A/N: Let me start off by saying I know it's short, but it's better than nothing I hope. The next chapter will be longer. For those of you who actually read the a/n I'd like to say life has been difficult recently. I'm discovering the many ups and downs of life at far too fast a pace in my opinion. One day you're enjoying the simple pleasure of admiring your dragon collection the next you have to start helping a family friend get comfortable because his time is coming… Yeah that's why I've been having trouble finding time to upload this. Enough about sorrows though. Go enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine!

Chapter 5: Stalkers and Gossip

Since he first met Sakura yesterday, Shikamaru has been experiencing new feeling after new feeling, with all of them revolving around her. The strongest emotion coursing through him now was rage. It had started as an intense burning in his gut the moment he laid eyes on this stranger who was holding Sakura. When he saw Sakura pushing against her captor the burn turned into a full blown wildfire that spread throughout his body. Adrenaline acted like kerosene spreading the flames and making them burn even hotter. Shikamaru felt like he could break brick walls but at the same time this emotional turmoil he was experiencing made him nauseous. Ignoring the fury he felt at someone daring to force their selfish desires on Sakura, he stepped forward with his poker face and freed her from the creep's grasp.

Kiba was trying to figure out who this guy was when the stranger ripped Sakura out of his arms to cradle her against his own chest. It then became obvious. The man attempting to glare him down was yet another one of Sakura's suitors. The question now was how to get rid of him.

"Are you alright Sakura?" Shikamaru murmured to her after placing her safely behind him. He quickly turned back around to look at the man who had Sakura mere seconds ago and resumed glaring at him. He didn't know this guy and trusted him about as much as Batman trusted the Joker. For all he knew he could be some nut job serial rapist or something along those lines.

"I'm fine Shikamaru. I'm certain Kiba didn't mean any harm." Sakura reassured going around Shikamaru and giving him a curious look. "What brings you here? It's not even 5:00 yet."

Kiba smirked because he took what she said to mean she hadn't wanted to be interrupted. Shikamaru smirked back at him while he replied to Sakura. "All the preparations for our dinner are set, so I decided to check on you. Whenever you're ready to leave I'll be on the second floor having some coffee."

Kiba immediately stiffened. What did he mean our dinner? Check on you? Who the hell did this guy think he was? Did Sakura agree to this or was he forcing her? He had to be forcing her. She was just in his arms a moment ago. She hadn't been expecting this guy and he just showed up uninvited. A stalker, he had to be a stalker. His poor Sakura was being stalked by this dude. The thought infuriated him beyond reasoning.

"Sakura won't be going anywhere with a stalker like you!" Kiba barked.

"Huh?" Sakura and Shikamaru questioned at the same time, but Kiba either ignored it or didn't notice. Kiba was heavily muscled so it surprised the other two people in the room when, in a blur of motion, he shoved Shikamaru aside and pulled Sakura to him. Neither suspected that someone that big could move so fast. If looks could kill both men would be dead and buried.

"Last time I checked, customers weren't allowed to be in the kitchen or touch the workers." Oh Deidara was beyond upset. Sakura knew that the lack of "yeahs" meant he was ready to throw down if necessary. Sakura gave the men playing tug-of-Sakura a cold glare that clearly said "knock it off." Normally neither of the men fighting over Sakura would care about what the owner had to gripe about, but at the same time, they knew that if they were banned from the café then they would not be able to properly protect Sakura from the other perverts that inhabited this place. What was worse was that the overall amount of time they could spend with Sakura would be cut in half at the very least. Neither wanted to submit to the Tinkerbelle wannabe, but they would not tolerate lessening their Sakura time. With all the dignity of kicked puppies they left the kitchen with Kiba pouting and Shikamaru grumbling the whole way.

Deidara turned to Sakura and engulfed her in a hug. "How is it you drive me so insane? I've never wanted to hit customers so much in my entire life until you came along. Why am I so out of control with you?" Deidara said in a dead serious and completely vulnerable voice that was the opposite of the Deidara she knew. Sakura's head was tucked under his chin so she could not read his expression and learn just how obsessed with her he really was.

After realizing that there were no perverted intentions in Deidara's hug she very hesitantly returned it. Deidara felt a wave of delight wash over him and decided now would be a good time to look deep into her eyes and possibly kiss her. When he allowed her to raise her head he was surprised to see a mirthful gleam in her eyes.

"It's the kitty ears. It gets them every time." She responded playfully before she left Deidara chuckling in the kitchen. He put his hand to his forehead, thinking of how there was no one in this world who had ever made him feel so alive.

"I guess that's why, yeah."

-5:00 pm that day-

"Sakura thank you so much!" Ino screeched while engulfing Sakura in a bear hug.

"It's alright Ino. I'm glad I could help." Sakura responded not seeing Shikamaru making his way towards her.

"So Sakura what do you say to a night on the town? I know some great clubs!" As soon as she got the words out Sakura was snatched away from her and when she looked to see the culprit, she was infinitely surprised to find Shikamaru. He smirked at her.

"Sorry Ino. Sakura and I have plans. You'll have to reschedule." He declared nonchalantly. Ino on the other hand was questioning her sanity. Shikamaru, brilliant yet socially challenged Shikamaru, was going out willingly? Ino began to wonder when she jumped into a wormhole that took her to an alternate universe when she realized this was no time to be thinking! There was gossip to be had!

"Tell me Shika, when did you two get so cozy? Spill it." Ino demanded with a smile that could put the Cheshire cat to shame. Sakura was kind of freaked seeing Ino's face split like that. Shikamaru just sighed.

"What a drag. There's nothing to spill." Shikamaru assured. With that he and Sakura got out of there before Ino could speculate anymore.

"We'll see about that Shika." Ino muttered with devious intent.

"Hey Sakura, do you need to do anything before we get going or do you want to leave right away?" He inquired.

"I definitely need to go home and change. Where can I meet you?" Sakura replied.

Shikamaru smirked at her. "If you can come to the park then just follow the path until you see me. Then we can move on to dinner."

"Alright give me thirty minutes and I'll be there." She was surprised when his smirk melted into a gentle smile. It was a sight that had Sakura's cheeks turning pink and before she knew what she was doing she walked away to hide her blush. "See you in thirty minutes." She called over her shoulder.

"Count on it Sakura." Shikamaru murmured before walking off to his car. He had a dinner to set up.