A/N: Thank you to all the people supporting this story. I'm really sorry I've been slow with the updates. Just know that I have my reasons and that I'm doing my best. Without further ado, enjoy.

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine!

Chapter 3: Confrontations

"Ms. Haruno, you have another delivery." The delivery boy stated causing Sakura to sigh. This was another bouquet to add to the growing jungle in her house. It was really starting to look like Jungle Mayhem.

"I'm really sorry Seiji." Sakura apologized again for all the trouble those accursed men had put him through and yes; she was on a first name basis with the delivery boy. You would be too if you had seen him as often as she had. It had to be a great deal of trouble to make several deliveries a day to the same house for the past week.

"Why are you apologizing Ms. Haruno? You're the reason our shop stays open." Seiji laughed. He didn't notice the man on the street corner taking pictures of them, but Sakura did. She had a feeling she knew who it was too.

According to Ino, Deidara decided to try and stalk her even when she was away from the job. He hired a private investigator to follow her every move. Can you say creepy? Ever since she started the job exactly seven days ago he'd watch her at work and let someone else do it when she was away from that evil occupation.

Sakura just sighed. She felt so guilty because of that first night on the job. She shouldn't even be the one feeling at fault here! She had flirted with them as part of a profession! She didn't think she did anything to even attempt to acquire Deidara's and Sasuke's affection. She had known that Deidara was attracted to her but Sasuke was another story. She hadn't realized a damn thing until he took her aside on the third night of her job and started to kiss her.

She had been tending to a customer that was drunk and frisky when Sasuke intervened by nearly snapping the man's hands off. Then he told Sakura it was time for her break. She went to her alcove where Sasuke had first shown concern for her wellbeing.

He had told her that no one goes to said alcove because it's the security guards' space. Sakura had wondered aloud if it was okay for her to be there, but Sasuke just shrugged and said it was fine. She had replied with alright and a trusting smile. She had no idea that the smile did him in.

Sasuke's lips were on hers in a heartbeat. Sakura was wide eyed and stunned. There were a few customers who tried to force a kiss on her, but Sasuke or Deidara always intervened. She stiffened when his tongue glided across her bottom lip and he moaned so softly that she felt it more than heard it.

Sakura put her hands to his chest and applied pressure. She knew one thing for certain. There was nothing she could do to truly stop Sasuke and it terrified her. As if sensing her fear, he backed off.

-Flashback-

"Damn it Sakura, you have no idea what you do to me! I've known you for three days and it's been torture trying and failing to get your attention. I have been watching over you and protecting you without complaint. You're the only girl I've ever truly wanted to protect. I wanted you to fall for me before I made a move, but it's like I lose my common sense when you're around!" Sasuke declared pressing his forehead to hers.

Before anymore could be said they heard Deidara's voice calling for her. As quickly as he came Sasuke disappeared. Later that night, Sakura ate at the café rather than going out to eat somewhere else. She was about to go see about snagging some food from the kitchen when Ino came to get her.

"Please come with me Sakura." Ino led her to the top floor and over to a beautiful candle lit meal complete with an orchid to further decorate the table. The meal was medium rare venison and roasted potatoes with fresh vegetables on the side. In short, it was Sakura's favorite dish so far.

Completely shocked for the second time that night, she turned to Ino who was grinning broadly at her. "I don't know what you did to Sasuke, but keep doing it. I've never seen him apologize for anything!" Ino exclaimed.

"This was an apology?" Sakura inquired.

"See for yourself." Ino commanded pointing to a small but lovely card on the table. There was a single message inscribed on it.

I'm sorry for scaring you.

-Sasuke

-End flashback-

Sakura put her latest flower arrangement in one of the only spaces left available in her apartment. She nearly jumped out of her skin when there came an insistent knocking on the door. At first she just ignored it, but then it got louder and louder until she thought the door was going to break. Before it could she moved to open it.

There in front of her stood a tall, dark haired man, with two lines running down his face. He also happened to have the same eyes as Sasuke and the resemblance didn't end there. Most women in her position would have swooned at the drool worthy man on her doorstep. Sakura cursed her bad luck.

"Oh God, this can't be good." Sakura groaned out loud.

"I take it you know why I'm here then." The stranger said causing Sakura to snort.

"I don't even know who you are!" Sakura cried.

"Under the circumstances I highly doubt that, but I'll humor you. I'm Itachi Uchiha, owner of Uchiha corporations. You're Sakura Haruno. Let's get on with this shall we?" Itachi said with an agitated tone. When he moved to enter the apartment Sakura blocked him. "Now what do you want?" He demanded.

"Excuse me? First I would like an apology for basically being called a liar. Second I want you to get the hell out of my doorframe so I can shut the door." Let it be known that Sakura Haruno is pushed around by no person, not even an intimidating and sexy as hell man.

Itachi let out a bark of harsh laughter. "If you really don't know who I am or what I'm doing here even after I introduced myself, then you are truly a stupid girl. I'll speak plainly. You may have succeeded in stealing Sasuke's heart, but that is the only thing you will steal from this family." Itachi growled taking several steps forward and forcing Sakura to back into the apartment. Sakura looked shocked. Itachi's handsome face snarled at her. "Your tricks and innocent act won't work on me." Before he could continue his verbal abuse Sakura slapped him hard.

It was the first time a woman had hit him. For an instant he felt a pang of guilt for the way he was treating her and the tears in her eyes, but the guilt vanished the moment he took another look around the room. It was wall to wall bouquets when Sasuke had ordered seven for Sakura. He ordered one for each day he knew her, six in the past three days and one for today. This woman had over 24 flower arrangements in her small apartment. No doubt about it, she was toying with Sasuke's heart and the hearts of several other wealthy men for their money.

"I WON'T TAKE THIS! What right do you have to come in here, insult me, and accuse me of stealing? Then you go and say that my fear of you is some kind of act? The only reason you scare me is because of what Sasuke did, but at least I know that he wouldn't intentionally hurt me like this! On top of that, I don't know you because he never mentioned you. I had no clue he even had a brother!" Sakura shouted at him. She cried harder when he just clapped.

"You're a very good actress Ms. Sakura. One of the best I'd wager. If I got you a job as a leading actress would you leave Sasuke alone? You would then be wealthy in your own right. What Sasuke did to you? Are you referring to how you managed to get him to kiss you? Was it not all just a sick game of yours to steal the hearts of six wealthy men?" Itachi hissed by her ear, but Sakura refused to back down anymore no matter how terrifying this man was.

"If anyone is playing with hearts it's those men." Sakura replied with tears still streaming down her face.

"You expect me to believe you with the proof of their affections scattered across the room. These are the finest flower arrangements I've ever seen."

"Thank you. Ino taught me well and I've had lots of material to work with."

"What in blazes are you talking about?" Itachi asked.

"I'm telling you I took a flower from each bouquet and turned it into my own arrangement. Ino said I had a lot of natural talent so I decide to try it. Arranging flowers is one of the tasks assigned to the waitresses at the café." Sakura clarified.

"Why would you do something like that?" It was getting harder and harder on Itachi to keep up the accusations and sarcasm. He was not used to cruelty to women. He was just trying to protect Sasuke.

"I may not love those boys the way they want me to, but that doesn't mean I don't care about them as friends. Deidara is always the first to compliment me when I don't deserve it. Naruto and Gaara can always make me laugh. Kiba's a shameless flirt, but also a teddy bear. Neji has been my best guy friend for years. Sasuke has the skill and brute strength to force me into submission, but as I said before, he would never use it to hurt me." Sakura listed them off and her favorite traits about them.

"You learned that about them in seven days?" Itachi asked feeling his anger abandon him and leaving regret and exhaustion in its place.

"Actually I learned most of that on the first day of the job. Sasuke took a little longer but that was only three days. Contrary to what you may believe, I'm not stupid."

"I guess not, but it means I'm a fool." Itachi said morosely, hanging his head.

"Yes but you're not a bad guy. You were just trying to protect your brother and I can't be mad at you for that." At this Itachi's head snapped up. "I told you I'm not stupid. I figured it out because our conversation kept coming back to Sasuke."

"I'm not surprised you figured it out, just stunned that you're willing to forgive me. Hell, I wouldn't forgive me and don't tell me you're not still hurt from what I said." Itachi stated he was beginning to see a lot to like in this woman, and that was the last thing either of them wanted.

"Oh I am still hurting from this little talk we had. If I denied that I really would be a liar. Forgive and forget is what they say. Anger and hatred aren't good for anybody. It's a proven fact." Sakura declared. To prove her point she took a dark purple flower from a vase and offered it to Itachi. "Here you go a peace offering." Dumbfounded, Itachi could only take the flower with a mumbled thanks and a blush on his face as she smiled innocently up at him despite the leftover wetness on her face.

It was the straw that broke the camel's back. The smile shattered Itachi's walls around his heart leaving him open and vulnerable. He was scared of her now, but at the same time he was so happy and relieved she had forgiven him. Now he found he wanted her for himself.

Sorry little brother. Just this once I need to keep someone for myself.

Sakura thought about Itachi a bit after he left with a red face. She shrugged it off figuring he was just embarrassed to have been on the receiving end of a flower. She couldn't think of another reason. After all, he had come here hating her. He couldn't possibly – No that was a ridiculous notion. There was simply no way Itachi Uchiha could have feelings for her.

Girl, who do you think you are? Sakura internally laughed at the ridiculous notion. It's not like it was with the other men. The other men probably just enjoyed a little harmless flirting. It was a tease, a game. It wasn't anything more than that. Though as Sakura took a look around the room at all the flowers she received she wondered if she was in over her head.

-Outside with Itachi-

Itachi had a love struck look on his face as he gazed at the flower Sakura had given him. His rational side told him he looked absurd gazing at a flower in such a way, but it wasn't as simple as that. The flower simply reminded him of the look on Sakura's face. The vulnerable look in her eyes, and the fragile smile on her lips turned into a look of relief and forgiveness when he accepted the tiny flower.

His mistakes were rarely so easily forgiven, even by his own blood. She dismissed his mistake with the acceptance of a flower. As an Uchiha he was expected to be perfect and most of all successful. She hadn't seen an Uchiha. She didn't seem to know who the Uchiha's were.

If Itachi were to court her, he could actually be Itachi instead of an Uchiha. Maybe that's why Sasuke was so drawn to her as well. Either way it didn't matter. She wasn't going to belong to just some Uchiha. She would love Itachi. He would make certain of it.

However unbeknownst to Itachi, there was a pair of angry yet curious white eyes watching him from the time he had left Sakura's house to when his eyes hardened with resolve. The owner of those eyes had no intention of remaining ignorant on the matter for long. No, Neji Hyuuga had never believed in the saying that ignorance is bliss therefore he had every intention of getting answers.

-Back with Sakura-

Sakura was still slightly distressed at Itachi's abrupt arrival and disappearance. Who was she kidding? She's still a total wreck. She wasn't as mad at Itachi as she was at herself. What did she think was going to happen with these men?

Deidara himself had called Naruto and Kiba total playboys. They probably only liked her for the additional competition. She had sounded so confident when she was telling off Itachi, but the confidence vanished with the courage that allowed her to face her fear. She no longer knew what to believe.

Sakura started to openly sob. She had no idea what she was supposed to do. Gaara, Naruto, Kiba, Sasuke, and Deidara were one thing, but Neji was another story. She didn't know how the others acted with women, but Neji didn't play with hearts. If Sakura knew one thing, it was that Neji was serious.

That was what was so horrifying. Neji was someone she cared deeply about and that gave him power over her. It gave him the power to hurt her, and she knew that since he was serious she would probably hurt him along the way as well. It's a rule of life. People you care about can hurt you far more emotionally than people you don't give a damn about.

Sakura nearly jumped out of her skin when there was more knocking on the door. She instantly restrained her sobbing and wiped her tears before going to answer the door. Apparently she still took too long.

"Sakura, open the door or I'll have to break it down and replace it later." Neji Hyuuga stated from the other side of the door. He sounded cool as a cucumber. Too bad he wasn't calm at all if he was making threats like that. Sakura rushed to open the door.

When Neji saw the door open he was prepared to question Sakura about what happened with Itachi and if she was alright. His preparation was completely useless the moment he saw Sakura's puffy red eyes and the leftover wetness in them. The need to go kill the condemned in his mind was strong, but Sakura always came first.

Neji gently reached out to cradle her face and wipe at her tears. Sakura broke down and cried into his shoulder. Her obvious distress tore at his heart, but he put his pain aside to see to Sakura's needs, and picked her up bridal style to carry her over to the couch.

He sat on the couch with her in his lap just holding her until she calmed down. Finally he was able to ask the question that burned on his tongue. "Who was the bastard who made you cry?" Neji hissed in and extremely dangerous voice.

"He wasn't the problem. I am. I feel like I'm not sure what to believe anymore. I can't tell if some of my customers are getting serious about me or if they think I'm a tease or a trophy. I know that the ones I actually like all have fan clubs and could have any girl they wanted. I don't understand why they or even you bother with me. Aside from pink hair, I'm so ordinary." Sakura was hushed by a finger on her lips.

She looked up to find Neji looking ticked. "I won't tolerate any badmouthing of you, Sakura. I especially can't accept you speaking negatively about yourself. If you have any doubts about your character or your beauty, tell me now so I can lay them to rest."

"You think I'm pretty?" Sakura asked hesitantly. She looked so defenseless that Neji was rather shocked as he leaned in and placed his lips over hers. He held her around the shoulders but one hand moved slowly down her arm over her hand to take into his and place her palm over his pounding heart. Her touch made his heart skip a beat. When he let his tongue out to taste her lips he shuddered in ecstasy, completely enraptured by her taste, sound, scent, the sight of her in his arms, and the feel of her against his body.

For the first time in his life Neji knew what perfect happiness was. Then it ended as Sakura attempted to pull away. Neji's first instinct was to holder tighter and not let the kiss end, but he let her go for fear of her hating him. He still managed to smile a genuine smile at the fact that her hand was still on his chest, over his heart.

"Does that answer your question? I wouldn't kiss a girl if I wasn't attracted to her. You know that." Neji never knew he could be so happy just from seeing a girl blush.

"I still don't know what to do." Sakura mumbled.

Neji got up and started to make his way to the door. "The first thing you need to do is rest. After that just be true to yourself. That's the only action you need to take. I'll go now so that you can relax. Take care of yourself Sakura." With that he was gone, leaving a much calmer Sakura to fall asleep on her couch because she was too worn out to make it to her bed.