Chapter 12

Whoosh … the heavy wind of California blasted its heat on the pavement of the airport.

-The Flight to Konoha. Japan. Number U391. Will be departing shortly. Please, all passengers report to gate 11.-

The Los Angeles International Airport was packed with its usual heavy crowd of people departing and arriving.

A specific dark figure, long mid night hair, with gray eyes walked solemnly along with his companions. A bleach blonde girl with her hair in a tight bun, dressed in a deep maroon silk dress, clicked her heels aside him. As well as a bowl haircut man, with huge black orbs, in hay green shirt lodged his suitcase behind.

Neji Hyuuga was on his way back.

'Cheh. Uchiha.'

o-o-o-o-o

Beautiful morning shined the whole city of Konoha. Fog heavily drafted away, indicating it was going to be a beautiful day. Filled with sunshine.

"Acchoo…" A heavy sneeze knocked Sasuke awake while brushing his teeth in the bathroom. 'Hn. Seven thirty … too early.'

"Bless you!" Sakura, carrying a huge pile of white fluffy towels, walked in.

"…"

"You're welcome." She walked pass him after settling them on the towel rack. Humming as she walked by. Sakura was extra happy today.

[…]

Ah. Saturday morning. It marked the last day of his usual dreaded week. Luckily, for him as well as the staff members, Saturday mornings started late. They were allowed to come in by ten unlike the usual time at eight, but ending time was still the same [five pm].

Sasuke wanted to stay in bed much longer to cozy up with his angel. Saturday was the only day of the week he let himself to slack off. No morning run. No early rising. Sadly, that wasn't Sakura's intention today. She woke up at the first light of dawn and pushed him out of bed too.

Groggily walking out to the kitchen, dressed in his casual clothes, he encountered the appetizing well-made breakfast. Sasuke sat down as Sakura brought the last of the soup bowl.

"Sakura."

"Yes." She replied in her cheerie voice.

"Is this a light breakfast or a buffet?" Looking at the table filled with dishes.

"You need to eat them all to get your morning's energy!" Then she just started eating, chewing on the food happily.

'Hn. She's happier than usual.'Sasuke was a bit staggered by Sakura's extra strange behavior.

o-o-o-o-o

Apart from the serene scenery of Uchiha residence, another part of Konoha was a different story.

Kick.

"Oofps…" A loud thud sound followed that. Shikamaru had just been kicked off his own bed by a very irritated lady. "Grn … Woman, what was that for!?" Quickly popped up from the rugged floor, he held his stomach in pain.

"Didn't I say 'no'?" Ino grumbled through the black silk sheet.

"Hmp. What's wrong with it? We've done it before."

"Well I am not in the mood this time." 'Ugh such a pain in the ass. Why can't men have it?'

"If you don't want the mess, then let's do it in the shower." He got closer to her.

"Move any closer, I'll make you bleed just as me." Dangerously, her fingers were making the 'cut' gesture.

"You wouldn't." snorting at his girl's comment. No way would she want to waste such …

"Try me." Ino leaned on her side, half-lid looking at him with a very treacherous aura.

"Fine." Shikamaru gave up, knowing that persuading this female would be futile. 'Damn it.'He had needs.

Leaving the girl as she flopped back in bed, a bit sympathetic for her since she only drifted to sleep not too long ago. It was another late night working for a model photo shoot then added 'that', who wouldn't be irritated.

[…]

Stepping out of his shower, dressed in a drench towel wrapped around his waist. Shika walked over to the bed.

A long frustrated sighed. Ino in her skimpy smooth silk two piece night attire was sprawling over his their bed. The bed sheet pooled on the floor of the bedside.

'How can you sleep like that?'Crawling on the bed, over the girl, he pulled the cover over her lightly. The satin silk embraced her skin. Accentuate every curves of her lustrous body.

She surely had grown in to quite a mature woman. Six years had passed. This person in front of him, surely she hadn't changed much. Still her obnoxious self, loud, nosy, messy, ect ect … he could name endless things. Straightforward, honest, reliable, trustworthy… the list went on forever.

Slightly laughing, he remembered the incident a couple days ago.

[…]

"Naaaa-kun!" Ino waved her hand to motion her boyfriend her location.

"Ino. Why are you calling me out all of a sudden?" Walking to her, passing the people around the crowed park to the fountain where she was.

"Look!" She whipped out a bento box to him.

"Hm. You could have told me we're having lunch. I could make reservation for us. You don't have to buy." He looked at the open box.

Her face sulked. "I didn't buy this. I made it."

"…" It was unbelievable.

"Really! I asked Sakura-chan to teach me."

Pink hair? "Ah."

"Try it. Here." Taking the chopstick, Ino feed him a piece of Tonkatsu.

"…" Chew Chew.

"How is it?" Her eyes twinkled.

"Hagh!..." … Shika made funny sound like he had been poisoned. Clutched his neck and fell on Ino…

"Wah. Even if it's that bad. It can't kill you!" She was tearing up her eyes. These two were making a scene right in the middle of the park.

Lightly chuckled against her shoulder, "It's because it's too good. That's why I'm dieing." He kept his head there to hide the blushing of his cheek. Such a cheeky thing he just said.

"Wah. Really? Yay!"

[…]

He could never get enough of her. She always haunted his mind. Every slight moment or act she did. It made him flattered. Being with her, he always felt insecure because of how easily she could attract any one so much better, higher status than him. More fitted to her. Shikamaru was nothing but a private investigator who also works as Sasuke's shadow. But she, Ino Yamanaka. Her name was everywhere, on TV shows, Magazine, ect ect … She, no longer belonged just for him. She belonged to the public. Her talents, it was remarkable.

Body shifted. Blue eyes opened.

"Na-kun…" Suddenly her arms wrapped around his neck, tugging him. "Ah… I'm sorry." She whispered in to his ear. "It just has been too tiring…" Moving her hand to his abdomen. "Does it hurt a lot … where I kicked you?" Her fingers were massaging, making him winced at her touch, not because of the pain, but the pleasure running up and down his spine.

"Woman. You're annoying."

Kiss.

Grab. Grope.

"Don't push it buddy."

"Cheh."

[…]

Riinng … Riiingg …

Slid open

"Hello."

-"Ah good, this is not the wrong number. I was afraid during the last time; you've changed your number."-

"Hn."

-"I'm on my way back to England now. The matter you needed me to attend, had already resolved."

"Good."

-"Uchiha-sama. Please be careful. Contact me again if you need anything."-

"That won't be needed. You've done enough."

-"Ah. You've grown Uchiha-sama. Of course you wouldn't need this old man's help." He slightly laughed.-

"Teyaki." Awkward pause. "Thank you."

-"Ah. Do visit me. I'd love to meet your girlfriend. Oh my flight is here." - Disconnect.

"'?!" Pulling the phone out, Sasuke stared at the object with widen eyes. "What does he mean…"He glanced at the pink hair girl, who was filling up cups of water. 'Did he…' Walking to the girl as she motioned him to help her carried the cups. "Sakura."

"Hm?"

He followed her out of the garden. "Have you seen anyone else besides the usual meddlings visiting while I was out?"

Carefully not spilling the cups, Sakura turned her head to look at him. Sasuke dressed in his usual formal attire, white shirt, blue tie and black slack. No matter what he wore, his charisma was hard to hide.

"No. Even if there was, I would have told you. Only Hinata and Ino visited me yesterday. We made all kind of shrimp dishes! "

"Hn." He continued to follow her. "What are we doing?"

"This!"

"?" Sasuke stood aside to look at the neatly plowed, tiny piece of soil. "What is this?"

"It's a mini garden! I got some seed bags last time." Sakura started to kneel down and watered each marked row with water.

His lips unconsciously curled upward again. "We have a hose you know." He squatted down next to her.

"Yea. It's too much pressure. Let's just water them like this for now until they sprout." She looked up smiling at him.

The morning sunlight glistered upon her lovely feature.

o-o-o-o-o

"Good morning! Everyone!" Naruto woke the whole office with his loud obnoxious appearance.

"Dobe. Shuts it." Sasuke grudgingly followed behind. At the sight of Sasuke, everyone stood rigid. In their heads…

"He just got here?"

"He came after Uzu-san?"

"Wah?!"

"I thought he has been in his room all this time."

"Hn." Walking pass everyone, seeing the expressions, he knew too well, what they were thinking. Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha. Lost his usual punctual.

Wondering what his reason was? Well it involved something really pink.

o-o-o

Giving Sasuke his 'plain' black bento box due to his complaint of the overly decorative one before, Sakura stood with her cheeriest luminescent greens, sparkling at him.

She was waiting for something.

"…" Did I forget anything? Sasuke looked about him to check for anything misplaced.

Blank gaze met the sparkling one again.

Hn. What?

The two just stood there and stared at each other.

"Uh…" He continued to gaze down at the girl, slowly getting a little uncomfortable.

Pat. Pat.

He gave her a childish pat on the head. Well he couldn't help it. The girl just looked like a lost puppy standing there.

"Hn… Thank you." 'Is that it?'

"You're welcome!" She was still waiting.

'…'

"Do you need anything Sakura?" It was hard to ignore, her gaze.

"…" Slowly, her eyes became dulled. She sharply turned around to walk away and left him to stand there, baffled, looking at her retreating back.

What?

o-o-o

"What is with her today?" Sasuke really didn't get women. Let alone that bizarre angel.

'What was she angry about? Was she angry?'

"Uh … Teme … are you planning to drink coffee or sugar? Since when did you even put sugar in your coffee?" Naruto walked into the coffee room to see the absentminded man putting nonstop sugar in his coffee cup.

'#%&…' Sasuke looked at his coffee cup, and then dumped it down the sink. "Hn." He washed the content away. Naruto amusingly looked at him from aside as he walked to brew himself another batch for both of them.

"What's with you? Too much last night? Ahhaaa." A glare from Sasuke gave out a warning. "Oh, c'mon."

Swinging the cup to air dry the last of the water droplets, Sasuke cleaned the rest with a paper towel then leaned against the counter.

Naruto chirped, "So how's your homey life?"

"Hn." He glanced another way, clearly not interested in answering Naruto.

"I'll take that as an 'It's been good'?" Naruto sat his bottom on the comfy chair nearby. "I can't believe it. It has been a week already. Hahaa … You should be celebrating."

Light bulb flashed in his mind. Abruptly standing up, Sasuke walked away.

"Hey. Don't you want coffee?" Naruto sat there confused, calling out to him.

o-o-o-o-o

"Sakura-chan? What's wrong? You don't seem to be your cheery self today." Worried, Ino asked as she placed a pretty flower pattern dress against the girl in front of the mirror.

"Hn…" Sakura answered like a lifeless doll.

Shock! "Oh no, Sakura! Did you catch the Uchiha disease? Don't scare me." She grabbed Sakura's shoulder to shake it violently.

"Wah…I'm okay Ino-chan!"

"Phew … Here, what do you think of this?" Ino twirled the girl around in front of the mirror.

"Uhm… it's pretty." She dully answered.

"?!" Ino felt like a hundred arrows just plunged into her.

"Mmm. Don't I already have a lot of dresses?"

"Nonsense, as your personal stylist, your closet must always be kept up to date … weekly." Ino gave her a couple winks.

"Ehhh… that's spending too much!" Sakura protested.

"Cheh. Sakura, you're like 'going out' with the endless money pit … Sasuke Uchiha." Ino came to such a conclusion and felt the need to announce it. At the name of man, the two girls gained the attention of every female in the shop.

"…" The intense gazes flustered Sakura.

"Anyway. He paid me. I'm just working." Used to attention, Ino didn't care much.

"W-wait … g-going out?" Sakura just notice the choice of words.

"Yeah, dating." Dropping the dress aside, Ino moved to look for a pair of matching heels.

Blush!

"I have no idea when you guys started going out. But living with him!" More intense stares from the women around increased. "Whoa." Ino said it as if it was a new discovery.

"Uh…" 'How am I supposed to explain to her… but I can't say … arghh … then again… we've been…doing...and... we do act like ...' A deep red blush appeared on her skin.

"Sakura, are you sure you're alright? You're flushed." Ino noticed the girl's change of skin tone.

"N-nah… I'm fine." She forced a smile.

"How about we go get some brunch, okay?" She turned to the waiting lady. "Here wrap these for me."

o-o-o-o-o

Slam! A delivery envelope was thrown on the desk.

"What is this?!" Fugaku was enraged. "Kakashi. Who sent these?"

"I don't know sir." He kept his stance straight. "It was delivered to the front desk earlier this morning anonymously."

"Burn them. I do not want to see any traces of it within my sight. And I want to know the person responsible for those, immediately." Fugaku was mad. He was furious seeing such thing. Those photos.

"Yes."

"Hn." He let out a frustration sigh. "I will leave by tonight." He stood up to walk aside with the silver haired man, glancing at him.

"I know, I will look after Sasuke. Please enjoy yourself."

"Hn. Itachi is well off by himself. Sasuke …" Another sigh. "… that child." About to walk off but he stopped in his track. "I also heard something very peculiar floating around this building."

"What is it sir?" Kakashi's hands held the envelope.

"He's living with a woman?"

"I am not aware."

"Hmp." He walked out.

o-o-o-o-o

"Shikamaru-kun!" The said man was surrounded by a flock of female as he walked into Sasuke's office.

"Whoa, whoa…" He responded by liberally backing away. "You know I'm taken."

"Cheh. Of course we know that. And by the awesom-est woman ever too … Ino-sama!"

Shikamaru's muscle twitched from the title of his girlfriend.

"Please!" They all plead him.

"?!" He questioned the reason.

"We know that Ino-sama will be attending the summer show soon. Can we please, please get the passes to attend it … pretty please."

"…" 'Annoying.' "I will try."

"Yes!" They finally dispersed.

'If I remember…' Walking to Sasuke's room, he could see the two frantic shadows of Naruto and Tsunade arguing in his room. The door was forced to open with Tsunade fumingly walking out. Her heels clicked as if it could impale holes in the floor.

"What's wrong today, Tsunade? Do you want a ticket to the summer show too."

Glare. "I rather want you to wrench that blonde head. Grrrr!" She threw her hands in the air before walking to her room.

Stepping through the door, Shikamaru was amused by the scene. "What happened here?"

"Women happened. That's what." Naruto was on the floor between fallen chairs. Sasuke had his head on the table.

"Well, I guess that's the answer for next month's plan." Sasuke finally picked up his head.

"What? Oh c'mon. I got a hit. And it's still a No!" Naruto's objection scream ran through the office. 'Muahahahahahah' Tsunade responded from the other wall.

Pause. A short silent ran through the office. Naruto screamed back in response."You elderly woman, that's not the last of me!"

"What did you do?" Shikamaru picked up the chair before seating himself.

"Just our summer excursion plan." Naruto muttered with his arms crossed.

"It's that time of the year again. Let me guess."

"Don't mention it … when I can't get it." Naruto grouchily snorted.

"Hn." Returning to his 'normal' work, Sasuke asked. "Naruto. How is the project with C.M. Intel?"

"Oh. I got to show you something." He quickly ran out. "I'll be right back." Naruto tapped Shikamaru's shoulder before leaving.

After, Naruto's departure, Shikamaru quickly made his move. "Here." The same flash drive was place in front of Sasuke. "You might wanna wait."

"Hn." Sasuke took the small object, then stored it away.

"Here you go." Naruto placed a folder filled with C.M. Intel information. "This is a project of a fully automatic function hotel. Everything digital will be a success. What did you talk about or … think … while I was gone? Hm?" He stood aside to look at the two men who were either too lazy to talk or too awesomely high status to utter a normal word.

After a short while, Shikamaru placed both his hands on the table. "I was 'thinking'… Ino has been torturing me all week to ask you …"

o-o-o-o-o

"Thank you." Ino winked to the cute waiter as he placed her dessert on the table.

"T-thank you." Sakura was mood slowly picked up at seeing the little cute ice cream cake.

"So, you seem to feel better."

Smile.

"Oh Sakura. Since today is Saturday. Wanna hit the club with me and the others? It's the first opening night…

[…]

"There is a new club opening tonight. She wants to check it out." Shikamaru explained.

Uninterested, "What does that have to do with us?" Sasuke continued to read the documents.

"Sasuke. Of course, this dude here is going to tag along." Naruto held up a peace sign as Shikamaru mentioned him. "But she wants you and Sakura coming along too. I wonder...Is that girl even old enough to be in a club?"

[…]

"You're old enough right?"

"O-of course. But…" Her head dropped.

"Drag Uchiha along!"

[…]

"No." Sasuke answered without a second thought.

"Wait, her age or you're not coming?"

A short silence before he answered.

"Both."

"Teme. Shut it. I know she's twenty."

Glare.

"That's good enough." Shikamaru grinned.

"Che. You know you'll be dragged along by us either way." Naruto wickedly laughed while rubbing his chin.

"Hn."

[…]

"We'll get ready. And then we can meet up with the boys later. Hinata just has to finish her afternoon class and we're good."

"Uh…" Slowly eating her treat.

"Heh heh …" Vrrrmmm…Vrrrmmm … "Oh. Excuse me …" Ino answered her phone. "Hello? … Really?! … Are you sure? … Yes! … I love you!"

Putting her phone away, Ino evilly looked at the girl who was eating, unknowing of her intention.

o-o-o-o-o

o-o-o-o-o

Lasers were flashing. Neon lights were glowing. Loud music was thumping. Bodies were grinding. Heat was overrated even with the enormous fans. This was surely going to be the next biggest attraction club in the city. Ino was right this time. Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru were sitting at the bar, sipping the tasty, throat burning liquid, waiting.

"Cha … when are they coming. Must girls always play dress up every time we go out?" Naruto kept on looking out to find the familiar face.

"Don't forget who's with them. Women." Shikamaru snorted.

"…" Sasuke didn't care.

"Hic … I haven't seen Hinata for two days. She must have a hard time studying for her exams." Naruto placed his chin on the counter.

"Ino just had to take extra extra time … that woman … so annoying."

"What with you today? Not getting laid enough." Naruto mocked the aggravated man.

"…" Sasuke kept his silent, drinking his shot. This topic was not including him.

"Yes," Shikamaru answered meekly.

"Buahaha…"

"I hate it when it's 'that' time. Damn it." He pounded the counter top.

"I told you already 'menstruation' … it's the combination between 'men' and 'frustration'." Naruto had both his hands moved around to emphasize his words. The two men continued their ridiculous conversation about the other sex.

Suddenly, Sasuke felt a soft hand running down his back.

"Hey there handsome. Didn't think I'll meet you again." A dark violet hair beauty leaned next to him in the most seductive way.

"Hn." Ignoring the woman, he continued to enjoy his drink.

"Oh. You with your mysterious silence. We had so so … much 'fun' last time." She closed in to whisper in his ear, hand running to his …

Grabbed, he threw her hand away. "Do I know you?"

"?!" She was shocked by his reaction. "It's me, Alice. Sasuke."

"…" He ignored her.

Naruto and Shika shared an amuse glance at each other at the scene.

"It has only been two weeks."

"…"

"Cheh… I see … You want to be strangers again. One night theme still continues?" About to seat herself next to him but there seemed to be interruptions.

"Hey boys, are these seats taken?" Ino's voice caught their attention. Turning around, Naruto gave out a loud whistle.

"Never!" The blond jumped from his seat.

Shikamaru leaned back against the counter, brow rising at the coming girls, especially at the blonde one. Who was winking at him.

"Hey Uchiha. Look over here!" Ino screamed over the loud music as the arrogant man drinking his shot.

Raven head turned and his jaw dropped. Hard.

'Gotcha.' Ino smirked. 'My work here is done.'

"S-Sasuke-kun." Sakura shyly step out, but there still seemed to be a distance from him. No more running to him? Where was that greeting hug she always annoyingly threw at him?

"Hn." Sasuke stood up, making his way closer to the girl to take a clear look at her attire. The way it provoked him was agonizing. Dressed in a silky deep blood red tube dress that reached mid thigh, Sakura looked more appetizing in her gold lace heels.

Shikamaru was sitting there slowly undressing each layer of Ino's baggy purple side shoulder shirt. Her white short shorts was hugging the bottom curve. Nothing turned a man more than knee high boot heels.

Naruto head seemed to swell with blood ready to rush out his nose. Hinata, so daring. Her deep halter black dress hung loosely around her chest while the bottom was shaped to its sweetness.

"What are we doing here? The real fun starts upstairs." Ino motioned everyone to come along.

Shikamaru lazily got up to walk behind his girl, possessively putting his hand on her lower waist as Naruto held on to Hinata's hand. For Sakura and Sasuke, surely she was purposely keeping a distance from him, since they hardly interacted.

'Hn.'He kept his hands in his pockets, walking next to her. Eyes glaring to warn off all the lecherous eyes aimed at the girl'She's mine'.

As the gang walked away, a damage corpse was left behind, mouth opened.

[…]

Passing the bulky door to the inner walkway, Sasuke purposely walked slower to separate the distance between the groups. As they got closer to the elevator, a quick grab and a muffle, the poor feminine body was pulled away from the group.

"Wait. Where're Teme and Sakura?" Naruto finally noticed the two missing bodies.

Ino went ahead and pushed the closed button with a smirk on her face.

"Heh Heh Heh …"

[...]

"S-Sa-Sasuke-kun." Sakura whimpered out as the vulgar man pushed her against the wall, trapping her.

"Hn." He leaned down touching her forehead with his.

Under the dim light of the stairway, looking down at the girl made Sasuke wanted to drag her home and. But it was impossible, the meddling wouldn't leave him alone. Damn it, why must Ino dressed her in such...

"Sasuke-kun … l-let me go." She harshly pushed against him. "Why are you doing this...?"

"…" He stood rigid, unmoving.

"You're …so…i-insensitive." She was grabbing on his shirt.

"!?" He continued to keep his gaze at the pink blob against his chest.

"Meanie. You're such a-"

Kiss.

"!" Startled. Sakura really couldn't read this man.

"Sakura …" Kiss. "You know." Kiss. "I'm not used." Kiss. "To this." He stopped his random kiss-attack to level his eyes to hers. Obsidians met emeralds. Slanting his head, he pondered, 'How do I say this?'

…

"Happy... one week you've been my angel." He whispered next to her, hiding his heated face.

"?!" She was speechless.

"So … stop being mad." He tightly hugged the girl.

"Huh?" Sakura was confused. Sasuke backed his head away and looked at her with equal confusion. "We're celebrating one week!?"

"We're not?" He narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"Are we?" She slanted her head in question.

'…'

"Why were you being so distant this morning? And just now?" Forget about beating around, he got to the point.

"Oh that …" Blush! Her face was quickly deep red. 'I can't tell him I was waiting for his parting kiss.' Since that morning of his sudden disappearance, Sasuke had been giving her a reassuring kiss before leaving. She was getting too familiar to his innocent kiss on her cheek.

"I-I … was a bit tired …" Her eyes glanced another way.

"Sakura … you're lying" He held her chin. "I thought angels don't lie."

Blush.

"Iwaswaitingforyourkissbutyoudidn't..." Blush. She hastened through the words, but his keen ears picked up every syllable.

Smirk. "Ah." He pushed her up by the bottom to give her a mind numbing kiss. His tongue traced the line of her plump lips, then parting it to pull her tongue out for a battle of dominance. Sakura failed to win, again. "Better?" He ended the kiss, backed his head to look at the panting girl.

Hanging on to his shoulder, her chest heaved heavily.

'Damn. She's not wearing …' The noticeable harden peaks poked though the thin material incited by the heated kiss. "Does that explain why you didn't come near me earlier?" He pushed her up further as she bent over to rest her chin over his head. His lips were playing with her clothed buds.

"I-I … w-aaah…as..… afraid-d something … hah … like this … was … g-going ... to ha-aaappen..."

"Do you think I don't have self-control?" He looked up at her.

"Y-yes."

"Hn." 'Not with you.' He continued to play with her soft mounds. Using his forefinger, Sasuke pulled the dress down to the base of her waist. He was satisfied with the easy access. 'Good choice Ino.'His hands were too busy holding the girl up, as her legs embracing his sides. Lips left traces of him on her skin. Love marks.They called it.

"C-can you p-put me down-n now?" She was starting to feel awkward at the position. Head flushed with the sensation. Not wanting to mess up Ino's hard work, she stopped him from going any further. Sasuke obediently let her feet touched the ground.

Quietly, she muttered, "W-we should get back to everyone. They might wonder where we are." Sakura quickly turned to pull up her dress over her chest, hiding it from the breezing air of losing his warmth. Hand hastily brushed over her chest to calm down the obvious excitement.

"…" Sasuke was hesitant about something. He stood aloof as she walked to the door…

Finally, he decided in his mind. "Wait..." He put a hand in his pocket and the other grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

J-Kiwi: I don't care anymore. I want to post the new chapters soon. GAHHHHHH! *eyes burning with passive energy*