this is: chapter four
His cell rang just as he left his sister's office building.
"Hello?"
"Yo. Marry me." a velvety male voice poured into his ear.
"You're a bit too submissive for my taste, Sai. I like ones that fight back."
"Pity. I long for the day you and I will be gay lovers and live happily ever after. Karin's bar. After we'll go to Shino's club. Hinata's on her way over."
"Hunting for sport, huh?"
"Always, my friend. Will you do the two of us an honour and join us tonight?"
"Gladly. I'll make my way over there right now."
Was the place plainclothes or fancy?
She settled for a simple little black dress with no jewellery.
At seven-oh-five, he arrived and whisked her away into a cab.
"How was your day?" she asked cheerfully.
"Boring. Slept mostly. Still got a bit of a headache unfortunately. Won't mar our night, promise." He grabbed her hand. "You look absolutely beautiful. Like an angel from heaven." he whispered.
"Wearing a black dress isn't very angelic, Sasuke." It put a smile on her face.
"Even if you were wearing a paper bag I would think you were still beautiful." he said seriously.
She changed the subject. "So tell me about this new place we're going."
"It's called Porcelain. It's got an extensive drinks menu. It's got a bunch of really delicate looking snack-meals. I think you'll like it."
"A bar?" she guessed.
"Well, a restaurant-bar."
"Sweet." she stared dully out the window, watching as the lights flew by.
The rest of the ride was silent and awkward. He didn't say anything further, and she didn't have anything to talk about.
After they paid the driver, they climbed out onto the sidewalk.
"What a lovely door." she examined the ornate mythical carvings.
"Isn't it?" a feminine voice spoke. "My friend designed it."
Sakura turned to see a striking midnight-blue haired woman in lace-up dancing pumps standing next to her.
The woman blinked, revealing bright lavender irises. "And my friend's brother carved it for the proprietor of this place."
"That's pretty cool." Sasuke came up behind them. "After you, my beauty." He opened the door. "And you too, miss."
"Thanks, Sasuke."
"Thank you."
A maître'd bowed. "Good evening, Hinata. For how many tonight?"
"They're not with me." she gestured to the pair standing behind her. "I take it that Sai isn't here yet, then."
"Ah, he's chatting with Karin in the kitchen."
"I'll head off and make nice with them. Prepare Table 23 for us, please."
"Certainly. Joanne will escort you there." he snapped his fingers. "Joanne! Take Hinata to the kitchen. And will it be just you two tonight, sir?"
"Yes." Sasuke answered.
"Alright." Another snap of his fingers, and a young boy appeared. "Wendell, please take this couple."
"With pleasure. Please follow me."
They sat down at a somewhat secluded booth on the north side close to the kitchen doors.
"Would you like to start off with a drink?"
"A bloody Caesar, please." Sasuke said immediately.
"A glass of water will be fine for me, thanks." Sakura gave him a pointed look.
"Promptly." he walked off.
"Sasuke! You have a headache, drinking more isn't going to help." she admonished him.
"It's a Caesar, Sakura. It has more Clamato juice than vodka. Plus it's a hangover cure."
"Kin told me that it isn't."
"Seems to work for me."
"Alright then…"
Bang!
A magenta-haired woman stomped out, slamming the door open.
A black-haired man trailed after her. "Ah, Karin, she doesn't mean to make you mad, you know. Relax."
"Kiki, you have a customer outside…" the blue-haired woman floated out.
"Right. Just go sit down, Hina, and mind your own business."
"If that's what you want, Kiki." she gracefully landed in a table in the middle with her lithe legs crossed.
The other woman disappeared back into the kitchen.
"I apologize for the commotion." the ink-haired man turned to the couple. "My friend is a bit of a lit candle to the owner's curtains."
"No problem. No harm done." Sakura smiled.
"Good to know." he went off to join the woman sitting down.
The waiter returned, carrying a tray aloft with four drinks.
"Here you are. A Caesar for the gentleman, and a glass of water for the lady."
"Thanks."
"Do you need a few minutes more?" he eyed the unopened menus.
"Oh! Yes." Sakura said sheepishly. She reached for one.
"Alright." he went off to the only other occupied table.
"This is such an empty restaurant…" she whispered.
"It gets busier later." he began to peruse his menu.
Gaara approached the door that his brother had made, and slipped inside.
He bristled. There was a crowd in front of him.
Leaning against the wall, he sought out Hinata and Sai.
He gave a start. His thin-lipped mouth curved into an amused smile.
Why, he'd recognize that head of pink hair anywhere.
"How are your ballet classes?" Sai took a swig of his flute of champagne.
"Just fine. I'm teaching twelve year olds. It's fun. They're so serious about it." Hinata laughed.
"It's probably because you are the top dancer in the-" he stopped, slightly horrified at what he just voiced.
"I am, aren't I." she gave a sad smile. "It's okay, Sai."
They were quiet for a moment before he resumed conversation.
"My, has the noise level risen. Is Gaara even here yet?" he scratched at a stray blob of green paint on his wrist.
"When'd you call him?"
"Forty-three minutes ago."
"He should be here, then…" she craned her neck to stare at the cramped doorway. "Oh, I see him!" she waved.
The redhead paid her hand no heed.
"Damn. He can't see us." she got up, her thin violet skirt swishing as she strode over to the crowded doorway.
"Gaara!" she called out loud enough for the entire bar to hear her.
Heads turned to watch as the jade-eyed man walked through the parting of the crowd towards the midnight-haired girl.
He reached her, and pecked her on the cheek.
Astonished, Sakura looked on.
Abruptly, he caught her eye, and smirked.
He whispered something into the lavender-eyed girl's ear, and they made their way over.
Quickly, she turned back to Sasuke.
"What's happening?" he demanded.
"Nothing." she plastered on a smile. "I know him."
"From where?" he surveyed the pair.
Before she could say another word, they reached the table.
"Good evening, Sakura. How odd of to meet you at one of my favourite places. And you must be her surreptitious fiancé that she always talks about." he gave an air of being benign as he scrutinized the dark-haired man. "I'm Gaara."
"I'm Sasuke." he sniffed disdainfully, reaching out to cradle Sakura's limp hand. "She's never mentioned you before. Where did she meet you?"
Oblivious to the Uchiha, she blanched.
"She and I met." The other female spoke, her eyes sparkling with deviousness. "My dog went loose in the park. The silly pup found her. I'm Hinata, by the way." she stretched out a hand.
He shook it warily. "That doesn't explain him."
Sakura looked fearful.
"I was looking for Hinata to give her coffee." Gaara said derisively. "Are all of her male acquaintances subjected to such…dissection?" his voice became harshly soft.
"I apologize." But Sasuke kept an eye on the redhead.
"Do enjoy your night out." Hinata uttered. "I think Sai may be getting lonely by himself. It was lovely meeting you, Sasuke. Ciao!"
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Sasuke." he drawled. "I do hope we subsequently shall cross paths at a later date."
"I could say the same." he responded, taken aback at the civility of Gaara's tone.
"And Sakura." the tattooed man inclined his head.
She saw a wicked gleam in his eye.
She bit her lip, and clutched Sasuke's hand a little bit tighter.
"Till we meet again." and he went off to join his friends.
Better get your girlfriend in check
It's psychological warfare
I hope you liked Sasuke and Gaara's meeting.
Review to let me know if you did or not?
:E hypheniated