Rehab

No, you’re not dreaming I really did update. I could give you a long list of reasons as to why it took me so long to do so. Though we both know that’s not why you clicked on this story now isn’t. So enjoy, it’s shorter than normal but I’ll make up for it in the next chapter.

WARNING : THIS CHAPTER HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A BETA! (if you’d like to offer your help please let me know!)


Disturbing the Peace

Sensations, was a clever little hip joint were couples could come and enjoy the soothing sounds of jazz in a cozy atmosphere. Smiles were exchanged while loving gazes met across the crowded dance floor. Men held their partners close, letting their whispered sweet nothings tickle their lover’s ear. The band worked the crowd with a deep erotic vibe, the lights were dimmed so a soft golden yellow candles lit on each dining table. It was hasn’t hard to see this place was made for romance and intimacy, an it was this fact alone that caused brown eyes to glare harder at the empty sit before him. Long ivory fingers clenched tightly over the crystal stem wine glass. Three hours…she was three hours late! No call, not even a returned call! He’d made sure to call both her cell and house phone. The line either said it was disconnected or went straight to voicemail! How…how could she do this…after everything?


“Doesn’t matter…we’ll work through this.” He whispered to calm himself down.


The little pep talk had no effect, but the large swig from his glass did. Nine glasses of wine could really make a man feel good about himself! Leaning across the table he reached for the bottle only to find it empty. This…this wasn’t good.


“Waiter!” The customer to his left gave a sudden jerk, looking back at him with startled eyes; perhaps he’d spoken just a bit too loudly.


‘Fuck’em…’


It seemed a perky little blonde was making he way towards him, se was doing her best to remain calm after all. The man had been drinking alone for the past however so many hours and now he was yelling across the room. It was only her second week and she was a college student. Like she really needed this kind of stress! Putting on her brightest smile she paused a good distance from the man’s table, not too close to be touched, but not too far away to show discomfort.


“Yes sir? Is there anything I could help you with?”


How dumb could this chick be?! Did she not see him sitting there shaking an empty wine bottle in the air? A large brushy eyebrow lifted as if that had to be the stupidest question ever asked. Lifting the bottle in the air once more he gave it another good few shakes.


“What the hell do you think?! Empty…fix it!” Without warning he shoved the bottle at the poor woman.


So much for a stressed free day, she could help but shriek when the bottle was pushed at her; she stumbled back and watched helplessly as the bottle went crashing down on the polished wooden floor.


That was it; first the love of his life had stood him up, and no this damn female couldn’t even hold a bottle! Was something freakin wrong with the whole female race tonight or what? Flying up from his chair he reached out snatching the wrist of the woman harshly. Blonde let out a scream of fright. Panicked, she began to tug and pull, twisting trying to make him release his hold on her. If anything he only tighten his grip and pulled her forward, how dare she try to get away from him like that!


“Now look what you did you clumsy bitch! Pick it up…pick it up right now and get me another bottle! What the hell do they pay you for?”


“Stop it! Let go!”


Their voices quickly rose, the music stopped, but neither noticed all eyes were on them. She thrashed from side to side. Her pleading did nothing but anger him more. Slowly nearby couples were pushing their chairs back trying to move farther away from the scene being caused.


“Shut up! You’re paid to do what I say…so do it!”


“Lee! Let her go!”


Lee’s mind went numb; he froze turning to look at the fuming woman standing not three feet from him. His brown eyes widen as he let go stumbling back as the satin pinked haired woman approached him. In his state of shock didn’t fail to notice Sakura was not dressed for dinner. She came in a pair of faded jeans and a zip-up hoody jacket.


“Sa-Sakura!”


She didn’t even speak storming towards him, closing the gap before her hand lifted effortlessly and sliced across the air, the smack echoed throughout the deadly silence.


“You wanna know why we aren’t working Lee! This!”


Her arms flared out, waving around and pointing out the scene they had caused. Shaking beyond compare the poor waitress crumbled to the ground crying hysterically while clutching her wrist to her chest. The mangers, who failed to do anything while this whole thing was going on, were shocked stupid, staring mouths open and hiding in the kitchen doorway. The guests were much of a mixed crowd. Some looking scared and ready to run in a flash, others were boldly smirking at the show highly entrained by the drama.


“I…I…Its not…”


Green eyes grew sharp as she hissed, “Don’t you dare say this isn’t what it looks like Lee! How much?” She snapped.


Nervous, he lifted a shaky hand to his green necktie. It was getting hard to breath and was it just him or was it hot in here?


Looking worried he whispered back, “…How much?”


“How much have you drunk tonight?”


“Just…just a glass or two…”


“Lair!” The waitress chimed in. Oh it was on, he was going to pay for what he did, and with that in mind she sang like a canary, “I saw him drinking at the bar before his table was ready…then he drank that whole bottle!”


Trembling fingers pointed to the shattered glass on the wooden flooring.


“A glass or two huh…Damnit Lee I don’t need this! Not with Naruto-”


She never expected the fisted that slammed down on the table. The force was so great the table cracked before giving way and crashing to the floor. People flew back the waitress crawled along the ground trying to get farther away. Sakura’s eyes popped out and she leapt back taking in the damage, part of her was starting become afraid.


“Not him! Not tonight!”


“Lee…he’s my friend…I have to look out for him…you know that.” She knew he was angry…but this…this was uncalled for.


The blonde’s brown eyes glared at the kitchen door, what the hell was going on?! Damnit why wasn’t the staff doing anything? Why weren’t they calling the club security, or hell the police!


“He’s your fucking life Sakura! It’s always Naruto needs me this…I have to go to Naruto that! You might as well fuck him!”


“You bastard! I’m all he has!”


“What about me? Your boyfriend!”


“An alcoholic!”


“Better than a druggie rape victim!”


Now if people were trying to ignore this whole conversation and pretend this wasn’t happening, they pretty much threw that out the window at this point. So the battle lines were drawn and without warning Sakura threw the closest thing within reach. Which so happen to be a lovely vase full of fake blossoming lilies. The vase sailed through the air, but Lee ducked letting it shatter against the ivory pillar not too far behind him. He didn’t seem the least bit phased by the act. The same couldn’t be said for the elderly couple sitting by said pillar, and the old woman gave a startled scream before passing out. Her husband gasped rushing to her aid, yet no one else dared to move.


“You have no right! How dare you speak about things you don’t know or understand?!”


Lee glared moving forward to tower over the woman, yet Sakura stood her ground not the least bit afraid. Oh no Sakura was far from afraid for rage pooled inside her, fueled by the injustice against her friend.


“Is that so? I know what you tell me. I know why you leave my place in the middle of the night! I’m sick of playing second to him Sakura!”


Sakura growled placing her hands against Lee’s broad chest, shoving with all her might. Yet he was like a hunk of stone and didn’t move an inch.


It was Sakura that was stumbling back, “Then don’t! Leave! I told you, I don’t need this! I can’t handle this…”


Lee looked alarmed. Sakura was leaving him?


No…No Sakura couldn’t leave him!


His voice cracked slightly from his inner panic-attack, “What are you saying!?”


“I’m saying we’re done Lee. We should have been a long time ago. Naruto…Naruto is tired…he’s ready to get help…to clean up his act. I can’t leave him now, not when he needs me most.”


“He’s said this before! Remember! He always says that…then he’ll ask for money leaving you broke. You’ll come to me…it’s a pattern! Don’t punish us because of him!”


Tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, she rapidly shook her head no.


“Not this time…his cousin’s helping…Naruto would never disappoint him.”


“Then if he has a fucking cousin why does he need you too? I need you!”


“….more like a tall glass of Scotch on the rocks…” A voice mumbled from somewhere in the room


Lee stiffed and spun on his heels glaring hard at the crowd.


“Who the fuck said that?”


No one spoke.


“Lee…please….let’s go…” Sakura gentle put her hand on his shoulder.


Slapping off the hand Lee shoved her off moving closer to where the voice came from.


“I said, ‘who the fuck said that?’ you think this is fucking funny? Huh!”

Sakura fell back to the floor a bit stunned, but no far worse for wear. She could do nothing but helplessly watch as Lee stormed about the place screaming and yelling at anyone and everyone. The waitress was right next to her, not knowing what to say or do. The man had already broken a table and now he was throwing things and flipping over tables. Sakura nearly screamed when a cold hand touched her’s, taking her hand back she felt the hot breath wash over her ear.


“You okay?”


Slowly she looked over her shoulder. Sakura had wished she could say the world stopped and everything faded away, that her heart started racing and that nothing else mattered. She wanted the heavens to open up and a glorious light to shine down, angels would be singing and harps playing. Yet the fact still remained her boyfriend, umm err… ex-boyfriend was behaving like a lunatic, and pair of calm sea green eyes were staring back at her. Oddly enough she found the heavy black eyeliner rather…appealing. Her eyes shifted up a bit higher admiring his vibrant red hair, and wishing she could pass her fingers through its shoulder length. How adorable, a few strands here trying to cover up what seemed to be a kanji tattoo on his forehead…what did it read? Love?


“I…I…sorry.”


The red head shook his head, placing a hand on her back and once again taking her hand to help her up.


“He’s out of control…you have nothing to be sorry for.”


Sakura swallowed slowly, being so close to him had allowed her to take in the scent of Axe body spray and cherry scented smoke. The sudden impulse to lick her lips was so strong she bit her lower lip instead. She couldn’t help but wonder how or why the feeling was coming over her. She hardly noticed she was behind led aside and he was removing himself from her and stepping forward.


“Wait…what are you gonna do!?” She fingers shot out catching his hand just in time before he could get too close.


Was the Fire God, oh yes…Sakura had decided to name him Fire God. You know…red hair…red fire…He was hot. He was making her hot, and fire was hot. Look it makes perfect sense in Sakura’s mind! Now, yes Fire God had to be insane. Lee was a bit…well funny looking, but still the guy was deadly, working part- time as a marital arts assistant! Being drunk just made him more lethal!


Sighing he removed his hand and glared at the raging man, “My job…”


“Get out.” The red head did not shout, though he spoke clearly and in an even tone, yelling just gave him a headache.


Lee turned his rage towards the newcomer.


“Make me!”


Shrugging his shoulders, he planed to do just that. Yet Sakura leapt forward holding him back.


“No! You’ll get hurt!”


Lee didn’t know what to say at first, there stood his girlfriend hanging all over a red hair freak with way too much make-up and pale ass skin. He looked sickly in his black polo shirt and black slacks.


“Sakura…get the fuck off of him!”


Sakura frowned shaking her head, “Promise you won’t hurt him Lee!”


There was a light tugging on his pant leg and green eyes turned down meeting brown misty eyes.


“Crazy…aren’t they Gaara?”


“That’s to say the least, you okay Tai?”


“I guess…” Tai turned looking from the screaming couple before looking back at Gaara highly pissed off.


“Just where the fuck have you been Sabaku!? He’s been acting like this for at least thirty minutes!”


Gaara shrugged, “I was on break…I heard the noise, but wanted to finish my smoke first.”


Tai gapped her eyes wide, “Bastard! You mean to tell me, you could have done something sooner, but decide smoking was more important?!”

“I’m here now…calm down.”


“…You Jerk!”


Gaara sighed, they didn’t pay him enough to deal with this shit, and really…8.50 an hours was starting to look really lame. Once again Gaara removed the woman from his side, she tensed looking lost and worried all at the same time. Why did everyone think his was weak? Okay so his was a bit short with a slender body frame, that didn’t mean he couldn’t handle himself in a fight. Still he felt the need to reassure her just the same.


“Everything will be fine…I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”


Gaara didn’t fail to notice Mr. Temper-Tantrum wasn’t too pleased with their exchanging words and decide to speak his own. In times like these having a nagging older sister helped, how else would he learn to tune out the bullshit. If his mental clock was right, he got off in about ten maybe fifteen minutes. Given time for traffic, he could make it to the upper north-side in time to pick Sukenobu up from work and then get a good home-cooked meal and hear all about her mentally fucked up clients. Yeah…gotta finish this quickly.


Tuning back into the world of the living Gaara was able to catch the last few profanities thrown his way. Now Gaara had seen and been in his fair share of fights, but this was something else. In his own right Gaara only had a split second to rush to the right as a fist came flying at him. His eyes narrowed paying closer attention to the task at him. Temper-Tantrum grew more upset his punched missed and threw more into, and with that fist went flying. With careful calm movements Gaara stepped out of harm’s way every time but he couldn’t find an opening to hit the guy back. Mentally he knew the layout of the upper dinning floor, so he could avoid the table and chairs, which were smashed and trashed by his opponent. Yet when people started screaming and running around to get out the way it became a bit more difficult.


Time was ticking away, and at this rate, Sukenobu would get a ride home from her assistant, Hiten, and leave. That meant no home cooked meal and no one to talk to. That…was unacceptable. Growling Gaara shot forward chancing it as Lee’s fist grazed his shoulder, but Gaara lifted his elbow slamming the body part full force into the other man’s face. Lee went flying back, hands shooting out to cover his busted nose, as he crashed landed on another table. Gaara fell with him, landing with a hard thud. In a childish manner, the two began rolling along the floor throwing out punches whenever they could. It ended with Gaara on top fisting Lee’s shirt and slamming his fist into is face. Snarling Gaara socked Lee in the chest as well, making it harder for the raven hair man to breath. It was with great control Gaara rolled off the other man, his side hurt like a bitch, his lip was busted and he wouldn’t be surprised to find out that tomorrow his right eye wouldn’t require any eyeliner see as how it was black already.


Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out his cell phone and without looking down hit the number four. He pushed his body back against the wall keeping both eyes on the panting chocking man before him. The guest had clear out while the fight had taken place, all that remain was Tai, and the pink haired woman. The phone rang only twice before a soft voice picked up.


“Free-loader.”


He couldn’t help but smirk, “Have you left yet?”


“No…I’m just getting ready to…why are you asking?”


“Want a ride home?”


“Want dinner?” He could hear her trying not to laugh.


“I’m on my way.”


“Alright, I’ll be in the downstairs lobby.”


“Sukenobu?”


“Yes Gaara?”


“Bring an ice-pack with you.”


“…..You’ll never change…will you Sabaku?”


“Na-huh.”


Without saying goodbye on either end they both hung up knowing all that need to be said was said. Pushing off the ground, he groaned and began walking towards the exit.


“H…Hey!…I…I’m not…not done with you yet!” Frowning he looked over his shoulder.


Sure enough the guy was up and standing, getting back into a defense stance, looking just about ready for anything. Gaara shrugged, hissing as pained laced through his shoulder.


“Why bother… I got off four minutes ago.” Tossing a wave over his shoulder the red head moved down the spiral staircase and across the vacant dance floor, with only one thing in mind.


‘…Food.’


Sakura didn’t know what to think, but as her eyes followed the red head as he left she couldn’t help but wonder if she would see him again. He did work here, maybe she’d stop by a bit more often. Lee was limping towards the stairs yelling for Gaara to come back and finish what they started, that he’d better not turn his back on him. Sakura sighed moving to stop the crazed man, maybe se could sign Lee up for rehab as well. The guy was seriously in need of some kind of help.


Sitting perfectly still Tai looked around completely alone, the distance sound of police sirens could be heard, and she couldn’t help but utter a laugh. The place was trashed; the fight seemly over, and now the police come.


“Heh…I’m so suing for pain a suffering.” With that said she picked herself off the floor and headed out the same way everyone else had.


.O.- .O.- .O.- .O.- .O.- .O.-END OF CHAPTER -.O. -.O. -.O. -.O. -.O. -.O.


To all who have reviewed for this story, I thank your greatly and I am sorry I took so long to update. Hopeful with classes ending this month I can update at a much faster pace.


Please continue to review and share your feelings and thoughts!