CHAPTER 22 COVER
Sakura is standing on a balcony with tears running down her face and Sachi is standing behind her, hugging her leg.
WANTED: A PINK HAIRED WIFE
Summary: Sakura gaped as she looked at the sign before doing a double take. Yup, she wasn't dreaming. There, on the sign in front of the mansion, was stating that Uchiha Sasuke needed a wife. And it was her lucky day she became the hired wife.
Disclaimer: Alalalala…
CHAPTER 22
"You know… when I was a little girl… I used to dream about what will happen when I grow up. It would always be something like… will I become a beautiful princess? Will I marry Prince Charming? Am I going to live in a palace? But when I became a teenager… it grew to something like, will I find someone I really love? Will I be happy? Will I always stay with him? I just can't believe that now that I've grown up… it's none of those things. I'm not a beautiful princess. I didn't marry Prince Charming. I don't live in a palace. I didn't find someone I really loved. I'm not happy. I didn't stay with him forever. Now… in my dreams… the only question in my head…"
"Will I survive this life?"
"Sakura-san?" Makoto called out quietly to the girl sitting in front of her. She had invited Sakura to have breakfast with her. They were dining in one of her favorite restaurants, Kannazuki. Makoto looked at Sakura silently; the two had been eating quietly without a word to each other. Both deep in thought.
Sakura smiled and looked at Makoto, "Hai, Makoto-san?" Sakura wiped her mouth with a napkin before setting her fork onto the table. She waited for the girl to say something and remained quiet when she still hadn't slipped anything out her mouth. Makoto opened her mouth to speak and suddenly closed it again. Sakura sighed, "Makoto-san, you can ask me anything you want. I don't mind," Makoto looked at her and back to her lap.
"I will feel guilty if I cause you to be uncomfortable after I ask you it," Makoto confessed quietly. It had been a week and half now since Sakura had returned to Japan. She and Makoto had slight indifferences, but whatever they were, they kept quiet about it. Sakura shook her head, nodding at Makoto to continue.
Makoto smacked her lips quietly and looked up at Sakura before speaking. "Did you truly love him before you left?" Sakura looked up at her sharply. She wasn't surprised; she knew Makoto had called her out for a reason. And whatever it was, it has to involve Sasuke. She was sure of it. Makoto didn't need to say specifically who did she truly love before she left, because between the two of them, there was only one him.
Sakura smiled at her, placing her hands on her lap. "Makoto-san, I was only hired to be his wife. Hired. Not a real proposal, and truly enough, we never got married. Why should I truly love him when I was just being used?" she didn't want to outright tell her anything. She still didn't know how Makoto truly was and she was not going to risk anything.
Makoto widened her eyes before furrowing her eyebrows at Sakura. "Sakura-san, please don't put it that way. It makes Sasuke-kun sound like a bad person. He was not using you; he just needed someone to make his life easier. It's not right for him to handle such a life." Makoto narrowed her eyes.
Sakura sighed, "And you say he was not using me. Doesn't it sound slightly wrong? He just needed someone to make his life easier. Do you hear it? He just needed someone. To make his life easier. I was a tool, to make his life easier. I was just stupid enough to fall for him along the way…" Sakura murmured the last part to herself.
Makoto shook her head at Sakura. "You were lucky… to be there by his side. You were just foolish enough to leave everything behind and have him fall into another's arms," Makoto looked at Sakura with pity in her eyes. "You threw away your chance at a life that everyone wanted, to be the wife of Uchiha Sasuke is an honor. Its-!"
"It's a chance at a life that everyone wants. Not a chance at a life that I want. I don't want to be crowded by reporters day and night every time I walk outside. I don't want to go somewhere with people pointing and talking about me behind my back. I would not marry someone for an honor. I don't… I don't want to be Uchiha Sasuke's wife." Sakura said as her eyes began to wet.
Makoto widened her eyes at her. "N-Nani? You don't want to be his wife?" she asked in astonishment.
Sakura chuckled and threw on a bittersweet smile. "So that's what you thought? I wanted to be his wife and take your place? Makoto-san, the last thing I want to be on this planet is Uchiha Sasuke's wife. I can love him more than anything I can love on this planet, but I will never accept the position of being his wife. Please understand," she stood up and placed some money on the table.
Sakura bowed her head down at Makoto before smiling at her, "Thank you for inviting me to breakfast. It was delicious, have a nice day Makoto-san." she flashed another smile before walking to the door.
Makoto widened her eyes. "W-Wait! Sakura-san!" Sakura looked at her. Makoto stood up and flashed her a true smile. "Arigato…" for giving him to me… Sakura just smiled weakly at her before walking out the door.
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief as they stuffed the last bag inside the trunk. Tenten forcefully shoved the trunk down and fanned herself afterwards. "Oh holy… that was a lot of bags! Next time, we're going shopping without Temari and Ino at the same time…" Tenten panted as she leaned on the car.
Sakura giggled and nodded at her brunette haired friend. "Way to tell it Ten!" Sakura whistled and Tenten laughed before the two got in the car. "Oi, Ino-pig…this means we don't have to pay you back right?" Sakura inquired as she tapped the shoulder of Ino in front of her. Temari was driving with Ino in the front passenger seat.
Sakura, Tenten, and Hinata sat in the back with Hinata in the middle. Ino turned around and the three girls in the back nearly screamed. She had tears in her eyes, her black mascara running down her face. In her hands was her precious credit card. "Shut the fuck up Forehead… Temari is paying me back," it was obvious the long haired blonde wasn't happy.
Ino often used language when she was unhappy. Sakura rolled her eyes before slapping Ino on the head and throwing a box of tissue at her. "Urusai Piggy. Don't use bad language; Hina-chan is in the car!" Sakura scolded as she threw a compact mirror along with the box of tissue. Ino hesitantly picked up the mirror.
"KYA! HOLY MOTHER EFFING CRAP I LOOK HORRIBLE!"
The other four girls snickered to themselves as Temari started the engine. Hinata smiled at Ino, "Ino-chan, you can fix it up right? Here, I'll let you borrow my make-up remover, and new mascara if you want." Ino nodded frantically. Hinata chuckled softly as she opened her purse and took out the requested items.
Tenten and Sakura looked at Hinata in horror. "No!! Hinata! Don't help the enemy!! This is our revenge for her making us walk around into every single shop in the mall!!" Tenten cried out dramatically. Ino glared at her and Tenten laughed before sticking out a tongue at her. Ino rolled her eyes and smirked before accepting the items from Hinata.
Hinata looked at Tenten, "Tenten-chan, don't be so rude!"
Sakura laughed at Tenten, "Yea Tenten-chan! Don't be so rude!"
Hinata glanced at Sakura, "Don't you mock her either Sakura-chan."
Sakura stopped laughing and pouted as she kept her mouth shut.
Temari looked at them in the mirror before snickering and looking back at the road. Such losers…
"No way! I look too slutty! I'm not coming out from the bathroom!"
"What the hell is this prostitute outfit?!"
"E-Eep! I'm not really comfortable!"
"Hell no Piggy!"
Ino rolled her eyes at her so-called 'brave' little girlfriends. She ignored their cries as she applied her make-up in the bathroom mirror. The five were currently in Sakura and Tenten's hotel room. More specifically, the bathroom. She rubbed on some face lotion and placed the bottle onto the counter before turning to the girls behind her.
Ino had on a daring crimson red spaghetti strapped thigh-length dress. The dress was a dipping V-neck, revealing slight cleavage and leaving the rest for the mind to imagine. The hem of the dress was ruffled and light pink in color. She had light pink ankle-strapped high heels. Her hair was left down naturally since the girls really loved how she looked with her hair down and her blunt bangs and all.
She smiled, "You guys are such chickens! We're going to a nightclub! What more, it's one of those really intense nightclubs! So don't be scared to show off some skin! What we're wearing is nothing compared to the hookers and strippers there. They only have on lingerie. Enjoy life a little girlies!" Ino gave a… somewhat 'inspiring' speech.
Sakura glared at the blonde. "Having fun is one thing. Being modest is another thing. But looking like a slut is too much!" Sakura said as she looked at herself in the mirror. Ino had thrown Sakura into a thigh-length light green curve-hugging dress. The dress was strapless and secured around her waist was a white belt. She had on white high heels. Her hair was straightened and left down with her bangs brushed to right side.
Ino looked at Sakura and sighed. She walked over with her make-up kit and prodded Sakura to stand still for her to apply make-up for her. Sakura grimly stood still, still glaring. They knew no way in hell would Ino let them take it off for something less revealing. Ino smirked as she applied some green eye shadow onto Sakura's eyelids.
Hinata gulped as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a pale yellow halter thigh-length dress with a lavender obi around her waist. She was in a modern dress that had a touch of Japanese culture on it. She hesitantly agreed to be daring just once. She placed on some glitter onto her cheekbones before placing light lavender eye shadow on. She applied her make-up carefully before slipping on violet wedges. Her hair was put into two low ponytails cutely; her bangs were straightened to give a more defined look of askew and uneven blunt bangs.
Tenten grumbled as she examined herself precisely. She had on a black puffy sleeved squared neck shirt paired with a white thigh-length skirt. There was an orange belt obliquely around the waist in an angle to accommodate the outfit. Ino said she didn't want Tenten to wear a dress because she loved Tenten's 'bad girl image.' Tenten applied some grey eye shadow on and black mascara before curling her lashes. She had on black knee-high heel boots. Her hair was put into a high elegant bun with curly locks dropping down to frame her face. Her bangs were clipped onto her head in a poof.
Temari smirked as she looked at herself. She hated the outfit but she had to admit, Ino had a keen eye for fashion. She was wearing a blue elbow sleeved button-up collared knee-length dress. The dress was a blouse style; the black buttons ran all the way from the top to the bottom, near the hem. The first five buttons were undone, showing slight cleavage. She had on a yellow tie tied loosely to accommodate the way her dress was buttoned. She had on yellow high heels. She had her hair curled in ringlets and left down.
Temari placed on some gold blush onto her cheekbones before turning to take a look at the others. She looked at all of them in the mirror. "Hey you guys stand in a line!" the other girls raised their eyebrows but did as told. Suddenly a smile broke onto all their faces.
"We look…good." Sakura murmured as a contented smile made its way up her face.
"Good? Screw it we look damn straight down hot!" Ino rolled her eyes before grinning.
"Wow… we all look so different," Hinata blushed before smiling.
"Che, I guess we do have to give Ino some props," Tenten smirked at the blonde.
"Hell yea we look SEXY!" Temari grinned as she winked at them in the mirror.
"Hey Sasuke-teme!!" Naruto grinned as he looked at Sasuke. Naruto was dressed in an orange t-shirt with a red swirl on it with black skinny jeans and orange and black Vans. Sasuke just got out of his black Lamborghini with Makoto in tow. Sasuke had on a navy blue t-shirt with a white blazer on top with black skinny jeans as well paired with black Converse.
Makoto had her hair tied into a high ponytail, she wore a dark pink strapless knee-length dress, the top of her dress was a corset style, and she had on black high heels. There was a black choker around her neck. She smiled brightly at Naruto with her light brown eyes, "Konbonwa, Naruto. You look nice."
Naruto grinned at her, "Thanks! You look nice too!!" he turned around to see the rest of the guys come out of Neji's limousine. Naruto whistled. "Wow, if I was homo, I'd totally-!" he didn't finish his sentence when he caught Sasuke and Makoto's disturbed looks. He coughed and blushed, "Uh… damn that girl's hot!" he covered, pointing at a random girl.
Sasuke followed his finger and nearly choked when he saw the random girl looked like she could be his mom's grandmother. Naruto widened his eyes and immediately took back his finger. Makoto coughed and looked away from Naruto. Naruto cleared his throat. Awkward silence…
"Yo!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Makoto looked over to see the guys approach them.
Neji had his hair down for once and wore a nice white button-up with half the top buttons unbuttoned to expose his toned chest. He had on black jeans and black dress shoes.
Shikamaru had his hair the same with a dark green t-shirt on, black skinny jeans, and green sneakers.
Kiba left Akamaru home for once, no pets allowed in the club vicinity. He had his hair the same spiky way and had on a red t-shirt, black blazer, black jeans, and red Converse.
Gaara had his hair the same; you couldn't really do much with it. He had on a black High and Mighty Colors t-shirt, jeans, and black Converse.
Kankuro didn't have his Kabuki face paint (coughMAKE-UPcough) on, and wore a purple t-shirt, grey skinny jeans, and grey Vans.
Sai looked the same with his hair, but he had on a black button up with the cuffed sleeves rolled up to his elbows, jeans, and black sneakers.
Chouji and Shino didn't want to go, claiming these types of 'noisy places weren't their thing.'
A silver Porsche parked in the spot next to Naruto's Mercedes. The guys and Makoto looked up as they remembered the car was Temari's. Like said, the doors opened and the first to get out was Temari. The rest of the girls got out soon after. The guys felt their eyes pop out while Makoto stared at the girls.
The girls walked over to them and smiled. If the guys were really shocked, they didn't show it. Much anyways.
"Well? What are you guys looking at? Let's go inside!" Ino prodded as she and the girls went inside first, leaving the rest staring at their backs.
"So what did you do with Misae? Plus where's Lee and Ayumu-san?" Sakura and Tenten inquired as the gang sat down first to talk. Sakura sipped some juice from her coconut and looked at Sasuke expectantly.
Sasuke sighed and leaned back into the sofa, one arm was on the table while the other was currently being hugged by Makoto. "Shina takes care of Misae now. But Misae's been in a dog hotel for a few weeks since we were busy with Sachi." he explained as he looked at Makoto. Makoto beamed at him and he smirked weakly before looking back at Sakura.
Sakura nodded, understanding, "Demo, I'll get her back when I want to right? I miss her…" Sakura smiled as she remembered her dear dog.
Sasuke nodded, "Aa…"
Hinata then smiled at Sakura, "Lee-kun went to study architecture abroad in China with Gai-san. Gai is his father's closest friend so his father let him join Gai-san over at China. And as for Ayumu, Otou-san wanted Ayumu to get a wider education and knowledge of the world, so he left a couple months ago to France. He will be back by next year for Christmas though,"
Sakura and Tenten nodded, taking in everything they learned. Suddenly, Kiba smirked, talking without thinking for a second. "So… Tenten and Neji. Do you guys plan on retying the knot?" it was quiet for a while before Temari slapped him on the head. He groaned and glared at the teal eyed woman, "What?!"
Temari whispered something harshly to him and he immediately laughed nervously. He looked at Tenten; she was fiddling with her fingers while staring at her lap. He then looked at Neji; the Hyuuga was staring at Tenten intently.
Ino rolled her eyes before grinning brightly. "Well enough of all these questions, let's have fun tonight and drink to our heart's content!! Waiter!" Ino called out to a waiter nearby. The waiter walked over to them and smirked at Ino. Ino grinned, "Get us some drinks! We're happy tonight!" the waiter nodded and walked away.
Sai looked at Ino with a raised brow, "We are?"
Ino twitched, "Yes Sai. We are." it was silent for a while before small giggles erupted from the girls, including Makoto. The guys smirked for a bit at Sai.
Sai looked at them weirdly, "What?"
Sakura sighed before looking at Sai, "You're so naïve you pompous ass!"
Sai smirked at her, "I didn't know you knew such big words Ugly."
Sakura twitched before throwing a rolled up ball of napkin at him. "Asshole!!"
She was cut off from doing anything more violent when the waiter from before arrived with their drinks on a tray. He placed the tray on the table and smiled at them. "Enjoy your night here," before walking away to serve other customers.
The club raged with lights and music as sweat was smelled all around, the smell of bodies moving to the beat and the smell of alcohol mixed together.
"Cheers to our reunion!!"
"Ngghhh…ah…" they had been there for a couple hours now and it was pretty much probably midnight. Most of the girls were drunk, even Hinata.
Ino and Temari laughed drunkenly as they swung their bodies around on the dance floor, pretty much taking up all the space with their slurred steps. Kiba and Shikamaru narrowed their eyes when a couple men began to stare them up and down. Shikamaru stood up before Kiba to drag Ino away from the dance floor. Kiba stood up to do the same shortly afterwards.
"Yah! Lazy ass pineapple head! Why ruin my fun tonight! Huh? Mmm…" Ino barely stood right as she tripped on her own feet. Shikamaru sighed as he held her up. "Troublesome…" he muttered before carrying her up bridal style. He looked at the rest of the guys who looked at him, "I'm taking this crazy blonde to the limo for a while…" they nodded at him.
Kiba just laid Temari on one of the couches as he tried to soothe her with some water. Suddenly a loud voice filled them, "Yah! Sakura! You still love that arrogant ass of an Uchiha ne?! Ehhh…" they looked over to see Tenten staggering while talking to Sakura. Makoto was drunk, sighing in and out as she leaned back against Sasuke, not registering what Tenten said in her mind.
A giggle erupted from the pink haired girl. Sasuke focused his eyes on her, wondering what she would say. "Oh?! That one right?! Haha no one can be more arrogant! YEA! I LOVE HIM! Got a problem with that!? Nnngggg…ah…!" Sakura slurred as she slowed in her steps. She tripped and held onto Tenten but the two just stumbled over each other and fell.
Kiba, Kankuro, and Naruto snorted. Neji sighed and walked over to untangle the two and pick Tenten up. He looked at Sasuke with his white orbs. Sasuke rolled his eyes and softly laid Makoto against the sofa before walking over to pick up Sakura. "Uchiha." Neji referred to him. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "Bring Sakura home first. She's had too much alcohol; it's getting to her system. I'll handle Tenten,"
Sasuke looked at Makoto. Neji knew what he was thinking about, "Don't worry, she won't remember a thing. Take this chance to set things straight with Sakura." Sasuke sighed and nodded before carrying Sakura up bridal style. He took one more look at Makoto before walking out of the club with Sakura in tow.
Neji sighed and looked at Tenten. "Neji…kun…" she murmured in her tired state. He smirked at her before his attention turned to Makoto. Makoto had fallen asleep ages ago.
Suddenly-
"Uzumaki -hiccup- Naruto!! I, Hyuuga Hi-hiccup-nata, -hiccup- love you! Lala… let's go to the rainbow and get -hiccup- married!"
Aw great, not another drunk one.
He sighed as he kicked open the door to his bedroom and set her down onto the bed. He walked over to his bathroom after making sure she was asleep. He got a damp towel and laid it on her forehead, hoping it would slightly decrease the effects of a hangover tomorrow. He breathed in and sighed deeply before looking down and taking a good look at her.
It's been… 1 year? 1 year. Yet she looks so different, sometimes he would wonder if this was all a dream and that in real life she was still in New York. His eyes took in the sight of her after a year. Her hair probably grew during her stay in New York but knowing her, she probably had it cut, although not that short.
He admits it, but he really did miss her. Her lovely jade green eyes and the way they would dance whenever she was happy. Her light red lips that would look so bruised after he kissed her. Those hands he held. The cheeks he caressed. The smile that made his stomach flutter every now and then.
He smirked a bit as his fingers ran through her light cherry blossom pink hair. "Sakura…" he whispered. "Fuck…" he suddenly stood up and held a hand to his head. What the hell was he thinking? He had a girlfriend already. One that was definitely not Sakura. One that didn't have her hair, her eyes, or her smile. One that…
He cursed before walking over to the door. He opened it and was about to take a step outside when her quiet voice reached his ears. "Sasuke-kun…don't leave…" he stiffened and turned around to see her jade green eyes halfway open. "Sasuke…" she murmured again. He sighed and walked back inside, closing the door beside him. He walked over to where she was and raised an eyebrow at her.
Sakura patted the spot next to her on the bed. He looked at her and felt his resistance crash and burn when he saw the vulnerable look on her face. He complied and walked over to sit next to her. Sakura groaned as she sat up, taking the damp towel off her forehead in the process. She looked at Sasuke and blinked a couple times to get in her vision.
Sakura sighed, "Oh my Kami… how much did I have to drink?" she asked more to herself than to Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at her and smirked. He remembered how she and Ino practically fought each other for every bottle of beer and wine that came up. "A…couple." Sasuke replied to her question, emphasizing couple. Sakura groaned, understanding she probably already emptied half the bar's drinks.
It was quiet as the two found nothing else to say, just sitting there in each other's presence. Sakura suddenly gasped and looked at Sasuke in horror, "O-Oh my Kami, you should go to Makoto! I'm probably keeping you from her, please go. I'll be fine!" Sakura said anxiously as she nearly backed away from him a bit.
Sasuke shook his head at her, "No, she's at home. I had Neji take her home for me," Sakura widened her eyes. She suddenly looked away, her eyes narrowing. He chose to take her home in place of his own girlfriend? Sakura sighed and shook her head as she stood up.
"I should be leaving then, I'm sober enough… thank you for taking care of me," Sakura neared the door when an arm reached out to pull her back. She turned around to look at Sasuke, "…Hai?" Sakura whispered in question. Sasuke remained quiet for a bit before opening his mouth. He closed it once it opened.
Sakura raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to say something.
"Sakura…" he murmured her name; Sakura's full attention was on him. "At the club… you said you…loved me. Did you mean it?"
Sakura widened her eyes, feeling her heart beat faster. Oh kuso… great, look what you got yourself into Sakura! Dear Kami, I am never drinking with Sasuke present anymore! Stupid! Ugh! She just stood there before she turned her gaze to the ground, not uttering anything. She was scared of lying to him yet she was scared of telling the truth. So she pursed her lips tight shut, not saying anything in response.
She suddenly stiffened when she felt him stand up and wrap his arms around her waist from behind. He had leaned his head down to rest his forehead on the back of her neck. Her heart beat nearly increased ten times faster. A small tint of pink spread on her cheeks. "S-Sasuke, I should le-!"
"Sakura…"
He cut her off and she remained quiet again. He turned her around so she was facing him now. She gulped as she tried to avoid his eyes. That failed though when he lifted her chin up with his long slender finger, making her jade eyes meet his ebony ones. She blushed as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He brought his chin down to rest on her shoulder and moved his lips close to her ear.
She felt her breath hitch at her throat as she stilled, an intense heat filling the room suddenly. She didn't even dare to blink an eye. She just stood there.
But as he uttered those words like he did a year ago.
She felt that shield she tried to build the past year crumble.
"Don't leave me alone…"
And she stayed still as a single teardrop rolled down her cheek when his lips descended upon hers.
Preview for Part 2 of Chapter 22! (Chapter 23)
"I… he knows I love him!"
--
"Sasuke-kun… I love you a lot, do you love me?"
--
"Haruno Sakura I didn't know you were that type of person!"
--
"Makoto… gomen…"
--
SLAP!
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"Don't ever talk to me again."
--
"What happened that night?! That night you went home with Sakura and left me at the club?!"
--
"Shut up. Don't insult her."
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"FUCK YOU! FUCK ALL THOSE TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER! GET AWAY FROM ME!"
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"Marry me."
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"What have I ever done to you Sakura-san?!"
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"I never said I loved you. I merely stayed quiet. Uchiha Sasuke, I have no feelings for you whatsoever."
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"I'm going to ask her to marry me."
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"Sakura don't regret your decision! Don't make a mistake!"
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"I… I'm not making a mistake."
--
It didn't feel right. Kissing her was so different. He didn't feel the same. It didn't send him into a fit of emotions. It just… wasn't her he was kissing, and for him… that was wrong.
--
"I'm sorry for breaking my promise to you."
--
"I have to leave you alone."
Muhahahaha!
Ok I did not intend that cliffy at all! I swear! It just popped up right then and there!! … You guys don't believe me do you… -.-
Well the suspenseful questions for today's chapter are… OMG will Sakura accept him?! What will Makoto do?! What's Sasuke doing!?
Hehe, oh and to clear it up, this is like Part 1 of the preview I gave you on the last chapter. Part 2 will be in the next chapter. I just thought I'd clear it up if you guys are like, 'Huh!? This doesn't match the preview?!'
So yup!
You all must wait ANOTHER week for the NEXT chapter to come out so you can get your filling of the DRAMA! Muhahahahaha!!
You didn't think I'd be nice and let you all rest in peace after that preview did you!? Nope! I have to fill you all with another week of endless thinking!! Muhahahahaha!!
Hehe, well review for cookies and SACHI-KUN!!
(I'll even throw in a picture of Sachi taking a bath with a rubber ducky!)
There's a poll in my profile, be sure to check it out and vote!! :-)
Lots of love,
XOXO Kaze-chan
P.S. A reviewer asked if the title of the story has to do with what will come up in the later chapters of the story. My reply: You'll just have to find out!! ;-P