Sakura
You know those moments when you feel like you have to be trapped in a nightmare, somehow akin to when you have sleep paralysis and you see a demon by your bed and you can't move?
That's how I feel, right now, as I stare at Sasuke Uchiha sitting on the couch with Kiba Inuzuka and his boss Kakashi, the couch to the left of where the Hokage Mass Media's CEO, Tsunade Senju, is sitting.
Of all people, why did it have to be him?
The universe must hate me, that's it. First, I end up working in the same building. Then, I have to incidentally move to the apartment in front of his. Now, this?
But wait, there is absolutely no way he'd agree to this. Right? Even though he's a senior editor with a number of people on top of him in the ranks, he's well respected to the point where they let him do whatever he wanted, which really isn't saying much since he only ever uses it when he really doesn't like a story by someone in his department or complains about someone, me, during meetings.
That being said, I only know that because he's known to be more closed off than others. Maybe it's how he was raised in that big family of his or something, but he's more on the quiet intimidating side than others.
Of course, I've learned not to care because there's only so much I could take of his unwarranted criticism in meetings. It brought me odd joy to see I affected him in a way that he had to answer me, in meetings, on the way up to our floor in the elevator, run-ins in the Hokage building. Call me a masochist, but I couldn't wait to whenever he'd complain, so that I could show him just how annoying I could be.
Ino tugs me by the arm, and I am brought out of my thoughts.
"Glad you two could make it," Kurenai says, motioning to the couch to Tsunade's right where she's currently sitting.
Ino and I walk to the couch, and my eyes meet Sasuke's for a brief moment, his face unreadable but I could tell there was an underlying emotion in him just waiting to be expressed. I shake my head.
Upon sitting down, Tsunade begins. "I assume everyone knows why we're here."
We all nod.
"Ino Yamanaka from Kunoichi pitched an interesting running story for both the magazines earlier this week. This being the first joint story with both the magazines in a particularly long time, it will no doubt bring a lot of readers in."
That's true. Even with both magazines' critics, Kunoichi and Shinobi are very popular publications and have successful websites, as well. The magazine publishes every month, but we have weekly stories on the websites, and just recently, both magazines have started video content online.
"Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura Haruno. You two were voted by readers as your magazines' most popular writers, so you two will be the basis of this story. For two months, we want you to go on six official dates, you can decide what you want to do. Frankly, I don't care what you do so long as it doesn't give the company a bad name."
As if forcing us to go on dates isn't already a little sketchy. Still, I have to ask. "Why two months?" Frankly, I kind of want to get it all over with and get past it already. It's funny, we haven't even started this thing yet.
Tsunade's eyes land on me. "I know everyone in this room is busy. Two months is enough time for you two to squeeze in six dates without dragging the time on too long. If this is successful, we might have this be a recurring story with different people on it every year."
So, we're essentially the test run. Interesting.
Another thing that's interesting? The fact that Sasuke hasn't said anything against this yet. I'd have thought that he'd be out the door right now.
Studying him, I notice he's listening to Tsunade, but it doesn't look like he wants to be here. He could always leave, or say that he objects or something, but he hasn't. I look at Kakashi, who seems to be enjoying the situation. Weird.
"You two write your sides of the dates, Ino and Kiba analyze them. We'll announce the joint story on this month's issue and post updates on the websites. Next month's issue will have the halfway point update and September's issue will have the end and the winner of the poll."
"Poll?"
Kiba parrots.
"Which magazine knows the other sex better?" Tsunade says, leaning back on her chair. "We'll have polls up on HMM's official Twitter account. and Shinobi and Kunoichi's websites. Then, we'll compile them.
"This story could be a great PR move for both publications. Use the criticism to our advantage. Get some more online traffic, and get more people to buy the monthly issues. I expect the best from my best."
After thirty more minutes of discussions, the meeting ends with not a single word from Sasuke. He hasn't objected, but he hasn't said anything about wanting to do this either.
There's no doubt Kiba would want in. Being a friend of Ino's and the senior editor of the same department Ino is in his magazine, he'd want in on something like this. I'm sure if I wasn't suddenly voted into this that Ino wouldn't have been so apprehensive. I mean, it is her idea. It's a juicy story, and it's no doubt going to bring in new readers, and even Tsunade knows this is great for the company's involved.
Still, I can't help to think about why he didn't even object, say that the idea is "ridiculous," or demand someone else be in the story. Even now when I'm on my couch with my laptop on my knees, I'm still thinking about it.
I should be following up on e-mails, not giving that man a second more of my time, but here I am.
Ugh, even when he does nothing, I'm frustrated.
Giving up, I place my laptop on the table between my couch and my TV and walk up my front door, determined for answers. But before I could twist the door knob open, I falter, my hand hovering over it.
What am I doing? Am I really going to just march up to his door and ask why he wasn't being an asshole?
…
Yes.
God, I hate that he has some kind of thing over me that I have to go confront him about anything now. I guess you could say curiosity killed the cat. But hey, satisfaction brought it back.
Opening the door and walking to his door just opposite of mine, my knuckles met the darkly colored door after I ring his doorbell.
I stand there waiting, one hand on my hip as after a few minutes, he still hasn't opened up. Irritated, I continue knocking until finally, it opens.
"Okay, what's up with-" I stop mid sentence.
With his hand on top of the door and an annoyed look on his face, Sasuke Uchiha stands in front of me with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair still wet.
That's what took him so long.
I follow a drop of water roll down his chest onto the abs on his stomach, abs I had no idea he'd had since I only really ever saw him in his suits. I've seen his arms in the morning during our pre workout run-ins, but somehow I just never pictured him like this. Why would I? I mean, yeah, I should have probably guessed since he runs the fitness department of Shinobi, but still.
"What do you want?" His clearly exasperated voice makes me look up to see his face still annoyed, but the small glimmer in his eyes shows that he caught me eyeing him.
I clear my throat. "What's up with you?"
He raises a brow. "You're the one attempting to break my door with all that knocking, what's wrong with you?"
"No, I mean, earlier today. I would have bet some money that there is no way you'd agree to do the story."
"That's what made you march up here?"
"Yeah, so? Answer me. Are you sick? They have blackmail against you or something?"
The hand on top of his door is brought down and he folds his arms across his chest, the familiar smirk on his lips. "I could ask you the same thing."
"What?"
"You clearly share the same sentiments as I do, but you didn't exactly oppose doing the story."
"It's my job."
"Then, that's my answer."
I scoff. "Please, we both know you don't want to do this as much as I do."
"If you don't want to do it, then drop out. Have someone else do it."
"Excuse me?" This is not how I pictured this going. He wants to do it? There has to be more to it. But what isn't he saying? And he's saying I should drop out? There's no way. "Why would I drop out of the story? This is going to cause a frenzy around Kunoichi, of course, I'd want to be part of it."
"Even if you have to work with me on this?" He doesn't believe me.
"I won't have to. We both know you don't want to do this. You're going to drop out eventually."
This time, he scoffs. "I'm afraid I won't be doing that." He takes a step forward.
He could not be serious. "Well, I'm not dropping out either." I stare up at him, both my hands on my hips, defiant.
"Friday night. Get ready."
"What?" I squint at him.
"We'll see how long you last, Haruno."
Oh, it is on.
"Fine." There is no way I'm exiting this story. Kunoichi's going to win this. "You better get ready, Uchiha."
He shakes his head after a few moments of silence. "Go home, Haruno." Walking back to his apartment, he stops before closing the door. In a teasing tone, he says, "Nice outfit." Then, the door closes.
I tilt my head before looking down at my attire.
Shit.
In only a large shirt that barely reached mid thigh and no shoes on, I groan. I can't believe that man!
Friday night…
Heading back into my apartment, I ring up Ino.
"Hello?" Her voice sounds a little tired. She was probably heading to bed.
"Shopping tomorrow. Coming with?"
"Sure," she says, her voice perking up. "Is this for..?"
"We're taking a man down."
I'll show him.
Note:
Sakura said she's taking down a mannnn ksjfjakdfhsd
Anyway, this is dual pov, but it is going to mostly be on Sakura's pov and every few chapters we'll have Sasuke's.
Enjoy reading!