a/n: I think I have given up all hope for my sanity at this point in time... it makes me wonder how all of those authors out there manage to write and post so many stories without wanting to kill themselves... then again, that urge is a constant thing for me, so I really can't complain.
Disclaimer: IDNON, BIDHTOS! That is all.
Summary: Haruno Sakura never knew the true dangers of picking up hitchhikers until it was already far too late for salvation...
Categories: Horror, Suspense, Angst, Romance
Sasukeluva 4eva presents;
~Alone on the Tenth Mile~
Sasuke x Sakura Lemon AU Fanfic
Chapter 1
Hitting The Road
It had been so long since Haruno Sakura had had a road-trip... even if she had been doing so without the company of others... it was times like this that made the rosette ache and long for Ino's inane, pointless chatter, and Naruto's incessant whining... then again, had she actually taken them along for the ride, not only would it be that she would never get any peace and quiet, but she knew that it may have literally gotten to the point where she chucked them out of her car and drove off, leaving them abandoned and more or less left for dead in the darkening wilderness.
As much as she loved them, she knew it would be a giant play on her part just to allow them to tag along, what with her famous short temper and all, and she dearly did not want to take such a risk; she was doing it for their safety after all—protecting them from her unforgivable wrath and fury.
She knew she was more than liable to do such a thing to them, not to mention the fact that she would indefinitely trade them over to the clutches of nature in order to get a few hours of much deserved quietude.
So it was definitely a no-go on letting them accompany her.
Letting out an inaudible sigh, the pinkette gazed solemnly at the road ahead of her, the soft thrum of her car's engine purring steadily, reassuring the slightly anxious young woman as she drove along the densely populated highways, clicking her tongue every so often in inclined frustration as she thwacked her index and middle fingers on the steering wheel, hoping to entertain her patience with the meagre distraction; it did very little to amuse her, so she just settled for plugging in her iPod whilst waiting for the cues to thin out a little (she was quite literally sandwiched between a rather larger and imposing truck to her rear, and a much smaller buggy to her front), attaching it to her stereo system before setting her playlist on shuffle, the soft melody of classical music wafting into the tense atmosphere until Sakura felt her muscles loosen up in response, her contented sigh enough to bring her some peace of mind as she slowly crawled toward her desired intersection.
Although it wasn't her favourite genre of music, she had to admit that when her blood began boiling profusely, signalling her pissed off-ed-ness (her very intelligent non-word for describing her violent mood swings), she found that its calm, soothing vibes did wonders for her blood pressure, so she continued to listen to it thereafter. Her particular favourite was 'Fur Elise' by Beethoven.
All piano-related pieces aside, Sakura enjoyed the general emotion that was portrayed in the song's every note; she had played the piano for many years, but could never quite capture the appropriate feelings for it—she had played solely by reading the notes, and not listening to what her heart was trying to convey for her.
That was where she had fallen in her brief stint as a show performer.
She just lacked the so called 'passion' that was necessary in order to be claimed a true pianist.
Of course, back then her childish mind could not comprehend those words, but now, as an adult... every miniscule detail that was reflected in each instrument's solo was unjustifiably beautiful, bringing a new layer to the song's portrayal and reception—it was only now that Sakura had fully grasped the pull that such music had, and it was then that she had grown to be quite fond—even appreciative—of it.
Smiling excitedly when the rosette saw her intersection coming up, Sakura couldn't help but feel the need to say a temporary goodbye to her beloved Konoha, knowing that her three month vacation in the countryside of Waterfall was going to be quite trying indeed; she did love Japan as much as any native did, after all.
With a rushed "Sayonara!", Sakura veered to the right, taking a turn onto a less traffic-filled highway, before gradually picking up her speed, meeting the road's standard eighty mile mark; finally the thick crowds seemed to be easing out!
Emitting a wordless sigh of relief, Sakura began to hum softly with the song that was now playing, the words always leaving a heavy imprint upon her no matter where she went.
You never go You're always here (suffocating me) Under my skin I cannot run away Fading slowly I'd give it all to you Letting go of me Reaching as I fall I know it's already over now Nothing left to lose Loving you again I know it's already over, already over now My best defence, running from you I can't resist, take all you want from me Breaking slowly I'd give it all to you Letting go of me I know it's already over now Nothing left to lose Loving you again I know it's already over, already over now! You're all I'm reaching for It's already over It's already over now I'd give it all to you I offer up my soul It's already over, already over now! Give it all to you Letting go of me Reaching as I fall I know it's already over now Nothing left to lose Loving you again! I know it's already over now! It's already over now! I know it's already over, already over!
Reaching as I fall
All I'm reaching for!
The lyrics always managed to remind her of the past relationship that she had ended some years ago with a boy that she had truly adored with her whole heart... of course, he had been cheating on her behind her back, and to add to that, he even went as far as stalking her for several long months after that, trying to force her back into his grasp; but from that experience she had matured enough to realise that no matter how much she had once loved him, what he had done was despicable and sickening, enough so that she called the federal police on him and had his ass jailed for five, long years without parole.
Something about that thought was direly comforting.
Sakura subliminally gnawed on her bottom lip carefully as she watched the cars around her eventually disperse and fade from her sight, leaving her alone to face the daunting silence and quite terrifying nakedness of the land; perhaps it would have been a better idea to have had Ino and Naruto accompany her after all...
Cursing over her silent discomfort of being left stranded by herself in the middle of nowhere, Sakura slowly felt herself gather enough courage to press down a little harder on the gas pedal, speeding up to meet her destination.
Or perhaps the reason she felt so anxious was because she just wanted to arrive at her baa-chan's country villa before the night arrived? Not that that was to happen any time soon, seeing as it was more than twelve-thousand miles away, and she had barely made the tenth.
Ironically enough though, just as she was about to increase the speed of her car, the rosette spotted a looming figure sauntering casually on the side of the road, his hand extended with the thumb held up as if in a gesture to say 'Good job!' But Sakura knew far better of its intention.
Whoever was standing alongside the abandoned highway walking with their hand outstretched in such a manner was actually seeking a lift to some place nearby... or were simply stalling to get more mileage out of her.
Normally Sakura would have instantly driven past without a hint of remorse, but there was something about this person that made her want to pull over and ask if they needed a hand getting somewhere.
And you know what?
That's exactly what she did.
"Excuse me, but do you happen to need a lift anywhere?"
a/n: Well, I prolong the suspense by ending here!
I'll bet you can't guess who the hitchhiker actually is!
And I'm telling you now, it is definitely NOT who you're thinking it is! So no assumptions just yet!
So, please review if you want me to continue on this one or not!
And the song I used was 'Already Over' by Red, one of my all-time favourite songs, and also the name of one of my other fanfics!
Until next time!
Ja! x)
*-Sasukeluva 4eva out-*