Title: Grad School Drama
Pairings: Unknown (Look at bottom for more info)
Genre: Romance/Humor
Summary: AU Haruno Sakura is a young girl, fresh out of college and ready to face the world. Well, not yet. She still has to face the challenges of grad school and all the drama it brings along. KakaSaku, SasuSaku, NejiSaku
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"Wait, so you take a left on that road?"
Haruno Sakura was confused and irritable as hell. She had been driving for four hours straight from the city of Mist and was making good time on getting to her destination, but had lost her momentum when she had spilled a vanilla latte over her map and it was no longer legible. Apparently, the locals were a bit dim-witted because they could hardly explain how to get to a place somewhere within their own city, let alone a famous institute.
"Yea, just take a left and you'll see the building on the far right."
"Thank you so much sir." Sakura nodded quickly and waved briefly before vanishing beyond the curb.
"This better not be wrong…or I'm gonna kill someone!" Inner Sakura complained darkly.
Sakura sighed as her patience began to crack. This was the fifth set of directions she had received and the previous directions had either led her straight into a roundabout or dead end. One had even dragged her into a particularly grimy ditch that took about two hours to haul out with the help of some local tow-away cars.
Just as she sped over the hill, she spotted a grand, monolithic building that had Konoha Grad School plastered over the front. Adjacent to that building was another large institute but had the sign Konoha University on it. Behind the two buildings was a tall whitewashed complex that looked more of a hotel than an average student dorm.
Glad that she had finally made it, she parked in front of the building that said Konoha Grad School and loped out of her tiny, sleek convertible and stretched out her long legs. She entered the building with a certain degree of timidity because its grandeur intimidated her.
The quality of the flooring and architecture was superlative and rich velvet curtains adorned every stained-glass window on the first floor. Fresh bouquets of lilies and crocuses embellished the fine furniture and complimented the rich colors around her.
Sakura stopped to gaze in awe of the beauty of the school when the rough clearing of a throat interrupted her speculating.
"Ah, miss would you please mind moving? I'm trying to get through this door except you're blocking the way."
Blushing slightly, she muttered a small apology and slid aside to let the stranger pass.
He had a black mask over his face and gray, silvery wisps of spiky ruffled hair fringed over his left eye. Despite his hair color, his face held the outline of a strong jaw and high cheekbones, accented with dark, elusive eyes. His stature was prominent and you could tell he was very well built, with perfectly symmetrical pectoral muscles and toned biceps, visible due to his tight muscle shirt. He stood a towering 6' 2" and Sakura felt even smaller compared to everything around her.
The stranger looked over its shoulder for a moment to look at Sakura curiously and then said, "Hey, you don't happen to be lost do you? If you are, you could come with me and I could show you where to sign in and find your dorm."
Cringing inwardly for her speechlessness, Sakura hastily mumbled, "Um, thank you so much. Its just that I'm new in town and to this school so I tend to get a little sidetracked in big places such as these."
The stranger laughed a surprisingly deep laugh and scratched his head sheepishly. "Its no biggie, I just want to help a damsel in distress. By the way, the name's Hatake Kakashi."
Sakura shook his bowed slightly and said with a tenor of cheerfulness, "It's a pleasure to meet you Hatake-san, my name's Haruno Sakura."
"Sakura, please drop the honorifics, it makes me feel older than I am. Besides, were about the same age right?"
"Well Kakashi-san, you don't look to old so I'm guessing you to be 22 at least?"
Kakashi's eyes crinkled slightly in the corner as he belted out another hearty laugh.
"Good guess Sakura. I'm thinking you're about the same age right?"
Sakura looked at the carpet before hesitantly answering, "Actually, I'm only 19 years old…" Her voice trailed off awkwardly and she looked up and caught his gaze.
He looked a bit surprised but then recovered quickly, masking his reaction with a quick grin. "Well that just proves that there are some people that are smarter and prettier than others. Neh, Sakura?"
Widening her eyes in embarrassment, she stumbled her words a bit. "Ah, thank you Kakashi-san for the compl---"
She was cut off as Kakashi as he said, "Didn't I tell you? Call me Kakashi. Now let's get you registered and settled down before you collapse from being overwhelmed. The first few days in Konohagakure are pretty rough."
Nodding wearily, Sakura trailed behind her him until she entered her papers in and she was set.
Everything after that was a blur and all she could recall was passing out onto the soft, blissful sheets on her new bed.
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Sakura stirred a bit her sleep and mumbled a pair of incoherent words. She opened her eyes a crack and quickly shut them because of the bright light streaming through the window beside her.
Suddenly, her eyes flew open and a torrent of memories came rushing back to her head.
"Oh right…I'm in Konoha now…" Inner Sakura thought dazedly.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the high-pitched sound of a female voice.
"Hey! You're finally awake sleepyhead! I thought you were dead for a moment and I was about to pour a bucket of water on you." The female figure pointed to the small pail of ice water sitting beside her. "Anyways, wow! You need to get up and get ready! My name is Yamanaka Ino, your new and eternal roommate!"
She continued to ramble on until Sakura muttered, "Wait, who are you again?"
"The name's Yamanaka Ino though you can just call me Ino-chan! Like I said, we should get you up and moving since I'm on a tight schedule and I was appointed to give you a tour!"
"Wait, wha-"
Sakura was cut off once more as Ino dragged her off the comfy bed and ushered her into the bathroom. Ino trundled out of the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
"Come out in thirty minutes! I'll be waiting for you till then. There should be everything that you need in that bathroom. Later Sakura-chan!"
The soft padding of footsteps could be heard and the slamming of the front door rang through the air.
Sakura groaned. Everything was too fast paced. Deciding to do something, Sakura stepped into the warm confines of a tepid bath and bathed herself for fifteen minutes.
Feeling undeniably refreshed as she stepped out, she wrapped her body in a soft terrycloth towel and proceeded to dry herself. After blow-drying her hair, she shook her long roseate tresses to fluff it out and stepped out of the bathroom to grab some clothes.
She slipped on a white tank top and a dark gray hoodie with the words Konoha Shinobi imprinted in the front, and a pair of tight, form-fitting black jeans.
She had no jewelry on except one metal ring with a black orb on it that she wore on her right middle finger and a pair of diamond studs.
When Ino inspected her, she nodded her approval and exclaimed, "Good thing you're pretty, because you're gonna need it here!"
Sakura just cocked her head inquisitively and replied, "Why's that?"
Ino turned with a playful gleam in her eyes, "Because in Konoha, reputation is everything."
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Sakura nimbly followed behind Ino's marching pace, ignoring the odd looks she were given.
"Do they always treat the new girl like this Ino?" Sakura asked slightly perturbed.
Ino stopped to tilt her head as if she were thinking and then answered, "Truthfully, no. You must be something special if everyone is giving you all these looks." Ino gave her a playful nudge in the ribs and grinned. "Anything you wanna tell me about Sakura-chan? Any secret conspiracies or reputations?"
Sakura stood there silently until Ino broke out into giggles seconds later and wavered off a slight apology. "Just kidding Sakura-chan, I'm sure you're too innocent to have a bad history. Anyways," Ino stopped in front of another large stone building that Sakura hadn't noticed before and turned to face her, "This is as far as I'm gonna take you. Your new guide will be here soon since I'm only in college and you're in grad school. Though I swear, you look younger than me..."
Before she could retort an answer, Ino skipped happily off to another region of the campus and Sakura stood there alone, with small groups of people twittering past her to get through the doors.
"Sakura, you really need to stop that habit of blocking people's way in front of doorways. It's impolite."
Sakura's face was creased with sheer joy and she heard the familiar voice of her newfound friend. She turned around to come face to face with the dashing Kakashi.
"Kakashi! Are you going to be my guide?" Sakura said hopefully.
Kakashi pointedly replied, "Ah, I wish but I'm not," Sakura pouted a little, "though my good friend Hyuuga Neji is."
A tall man with long chestnut locks and a pair of stunning pearly white eyes stepped out from behind Kakashi and nodded in acknowledgement at her. His features were graceful but his expression was stern and cold, as if he had never smiled before.
Sakura a bit frightened by this strange man and flinched slightly when his gaze locked directly with hers. She stood there, frozen for a moment till the Hyuuga stopped looking at her and brusquely walked past Kakashi and through the doors.
Sakura was stumped for a moment until Kakashi laughed his hearty laugh and pulled Sakura by the arm.
"It seems he likes you Sakura. I know you'll get along just fine." Kakashi said with a wink.
Sakura just shook her head and followed Kakashi within the building.
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It turned out that that building was the cafeteria and Sakura ate with relish after realizing how hungry she was. She hadn't eaten since lunch from the previous day.
After a filling meal, Kakashi left her company and Sakura was saddened for a moment until she realized that Neji was walking out the building.
Hurrying to catch-up with him, she didn't notice the strong figure walking in front of her and she collided with it.
Sakura squeezed her eyes and took deep breaths to clear her ringing head. Just then, a mellow, monotone voice cut through her disturbance.
"You should get off the floor. People are staring at you."
Sakura looked up and saw the towering figure of Uchiha Sasuke. His ebony spikes were unruly and deep onyx eyes looked blatantly around him.
He sauntered over her and gave her a swift glare before trudging off to grab a bite. Sakura sat on the floor flustered and a bit angry because of his rudeness and audacity.
"That bastard didn't even lend us a hand!" Inner Sakura shouted righteously. "Let's go kick some pretty boy-ass!"
Sakura slowly got up and dusted her pants off. Inner Sakura slyly said," Though he was damn hot. What is up with all these hot guys on campus? It's like a buffet or something."
Sakura blushed and tried to get the vulgar thought out of her head. She didn't notice the looming figure of Hyuuga Neji towering over her, teeming with impatience.
"It'd help if you could get off your ass and move, because I'm busy today and I have a tour to give." Neji snapped.
Sakura's eye twitched and she let a bit of Inner Sakura out.
"Asshole! Don't bother giving me a tour if you're so damn reluctant! Besides, I don't need your freaking help anyways. Why are all the guys in Konoha such rude pricks?"
All heads turned and gaped at Sakura. She had just insulted the great Hyuuga.
Sakura was slightly confused but still fuming with anger and didn't care about all the incredulous looks she was getting.
Swiveling her head toward the uninvited audience, she hissed, "What are you looking at? Eat your damn breakfast and mind your own business!"
Everyone slowly looked away, though not without whispers or comments being made.
Neji stood there, visibly shaking while trying to retain his rage.
"Where does this little girl get off trying to insult me and publicly humiliate me?" Neji took a few deep breaths and regained his cool composure.
"Just get a move on. I'm doing this as a favor for Kakashi so let's just get it over with. After this, we won't ever have to see each other again." Neji retorted icily.
Huffing, Sakura just stomped out, with Neji right behind her.
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Sakura's strange mood had receded almost instantly as she limbered with a graceful gait around the school. Its beauty had never ceased to amaze her and the sakura trees were in full bloom as well.
Her hair whipped around her face as eddies of cherry blossom petals drifted around in a whorl and she smiled sweetly.
Neji was still a little irked by her tirade but he had noticed that her aura had changed once she had stepped outside. It was as if the girl in the cafeteria was a whole other Sakura.
He started to study the peculiar girl that had openly defied him. She had pale, flawless skin, without a single blemish pocking her face. Her features were graceful, just as her movements were. Her long, light pink locks were accented with a pair of chartreuse green eyes that were fringed with spiky black lashes. She wore no makeup and was garbed in a relatively simple outfit, except it suited her perfectly.
After examining her, he turned his attention back to her iridescently noticeable hair and peered at her roots.
"Is her hair actually pink?" Neji thought curiously.
Brushing off the menial thought, he spoke in a cold tone, "Haruno, we have to move. We've wandered around here for too long. I have to show you where your classes are as well."
Sakura just resumed following Neji into another grand building, ravished in splendor. She seemed to be following with a little more meekness until she stuttered nervously.
"U-um…Neji-san? I'm sorry about my rude behavior earlier. You see-" Sakura stopped briefly before hesitantly adding, "-I technically have two personalities. It's kinda like having two minds and sometimes she gets a little out of control sometimes. Please forgive me."
"Well that explains her sudden mood swing." The Hyuuga thought coolly.
Sakura kept following behind the Hyuuga with her head down, abashed. She thought that Neji was still angry at her and was slightly frightened.
Suddenly Neji turned around and she bumped into him and fell once more. Rubbing her head, she yelped in pain until she saw a hand reaching down to help her up. Grabbing the hand, she was heaved upwards and she bowed her head quickly and added a small 'thank you'.
"Hn. Haruno, its fine. I apologize for being rude to you. I just wasn't having a good morning." Neji said stoically.
Sakura's eyes brightened up and a ghost of a smile graced her lips.
"Ah, I forgive you Neji-san. I think we started off on the wrong foot. My name is Haruno Sakura. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Neji just nodded in response, but there was a certain relief of tension in the air after the apology.
Sakura was beaming inside as she thought, "Maybe not all the guys in Konoha are bastards after all…"
Sakura jumped as she realized that Neji was walking off without her again and started running to catch up with him.
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Sasuke sat on a stone bench as his onyx eyes boredly wandered around the campus. He spotted a flash of pink and brown as some people exited the Medical Building. He recognized the pair, the brown head as the Hyuuga and the pink head, who was chatting amiably with the despondent Hyuuga, as the girl who had run into him earlier.
"Hn…why is the Hyuuga with her? Anyways, I'll find out later tonight…" He thought nonchalantly.
"Hey Naruto, hurry up. We have to meet up with you-know-who right now and he's not gonna be happy to see us if we're late. He's gonna have both of our asses if we don't leave now."
A handsome cerulean-eyed, blonde haired boy bumbled out of the building and grinned.
"Stop rushing me teme! I need time to eat my precious ramen and besides, I'll just blame it on you if were late."
Snorting, Sasuke stood up and turned on his heel to leave. Naruto just stumbled behind him saying, "Slow down teme! You know I get cramps when I walk too much after eating the supreme seafood ramen!"
Sasuke didn't slow down his relentless pace and just muttered, "Shut up and stop eating so much, dobe."
Pouting, Naruto finally caught up with Sasuke and they got into Sasuke's convertible, racing off to their destination.
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Ahh! Finally, the first chapter is done. So now, here comes the matter on the pairings! I want to have a poll on which of the three men will become Sakura's match. So please review and send in your votes and I'll post up the developments in the next chapter! Thanks
Choices:
Neji
Sasuke
Kakashi
