A/N: Hello, all! I'm probs getting this up really late…ugh, damn term paper! There's not much else to say, I guess…ahahaha. This chapter is dedicated to…
SakuBunny! Your review literally equals my life. I ALWAYS put off homework for fanfic haha! Hope you enjoy the chapter, and sorry for the wait :P
Luv ya, chick! Thx for the review!
Also, Avalon*loves*a*good*fanfic, since you're an anon reader and reviewer, I wasn't able to thank you properly for the review, but THANKS, it was much appreciated :)
Thanks for all the reviews, faves, and alerts, dearies, I LUV YA!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
--x--
Honestly
--x--
You know when you're a kid—and your mom takes your lollipop away from you because you were rude at the table or something?
How you think it's unfair?
Or how when you want to go to that senior party when you're barely a sophomore, and your parents shake their heads at you, disallowing you any allowance for the next month if you even think about going to that party…
And you feel life is unfair again—like, you never get what you want?
Well, I'm feeling that tenfold.
When I was five, I didn't get that piggy-back ride from my father because he said Mom gave him a headache.
When I was twelve, I was not allowed the cell phone I wanted because it was blue (a considered boy color to my mom) and she wanted me to get the fuchsia one.
Because it matched my hair.
When I was almost sixteen, I couldn't go to my "surprise" birthday dinner with Kakashi because I had dance that night, and every other friggin' night that week my beloved god-father had work.
And now, as an eighteen year old little girl trying to act the big and strong woman I'm not, I am being denied of the boy I want because of some stupid bitch who will do anything to get him to herself.
In that, I guess Karin and I are alike. I mean, what's so horrible about her—that she likes Sasuke like everyone else? It seemed almost unfair for me to hate her so much.
I couldn't think well of her, though.
I guess it's all part of sticking your hand into that forbidden cookie jar and extracting the delicious, perfect cookie that you've always had eyes for. And that's what I've always done—only to get a slap on the wrist and retract my hand in the end.
But this time, I will get that cookie.
And I'm taking a fucking big bite out of it.
Ha, honestly…
Chapter Five: I Have a Hard Time Believing That, Miss Haruno
I'm not angry.
I'm not angry.
I am NOT angry!
I growled, drop kicking the unsuspecting granola bar in my hands over the railing and on the (once upon a time) clean marble floor below.
"I'm fucking angry!" I screeched at the top of my lungs, clenching my fists tightly by my sides. I breathed haggardly through my nostrils, my body shaking ardently before I controlled the rage I felt.
I couldn't help being mad at Sasuke for having to spend the day with Karin; it was just…ugh! So outraging and…plain wrong! Gross! She was trying to steal him from me and he was going along with it!
I let a sigh slip through my lips as I stormed down the stairs dejectedly, a pouty look plastered right in the middle of my face. Shaking my head at the chucked granola bar on the ground, I bent down to its level and picked it up, stroking it apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Delicious Snack. You're not Karin—but it was either you or the vacuum cleaner and…" I looked off to the side, a little embarrassed for what I was just about to admit. I shouldn't have been worrying about that. I mean, I was talking to a granola bar, and that should've been embarrassment enough. I was pretty much off my rocker…I mean; the rocker was half way on the other side of the earth.
I was lonely without him there…
"And Sasuke would be mad if I broke it and he had to buy another…" I mumbled quietly. I closed my eyes, sighing, and beginning the process of picking up the crumbs off the beautiful, white marble floors.
I shouldn't have been worried about what he thought of my anger—how he felt. I really shouldn't have been, but I was. A couple weeks ago—to hell with it—I would've thrown that vacuum out of a third story window and laughed as it crashed to the ground and broke into a million and one expensive pieces that would never be able to fit back together again. It would've filled me with joy, seeing him fuming and shaking with anger. But it wasn't the same now.
I wasn't quite sure what we were—honestly, that guy (though I couldn't deny it was me too) had bi-polar issues. He was hot and then cold, yes and then no…
…In and out…
…Up and then down…
Ahaha, okay, I'll stop with the Katy Perry shout-out.
But you catch my drift…No?
Example Numero Uno:
Early this morning…
"Didn't I ask you for tomatoes?" He sighed, stubbornly dropping the fork and knife from his hands. "Can't you do anything, what kind of maid are you?"
I smiled sarcastically, putting a hand on my hip and pausing in cleaning the counter. "I can do things just fine." I gritted my teeth, my forced smile twitching. "What I can't help is the obnoxious rate at which you big mouth sucks up tomatoes. It's revolting." I stiffly scrubbed at the counter top again.
"Can you not count?" he asked in a condescending tone, crossing his arms. "You can tell when we're almost out of tomatoes, so go buy some, you useless—"
"Shut up! I'll buy your damn tomatoes today, you big baby!"
End of Time Sequence
Would you believe later this morning we had an intense make-out? I don't get it. It's honestly getting ridiculous. I understand these on and off's only from my own perspective. I was acting this way because he had started it and I just didn't want to get hurt. What was he trying to get at?
For the past couple weeks, I hadn't done anything but make-out, argue with, and continuously stare at the Uchiha. I had always been attracted to him (he was built like a god; how could you not be?), but now it was more than that. I liked him—a lot…but Ino had honestly scared me off from going too far with him (though I knew she hadn't done so intentionally…I hope…?).
I wanted him—wanted him so bad! But I was afraid I would get what I wanted for a mere second—just long enough for me to get used to it before I had to let go and give everything over to that Karin chick. Believe me, the thought was enough to keep me from practically jumping the boy—so my assumption of this thing with him and Karin had to be pretty serious. I had to move along with caution—careful with every step I took.
After cleaning up the mess, I went up to my room and showered—pulling on gray pair of Hudson jeans and a simple black V-neck t-shirt. Shuffling to my closet, I frowned as I grabbed the black heels nearest to me and cracked a smile when I took my blue Burberry coat off the rack.
I groaned when I started down the stairs in my heels—Sasuke wouldn't allow me to wear anything else, constantly making comments on how short I was. It wasn't that I was short per se, but when you've been around people that are at least 5'9" for the past decade of your life, barely making 5'7" is the equivalent to munchkin.
And that's what I was.
I heard the alarm go off from the front door opening and sighed heavily, rolling my eyes. "Finally…" I mumbled to myself, pulling on my jacket. I finished walking down the stairs and walked up to the guy. "Sasuke—"
"Oh, perfect," he said, cutting me off as he shrugged off his coat and shoes. "Just where I need you. Take my things up to my room, Sakura."
I shook my head in disbelief at how the first words that come streaming out of his mouth when he sees me are always orders. "What?! No, I'm going to be late!" I carped.
He raised an eyebrow, putting his coat in the closet right next to the door. "Where are you going? You're not going anywhere."
Like hell I'm not. "You said I could go out with my friends," I recalled. I felt like his kid or something. Pointing at him, my eyes narrowed. "You're the one who suggested it. Remember…a couple days ago when you locked me outside the house?" I said, striking up that bitter memory.
He paused. "Oh. I just wanted you to leave me alone," he shrugged.
I rolled my eyes and then thinned my lips into a sarcastic smile. "Well, you got what you asked for," I said, making my way to the door.
He blocked my path to the door and then chuckled contemptuously, shaking his head. "You're not going anywhere," he repeated in a matter-of-factly tone.
I looked at him awkwardly. "Um…yes, I am." Chuckling at the thought of him trying to stop me, I moved a little to the left and put a hand to my hip when he tried to block me again.
Sasuke shoved at me this time, making me grunt as I was backed into a wall, his arms on either side of my head. I glared up at him, growling, green eyes vibrant and an angry apple green at this moment.
"No you aren't," he said in a sing-song voice; as if this was all a joke to him. He licked his pink lips and my breath hitched.
Why was he doing this to me?
Crossing my arms, I let out a long breath and gave him an irate look. "Are you done now?" I questioned impatiently, a hint of poison lying on my lips.
He smirked. "Sakura, we haven't even started," he murmured huskily, making goosebumps rise on my skin. I closed my eyes, whipping myself back into shape—relying on the fact that with my eyes closed I couldn't see his perfect face.
"I'm leaving now," I murmured blandly, ducking under his arm and trying my best to bust ass to the door, only to be caught by the Uchiha who had grabbed onto my wrist.
"No. You. Are. Not." He pulled me back between him and the wall, his infamous onyx gaze on me again.
"I want to leave," I stated stubbornly, lips trembling in fear of falling into his trap.
He shook his head. "No, you don't."
I furrowed my eyebrows, finally looking him straight on. "Why are you trying to control me? I want you to leave me alone." He was so close to me now, I knew I had to keep my lips from moving too much, in fear they would graze his and possibly lead to me jumping his fine ass.
"You want to leave?"
"Yes."
"You want me to leave you alone?"
"Yes, I do."
He smirked down at me, leaning in even more. "Then, let's try this, Sakura. If you want me to leave you, if you want me to stop controlling you, or whatever, then there's the door," he offered, throwing his head towards the door, his silky, black locks that fell into his eyes going with him. "I won't get in your way this time."
He looked me straight in the eye, and I could've gagged at the cocky, knowing glint in those obsidian depths. He knew…
How could he?
I looked to the side obstinately, before scoffing and shaking my head, a sour, half-hearted chuckle coming from my lips. "You know I can't," I whispered hoarsely. I was stuck—caught in his trap and under no circumstances could I move now.
He smirked evilly, lowering his head to rest against my collarbone as he kissed it softly, humming rhythmically against it, his actions causing soft vibrations to course through my body as I closed my eyes. "I know," he said in a sultry, deep voice and I could've lost it there.
I moaned sweetly in thanks as he licked a long, slow, steady trail up my neck and I tilted my head back giving him all the access he needed, wrapping my arms around his own neck.
Once he reached my chin, he stopped and looked me in the eyes again.
"I know you know," I whispered breathlessly, before he nipped at my lip teasingly, and then engulfed my mouth with his. I fell into the tantalizingly delicious rhythm he set with his lips and dug my fingers through his hair, before my bubble-gum pink eyebrows furrowed and I tugged him back by his black locks—keeping my eyes shut—and resting my forehead against his.
"Wait," I said softly and then opened my eyes, gazing at him through pleading sea-foam green orbs. "I'm scared…"
He groaned at how I pulled at his hair, and I immediately felt his arousal through his pants as he pressed his hips up against mine. "Scared?" he inquired opening his eyes. "Of what?"
I looked down, a little embarrassed. "Of you tasting like her…"
It was obvious he knew who I meant because he instantly gave me that are-you-joking look. "Sakura, you expect that I'm kissing her?"
I shrugged, my hands falling back down to his shoulders. "Sasuke, I don't know what to expect from you two. All I know is she's Karin and I'm just your fucking maid," I told him worriedly. I tried to crack a smile, just to make him feel a little better. "Just let it wear off—at least twenty-four consecutive hours, ne?"
He practically pouted. "Come on, you expect me to wait that long?"
I scoffed. "Don't be a whore!" I laughed, before my face went solemn again and I looked down. It was obvious his searing black gaze was on me again. It had always been obvious.
He sighed. "Sakura…" Kissing my nose, he reached up and grabbed my chin. "I promise you that since you've been living with me, I have not kissed—have not touched another woman." He smirked, trying to lighten up the situation. "So, rest assured, I'm all yours."
I rolled my eyes at his arrogance. "All mine, huh? How can you say that with Karin constantly trying to rape you?"
He raised an eyebrow, shrugging. "And you're not?"
I blushed, glaring and pouting my lips. "That's different. You're trying to rape me, too. So it's mutual." He chuckled and I looked at my watch. "Anyway, your raping session has made me late. I've got to go." I started walking to the door.
"Please, you're not going anywhere."
"Sasuke," I started in a warning tone. "If you try and block me again, I will honestly castrate you."
"Psychotic bitch!"
"You know you like it."
"I mean it's just really annoying." I bit my lip, with a slight frown etching its way onto my lips. "They've been hanging out a lot lately…"
"Want me to beat her up?"
I sighed, praying that my friend wasn't trying to joke around with this. But, this was Tenten, and in all seriousness, she would honestly do something like this. "No, Tenten, that's completely unnecessary, love—completely uncalled for," I said, trying to talk her out of it.
She took a short sip of her smoothie, and let out a long sigh, resting her head on the table in the food court. "Then what are you going to do?" she asked softly. "I mean, that Karin-chick is all over your man…" She played with her straw between her fingers and for some reason I was staring at it.
"That's the problem, Ten, he's not my man." I slurped up a mouthful of my own drink, finally diverting my green gaze elsewhere. "I honestly couldn't tell you what we were…"
"Friends with benefits?" I cringed and then shook my head, only for her to look at me strangely.
"It just sucks hearing it come from someone else's mouth," I explained dejectedly.
She pouted playfully, stroking my pink locks and pushing fallen strands out of my face. "Aww, baby," she cooed soothingly. "If you ask me, he doesn't even deserve you. He's like a friggin' slave driver—he's a total bastard," she mumbled trying to comfort me.
Tenten was the only one of my friends that knew that I was actually a slave to Sasuke, while all my others thought I was the secretary I claimed to be. Fuck that in our contract it clearly says we were supposed to keep that little secret—I'm a chick; I had to spill the beans at some point.
Besides, he's one to talk! Ino—his friend—knows, Itachi—his brother—always gives me those sly smirks and looks, and Karin's—ugh—definitely on to something.
Yeah, that's practically a three to one ratio right there, so suck on that!
Tell him ALL you want, see if I care!
…
…
…
Please don't tell him; he'll cut my head off.
"I mean, I know he's good looking and everything, Sakura, but is it really worth it? Don't lose sight of what you're there for in the first place." It was crazy, really, Tenten having this thoughtful and philosophical side. But that's why I loved the chick.
I looked down, thinking the same thing over for like the zillionth time in a row. "I don't know, Ten, he makes me so happy at times, though. I'm scared to hold on, but I'm scared to let go, you know?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows languidly.
She nodded, playing with her straw some more as she crossed her legs. "Right, right." She smiled at the cup almost as if she was reminiscing over the good old days or something. "You know, sometimes Neji—"
I shook my head, cutting her off with a brisk "No." She seemed surprised, raising a chocolate eyebrow. "Don't bring that poor boy into this, Tenten," I sighed. "Would you leave that boy alone? You know he has nothing to do with this; don't bring him up…" I repeated in a calm voice.
She crossed her arms, fixating a glare on me. "What is that supposed to mean?"
I clicked my tongue. "You're always nagging Neji and he treats you so nicely. How can you find something that happened between you two and try to compare my and Sasuke's relationship to that? Ten, that just makes no damn sense…" I explicated, narrowing my eyes at her as well.
"Nag?" she gasped. "You think I nag him?!"
"Nag, nag, nag!" I sang teasingly.
She pouted. "Oh, well we'll see if I ever buy you another smoothie ever again!"
"Tenten, you crackhead, I bought these smoothies!"
"Oh! Well, now we're bragging about our bagillion dollar pay checks, are we?"
"That's totally irrelevant—"
"Geez, I can here you two on the other side of the mall. What's going on?"
I looked up to see my two friends Naruto and Kiba, and caught in the moment, I pointed an accusing finger at Tenten chidlishly.
"She's bringing Neji into the matter like she always does!"
Tenten stood up and went straight to Kiba, knowing he was usually the mediator and protected whoever needed protecting. Naruto was most definitely biased, and liked me the best.
Ha!
"Well, she's being mean to me! Whack her, Kiba! Just whack her one good time!" She leaned in trying to stealthily whisper in his ear, but we all heard. "We can take her. She's wearing heels, so we'll just go for the ankles—"
"Alright, alright," groaned Naruto, standing between Tenten and I before I went for her neck and she went for my ankles. "No one's whacking anyone. Let's just see the movie…please?" he whined, looking at me expectantly for the tickets.
I put my hands on my hips. "I hope you know we're seeing the chick flick. We already planned on showing up late, and you guys came at least twenty minutes later than that, so that bloody movie you guys wanted to see is probably halfway over." Good thing, too. I hate those things.
"Ah, man!" bellyached Naruto. "I don't want to watch the chick flick…" He kicked his foot against the ground like a little kid and I rolled my eyes.
"When does it start?" asked the mellow voice of Kiba. I looked at him—plain looked at him for the first time today and it felt weird.
I had hung out with him so many times after we broke up, but today felt different. It was the first time I had chilled with him since I had met Sasuke, so the only thing I could pull from this was that I was a little guiltier now for cheating on him. Maybe just the thought of someone actually seeing and knowing everything I did that night, when I didn't had only dawned on me when I saw who this could really affect. Kiba.
And it sucked, 'cause I really cared for the kid.
I forced a smile, looking away for a bit. "Not for another half hour."
He stuffed his hands in his pocket and gave a smile of his own. He had always had such a nice smile…"Oh, well have you guys eaten?"
Tenten nodded and so did I.
"Yeah, I ate at home," I added.
"With Sas-uke," taunted Naruto childishly, a demonic smirk on his face.
I pouted, not really comfortable with talking about the Uchiha at the moment. "Shut-up, Naruto."
"What—did his maid make you lobster, or something?" joked the blonde some more.
I twitched a little. "No." I said slowly, teeth gritted. "I actually cooked."
It was silent for awhile except for Tenten who was giggling to herself. I glared.
"You cooked?" asked my ex, his eyes skeptical. I gave him a blank stare to answer his question.
Honestly.
Everyone's a critic.
"Eww!" shouted Naruto and I slapped him on the arm, but he continued. "And he isn't dead yet?"
I closed my eyes haughtily. "I'll have you know that I have transformed into a marvelous cook."
Kiba chuckled. I found it rather appalling that he didn't even try to stifle his laughter. They had no shame… "I still can't believe you cook for him," he guffawed. "That's nasty!" I frowned.
"Yeah, why risk it?" inquired Naruto, scratching the back of his head in question.
Tenten scoffed and pointed at my bottom. "Do you see the jeans she's rockin' today?" They all glimpsed at my pants and then their eyes widened slightly. "That's why," nodded the girl approvingly.
The boy's shrugged. "Touché," voiced the brunette one.
"Anyway," interrupted Tenten, taking a step out from under Kiba's wings of protection. "You guys know I get a little emotional in chick flicks. Anyone for holding my hand since Neji's not here?" Tenten pointedly stared in Naruto's direction.
He put his hands out in front of him as a defense mechanism. "No way!" he denied. "You cry too much! Last time you ruined my shirt with your crazy crying!"
Tenten looked offended. "I do not cry! I just get a little emotional!" She tapped me on the arm. "Sakura, tell him!"
I gazed at her apologetically. "You do shed a few tears, Baby Tenten," I murmured softly, as to not hurt the girl anymore than Naruto was. She was honestly crazy.
You think I'm crazy?
You don't know crazy.
She crossed her arms defiantly. "Well, what's the matter with crying anyway?!"
Kiba grabbed her and started walking towards the theater, frightened she would start a scene. "Alright, babe, I'll hold your hand."
"Oh, thank God!" cried Tenten dramatically, leaning into his strong hold. He smiled at her genuinely and caressed her upper arm as she started rambling on to him about stuff that only matters in Tenten World. Don't get me wrong; I still love the girl to death.
She's just crazy.
It's kind of hypocritical for me to say all this stuff about her, though, because we all know I'm lying through my teeth. I'm hella crazy.
But accepting it is a step in the right direction!
Tenten still thinks she's normal, which makes me a little less cray cray than that chick.
I watched as Kiba actually looked like he was listening to Tenten's problems, and nodding every once in awhile to show that he legitimately cared. He had always been so kind and nurturing to others—especially his friends.
Damn, he was only making me guiltier.
I sighed and heard Naruto ask me what was wrong.
"Nothing," I exhaled noisily, linking my arm in his and feigning a smile as we walked towards the movie theater.
Why did he have to be so sweet? Honestly…
I was going to spill the beans again…
I ended up confessing to Kiba by the end of the movie. Pfft…and guess what the kid said to me?
He knew ALL ALONG.
WTF?
He even confessed to doing something like that behind my back. And being the hypocrite that I am, I'll admit I was a little pissed. We were both drunk at time, but it still sucked to hear something like that. It was with that Temari girl…the daughter of the mayor of Suna…
Holy crap, I guess his was worth it and everything. He practically hooked up with royalty.
BUT it still sucked.
We ended up forgiving each other and we're still BFFL's so…yay!
Anyway, when I got back to Sasuke's I was once again in a bad mood. Sasuke was out with Karin again. Yuck!
I pouted my lips and went on a rampage through the house for a few minutes before I calmed myself and stomped into my room, getting undressed and putting on sweats and a T-shirt to continue the cleaning.
Even though Sasuke had said I was the only woman he touched, something about that Karin girl really got me going. She just didn't seem right—and not just because she verbally and emotionally attacked me the first time she ever talked to me…
Okay, I do hold a little hostility towards that…BUT THAT'S HONESTLY BESIDES THE POINT!
Karin = bad.
Sasuke being with ANYONE besides me = bad.
Because I have finally decided that I don't want him with anyone besides myself, please and thank-you.
So anyway, I was cleaning Sasuke's room 'cause his shit never gets clean. Do I really have to tell you why I get sidetracked every time I enter his room and he's there sitting all shirtless on his bed?
I think it's pretty self-explanatory.
When I looked under his bed, I noticed it was pretty tidy. As much as Sasuke made me clean, it was obvious that he was a pretty shipshape guy. He didn't like anything disorderly, and because I could get pretty stubborn and lazy, he would even clean up himself sometimes.
Just to make sure, I wrinkled my nose and reached under his bed, feeling a cold, metal like coil brush against my fingers. Pulling the item out from under the bed, I came to conclusion that the metallic feeling belonged to the rings of a ringed notebook.
It was navy book with the words "Do Not Open" in black permanent marker on the front. I snorted. This was too good.
Was Sasuke a twenty-three year old man, or a thirteen year old girl? I honestly couldn't tell when this kind of thing was coming from under his bed.
I stood up, staring at it with furrowed eyebrows. "Do not open, huh?" I looked around sketchily before letting the book fall from my hands. "Whoops…" I murmured with mock-innocence, before looking down with annoyance to see that the book was open with the pages facing the floor.
I took a sharp intake of breath and put my hands on my hips, looking up towards the ceiling, kicking one foot out and successfully turning the book so I could read it. "WHOOPS!" I said a little more harshly. "What will I ever—" But before I could even finish that sentence I was on the ground examining the contents of the forbidden notebook.
It was kind of stupid of me to work so hard just to open the book to one page when I knew I would be flipping through the pages like a madwoman.
I gasped and then stifled a short laugh when I realized what it was. It was a book filled with poetry—a song book if you will.
Sasuke has a SONG book!
Sasuke's a little GIRRRLL!
I thought this all to myself in a sing song voice and couldn't help laughing at my own winsomeness. Then, I turned pretty sober, a dropping feeling entering my stomach.
This shit was good!
Amazing—actually, if I thought about it, these lyrics were the best I've ever heard from Sasuke. And believe me; I have EVERY friggin' one of his currents songs on my iPod, so this is legit.
These lyrics actually had some meaning, some cause they were written for. They were beautiful—somewhat of a ballad. I glanced to the side and saw a piece of paper with the music written on to them, and went over the notes in my head.
What a pleasant melody!
And I knew what I was talking about. Hello, you're talking to the first chair flute in Senior Orchestra in eighth grade, bitches!
After staring in awe at the miraculous song that Sasuke had put together, I couldn't help flipping through the rest. Why were none of these put through the recording studio yet? Granted, they were definitely a different voice to the Uchiha; I had never heard him sing something like this (part of me wondered what it would be like if he sang it to me; cue faint), but what was wrong with bringing something new to the table?
I closed the book, warily staring at it. Sasuke was a smart boy. If he wanted these songs to be recorded, he would've already done it. There was obviously something about these songs that he didn't deem worthy of being recorded… Maybe it was private…
I scoffed at the thing before taking it to my room with me so I could get dressed again. What did his privacy have to do with all the tea in China?
Oh, his agent would definitely be hearing about this!
I hadn't been to Sasuke's agency building too many times, had seen his agent, Asuma, even less. I had talked to him on the subject of plans and dates many times via the phone, but I was not one to come down to the agency, and he was not one to visit us.
Sasuke was under a big record label called HS Entertainment, named after the founder of the label, Hashirama Senju. The one who had inherited the label only a little after Hashirama Senju's younger brother was Hiruzen Sarutobi—and after his retiring and premature death, Tsunade took over the spot as head of the business.
As soon as I got out of the elevator and headed to the front desk of the lobby where the secretary was seated, she gave me attitude. She was older, but her eyes held this stern, almost disapproving look. When I asked her if I could head into Asuma's office she told me that he was in a meeting and to write my name on some long ass chart.
"But I called in earlier. Asuma wouldn't say I could come in if he had a meeting," I tried to reason, a hand on my hip.
She looked at me over her spectacles. "Are you getting fresh with me?"
I frowned at her. "No," I mumbled to myself, muttering curses under my breath as I made my way to a chair. I didn't really want to continue arguing with the old grouch. The last time we had gotten into a fight about my not calling Asuma, Mr. Sarutobi.
It was a stupid argument, one, because Asuma had asked me to call him by his first name at, like, the beginning of time, and two, because she's an old grouch and it's pointless to argue with them 'cause they always have to be right.
So, I just became the bigger person and sat down in the chair, thoughtfully and patiently waiting for the secretary to call me up and in to Asuma's office (aka, wait 'till his door opens and sprint into his office).
Just when I was getting comfortable glaring at the old hag, I noticed some weirdo staring at me only one seat away. I raised a pink eyebrow at him and looked him up and down. He had really pale skin and dark hair, with dark eyes just like Sasuke's. He wore all black and—what was that?
Was that a belly shirt?!
That's his mid-drift!
Anyway, he was holding some sketching utensils and a huge notebook and had some creepy smile on his face, like he was in a really good mood.
I, on the other hand, was not.
"Who the hell are you?" I asked icily.
He only smiled some more. "I'm Sai," he answered as if that was going to solve all my problems. I glared harder, if that was even possible. "And you shouldn't move so much. It's hard to sketch someone while they're moving."
I gaped at him. "Sketch…?" I tried to see a glimpse of what I presumed a portrait of me. "You've been sketching me this whole time?!" He nodded jubilantly.
I instinctively began distancing myself from him, scooting to the edge of my chair with a petrified look on my face. "You maniac! You can't just go around sketching people all up in thier face!"
"I told you to stop moving, Ugly."
"UGLY!?" I screeched, so appalled by the blatant tone of his voice. Since when was I so ugly that you needed to draw me?
"Shh!" commanded the secretary before the door to Asuma's office opened. I only gawked some more at the boy before slowly walking towards the office, looking back at him once and awhile with my mouth agape.
Nothing will be able to heal this wound!
After confiding in Asuma that I wasn't ugly, we talked for a bit and I pulled out the notebook, explaining all I saw in it. I did not, at first, tell him that it was Sasuke's, so I was pretty sure he assumed it mine.
Like, I don't blame him. I can definitely see where the logic is; I mean, I am Sakura and flippin' amazing and all that jazz, but I'm just not the song writer type and all, you know, more of the…
…
Well, I did get an A in Honors biology senior year :)
"Sakura, these are great." His dark gaze only met mine for a split second as he continued to flip through the notebook. "Did you write these yourself?" he asked incredulously.
See? Everyone thinks I'm that awesome.
I shook my head, finally deciding to tell the truth. "No, actually Sasuke wrote them. They're good, right?"
"Amazing," he said breathlessly. "Why did he keep this from me?"
Snorting, I thought back to when I found the notebook. "I don't know. It's funny, really," I laughed. "You know he keeps this stuff hidden under his bed like a little girl?" I gossiped, and the two of us shared a laugh.
It was still pretty ridiculous to me that he had a diary.
Ahaha, that loser.
"Wow," whispered Asuma, shaking his head disbelievingly at the lyrics again. "Well, assuming that Sasuke asked you to give these to me since he was busy today…" He looked at me in inquiry and I nodded my head fervently.
"You know, that is exactly what happened. He was busy, so…" I coughed awkwardly. "He gave them to me…" I ended in a whisper, but Asuma honestly didn't care. He was as laid back as they come.
"Right, so Sasuke should be coming in a week from today with a final copy of this, and I will be having him sign the contract that we can produce his music the next time he comes in which is—"
"Tomorrow," I offered, since I had practically memorized the boy's schedule.
He nodded. "Well, it was nice seeing this, Miss Haruno. I smell a new album in the making."
I smiled at the tan, dark-haired man before thanking him and walking out the door with a smirk plastered onto my face.
Sasuke could thank me later.
Fixing up the last part of his bed with the clean linens, I looked over at the boy who was reading his book and called him over. He protested by ignoring me for a second, and I found him to be even more like a little kid who was at his favorite part of the book.
"C'mon, Sasuke, you have a big day tomorrow," I reminded him, going over the schedule board for the umpteenth time in my head that day. "Besides…" I mumbled, scratching at the back of my head ineptly. "I have something to tell you…" He looked at me finally with a raised eyebrow and I perked up a little, trying to seem a little less awkward as I gestured towards the bed. "So come on."
He sighed, placing his book in the chair he was sitting in and slowly got up, walking towards the bed. Sasuke jumped in, right at the edge of the bed near the bedside table and then I hopped up after him, crawling over his legs to get to his other side before wrapping an arm around his waist, snuggling into him, and kissing his neck. We hadn't started sleeping together (neither the literal nor the other term had been applied yet—with that one night he forced me to do it being the exception), but I liked to cuddle with the guy whenever I could.
He hummed slightly, turning his head so I could look into his unemotional onyx orbs before leaning forward and capturing my lips in a slow, chaste kiss and then kissing my jaw. Snaking his arm around my waist, he pulled me closer and sighed.
"Now, what did you need to tell me?"
I let out a sigh of my own and looked down, playing with the strings on his pajama pants. I forgot how much it bothered him when I did this, and he grabbed my fingers and began playing with them himself to get me to stop. That forced me to look up into his unwavering eyes again and then groan, closing my own.
"Sakura…?" he chided softly.
My eyebrows furrowed. "I kinda found this…notebook under your bed…when I was cleaning this afternoon…" I trailed off, not sure how I would tell him everything.
Please don't hurt me, Sasuke!
I could tell that he knew exactly which book I was talking about because his eyes narrowed sternly.
"And you put it back…" he started slowly, looking me straight in the eye. "…right?"
I looked off again. I realized how his hold on my hand was getting stronger and stronger as the seconds passed, how my heart started pumping at a million miles per hour. "Yeah, I put it back…" I said distractedly.
His eyes only glared harder and I began to fear for my life.
"After I took it to Asuma…"
"You what?" he exploded, or as much as an Uchiha can explode. He was now sitting up in the bed and looking at me with the harshest eyes I had ever seen, eyes that almost seem red with anger. "Sakura, why would you do that?"
I was at a loss of words, I felt so guilty and at fault. I didn't know what to say so I just sat there looking flustered for a bit, my face turning a cherry red. "I…I—"
"What were you doing opening something that says 'do not open', anyway?" he questioned, fury hidden beneath his eternally calm voice.
I gave a look of innocence, but it was so painfully obvious… "I…didn't!" He raised an eyebrow at me. "It…um…it dropped! It dropped from my hand…" I said, nodding and looking off as to assure myself that what I was saying was the truth. "And, uh…it opened to a page with music in it, yes, THAT is what it did."
He gave me a dry look. "It accidently slipped from your hand?" he questioned flatly.
I nodded. "Yup."
"And it magically opened to a page with music." This time it wasn't even a question.
"Yeah—uh…yes!" I could honestly be a horrid liar at times.
The Uchiha grabbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head with his eyes closed. "I have a hard time believing that, Miss Haruno." I bit my lip and looked at him uncomfortably through my eyelashes and he sighed. "I can't believe you would do something like that. It's crazy. Asuma hates that kind of sad, ballad type music. He's says it'll ruin my image."
I stared at him wondrously. "Hates it?!" I practically screeched. "He—we love your music! It's absolutely amazing—the best I've seen! He wants you to sign the next time you go in so you can give a yes to recording it! He says that he wants to help you make another album!"
Sasuke's eyes seemed to light up, and I could almost sense a small smile. "Really? He liked it?"
I nodded excitedly. "Mhmm!"
He smirked. "That's great. It's weird, though. He's always turned down that type of music before. Even when Itachi wrote me a song like that, he turned it down."
I smirked deviously. "Well then I guess that makes you better than Itachi." He returned the devilish stare, making my heart flutter and then he leaned forward and kissed me sensually, nipping my lip before pulling away.
"Thank-you, Sakura." I smiled triumphantly. "I guess I'll let you stay…" And he turned around and settled into the sheets.
"What?!" I screamed. "You mean, you were going to fire me?"
He scoffed. "Over shit like that? Hell yeah." I gawked at him. "But since I'm getting a record deal out of this, I think you've earned your job back."
"I can't believe you!" I humphed, crossing my arms over my chest. What would this kid even do without me?!
He hooked his arm around my waist and pulled me over to the other side of him so that we were facing each other again, and my legs were still draped over his waist. "Stop whining, princess, I was just playing with you." He kissed my nose and then snuggled into my neck planting heavenly, butterfly kisses there. "You know I'd never let you leave my side."
I moaned, placing my cold hands on his warm face and lifting it, leading his smooth lips to mine for a soft peck. Reaching behind me, I turned out the lamp on the bedside table, kissed Sasuke's forehead, and then got comfortable, knowing we'd be cuddling a little before I went off to bed.
"Honestly, Sasuke, don't scare me like that…" And he chuckled.
It had been a week and it was now the day Sasuke was to turn in the final versions of his songs. He had not only let me help him with the lyrics, but had promised me a spot in his music video!
Holy crap, and I thought me being on the news the day I first met him would make famous! This was taking it to another level!
This song writing business was doing wonders for me, because that meant more time of me and Sasuke together, rather than Karin and Sasuke. He even turned down a dinner with the girl and whoa was she pissed.
It was awesome.
Today, Sasuke was very tired so he was sending me out to go do his dirty work and hand Asuma the final drafts. I didn't mind so much, since I hadn't been out in awhile.
But it looked like it was going to rain…and I LOATHE the rain!
"The driver will take you, Sakura. It might storm, and I don't want you driving in it with your skills," insulted Sasuke.
I ignored his snide remarks and smiled. "Oh, a driver! That makes me feel so important!"
"Well, don't." I pouted. Sasuke was in what I liked to call brooding-tired-grump mode, so I just took the package filled with the amazing music and left. I didn't notice that I would be early until I hopped in the car, so I asked the driver if he would drop me off at the park for a bit before I went to the agency. Sasuke had ordered me to look over the music at least one more time for errors anyway, and the park was always gorgeous, even before it rained.
The driver gave me an umbrella and then told me he had to go get some gas and would be back to pick me up in the next fifteen minutes and I nodded before heading into the park, thanking him for his services so far.
While walking, I saw that Sai freak again. He asked if he could draw me again and I gave him the finger only to have him smile that creepy smile.
I hate him.
When I found a seat and pulled out the songs, because of my awesome luck, it started to rain and I pulled out my nifty umbrella. Suck on that, rain!
There weren't many people out; I had only seen one couple walking through under one umbrella, secretly wishing that was me bitterly. I can get pretty pitiful.
It was only a light pitter patter of rain, so it was easy to hear when a nice, black Rolls Royce came and sketchily parked near where I was sitting.
I sighed. Ah, damn, I knew that car.
Out popped Her Royal Bitchiness with a mini skirt and heels, her mile long legs looking gorgeous as ever as she walked my way, a man holding an umbrella over her head.
I tried to ignore, but it was kind of impossible when some gorgeous model that secretly (not-so-secretly) wanted to kill you was walking your way. She stopped once she was standing right in front of me, a smile spreading across her plump lips.
"Sakura Haruno, how wonderful it is to see you here," she greeted in a fake, high-pitched voice.
I didn't even try to force a smile and I nodded, standing up. "Karin," I acknowledged.
She looked me up and down and then snorted. "Nice skirt," she complimented, pointing at it. "Walmart?"
I closed my eyes, sighing again. "BCBG…" I corrected. "May I help you with something, Karin?" I asked impatiently.
Her smile almost seemed to widen. "Actually, you can! You see, Sakura, I am not spending enough time with Sasuke, nor am I bonding with him the way I should be. Do you know why this is, Sakura?"
I crossed my arms, still keeping the umbrella above me. "Does it have to do with his lack of interest in you?" I inquired dryly, a rose-colored eyebrow raised.
She glared, before clearing her throat, now completely serious. "No, you little bitch, it's you. You're in my way. And I don't know why my Sasuke finds you intriguing or whatever, but he does." I rolled my eyes. "Fortunately for me, Orochimaru-shishou has practically promised Sasuke to me and with him, I will rule the entertainment world."
I snarled at her, she made me sick. All she wanted him for was fame; she didn't even really like him.
She feigned a pout. "Unfortunately Sasuke likes some ugly girl with a huge forehead…" I glared, feeling the need to pounce. She gasped. "Oh, but wait! That's right, I'm shishou's favorite. And he wants Sasuke to start being with me now. We wouldn't want it to get out that Sasuke's going against his shishou's wishes, would we?" She smirked, licking her lips. "That wouldn't be so good for his career…"
I gasped. She was using her power to end my and Sasuke's relationship. "You wouldn't—"
"Oh, but I would," she giggled sinisterly, hands on her hips. "Sasuke could lose his contract, and it would be your entire fault." I was now at a loss of words and I looked down, contemplating what to do. I heard her evil laugh again. "What—did you actually think scum like you could get with Sasuke? Ha, not a chance."
I bit my lip, willing myself not to cry. Not because she was insulting me, but because of what she could do to Sasuke.
She sobered up quickly and came only a centimeter away from my face, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Now, I'm going to help you, Sakura Haruno. Stay away from Sasuke, or I promise I will make both your and his life a living hell." And she smirked again with a huff before walking away.
And all I could do was watch. Watch as my happiness went down the drain, everything I had worked for. I didn't want Karin to have Sasuke. I wanted him for myself, but by being selfish, I could in the end hurt him.
I had been staring at the girl leaving so intensely, I hadn't noticed that I had dropped the umbrella, and was now getting drenched in the rain that was no longer drizzling, but essentially pouring on top of me right now. But I didn't care.
What was I going to do?
"Sakura!" Someone called from the distance. "Sakura!" I looked up from the ground, but still could not move as I saw something running towards me. My knees suddenly gave out and I dropped to the ground, beginning to cry, the rain drowning out my thoughts and even the sound of my own tears.
"Sakura! Shit, Sakura, are you alright?!" I felt arms wrap around me and looked up to see worried obsidian eyes staring back at me. I gasped softly, whispering his name to make sure it was him and he picked me up, carrying me through the storm back to the car.
In the safety of Sasuke's car, he wrapped me in warm towels. I had finally been able to realize how excruciatingly cold the rain had been, and how blue my skin was becoming. I was freezing. I shivered into the towels and Sasuke pulled me into his arms. As warm as I wanted to feel in his arms, I instantly felt colder when I thought about what Karin had said, but let the boy hold me anyway.
"Sakura…what the hell were you doing in that rain?" I looked anywhere but his eyes, and upon looking down saw the soaked package of music. I instantly felt like crap, wanting to cry again.
"How did you find me?" I asked, choosing not to respond to his question.
He stared at me oddly for awhile and then answered. "I got a call from Sai saying—"
I gave him a perplexed look. "Sai?"
"Yeah," he replied, nodding. "He said that you were out here and he saw Karin, so I rushed over here as fast as I could—"
"Because you knew she could…that she would do something like this." I gave him a steely look. "Didn't you, Sasuke?"
He stared wordlessly at me again and then started the car. "We'll talk when we get home. Just try and keep warm."
My eyes closed slowly, and then opened to slits at the same pace and I grimaced. "My head hurts," I complained softly.
Sasuke continued to brush my hair with his hand gingerly. He hadn't left my side since we got home and had done a pretty decent job of taking care of me. I never knew his touch could be so soft.
"Yeah?" he whispered softly, as to not upset my head any more than it was. "You probably have a head cold from being out in that rain." He kissed my forehead. "I don't know what you were doing out there in the first place, crazy girl," he murmured, licking my nose and I grunted in pain.
He showered my forehead with more soothing kisses and then rose above me again, not pausing in stroking my hair aimlessly, which was slowly lulling me off to sleep. It felt so wonderful.
"Sasuke…?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you really that scared of going against Karin's wishes?"
He paused for a second, but his face was still that of stone. "What are you talking about?"
"Sasuke…" I started, in almost a whine. "Karin is…she's a bad person. She's controlling you, and she's threatened me." He only stared off to the side and I narrowed my eyes pensively at him. "And you know that," I said, my voice rising. "You can't honestly be that scared of what she can do. You can't honestly let her get away with something like that." He still did not say a word and my voice only raised, my raspy words growing watery with the tears that threatened to come.
"Sasuke…Sasuke, I like you. And I care for you, that's why I'm saying this!" Hot tears began to pour from my eyes and anxiety gripped at my words as I tried to get my point across. "Sasuke, please," I pleaded. "I—"
He leaned forward, capturing my lips with his, his hand on my cheek and his thumb caressing my lips. "Sakura, I like you too," he confessed quietly. "And I'm glad that you're concerned about me, but I can't go against my shishou. It's not an option," he explicated, shaking his head. "I'm trying to figure this out, Sakura, I'm working on it. I need you to calm down. I'm not ready to let go of you yet."
I searched his truthful eyes with my own apprehensive ones. "Why can't I ever get what I want?" I questioned, mostly to myself.
His eyebrows furrowed. "What are you saying?"
"I didn't get that piggy back ride; I didn't parents that give a rat's ass what I want…" I began exasperatedly. "And I didn't get you…" I whispered.
It was his turn to explore my eyes and then he sweetly kissed me again, making sure to get his point across. "Sakura you have me. I'm right here. I'm not leaving."
He kissed me again and then started stroking my hair as he turned off the light on my bedside table.
Sasuke…
We both honestly know that you can't be there for me forever.
A/N: Uh-ohs! It's getting pretty sad…Why? Cause I 'spose we're getting to the climax :). This is what…the fifth chapter? Yeah, I'm afraid I only got two more chapters for you guys :( sorry! It's a shortie!
They WILL probably be as long as this one is, though, so be looking forward to that :)
Thanks for everything, guys, and I hope you all liked it! I won't be able to read and reply to your reviews for a WEEK cuz I leave for this biology camp that my class has to do tomorrow morning :( yes, Mother's Day…Ugh…
Anyway, love you guys! I hope to get a chapter out sooner than this one, haha! PLEASE remember to REIVEW! Hope you liked it, SakuBunny!
Luving me's like…
-chewingonpearls
