AN: The plot bunnies have returned! YATTA! I'm really excited about this one; it was so much fun to write and took up 13 pages on Word, my longest yet! Anywho, I'd just like to say this fic has nothing to do with soup. The idea popped into my head while I was making dinner and I was having soup. I just thought that Stalker Soup was kind of kawaii(omg did I just use the word 'cute'? (-falls on floor-)) and better than just Stalker, but whatever it was 1:00am in the morning when I got the idea. Just thought I'd mention it…Oh yeah! This story is also very different from my other ones; I thought I'd try something different, one that might appeal to people more.
Warning: OOCness. Don't say I didn't tell you.
Disclaimer: Naruto-kun is mine! I stole him! Haha! You shall never get him! (-starts to run from angry police officers-)
"Sunshine"-normal speech
'Sunshine'-Inner Sakura
'Sunshine'-Sakura to Inner Sakura
Sunshine-normal text
Stalker Soup
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The first time she had noticed him was while taking an evening stroll through Konoha Central Park, located near Leaf Academy. She had been returning from her morning shift at the hospital. Well, afternoon really, but she had been there since dawn, tending to the wounded. As much as she despised socializing, helping others was her passion and medicine her gift. Little did she know, he already knew this.
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Seven years ago…
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She'd been leisurely wandering along the small pathway watching the sun send a myriad of colours flaming across the sky. Painting it in shades of gold, sapphire, indigo, plum, and a cherry hue that matched her own vivid pastel tresses. She stopped in her amblings to rest against a Sakura tree as her namesakes swirled around her in gentle spirals. Shaken a few stray rose locks from her vision and observed as dusk slowly shaded the world to its own tones of cobalt and lavender that filled the atmosphere with the quiet stillness that she loved so much. He knew this fact too. Suddenly she had felt a pair of eyes on her, turning her head slightly; she gazed out intently with her own pair of emerald orbs, searching for the one who disturbed her peace. She soon spotted a dark silhouette that appeared to be staring in her direction. Glossy ebony locks barely visible in the shadows that shrouded him, assuming he shared her interest to watch the sunset; she had quickly left him alone and immediately erased him from her mind. After all, she'd probably never see him again and he couldn't possibly be interested in her. Oh how wrong she had been.
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Present time…
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Pale flesh glowed a slickly yellow as the light of computer flickered in the shadows. On the screen, there appeared to be a young woman with gleaming pink hair pulling a dark azure coat. Walking over to a small vanity near the front door, she gave her reflection a quick scrutiny before picking up the keys that sat on a small mahogany table beneath the polished glass. She stepped into a pair of dark black boots before quickly exiting the room, leaving the newly deserted area devoid of any activity. With an excited smile, the man rose from the chair before the computer and headed towards the only exit in the dark room.
"Time to go."
With that said, he disappeared from view.
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A young woman walked slowly down the aisles of the local grocer, vainly attempting to find the items on her list. She appeared to be unaware of the dark haired young man that followed her every step of the way. As she strolled along clutching her basket, she glanced behind her, sensing someone's eyes on her. With a defeated sigh, she left her shopping and proceeded over to the man who had shadowed her every move since she'd left her house this morning.
"Hi! I'm Haruno Sakura, but I guess you already know that," she extended her hand towards his own pale one; he accepted her proffered hand in silent joy, "Anyway, I was just wondering, are you stalking me?"
His silence answered her question.
She nodded, "I thought so. At first I wasn't sure, you seemed to always be there but I thought you were just neighbour or something. But then you appeared to be absolutely everywhere and you seemed to be following me. Guess I was right. So what's your name?"
"Uchiha Sasuke."
She didn't seem to notice that he was still clutching her hand desperately and was gently massaging it with his thumb.
"Cool! Nice to meet you, listen I need to finish up here but why don't we grab a bite to eat later."
He nodded mutely and followed after her obediently, still gripping her hand as she walked of in search of the rest of groceries. Despite the fact that he was silent, on the inside, Sasuke was in ecstasy.
"Hmm...," she mumbled while glancing at her list, "What else do I still need?"
She looked around in surprised when she noticed the tight pressure on her hand release and found that Sasuke was gone. That was, until she noticed him walking towards her clutching a small jar tamari, a carton of orange juice, some instant ramen, and a container of anmitsu.
"How did you know?" she asked in a surprised tone which quickly turned to laughter, "Oh right, you're a stalker, you would know wouldn't you?" she responded to her own question while she accepted the items he'd fetched for her.
"I'd ask you more but I really don't want get into it right now. Definitely later though, with some strong sake too," she added as an after thought.
He remained silent as he quickly returned to her side with a look of utmost adoration on his face. This was more than he'd ever dreamed of(well not really) happening. At least more than he'd ever expected to happen in real life. Currently he was in a state of incredible shock; he had stalked her for years and he'd found her to be a very secluded person, with very few friends and only one very close one. She rarely communicated with others unless it was necessary(he knew, he'd tapped her phone lines over three years ago) and almost never left the private comfort of her home(well almost private, he'd managed to install a few hidden cameras in there while she was at work one day) unless she was dragged out by her friends. But her openness amazed him, he'd never expected her to confront him, much less invite him to tea. The police station maybe, but the local café? Never.
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Both of them rambled towards the tea house, Sasuke trying to wrap his arm around Sakura's waist. When she viciously shoved him off, he settled for desperately clutching her hand(Sakura didn't approve, but she found it impossible to wrench her hand out of his grasp). Upon arriving at the entrance of the shop, Sasuke stepped forward and pushed the no-ren aside for her. At least he's courteous she thought as she lead the way inside. They sat down, well at least Sakura tried to sit down, Sasuke had attempted to pull her into his lap. Yanking herself from his clutches, she slumped down across from him, only to have him immediately switch positions and sidle up beside her. A waitress with platinum hair and chestnut eyes approached them. Sakura ordered some dango and tea from her and Sasuke quickly followed suit. When she left, they both waited in an uncomfortable silence(it was uncomfortable for Sakura at least, Sasuke was quite at ease as he clung to her) and waited for their food. She arrived several minute later with their orders, taking a bite of her dango Sakura figured they'd have to start talking at some point. Sighing dejectedly, she took a sip of her tea and steeled herself for the worst of situations.
"So," she started in a conversational tone, "how long have you been stalking me?"
"Seven years."
Her left eye twitched, the only sign of her discomfort while on the inside, her mind was in turmoil. Seven years?! SEVEN YEARS?! She had only noticed this guy two months ago. In fact, she had only come to the conclusion that he was stalking her, a week and a half ago. Although, if she really strained her memory, she had a fragment recollection of seeing him a few years back. She looked up from her tea and peered at him intently. Yes, most definitely. She had seen him before, several times over the last few years actually, flitting in and out of her life. But he had always blended with the crowd, the sea of people she constantly ignored.
"Ano….yosh, nande?"
Despite his rather frightening(oh, if only she knew) obsession with her, she had to admit she was curious as to the reasons for his interest.
"Nande? It's simple. Your gorgeous, smart, caring, talented, gen-" She cut him of before he could continue with his tirade.
"That's really flattering and all…," her voice faltered when she noticed that he'd paid no heed to her words.
"…proud, confident, independent…" Tuning out his words, she sighed when she noticed that he ignored her pleas for him to stop.
Sakura shot another glance at him, he looked caught up in his own world, an expression of pure bliss written across his face as he massaged her hand and droned on about her perfection. Suddenly a thought struck her. He was her stalker, ne? So, if she played her cards right, she could get him to do anything she wanted. Her inner self recoiled in disgust at her sudden mental inspiration. 'Iie! Iie! Iie! We won't do it! Shannaro!' Ignoring Inner Sakura's revulsion; she purred in a sickeningly sweet voice,
"Onegai Sasuke-kun, would you stop talking for a moment."
She instantly received the reaction she'd been hoping for.
"Oh, Sakura-chan of couse! Gomen, gomen nasai! I didn't mean to-"
She cut him off again.
"Arigatou Sasuke," she almost laughed when she saw his face crumple in disappoint from the lack of the suffix. "You didn't answer my question properly. Why are you stalking me? What have you done? What do you know? How do you know what you know, if you know anything?"
She nearly hit smacked her forehead the moment the last question left her lips. If he'd been stalking her for seven years, knew what she was going to buy before she did, then of course he knew things. It was simply a mater of what he knew and how attained that information. She guarded herself for his answer, ignore the ministrations he applied to her hand and that arm he was attempting(without success) to wrap around her waist.
He blushed at the eagerness(ooooh Sasuke blushed, imagine that) of her inquiries and leaned in closer to her(if came any nearer to her she'd have to punch though, she had a personal bubble and he was already pushing it) to reply.
"I know lots of things," His breath fanned across her pale flesh and tickled her neck. He gazed earnestly into her eyes as if trying to captivate her with his own midnight tunnels. The only thing it did was arouse an immense desire to beat him to a pulp.
Ignoring her aggressive cravings; she questioned him further, "Nani….exactly?"
"Everything. Your friends, shampoo brand, clothing sizes(creepy huh?), dislikes, birthday, preferences, favourite food, hobbies, daily schedule. Your favourite books, colour, number, dental floss type(now that's obsession), height, weight, dreams, goals, ambitions. Absolutely everything that there is to Haruno Sakura," he finished his speech with pride lacing every word.
She blanched. Now that was a lot of very personal information, half of which her friends, heck, her best friend of ten years didn't know. Staring at him in shock, her mind reeled. Nani?! How could he know any of this? That is, if his claims were true. She'd have to find out.
"Honto ni?" she drawled, there was no way in Kami-sama's name she was not going to let this stranger get the best of her.
Sasuke nodded in conformation, still attempting to glomp her. She frowned; she had to admit he was awfully confident. This called for drastic action; her pride was on the line after all. Shrugging the man off of her shoulders(only to have him re-attach himself), she began quizzing him.
"My birthday?"
"March 28th, you're an Aries."
"Height?"
"170cm."
"Fav number?"
"23."
"Parent's name?"
"Haruno Nishihara and Haruno Hana."
"My job?"
"Doctor at Konoha General Hospital. Your registration number is 0-12601."
"Food?"
"Anmitsu and umeboshi?"
"Hobbies?"
"Studying, tending to the ill, reading, and trivia."
"Ano…Favourite book?"
"A set of medical encyclopedias Ten-Ten gave you four years ago on Seigin-no-hi."
So he knew Ten-Ten-chan, eh?(A/N: Oh, I'm sooo Canadian, although I never use this word in real life) Time for some fun.
"How long have I known her?"
"Ten years."
"How did we meet?"
"She stood up for you in the Academy when some gakidaishou insulted your forehead. Personally I think it's gorgeous, so large and lovely. May I kiss it?" he leaned in closer to her without waiting for a response.
She shoved him onto the floor.
"No you may not!" she snarled, all previous thoughts forgotten, for she was still rather touchy about her brow. And who did he think he was, trying to kiss her?
He quickly removed himself from the ground and wrapped himself around her again. Although she had roughly knocked him down, he was in elation. The only thought that took dominance is his mind was the fact that she had touched his chest when pushing him.
"Sakura-chan, onegai, don't be angry with me," he whispered into her ear, all the while trying to kiss her neck.
"Let go of me," she growled, this type of contact was a no-no.
The process continued for about two hours while he listed off every known fact there was to her. That was until…
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She was at the end of her rope. This guy had managed to answer all of her questions perfectly. With a disgruntled tone, she ground out,
"Then what type of dental floss do I use?" Hadn't he claimed to know this as well?
"Spearmint," Sasuke answered smugly.
That was it, although, she did have an ace. There was something that she had never told anybody, not even Ten-Ten. There was only one other person on the entire face of the planet that knew this…
"What's my goal?"
"To become a surgeon at the Royal Flame Hospital."
Tch.
"How do I plan to accomplish this?"
"You are planning on studying under the medical genius Tsunade-sama. The only reason you haven't done this sooner is because you were offered a job at the hospital first and you needed the money."
"How d-" He didn't let her finish.
"In five and half months you are moving into the residences at Konoha University to be instructed and educated beneath her. That is because she is the head of the school and Dean of the medical sciences department. You'll also be her first apprentice in over six years, since the talented neurologist Shizune-san."
"Th-that…how…y-you?" she stuttered, flabbergasted.
That was her deepest of secrets. To most people it wouldn't seem like much, but to Sakura it was. She didn't believe in dreaming or aspirations but she had allowed herself this one. One private hope where she knew there was a chance of failure, where it was perhaps an unreasonable goal. Something that belonged to only her and only her; that was locked away in the furthermost reaches of her mind and sealed up in the dark loneliness of her heart. She had been restraining herself from beating him from here to Kingdome come before, but this was the last straw-
"I'm coming with you," he stated matter-of-factly, snapping her out of her reverie.
"NANI?!!" she thundered. He had to be kidding! He'd been straddling a dangerous line before, but he'd just crossed it now. Heck, he'd cleared it by an extra fifty feet.
"I must go wherever you go. You are my life, my love, and we must never be apart. You are mine," he declared possessively.
Silence.
"I AM NOT YOURS!"
"Of course you are," he retorted calmly, totally indifferent to her outburst.
"IIE! IIE! IIE!" her shrieks shook the establishment to its very foundations and caused everyone in the vicinity to stare at the couple, "Never, ever, ever!"
"Please miss, I'm going to have to ask you to leave if you're going to continue yelling like this," a rather frightened looking manager had approached the pair and was fidgeting nervously as he spoke.
Sakura turned a set fiery viridian eyes on him, the man immediately backed off.
"You, come with me NOW!" she snarled furiously at Sasuke.
With that said, Sakura stormed out of the shop, cropped rosette tresses flying in her wake. 'Oh my God! He did NOT just say that' Inner Sakura trilled. 'We are going to have to beat him! Shannaro!' It was not for the first time that day that Sakura agreed with her inner, she was going to beat this guy into the next millennium for what he'd said. She glanced behind her to see if Sasuke was following, and sure enough, he was. Just the sight of him made her blood boil. Calm down, chill out, she chanted her mantra silently in her head. Not in public, we'll get him alone. Glancing left and right she spotted a dark alley up ahead. Bingo! Springing forward to avoid being glomped by Sasuke, who had just caught up with her, she shot ahead. Creeping into the gloomy passage, she didn't stop until she reached the end of the murky route. The air was musty and smelled of an aged compost heap. Water dripped along the walls, soaking the mold that sprouted from ramparts. Suddenly, a pair of large, muscular arm wrapped themselves around her waist and a hot breath fanned across the back of her neck. These actions were followed by a voice that she supposed was an attempt at husky whisper, to Sakura it sounded like he'd gone and swallowed his tongue.
"Looks like we're alone Sakura-chan, what is it that you wanted from me?"
He then proceeded buried his head into the crook of her neck and began kissing her along the line of her throat. (A/N: I have no idea if this is possible considering the position they are in, it just sounded cool)
"Mmmmm, I knew you wanted me."
OH MY GOD! Someone call the cops and buy her a straight-jacket, because he did not just say that!
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The following paragraphs have been censored due to the incredibly violent content on Sakura's behalf. We shall have to meet up with two unfortunate targets in the next scene. Just so there is no confusion as to what has happened I shall inform you on the basics. Out of her immense anger and incredible temper, Sakura has beaten Sasuke to bloody pulp. After giving him a sufficient pounding, Sakura is no longer angry at Sasuke. When the story continues it shall be later that afternoon.
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Hinata, Ten-Ten, and Ino were huded together in a tight circle near the base of a ruby bridge.
"I wonder what Forehead wants to talk about," muttered Ino, "It had better be good though, it's feakin' cold out here!"
"I-Ino-chan, y-you shouldn't talk about Sakura-chan l-like that and I'm sure whatever she ha-has to say will be important," Hinata countered in a diminutive voice.
"Hinata-chan is right Ino-chan, Sakura-chan sounded very urgent when she called," Ten-Ten grumbled at Ino in Hinata's defense, "Anyway, if you hadn't worn such a short skirt you wouldn't be cold."
"Well, Forehead could still hurry up."
"Hey guys! What's up?" Sakura called to her friends as she broke up their conversation, she had a rather bruised Sasuke in tow.
"Who's this?" Ten-Ten murmured discreetly to Ino and Hinata. She had to admit she was surprised. In all the years she had known Sakura, she had never once shown an interest in other people, let alone the opposite sex; her friend was quite the loner.
"Oh, him?" Sakura jerked a thumb in Sasuke's direction, "He's my stalker."
The three girls nearly fell over.
"Your what!" Ino exploded, "What the hell are you doing with your stalker? Shouldn't you be calling the police on him?" her eyes narrowed, "Or is this some kind of sick joke?"
"Nope, this is that guy I was telling you about, his name's Uchiha Sasuke."
Said person nodded politely to the opposing trio, refusing to leave Sakura's side(well he was more like attached to it). Sakura never once tried to push him away; this did not escape the girl's notice.
"He's not that bad you know. A bit, well extremely, obsessive, and rather annoying but really, not that bad."
"Honto ni?" Ten-Ten obviously didn't believe her, for her tone dripped with sarcasm and disbelief.
"Unless..," Ino interrupted Ten-Ten and turned to glare at Sasuke. Raising an accusing finger, she wailed, "It was you, wasn't it? You drugged her, hypnotized her, brain-washed her!"
Sakura sighed as her friend's voice rose to a hysterical pitch. 'See? Even Ten-Ten and Ino hate him' Inner Sakura whined, 'Let's ditch him or hand him over to the authorities. This guy is crazy, I'd rather date Lee-san' Sakura had to admit that the situation had become grim if her inner was contemplating Lee. That guy was way off the charts creepy. A total clone of his singing idol, Maito Gai, Lee had bushy eyebrows, bug-eyes, a terrible fashion sense(I mean really, who wears green spandex?), and not a drop of shame. Always running about in what he called his 'Dash of Youth' and yelling about the burning passion of youthfulness to the heavens. Although he did have some rather admirable qualities: his eternal loyalty, honesty, ambition, spirit and energy(well maybe a bit too much of those two), determination, and the fact that he was a true friend. He may weird her out, but she had to admit(rather reluctantly) that he had a space in her heart, although it would never be the way he wanted it. 'Or maybe Naruto-kun! Yes, we could date Naruto! Let's just get rid of this freak! Shannaro!' Exasperated with the little(-cough-loud-cough-) voice that bellowed in her head and made her ears ring, our cherry-topped friend felt her patience run dry. 'And that would make a difference, how? He stalked us for seven years for Kami's sakes! Urusai!' Silence instantly resonated throughout her head. Finally some peace! She didn't have a oversized forehead for nothing(though it wasn't very large anymore, she'd grown into it over the years) and she required quiet to think. Her friend needed to be calmed down and she had to find a way to deal with her stalker. She was beginning to regret confronting him in the store.
"I-Ino-chan, onegai, ca-calm…down," Hinata stuttered, as Sakura's thoughts were once again interrupted that day.
"Iie! I won't!" Ino shouted, waving her arms in Hinata's face, "Forehead over there is hanging out with a stalker, her stalker! How do you expect me to calm down?!"
"Ino is right Hinata-chan, what Sakura is doing is insane!" Ten-Ten tuned to face Ino, "Although Ino-chan, you shouldn't have yelled at Hinata-chan like that, she looks like she's going to faint."
It was true, Hinata had paled visibly and looked close to passing out after Ino's outburst.
"Gomen Hinata-chan," Ino mumbled embarrassedly.
"It-it's…alright I-Ino-chan," the shy Hyuga whispered softly.
"Ino-pig, calm down already. I know that you're jealous that I have a stalker and you don't but, you don't need to take it out on innocent bystanders."
Ouch, now that was a low blow, but it was true. Sakura had never met someone as obsessed with their looks as Ino.
"Just because I didn't chop my hair off for no apparent reason Forehead, doesn't mean that-"
"Uh guys? Could we get back to the matter at hand here?" Ten-Ten had interrupted Ino's verbal barrage and was pointing at Sasuke, who looked impassive to all the commotion.
Sakura turned her head to look at Sasuke and was met with a face full of soft, ebony hair. In the ruckus, he had somehow managed to sneak up behind her and now had her lithe frame crushed against his toned chest. While he buried his face into her neck and was gently tugging on her ear with his teeth. Too distracted by her arguing friends and psychological tussle she hadn't noticed him until Ten-Ten pointed him out.
"Get. Off. Me. Now," each word she spoke held a promise of terrible suffering and an imminent death.
"But Sakura-chan, I-"
"NOW!"
Sasuke reluctantly removed his arms from around her; he didn't want what she did to him earlier to happen again.
"Ano…what are you going to do about him Sakura-chan?" Ten-Ten questioned in an attempt to break the silence.
"I'm going to keep him," Sakura chirped happily.
This time they really did fall over.
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A/N: Didn't see that one coming did you, but it's what happens when I've had too much Tylenol, Buckley's, and I'm bored out of my mind. Being sick seriously sucks, I've already missed two days of school. As for any loose ends, typos, and grammatical errors, I apologize. I have not been in the mood to edit. FLAME me about it if you want and if you have any questions about it just PM me. Anyway, I've been thinking of writing a sequel for it or maybe turning it into a twoshot. Also, I know that Ino and Sakura are more of the 'best friends' but I personally like Ten-Ten better. I'm not bashing Ino, it's just a preference…Hmm, I wish that Sasuke-teme had died, but my plot bunnies are fickle and don't care that I hate him. Okies people, take pity on me and review this; I could use some cheering up.
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Something Random: The little piece of plastic on the end of your shoelace is called an aglet.
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Ja ne!