988Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
AUTHOR'S NOTE (01/19/2022): This fic is currently being revised. Please go to Ao3 to read the new and regularly updated version. Link on profile.
This version will be updated once I catch up to the chapter content posted on this site, and future updates will occur on both sites. Thank you.
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"Excuse me if I'm not listening to your pathetic reasoning," Sasuke remarked before the silence between them stretched any longer. "It's pitiful that you're throwing everything away. Shit happens. Get used to it."
"This isn't for my betterment," Ryou responded cryptically, his tone taking a new edge.
"I'm glad to hear you're so selfless." The raven-haired man's snide came out harsher than intended. Sasuke's severe disapproval caused him to miss the way Ryou's gaze flitted to his right a couple times, pausing to focus on something behind him. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he continued on oblivious, "though seeing how weak-minded you are, maybe you are right for once."
Ryou set his chin over the steeple his fingers, regarding the man before him with a kind of indecision that was quickly dissipating. Standing gracefully to his feet, he glanced to his left for the fifth time, his gaze lingering over the black handbag perched upon the side table set against the wall near the front door; reaffirming in his mind that it looked similar to the one Sakura carried with her… not to mention the metal pink charm that hung on the front zipper…
Noticing the brown-haired man's attention was being directed elsewhere, Sasuke turned his head and followed the man's gaze, his shoulders tightening when he realized what Ryou was staring at. His jaw flexed defensively before he met Ryou's gaze as it snapped back to his own, measuring him with a threateningly cool edge that laced the onyx of his eyes.
He knew.
At that moment, Sasuke could see Ryou go through a sort of mental relay in the span of a few seconds. Sasuke watched his patience stretched dangerously as he remained silent, as if expecting him to say something. It had slipped his mind as a possible reason for Ryou's visit: and from the looks of his face he was sure Ryou had not missed Sakura's car parked so conspicuously in his driveway.
"It was a recent suspicion," began Ryou, his tone calm yet greatly contrasting the abrasive look in his eyes. "Imagine my surprise when I found out only hours ago that you were the one who paid the P.I. to fuck off." His voice rose in sync with the confidence of his deduction. "Not only that, but you also stopped publication of his findings—especially the pictures of Sakura," explained Ryou, "I had to dig real deep for that."
The air thickened around the two men, becoming heavy with tension and animosity. The way they stood their ground, immobile did nothing to diminish the hostility radiating off the rigidity of their postures.
Sasuke mentally cursed, trying to figure out how Ryou could have tracked the payment and activity back to him. He knew his complacency caused him to underestimate others, but never to an extent as this. Sakura's divorce had certainly made him feel more comfortable and less guarded.
He was paying for that slip up right now.
One thing was for sure: Sasuke was surprised at how remarkably civilized Ryou was behaving. He knew word of his relationship with Sakura would slip out soon, and he had kept it in the back of his mind to moderate when that would happen. Only, he had expected Ryou's reaction to be more violent than his current demeanor, especially because the man had found it out all on his own.
"I didn't think you had the resources," Sasuke remarked tightly. Then again, what was there for him to hide? Why be defensive about it?
"I am among the most successful businessmen of Japan, Sasuke. Surely you can relate." Ryou shifted on his feet slightly, his tone arrogant. "I just didn't expect you to be this sloppy." Self-assured, he took a step forward. "What's even more perfect is that she's here too."
Sasuke stiffened slightly. He wasn't giving Ryou enough credit. "This stays between you and—"
"Tell me, what was your reason for suggesting this partnership in the first place?"
"Who are you going to go crying to?"
"You took her from me," Ryou seethed, his body trembling with controlled anger.
Sasuke gave him an incredulous look—this man couldn't be serious. "You were married to her yet you chose to fuck around with other women."
"I don't need to learn virtue from you," Ryou bit out. "She's just another conquest for you, Sasuke. I want her to see that before it's too late."
"Sakura doesn't need your damn guidance. She can make her own decisions." The raven-haired man took an unconscious step forward, suddenly realizing how close they were standing. "And, she chose to come to me."
"She'd only become collateral damage if this partnership were to go through, because if it did I'd personally see to your ruin."
"Fuck you and your sudden righteousness. Sakura doesn't need your protection either." Standing a couple inches taller, Sasuke glared down into Ryou's steel-like gaze. "I'd love to see you try," he challenged menacingly. "You can't bear to see she's mine. The world's watching you lose and you can't handle it."
It was a serious blow to his oversized ego. Ryou bristled with fury. Probably his biggest shortcoming was his lack of self-control. The worst part of it was Sasuke's blatant display of arrogant triumph was playing right into his flaw, riling him up easily.
The raven-haired man let out a grunt, barely having time to register Ryou's stance swiftly bend into crouch before he was tackled backward into the wall behind him. Sasuke dodged the curled fist aimed at his jaw by mere inches, whipping his head to the left just in time. Taking on the defensive, Sasuke had Ryou stumbling backward on his feet and struggling to regain his balance after delivering a responding punch. He leapt forward, taking advantage of his opponent's scramble and no sooner gained the upper hand, pinning him against the ground. Sasuke dug his forearm into the man's throat and aimed to still his flailing hands, one of which managed to land a well-aimed jab at the sensitive cage of his ribs.
"Enough! Stop it! Both of you!"
Sasuke gave into the pair of hands that tugged harshly on his crouched form, moving away to the side, yet warily watching Ryou as he struggled for breath. Sasuke felt the ghost of her hand on the side of his face and the sore sides of his torso; his steady gaze met her concerned emerald irises, and watched her as she turned around, cautiously tending to Ryou as he slowly got back up on his feet. However, she didn't make any move toward him.
"Don't you start again," she warned sharply. She attempted to create some space between the two men, stopping Ryou with a hand on his chest when he tried taking a step in Sasuke's direction.
Sasuke saw something change in Ryou's demeanor—his brown eyes darkened when they met Sakura's startled scrutiny. He clenched his jaw when he saw their bodies react with instinctive familiarity with each other. With a downward turn of his mouth he took a step back. A twinge of jealousy licked his heart, and he couldn't believe he was feeling such a thing—again.
"Sakura," Ryou began, his voice taking on a deep tenor, "you must—"
"NO! You listen to me!" her voice came out in a shrill higher than expected. Her finger jabbed painfully into his chest. "No one took me from you, Ryou. You had me, " she enunciated clearly, "but you left me!" Mirroring the averting movement of his head, Sakura made sure their gazes remained connected. "After everything that's happened and all that we agreed upon if you have the least bit of decency, you'd look me in the eyes."
Wordlessly, Ryou took a step back, stuffing his aching fists into the pockets of his slacks. He vaguely noticed Sasuke wasn't in his periphery anymore, but figured he would be close enough to be within earshot.
"We ended our marriage respectably with a divorce. Can't you just leave it at that?" asked the pinkette.
"Where was he when you almost got raped?" he asked callously, not caring that such a question would spur the pinkette to involuntarily relive such painful memories.
Sakura visibly shook at his abrupt question, clearly not expecting the topic to be brought up. "You were there and so was he. I am grateful to you, Ryou, but nothing else." What was this man trying to prove? "What more do you want from me?" she choked out weakly, trying to forget flitting images of the incident.
"You're with the Uchiha," he stated as-matter-of-factly… again.
Her head tilted in slight confusion. "You're point?"
"How long? When did it start?" he pried.
"That's none of your business." Sakura took a slight step back finding Ryou's defensive questioning repulsive. She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed at her ex-husband.
"I didn't expect you would end up doing something like this and—"
"You're hardly one to speak, Ryou."
"—behave so… loose and permissive," he finished vaguely, ignoring her interrupting jibe.
"People aren't what they appear to be," Sakura remarked bitterly, her gaze hardening. "I can say the exact same about you."
"You and I are no different," he concluded with a venomous sneer. "Don't try to act righteous: like you're high and mighty."
"I am nothing like you," she spat, the pink curtain of her hair swaying erratically with the vehement shake of her head. "I was faithful to you. You know it, Ryou."
It was giving her a serious head-trip—a mind fuck. The days leading up to the divorce Ryou had behaved just as she had longed for before deciding a separation would be best. It had made it marginally difficult going through with the divorce, but difficult nonetheless. But now, to see the way he was conceitedly pointing the finger back at her: it was revolting and shocking.
And just the fact that she may have had the smallest twinge of regret during their divorce hearing absolutely disgusted her.
"We had closure when we met at the café that night. Why isn't that enough for you?"
Because Sasuke has what's mine—he has you, Ryou thought to himself with a clench of his jaw as a method of restraint. "I had to come see for myself after finding out."
Sakura shook her head, her tone soft and nostalgic. As if answering his thoughts she spoke: "I'm not yours, Ryou. And honestly—what we had: I don't care—it doesn't matter to me anymore." Sifting a hand through her hair she sighed, emotional fatigue seeping into the sag of her shoulders.
"They—those women—didn't mean anything," he interrupted tightly with a small step toward her petite form; seeing her slightly hunched over had awakened a desire to wrap his arms around her. "You have to know that much."
"I didn't mean anything," she corrected. However, she mentally noted that Ryou had said 'they'—had there been more women than she had originally suspected?
The question nagged her mind.
"You've forgotten everything then?" he asked lowly. "You don't remember any happiness with me?"
Flashes of memories stained the inside of her eyes as she closed them briefly. He had been the center of her world. She had cherished him so deeply—
"I still do," Sakura answered hoarsely, willing that banishing those sweet moments from memory was something she could have done with ease long ago. "That's what made it that much more painful when I found out you were cheating on me." Her accusing finger remained raised for a second too long. "You're the one who forgot," the pinkette quietly added. A slight tremor traveled down her petite frame. "How many women?" she impulsively ventured to ask before she could prevent the words from slipping out of her mouth.
It was startling to see the sudden change in his demeanor. Ryou leered down at her wickedly. "Why does it matter?" he spat harshly. "You said you were over it, that nothing matters—"
"It doesn't—"
"Then why the question, Sakura?" he asked, her name rolling from his tongue almost in a purr. " With the gleam in his eye different, the brown-haired man took another step forward, towering over the pinkette. "Unless, you still feel something for me? For what we had."
"That's ridiculous," she shot back in surprise. "You're unbelievable." Her bewilderment at his suggestion rose, because maybe—just maybe: it was true?
It couldn't be.
"You're fucking unbelievable," Sakura repeated with fury lacing her voice. "Move on. I already have." She closed the distance between them. While it was a bit too close for her liking its purpose was only to deliver an ultimatum. Anger marred the delicate features of her face. "And if you do anything to hurt Sasuke in any way, you'll regret it. I swear, Arata, you will." Her icy glare recognized the guarded resignation in his eyes. Sakura pushed him back roughly on his heels as the last words of her threat left her lips.
The man swayed every so slightly. He gave her a quick once over, his eyes suddenly impassive. "Steer clear of him, Sakura."
And with that, he left.
Sakura followed him a second later, leaning against the doorjamb for support. She watched him briefly glance at her car perched diagonally on the driveway, as he crossed the street to his own vehicle and no sooner drove away. Closing the door, she sagged against its cool surface, her mind numb.
A few minutes later, she saw Sasuke emerge, his façade as stoic as ever. He stood against the archway opposite her, making no move to close the distance between them, his gaze as unreadable as ever.
His skin tingled where she touched him, even though it was a feather-light caress. Watching her redirect her attention to her ex-husband made him burn internally. And every step she took away from him and to the man who had so painfully hurt her heart only licked at the growing fire in his being.
He could see it in the subtle movements of their bodies—she was still attuned to him; the electric pull and push of their bodies lingering under the surface. Of all the things to be feeling, Sasuke couldn't believe he was envious, no matter how small its existence in his heart.
Suddenly feeling like an outsider observing something intimate, Sasuke took an awkward step back, not knowing what else what to do. His mind screamed at him to pull Sakura away, to protect her from Ryou and all the pain his existence personified. But the conflict between that and choosing to let the two of them sort it out led to a dilemma he couldn't solve.
So he did the most unlikely thing he could ever see himself doing.
With quiet steps the raven-haired man retreated to the adjacent dining area, choosing to stand in front of the ceiling-to-floor windows, which revealed an evening view of the quiet neighborhood that surrounded him. However, his ears were focused on the two voices emanating from the living room.
"No one took me from you, Ryou. You had me, but you left me alone!" She was fighting for him, for them, but most importantly herself. Just hearing those words ignited a flare of triumph within him; she was standing up for them.
What made him doubt she would—
"Where was he when you almost got raped?"
—Sasuke stiffened at Ryou's accusing tone, a searing twinge of guilt and inadequacy making him now stare up at the darkening night sky. He had failed to protect her. It was a failure he wouldn't ever forget: she hadn't had the comfort of his arms around her, but Ryou's; and in response he had pushed her away.
While still keeping track of their conversation, his focus shifted to the natural course of his thoughts: of his relationship with Sakura, of what she may have had with Ryou, but rarely spoke of—
"How many women?"
Sasuke froze. Her voice had suddenly gotten small, soft, but it drifted to his ears nonetheless. Why was that important? Did she still—
"Then why the question…unless, you still feel something for me? For what we had."
—care?
For a split second, Ryou's reasoning matched his own, and he couldn't believe how ridiculously insecure he was beginning to feel. Sasuke quickly banished the thoughts from his mind with a shake of his head.
He trusted her. But the pang in his heart was real.
Hearing the sound of the front door close automatically relaxed the tension in his shoulders. However, silence that followed was too much to bear. Apprehension made him stop at the archway leading to the living room, his gaze directed straight ahead at the pinkette leaning against the front door. He wanted to cradle her against him; whisper words of affection into her ears, but his body betrayed him and remained immobile.
"I wish that didn't have to happen," Sakura admitted lowly, staring down at her feet. She quickly glanced back up at Sasuke feeling the sudden need to be close to him, but the stiffness of his posture and the unwelcoming steel of his frame rooted her feet to the ground.
The silence that hung impossibly long between them caused her to feel restless and panicky. With a huff Sakura pushed off of the wall, mumbling under her breath and hurriedly made her way upstairs. Self-preservation commanded her 'flight' instinct.
"Where are you going?" Sasuke called out, following her and taking the stairs two at a time. He suddenly felt her slipping out of reach even though she was only a few feet away. Panic at the thought of her possibly having even the slightest change of heart after her argument with Ryou made his hands shake, but he slipped them into his pockets to hide the tremor. Instead, he followed her movements meticulously with his gaze as she fumbled around in his room and gathered her belongings.
Before she could stop herself, she answered him with a frustrated sigh. "Out. Away from here—everything—from you."
He hadn't expected her to say that. The anxiety he felt at hearing those words made his heart speed up. But the bitterness that had crept in along with it—the feeling of being the outsider yet again rendered him silent.
She exhaled through clenched teeth, raising a hand to her forehead. "I need space; time to think… I-I don't…" Her eyes darted around the room, aimlessly searching until they landed upon the man only a few feet from her. Emerald eyes widened in sudden remembrance, her impulsive escape forgotten. "You're not hurt are you?" she closed the distance between them with hurried steps, her voice laced with concern.
Sasuke muttered a curse when her hand pressed on a particularly sensitive area on the side of his torso. "I'm fine," he bit out, circling her wrists with his fingers to move her hands away.
"But Sasuke—"
"I'm fine, Sakura."
The resistance in his voice as he moved her hands away was more than apparent to her. "You're closing up—I can see it, Sasuke," the pinkette observed. ""Talk to me please," she beseeched.
Without waiting a beat, he snapped back at her: "there's nothing to say." He was irritated that Ryou was coming in between them yet again—almost… hurt because Sakura's immediate reaction was to leave him.
"Don't push me away." Her voice sounded contrite. "Do you think this was any easier for me? I'm hurting just as much as you are. We're together aren't we? We have to work through this."
"Weren't you just about to leave? You're the one running away," he replied coldly.
Sakura grimaced at his words. "I don't have the strength for this, Sasuke."
The man shrugged apathetically, though his outward attitude was in great contrast to the turmoil inside him. "You know where the door is."
The pinkette sucked in a breath, panged by his sudden callousness. "Fuck! You're just as infuriating as he is!" she screamed, turning away abruptly to resume gathering her clothes, which were strewn about the floor.
"Don't compare me to the pitiful excuse of a husband you had." His voice came out scathing. "You and I both know I'm nothing like him." In more ways than one, he thought lewdly when he saw Sakura stripping out of his clothes to put on her own. And he couldn't help himself as he stared unabashedly.
The pinkette ignored the way his eyes greedily roved over her barely-clothed form; but what was even harder for her to overlook was the way her body was responding to his shameless gaze: warming up in all the right places, not to mention the slight flush of her cheeks he most definitely would have noticed already.
Throwing his sweats to the side, Sakura walked over to where her pants lay, picking up the wrinkled garment and smoothing it out against her thigh.
Two could play at this.
"I'm not so sure about that, Sasuke, because you're so fucking full of yourself to confide in me, to need me!" After the wonderful weekend they shared filled with passion and intimacy she thought had drawn them closer together than ever, he was behaving so thoughtlessly selfish.
Don't put this on him. You're the one so desperate to leave, she unwillingly thought as she pulled on her pants.
The man silently brooded, watching as she straightened her appearance. "This won't work if you're going to have a fucking head trip every time Ryou comes in between us," he finally stated just as she prepared to leave.
Sakura stilled next to him, the margin of space between them cackling with unexpressed feeling, regret, and desire. "Maybe we just need some time apart..." Her mouth opened as if to add something more, but she shut it quickly. Her mind was a mess, her movements a frenzy as she hurried outside the suffocating confines of his house.
"You look like you're plotting someone's murder."
Sasuke grunted, not bothering to respond to his friend. Instead, he took another swig of the beer in his hands, resting the cool glass of the bottle against the frown of his mouth. He was lazily strewn on one of the chairs perched in his friend's outdoor patio, a multitude of thoughts swarming his mind.
He was contemplating: how long would Ryou be coming in between him and Sakura? He wondered if she relived the happier times of their marriage every time he had managed to wedge himself in between them. Maybe that's why she seemed to feel so confused and scattered by his presence. Just the thought sent a growing feeling of hatred within him for his former business partner, one that was already building upon the default dislike that had been there from the beginning.
Maybe conspiring his end wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.
"Why don't you relax for once in your life? You always look like you've got something stuck up your ass."
"Fuck off, Naruto."
"It looks like you do then. What's new?," the blonde commented more to himself than to his friend. "I seriously need a life." He leaned forward, grabbing a second bottle of beer.
Sasuke scoffed. "You're just discovering this now?"
"Especially when the highlight of my day is seeing your constipated face every other evening." Naruto blew at a strand of hair that fell across his forehead.
"Well you always insist like you're begging for a fuck."
"And you've never passed up an offer you can't refuse."
"Shut up. Don't bring up Karin."
With palms raised, a victorious smile spread across the blonde's face. "Didn't say a word." He let out a hearty laugh. "Face it, Sasuke, we're meant to be."
"I'm going to puke even before I get to drink this shit," interrupted a third voice.
"So the man finally shows," Naruto cheered with bored amusement, leaning back in his chair, and focusing his gaze on the newcomer.
"Kiba," Sasuke acknowledged and tipped his bottle in the man's direction.
"What's the plan for tonight, boys?" He asked, ceremoniously dropping another six-pack on the table.
"Maybe Shikamaru or Neji will have better ideas than the life of the party here." Naruto gestured to Sasuke with a flick of his eyes before taking another chug from his bottle.
Kiba laughed, bumping the brooding man's knee with a loose fist. "Did Karin break up with you or something?"
"We were never together," Sasuke snapped in defense.
"Yeah... sure... almost got fucking married,"reminded Kiba carelessly.
"Well fuck me if I'd gone through with that," he admitted with a sigh, immediately thinking of Sakura.
"Damn straight." Kiba leaned back, running a hand over his face.
"How is business with Arata?" Naruto inquired, changing the subject.
"Fucker wanted to pull out. Said he didn't want to go through with the partnership," Sasuke replied vaguely, his mood darkening once again.
Naruto almost spit out his beer. "Seriously? When was this?"
Kiba interrupted before Sasuke had time to answer, something he was thankful for. "Didn't he just get a divorce? What his wife's name again?" Kiba scratched his chin in thought for a second amidst the haze of his mind. "Sakura." Kiba tested the name on his lips, momentarily caught up in memory. "How you let a woman like that go is a fucking mystery."
Sasuke tensed and watched Kiba silently over the lip of his bottle. Naruto only chuckled, noticing his friend's stiffened posture and the tension that radiated off him. "You know her?"
"Something like that," Kiba replied vaguely.
"What does that mean?" Sasuke asked, his voice gruff.
"What's it to you, Uchiha?" Kiba teased back with a raised brow before letting out a hearty laugh and popping open a bottle.
With knuckles burning white, Sasuke mentally reeled, but otherwise showed no other outward sign of his restlessness. Mechanically rising from his chair he walked over the railing, gazing down at the stretch of green grass before him.
Naruto cleared his throat conspicuously, coming to a stand next to the raven-haired man. The faint sound of the front door creaking open and the voices emanating from the foyer confirmed that Neji and Shikamaru had arrived—finally. "I take it I'm the only one who knows," Naruto commented, hoping they'd have a few minutes of private conversation.
"Ryou found out."
Naruto stilled in surprise. "How?"
"She spent the weekend with me. He dropped by yesterday." Sasuke shoved a hand into his hair. "There were no loose ends—I don't know how he fucking traced the money back to me." Letting out a frustrated breath, he met his friend's gaze. "Her car was parked out front; her purse in my living room in plain sight."
"You weren't planning on keeping it a secret forever."
"The secrecy is driving me crazy. But it wasn't supposed to happen this way, damn it," Sasuke cursed, giving away his vulnerability for a split second. "I had it under control."
"So that's why he pulled out of the partnership." Naruto stared out contemplatively. "Start making public appearances together before Ryou gets to it first and throws scraps at the media."
"He isn't going to do anything," Sasuke replied tightly.
Naruto tilted his head in surprise. "What makes you think that?"
"He risks exposing himself if he tries attacking us—her that way," Sasuke explained. "And anyway, I was planning to have her go with me to the Kyoko dinner."
"It's too soon." Naruto argued lowly. "Her divorce is still news."
"Fuck that," Sasuke spat reflexively. "You just said to start going out publicly with her—she'll be going there anyway—with me or not. What's the difference?"
The blonde gazed at him silently, their small window of private conversation coming to a close as Shikamaru's voice drifted into the living room, complaining how troublesome the rest of the night was going to be for him.
"What the hell is this?"
Sakura could only stare at the remnants of what was her office in pure shock: it was empty and everything had been moved out save the swivel chair and now empty desk in the center. Her mind took a second to truly register what she was seeing, the unexpectedness making her head swirl in disbelief.
"Sakura—"
"Where is all my stuff?" the pinkette asked the person who had just approached her. She recognized him to be an employee she saw every now and then. Why did he look so puzzled?
"Were you not notified?" The employee looked at her awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "They just finished a new round of hiring; to make room for the new staff, they're moving the executives to headquarters."
"Headquarters?"
He raised a brow as if questioning why she was even an executive if she didn't know the answer to her inquiry. "… the Uchiha Corp. building, obviously."
Sakura ignored his tone, her eyes narrowing as she glanced back at her empty office. Fucking seriously? Had she been notified? Of course not, because she hadn't spoken to Sasuke for a little over two weeks since leaving his house that fateful weekend. Avoidance had seemed so invitingly easier than confronting him. He hadn't made a move to try to talk to her either. But to have this suddenly drop on her, disrupting the last bit of safe routine she had in her life seemed to intensify her anger, but for all the wrong reasons.
Her heels clicked loudly against the smooth tile of the hallway as she walked back to the elevator; the move was unnecessary in her opinion. She assumed it was mostly Sasuke's doing—maybe he was trying to instigate her.
Either way, if that was his plan, he succeeded—he definitely had her attention now.
She was seething when she finally made it to her car. Sasuke had succeeded in infuriating her more than Ryou ever had. He was the only person who could make her feelings swing back and forth between the extremes of her emotional spectrum.
Her anger swallowed up the time it took to reach her new place of work, festering in her mind and stewing to a dangerous high. If there was one thing she knew, she didn't want to run into him—not today—if she could avoid it at all costs.
Because she didn't know what she would impulsively do, and regret right after.
A few people stared when she entered the lobby. She pointedly ignored them, making her way to the front desk. "Where are they moving in the employees from Lira?" she inquired roughly, getting straight to the point and saving any pleasant greeting.
She wasn't in the mood.
"…I'm sorry?" The confused woman behind the desk leaned back intimidated.
Irritated by the receptionist's lack of information, her tone came out a bit harsher than she intended. "I was told that—"
"I'm sorry and you are?"
Sakura glanced at the woman's coworker who had clearly seen their exchange. Reigning in her temper, she answered: "Sakura Arata—" she bit her tongue at her slip up of using her old name.
She watched as he flipped through a few papers stuck to a clipboard before shaking his head a couple seconds later. "I'm sorry we don't have that name here... last name is Arata, you said?"
Sakura nodded, confused, for a split second. "I was told they're moving in some employees from Lira. I've been working there for—never mind—do you have a first name 'Sakura' on that list?" she asked, skipping her explanation. Maybe names were orderd by last name?
The man flipped a page before finding what he was looking for. "Ah yes, my mistake Ms. Haruno. That would be the 10th floor," he informed. "Here are you keys."
Hearing him say her old name made her still for a second, her anger dissipating slightly. "Thank you." Sakura gave them both a tight smile as a sort of apology and retrieved the set of keys before making her way over to the elevators, feeling guilty for taking her frustration out on the poor woman she had approached earlier.
Exiting on her floor, her steps slowed as she took in her new surroundings. It was certainly a change of environment. Her eyes skimmed over the plated names titling the doors, looking for her own. Mild surprise made her stop when she saw the metal of her name spelled out next to one of them. The glint of her maiden name, Haruno, felt good under her fingertips when she unconsciously reached out to touch the plate.
She knew it had to be Sasuke's doing. Damn the sudden gratitude she felt at his thoughtfulness.
With a breath she unlocked the door, the new confines of her office effectively distracting her. It was spacious and she noticed a stack of boxes in the corner which she figured contained all of her belongings. What caught her attention was the floor-to-ceiling windows which filtered in the late morning light of the sun and city buzz. Her palm pressed against the cool glass as she gazed down. Though not all that far up, it was certainly quite a view.
The ringing of a phone pulled her out of her muse. She walked over to the desk phone, fumbling with the receiver and calling out a couple hello's after pressing a few wrong buttons.
"Ms. Haruno?" a voice finally responded.
"Yes?" she asked. "Who is—"
"You'll have more time to settle in later, but you're needed in the conference room for a meeting in five."
"Ah, wait, um… I'm not sure—"
"15th floor," the voice informed, correctly guessing her question.
"Uh, okay, thanks." Her response was a second later after the beep, signaling that the call had already ended.
She smoothed her hands down the silk of her slacks in slight anxiety. Her whole week had been turned upside down and now this…?
There was more bustle at the Uchiha headquarters than she was used to as she made her way to the conference room. The elevator ride had been uncomfortably packed, and she took in much needed breather when she was thankfully able to squeeze her way out. Not wanting to be late, she hurried down the hall. Finally pulling open the wooden door and taking a step inside, a sizzling ripple of awareness almost made her falter trip over herself. Though there were a number of people inside waiting and filling the room with the dull rhythm of voices in conversation, she knew what—no, who was the cause of the low hum of electricity raising tiny bumps on her arms.
She spotted him immediately, and she was sure she wasn't the only female eyeing him. The depths of his gaze was hard to escape when their eyes met as if he had also instinctively felt her presence. A thousand unspoken thoughts sifted within the onyx pools that gazed at her intently. His mouth was set into a grim line, his posture stiff, and his hands stuffed in the pockets of his pants.
Unsure if he would try to approach her, she finally mustered up enough strength to look away. She searched the faces of the other people in the room, hoping to make an escape by striking up a conversation with someone so she could avoid—
"Sakura, there you are."
Perfect.
"Hey Genma, quite a change, huh? This was totally unexpected." She felt her body relax, out of the invisible hold Sasuke seemed to have on her.
He nodded in agreement. "It's a good change, though. Means the company is expanding." Cupping a hand over his mouth and leaning toward her, he added, "it also means we'll get a raise."
Sakura let out a small laugh. "I don't think anyone would complain." She smiled at him. "How's Hana, by the way?" The pinkette couldn't help but adore the slight rush of color on his cheeks.
"She's good." He scratched the back of his head, nervous. "She works nearby here, so I'll get to see her more often," he added.
"That's good. I'm glad it's working out for you, Genma." Sakura lightly bumped his shoulder in support. Her mind immediately flooded with thoughts of Sasuke and how much had changed since she had first met him in contrast with out roughly things had played out recently.
As if reading her unsaid thoughts, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's about you now, Sakura. Focus on yourself. It'll work out."
She gave him a small smile, despite his words doing nothing to placate her heart. At least somehow things had smoothed out between the two of them since their unexpected meeting behind the restaurant that night. She was glad. "Thank you."
Their conversation continued, steering to more work-related topics. Her gaze flitted over to Sasuke now and then; he seemed to be actively avoiding looking at her. She saw him engage in small conversation with the other people in the room here and there, but she couldn't help feeling the slight twinge of jealous curiosity when she noticed a rather prolonged exchange of words between him and a woman who, at first, had approached him with a professional handshake. She was now standing a little too close to him for her liking. The silky curtain of her blonde hair obscured the side of her face from her view. What she could clearly see, though, was how particularly attentive he seemed to be responding to her.
Her arms crossed over her chest. Back off, bitch, he's mine.
It's not like anyone knew.
And no, Genma didn't count.
Oh, so now they were close friends?
Sasuke's mouth thinned into a line of dislike as he watched Sakura smile up at the man he recognized to be the one his bodyguard had apprehended that night outside the restaurant. He saw restrained warmth dance in her eyes and a dull ache made him remember how much he had missed her, her warmth, her voice, her skin, her taste..
His thoughts were interrupted when someone came to stand before him, partially blocking the view he had of the pinkette. An outstretched hand moved toward him, and he shook it reflexively. He looked down at the woman who had approached him, mildly distracted by the lure of her sharp features. Sasuke had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes when he felt her shift closer to him after introducing herself; she started their conversation by asking him a question about the meeting due to begin soon. Whatever she had said her name was flew over his head.
If it was any other day before he had met Sakura, he would've indulged in the attention she was giving him. However, she only paled in comparison to the woman who had a vice-like grip over his heart.
"It's just an introductory meeting to get everyone acquainted and settled," he answered automatically. Whatever the woman had replied with didn't register in his mind, but he somehow managed to keep up the small dialogue with intermittent hums and short, one-word answers.
What was her name again?
Sasuke took a respective step back when a voice at the front of the room redirected everyone's attention.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for coming. This will be a short meeting: mainly to welcome Lira's executives and get everyone comfortable with each other. We will be working very closely…"
Sasuke watched the man speak with disinterest, tuning him out. He didn't really need to be here; his presence was more so out of courtesy he was surprised he felt the need to act upon. That, and also a chance to see Sakura for the first time in almost three weeks; if it was a good or bad thing he didn't know with the mix of feelings playing around in his heart.
Fuck that she made him feel. He had spent a good majority of his life perfectly fine. Fuck it. Fuck feelings. Fuck her. And he couldn't help but feel it had been a while since he had done that too.
The blonde woman whose name still escaped him let out a sigh and shifted her weight, causing her arm to brush lightly against his. Sasuke remained otherwise still, but risked a glance at Sakura. And sure enough, she'd noticed. Satisfaction curled the corners of his mouth into a barely there smirk: he could see the jealousy in her eyes and the disapproving curve of her mouth directed at the female. But, it didn't do much to mask the questioning and yearning lurking in the depths of her gaze.
She hadn't reached out to him since the weekend she had left his house in a rush. Neither had he. But, a small part of him wanted to see her do something other than run away—to come back to him, to fight her way to him.
It was hypocritical, but he figured it was the only way to know for sure that she wanted this as much as he did. His own longing for them to be together was surprising, not to say scary.
True to the man's words, the meeting ended after about 20 minutes. The crowd dispersed and chatter resumed as people slowly made their way out. The blonde next to him said something to grab his attention yet again, but to say he was disinterested was putting it mildly.
"Hey man, good to see you sober."
It was probably the only time Sasuke was appreciative of a friend forcing their presence upon him. He hoped it would get this woman off his tail, whatever her name was. "Kiba." He acknowledged him with a nod of his head.
"You need to do that more often: loosen up and all," Kiba commented. "Speaking of which…" he murmed lowly turning his attention to the blonde woman. He held out his hand and his mouth spread into a devilish grin. "Kiba. And you are?"
The blonde tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear before accepting his hand.
Telepathically sending Kiba his thanks, Sasuke made a move to leave. Looking up, his eyes connected with Sakura. He wanted to pull her aside and just talk to her. He didn't care if they argued. Just as long as they exchanged words; just as long as he could be near her again. The urge was strong enough to leave him in momentary indecision. Before he could do anything, however, he saw her attention shift from him to the man next to him with interest.
"Kiba?" her curious voice carried now that the room was less crowded.
Sasuke glanced at him and saw the surprise on Kiba's face when he looked up from the blonde who had kept him occupied. Recognition dawned upon his mild shock and his mouth slanted upward into a crooked grin. "Excuse me," he said to the both of them before walking over. "Sakura! Long time, no see."
Long time no fucking see? What the fuck does that mean? If it was possible for his mood to get any worse, it did. Sasuke couldn't hide his surprise. They knew each other? From the way they already seemed so comfortable with one another, he could only wonder what kind of history they shared. Were they close friends? He couldn't recall Kiba every mentioning her. Had they dated? Had they fucked? With a slight shake of his head, Sasuke cleared those unwanted thoughts from his mind. He couldn't imagine her with anyone else, let alone Kiba. It was repulsive. That reaction only came from knowing what kind of guy Kiba was like.
Then again, he, himself wasn't any better.
He ran a hand through his hair before noticing the blonde woman turn back to him, her mouth opening to say something.
Sasuke mentally cursed. He didn't want to talk anymore. He just wanted to leave. But fuck his luck and the way the day had played out; the raven-haired man gritted his teeth when someone reached out to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Sasuke, I've been meaning to ask you something." It was the man who had conducted the meeting.
With a sigh, Sasuke stepped back with him, mechanically answering his questions. He absentmindedly noticed the blonde woman leave a second later, seeing she had no excuse to stick around. The only upside to being detained was that he could keep a discreet eye on Sakura and Kiba. Hearing her laugh suddenly made his eyes quickly glance to his left, wondering what Kiba could have possibly said. Sakura was facing his direction, but with Kiba's back to him, he couldn't see much.
Her laugh was such a beautiful sound.
He missed her enough that it was a palpable feeling that seemed to spread all over him. Ironically, the only thing physically separating them was a few feet.
Out of the corner of his eye he watched her shrug before she glanced in his direction, her teeth clamping down in her bottom lip in thought. It lasted a brief moment before she nodded and headed out of the conference room with him. Sasuke's fists clenched unnoticeably when he saw Kiba's hand on her lower back, guiding her out.
If she wanted to play that way, so could he. He could play dirty. He could drive her mad just like she was doing him. He could show her just how much of an asshole could be. More than he'd been before.
Stepping into the waiting elevator, Sasuke took his spot in the far corner with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He watched the people leaving and those entering the car. A mask of nonchalance easily slid into place at the second looks he was getting from a few of the women who had stepped in. One in particular smiled at him.
He recognized her as the blonde woman who had been so forward with him during the meeting. He gave her a sexy smirk, playing her for a bit. If only he could remember her name. A sudden thought entered his mind, but he quieted the side of him which warned him not to lead her on.
When the doors revealed the floor he had been waiting for, Sasuke casually stepped out and just as he expected the woman followed. He gave her a nod of acknowledgment when she fell into pace beside him.
"Your office on the same floor, too?" she asked.
No shit, woman."Yes." He ran a hand through his hair while trying to stop himself from speaking his sarcastic thought. "I haven't seen you around before," he commented, his tenor deepening.
The effect was immediate: he saw her eyes drink him in and her tongue dart out to briefly caress her lower lip. "My stuff was moved up here last week. I was only recently hired. A month ago." Her face displayed happiness at his seeming interest in her.
"I see. Well, welcome." Slowing his steps, he squared his shoulders in her direction.
She stopped with him, and crossed her arms while casually tracing a finger along deep neckline. "Thank you. I'm sure I will love it here." Her hand moved back up to twirl a lock of her hair. "Like I mentioned, I haven't been here long, but I was wondering... do you already have someone going with you to the Kyoko dinner next week?"
Sasuke raised his brows in surprise, immediately thining of Sakura. Was she...? Well it was the perfect opportunity, really; it was working to his advantage. He threw the rational voice in his head telling him to refuse her out the window. "As a matter-of-fact I don't."
"Oh, well, would you like to—"
"Go with you?" He finished silkily, "I'd love to." Sasuke flashed her a heart-stopping smirk. "Pleasure talking to you." Holding out his hand, he shook hers before walking away.
Sakura resisted the urge to twist Kiba's fingers away from her back. Just like always he was a little to friendly, especially with women. It had been a constant battle to ignore Sasuke and not throw him a bone by risking a glance at him. She couldn't help the few times she caved and the instances when she found him staring right back made her want to forget everything and run into the warm cage of his arms.
"The divorce and everything… when I heard about it—just… sorry that it happened." Kiba remarked lowly, dropping his hand.
Sakura shrugged. "Don't be. It's fine. It happens." Somehow she figured he wasn't as remorseful as his words seemed. She waited for the moment when he'd subtly suggest they do something together.
Kiba gave her a look that lasted a second too long. "You seem to be taking it well. That's good." He lightly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against the curve of his arm.
Sakura merely smiled at him before subtly pulling away. "Yeah it's weird that it's still news though. I had to hide out for a bit right after the proceedings. It was in the paper, on TV—" she stopped when she noticed the look of surprise on his face.
"Really? In the news too? Huh." Kiba shrugged. "I hadn't noticed. Sasuke mentioned it to me a while back."
Simply hearing his name had Sakura mentally reeling for a second. Sasuke had spoken to him about her? She briefly wondered what else they must have discussed; did he know about the affair they had going on? "Are you two good friends?" she ventured to guess.
"Something like that. Mutual friends and all; more so the result of networking." He lightly bumped her arm with his. "He's alright." A few moments of silence stretched between them. "So you're working from here now, right?"
The pinkette nodded. "It's quite a change."
"You'll like it better." He gave her an affirming gaze at the questioning raise of her brow. "I've been moved here too. It'll give us a chance to see each other more often. You know, catch up," he hinted with a dazzling grin.
There it was. The pinkette smiled inwardly. She didn't deny it: Kiba was attractive. If it was any other woman, she'd have been charmed by his friendliness. But not Sakura. She let out a resigned breath when the thought of Sasuke pierced the weak confines of her mind yet again.
"Sounds great."
Their footsteps slowed once they neared the door of her office.
"By the way, just out of curiosity, you're going to the Kyoko dinner next week, right?"
It took a moment for her to remember, but she nodded. "Yeah, I'll be there. Don't think I have a choice."
Kiba's lips twisted into a knowing smile. "Go with me," he urged with confidence.
With hand on the doorknob, Sakura considered it for a moment, unable to help but immediately think of Sasuke. "It's a date," she quipped, but instantly regretted her choice of words. The last thing she needed was an insistent and very interested Kiba… again.
The man's face brightened. "Looking forward to it."
AUTHOR'S NOTE (01/19/2022): This fic is currently being revised. Please go to Ao3 to read the new and regularly updated version. Link on profile.
This version will be updated once I catch up to the chapter content posted on this site, and future updates will occur on both sites. Thank you.
Questions? PM me!