking me. "I missed you too."
Itachi silently came around the corner and leaned on the wall. A few minutes of silence passed between us before we acknowledged each other.
"Sasuke."
"Itachi."
"I think we've waited long enough for our chat, wouldn't you say?" He asked and I inwardly cursed.
Naruto and Itachi in one day, what did I do to deserve this? He didn't wait for an answer and proceeded to the couch. Luna and I followed him, Luna jumping onto my lap while I sat next to him. His expression was neutral but I could see the slight upward angle of his lips.
"So, who is she?" He asked. I just blinked, surprised he was being direct for once.
"Naruto told you, didn't he?"
"No, I've known for a while. Did you run into him tonight?" He asked but I suspected he already knew. Naruto was right when he said Itachi seems to know everything.
"Yes."
"Her name."
"Sakura."
"Last name."
"None of your business."
"I'll find out soon enough. How was the date?"
"Fine."
"Did you kiss her?"
"Also none of your business."
"Hn. Not on the mouth then. Do you like her?"
"Obviously."
"Interesting."
My eye twitched in annoyance but I refrained from saying anything. Itachi smirked. Stupid aniki. I know he wants to say I told you so but he won't. When I told him I would never get a girlfriend, he had said I would fall hard someday. He won't say anything . . . but I can see him thinking it with that damn smirk. Luna nosed my hand and I began petting her, the act calming.
"Just say it. Get it over with." I huffed and his smirk grew.
"Say what? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, little brother."
"Bullshit."
Itachi chuckled and got up, still not bothering to finish me off. Then he flicked me in the forehead before leaving the living room and I glared after him. He's going to hold this over my head for weeks. Damn it. I sighed and wrestled my phone from my pocket.
'I enjoyed our date. Hope to do it again soon.' - Sasuke
Maybe texting Sakura would help me not go into my brother's room and do something childish.
'That's it? You hope… What happened to that sexy confidence? - Sakura
It was nice to know that's how she saw me. I smiled and texted back.
'My brother drained it out of me.' - Sasuke
I was not looking forward to the day they meet.
A/N:
We're baaaack!
We were totally gonna post this yesterday, but Tyy got super busy... Yes, it's all my fault! Scold me. Lol.
Next chapter should be out Sunday, only because Tyy be super busy again tomorrow! (It's my baby's birthday, yay!)
So, we thought about answering any questions you guys might have, you could send them in reviews, or PM either of us (Me, or Kaname84) and we will answer in the following author's notes!
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Til next time...
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