A/N: I've been apprehensive about doing a Naruto AU, but it just seems like too much fun to pass up. This will be a bit ooc (as usually happens with AUs, so I'm not really that upset about it). I had to write a highschool fic. Because I'm lame like that. I think if I successfully complete this one, I might move on to a darker AU. And maybe a college-based one because they offer a lot more plotline freedom than high school fics, and college is more fun anyway :)

Before I start (and I know that I've said this a million times between LJ, MySpace, and but it needs to be said again), I really want to acknowledge and thank my beta reader for this story, UchihaSakuraxItachi. She's been such an amazing help, a great new friend, and I really enjoy working with her.

Disclaimer (to be applied to all following chapters): I do not own Naruto or the characters- they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto. I also don't own any songs from which lyrics are used. All I own is the storyline, title, etc.

About the title...
"In small doses nicotine has a stimulating effect, increasing activity, alertness and memory... It also increases the heart rate and blood pressure and reduces appetite. In large doses nicotine may cause vomiting and nausea. Large doses are poisonous to most animals and to humans.
Nicotine seems to provide both a stimulant and a depressant effect, and it is possible that the effect it has at any time is determined by the mood of the user, the environment and the circumstances of use. Studies have suggested that low doses have a stimulant effect, while higher doses have a depressant effect.
Repeat users of nicotine very often develop a physical dependency to the chemical."
- Taken (and edited slightly) from Wikipedia

Like Nicotine
Chapter One
By Bunny-Chan

As soon as she stepped out of her house into the rain, she knew it was going to be a bad day.

A few students were walking underneath large umbrellas, though they moved much more slowly than she did.

I have to beat him there! She thought frantically, breaking into a run.

Of course, it wasn't that she was competitive, really (Okay, so that was a total lie, but she would never admit it.) She had her pride.

A pride which wouldn't let her be beaten by the one boy who was able to keep up with her pace in anything and everything.

She rounded a corner, oblivious to the fact that there was someone standing right in her path. She flew into him unexpectedly, tripping.

Her mind slowly registered the fact that she was heading toward the concrete sidewalk.

Except she didn't hit.

The arms keeping her up were strong, holding her fast. She looked up into a pair of eyes that were an all-too familiar black, though he was a stranger to her.

She had seen those eyes before, but before she could place them with mental images of any of the many people she knew, he threw his cigarette to the ground, one arm still around her awkwardly.

"You should be more careful where you're going."

That was how it started.
That was how Haruno Sakura met Uchiha Itachi.

"Obviously you can't be trusted to get wherever you're going safely on your own…" The smile he gave her was nearly impossible to read. It was more smug than anything, but captivating. His long black hair hung in a ponytail down his back, the sides framing an impossibly beautiful face. "I guess I should go along to make sure you're okay."

Her cheeks felt warm, and her tongue wouldn't move. Unable to do anything but nod dumbly, she let him walk alongside her. She searched her mind for something to say, but he beat her to it.

"Where are you headed then, the middle school?"

She immediately glared up at him, thoroughly offended.

"No, I'm in high school!" He gave her a look, but more one of curiosity than of surprise or disbelief.

"Haven't seen you around the school before."

"I'm a freshman." She admitted quietly. The statement, much to her chagrin, was followed by a sharp laugh from the obviously older boy.

"You're a bit eager for a freshman." He lit another cigarette, letting it hang from his thin lips as he spoke. "You're more than an hour early. The place probably isn't even unlocked yet." She turned a deeper shade of red, sure that he must be thinking she was not only too young, but also foolish.

"You're out awfully early yourself." He took the cigarette from his mouth after another drag and tapped a finger against it to release the ashes held at the end.

"No smoking on school property. No smoking at home. Can't start the day without one. I'm sure you can add that up yourself."

She found that despite her earlier nervousness, talking to him was getting much easier, especially when she got the chance to lecture.

"Smoking's bad for you, you know. Emphysema, lung cancer, yellow teeth!" As she did this, she took her normal lecturing stance. Head tipped down in a know-it-all fashion, and finger wagging as if it were about to fall off.

The boy smirked again.

"Addiction's a funny thing." The words were quiet, even seductive if they had been said under the right circumstances. Sakura turned slightly pink again, then huffed a bit and shrugged her shoulders.

"I wouldn't know."

"I'm betting that will change soon." She looked up at him, lip curling in an astonished curiosity.

"Wha-" Without even a glance, he jerked his head to the side, drawing her attention to the school. With the company, no matter how strange he was, she noticed that the walk seemed to go so much quicker.

"Well, this is where I'll leave you. I've still got time to kill." He turned to walk away, stopping momentarily at her voice.

"Wait! Can I at least get your name? I'm Haruno Sakura."

He looked back, that constant smirk still plastered on his face.

"I'm also betting we'll meet again."
------------------------------------------

Sakura rounded the next corner, making her way through the school's outside entrance. The light rain had stopped, but she was still cold, shivering partially from that, and partially from the effect the strange boy from just minutes ago had on her.

The cold was chased away by the heat of rage, however, when she saw the lone figure sitting on the school's steps, waiting for the doors to be opened.

"YOU!" She seethed, pointing accusingly at the boy, who barely paid the gesture any notice.

"Hn."

"Don't ignore me, Uchiha!"

"I told you not to call me that." He stood up, drawing Sakura's attention away from him and instead to the stretch of concrete behind her. "Ohayou, Kakashi-Sensei." Approaching them was a silver-haired young man, dressed down like always.

"You two are here early again. Leave it to the top two students to set good examples, eh?" Sakura shot another death-glare at Sasuke before turning back to Kakashi excitedly.

"Kakashi-Sensei! The grades! Who scored highest?!"

"The grades? I haven't the foggiest idea of what you're talking about..."

"LIAR! The school entrance exams!" Kakashi grinned, always content to pick on one of his favorite young students.

"It was a tie, I'm afraid." Sakura and Sasuke both gaped for a moment, mouths open in undignified shock. "You both aced it, of course." Sakura sighed. She had exhausted herself preparing for the exam, promising that she would beat Sasuke once and for all. So when the day of the exam came, she arrived early, calculator and pens in hand. Every answer was carefully thought through and diligently written out, neat and concise.

Her only mistake was not realizing Sasuke would do the exact same thing.

One of these days... One of these days I'll beat you.
-----------------------------

Itachi watched the girl walk into the building, still examining her.

He had to admit, for being so young, she was nearly perfection.

Maybe not so much with the self-righteousness that came off of her in waves, but certainly in looks. Her rare pink hair was exquisite, a strange combination against the shimmering green of her eyes.

Something about her captivated him. Surprising, since he wasn't easily interested in anything.

He always got what he wanted.

He wanted her.
-----------------------------

The day had not been going well for Sakura.

All of her late night studying (as well as the occasional all-nighter) had exhausted her. Barely able to pay attention in class, it wasn't long before her teacher, Kurenai-Sensei noticed that something was off.

"Sakura, I'd like to speak with you for a moment." The entire class turned to look at her in her usual front row seat, wondering what was happening. Kurenai was usually a no-nonsense teacher, so it was unheard of that she would digress in the middle of a lesson.

"You seem very distracted today. Is something the matter?"

"I apologize, Kurenai-Sensei..." Sakura bowed, avoiding her teacher's eyes. Falling asleep in class was definitely something to be ashamed of, by her standards. By Kurenai-Sensei's standards, it was practically a sin. Instead of scolding her, however, Kurenai looked up at her with concern.

"I know you have rather erratic study habits, Sakura... You have to stop doing this to yourself." The older woman sighed, shaking her head and setting off a cascade of black waves. "It's obvious that you're not simply ignoring lessons- I know you work too hard for that. I'll give you leave for the rest of the day. Go out and relax, then go home and get some sleep." Sakura bowed again.

"Yes... Kurenai-Sensei. Thank you..."

That was how she had come to be laying on a park bench staring at the clouds when she should have been in classes. The park was always empty at this time of day and would remain so until the elementary classes were released and, for the moment, she was just too tired to walk all the way home.

I can't believe I did all that work and I couldn't beat him. Like always.

All throughout junior high, her grades had been impeccable.

So had Uchiha Sasuke's.

Both striving for perfection, neither had ever quite taken to the fact that they seemed only able to tie with each other. Sure, they were both receiving perfect marks, but the key word was both. They had both received perfect marks, making neither one better than the other. Which meant neither was the best.

Thus, while all the other girls were fawning over his dark eyes and mysterious attitude, she stood alone, watching the display with disgust, and wondering if the next exam would be the deciding factor in their ongoing competition.

Just don't think about it... Even in her head, the words seemed tired and drawn out.

Stretching out in the sunshine, she let herself fall asleep, dreams graced by the presence of a mysterious, dark boy.
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A/N: There will be a lot of pairings in this, but I'm not giving them away yet. And the rating is subject to change. I've been arguing with myself over future content. I also put together a soundtrack for this (yay!). Which I shall include the tracklist for next time. Just because I love the cd I made for it.

... Itachi's just a bitch to characterize, isn't he?