JUST WHAT I NEEDED

PART TWO: Against All Odds

Summary: Sasuke and Sakura have finally gotten together, but can their relationship survive despite the odds?

Chapter One

"Special delivery!"

Sasuke glanced up from the paperwork he was doing at the door in the front of the cramped store. Basses and guitars lined the walls, and in the center of the tiny store was a set of bookshelves full of scores from musicals and such. Over the top of the shelves he could see a flash of pink hair, and a hint of a smile played on his lips as his onyx eyes softened. His girlfriend of three weeks, Sakura Haruno, stumbled over the cord of an amplifier as she made her way over to him, carrying a brown paper bag that smelled like ramen from the ramen bar down the street. He checked his watch.

"You're early." He said, pushing the paper to the side on the counter to make room for Sakura and the lunch. His stomach rumbled at the smell of food. Sakura was looking annoyingly cute in jeans and a soft white sweater, and her cheeks were flushed from the chilly fall air. She smiled, her green eyes sparkling.

"I was bored and figured you could use some company."

"You're just a distraction." He snapped, snatching a styrofoam box with take-out ramen with his favorite seasoning, shrimp, from her cute little hands. Sakura fake-pouted, sticking her lower lip out and making her eyes look sad. Sasuke scoffed.

"So, what are we doing tonight?" Sakura asked in the middle of chewing. Sasuke shrugged, and got up to put up the lunch break sign on the front door. "I was thinking we could go see that new movie. You know, the one with that guy, and that girl with the hair."

Sasuke snorted. "I know a couple of movies like that, moron."

Sakura glared. "No! You know, that one where-"

"Whatever it is you want to do, I'll do it." Sasuke said irritably, sitting back down and finishing his ramen.

"But I always choose what we do!" She fake-whined. Sasuke threw out his own empty ramen container.

"Come back here, help me unpack these new books." He started heading to the back storage room, gesturing for Sakura to follow him. They ducked back into the storage room, which was full of cardboard boxes with old paperwork and restocking supplies. Sasuke closed the door behind her, and then, fast as lightning, pinned Sakura against the wall. Sakura laughed.

"Oh, right, 'unpacking new books.' I see." Her giggling faded as their lips met in a soft, light kiss. Sakura reached up and snaked her arms around Sasuke's neck, closing her eyes as their lips met again. She breathed in his scent, which was always fresh laundry and toothpaste, or else, when he had been playing soccer, freshly cut grass. His fingertips reached under the hem of her sweater just barely, making Sakura shiver.

"Sasuke." She breathed onto his neck as he moved from her lips to her jaw. She pulled herself tighter against his hips-

"Whoa. Bad timing."

They froze and Sasuke looked up at the intruder, glaring. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, looking down. Sakura and Sasuke reluctantly pulled away, straightening their shirts and looking expectantly at Shikamaru. "..Can I join?" Shikamaru grinned. Sakura slapped him. "Okay! Chill out, I was just kidding."

"This had better be good." Sasuke snapped, giving Shikamaru a cold, withering look.

"Hmph. Troublesome brat..." Shikamaru muttered. He handed Sasuke a post-it note. Sasuke scanned it.

"A new coworker?"

"Yeah, weird huh? It's not like we even need one. But she's just going to be here to clean or something." Shikamaru said shrugging. Sasuke nodded. "Apparently she's starting tomorrow. Anyway, I'm here to take over your shift... looks like you needed it." He smirked, heading back to the front of the store. Sakura blushed, looking up at Sasuke through her eyelashes. Sasuke touched his forehead to hers, looking into her eyes and hypnotizing her. She felt like she could get lost forever in his black eyes. They reminded her of outer space sometimes, especially when he was smiling. There was a twinkle in them like a star. He hardly ever smiled, though. Only when she was around.

They left an annoyed Shikamaru and decided to head back to Sasuke's apartment so that he could get cleaned up. Then they'd go to the movies with Hinata and Shikamaru like usual. Hinata and Shikamaru were not dating anymore; briefly after the dance Shikamaru had been under the influence of Tenten's love potion and had been in love with Hinata, but that didn't last very long. Quickly Shikamaru was reminded of his love for Ino, who was no longer chasing Kiba.

Sakura could hear the usual squeak of the knob as Sasuke turned on the shower. She sat on his bed, watching the cars go by on the streets below. His room was slowly beginning to look more lived in. In fact, his entire apartment was looking more lived in. On his nightstand there was a picture, framed, of him and Sakura in front of some statue at some park. Sakura was giving Sasuke bunny ears and Sasuke was glaring threateningly at the camera. His refrigerator actually had food in it now. And of course, there was always something of Sakura's that she'd left behind, like a notebook or a hair ribbon.

Sasuke came in with a towel wrapped around his waist, dripping wet.

"Oh, I got a text from Hinata. Apparently Shikamaru's also bringing that new girl who's going to work with you guys." Sakura said, showing Sasuke the text. He shrugged disinterestedly and rifled through his drawers for something to wear. He walked behind the door and pulled on boxers and jeans, then came back for a shirt. Sakura pretended she wasn't looking at his bare chest, but her blush gave it away.

"Enjoying the view?" Sasuke smirked. Sakura glared, blushing even more.

"Shut up! I can't help it!" She whined. Sasuke rolled his eyes and and pulled on his shirt, and flopped down on the bed next to Sakura, making the old mattress creak beneath them. Sakura leaned backwards and snuggled up against his side. "Mmm. I kind of wish we weren't going out with Shikamaru and Hinata and that girl. I just want to hang out here now."

She could feel Sasuke's heart beating slowly and steadily, his chest rising and falling with each even breath. Despite being in a crummy old apartment on a beat up mattress, Sakura couldn't imagine feeling happier at that moment. It felt like everything was perfect right there. Sasuke's fingertips played absently with her hair as she hummed a song she'd heard on the radio earlier that day. She felt an inner peace she'd never known before, ever.

--

The movie theater was an older one, and therefore crappy, but it was also the cheapest one, and as Shikamaru and Sasuke were each supporting themselves, money was the main concern.

"I guess everyone else is running late?" Sakura murmured, scanning the lobby for the others. Sasuke had his hands shoved in his pockets and was sulking. He hadn't wanted to leave his apartment. He stood behind Sakura, not bothering to look around for their friends.

"Oh well, it looks like we'll just have to be alone." Sasuke said sarcastically. Sakura elbowed him.

"Be nice! Besides, I'm excited to meet that new girl. Aren't you?" Sakura smiled up at her boyfriend. Sasuke shrugged.

"Not really. Should I be?"

"Oh, you're hopeless." Sakura rolled her eyes and returned to scanning the lobby. "...I think I see Hinata." Sakura sighed, pointing to a potted plant.

"And now you're telling me to be nice? She's quiet and ugly, but not that- ow!"

"No, stupid, I mean she's standing behind the plant!" Sakura hissed. Sasuke squinted.

Sure enough, there stood Hinata, cowering behind the potted plant. "...And you want to set this girl up with Naruto. Hn." Sasuke smirked, folding his arms across his chest. Sakura bristled.

"Oh, shut up. Hinata! Over here!" Sakura called, waving. Hinata poked her head out of the plant and slowly made her way over to the couple. She was wearing a big puffy winter jacket that was much too big for her. Sasuke muttered something about crazy people, but Sakura hugged her friend happily.

"What the hell is she wearing that for?" Sasuke whispered in Sakura's ear as Hinata went to buy her ticket. Sakura glared.

"She's insecure, okay?!" Sakura hissed. Sasuke snorted but said nothing.

Just minutes before the movie was supposed to start, Shikamaru and the new girl arrived. Shikamaru was wearing black jeans and a pretty much destroyed looking army-green zip up jacket, which was fairly formal for him. Sakura raised an eyebrow at this, but Sasuke froze.

The new girl was short and curvy, but still extremely fit looking. She had wild blonde hair that was a few shades darker than Ino's and dark, seductive eyes.

"This is Temari. Temari, this is Sasuke and Sakura. Hinata is probably around here somewhere..." Shikamaru scratched his head, searching for Hinata. Temari ignored Sakura and smirked at Sasuke, holding out her hand. Sasuke arched an eyebrow.

"You can put your hand back now." He sneered. Temari just smiled and gave Sasuke 'bedroom eyes.' Sakura felt her body and mind go numb. There was definitely tension between Temari and Sasuke. The way they look into each other's eyes without backing down, the way Sasuke's posture had changed from slouched and bored... Sakura didn't want to deal with this now. She just wanted to be back at the apartment, keeping Sasuke away from this Temari girl.

"SO! ABOUT THAT POPCORN!" Sakura yelled, much too loudly, attracting glares from people around and making Shikamaru look confused and irritated. However, Sasuke and Temari didn't even seem to notice. They continued to look into each other's eyes and insult each other. Hinata came up behind them timidly.

"I-I-I-I h-h-h-have the t-t-t-t-tick-e-e-ets!" Hinata whispered, stammering.

They went into the theater with Temari and Sasuke still snarling at each other. Shikamaru and Sakura sat next to each other and then followed Hinata. The row was filled up, so Sasuke and Temari sat three rows behind them.

The movie began. On screen, there were guns and tanks and people dying. Sakura couldn't process any of it. Neither could Shikamaru.

"He definitely was supposed to sit next to me." Sakura mumbled. Shikamaru crossed his arms.

"Sexual tension is troublesome like that." He replied. He looked peeved, to say the least.

Halfway through the movie, Hinata left because it was too violent. By this time, Sasuke and Temari were still insulting each other, and Shikamaru and Sakura still weren't paying any attention to the movie.

"What a waste of my money." Shikamaru sulked. Sakura fidgeted with the bracelet on her wrist. Sasuke had given it to her, just for no reason. She smiled, remembering how he had shoved the box at her, not looking her in the eye. "For me?" She had whispered, astonished that Sasuke would have bothered to get her a present. He had nodded, still not looking at her. She opened the box. Inside was a plain silver chain, with three small, perfect pearls on it.

But Sakura knew better than to think that the fact that Sasuke had given her jewelry meant that he was too in love with her to want another girl. She bit her lip, trying not to cry. Everything had been going so well. Why did this have to happen?

Shikamaru leaned over towards her.

"Sasuke's not going to ditch you for that chick. Chill out." He whispered. Sakura met his eyes, her own wet with unshed tears. He scoffed. "Trust me." He sat back in his seat and faced the movie again. Sakura gulped. Shikamaru was right. But how had he known that she was worrying about that? She smiled at him.

"You're right. Thank you." She wiped away her tears. Shikamaru looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and nudged her foot with his.

"Stop crying; it's troublesome when girls cry."

--

They parted after the movie. Shikamaru and Temari were going to hang out with Kiba and Chouji (Sakura knew this meant getting as drunk as possible) and Sasuke and Sakura decided to head back to Sasuke's apartment.

"What a stupid movie." Sasuke kicked at a stone, looking annoyed. Sakura nodded.

"I didn't even understand it because it was so stupid." She added. She blushed as he took her hand in his without hesitation. Their eyes met and Sasuke's black eyes seemed to smile, though his expression never changed. Sakura giggled, blushing. Then she remembered how she had felt before Shikamaru had comforted (it occurred to Sakura how strange it was that Shikamaru of all people had comforted her) her but she shook it away. Shikamaru was right. Sasuke cared way too much about her to even think of another girl. She probably had been reading into it too much and overanalyzing everything.

They reached his apartment and Sakura flopped down on his couch. Sasuke perused the refrigerator as his stomach grumbled.

"There's some rice leftover from my dinner yesterday." He held out a pot that had been in the refrigerator, covered by plastic wrap. Sakura shook her head.

"No thanks, not hungry."

"Hn." Sasuke shrugged and reheated the rice for himself. They didn't talk much. Sakura turned on the television.

"Whoa, Sasuke, that guy looks just like you!" Sakura gasped. A young man, probably in his mid to late twenties, was on the screen. He was part of the breaking news that evening, it seemed. Sasuke looked over his shoulder and stopped dead, but Sakura didn't notice.

"Young millionaire is involved in scandal with oil company." Sakura read the scroll out loud. "Wow, that's freaky. He looks almost exactly like you- Sasuke?" She stopped when she saw Sasuke's face. It had gone sheet white.

--

W00t! Chapter one is done! Stay tuned for chapter two: Who is this young millionaire and why is Sasuke so distraught at the sight of him? Will Temari steal Sasuke? And what about Shikamaru and Hinata? PLEASE REVIEW!!!