Dreaming in Pink

by Chemicalisation

Summary: They were not supposed to meet, not really. He was an obnoxious businessman and Sakura, well Sakura hadn't quite figured herself out yet. In which Sakura is running away from tiresome responsibilities, persistent parents and an intrusive coworker and, for some odd reason, finds herself chasing matters of the heart.

Chapter 1

My heels created a click clack sound as I ran up the stairs towards the finance department on the seventh floor. My somber blue skirt flounced around my legs making me thankful that despite the three thousand employees who arrived daily for work at Uchiha Enterprises, very few of them bothered to take the stairs. I reached the floor of my office but paused outside the doorway to check my make-up and to make sure my short pink hair was in its place. I wasn't late despite all the worry in the morning. Mother and Father had suddenly decided give me importune lecture on the importance of being presented before high society. It was the height of bad manners, they said, to keep everyone waiting. I snorted into my porridge. Needless to say, it hadn't gone well.

As I entered the little room set aside for interns, I was met with the sight of Tenten snapping her gum at full speed. "How's it shaking, baby?" She grinned at me. Open before her was the latest issue of The Star. A trashy tabloid magazine which made its life work to interfere into the business of the Imperial Family and every celebrity out there.

From her corner of the room, Ino rolled her eyes. "Hello Sakura," she said, nodding her head at me.

"Hello," I mumbled, immediately wincing as Ino sends me a death glare. One does not mumble.

"Lee was in here earlier," Tenten said coyly. "He was asking about you."

"Is that so?" I bend over my desk, taking care not to have any eye contact with Tenten. Lee worked at the product marketing department on the tenth floor. He and Tenten were good friends and for the past five months she had made it her mission to set me up with him. I, on the other hand, was the reluctant participant. It wasn't that there anything wrong with Lee. As twenty-two year old woman, fresh out of university I should have been ready to have some fun and burn through a couple of guys per week. But a few problems. My thick glasses, which practically covered half of my face, prevented any romantic overtures towards me. But there was Lee who was as blind to my nerd glasses as I pretended to be towards his atrocious green jumpsuit and bowl haircut which before him I had only seen on toddlers. But he was a sweet guy and, when I worked late, he always offered to walk me home. He was nice and gentle. The problem was he was just too nice and a little too gentle.

"How about you leave her alone," snapped Ino. "If she is interested then she will let you know."

"Woh chill." Tenten blinked at Ino's whiplash. "if she doesn't want to date Lee then she can tell me herself."

"You cannot be serious," screeched Ino. "You have been on her case the entire summer." She sent a glare towards Tenten's direction before turning towards me. "Tell her, Sakura!"

I looked at Ino's angry face and Tenten's expectant one. Time to get out of here. "Oh I forgot. Kakashi sent me an email last night that he expected to see me first thing in the morning," I said, practically running out of the room.

Conflict was not my forte. I needed to talk to Tenten and tell her to cool it with this matchmaking thing she had going on. But I worked with her and you know how some people say take the bull by its horns? Let me assure you right now. I have never practiced such a philosophy and I having no intention of starting it with Tenten. Having an unbearable atmosphere at work while there was already a stressful atmosphere at home? Are you kidding with me? I am not glutton for punishment. Okay, but only some days, I thought ruefully as I walked towards Kakashi's office, knowing quite well that he wasn't going to show up before noon. He had been my tutor when I was child and since then we kept in touch. He was the one who got me a job at this place and gave a thousand assurances to my parents that I would be okay. Not that mother and father had a choice about it, not really. There is only so many things one can do by staying at home all day.

"Ah Sakura," Shizune looked up from her desk as I came to a stop outside Kakashi's office. She was his secretary and him being a perverted old man, I am pretty sure he had a crush on her. I mean, who in their right mind wouldn't? She was dazzling in a hot librarian sort of a way. "Are you waiting for Kakashi?"

"Um yes, I am," I said, making sure to enunciate my words clearly. Ino was right, lately I had fallen in the bad habit of mumbling. But as soon as I realized my mistake I cringed. No Ums either. My training was failing me.

Shizune looked at me pleasantly. "Well, he isn't expected before noon. Shall I pass on a message for you?" she asked, her tone a little too light.

I blinked. Was there jealously in her voice? Was she threatened? Of me? I put on the biggest smile that I possibly could. I couldn't wait to tell Kakashi. "No, its alright. I was just going to ask him whether he had read over the document I sent him."

"Oh, I see." Shizune hesitated. "Well Sakura, I hate to ask this of you but I am quite busy today. Could you perhaps help me out?"

And that's how ladies and gentlemen, I found myself at the 20th floor, the highest floor in the entire building aka Uchiha Mardara's office. The instructions were simple. Hand over the copious number of files to the secretary sitting just outside the huge wooden doors, sign the sheet with your name and the name of the documents and get the hell out of there.

There was just one problem though. There was no one on the desk. Just as I was debating to whether to leave the files the files on the desk, the door opened and a tall man in his late thirties with thick black hair down to his waist blinked down at me.

"Who are you?" he frowned at me.

"Uh, I am from the finance department," I said cringing at the use of uh. " Just dropping off some documents."

"I see," he said. He then glowered at me. "But who are you?"

Grandmother's haughtiness kicked in. People do not get away with being rude. "If you are going to ask such intrusive questions," I said coolly. "Then shouldn't you at least have the decency to introduce yourself first?"

His eyebrows shot up. It was the best feeling, grandmother always said, to put a man back in his place. I think I would like to become its connoisseur

"Uchiha Madara." He raised his eyebrow sardonically at me. "Your employer."

So crude. To lord your superior station above others. "I'm Sakura," I said simply.

"No last name?" He smirked at me.

I nodded. "I'll keep you updated on that development." I pointed to the files I had left at the secretary's desk. "Should I leave these here?"

"Yes." Uchiha san turned towards his office. "Come in."

I paused. "I should be getting back to my work."

He looked back and again raised his infernal eyebrow. I flushed and followed him in. I couldn't refuse my boss and he knew it. Although, what he wanted from me, I absolutely had no idea.

His office was three times the size of my bedroom which was quite a thing in itself. Clearly, no expense had been spared. The view of the city was awe-inspiring while beautiful paintings covered the walls. In the corner, there was a door which was partially opened. From my position, I could see an unmade bed and clothes strewn on the floor. He motioned me to sit on one of the seats before his gigantic desk before he sat down himself.

"Would you like to have a drink?"

At ten in the morning? "No, thank you." I said quite primly. My voice didn't shake and I dare say, Mother would have been quite proud of me. I was. There was no way I was going to let him intimidate me. I say this while knowing quite well that my legs were shaking under the table.

Uchiha san chuckled. "Quite conservative, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"You are also a woman."

"Only on Tuesdays."

"I'm sorry?"

"It was a joke," I sighed. I should really work on my timing.

"I see." Uchiha san leaned back into his chair. "It was funny."

Right, I thought. But I didn't say it.

"Do you like parties?" he asked conversationally.

I blinked at the abrupt change in topic. "Sure. They can be fun. I haven't been to many though."

"Why not?" He gave me a quick look over which I ignored. "You look quite young. You must have recently graduated from university. Didn't you go to a lot of parties there?"

"I did recently graduate," I admitted. "But not a lot of parties. My parents are rather strict."

"Well, I am attending one this Saturday," he said, resting his gaze casually upon me. "Its supposed to be quite exclusive. Even members of the Imperial family are rumored to be attending."

"Good for you," I said, my eyes wandering over to the painting behind his desk. A Tomioka Tessai.

"Yes well," he said, nonchalant. "I would be requiring a companion for the evening. Would you like to come?"

That got my attention. "You cannot be serious!" I gaped at him before remembering proper young ladies do not gape. "You don't even know me!" Or screech.

"Well, I know your name is Sakura," he said, cool as you please. "You work in the finance department of Uchiha Enterprise. And you are a recent graduate. Dates have started on less."

"Fine," I amended. "But I don't know you."

"You already know my name," he said, tapping his fingers against the desk. "You must already know that I am the CEO of the Uchiha Enterprise and own its controlling share. Just last week, Uchiha Enterprise was valued to have its worth in billions."

"Show off," I grumbled.

The corners of his mouth quirked up. "I am thirty three years old which I know you must be wondering about since there is quite a difference between your age and mine. And rest assured, I can keep my hands to myself."

I looked at the dark circles under his eyes and the lines on his face. I would have never guessed him to be so young. He was somewhat handsome in a tired worn out sort of a way. "Look, I really can't go-"

"Is it about a dress?" he asked cutting me off. "I'll get you a dress. You can make a hair appointment. Hell, you can even have a spa day. I'll pay for it."

I have to say I have met with a lot of bad flirts in my life. Uchiha san putting each and everyone of them to shame. "Uchiha san, I can't go with you. It isn't about a dress or a spa day. I won't enjoy such a gathering and I would prefer not to go." I added a touch of finality to my tone. One of the first lessons grandmother had ever taught me was how to say no to people and being firm about it. I was still learning. Now only if I could apply this to Tenten and Lee.

"Well, all I need is a pretty face," he grumbled. He scowled at my glasses. "Do you own a pair of lenses?"

"No," I said, exasperated. "I don't need them because I won't be going."

Uchiha san looked over at me. "You are quite stubborn, aren't you?"

Its one of my greatest faults, Mother always says. But I am not about to tell him that. "Why don't you ask someone else?" I said stiffly.

"I did," he sighed. "I asked my secretary just before you came. But she left in a huff shouting about how I could not treat her like a slave one minute and romance her the next." He paused. "Which is ridiculous. I don't want wish to take her to bed. I just need to take her to a party."

God help him. Or me. Preferably me.

"Just ask someone else or go alone then," I said. I must have looked quite longingly towards the door because just then he scowled at me. He seemed to do that a lot.

"Well, if you aren't going to change your mind then you might as well leave," he said quite ungraciously.

I was out of that office in five seconds flat.

"You really should really put Tenten in her place," grumbled Ino. "She knows you aren't interested yet she keeps giving Lee false hopes."

It was later in the evening and both Ino and I were waiting outside the building of Uchiha Enterprise as we waited for Ino's father to pick us up. It was more for my benefit than Ino's. I was not allowed to walk home alone or even take public transport. It was the battle that I had allowed my parents to win. I had fought hard enough just to get a job.

"Yes, I know." I sighed. "But I do think that Tenten believes that Lee will grow on me."

Ino snorted. "That's a charitable description."

I grinned at her. "Ladies do not snort, Ino."

She smiled back at me before turning her expression somber. "I know you would not like to hear this but your parents asked me to talk to you about-"

"Ino," I said. My voice may have cracked just the tiniest bit. "Please don't continue."

"I know. I told them you didn't want to hear it," said Ino in a rush. "But they are convinced that you need to presented in this year."

"Oh God, Ino," I groaned.

"You need to hear me, Saku-"

It was just then I saw Uchiha san pulling his car away from the curb. I had no intention of seeing him again and I very much suspected that he would not care to see me either. But the alternative was enduring a car ride back with Ino and her father both trying to convince me of my best interest. The picture alone gave me palpitations.

So what I did next, I'm afraid, was quite reckless. I jumped in front of his car (don't try this at home children).

Uchiha san braked, like I knew he would, and put his hand on the horn and let it stay there. I whirled towards Ino who was standing at the sidewalk, looking at me with shock. "I'll be going with my friend. He invited me to dinner. I just simply forgot to tell you," I shouted over the loud atrocious sound. And with that I got into Uchiha san's car.

"What in the world was that?" he groused.

"Oh, will you just drive please?" I begged. With that we pulled out of Uchiha Enterprise and into main street. "Thank you."

"You are an unusual employee," he grumbled. "Does this mean you have changed your mind? Because I have already found a date."

"No, I haven't." I sank back into my seat. "And have you really?"

He was silent. "No, I haven't."

I hid my grin from him. "Did you go through all the numbers in your phone book?"

"Yes." He scowled at me. "You are enjoying this, aren't you?"

I laughed. "A little bit."

"I could fire you."

"Alright, I'll clean out by desk by tomorrow. Also, can you tell me where the Human Resources Department is?"

"Damn you."

"I know."

"What about that blond friend of yours? Would she be interested?"

"She has a boyfriend."

"Oh hell."

"Just drop me here. Then you can curse yourself in peace."

"Oh no. I am going to this fancy new place for dinner. You are coming with me. Other women might be attracted if they see that I am not so readily available."

"Is this a joke?"

Turns out, it wasn't a joke. He actually did take me to this expensive restaurant where I am sure the there must have been a waiting list which went on for months. We were even escorted to the best seats, on the balcony overlooking the entirety of Konogakure.

"Must be new experience for a girl like you, huh?" Uchiha san smirked at me. "Pulling up in an Ashton Martin to a Michelin star restaurant with one of the richest men in the Land of Fire. Quite a high life, isn't it?"

"You think too highly of yourself, Uchiha san," I said, putting a succulent piece of salmon in my mouth.

"Call me Madara," he said smoothly, taking a sip of the champagne. "It will look strange to people if you call me Uchiha san. We don't anyone thinking its a work dinner."

"Madara," I said, taking a sip out of my own glass of champagne. "Nobody is paying the slightest of attention to us."

"You never know." He looking at his food contemplatively. "You say my name well," he said unexpectedly. "You may continue to use it."

"But I thought I was a lowly employee." I grinned at him.

Madara scowled at me. I laughed.

"Hey, are you going to order desert?" I asked, eyeing the various assortments of cheesecakes, cupcakes and sundaes which the people in the next table had ordered.

"No, of course not. You should watch your figure." He frowned at me. "And don't abuse other people's generosity so easily."

"I rather have cake than a figure. Also you invited me, didn't you?" I raised my eyebrow at him which I hoped was a perfect imitation of his.

"Well, I wasn't going to leave you on the sidewalk. A hooligan could have attacked you," said Madara, as he motioned to a waiter. "Two coffees and.. ?" he looked at me with his eyebrow raised. Probably the master showing the pupil how its done.

"Triple chocolate cheesecake," I answered promptly. As soon as the waiter walked away I turn towards Madara. "Thank you!"

"Ah well, I thought this might be your only chance to come to a place like this so I thought I might as well treat you, you poor soul," he said, so condescendingly that any other person would have hit him with a frying pan.

Look underneath the underneath. That's what Kakashi sensei always said.

"Madara kun. " I smiled at him. Perhaps because this was the happiest I had been in a while, the smile was the one I could not stop. "You are a pretty kind person, aren't you?"

Madara choked on his drink. I watched with fascination as his face flushed. People passing by looked at him with concern.

"You just used kun with my name." Madara leaned forward as if he was choosing to ignore the fact that his face was still red. "Does this mean you are getting attached? I'll take you to the party even now if you just get rid of those atrocious glasses."

"No, thank you. I just find you sweet," I said honestly. If possible, his face became even more flushed.

"You witch," he growled. Only, he didn't say witch.

I made Madara drop me off in front of an anonymous series of flats. He watched me go inside and when he was finally gone, I went outside again and called a cab. Father should have a apoplexy if he knew I came in a cab alone but it was better than walking home alone. Besides, my cellphone had a tracker. There was another one implanted in my back but that is supposed to be top secret information.

"Where were you?!" Trust Mother to make this an issue as serious as the world ending. As soon I had arrived I had been taken to Father's study. Which was serious. You were only summoned to the study if you had been caught making trouble.

"I texted you both and you could always pinpoint my location through my cellphone." I raised my hands in front of me and fixed an amenable smile on my face, trying to decrease the damage.

"Do you have any idea how worried we were?!" said Father, pacing the length of the room. "Do you know what it is like to have phone call saying that your child has run off with some man?"

"I know, I know," I winced. "I'm sorry."

"Not just any man," said Mother, her lips pursed. "But of all people, Uchiha Madara!"

I frowned. "Are we not supposed to like him? Is he controversial?"

"No, not necessarily," said Mother, dismissively. "But he is very nouveau riche."

"Like it matters, mother."

"Are you serious about him?" Father spun around to face me, thunderstruck.

"No," I said with a sigh. "I don't know him well enough to be serious about him."

"Oh thank God," Father said with a relief. "That would have given the press a field day."

"I know," I said. I felt a strange heaviness in my chest. "It would be a major conflict of interest."

"Exactly." Mother nodded. She stood up from her seat before coming to stand in front of me. "I know things have been difficult for you, dear. Not being a able to live your life like a normal person. But everything that we do is for your safety," she said as she smoothed my hair.

"I know." The heaviness in my chest intensified.

"Will you see him again?" asked Father. I could tell that he was trying to reign in his temper. He wasn't succeeding.

"I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe."

Father sighed. "You know I prefer if you didn't."

"Will you not let me decide that on my own?" I asked as I placed both of my hands behind my back.

Mother's hand combing through my hair stilled. Father looked at me with an expression of sorrow and grief.

"Of course, dear," said Mother with a stiff smile. "We would just like you to be careful. After all-"

"Yes, I know," I cut her off.

"You are the Second in the line of succession for the Throne of Land of Fire," she continued as if I hadn't spoken. "One day you will rule this country. Everything that comes before that is to prepare you."

"I know, mother." My voice sounded small even to my own ears. "I know."

That's my life alright.

A/N Man, I worked hard on this one. It was difficult trying to get the dialogue down but when its done, there is this feeling of relief which gets me every time. While writing this, I was just thinking about the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. Then I started thinking about the British Royal family. And then I started thinking about the Japanese Imperial Family. Then it reminded me of the manga Takane no Hana or something like that. Basically, a whole lot of inspirations. Not to mention the biggest inspiration of all. The MadaSaku week of 2017 brought on by Moor (or incidentally BeyondtheMoor on tumblr). Its going to be a fabulous weekend XD

Don't forget to review, guys. Any kind of feedback is appreciated!