(A/N) Shame on me for neglecting my other stories! But ideas for stories keep popping to my head. And my obsession with the Akatsuki has caused my head to implode. This is different from the style of stories I usually write, but hopefully it will work out. So, tell me what you think of my new story.

This is like an introduction

Notes:

Italics: Thoughts, dreams, flashbacks, emphasis.

Bold: Inner Sakura

Disclaimer: Since I have plans for world domination, maybe one day I will own Naruto. And Kishimoto's ingenious mind…

Criminal Minds

Work

"Are you ready to order, sir?"

I tapped my pencil impatiently against the tablet in my hand. The rather large man had been sitting there for a half hour, looking at the small menu. His bushy eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Just another minute," he said, putting a finger on his chin.

I tried my best to hide my frustration as I walked away quickly. I came upon a table with bowls stacked up, every one of them empty. I sighed, knowing who it was even when I couldn't see his face above the mound.

"Naruto," I groaned, now having a huge mess to clean up.

I heard a loud burp and many of the customers looked over to us. A few even got up to leave. Naruto was bad for business, to say the least. I picked up a few bowls and balanced them on the tray I was holding.

"At least you pay," I muttered.

"But, Sakura, I'm your friend!" he exclaimed.

"And…?" I asked.

"And I should have a discount," he said. "I am your number one customer."

"Discount my ass," I said, walking to the kitchen.

Izumi, the waitress on cleaning duty, looked at the dishes disdainfully. Her short, curly hair framed her small face. She was a petite girl, not much older than me, who didn't like having a job where minimum wage was less than her allowance.

"Uzumaki, huh," she said.

I nodded giving her the bowls. Everyone here knew who he was. Not only because he came to the restaurant so often, but because he was my brother. Well, sort of. I've been living with him and his guardian, Iruka, for as long as I can remember.

"Yo, Sakura, you have orders to fill!" Iwao, the cook, bellowed.

His pudgy, aged face was always joyful and boisterous. He actually owned this establishment.

"I'm coming," I called.

I walked back out into the restaurant, ignoring Naruto's cries for help as he was crushed by falling bowls. Instead, I walked over to the man who couldn't make up his mind. His menu was placed on the table and he was tapping his fingers impatiently.

When he saw me, he said," I've been waiting."

"I'm sorry," I said, making a note in my mind to poison his food.

He was the one who kept me waiting.

"I want a coffee, black, and a tuna sandwich, no mayo."

My eye twitched. I've been waiting for half an hour to hear that. I might as well poison his coffee, too.

"Okay, sir, it'll be out as soon as possible," I muttered, grabbing the menu.

I ripped out the page in my tablet and clipped it in Iwao's window. I then went back to Naruto's table to clean up the mess he made. He sat with a bowl overturned on his head and noodles clinging to his face.

"You could of helped sooner," he muttered.

"I could of, but didn't," I retorted, taking the bowls to Izumi who wasn't even finished with the other ones.

"Have you ever considered a hitman?" she asked.

"Yeah, but there's not much money in it for them to kill someone that stupid," I said.

She nodded in agreement.

I walked out from the kitchen once more to see Naruto raising his hand.

"That's not necessary," I said as he jumped up and down in his seat.

"I have to go to the bathroom," he cried.

"And you need my permission?" I asked.

"No, it's just… I forget where it is."

He ate here all the time, and he now forgets where the bathroom is.

"Follow the yellow brick road," I said sarcastically, making him suffer because of the mess.

Naruto moaned. It was rather foolish for there was a sign that clearly stated 'restroom'. Sometimes I think he's getting more and more stupid everyday.

"Sakura, your shift is over," Kohori, the night shift waitress, informed me.

She had jet black hair, which was tied in a ponytail and dark green eyes. She wasn't that much older than me, about nineteen years old. Her presence was intimidating until you actually got to know her. She was very kind if you didn't get on her bad side.

I took off my apron and handed it to her.

"C'mon, Naruto," I called.

He ran over to me, rubbing his hands together. Bouncing up and down, he looked more childish than ever.

"We have to go home quick," he said.

He clearly wanted to use the bathroom. I smiled a bit.

"You see, I'm not going home," I said. "I'm a tutor, remember."

"B-but you have the car!" he exclaimed, a pained expression on his face.

I'm the one who has the car because I'm responsible. Iruka said Naruto can drive when he's forty years old. I know he isn't kidding either.

"I have to walk home?!" he cried.

"See you later," I said, blowing him a kiss.

He stuck his tongue out.

I got in my car, turning the key in the ignition. To tell you the truth, my car was a crapshoot. I expected it to fall apart every time I climb in. Fortunately, it was sturdy enough to get me from point A to point B.

I'll buy a new one when I get enough money.

Don't get me wrong, that's not the only reason I work two jobs. I pay rent. Iruka insisted that I didn't have to, but I felt I owed something to him. He was the one who took care of me all my life, I did owe it to him. So, he finally gave after numerous begs and threats.

I arrived at Konohamaru's house, it only being a mile from my work. He lived the life of the rich and famous, but it was his grandfather who was famous. His grandfather was the mayor and he was pretty good, too. Too bad his grandson was spoiled rotten.

I knocked on the door, and a servant opened it.

"Welcome back, Miss Haruno," he said, leading me to the study.

Konohamaru was seated at his desk, slouching.

"Sit up straight, boy," I said playfully.

He turned and stuck his tongue out at me, just like Naruto. He did, after all, look up to the doof. Just to be a rebel, he sank lower into his chair.

"Good luck," the butler said, winking.

I sighed.

"Let's get started then," I said.

-X-

By the end of our session, papers were strewn everywhere. Konohamaru pouted, his head laying on the desk. We hadn't made much progress, as usual. His only interest was Naruto. It didn't surprise me that he was having trouble. I believe he has ADHD, just like his idol.

"I'll be seeing you tomorrow," I said, picking up my school bag.

Konohamaru groaned.

I walked to my car, and when the door didn't open, I banged it. I pulled the handled, and it came free. Climbing in, I prayed that I -and the car- will make it home in one piece.

I traveled at a speed of ten miles an hour. Can't push it too hard. When I got home, I took my key out of my pocket and twisted it in the doorknob. I opened the door, and felt water splash down on me. I then heard maniacal laughter.

"Naruto," I growled.

It wasn't the fact that I was wet that bugged me, it was the fact that Naruto would be such an ass to do something like that.

"I'll give you to the count of ten," I said. "One, two… ten!"

I ran after Naruto as he headed up the stairs, now afraid for his life. It was like an episode of Scooby Doo, running in and out of rooms. He ran into his room and locked the door. I smiled, and went to my room to get a hair pin. I inserted it into the knob, and the door opened.

I ran in and tackled him, throwing him onto the bed to give him a noogie.

"Mercy, mercy!" Naruto cried.

I stopped and let go of him and he fell on his bed. We both broke out laughing. Then I realized how wet I was and moaned.

"If you two will stop goofing off for a bit, I would like to announce dinner," Iruka said from the door.

"Yes!" Naruto shouted.

"For Sakura," Iruka added, and Naruto's face fell.

"You had twenty bowls of ramen at Iwao's," I said.

I wasn't exaggerating, either. He always ordered twenty bowls.

"Fine," he muttered, looking down.

I got off of the bed and followed Iruka down the stairs. The scent of steak wafted in the air, and I breathed it in. I wasn't much better than Naruto. Though I do opt for junk food rather than ramen. Still, we both had notable appetites.

I sat down at the table and Iruka gave me my plate. I dug into it greedily. I didn't eat at Iwao's because I was always busy.

"You're going to bed right after you eat and take a shower," he said. "You have school tomorrow. And don't eat so fast."

Too late. A piece of steak went down the wrong passageway and I was gagging. Iruka sighed.

I didn't care much for school. I was pretty smart and I had a few good friends. It's the first day tomorrow, a Wednesday, and I couldn't wait to see my friends. Even though they sometimes make me want to stick pins in my eyes. But after the first few days, it becomes monotonous.

That night I slept without dreams.

(A/N) So, yeah. Working in the summer sucks, but Sakura is very determined. This is more like an introduction. Well, review and tell me what you think of this new story that will hopefully turn out alright. Oh, and expect the Akatsuki to come in the next chapter. Review for a cookie!