Author: Welcome to the sequel! Thank you for reading 25 So Bittersweet, Chapter 1, now as always…REVIEW! Because, you all now what's next…you will get COOKIES. And as you read, you will be pleased on how the plot becomes more intense…enjoy. Oh and if you're new to the story, well, go ahead and see if you can catch up, the storyline isn't really hard to follow, but if you're interested but just don't get it, read the first one: 17 Ain't So Sweet, check it out in my Profile!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters XD
8 years later
Time goes by fast
Got my memories
And they will last
I try to keep it simple
Cause I hate goodbyes
And I try to keep it simple
By telling myself that
I, I Will remember you
And all of the things
That we've gone through
There is so much I can say
But words get in the way
So were not together
I will remember you
I will remember you
-Ryan Cabrera, I Will Remember You
"Ms. Sakura, sing Unbeautiful!" said one customer from the back row, waving at her to get her attention "Sing it Ms. Sakura! You are so good with that song!"
"No, Ms. Sakura, sing Happy Ending!" another one exclaimed, looking at the rosette who was sitting on the stage, looking at the customers, holding on to the microphone "Since it's you're good at singing it! You have a very nice voice, sing Ms. Sakura!"
"No, she should sing Unbeautiful!"
"Happy Ending!"
"Unbeautiful!"
"Okay, Okay. Everybody calm down" said Sakura, giving them a small smile, holding the microphone close to her lips "Now, to be fair, let's just vote, who wants me to sing Happy Ending?" a couple of hands shot up "Unbeautiful?" majority of the customers' hands shot up in the air without any hesitation "Okay, Unbeautiful then…music please…" then they all started clapping.
Don't hang up.
Can we talk?
So confused
It's like I'm lost.
What went wrong?
What made you go?
Don't pretend you don't know
This is me
I'm unchangeable
When did we
Fall apart?
Or did you lie
From the start?
When you said
Its only you
I was blind
Such a fool
Thinking we
Were unbreakable
It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know
What made me unbeautiful.
I've been told
What's done is done
To let it go
And carry on
And deep inside
I know that's true
I'm stuck in time
I'm stuck on you
We were still untouchable
It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more.
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know
What made me unbeautiful
Wake up, wake up, wake up
Cuz I'm only dreaming
Get out, get out, get out
Get out of my head now
Because we're much better
All together
Can't let go.
It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know
What made me unbeautiful
It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know
What made me unbeautiful
Made me unbeautiful
(Lesley Roy, Unbeautiful)
After she finished the song, more clapping came by. She smiled and gave them her thanks, and then the night follows as she sang some other songs to please the guests as they eat and drink. After her session, she proceeded to the bartender's bar to have a chat with one of the bartenders, Jim.
"So, Haruno amazes the stage once again…" said Jim, grinning at her as he prepared a drink for a customer, and talking to her at the same time "You're a natural, you know that?"
"Yes, I do." Replied Sakura as she watched him make the drink "But there is one thing that intrigues me every time I go on stage…"
"And what is that?"
"They always let me sing either Unbeautiful or Happy Ending." Said Sakura as she rested her cheek on her palm "It gets me curious…what do they see in that song?"
"If you ask me, I want you to sing that too…" the bartender replied adding soda water to the drink "Because, I don't know if you notice but…you put a lot of emotion in that song that people get really moved by the song and they want you to keep singing it because of the emotion you progress. The funny thing is, those are the only two songs where you have these very intense emotions…so tell me Sakura, do you have a connection with this song?"
Sakura paused. "No" she lied as she looked at the drink "What are you making?" she asked, attempting to change the subject.
"Mojito. Try?"
"Some other time…"
After that little chat with the Jim, she headed out of the bar. This was her life now, for about 5 years, Sakura Haruno the bar singer. It's been 8 years since Sasuke left her crying her guts out for him, 8 years since she found out that he cheated on her too…with a person who is none other than Karin. And it also has been 8 Years since she saw him. But Sakura doesn't give a damn any more, she moved on, from him, and from his lies. He was accusing her of cheating, when he, cheated himself. A Bastard, Sakura thought, and she will never forget that day, and that pain he gave her when he accused her.
"I'm sorry Sakura, but I have to fail you…" said Tsunade looking at her with sincerity "This song must be presented with him, not you alone…
She never got to be a doctor, nor a nurse since her life got damned for the past 8 years. She failed the Academy for not presenting with Sasuke, and all that she got from college is one of those office courses. Her parents were disappointed with her failure, but gave her enough money to at least finish a course. She never used it though, the job of being a bar singer made her just fine. Though she wasn't paid much, it was enough to keep her alive everyday of her life. Her life was one damned hell, after Sasuke, her life went crashing down like dominoes. And all these years, she blamed him for ruining her life.
She reached her condo, the condo where she had lived for 8 years now. The condo which is right in front of what used to be Sasuke's, but now just a empty slot. On the way, she saw the tenant, pinning up a notice on her door.
"W-Wait. What is this?" Sakura asked as she ran to the tenant who pinning the note on her door "What is this about?"
"I'm kicking you out." Said the tenant "It's been 4 months since you haven't paid your rent Haruno, I'm not going to play with you anymore. Since you're here, get your stuff, and move out!"
"But you have to understand! I really don't have any money, give me more time…" Sakura pleaded to the tenant, who just rolled her eyes in reply.
"You have no money? Then how can you afford the latest iPhone, hmm?" asked the tenant, eyeing the iPhone that she held on her hand. The iPhone…Sakura sighed at the thought. It was probably one of the few things left in their relationship, she remembers well on how signing the little contract she got from him will make her have the latest iPhones for free.
"Ah, whatever. I told you I have no money!" said Sakura
"Sorry Haruno, you're out."
"Screw. This. Life." She muttered as she eyed the bartender that she was talking too, she returned to the bar after getting all of her stuff out of the condo. She was pissed, and for the first time in her life, she wanted a drink, to drown herself with till she gets drunk.
"What's the problem?" the bartender asked, examining her, and her body language.
"I got kicked out of my condo."
"Ooh. Rotten Luck" replied Jim "Would you like a drink to wipe away those thoughts?" he offered, looking at the reddening rosette whose cheeks are red with anger.
"Please."
She drank the night away, complaining about various things, and all that the bartender did was to listen and gave her more drinks. Drink after drink, she slowly got drunk, but she didn't mind and she didn't care. Because once again, her life had another bad turn, another problem…
"Stupid Tenant…" she muttered as she ran a finger around the rim of her glass "Why can't she fucking understand the word 'time'? Can't she give that? Damn her…and damn him, that stupid asstard who did this to me…"
"Asstard? You've been mentioning this person for quite a while now…tell me. Who is this?" asked Jim curiously as he arched an eyebrow.
Sakura opened her mouth, but closed as soon as she heard her phone ringing, she looked to see who it was and rolled her eyes when she saw the name "Kiba?" she answered as she placed the phone to her ear "Wasssup???"
"Sakura? Are you alright? You don't sound well…"
"I'm fine, god Kiba, don't I sound alright?I'm alright...happy...got kicked out of my condo..." she said with a small chuckle, ah, the effects of alcohol.
"Sakura...are you drunk?"
Jim took the phone from her and said "Hello? You must be a friend of Sakura's, this is Jim. A bartender, Sakura's friend too, listen, she's drunk and it's best if you get her from here now...she has taken too many shots..." as he looked at the rosette who was below her sanity, laughing and muttering words to herself.
"What?! Okay, I'm coming there..."
A few minutes later, the dog lover arrived at the bar, running to the cherry blossom who was half-concious, head resting against the table, and Jim looking over to her, taking the glasses that she had drunk from. "Sakura!" he said as he slowly shook her, seeing if she would respond.
"Sasuke...don't leave me...don't." she pleaded in her half-concious state, Kiba took his hand away from her, pausing for a moment "I never cheated on you...."
"Sakura..." Kiba began to say.
"Sasuke...kun..."
He looked at Jim, who was arching an eyebrow at her, wondering what she was talking about "I'm taking her home..." he said as he picked her up bridal style from the bar seat. The tone of his voice switched from worry to straight serious, as if something bothered him. "Where's her stuff?" he asked the bartender, who pulled it out from the bottom of his table, Kiba nodded and took it. He gave a nod towards Jim and headed out of the bar.
* * *
Kiba laid her down on his bed as soon as they reached the his house. She was still saying words, but now it was only low mutters, and then after that, she said no more. He sighed as he looked at the pink haired girl lying down his bed. "Goodnight Sakura." he muttered quietly as he went out of the room, and closed the door. He sighed once more, he'll be sleeping in the couch tonight...
Sakura woke up in a soft bed, she opened her eyes and saw herself inside a room, by the pictures in the room and the stuff inside, it belonged to someone no other than Kiba. She smiled, there was one time when Kiba told her about him buying a new house, and this must be it. Well it was not a simple house, it was pretty urban styled, unlike her, he was sucessful in his life and became a vet. And wealth came and he bought this house. "Thank you." she muttered as she got off the bed and out of the room, she saw Kiba in the kitchen, pouring hot water on a cup, he glanced at her direction, then back to what he was doing.
"Morning Sakura, coffee?" he offered, as he finished pouring water on his cup. He glanced at her direction and saw her nod "Okay, which one do you want, decaf or-"
"Decaf." she replied "I don't want to consume any caffeine at the moment..."
"Okay..." he said nodding "So how's sleep?"
"Fine..." she answered "Thank you Kiba...but I'll pack up after I change and I'll look for a place to stay..."
"No. Stay." he said, "It's alright, just stay..."
Sakura paused for a moment "But Kiba, you've done so much for me...staying here...how can I repay you?"
"Sakura, you don't have to. Listen, I'm fine with it, its been a while I had someone with me, and this house is pretty huge for me only..." Kiba assured her, adding a little smile. It has been 8 years, and some things never change, Sakura was still very special to him. He still loved her, but she doesn't know that, he was willing to wait, since now Sasuke was out of her life.
"It's not that, its just that-"
"It's because it reminds you of him, isn't it?" Kiba said, as if he read her mind "I know you Sakura, I also know the story of you and him. It bothers you because of the time he invited you in his condo when you lost your keys, correct?"
"I'm sorry."
"But that will still not change my mind, you will stay" he insisted as he placed to cups of hot coffee on the table, along with toast and butter "Sakura, the past is past. Forget it and move on. On that day when he left you, I told you he'll come back, but it's been 8 years now!"
"..."
"Plus, you found that picture under your door, of him and Karin kissing. He cheated on you too..."
"You're right." Sakura finally said "Why would I not forget an ass like him? I will. And he accuses me with cheating when he cheated himself? Then goes to Harvard, and leaves me? Hah. My ass..."
"So you'll stay?" Kiba asked hopefully.
Sakura sighed "Since you offered, ok. But I'll move out as soon as I could pay back my condo..."
"Good enough." said Kiba nodding, biting a part of his toast.
"I wonder what's on today..." Sakura said after a moment as she stood up and took the remote from the counter and turned on the TV.
"Welcome to the Bachelor of the Year!" the host said, with his usual uplifting tone that keeps the audience and the show alive "Every year, we present you the top bachelors of the year that people voted for! And here are the standings! Top Three…"
"I've heard of this show…" Sakura said, biting her toast, her emerald eyes focused on the TV screen in front of her "But I never really watched it…just now…"
The host announced three and two; he also showed the pictures and their background, the show isn't exactly like the Oscars where they come out and receive an award. It was more with video and pictures…but its official. Sakura noticed that they were businessmen, what happened to the actors that girls (not her) drool for? Not enough to be a hot bachelor on TV? Businessmen are the new hots?
"Of course, and the number one spot belongs to someone no other than…Sasuke Uchiha!"
Sakura assumed girls (not her) are squealing at the moment. She sighed "I can't watch this…" she said as she looked at Kiba, who was looking at her, who nodded quietly. She never tried to find out how Sasuke looked like after all these years, she never looked at magazines with his face on it, she had no idea what he looked like, and she had no plan to find out. She looked away from the screen and paid attention to her toast, and even though she isn't watching, she could hear the host blabbing away.
"Sasuke Uchiha, is the President of the biggest super company in the world. Only 25, and graduated in Harvard University, Sasuke Uchiha is one of the most successful men in the business world…"
"You know what's funny?" Sakura said after a moment, still looking at her plate "They call him a bachelor when he has a bitch for a girlfriend…" followed with an empty laugh.
"But they're not saying anything in this quick biography, right?" Kiba replied "Besides, he's not married to Karin yet…just…in a relationship…I guess…"
After the program was finished, Sakura finally looked away from her plate. She's very happy that the program's done, because if the Uchiha's face lasted on the TV screen, she might destroy the flat screen Kiba worked hard for. She looked at the man beside her "Don't you have work?" she asked him, arching an eyebrow.
"Ah, I won't go for today…" said Kiba bringing his lips to his cup of coffee "I'll stay and keep you company…"
"Kiba, you don't have to." Sakura insisted, shaking her head "I'm fine here, don't worry. I can take care of myself; I'm not a baby anymore. You are always there for me, think about yourself for once…don't worry about me…"
"Are you sure…?"
"Kiba. I'm fine."
He sighed as his gaze fell on his cup, examining the hot black substance inside, sighing. He looked at the cherry blossom, whose eyes were on him, waiting for an answer to come out of his mouth. "Fine. I'll go…" he finally said as he stood up, drinking the last of his coffee, and placing it on the sink. He tossed her a pair of spare keys as he picked up his bag "Keep those with you whenever you want to go out. Those are the extra keys of the house…just because I'm gone doesn't mean you'll lock yourself up in here okay? Get some air…if not, there's my computer down the basement…."
"Okay, Okay."
"Sorry Haruno, you're out."
She closed her eyes for a moment; she needed a job, a real job.
And here she was walking along the sidewalk, holding her resume, all ready to apply for a job in big wealthy business companies who could pay her well. She'll take whatever, as long as it could brighten her day, and her rotten life. As she reached a random business building, she walked to the glass entrance door, accidentally hitting a woman, and ending up dropping her resume on the floor
"Oops, sorry." She muttered in a low voice, kneeling on the ground, gathering her papers.
"No, it's my fault." Said the woman as she knelt down and picked up some of the papers and looked at Sakura "Hey…wait a minute. Are you Sakura…Sakura Haruno?" the woman asked as she recognized her pink hair.
"Yes. You know me? Do I know you?" asked Sakura, puzzled, looking towards the woman, whose familiar onyx eyes hitting her memories, taking her far back, but she just could not remember the name…
"Don't you?" said the woman "It's me, Ayame Uchiha. Sasuke's cousin. I believe we met when I was picking up Itachi-kun…Sasuke was even in a cranky mood that day…" she recalled.
Sakura froze. Of all the people she had to meet today, it HAD to be Ayame Uchiha. Can't the Uchihas leave her alone? They're everywhere. "A-Ayame? Oh yes, how can I forget? The annoying cousin, as so as he says…" How could Sakura forget? That teenage Emo/Scene girl in the Linkin Park shirt, suspenders, shorts and an expensive Porsche…how can she forget? But now, right before her eyes, was more of a woman than that teenage girl she saw 8 years ago. Her hair was still in that same Emo cut, but she dyed it electric blue, and the pink streaks were no more than two. She was wearing a formal business attire, with a black cross necklace around her neck, even though she looked so formal, there was something always so informal about her, and that's Ayame's signature.
"Yep…and what's this?" she asked as she read Sakura's resume "Hmm…are you looking for a job? Hey, I got one for you! And it pays well too…"
"What job?"
"Secretary. You see, we're looking for someone who could be a secretary for the someone..." said Ayame "Care to participate? she asked as she looked at the rosette, whose eyebrow's arched, curious.
"Who?"
"You'll see."
Even though suspicious and curious, Sakura followed her, and while she did so, she had a really bad feeling of who could this "Someone" be.
The Uchiha came out of the room, holding a box, his eyes clashing to hers. Sakura felt fear as she looked at his eyes, immediately she sensed anger and hatred radiating from his eyes. "I'm going to Harvard, tomorrow." He replied coldly as he stuffed the box inside the bag, his eyes still on hers.
"W-Why? I thought we still had one yea-"
"One year? That's gone now Sakura, now because I know you cheated on me…" he said, cutting her off, saying the words with the same coldness "You're a lie. And I am so stupid for not noticing that…"
"Cheated? I never cheated on you Sasuke!" she said, close to tears "I never ever-"
"Save your breath Sakura. It's over." He said, cutting her off again. He doesn't want to listen to her, he had enough, enough of her lies.
"But Sasuke!" she said, grabbing his arm, a tear straining down her cheeks "Please, believe me. I can't cheat on you…I can't…"
"No, Sakura. I saw it with my own two eyes…I saw it." He said as he grabbed his bags, and started to head out of the condo "Goodbye Sakura, thanks a lot for lying…"
After a very mind alarming flashback, Sasuke woke up in his bed. He slowly sat up and rubbed his temples, its been 8 years, why did he suddenly dream about that day, about her? He groaned, Sakura's face was fresh in his mind because of that dream. Her face 8 years ago, he had no idea how or what she looked like now, but that is none of his concern now...she's out of his life.
After a moment full of thought, the phone rang. He rolled his eyes as he reached for it across his bed "Hello?" he answered to the caller.
"Sasuke, Karin called me, she said you were supposed to have a date after you arrived from Vancouver...but you didn't show up..." Itachi said
"Hn. Who cares about, her? Do we have to have a date every single day? I forgot, so what? She can't do anything about it..." Sasuke said, rolling his eyes once more "I have no idea why you want her for me, I am not interested in having a relationship anymore..."
"Well, she's the only one you got." he countered "And since you are forgetting a lot, I asked Ayame to look for a secretary..."
"I don't need one." he said in a plain tone "And does she have to be the one who have to look for it?"
"Because she can, and she's your cousin" said Itachi "At least be nice to her once in a while..."
"Whatever, I don't want a secretary."
"Too late, my assistant just came in the office. Telling me that Ayame found one, and I'm forbidding you to fire her, I told Ayame to keep you from doing that..."
"Hn."
And that's the last thing he said before hanging up on Itachi. Yesterday, he returned from a long stressful business trip in Vancouver. And now he's back, he is not pleased with the fact that he'll be handling more stress, now that he had a "secretary".
After a nice long shower, Sasuke proceeded to dressing to his business suit. And while at it, he was curious to who his secretary could be...
***
"Teme!" Naruto greeted him as he entered Uchiha Corp.
He signed as he saw the blonde "Dobe." he muttered as the blonde walked towards him "What are you doing here?"
"Can't I visit you?" he asked "I heard that you arrived yesterday from Bang-Cougar..."
"Vancouver, dobe." he muttered as he walked passed him, towards the elevator, and pressed the up button.
"You're ignoring me now?" said Naruto as he ran after the raven haired man.
"No. It's just that...Itachi hired a secretary for me, and I can't fire her..." said Sasuke "It'll be such a pain in the ass..."
"Isn't Karin pain enough...?"
"Ayame, tell me the truth, who is this someone?" said Sakura as they walked to the conference room.
Ayame glanced at her and looked away, a smirk playing on her face as she opened the door of the conference room "Just someone..." she replied as her phone rang, she pressed the button and answered the call "Uchiha Ayame speaking..." she answered.
"Ayame-san, Uchiha-sama has entered the building with Uzumaki-san..."
"Excellent, tell him to go to the conference room, and tell him I'll be waiting..." said Ayame as she hung up and pocketed her phone and looked at Sakura "He's here, and he's coming..."
Who's it this guy anyways? wondered Sakura as she looked Ayame who still held that smirk that made her feel really uncomfortable and suspcious everytime she sees it.
Her question was answered when she heard the glass doors of the conference room open. Ayame turned first and said "Hey, Suigetsu. What's up?" Sakura heard her say with a singsong voice "And why are you here?" she asked after a moment. Sakura turned to see the man named "Suigetsu" he was a man with blue and white hair, and if Sakura wasn't mistaken, she thinks that he is the guy who placed number 3 in the Bachelor of the Year show.
"Hey. Nothing much, I heard this rumour going around that you got a secretary for a certain bastard..." said Suigetsu, then his grey eyes fell on the Sakura, examining her from head to toe "Is this her?"
"Yeah. And she's perfect." sais Ayame nodding "Where the hell is he anyways?"
The doors opened and a familiar voice rose "Alright Ayame, who is this sec-" said Sasuke as he saw Sakura, he paused as he saw her, speechless, he never knew he would see her again. That pink hair, those green eyes...it was Sakura, Sakura Haruno, the girl that he loved, the girl that broke his heart...
"Surprise!" said Ayame, grinning at her cousin.
Crap.
Then they meet again.
Author: That's the first Chapter! REVIEW please, like before, you shall get cookieees!!!