(A/N: Play the media for extra engagement into the story. This chapter is when I explore different genres. You have been warned.)

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It's time for the modeling session. Haruno Sakura—no, Sakurai was nervous. What if she messed up the photoshoot? But then, she remembered what Ino had told her when they were kids. 'You never know until you try, billboard brow!' Sakura can literally hear Ino inside of her head.

She smiled to herself and quickly dressed up in a comfortable sweater along with a dark red scarf. Sakura blinked and walked over to the mirror.

'This should do it...right..?' She asked herself looking in the mirror. These were the only 'boy-ish' clothes she had besides all the dresses she's bought. Sakura still felt bad that her hair was cut short. She loved and missed her long pink hair that draped down to her waist.

However, now isn't the time to worry about her hair since it can always grow back later. She should start worrying about the trail photoshoot.

"Okay, your name is Haruno Sakurai. You have no relations to Sakura at all. Calm down. You're a boy, not a girl." She breaths in while calming herself down with a chant. Sakura exits her apartment and began asking for the location of the Oto Modeling Agency. But then, Sakura realized that she was supposed to meet up with Sai at CherryBomb Café! With that, she quickly ran towards the café.

Sai was waiting for her. He was checking his phone for the time until he noticed her. "Pinkie!" He yelled for her, to which she responded with "Emo!". Sai just shook his head and chuckles a bit...at least, he thought it would liven up the mood a bit. Sakura walked to him and puffed out her cheeks as she was extremely exhausted from running.

"Shorty...you are 2 minutes late for our meeting." He declared in a sort-of disappointing way. Sai grabbed a hold of Sakura's wrist and signaled for her to get on top of his head for a piggyback ride. "T-Thanks..." she said feeling a little bit surprised but grateful nevertheless.

"I'm glad you're not heavy like my brother." He said while giving a small close-eyed smile. "You have a brother?" Sakura asked. The shock was evident on her face. "Mhmm....he's the only one I have left." The atmosphere turns a bit...dreary.

"Sorry...I shouldn't have asked." Her face is now hidden in her scarf. Guilt was what she felt since she assumed that it is a difficult and personal subject for him to talk about. "I'm fine talking about it. I read in a book that honesty is the best policy." He said rather quietly. His demeanor is starting to drop.

Sakura was about to say something in order to object his statement and ask what's wrong since the tone of his voice changed until he declared that they have arrived. Karin was waiting right outside of the entrance of a huge building.

"Sakurai! You're here." She immediately ran out to hug Sakura who hugged back. Sakura then realized that she'll know that she's a girl so she quickly pushed her away.

"Oh, and may I ask who this is?" She looked at Sai and immediately thought of a plan on how she can prove that she is a capable woman deserving of this job of hers to Suigetsu, her arch-nemesis and friend. She is filled with determination to prove him wrong.

"My name is Sai, bitch face." A vein popped on Karin's forehead. For a moment, she saw red until she calmed herself down. 'Okay, Karin. You've taken anger-management classes. You need to remain professional in order to prove to the idiot that you are capable!' She gave Sai a plastic smile.

"My name is Uzumaki Karin. It is a pleasure and an honor to meet you two." She shook both of their hands and quickly lead them to the entrance. "First of all, I would like to welcome you to the Oto Modeling Agency! It is the biggest company in the arts of fashion. We have made countless people into shining stars." Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she said this.

"The interior is amazing...." Sakura whispered in awe. Sai stared blankly at everything and took out his sketchbook to draw the scenery that his eyes begged him to see. "It is." He said curtly. Karin continued on. "This is our president!" She grabbed the attention of them both as she snatched them towards him.

"Aa...Karin. I sssee you've brought guestsss. My name isss Orochimaru, as Karin has told you, I am the president." the man is quite unusual as his accent composes of a lot of 's'...just like a snake.

They didn't pay him any mind since well, every single human being is different and unique in their own way. "Oh! It is time for a meeting with the Hokage...Karin, please continue to escort on my behalf." said Orochimaru as he walked to the exit.

"I know what you're thinking. Our boss is pretty much kind of weird but I promise that he is extremely nice...it's just the fact that he looks and sounds like a snake that creeps most people out." she shrugs her shoulders as she adjusted her glasses.

Karin cleared her throat. "A-Anyways, let us continue this tour before going to the photoshoot." it took exactly half an hour for the whole tour to finish. Both Sai and Sakura were exhausted.

"Let us go to the modeling room!" She said excitedly. And they walked there. The room is filled with makeup artists and clothes designers which is not startling. "These are the trail models. Could you fix these two up?" she asked Suigetsu who just gave the two a smirk.

"Kin, you do the makeup. I do the dressing up." He ordered. "Fine." She groaned and quickly took out her makeup pallet. Suigetsu went outside with Sakura and immediately picked out a bishounen type of outfit. A green jacket to match her emerald eyes and a simple white t-shirt on the inside. The jacket draped off her shoulders which gave Sakura a soft/aesthetic look. Suigetsu hands her a small mask as a prop for the photo.

"Don't forget the neon galaxy-ish contacts. You're gonna look AMAZING!" He gave her a shark-tenth smile. He shoved Sakura towards the modeling room. "Okay, so...most bishounen protagonists are secretly evil despite their appearance. YOU are going to be playing that role." He paused for a moment to adjust the contacts.

"As a reminder, this is only a trail. You don't have to be nervous." Suigetsu whispered into Sakura's ear and she nodded hesitantly. They entered the room to be greeted by Kin who added some blush and foundation along with a light-pink lipstick on Sakura and did the same with Sai. He was already dressed.

It took a few tries since Sakura looked too nice to be secretly evil. "Darling, relax your shoulders and face." Kin reassured. Sakura gave her a small smile. Karin was the photographer and recruiter. "Smile and say 'cheese'!" *click* a photo was taken.

Kabuto entered the room and quickly edited it. "Here you go, Saku-Kun..." he said giving her the I-Know-Your-Secret face. She gulped and check the photo. Her eyes widened. Sakura never knew that she would be good-looking at all as a boy. She was always told that she was ugly as a female after all.

Kabuto then escorted her to a chair and waited for Sai's turn. "Okay, insulting machine. Let's get started. Say 'cheese'!" Karin announces again. Her phone rang. Her boss, Uchiha Sasuke called her. "Oh! Sorry. I need to take this." She said and walked out to the hallway.

«Sakurai.»
«Y-Yes, Uchiha-san?»
«You're late for work. I also called Sai but he didn't pick up.»
«Ah! Sorry...I had forgotten to inform you...»
«*sigh*Haruno. Next time inform me. As for Sai, is he with you?»
«O-Of course! And Sai-San is with me.»
«What are you two doing instead of coming to work?»
«We're at Oto Model Agency, Uchiha-san.»
«Oh....I-I see. Come back to work tomorrow.»
«Alright—»

She was cut off by someone grabbing her phone. "H-Hey! That's mine." She grumbled. Unfortunately, Sasuke didn't hang up. "Hello there...my cute little brother." A tall man that resembled Sasuke spoke up. His voice is as smooth as a baby's bottom and his looks are incomparable. "....Itachi...." was all Sasuke could say through the phone.

"Oh? Why aren't you delighted to hear from your dear brother?" His lips curled up forming a smirk. Sakura was mesmerized by his beauty. "Your pretty subordinate is right with me in Oto..." he whispered and Sasuke's response made Itachi heart shutter.

"I will never let my subordinates near you...ever." He replied. For a moment, Sakura could feel the hatred and resentment in Sasuke's voice. Itachi didn't say anything but laugh. "It's up to them to decide." And he hung up. Itachi gave Sakura her phone back and walked away without saying anything. "E-Excuse me..." she squeaked out.

Itachi stopped in his tracks and turns his face to the side. His eyebrows were raised. "Um...May I a-ask whether you're related to Uchiha-San?" She quickly covered her mouth since her question is an invasion of privacy. "Oh? Why do you ask, mouse?" He asked while crossing his arm.

"I...I was just curious since Uchiha-San is my boss..." she answered truthfully. Itachi just stared at her. A man with blood-shot hair and chocolate eyes walked over towards both of them. "Itachi, leader-sama called for you." This unknown man that was as beautiful and handsome as a god turned his head over to look at her. "Who's this doll?" He asked, completely ignoring a man with blonde hair and sky blue eyes.

"He is here for a trail as the new model of Oto." He said bluntly and walked away. The red-haired man studied Sakura's face for a moment. "You look more like a woman rather than a man." He puts his hand gently under her chin.

At this point, she was blushing since she is now in close proximity to the handsome man. "Oh? I see that you're sensitive..." he smirked and shoved his hand into his pocket searching for something. "You will be a great asset to us. My name is Akasuna Sasori and this idiot here is Deidara." Sasori introduced himself as he hands her a business card.

"I'm not an idiot, Sasori-Danna-un." He proceeds to whack the living days out of Sasori who dodged it swiftly, trying to elbow him back. Both men are capable and on the same level. However, they each have their own weaknesses that they don't want to share. "My name is Deidara, un. You're kind of interesting since you have never heard of us before, un." He said as a hand licked hers which scared her for a bit.

"Oh! S-Sorry about that....my hand is sometimes like that, un..." he said while quickly covering his right hand. Fear was present in his eyes. Sasori didn't move. "You should've hidden that hand. You do know what will happen if someone who is not organic—ahem, the company knows about our secret, Dei-Da-Ra." He snarled.

"I know but this freaking thing has a mind of its own, un!" Deidara argued back. "I...I won't tell anyone of this...matter. However, your hand is rather peculiar." She examined his hand. Both Sasori and Deidara are shocked at her actions. "You...don't find this hand...disgusting, un?" He asked feeling as though that hope for someone to save him wasn't completely lost.

"No. I actually find this hand interesting since normal human beings do not have these kinds of mutations with their bodies. I'm quite shocked when it licked me." She answered back truthfully. Her tone isn't laced with lies. Sasori knows this for sure since he's been betrayed more times than he could count.

"Doll," He called out. "Why?" Why did you not fear us? He was afraid that Sakura...in this term, Sakurai would be the same as his granny...full of lies. "What do you mean?" Sakura tilted her head. Her eyes shined with curiosity as she stared into his blank ones. Sasori didn't say anything. He, instead, walked closer to her and whispered the words that she can never forget.

"We're not humans." Was what he said. "We also know your secret...Sakura." Sasori continued. "It's too late to save us now but...don't trust anyone." He walked away with Deidara who handed her a journal of someone.

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Sai was getting ready for his part of the photoshoot until he felt an unknown presence staring at him. He turned back to look at said person. "Who are you looking at?" Karin asked while fixing her glasses. "Nothing, hag..." he turned back and the person also disappeared.

He closes his eyes and quickly smiled for the camera. After he's done, Sai searched for Sakura who was still outside wondering about the journal that was locked.

'What could this mean?' She asked herself. The note continued on. Her head was starting to break as the puzzles are very difficult...at least, for her. But then, she realized that she could solve this riddle with Nara Shikamaru's help. Haruno Sakura was determined to crack the code and read what is inside the journal.

"What are you doing, Pink Freak?" Sai walked out while carrying both of their photos. "I'm...not doing anything. I just found this journal and wanted to see what is inside. After all, the cover of it says 'The Truth' so I'm curious." She lies through her teeth.

He hands her his photo and her jaw drops. He was wearing a plain grey hoodie and purple-ish contacts. That's all he wore yet Sai look so...beautiful. The picture is made to look like he is going on a date with someone. He was handsome.

Sakura shook her head. 'Why are all these handsome men not taken yet?' She asked herself as fake crocodile tears fall from her eyes. Sai took out an eerie-looking book that Sakura knew since her teacher always read them back in America.

"Why are you reading that...book in public?" She asked feeling irritated since it's full of smut. "Oh? Did you know of it? I didn't expect you of all people to—" Sai was cut off with a sigh. "I will never ever read this erotic book even if it's for my life." She swore on her life.

Sakura had some bad experiences and she lied about the fact that she's never read it before. At the time, she was extremely curious about what can be in store for her in the infamous 'Icha-Icha' series. Her teacher had left class and intentionally forgot to bring the book with him.

She and her classmate, Temari who was studying abroad with her along with her other 2 siblings. She had moved to live in Tokyo, Konoha while she moved to Suna. Temari who was just as curious as Sakura was, told her to read the book, and 'curiosity killed the cat' is what the saying is, and boy were they right. It was extremely erotic with sex scenes that both girls never even imagined.

It was too detailed for their liking. The bodies of each character were so descriptive that it felt like some sort of porn video except the fact that it's all in their head...perhaps, a movie if you will. Young Haruno Sakura lost her innocence...her naive-ness was completely gone.

And that's when she swore to never read or even touch that book ever again. She avoided looking at the infamous book and ignored Sai. "Shorty," he called out. "Let's get out of here." He smiled and picked Sakura up bridal style and ran outside of the company. "B-But the clothes!" She protested. To no avail, he didn't stop.

She sighs as Sai puts her down on the ground. "Surprisingly, you're not heavy." He blinked. Sakura wanted to smack him so badly but calmed herself down. "Whatever...let's go back to the Café." She told him. "Why?" Sai tilted his head.

"We could go to the amusement park or art museum..." his tone sounds like he's pleading her to go with him. "It's too boring to always work at the cafe." He continued. "Let's go then." She gives him a smile. Sai led her to an art museum and Sakura saw —sort of—familiar faces.

"This Art is trash, danna. You have to taste, un." A familiar blonde-haired man was present. He was yelling at a certain redhead who seems annoyed like hell. "Sasori-san...Deidara-san?" She whispered to herself. Sai, being the curious person he is, raised an eyebrow.

"Pinkie!" Deidara has noticed her right away. Sasori walked over to her. "The doll is here?" He was as confused as Deidara was. "Shut up with your doll bullshit, un." He grumbled. "Says the one that says that Art is a 'bang' and not eternal." Sakura is literally getting tired or their arguments. It was too childish despite them being adults.

"Will you all please shut up?" She accidentally bursted her bubble. Sakura quickly covered her mouth after the outburst. She somehow shrunk down and hid behind Sai's tall figure.

"Okay. Don't argue." Sai magically took out a small notepad and made a self-note. "Hotheaded. I like that in a doll." She heard Sasori. Sasori smirked and took out a puppet and began drawing her features on  it. Deidara just ran towards her.

"Pinkie! Whose art is better? Eternal or Short?" His tone suddenly got serious. "Well...in my perspective, both is equally fine and important." She stopped for a moment.

"Oh well eternal paintings are good but only when the painter or the one who shows it to the viewers are famous or have made a name for themselves but like every artist, I'm sure they also have temporary art such as fireworks, flowers blooming in spring so on and so forth." This got both the men's attention.

"I think it's also good that they have short art although it's not appreciated by many. I think that short art is the art that helps us improve and thus creating the eternal art. So if I had to choose between the two I think I'd choose none. Both are special in their own ways and although the views they get are highly different the value they have are equal." She, somehow, spoke in one breath.

Credit: bluusay  (they're an amazing person)

They were contemplating about her answer until a certain black haired man decided to take out a paint brush and draw. "Oh! Another artist, un?" Deidara glides over time Sai. Sasori stayed at his spot and stared at Sakura. "Thank you for this. The offer is still up." He walked away from her. Deidara who notices this quickly leave the premises too.

After a while, Sai and Sakura went home. This was an exhausting yet fun day for the both of them. Their relationship increased a bit but it was a good start. Sakura still needs Shikamaru's help with the journal.

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