Date: 10/3/13
Rating: K+
Genre: AU, drama
Prompt: AU – Sasuke is Sakura's bodyguard

Her hair was the color of artificial sugar—of cotton candy and maraschino cherries, of sherbet and cranberry cocktail—leaving Sasuke at a loss of what to say, fighting the urge to cringe as he was introduced to his new employer's daughter. Pink. Her name was Sakura—of course, it was—and her hair was pink. It was almost cavity inducing, and Sasuke wouldn't have been surprised if she had a personality to match. Perfect.

Her father cleared his throat, taking Sasuke's attention from Sakura to his outstretched hand, giving him one last handshake before turning to leave the room. Sasuke frowned, watching in silence as Kizashi walked away and closed the door behind him. They were alone now, and his job had officially begun, which, he imagined, would entail following her as Sakura shopped, listening as she gossiped, and supervising whatever else it was the privileged enjoyed. His frown deepened. Just perfect. Just—

"You don't smile much, do you?"

Sasuke blinked. "Who?"

"You," Sakura said, chuckling as she took a seat on the settee, "You look like you just eaten something unpleasant."

He raised his brow; well, he thought, she wasn't entirely wrong. However, he said nothing, holding a vacant expression as he stared at her, waiting for her command. But Sakura didn't know that, expecting a response, getting nothing. She sighed, adding under her breath, loud enough for him to hear, "I guess you don't talk much, either." More silence. She pursed her lips and propped her elbow on the settee's arm, leaning her head on her loosened fist. "Yeah, I'm going to change that."

Sasuke suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He'd like to see her try.

"What, you don't think I can?"

He bit the inside of his cheek—so she was a sharp one. Sasuke cleared his throat. "I didn't say anything," he said.

Sakura crossed her arms. "I'm aware," she said tonelessly, combatting Sasuke's vacancy with her own. "But I know you were thinking it. And you're wrong. I bet if I tried hard enough I could get you to smile, maybe even by the end of your first month." She paused and shook her head. "No, I take it back, by the end of this week."

"You think so?"

She stood up. "Oh, I know so."

"And if I win?"

She shrugged. "Whatever you want, I guess. But I assure you," she said, extending her hand, her eyes full of mischief, "you won't."

For a few moment, Sasuke merely stared at her hand, taking her offer into consideration. It was tempting, but he wasn't stupid. She wanted something out of this, and what it was, he had absolutely no idea.

And she was confident, almost too confident for his liking. But, he reminded himself, so was he; it was his job, and if this bet gave him the chance to earn extra cash while he was on the job, then he'd take it. He smirked and took her hand, sealing the deal. "You're on."