Title: Twisted Fate

Summary: Slight AU. Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke were childhood friends. They've been separated from each other since they graduated from the Ninja Academy and his parents decided to move. But then, when he comes back after 10 years, he finds out that Sakura is soon to marry his childhood best friend, Sai. Will they be able to unravel their Twisted Fate?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Author's Notes:

"Text"-normal conversation

"Text"-thoughts

Text- flashback mode

"Text"- thoughts, flashback mode

-Special thanks to dunkmoonX for beta-reading this one… Domo Arigatou!-

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Prologue- The Game of Fate Begins

The sun was just starting to rise, yet the streets of Konoha were already busy. Different kinds of people were heading off to their businesses. This seemingly normal day is the exact same day when the Konoha Ninja Academy would hold their opening commences for the incoming students of the year.

The Uchiha household was very busy because of their youngest member, Uchiha Sasuke. He would be attending his first day of school in the Ninja Academy, wherein the opening ceremonies would be held. They were all very excited and proud in preparing the ceremony, especially the head of the family, the father, Uchiha Fugaku, even though he never showed it in front of his sons.

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A certain pink-haired girl that goes by the name of Haruno Sakura was currently watching the children walking towards the Academy, alongside their parents. She could see the excitement, happiness, and contentment in the eyes of the children. She would have to admit that she was jealous.

"Sakura, honey, we have to go!" A feminine voice called. She looked exactly like Sakura, only older and looking a little stressed at the moment.

"Would otou-san be there too? Even just to show up?" The little girl asked, tears starting to well in her eyes.

"I'm not sure, honey, but he said he'd try." Her mom said, feeling sorry for her daughter who had not been given enough time and attention from her father. "Honey, don't cry. I'm positive that he'd show up. He was very excited about it this morning." She wiped the Sakura's falling tears away, then smiled reassuringly at her daughter.

"Really!" She beamed with joy and the sparkle in her eyes was back again.

Her mother nodded as she held her. Hand-in-hand, they started to walk toward the academy.

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The Uchiha Family was walking down the busy streets of Konoha. They could feel the sun's warm rays touching their skin. They were enjoying the scenario until suddenly, someone approached their walking forms.

"Ohayou, Sasuke! Ohayou, Itachi-niisan! Ohayou, Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha!" A boy wearing an all-black outfit greeted the family.

"Ohayou! Ne, Sai, how come you're alone?" Sasuke asked with curiosity and concern on his voice.

"Oh… My parents couldn't come today… They're busy with the family business." He replied, pouting his lips.

"Nah, that's okay. You could join us if you want… Right, otou-san, okaa-san?" He faced his parents.

Sasuke's father was too busy dealing with a few things with Itachi so his mother decided to speak up.

"Of course. Sai-kun could join us anytime. He's also a family." Mrs. Uchiha said, smiling warmly.

They walked in silence as the two new academy students exchanged some words occasionally. When all of them arrived at the academy, Sasuke and Sai went to see some friends (who were academy students as well) and Itachi walked over to his comrades. Sasuke's parents took their seats and joined into a conversation around them.

As everyone waited, a female voice called out from the stage. "Parents and guardians, please take your seats for the opening ceremonies that are about to begin. Students, please sit on your assigned seats."

Everyone obeyed and started to move out, going to their respective places. When everyone was seated, another woman went on the stage. This time, it was the Godaime, Tsunade. She announced. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are gathered here today to welcome the new students of the Konoha Ninja Academy…"

As Tsunade continued her speech, Sasuke got bored. His eyes started to wander around the vicinity. He observed the structure of the academy and the people around him. Nothing from his surroundings interested him until he saw a glimpse of pink.

-FLASHBACK-

Sasuke lied down beside the trunk of the oldest cherry blossom tree. He could feel the cold breeze gently touching his face. This was his favorite place; where he could just sit and be away from all the noise of the city. He enjoyed every second he spent beside that cherry blossom tree. He was reminiscing the beautiful memories of his family and friends when he sensed someone approaching. He quickly went behind the bushes to spy on this presence.

He saw a girl nearing his previous spot, stomping her feet hardly on the ground. She kicked every single rock that came across her way.

"Seems like she's mad." Sasuke thought, watching the girl.

As the girl continued to walk, her feet brought her somewhere she'd always liked to be, the cherry blossom field.

When she arrived at the oldest Sakura tree, she sat under it. As she lifted her head up, she noticed that the Sakura flowers were in full bloom.

"I still remember when dad said that cherry blossoms bloom fully when they are about to fall." She thought and closed her eyes, enjoying the scenery of waving Sakura flowers. "Daddy… I miss you so much" she murmured, as silent as the blowing wind. She relaxed a bit and reminisced the good old times with her dad. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard something move behind the bushes. She averted her gaze from the tree and saw a blur of black.

She crawled backwards, bumping on the tree trunk. "Show yourself!" She shouted, annoyance evident in her voice. The thing obeyed her, slowly showing itself and revealing a middle-sized black wolf. It slowly walked towards her and she started to feel scared. She tried to call for help but no voice escaped her lips. Her throat was dry. She was beginning to shake. When the wolf was exactly in front of her, she could do nothing else but to shut her eyes tightly and wait for her death.

Sasuke, without a thought to his actions, ran out of the bushes to help the little girl. He firmly stood between the wolf and the girl. Immediately, he started to perform hand seals, facing the wolf.

"Katon Gokakyou no Jutsu!"

Sakura opened her eyes when she heard a voice of a boy, shouting some words. She was shocked from what she saw. A big fire blew out from the kid's mouth, aiming the wolf in front of them and toasting it to death.

After confirming that it was already dead, Sasuke turned to his back. "Are you alright?"

"Y-ye-s, I-I-I'm f-ine." She stuttered, trembling in fear. "What was that? I mean, the fire you blew out of your mouth."

Sasuke, not used to talking to strangers, especially to a girl he had only met, said. "Sorry, I have to go." With that, he turned his back and started to walk away.

"Wait!" She pleaded.

He stopped in his tracks to acknowledge the girl's call. He turned his head a little and looked at her at the corner of his eyes.

"Thank you." As those words were spoken, Sasuke turned his head back again, a small smile gracing across his lips.

-END FLASHBACK-

"She was the girl from yesterday." He whispered to himself.

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Sakura's eyes started to well again as she wandered off of the vicinity. She could not find any sign, indicating that her father was there. After a few minutes of searching, she finally gave up the thought of her father coming. She just lowered her head, bangs shadowing over her eyes. She was like that for a few minutes until she heard applause from the people around her. "Welcome to the academy!" Tsunade said.

As the ceremonies finished, her mom approached her.

"Did he come?" She asked her mom.

There was no answer. Her mom kept silent.

"Hm. Mom, I would just play with my friends. I promise, I would go home early." She said, sadness evident on her voice.

"Okay... But make sure you'd not go to thatplace again."

"Fine." She started to walk away but her mom called out to her.

"Sakura, wait!"

Her mother came to her and handed her a kunai. She looked back confusingly at her, hesitating to get the weapon.

"Here, honey, keep this. You might need it."

"H-Hai!"

And with that, she walked away, being watched by her mother disappear at the corner of the street. She walked and walked. Her feet brought her at the cherry blossoms field. She walked towards the oldest tree and noticed something. She saw the little boy that just saved her from the wolf yesterday. She quietly sat at the opposite side of the tree so as not to disturb him. Once she was seated, she started to cry.

Sasuke heard someone sobbing quietly. He felt a familiar presence. Since Sasuke was always curious about things, he tried to look where the sound was coming from. It was just right behind him. He found the same girl he encountered yesterday with her hands covering her face.

At first, he hesitated, but eventually sat beside her. Her sobs were getting louder and louder.

"Why are you crying?"

She removed her hands from her face and wiped her tears. Her eyes were already red and puffy.

Sob…

"Is there anything I could do to help?"

Sob…

"Shhh. Stop crying. My mother told me that it's okay to cry but you also have to be brave for yourself."

She turned her head to meet his gaze.

"Hm?"

When her eyes met his, he quickly looked away. There was something about her eyes. Sasuke took something from his pocket and handed her a handkerchief. "Here, wipe your tears." She accepted the handkerchief and quickly wiped her face. "Thanks."

There was silence until the young Haruno couldn't bear it anymore. It was just so deafening, so she decided to break it off.

"May I know your name?"

His eyes were fixed on the ground, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Uh… Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."

Silence.

"You?" He asked.

"Sakura… Haruno Sakura." She said, stretching out her hand, initiating a handshake. He hesitated first, knowing that the person he was talking to was just a stranger. But then, he decided to take her hand and made a hand shake with her. She smiled warmly at him as he just did the same. He was shocked by his sudden movements, knowing that his lips rarely curved into a smile. He only smiled for people who were treasured in his heart. And his smile for her was different, a smile he knew he reserved for someone special.

His smile was genuine, Sakura thought. She felt light sparks when their hands shook. Their hands stayed clasped together for a moment, until Sasuke broke it off. She had a strange feeling about him ever since yesterday. Yes, she knew something about silly crushes but was this it? Did she already have a crush on that guy she just met?

With those thoughts in mind, they both knew, the game of fate had begun.

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Author's Notes:

This chapter was set when they were still at the age of 8...

Anyways, hope you liked it! Don't forget to leave a review!

Thanks!

-dReAm EmPrEsS