Title: Wine Hut
Rating: PG
Summary: "What exactly was in that sumatra Sakura drank?" - "Hm." Maybe the red eye HADN'T been the way to go.
AN: This is a sequel to chapter 13, prompt 12- scent. READ&REVIEW
Disclaimer: Wide Awake is K-Perry's baby. Do not own Naruto… but I would've made sure the girls didn't need no stinking night in shinning armor.
Prompt 16- warmth
"Back then, I could've put away a case of plum wine a month," Sakura was saying. "Hinata liked her daiquiris, and Naruto went through grasshoppers like there was gonna be a crème de menthe embargo. You know, for such a burly dude, he drank like a girl."
Sasuke had to hold back his laughter. His companion had just finish telling him of how the three had roomed for some time when Sakura had taken over as temporary head for her father's company. "Still does." It was Sakura who couldn't reign in her snickers this time. "Back then? As in, you don't anymore?"
"Not as much as I used to, no. To tell you the truth, unlike coffee and gasoline -don't ask- wine never tasted as good as it smelled."
And before Sasuke could ask her about the time gasoline had been consumed, she distracted him with, "Have you ever thought what would happen if Naruto was late to his own wedding? I mean, we've already established he's not exactly the most punctual of individuals."
"I have."
"And?" Sakura pressed.
"None of my them end well."
The couple had been talking for over an hour that they seemed to have lost track on the time because all of a sudden, there stood Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister, much to the surprise of Sakura.
Aside from serving coffee and hot beverages, the two had learned that the establishment also served different assortment of wines. And if Sakura remembered correctly, Hanabi was only nineteen.
When Sakura had questioned Hanabi on how she had gotten in, the younger girl merely shrugged a shoulder and smiled slightly. "I must look older for my age."
"Mm-hmm," Sakura hummed, unconvinced.
It was five minutes later that the rest of the group finally decided to show up. Naruto was the first to come over, and he was sniffing like he'd instantly picked up a cold.
Or a cocaine habit, Sakura thought. "What's up with you? Naruto, are you snorting coffee grounds again?"
"Were either of you talking about me?" the blond asked, ignoring his friends jibe. "I've been sneezing ever since the drive here."
"There are far more important topics of conversation than a grasshopper drinking idiot," sneered Sasuke.
It was ten second later that Naruto replied. "...hey, how did you know I used to drink-"
"Sasuke, Sakura, so nice to see you two again," Hinata greeted. "I hope we didn't keep you two waiting for too long. You know how this one can be," she sighed dejectedly.
"Hey!"
"Will Neji be joining us?" inquired Sakura.
"I'm afraid not. He's at a very important business meeting. So I guess it's just us four."
"Uh, yeah. Actually, Hinata..." Now how to break the news to her that her underage sister would be joining in on the festivities?
"I swear, this is the best chocolate I've ever had."
Sakura supposed that was one way. "Before you get mad-"
"What are you doing here?" the soon-to-be bride accused, pointing to her sister. "You're not suppose to be here! Why is she here drinking chocolate with you?" This time the question was aimed at Sakura.
"Because she's too young to drink alcohol?" Sakura answered, as if it was the most obvious thing, and rolled her eyes, making Hanabi and Naruto snicker. Sasuke cracked a smirk but quickly hid it behind his second glass of Pinot.
Before Hinata could get anymore flustered, Sakura assured her she would personally be responsible for the younger girl, if only to get the meeting underway. It was already nearing seven.
The wedding plans ranged from different choices in cuisine, styles of flowers, music and entertainment, seating arrangements at the church, seating arrangements at the reception, and many other things Sakura couldn't keep up with. She had no idea so much could go so wrong in a wedding. Who knew mayhem could break out if the place cards weren't at their assigned tables?
"And in here, are your assignments, Sakura," Hinata handed the pink haired woman a folder with her name on it.
Now I have homework! thought Sakura as she eyed it uneasily. Though her panic calmed some as she noticed Hanabi get one, too.
Once Hinata called for a five minute break, Sakura used the opportunity to order herself another, stronger, cup of coffee from the counter. She was going to need it, it seemed.
"Having fun, yet?" Sasuke smirked, watching as Sakura leaned against the counter with fatigue. He drew a brow upward. "You look like you're ready to run out of here screaming any minute now."
"Would you blame me?" she asked weakly. "All this wedding planning has me feeling overwhelmed that it's making my head spin. And it's not even my wedding!"
"Hi there! What will you be having this evening?" the peppy barista politely asked.
Whatever the hell you're having that's making you so damn cheerful. "Uh, what's the strongest coffee you have?" Sakura said instead.
"We have our sumatra. Guaranteed to give you that kick you need!"
Sakura was already nodding her head even before the woman was finished talking. "That sounds good. I'll have one of those."
"Make it a red eye," Sasuke suddenly butt in.
"You got it. One red eye sumatra coming right up!"
When the girl had gone, Sakura turned to her companion with a scowl. "What the hell is a red eye?" It did not sound like something she should be drinking.
"It's when they add shots of espresso to the coffee. I think you need it."
"Well you think right. It also sounds strong."
"It is strong. Coffee so strong, it'll make you grow hair on your chest," he smiled.
"Oh, that's my goal. Bring it on." Her eyes quickly panned to where Hanabi was currently looking over her folder and Sakura's green eyes narrow at Sasuke. "Why didn't you get homework like the rest of us?"
"You're bridesmaids for a reason. It's your job to help out the bride."
"Some job. I'm not even getting paid."
"Here you go. One red eye sumatra. Enjoy!" the spunky barista said as she handed Sakura the cup. She was staring down at it like she didn't know what she should do with it that Sasuke asked, "Are you alright?"
It took a few seconds, but finally she looked up with a smile and a shake of her head. "Yes, sorry about that. I was just thinking."
They walked slowly to the booth. As if prolonging the inevitable. "About what?"
"About how if I were to break my coffee cup into pieces...and then eat it..."
"Sakura, you are not causing yourself bodily harm to get out of helping plan a wedding." He sighed. "So drop it."
"But-"
"At once."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one with homework."
For once since being alone with Sasuke, Sakura was starting to feel better again. Her mood had improved since downing the red eye drink over fifteen minutes ago and was feeling warm all over from the coffee and booze in her system. She was now relaxing with a glass of red wine and couldn't remember being this excited to be apart of something so beautiful than her best friend's wedding! Although, she could do with less of Hinata's commands.
Sakura wanted to shake the woman by the shoulders and tell her to calm down! She was getting married to the love of her life and should be enjoying every minute of it. Not kill herself with the stress.
And if shaking her doesn't work, I could always just throw my wine in her face. But... After taking a look at the way Hinata was glaring at her soon-to-be husband because he had yet to contribute anything of use to the meeting, Sakura rethought her previous plan. She would probably just end up using Naruto as a living shield.
So Sakura distracted herself with another drink.
"-then the church ceremony will be over and-"
"We drink rice! No, sorry. We throw rice and drink. Except you. No, you're too young to drink. You throw more rice!"
Sasuke was watching the exchange between Sakura and Hanabi with amusement when he felt his friend scoot closer to his side to whisper, "What exactly was in that sumatra Sakura drank?"
"Hm."
It was only when Sakura stood to demonstrate how short she thought the bridesmaids dresses should be with her own dress that Sasuke's amusement turned into a warmth which started from the tips of his ears, only to nestle down into the pit of his stomach.
Maybe the red eye hadn't been the way to go.
Finally it's over, Sasuke thought with a sigh.
After saying their farewells, both Hinata and Hanabi got into the car. Naruto stayed long enough to ask if Sasuke could drive Sakura home, seeing as she had come walking and was sporting a mellow buzz.
He was currently trying to coax the woman into getting into the car but kept refusing all his pleas.
"I can't go home just yet," she was saying, although it was a little hard to understand with her head thrown back to look at the darkened sky.
"Why not, Sakura?" Perhaps if he played along, she would come willingly into his car.
Sasuke blinked. Okay, that sounded creepy.
"Because I'm awake."
"Wha-"
"I'm wide awake. And now it's clear to me, that everything you see, ain't always what it seems. I'm wide awake. Yeah, I was dreaming for so long. I wish I knew then, what I know now, would-"
"Okay, Katy Perry, time to get in the car." Was it scary that he knew the song she was singing or how badly he wanted to get her into his car?
"But Sasuke! I can't go home." She jumped back as Sasuke made a grab at her arm. "You're not listening! I'm too awake on strong, black coffee drinks and alcohol. Even if I went home I would be awake and alone." She sat on the curb, kicking his tire with her flats. "I don't want to be alone."
If this were anyone but Sakura, Sasuke would have thought this was a test. Past experiences with women told him they would do anything to be alone with him. From faking an injury or pretending to be drunk so he could drive them home.
He hadn't known Sakura for more than the six hours they had spent tonight, but he was pretty sure she wasn't like those women from his past. She was...different. Good different. Exciting different. She was the only woman he could remember enjoying her company and what she had to say.
Sasuke was sure he sounded like Naruto when his idiot friend had first started dating Hinata and how he couldn't stop going on and on about what an amazing woman she was. But Sasuke understood now.
That bond he had never had with anyone.
He now had with Sakura.
...whom was dry heaving right next to his Lexus...
Sasuke smiled. He would make sure she wasn't alone. Just like she would make sure he wasn't alone, either.
"I'll stay up with you," he said gently. "Up as long as you like."
With bright eyes she sought his. Her hair was falling in her face and her eyes were rimmed red from the late night but he still thought she looked beautiful. "Really? Or are you just saying that."
He shook his head. "I don't want to sleep. I want..."
To be with you. For you to want to be with me. To be together. A possible future with you...
"I want to stay up with you." Take things slow. One step at a time.
"Okay," she smiled in agreement.
As Sasuke turned on the heater for her, Sakura couldn't help but tell him, "I want to stay up with you, too, Sasuke."
And the heat Sasuke felt engulf his body had nothing to do with the heater.
One of my friends who used to work at Starbucks told me of this "red eye." Is this for real or have I just been duped?