Spotlight

Upstairs on the second floor crammed against each other like anchovies, a handful of staff gossiped about what had just transpired. The workers gasped at the scene that unfolded only a couple minutes earlier and applauded the brave woman for her service.

"Wah, he's so scary! I could never confront Master Sasuke like that!" Ten-Ten squished her face between her hands in a mix of shock and amazement.

"I feel bad for her, she doesn't seem to know what he's going to put herself through." Karin, one of the veterans, said spaced out leaning against the bed post at the foot of the bed.

"What do you mean?" Asked Rock Lee who had only been at the estate for about three months. At this naivety, Karin rolled her eyes.

"Come on now, Rock Lee. You cannot be serious. You heard what Sakura said, and you saw how mad Master Sasuke was. Don't you think that he'll be devising a plan to force Sakura to quit?" Karin changed her gaze from the floor to Rock Lee’s bowl cut, noting how hideous she thought it to be.

"What do you think he's going to do? He can't fire people on the spot with Naruto around anymore." Ten-Ten sat down on the window sill next to Neji, who was absorbed staring down at the pacing man in the backyard.

"The only logical thing for him to do is work that poor girl until her fingers go numb. I’m sure that won’t be a problem considering that he did that to me when I first started here. The kid will probably have worse." Karin reminisced almost too fondly of the punishment.

“Hey, shut up, he’s talking to himself!” Neji held his ear to the window which was barely cracked, trying to make out the faint words Sasuke was murmuring. In no time, everyone in the room crowded around in anticipation.

"How dare this girl embarrass me like this. She’s too prideful for her own good. Unacceptable.” Sasuke while paced back and forth along a curve of the pool. “Firing her is out of the question thanks to Naruto. What can I do about this?” He questioned aloud.

Then it dawned on him. If he can’t decide to fire her, she will need to make that decision herself.

“A little bit of hard work and embarrassment should be enough. She seems fragile. This is perfect, that way Naruto can't do anything to prevent her from leaving." The man let out a devious chuckle that drifted through the open window.

At that, Neji shut and locked the window saying, “God, I hate it when he does that. It’s so creepy.”

"I told you all, he's just that evil. There's no way any amount of good in the world that would change that man." Karin crossed her arms smugly. The four others looked to one another with a raised brow, all seemingly aware of the bitter taste their colleague always seems to leave in their mouths.

"I don't know Karin. In my opinion, I think that Sakura is going to do something about him. She seems to have a fire in her.” Temari smiled proudly, amusement in her tone.

"Think whatever you want but I've been here longer and have seen that asshole do many, many things to people. Physically and psychologically.” Karin walked towards the door. "I'm going to finish my duties before Shikamaru freaks out." Her red hair a whipped around the corner of the door, her heels clicking against the marble.

They listened closely for her steps to fade and 
when the sound was far enough away, Ten-Ten and Rock Lee clamored towards Neji and Temari for some answers.

"What's up with her?” Ten-Ten scoffed.

"She's just upset because she claims she and Sasuke had a thing before. Of course, him being an idol, she was upset when he was caught up in a dating scandal and one day she exploded on him and her punishment was to cook a banquet all herself and weed the garden." Temari crossed her arms matter of factly. It was obvious in the way Temari spoke of the situation she thought Karin was delusional- Got what she deserved.

"The whole, garden." Neji emphasized and Temari nodded her head. The others’ jaws dropped as they turned their heads to the window again, and took in the multi-acred meadow swaying happily in the spring breeze.

 The flowers, while beautiful, ignorant to the groundskeepers loathing due to their sheer numbers.

"Damn." Rock Lee and Ten-Ten said in unison. "I think we should warn her; let him know who she's dealing with. Just a heads up for her, you know?"

_________

Two knocks sounded against the wood of Sakura's doorframe, the door propped open to reveal Naruto. Sakura looked over her shoulder from the desk. He stared into Sakura's eyes with a certain gentleness which made Sakura blush. "May I come in?" He said with a smile.

Sakura nodded with dejected eyes, expecting her position to be revoked. She knew she bombed this opportunity and this was what she deserved as a result of her actions. “Look, I’m really sorry. My friend is on her way back to pick me up and-“

To her surprise, Naruto howled with laughter, slapping his knees in the process. Sakura stood dumbfounded with her hands at her side as the man caught his breath.

“That was the best thing I have ever seen! Keep this up and you’ll have a job here forever!” He managed between labored breaths.

Sakura’s eyebrows knitted together, her voice a bit unsteady, “You mean, I’m not fired?”

The manager moved towards Sakura, taking a seat on her mattress. “Absolutely not. In fact, I want you back ASAP with a performance like that. Sasuke deserves to be put in his place, so what I mean is ‘thank you.’” He grinned ear to ear now, his white teeth exposed.

His smile was contagious, Sakura noted as she allowed herself the pleasures of a smile on her own face.

“I guess- You’re welcome? If there's one thing I can't stand, it's stuck up people like Sasuke. I can't believe how he acted.” Sakura scowled as she recalled the way Sasuke disregarded his staff.

"Honestly, he isn't like that all the time though. I've been his friend since we were small children. He lets loose when it's just me and Shikamaru with him.” Naruto replied with a sigh, "But he has so many different personalities. That charismatic man who acts extremely kind is also a big spoiled brat, but you know what I'm talking about- it was obvious that you know of him."

Shit. Shit. Shit. They couldn’t know.

Red flushed her cheeks, spreading like wildfire as she faked a cackle to buy herself some time to think. “No! I-Uh, had him confused with another idol so that was why I was shocked.”

But of course that wasn't the least bit true. Sakura has seen every movie, every drama, and every show that Sasuke was featured in, even in cameo. Sakura wondered if all the things Sasuke had said in interviews were true. She knew that famous people had personas, reputations to uphold. But she never thought his personality strayed so far from her expectations. Who was this person? She felt stupid.

Although Sasuke showed his true colors, Sakura still respected the man as an artist.

Naruto peered at the woman skeptically. "Well, anyways, I apologize on his behalf. That was not the best impression."

“Oh, please don't. I'm not phased by him one bit." Sakura reassured.

But she was. She felt the world crumbling beneath her, like everything she became accustomed to suddenly became archaic, obsolete.

Naruto nodded. ”By the way, I wanted to remind you of the NDA you signed. Please keep that in mind.” The man’s face was solemn for but a moment before a smile emerged once more. “However, while you’re here, feel free to continue driving Sasuke up the wall. You can add that to your chores list.”

Sakura laughed out loud, her eyes folding into crescents. "Trust me, I will. And I'll make sure of it!"

“I expect you here tomorrow to move all of your things in and to begin training." And with a smile, he disappeared.

The pink haired woman breathed a deep sigh of relief knowing that her job was secure for the moment. As she admired her room, she cursed herself quietly. It was so important for her to look and be strong that she often forgets to care for the child inside her. The one who had no courage. Needed protection, a voice. It was exhausting protecting herself, being tough. Acting tough.

“Hello? My name is Rock Lee, and this is Ten-Ten." They appeared in her doorway with a bow. "We heard about what happened earlier, and we wanted to let you know that we were so happy you stood up to Master Sasuke like that."

“We wanted to come introduce ourself and let you know we over heard him talking to himself. He was saying that he was going to do all he could to get you to quit.” Ten-Ten said, a bit worried and hopeful that Sakura would reconsider her position.

“You’re too pretty to be worked to the bone!” Rock Lee added enthusiastically.

Sakura laughed. ”Don't worry, a little bit of work won't kill me. I'm a fighter! Besides, I can't quit because of my schooling and other fees I have to pay." She explained to the pair who nodded their heads following along.

They three of them shared a few laughs as Rock Lee dramatized what happened today an Sakura was grateful to have supportive coworkers. She needed the laugh after what she went through.

After they said their goodbyes, Sakura was about ready to leave her room when her hand froze on doorknob. Sakura bit her lip in thought while a smile slowly spread across her face.
_______________

"Bullshit!" The car jerked to an abrupt stop, the seatbelt digging into Sakura’s torso.

"I'm being dead serious right now! I thought the same thing when I first saw him." Sakura rubbed her clavicle hoping that seatbelt didn’t leave a bruise later.

"So what's the 'bad news' about this? I thought this was like a fanfic come true for you!” Ino flinched as her friend slapped her arm.

The pink haired girl played with the hem of her shirt nervously. ”Well, uh,” She smiled at her friend in the driver’s seat. “I kind of threw a drink in his face and told him off and now he wants to make my life a living hell.” She said as fast as her mouth would allow itself to move.

 Sakura braced herself again as Ino slammed on the breaks and looked over to passenger with bulging eyes. “Sakura! What?” Luckily, the road to the estate was isolated from regular traffic, affording them the ability to sit in the middle of the road without being heckled.

"I didn't know it was him! And," Sakura paused, "I had a good reason.” She refrained from sharing the details.

"That's so unlike you. On a normal day just talking about him makes you blush, you would think the moment you finally met him you’d be wet, not making him wet.” Another slap on the arm.

“Okay, I get it! I just can’t believe it. You only act on your anger when you come across assholes." 

At that last part, Sakura stayed quiet. She longed to tell her best friend everything that happened, how Sasuke wasn’t who she thought he would be, and how her heart was torn. She would tell her in time. She knew Ino like the back of her hand and she knew she was a blabbermouth and she couldn’t afford betraying Naruto, or even Sasuke.

“Just don’t tell anyone, okay?”

Ino nodded reassuringly while the pink petals falling from the trees raced toward the windshield in waves. The two sat in silence, enchanted by the whimsical feeling that something new was brewing.

“So…” The blonde broke the silence, “how do you feel about the love of your life hating your guts and praying on your downfall?”

Sakura groaned as she slid deeper into the carseat with her face in her hands. Good job, Sakura.

The car approached the driveway and came to a halt in front of the steps, just as it did the day before. Ino pulled the keys from the ignition to which Sakura lifted an eyebrow.

“What? I just want to take a look inside! Maybe find out if your coworkers are cute.”

The two of them hauled Sakura’s suitcases up the front steps to where Naruto and a butler named Sai were standing with the double doors wide open.

“Ready for what’s to come?" Naruto smiled at Sakura as she stepped through the doorway.

"Oh, more than ever." The she replied with fake enthusiasm. Sakura looked back at her struggling friend who had barely made it to the top step.

With hitched breathing and wobbly limbs, Ino stumbled into the foyer and set the suitcase on the ground.

"Ooh, very nice!” She was clearly impressed by the sight of the interior design and the black haired man with pale skin who offered to take the case with a smile.

"That's Ino; my best friend. She came to drop me off and help carry my things. Don't worry about her, she won't be a problem because she isn't a big fan of Sasuke." Sakura whispered to Naruto who was taken off guard.

The four of them lugged Sakura’s belongings to her room sharing small talk along the way. Sakura directed the boxes to be placed in specific areas strategic to her unpacking plan, carefully pushing an unmarked box under the foot of her bed with secrecy. Her heart swelled at the sight of Ino’s face flushing as Sai attended to her for boxes he claimed would be too heavy for her. Chivalrous, not chauvinist. Sakura shot a wink at her best friend.

After settling in, Naruto invited Sakura to join him shortly to retrieve her uniform and offered to walk Ino out, mostly because she kept straying from the group to explore.

“Come, Ms. Ino, we'll walk you out." Naruto said grabbing his arm and pulling her towards the door.

"But-"

"Thanks for the help, Ino. I'll talk to you soon." Sakura said waving a hand.

As soon as the front door shut, Sai walked Naruto to his office. “Naruto," he whispered and nudged the other's arm. "I think Sakura owns Sasuke merch.”

____________

Sasuke creeped around the corner looking to his left, then his right. With caution, he slipped down the hall like a thief in the night.

Destination: Sakura's room.

He wanted to give her an opportunity. She could leave quietly of her own volition and spare herself from and unnecessarily cruel fate. He had to admit Sakura was too attractive to subject herself to the likes of being a maid- One that was about to be worked to the bone, at that. However, that bold attitude warranted these punishments. If she refused, at least he could have a bit of fun with her.

Arriving at what he guessed was Sakura’s door, the man knocked on it lightly with wrapped knuckles, careful not to knock too loud in case Naruto heard. A couple seconds passed without an answer.

Where is this girl? I swear I didn’t see her leave- Sasuke began to wonder as a startled face emerged from behind the door. Sasuke swore the woman's face start to glowed a light shade of pink before it contorted coldly. Sakura stood in the doorframe cracked only enough to fit her body between.

"What." She said plainly.

"I came to give you an out. You should leave this place, or else I'll make you regret it.”His onyx eyes drifted to the room behind her, making Sakura peer backwards self consciously.

“Now, what do we have here?”

The pink haired woman followed his line of sight and gasped in horror. She pushed the door aside and ran to conceal a pair of red lace panties hanging from the side of an open box. Ino, you’re dead to me! Her fingers scrambled to palm it into a ball which she hid behind her back.

“Obviously, it’s women’s underwear. Not like you would know.” Sakura spat in an attempt to conceal her embarrassment.

The idol smirked, intrigued by her reaction and determined to push further and see what he could uncover about her personality and weaknesses. Keep your enemies close, right? This is reconnaissance, the straight forward version. And if there was one thing he knew to use to his advantage was his charisma and sex appeal.

Sasuke sauntered through the open door, wetting his bottom in the process. His onyx eyes lowered with interest, connecting with Sakura’s whose filled with unease, or maybe desire? He stood less than a foot away from her and could smell the sweet scent of the woman’s perfume, fruity, intoxicating.

He towered over her in size and slowly bent towards her ear. “Of course I know what women’s underwear looks like.” A low raspiness in his voice. Sakura felt his breathe fanning over hers, her breath hitching at the intensity of his words, purposeful, implying and sexually charged. She was panicked, annoyed and turned on all at once.

“Th-Then you shouldn’t be surprised."

He pulled back slightly to meet her eyes, his dark bangs hanging over his forehead casting a shadow darkening his gaze. Desire, almost sinister. "I wonder, did you bring that for me-"

"Teme! What do you think you're doing?”

Their heads snapped towards the doorway, a dark figure standing in the middle with hands on its hips.

"I-Uh-"

Sasuke ruffled his hair as he attempted to conjure an excuse, a sheepish look on his face as he walked towards Naruto slowly.

The woman watched as a chase ensued which ended with Naruto pulling Sasuke out by his ear. Quietly, she shut the door without a sound and pressed her back against it with a groan. How did a word of caution suddenly turn sensual?

Her thoughts were obscene.

She shook her head with force, having to remind herself that Sasuke was the enemy. He wasn’t who he said he was. It wasn’t lost on her that his visit was persuasion to leave. It was important for her to be strong, focused- How could she keep her composure with that throbbing between her thighs?