Title - Unexpected Turn of Life

Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto…

Happy reading!

'….' – Thoughts

"…..." – Speaking

Chapter 12

No one's POV

"Welcome, my dear Otouto" greeted Itachi, as Sasuke entered his office followed by Naruto. Amusement can be heard in Itachi's voice. He continued, "Back so soon?"

"Hn" grunted Sasuke and glanced at Itachi. He sat on a spare chair. Naruto huffed and sat on the couch, folding his hands. Itachi glanced at Naruto to find him glaring at Sasuke.

"What?" exclaimed Naruto, looking at Itachi.

"Hmm? Otouto?" Itachi quirked an eyebrow and asked. Both Naruto and Itachi stared at Sasuke. Sasuke sighed; annoyed by the fact that he didn't get the answers he wanted and continuous nagging of Naruto in the car.

"I'll tell you, later" said Sasuke.

"Did something happen…?" asked Itachi, looking at Naruto for an answer. Naruto laughed nervously, scratching his head, uncomfortable by Itachi's staring.

"Well… you see… I didn't meet her, he did. I saw my friend there so… I went to greet her… and then… I don't know what happened" explained Naruto, looking at Itachi. "And he won't tell me a…anything!" he completed. He gulped when he saw Itachi's face, intensely staring at him. He gulped a little afraid now.

"Why do you think I sent you with him, huh, Naruto?" asked Itachi, darkly, now glaring at Naruto. "Sending you was useless…" he continued then sighed.

"I assume that you didn't get any information, Sasuke? Or….." started Itachi but was interrupted.

"I got some. But not useful for you" stated Sasuke and stood up. "I'll talk to you later" he added. He knew if he stays there, he will be bombarded with questions yet again.

Itachi raised an eyebrow at this as Sasuke walked towards the door. "I'm going home" he said. Naruto stood up as well. "And you are not coming with me, Dobe" and the door slammed shut.

Itachi smirked while Naruto blinked. 'So, something did happen. I know you well, my little brother…' thought Itachi. Naruto looked at Itachi.

"He seems grumpy… Well, he's always anyway! Say, Itachi? Is there any food here…?" asked Naruto.

"Have you forgotten you failed in the task I gave you?" asked Itachi and the door slammed shut for the second time, with Naruto's disappearance. Itachi smirked. 'I'll find out anyway, brother…' he thought and resumed his work.

That Evening…

Sakura told her situation to Sasuke, as he heard her. They were currently in the park, Sakura had asked for. Sasuke leaned back on the bench they sat and Sakura sat beside him, two feet apart. He watched her as she spoke.

"… That's when she thought that you're Uchiha Sasuke… Sorry about that…" Sakura completed and sighed. 'Why am I telling him this…' she thought and looked at him, to find him staring at her. 'W-what is he looking at…?!'

"So, you think that this is the best way? And you didn't even think about consequences?" he finally spoke, with a plain look.

"That is the problem! I didn't think that time! How stupid! Wait… you didn't tell your boss, right? Can you tell him that I'm really sorry about that magazine and forgive me? Please?" asked Sakura, hopeful look on her face. He smirked.

"Who do you think I am, Haruno? Your servant?" asked Sasuke, rolling his eyes at her. 'Stupid, indeed…' he thought. Sakura sighed. He still hasn't got his 'revenge' for dragging his name in this situation.

Sakura looked down at her feet, her face hidden by her hair. "What do I do then…?" she mumbled. "I want to tell the truth to Tsunade-sama…, but I can't… Now she thinks that I'll bring the Uchiha to the Party…" she muttered. "I really am a disappointment…" she whispered the last part but Sasuke heard it. He sighed.

"You still haven't told me your motive behind this, Haruno" he stated, blankly. Sakura turned to face him.

"Motive…?" she muttered and blinked.

"You know, money, publicity…" stated Sasuke, bluntly. He had assumed that is not the case but he still needs to confirm. He was surprised when she chuckled and then laughed.

"Sorry… but there is no motive. I told you that it started with a misunderstanding… And I just wanted to help those children so that they have a better living… if this counts as a motive then fine" explained Sakura and sighed.

'This jerk! Judging me as greedy!' she thought and glared at him while he stared at her.

"What is your plan now?" asked Sasuke.

Sakura shrugged, "I don't know… I'm just worried about that party and Tsunade-sama…". Sasuke sighed.

"You can come out now" Sasuke said, rolling his eyes, when suddenly the bush behind them moved and something or rather someone jumped out.

"KYAA~!" Sakura jumped.

"Dobe" stated Sasuke, emotionlessly.

"Uhh… Hi…? Well, you see… Teme… that" said Naruto, waving his hand nervously.

"No need to explain" stated Sasuke and rolled his eyes at Naruto. He had expected that already. Naruto was back to his cheerful self again.

"Yo! Sakura-chan!" greeted Naruto, grinning. He had already heard…er… eavesdropped on their conversation. 'This can be used as blackmail!' he thought, grinning widely.

"Hello, Naruto-kun. I didn't know you're also there" said Sakura and then she glared at him, her tone of voice changing, she asked, "Haven't you heard eavesdropping is a bad thing?". Naruto sweat dropped. Sasuke smirked.

"Sorry… I couldn't help it. I was worried about Teme here. So, I followed" replied Naruto, pointing at Sasuke.

"I'm not a kid" stated Sasuke.

"You acted like one back there. I couldn't help but follow you!"

"No one asked for your protection, Dimwit"

"Well, you surely need one, Arrogant freak!"

"And you're unqualified for that, Idiot"

"What did you say, Teme?!"

Sakura burst out laughing at them. She didn't expect she could see them like this. Both Naruto and Sasuke looked at her. 'They can be so childish!' she thought. She stopped when Sasuke glared at her, but still giggled looking at other side.

"Well, why don't you help her, Sasuke? She's not doing anything bad, ne?" asked Naruto, looking at Sasuke. Sasuke looked at Naruto as if he was crazy.

"It's none of my business. Why would I?" said Sasuke, closing his eyes.

"Think about it! It will be fun! Besides, I'm bored, I need something interesting!" reasoned Naruto.

"Your interest is none of my business too" stated Sasuke, not moving.

Sakura glanced at Sasuke and said, "Please… I… I don't have a choice now. But I'll figure something out till the Party! I'll do anything! You may need help from me in the future! Think about it! I'll even give you my half payment...!". She stopped there, thinking. "Wait… Not half… may be twenty percent… What do you say?" she finished.

Sasuke blinked looking at her while Naruto tried to control his snickering. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. Naruto burst out laughing at that. 'This is hilarious! Uchiha Sasuke is being bribed!' This thought made Naruto laugh more.

"Hahaha…! I… Can't… Believe… IT!"

"Damare, Dobe. You have started drooling on your shirt. It's disgusting" said Sasuke but Naruto was too busy to retort to his insult. Sasuke turned to Sakura.

'Bribing? This is what she came up with now' thought Sasuke, amused at the fact that she had come up with this idea. But he has better plans… He smirked. 'I'll make you regret this, Haruno Sakura'.

"Twenty per cent?" asked Sasuke, quirking an eyebrow at her. Sakura nodded, hopeful look on her face. "And…?" he continued, crashing her hopeful look.

Sakura looked at him questioningly, "And… What…?"

"You are forgetful, Haruno. You said 'you'll do anything', have you not?" asked Sasuke, reminding her of her blabbering. Realization hit her, he smirked. She sighed.

"I don't have a choice… I'll do whatever you say, as long as it is not 'Funny', you got me?" stated Sakura.

"Just so you know, I'm not interested in you that way. Don't think highly of yourself" stated Sasuke, bluntly.

A vein popped on Sakura's head. 'Who does he think he is?!' thought Sakura but calmed herself, thinking she's at a disadvantage here… Sakura sighed umpteenth time today.

"Deal" she said, half-heartedly extending her hand. Sasuke smirked, doing the same, "Deal".

"Ano… What is your name? I forgot to ask" asked Sakura, embarrassed that she doesn't even know his name yet she told him everything and asked for his help. Naruto looked at her now calmed down when he heard 'Deal'.

'Now this seems interesting! Don't worry Sakura-chan! I'll help you!' Naruto thought. Sasuke smirked and looked at her.

Silence…

"Did you forget already? It's Uchiha Sasuke"

To be continued….