Reviewers;
Logan Locke: Always forgetting to write your name on your papers. are you? Oh well, glad to get two reviews out of that. I really wanted Sakura to be seen as broken on the inside and though only a day has passed, Sakura is stuck in her mind, trying to fight her way back to her happiness that she had before the incident. She doesn't want Naruto to go away, but she feels like she isn't strong for him anymore and that is why she is happily surprised by everything he does for her.
In situations like these, people are hysterical. If this happened to me, I...wouldn't know what to do really. It's kind of a shock to the system, and Naruto saw this in Sakura and went to comfort her with words and encouragement. Now, when you add in a girl like Akane to make Sakura smile at her younger version, it helps, but as soon as it's gone, the realization comes rushing back to oneself.
I'm glad you saw how drained she was. Remember that Sakura is a usual goer to these kinds of things and she doesn't get tired or leave early, so Naruto having to help her is a big help and a curse as Sakura can't say or do anything but watch as her boyfriend takes care of her yet again.
Fury Cutter: Well, it's a major tabloid magazine, and I've seen rows of naked girls on the cover of espn, and other magazines, so for them, sex sells, and they did cover the 'modesty' with the blue line of the title. When you see what the subheadings are and the visual stimulants, you know what they are trying to say. I am just trying to show it more visually and yes, more radically. Btw, Harvey dent's inspirational quote is awesome, though he quoted a monk technically.
XxAshishxX: Pretty much ruined her for the rest of society. But maybe this is the coming of change?
Duh Bomb: Cameras everywhere expect in front of you, they watch you as you everywhere like you're in a zoo. It doesn't matter where you go, they will find you even in the snow. It doesn't matter what you let them see, because by next week, you'll be on national t.v.
Czar Joseph: I may know the reporter, but he is not really a main or sub-main character, more like a soldier who did the act.
ArkAngel1179: It's all good, Angel. I took a bit of a down time to study and write papers. As for mark, I stated earlier that he was sent to jail, but besides that, I just don;t feel like pushing him back into the spotlight. That was high school, and this is my writing world created reality. ;)
7th Demon of Razgriz: Thank you for agreeing! It happens all the time. Take an experiment; walk down a grocery cashier line. Look to your left, magazines. How many don't sound sexual? Let me know, Demon.
Whispering Heart: Thank you for reviewing! Think about it this way, I usually do about three chapters a week so you on;y read a week's worth and reviewed. It's all good, and thank for the comment on talent.
Mundane Beast: Oh to live in Texas. They come on lawn, and they die. Hence why they have cameras that can shoot a picture from the legal amount of off the property. Why do you think celebrity homes all have ten foot hedges now?
AN: Hey Guys and Girls! Sorry about posting late, and it's finals and papers to write before Thanksgiving here in America! I'm going home for it, and I'm told the computer has a virus so I won't be posting until I get back on Monday. So, I am issuing a short pause after today for a week.
Thanksgiving is about being thankful for the things you Do have in your life. I am thankful for having found this site, and then having the courage to post my stories on FF. I want to thank each of you that has commented, either once, or many, on my stories. They mean so much, like getting told good job at work. This is an experience that i can remember for a long while, and I have grown from these experiences, so again, thank you and may you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Tone And Stroke
Chapter 22: Fighting for the Goddess
Sunrise came all too soon and before long it was nine in the morning. Out in the kitchen, with an eye always on Sakura's door was one Naruto Uzumaki. In front of him was a pan of yellow and white eyes and as he separated them and placed them on a tray, he looked at his morning creation of hash browns, eggs, and milk, and hoped with all his heart that maybe Sakura's favorite breakfast would cheer her up.
Ino had gotten up at around eight, and after talking with Naruto briefly about the problem, they had decided on a game plan for the day at least. After that, Ino had snatched some toast from Naruto's plate before running off for a photo shoot she had at the animal shelter. So with the plan for the day set in his mind, Naruto picked up the tray and made his way to the door, which he had left a little open hoping that the little bit of sunlight slipping in would hopefully wake his goddess up.
Sadly, when Naruto moved fully into the room, Sakura was just as he left her. Naruto's half of the bed was messy since he had gotten up, but as soon as he had left, Sakura had turned around on her side, her bare back and the top of her hip showing out of the white linens. Naruto knew that she had woken up when he had, but she wanted to pretend to sleep, probably hoping he wouldn't notice and leave her alone, so he let her have her way for the last hour. But now, Sakura's arms had wrapped around the pillow and Naruto from his point of view could see her hair sticking to the pillow as she felt Naruto enter the room and rolled into a tighter cocoon of safety.
Naruto sighed sadly, and walked around the bed and placed the tray of food on Sakura's side table, before bending down and looking to her. Sakura eyes were open now, staring through everything as tears still fell, though they were much rarer since she had been crying nonstop since of last night. Naruto sat down next to Sakura's knees next to her stomach and rubbed her naked side.
Sakura closed her eyes at Naruto's gentle hand on her stomach and Naruto knew that she was trying…trying So Hard to get over this. She was trying to use Naruto's attitude of caring to her advantage, but so far, it was only barely working, but she was getting better. She had to be.
"Sakura, it's morning."
"Can't I just sleep in a bit?"
"You already have."
Sakura's eyes opened again, and though she didn't really look at anything, her eyes showed the exhaustion etched into her eyes. She hadn't really slept the night before, and the edges of her eyes were black from staying open most of the night. "Can't we just pretend that we went outside? I don't want to go anywhere today."
"Sakura-Chan. We have stuff to do. Remember? We're on Couples Spotlight again tonight." Naruto rubbed circles around Sakura's side when he felt her tense up, like tense as hard as a rock, which she had, because of her training regimen for her figure.
"I'm sick." Sakura muttered and couched lightly. "I can't go."
"That's not going to work on me and you know that. Sakura, if you don't go, more rumors will spread and this will never end."
"…What did they say about last night?"
"The news had photos of us leaving, but everyone was depressed when they saw your eyes."
Sakura laughed mirthlessly. "I'm dead to the core, aren't I?"
"No, Sakura, you are perfect."
Sakura reached behind her and Naruto's eyes widened as she pulled out his sketch pad, and on the front page was Sakura in the position she was in now, depressed and lonely and Sakura grimaced as she starred again at nothing. "You were never good at lying, Naruto. You know just how to draw me in my worst moments."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Sakura smiled a little, as a small ray of happiness filled her, though for only a second, as the depression hit her even harder than before. "I'm sure I'll get over this, and in a few more years, I'll come to respect how this event made me stronger. But right now, it's too early."
"Sakura, I know you don't want to, but you need to try…for yourself." Naruto spoke and played with Sakura's hair, and Sakura actually looked at Naruto.
"I can't do it for myself, but…I'll try…for you?" Sakura whispered out, the fear lacing her voice, pleading for a safety net around her life.
"That's all I ask," Naruto smiled and hugged Sakura deeply as she sniffled and hugged him back, but as they sat up, Sakura's nose twitched cutely and her head followed a scent that came from her side table. Upon seeing the food, Sakura's eyes opened wider and she licked her lips.
"Well, I suppose you know how to get my day started off right."
That night, Sakura and Naruto stood behind the curtain next to the stage of the one and only Couples Spotlight in the world. Outside the side entrance, many people were talking animatedly and without end about the couple tonight and Naruto rubbed the skin of Sakura's backless emerald dress.
Sakura smiled poorly, and tried to not hear the words of scandalous, and not failing to hear the sentences all speaking of how Sakura had simply lost her touch of privacy. All the same, once Might Guy came on stage, it was darker on set and the audience quieted.
"Alright everyone, I know we are all wondering what will happen tonight and there are questions we are hoping to get answered, but first, we ask solemnly for Sakura and Naruto to step on out."
Naruto tried to move forward when Sakura's hand on his bicep turned rigid and saw her hand form into a balled fist around the metal pole next to the set next to them.
"Come on, Sakura. You can do this."
"Sakura and Naruto?"
Sakura breathed out and slowly let go, and Naruto kissed her lightly on her forehead. Suddenly the audience cooed and the couple turned to see the backstage camera upon them. They smiled a bit and continued out.
The couple shook the Guy's hand and sat down, and after five minutes, Sakura was lightly smiling as the topic hadn't been brought up so far, but alas, it was then that it happened. Sakura was sitting closest to the announcer on the couch, and so her legs were closed politely.
"Sakura, we wish to move to the pictures of you and Naruto in bed. It is rather setting you in a different light compared to what you are usually seen as. What are your thoughts on this?"
Sakura smiled politely and opened her mouth to speak.
"..ZZZZZZSnindsndnfjkasnsfn….."
...
.zxksfcbdkvboveio...
Sakura closed her mouth and tried again, but nothing came out but static. Her own mouth was betraying her! She-she had to do this! For her fans, for her fellow actresses, for Ino, for girls, for mankind….f-for Naruto. Where was Naruto?!
A hand touched Sakura's shoulder and Sakura flinched and turned to feel her face being pushed into Naruto's shoulder. Tears fell down her face as reality came upon her, and Naruto caressed her hair.
"It's okay."
"I-I can't do it."
"You tried." Naruto backed up and smiled warmly. "Why don't you get some water?"
Sakura cocked her head to the side. Get water? There was a glass of water right next to her on the-Oooohhhh! Sakura nodded warmly and stood up before moving off the stage and over to the stool next to the television screen, trying to cool her mind and reform herself for the cameras that were sure to follow.
Back on the stage, Naruto got rearranged and looked to the announcer. "You were saying?"
"Um…" Guy paused, his mood for the first time on the show confused, not expecting Sakura Haruno to run from anything, not even this. "Is…Ms. Haruno feeling alright?"
"Just has had a few rough nights is all. I can answer the questions."
"Well…okay. What do you think of the pictures?"
Naruto looked back and nodded to the set manager and he walked up and passed him a remote and the television screens turned to different parts of the picture of the lovers in bed. Sakura looked about to cry again when she noticed that the bed itself was too blurred for anything.
"I think that these kinds of pictures of completely illegal and I shall be suing the magazine to recall All magazines and deleting the pictures." Naruto spoke in a commanding voice, and Sakura let a small smile adorn her face. Naruto knew what he was doing. She was lost, but her Naruto had a plan.
"Can you please explain this action for the audience and myself?"
"Of course. You see, during my time at college, I took on a number of courses on Photography Law, a small but known major focusing mainly on fake pictures and doctored photos."
"Are you saying that this picture was doctored?"
"No, I am calling it illegal in a much different and criminal way. If you look at the picture, next to the right of the bed, is my dark red dresser. Knowing angles and such, I have taken many photos of my own house, and there is no angle in which one could take pictures in this manner with the dresser. In fact there are no windows from this direction of my apartment.
"The same can be said for most of the bed, the lamps on the walls, the lighting saying that it is early morning, and most of the art books on my bookshelf. Hence, this photo was not taken outside my house, but rather…inside."
"Someone came into your house?"
"Not someone, most likely a paparazzi hoping for something like this. He invaded my and my girlfriend's personal space and took photos of us in bed. Also, I did not sign off on any waiver forms that allow for people to step inside my home or that photos of me be taken.
"This picture is riddled with many more illegal things, but the thing that I am demanding that these types of pictures end now."
"But surely the magazine is a company who can deny you this, Naruto. They have had more compromising photos on the cover."
"Maybe so, but I assume that they had those models and celebrities agree to the release of them."
"Well…no! I suppose not." Guy sounded realizing the sudden epiphany.
"Exactly." Naruto affirmed before looking at the audience, and suddenly the entire room and all in front of their televisions and laptops at home heard Naruto's words ring out.
"Would we as a society show these photos to young teens and to our children? Sakura has brought so much to this world beyond her body. She has made you smile, made you cry, made you want to do something with your lives. She has given everything possible to you that she ever could.
"She smiled during all of that, but now she is crying and her eyes are sad. Is this the type of actress you want to see, or do you want Sakura to go back to being the smiling goddess we all know and love?"
With that over, Naruto stood up and walked off stage, into Sakura who hugged him from on the stool and together, they went home, not caring what anyone else said about them.
Morning came too soon for one Naruto Namikaze, and he awoke to the sun already risen and his day was set to begin. Naruto slipped out of the bed that he currently shared with Sakura, and saw that she had hugged him throughout the night once more. He didn't mind it at all; in fact, he loved to cuddle with his girlfriend, but this was cuddling, this was comforting her when she was still fragile. Sakura was getting better with good news and such, but she still needed him.
Naruto showered and got dressed in some appropriate attire of a red dress shirt and black dress pants, and moving over to Sakura's side of the bed and gave her a kiss to her forehead. Sakura mumbled his name and turned towards his side of the bed, away from him. Naruto smiled and moved outside.
A knock on the door told Naruto it was time to go, and he quickly grabbed everything he needed and opened the door to the company of Neji Hyuuga. "You got everything, Neji?"
"Of course, though I would never have looked into the forgery sector." Neji commented as they made their way down and out on to the street.
"You just have to find the right things so that they don't happen again. If this were to ever happen to Sakura-Chan another time, I don't know what would happen."
"Just stay by her side, Naruto. Then she'll be safe."
The duo made their way to the magazine's building, which was a thirty five story skyscraper near the center of Konoha Lights. As they turned on the corner of the main doors however, what greeted them was a crowd of easily a thousand people with signs calling on the magazine to rescind the article and the magazine of Sakura. Naruto smiled a bit. He hadn't meant to cause a riot, but this would help put pressure on the company to rescind the pictures and recall the magazines sent out.
A group of uniformed security guards made their way through the crowd, parting it as Naruto and Neji stepped out of the car and immediately the noise grew louder as they quickly walked inside the building.
Inside, the company building's lobby was more soundproof and had a calm and relaxed feeling. As they stopped for a few seconds, a receptionist walked up to Naruto and asked him if he'd like something to drink.
"No thank you. I won't be in here long."
The girl nodded and they continued forward to the security checkpoint where they were checked for guns and metallic objects. Once they were clear, they entered the elevator and soon were travelling up to the thirtieth floor, the executive level, and the place where the meeting would be taking place.
The doors opened and for Naruto's credit, he looked calm, collected, and focused on the task at hand. As he walked by offices towards the conference room, the people in the offices only saw a man on a mission with a face that said that he'd achieve it no matter what.
Finally, the guard in the front turned around and gestured to the room to the right and Naruto and Neji nodded before making their way inside, where a board of five men and women sat on one side of the table. The men took their seats and there was a staring silence for a minute.
"We are glad to have you here, Uzumaki-San."
"Unfortunately, it is under worse circumstances."
"Indeed. So please, explain to us why we should lose millions of dollars in a potential recall of what our people are calling the next most bought magazine copy in the world."
"It is for exactly that reason that it should be recalled. For one, you are showing what is essentially pornography on the front cover."
"We have had naked actresses and models on the cover before, Uzumaki-San."
"And I assume they were paid for it and agreed to it?"
There was silence, but that was all Naruto needed for an answer.
"How much does Ms. Haruno want?"
"She doesn't want your money, and you of all people should know how her public image means to her."
"The point of a business is to make a profit, Uzu-"
"At the expense of others? Speaking of others, where is the photographer who took the picture?"
"A freelance. We do not hire photographers on the pay wage scale. They would claim many hours."
"And that would hurt the business, I'm sure. Believe me, I understand business, but there are many concerns here. Do you not see the crowd outside? Do you not see my girlfriend in tears?"
"We do, but-"
"But Nothing!" Naruto threw his hands on the table, causing the board to flinch. "I could sue all of you for accepting an illegal photo and spreading it on the intent to expose Sakura Haruno for a profit. You are leading a smear campaign and I won't have it! Either recall the issue, or you will be in court for the next ten years. I have reviewed more and more of your issues, and there are many flaws in them. You have until tomorrow night for a decision."
Naruto stood up and the meeting was done. Naruto walked to the door, but stopped and turned around. "How much have you made off of Sakura's popularity? And now that Sakura's image is ruined, you won't be getting any pictures of her any more. All the other magazines will be allowed since they didn't violate her privacy. Please…make the right call, or I will do it for you."
AN2: Hope you liked it, and Happy Thanksgiving once again!