Spotlight

The rules were simple: attend class, study hard, and pretend they don’t know each other. All were relatively easy feats expect for the last which left Sasuke following Sakura like a distant shadow, inadvertently glowering at each man that glanced her direction. It was convenient, really, having class together for this reason. To the naked eye they were peers whom happened to share the same academic schedule which was not uncommon for the performing arts major. They were not friends, but not necessarily unfriendly either. Sasuke was grateful for the guise of their schedule because it allowed him to keep a watchful eye on his girl to which she adamantly rejected in private, stating she could “handle it herself.”

“It” was never fully defined. It could have meant balancing her school work and her packed schedule after class, but it soon meant the responsibility of warding away men.

Sasuke sat alone in the shade of a tall tree eating his lunch. While the shade provided refuge from he sun’s harsh rays the humidity clung to him tightly like a second skin. His face and neck were hot but more so from the scene unfolding before him than from the weather.

Sakura had finished her lunch and made her way to the restroom which was a convenient opening for one of the many men interested in her to make his approach. So, what would it be today? What would this guy come up with? School had only been in session for a month and a half and by now he’s heard it all.

“Your hair is such a pretty color, is it natural?”

“You’re just as beautiful and delicate as your namesake, Sakura-Chan.”

Then there were the crafty ones in class who petitioned her help on assignments they purposefully dumbed themselves down for; “Maybe you can come over and we can work on it together?”

Those sneaky, cheeky bastards.

Of course, Sakura was beautiful, smart, unique, and seemingly single. What was he expecting to happen? Months ago, as school approached, he mentally prepared himself for the possibility of men flirting with his girlfriend and reran the scenarios in his head to remind himself of how he was supposed to act. He knew it was bound to happen, but every single day?

The idol continued munching on his onigiri, outwardly appearing indifferent to the conversation unfolding within earshot but in actuality was fine tuning his hearing.

“Miss?”

Sakura stopped in her tracks and turned her body a quarter, just enough to peer over her shoulder at some lanky brunette man about her age, a student she didn’t recognize.

“Can you give me some directions?” He looked around confusedly then suddenly stepped toward her with their faces only inches apart. A single finger tilted her chin upward, “Because I think I got lost in your eyes.”

Grains of rice spat out of Sasuke’s mouth an impressive distance as he coughed wildly, trying to play it off as a swallowing mistake rather than a laugh at that poor, sad attempt of a pick up line. The sound was incidentally loud enough to cause concern and multiple heads in the courtyard turned toward him, including Sakura and the mystery student. He gripped his water bottle and took a few sips to conceal both his amusement and embarrassment, and to convince anyone watching he would be just fine.

In that split second, Sakura was sure she would have to perform the Heimlich maneuver on Sasuke until she caught the twitch of his smile before he drank from the bottle. Turning her attention back to her suitor, she swatted his hand away with a strong slap. “Buzz off,” she spat as her hot-headedness arose. As she turned to walk away, the man gripped his wrist which reddened with a sore splotch.

Sakura was washing her hands in the restroom when her heart rate dropped back to baseline. Who the hell did this guy think he was touching her without permission? As she dried her hands with a paper towel she couldn’t help but relish in the silence and solitude of the restroom. Privacy and quiet seemed to be two things that were never bestowed to her anymore between school, dance practice, Sasuke, and apparently warding off men’s advances. It was almost laughable really, thinking back on her concerns about Sasuke being flooded by women. To her surprise, and relief, it wasn’t a common occurrence because many of his fans- the ones at school, at least- were very respectable and kept their distance, admiring him from afar. The tables turned on both of them and she could only imagine how Sasuke felt watching her bombarded by other men vying for her attention. It almost felt… satisfying.

Tossing the crumpled towel in the trash, Sakura reached for the door handle until it swung open from the other side. She pulled her hand back swiftly and stepped back out of harms way. It happened so fast that she couldn’t move in time before the person trapped her against the cold, tiled wall, hands on either side of her head. She was trapped. Her emerald eyes shut tightly as her brained scrambled to piece together the situation. She froze, remembering the horror stories of women who were attacked by men they rejected, until she heard her name called by a familiar voice.

“S-Sasuke-kun!” She stuttered as her eyes flew open and anxiety slowly drained from her body. His raven bangs hid the top half of his face, giving him a menacing look about him. When he didn’t speak at first, she examined him, the veins in his forearms protruding vividly and a sign that something was going. Whatever it was, it needed to wait until they were at home and not in the girl’s bathroom at school.

“Sasuke, you’re not supposed to be in here! We’re going to get caught-“

“Let them catch us,” he interrupted. “Maybe then they’ll get the hint that you’re mine.”

The breath knocked out of her lungs and a scorching heat bellowed in her midsection. You’re mine, her mind repeated and the pressure only intensified, easing over her body like the liquid heat of a hot spring. It was like she flipped a switch; Just a few minutes ago he was laughing about the situation, but now he looked like he wanted to commit a crime of passion.

Sakura’s breaths shortened at the realization that the Uchiha Sasuke, was jealous, maybe a tad bit possessive, and fuck was it hot.

“Seems like someone is a bit jealous,” Her words came out slow and precise, dragging over his skin and purposely adding to his irritation. Sasuke shifted slightly in reaction to her statement and she smirked triumphantly.

“You’re playing a very dangerous game, Sakura,” He warned. He moved in closer to her, pressing his torso against hers while one of his hands took anchor at her hips. “It’s only natural to be possessive of what’s mine.” His voice was a low growl against her neck.

The feather light touch of his lips against her sensitive skin ran a shiver down her spine and faint scent of his cologne infiltrated her senses causing her thighs to close tightly together as if it could hold her desire at bay when it really just intensified the throbbing between her legs. She wanted him to prove it, right then in the school bathroom, that she was really his. Her judgement swayed and somewhere, a boundary in her mind blurred causing the words to pour out of her like second nature.

“Prove it,” she whispered in his ear.

~

The door to the bathroom creaked open slowly just enough for Sakura’s head to emerge and scope the area surreptitiously. After they were finished, the fog in her mind dissipated and was given new clarity to the severity of their situation. There were a plethora of scenarios Sakura could come up with in her mind that spelled out trouble. This was the girl’s restroom for god’s sake! What a relief it was to find not a soul loitering the hall. Typical, since this restroom was relatively unused due to its inaccessibility from the main areas on campus. But that didn't mean someone could've walked right in and see them-

Sakura stepped into the sunlight now and with one more sweep of her head, she motioned Sasuke out who followed nonchalantly with his hands stuffed into his pockets. Real poised for a guy who just rammed her up against the bathroom wall.
____________

She had always been a determined and hardworking individual, but the task before her was incredibly daunting. Her boyfriend, Sasuke Uchiha, was finally making his long-awaited comeback performance and to choreograph the entire routine meant she hd no room for mistakes. She knew she had the talent to create something truly spectacular, but the pressure felt insurmountable.

Balancing her responsibilities as a student with the rigorous demands of choreography alongside learning to produce background vocals was proving to be more challenging than Sakura had anticipated. Days turned into nights as she poured over intricate moves and background dancer placements all the while studying for exams and strengthening her voice at Mrs. Uchiha’s request. The weight of her ambition was beginning to take a toll on her, leaving her exhausted both physically and mentally.

There were moments when she wondered if she had bitten off more than she could chew. Doubt crept into her mind, whispering and taunting her with venomous words about herself and her abilities, but Sakura was determined to prove herself. This was her first big break into the industry and she know she could knock it out of the park. She wanted not only to succeed for herself, but to showcase her support for Sasuke in the most personal way possible, and choreographing his comeback routine was the perfect opportunity to do so. Her success was also his and it was important for her not to let him, or his fans, down.

Late nights turned into early mornings as she pushed herself beyond her limits. She found solace in the empty dance studio, dancing with a passion and determination that burned deep within her. It was during these solitary moments that she was able to push herself, dig deeper into her artistry, and feel closer to her mom.

As the countdown to Sasuke’s comeback drew closer, Sakura's fatigue became undeniable. Dark circles adorned her eyes, and her body felt as if it might collapse under the weight of her responsibilities if not for Sasuke’s support. In fact, all of her friends and Mrs. Uchiha have been incredibly supportive of Sakura’s endeavors and constantly reminded her of her talent. More than ever, she was determined to ensure the success of Sasuke’s comeback.

In the end, her hard work paid off. Sasuke's comeback performance was a resounding success, wowing the audience and leaving them in awe of his skill as a performer. Many of the comments he received by online presences admired how much this choreography had been able to exemplify his strength as a dancer all the while producing clear vocals. The exhaustion and pressure she had felt melted away, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and overwhelming pride. It was an understatement to say she was relieved in its success and grateful for a break.

The afternoon sun bathed the expanse of the backyard in warm golden rays as Sasuke spread out a soft, colorful blanket on the grass. Fall had brought on recently pleasant climate perfect for a surprise picnic. What a waste would it have been to not take advantage of it. It was a beautiful afternoon and he had planned a special picnic date for him and Sakura, requesting the chefs to prepare an array of delicious treats, from sandwiches to fresh fruit and the sweet desserts he knew she loved.

As he finished setting up the picnic, he glanced about noticing the imprint of the fall season around him. It was serene, the perfect backdrop for their date and something he knew Sakura was in dire need for. He smiled, remembering how she found rest in the tranquility and beauty of nature.

Everything was set and all he needed was her. Just as he was about to give her phone a ring, he heard the sound of muffled footsteps approaching through the grass.

He turned just in time to see Sakura's eyes light up with delight as she took in the sight before her. Sakura's heart fluttered with genuine happiness. “For me?!” She practically squealed.

Sasuke nodded, pleased by her reaction. Then, before he could say a word, she settled down on the blanket and patted the space next to her in request of his presence. As he nestled into the spot at her side, Sakura gleamed as she pointed out all of her favorite snacks laid out next to a bouquet of flowers which was an aesthetic touch she appreciated. After her initial excitement subsided she turned to Sasuke inquiring about the occasion which brought this on.

“What, there needs to be an occasion to take my girlfriend on a date?” His hand caressed her bare knee which was more meant to be an act of comfort instead of seduction, but Sakura couldn’t help feel flustered by his touch.

“W-What? No, I mean of course not! I like dates, dates are nice!” She blabbered as her cheeks tinged pink.

Sasuke tossed his head back and chuckled.

“And,” he continued, “There is an occasion. I figured this would be a nice opportunity to relax and celebrate your first success as a professional choreographer.”

As he said this, he reached into the woven basket and pulled out two flutes and a bottle of champagne which he uncorked and poured respectively. Sakura was taken aback at how thoughtful Sasuke was to congratulate her first run in the industry and couldn’t help but smile. She did it and she was proud, but she owed some of the success to him who was the face of it all and her biggest supporter in her journey.

“We should really be cheering to you and your success with the comeback!”

Without hesitation Sasuke countered, “No, you did this. We are celebrating you, Sakura, you deserve it.”

He handed her a flute of tiny floating bubbles. Sakura accepted the glass and clinked it with the one Sasuke was holding.

“Well, cheers to us then.” And took a sip. Sasuke sighed at Sakura’s modesty but echoed, “Cheers to us,” with a smirk.

That afternoon they drank from their glasses and soaked each other in. As they savored the delicious food, Sakura couldn't help but steal glances at Sasuke. The way his dark eyes sparkled subtly in the sunlight, the soft curve of his lips as he bit into a sandwich—it was in these simple moments that she felt her heart overflow with affection. Time seemed to slow down as they laughed and shared stories, their connection growing stronger with every passing second. Their picnic was respite from the chaos of the world, a brief escape into their own little paradise.

As they watched the sun dip below the horizon, Sakura’s head resting in Sasuke’s lap, they took in the crisp air. The comfortable silence they sat it was briefly interrupted by the vibration of her phone near the picnic basket. Lazily, she reached for it and saw Ino’s name on the screen. Sasuke had asked who it was and Sakura shrugged saying she would call Ino back later and pressed decline. Shortly after, a series of messages from the blonde bombarded her device, causing a brief moment of irritation to plague her.

Sakura sat up and read the messages as they appeared:

“Sakura!!!”

“Call me ASAP”

“It’s an EMERGENCY!!!!”

Oh god, is she okay? Sakura’s stomach lurched with nausea.

“Is everything okay?” Sasuke asked, her silence concerning him. Before he could prod further, his own phone blew up with Naruto’s name and picture smeared across it and accepted his call.

“Hello-“

“Sasuke!”

Naruto’s voice blared loud enough for Sakura to hear without being on speaker. She could hear the panic and urgency in his voice which only heightened her anxieties. Ino and Naruto calling with emergencies was not a coincidence, so she listened closely.

The longer he spoke, the further Sakura’s heart sunk deeper into her chest which by now was a dark crevice of despair. She sat staring off into space as Naruto’s voice and Sasuke’s presence slowly faded into the background as her senses diminished until she felt like a shell of herself. Her body felt numb, limp even, and the only thing that brought her back to consciousness was another message from Ino.

Reluctantly, she opened the message.

There she was, in all her glory. Sakura’s face, and body, plastered on the front page of a blog article, in a skimpy maid’s outfit.