Chapter Eight
I lay silently on my comforter, my heart still beating erratically as Madara made his way over to the window. He was an Uchiha? This is whom they sent to replace Itachi? Was sending him Itachi's punishment for my firing him? I heard Madara's footfalls on the windowsill.
"Oh, and by the way. Stay away from Itachi." Madara remarked in a snide voice and then he was gone. I knew a normal girl would have started crying. No man had ever touched me as much as he just had. Then again, I wasn't really a normal girl and figured that worse things had happened to me. I reacted with anger. I sat up quickly, fingers clenching into straining fists. I raced over to the window. Placing my hands firmly on the sill, I stuck my head out. I couldn't see him, but I knew he was there.
"Asshole!" I called before slamming and locking my window. I'm sure he could still get in if he wanted to, but I wasn't going to make it easy for him.
"What do you mean we have a quiz in chemistry? Over what?" I cried incredulously. Sasuke shrugged from the driver's side of the car. I knew he was still bitter about Friday night based on his stony face, an eyebrow perked in an irritated fashion. I bet he handpicked the perverted cousin to replace Itachi. He really needed to get over his revenge/anger complex. Besides, there were things that were more important such as the fact that I had a chemistry quiz in t-minus two hours.
It was Friday; a whole week from the incident at the bar. The week went by without any more visits from Madara, but none from Itachi either. I yearned to talk to him, to ask him to come back, but I figured I shouldn't after what I'd said to him a week ago.
The rain beat heavily on the windshield as I waited for the Uchiha's response. My lips puckered as I realized he wouldn't be talking to me today. He shouldn't have brought it up, then… I gripped my skirt tightly and looked crossly out of the window. Two could play at this childish game. I wished I could see a few feet past the car but the rain was too heavy. We pulled into a parking space and Sasuke killed the engine. He pulled an umbrella from his school bag and opened the car door.
"Oh good, you brought an umbrella." I said, opening my door and stepping outside. Sasuke shut and locked the car doors. I had my bag over my head, waiting for him to walk around. He began walking to the school at a fast clip. Oh my god. He was not leaving me out in the rain. Apparently so. I mumbled profanities under my breath as I began a light sprint to catch up, but the damn cockatoo was too quick. The rain suddenly stopped it's torturous pelting. My gaze turned skywards to notice an umbrella sheltering me. I looked to my right and stared into a set of pale blue eyes. They were piercing and quite honestly, rather creepy. "Thank you." I said, dropping my book bag from over my head.
"You're quite welcome." The boy said with a smile, but it was void of emotion. He had long brown hair that failed to cover a green tribal-looking tattoo on his forehead. He wore a white button down and khaki shorts…very sophisticated for a public school. In fact, he had a classy air to him that didn't seem to belong here at all. I felt insignificantly immature. I'd never seen him before, but it wasn't uncommon in a school of almost three thousand. We reached the front of the school and he closed his umbrella, leaving it in a pile of other umbrellas. We walked inside and he made his way toward the attendance office.
"Er…thanks again!" I called and he nodded towards me as he entered the office. I gave his back one final look as I continued down the hall towards my first period. What a nice kid. At least, in comparison to one spiky haired Uchiha that was going to get it in a few seconds.
I walked through the door of the classroom, scanning for any trace of dark hair but my eyes connected with a pair of blue eyes. Naruto looked at me with a strange glint in his eye, his face twisted into an expression that appeared…disappointed. Should I say something to him? I made a beeline toward him and he perked up a little until I saw my prey get up to sharpen a pencil. He walked in front of me and I grabbed his arm.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I hissed at him and he shrugged my arm off to continue walking. I felt a flush grace my cheeks and I gritted my teeth. I looked over to Naruto once more but he wasn't looking at me anymore. Temari was, but when our eyes met she turned around to continue talking to Kiba. I sighed and took my seat behind her. I felt so terribly alone. Temari said something about going to the movies to see the new Yukie Fujikaze movie. I took in a deep breath.
"The one where she's the leader of a coup de etat?" Temari looked to look at me, as well as the rest of the group. "That looks really good; I liked the trailer for it when we went to see that Lost Tower movie." No one spoke, they simply stared at me. I slumped down in my seat a little.
"Alright, students, settle down and get your things out we're about to start." Iruka-sensei called from the front of the room. Everyone turned around to face the front, but Naruto smiled at me before turning around as well. At least Naruto was forgiving. I should have guessed it would have taken longer to gain back Temari's loyalty; she always dragged things out. I had to admit, though, I hadn't been the best friend lately. I really had no choice however; the Hawk didn't clash well with my group of friends and I had to be with the Hawk at all times.
Stupid Hyuugas. Threatening my life and now they've indirectly cost me my friends. If I ever meet one of them, I swear I will give them a good punch to the jugular.
"Class, we have a new student. He's transferring from Azabu High School." A flurry of muttering began. Azabu was one of the most expensive, high-end private schools in the area. A dark headed figure entered the room. The boy with the umbrella! I waved at him, but he kept facing forward with no reaction. I looked around me, noticing the only empty seat was next to me. Maybe he could be a friend? I seemed to be lacking those lately.
"May I present Hyuuga Neji."
Well shit.
The whole class period, I was drenched in a cold sweat. I kept peering at Neji from the corner of my eye. How did Sasuke react? I wanted to turn around to look at him, but that would mean looking at Hyuuga directly. I tried to pick up my pencil to take notes but my hands were so sweaty the pencil kept slipping every which way and my paper looked as if I had an epileptic episode in the middle of writing. I kept looking at the clock impatiently. Was this class always so long? I packed up my belongings five minutes ahead of time. As soon as the bell rang I got out of my seat. I looked up just as Neji looked at me. Crap!
He opened his mouth to say something but I was soon swept away, a firm hand pressed against my back. I breathed a sigh of relief. I don't think I ever felt so much relief seeing this beautiful, arrogant bastard. Before I knew it, Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo had all congregated around me. Jugo looked stoic as always, Karin slightly annoyed, and Suigetsu estatic.
"So the Hyuugas finally make an appearance…I am so stoked. Do you think they're going to want to start something?" Suigetsu wondered, rolling his shoulders back and practically bouncing on his heels.
"I would hope not!" I whispered shrilly. Sasuke had his phone out and was talking to someone very quickly. So quickly, I couldn't manage to make out what he was saying. Many teachers and assistant principals passed, but none made an attempt to reprimand the Uchiha. Must be nice. He scoffed and slipped his phone back in his pocket.
"Alright, someone is to be with Sakura at all times; all of us if possible. I don't know what the damn Hyuuga wants, but I know him, he would never come to a public school like this one without a reason." Sasuke's eyes fixed on mine. "Everyone just keep an eye out, alright? And Sakura, no more wandering off and shit, okay?" My eyes narrowed.
"Fine. On one condition." I said, crossing my arms with determination. The Uchiha's eyes narrowed as well.
"These ground rules aren't conditional, Sakura."
"I want to be able to hang out with my friends again." I said it anyway. "If we could go to a bar and I'd still be 'safe' I'm sure we could go to the movies and I'd be just as secure." No one in the group looked too particularly happy. Especially Sasuke.
"Yeah, I figured. Because being in the same room with is so hard for you that you have to go call my brother." Sasuke muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets and rushing off to our next class. I sighed and followed him.
Luckily, I didn't see Neji the rest of the day. It seemed we only had first period together. Sasuke was being as impossible as ever. He refused to acknowledge me except to grumble that it was time to go home. I followed behind him, the rest of the gang following me. I looked outside and groaned. It was raining again. I hesitated outside before going out in the rain. Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo went ahead clearly unaffected by the rain as I was. Sasuke got out of his umbrella. I sighed and started walking out into the downpour, preparing to run when Sasuke's warm arm pressed against mine. I looked at him but he stared straight ahead, walking at a slow pace that matched mine. Suspicious.
He walked around to my side of the car with me and opened my door. Sketchy.
I got inside and he closed the door for me. Strange.
He entered the car after shaking off the umbrella and started the engine, turning the heater on. "Thanks," I mumbled before turning to stare outside. The rest of the car ride continued in similar fashion until he pulled up to my porch. I'd have to get in the rain again, but not for long.
"Sakura," Sasuke said as my hand touched the door handle. He avoided my eyes and began changing the radio station.
"We can go with your friends. To that movie." He said. My face lit up.
"Really?" I asked, a smile gracing my lips. He appeared to be acting nonchalant, but I could see a hint of smugness in his mannerism.
"Yeah," he scoffed. "But you're paying!" he called out to me as I rushed out of the car before he could change his mind.
"Okay! Bye!" I cried as I entered my house. I rushed up to my bedroom and grabbed my Mac. Naruto was unreliable when it came to answering calls and texts, but that boy was on a computer 24/7. I pulled up my Skype and logged on. I found Naruto's contact and pushed the green call button. It rang and my stomach dropped. What if he didn't want to talk to me? It rang again. This was odd; usually he picked up on the first ring. Third ring. My mouse hovered over the end call button. My mood fell when the window finally read 'Connected.' I smiled and switched to video chat. Naruto's face appeared on the screen.
"Hey stranger!" he said and I smiled. He hadn't said Sakura-chan, but it was enough. "Sorry, I was on Skype with Choji. What's up?" Of course. He had hung up with Choji to talk to me…Naruto was too sweet of a friend to me.
"Hi. I know that I haven't been the best of friends lately, but it's kinda been out of my control. So, I'm sorry." I said, but I already knew he'd forgiven me.
"It's cool, Sakura-chan! Everyone's missed you." After everything with Itachi and Sasuke and Madara, those few words cheered me up infinitely. I teared up, and was grateful for the pixilation that Skype provided so Naruto couldn't see.
"Listen, I heard Temari talking about that new movie coming out and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me. You know, like old times."
"Well, I'm kinda…already going with the group," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh," I said, slumping a little.
"But hey, you should come with us! It'd be great if everyone got to see you again!" I smiled at him.
"Okay! But…um, Sasuke is going to have to tag along." I said, cringing a little at his reaction: an intense frown. "I know, I'm sorry!"
"I don't get it…are you guys dating or something?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"No!" I yelled loudly and Naruto started. "Uh, no, Naruto our relationship is completely platonic…mostly leaning towards the slightly less than tolerable side. It's solely on Tsunade's orders."
"Well, I still don't get it but I trust ya, Sakura-chan." Naruto said. "Plus, you have to be there to share the sexiness that is Yukie Fujikaze. Damn, I'd hit that so hard…"
"Naruto! You pervert!" I screamed, hitting the screen for emphasis. He grinned back at me. I had definitely missed this.
Sasuke picked me up at exactly 6:15. How precise. It was weird to get ready without Temari; we would always meet up at my house before going out somewhere to do make up, hair and pick out outfits. I had done everything alone today, but I figured I looked just as good. I had curled my hair into waves that reached my shoulders. I French braided my bangs to the side and back. I didn't usually like to wear a lot of make up, but I had done thick winged liquid eyeliner and a bright neon pink that made my green eyes pop. For my outfit, I picked a black blouse that was fitted near the chest but was loosened after that. It didn't make me look pregnant, but it made me feel better about my stomach, which I tended to be insecure about. I had on light blue shorts with raggedy holes and gladiators. Not too fancy; we were just going to the movies. But if Temari decided to give me crap, I rather look good than the alternate.
I got in the car and Sasuke glanced me over before looking forward again and accelerating down the driveway. I looked through my purse to make sure I had my I.D. and money.
"Oh, shoot! Sasuke, I left my cell in my room!" I felt guilty. Was he going to get angry?
"You don't need it." He said, looking at me as if that would convince me. I sighed and sat further into the seat, staring out the window.
"You look nice," Sasuke mumbled. I glanced over at him, surprise gracing my features.
"Thanks." I said. We pulled into the movie theater parking lot, multiple people eyeing Sasuke's Corvette. I hated this much attention…but my group of friends definitely didn't miss us. Naruto waved, as did Kiba and Shikamaru. Temari, standing with Ten Ten, didn't wave but her mouth dropped open when she saw me with Sasuke. I felt a little self-satisfied. We parked and I ran up to the group, Sasuke following with his standard poker face on and his hands in his pocket.
"Hey, guys!" I said, smiling. Everyone smiled back. Temari, surprisingly, smiled back but I could tell she was hesitant about it. "So…have you gotten your tickets already?" Everyone held up a ticket.
"Okay, I'll go get ours." I said, but when I turned around Sasuke was walking back with two tickets in hand. "Sasuke," I whispered when he stood next to me. "I thought I was paying!" He handed me my ticket and shrugged.
"Don't worry about it." I took the ticket from his hand and looked back to the rest of the group. Naruto had an annoyed twitch in his eye and Temari was staring at me questioningly. Everyone started moving into the theater. Naruto took position on my left and Sasuke walked to my right. Sasuke didn't say a word and Naruto couldn't seem to say enough. Apparently he thought it was important to fill me in on every detail I missed when hanging out with the group. Kiba would jut in every once in a while to give commentary. I giggled; the pair was funny. We looked for seats in the theater, settling on the middle seats in the middle row. Shikamaru sat down and I sat next to him. Naruto sat to my right.
"Move over, that seat is mine." Sasuke said, towering over Naruto. Naruto replied with a noncompliant sneer and crossed arms.
"Says who? Find your own damn seat, bastard." Naruto retorted stubbornly.
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered under his breath and moved down the aisle to sit next to Tsunade. Naruto got up, purposefully shoving into Sasuke before taking the seat to my left. Sasuke dropped roughly into the seat at my right, crossing his arms and slumping into the plush chair. I looked at him and shook my head. He avoided me.
Naruto and I continued to talk until the previews began. The movie started soon after. I looked at Naruto's enraptured, glazed stare at the screen and smiled. I looked to my right and Sasuke's bored expression from before had transformed into one of mild interest. I looked to the armrests on each side of me. Naruto had his arm on the one to the left of me, palm up. Sasuke's arm was positioned in a similar manner to my right. I sighed. I really wanted to put my arms up…
I stretched as we left the theater. What a good movie! I still had a grin on my face from the end of the movie. Naruto had teared up from the pure masculinity of the ending: comrades dying for the cause. Sasuke had ended up making fun of him, and another fight ensued. Sasuke was currently talking to Shikamaru about an aspect of the movie. It felt weird, having Sasuke talk to my friends but I was oddly not opposed to it. In fact, I rather liked it. It felt like two sides of my life were finally becoming one. We continued to talk outside the theater until Temari suggested grabbing something to eat. We ultimately decided on some FroYo.
"I'm going to get the car. You stay here with your friends and wait for me to pull around." Sasuke said, swinging his car keys around his finger. I nodded and continued to talk to Ten Ten. The Corvette pulled up to the curb and I made my way towards it.
"See you at FroYo!" I called and most the group waved to me. I got in the car and shut the door, grabbing for my seatbelt. The car sped off, accelerating violently. "Sasuke, what are you—" my breath caught in my throat as I looked at the driver.
"Neji." I choked out, leaning my body as close to the door as I could.
"Hello, Haruno-san," Neji said, glancing over at me, his eyes focusing on mine. How is it possible that I am this ignorant? How could I get into the wrong car? I looked in the side view mirror. Another Corvette was following. The right one. The one that I was supposed to be in with Sasuke. A cold fear spread from my head to my torso. Was I going to survive the night? Where was Neji taking me?
"W-what do you want with me, Neji?" I asked. I surprised myself; I hadn't expected it to come out quite as clear or strong.
"So rough, Haruno. I simply want to talk to you, nothing more." I gripped my skirt to stop myself from shaking. I didn't want to appear weak to him in any aspect.
"About what? Is it that important that you have resorted to kidnapping?" I asked sarcastically. I was playing dumb, but there was no possible way that I didn't know the Hyuuga's had a bounty out for my head. And he knew this. An empty smile graced his lips.
"I'm sure you're aware of certain…standings in our respective companies, Haruno-san." Neji jumped right into it. I hadn't been expecting polite conversation before we got around to the subject or anything but still. "My father's company is very interested in buying your company; whatever the risk." I shuddered at his last comment. "Tsunade-sama appears to be reluctant to sell and unfortunately that's where you come into play." I looked over at him and he returned my glance. "If anything were to…happen to you, it would make the consumption of your company into my father's company much easier. I don't know if you've realized, Haruno, but my father's company will one day be my company. Therefore, any endeavors the company wishes to accomplish I am also very interested in achieving. I don't have the luxury of…morals, either." I pressed myself further into the car door. This man was psychotic. The car stopped and I glanced around frantically. Where had he taken me? The building looked familiar and I was both relieved and horrified to realize that we were at my home. He knew where I lived. Did he drive me here on purpose to emphasize this fact? He killed the engine and stepped out of the car. I threw the car door open and stumbled out, car lights blinding me as Sasuke pulled in behind me. An arm enveloped me and I gasped as a familiar scent filled my nose as I was pressed up against his body. Itachi. He was here. He still cared.
"I had no intention of harming you tonight, Sakura. But be cautious if you decide to resist merging with my company."
"Shut up, Hyuuga and get the hell out." Sasuke said dangerously from the Corvette.
"I'm not sure what you've achieved by doing this, Hyuuga, but I think it'd be wise if you left." Itachi whispered darkly, eyes flashing.
"Ah, the Uchiha boys. It's been a while, Sasuke." Neji said, nodding towards Sasuke, who narrowed his eyes. "I see you've been hired to protect Haruno-san. I find that significantly ironic."
"What are you implying?" I asked, disgusted. My hand was knotted in the back of Itachi's shirt. It felt so good to be this close to him again.
"Oh, she doesn't know, Uchiha?" Neji asked, a sinister smirk gracing his lips. I didn't like this. What did I not know? "Well, Haruno-san, I find it ironic that the very people that have been ordered to protect you are potentially more dangerous for you than anything they may be defending you from."
"Shut it, Hyuuga, I swear to God…" Sasuke barked.
"I'll let you in on a little Uchiha secret that my family discovered a couple years ago." Itachi bent his knees in a slight crouch, eyes narrowed and focused on Neji. A low guttural growl escaped from his lips. He appeared to be positively livid.
"They are nothing more than killers." My eyes widened. "Blood sucking killers." My stomach contracted as images of my parents appeared in my mind. Blood everywhere. On me, my school clothes, the ground. The boy…
Neji got into his car, started the engine and drove away. My hand unwound itself from Itachi's shirt and I stepped back. I couldn't stand next to them. Blood sucking. What did he mean? Vampires? Bull shit. Even though I thought that, I couldn't stop thinking of Madara's elongated canines. Fangs. Red eyes. My breath kept catching as I looked from Itachi to Sasuke. I backed up against my front door, my lip wavering. Sasuke took a few steps toward me but Itachi stopped him with an outstretched arm, shaking his head.
I fumbled for the door knob, taking one last look at Itachi before scrambling into my house and shutting the door behind me, locking all the latches. Killers. Blood sucking killers.
Okay, I know, I know the vampire genre is getting really old, I get it, trust me. However, when I started this story it wasn't and I intend to finish the story the way I envisioned it. So, please don't hate me! I intend to make this as least Twilight-esque as possible! Plus, no matter what you've got to get your Itachi/Sakura fix, right? So this story can at least help you there. I tried to get this story out ASAP which has been really difficult with college but I just love you THAT much. Haha well I recently updated my profile and betareader profile so you may check those out if you wish. As always, i love you and can't wait to hear what you have to say about this new chapter. I know a lot of you have been getting slightly irritated with the story because it's been very Sasu-Sakuy but i promise that this will get VERY Itasaku heavy soon because, again, i love you.
P.S: I went through the older chapters and did some MAJOR editing. Why did none of you tell me how utterly horrific it was! I am completely embarrassed at the number of plot holes, grammar issues and complete lack of competency. Maybe I really should get a betareader...any takers?