A/N -I know everyone is waiting for Senior Year, but I have like COMPLETE writers block with that story. Writing a beginning of a long story is so boring. I hate setting up the stage for it. Id rather just jump right in the middle... Which is something I just might do. Anyway.

This story here, no writers block at all. Which means you get the best of the best of my writing abilities, even though they suck right now. I'm sure you'll love it, I already am. It'll be short, not nearly as long as killer, which means it actually might be finished.

Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER I do not own Naruto.


"She's beautiful, grandma."

The old woman chuckled as she looked over the small child's shoulder, nodding in approval, "Ah, yes she is, my child, but to think so at such a young age-"

"But look at her eyes, grandma! They are so blue and clear. How can she not be beautiful with those eyes and that hair?"

Eyes wrinkled as the older woman smiled, the fragile grandma chuckled a little more before leaning back in her chair, "Yes child, how can she not."

"I'll get to marry her one day, right?" Wide emerald eyes asked as they swept towards the old woman, accompanied by a smile that reached ear to ear.

"You must win her first, child, and that takes work-"

"She isn't a prize, grandma! She isn't something you can win!" The child angrily retorted, her smile dropping to a deep frown as her eyebrows came together in flickered rage.

The old woman shook her head, the child had the same anger as her when she was younger, back when she was not so delicate and easy to break. Quickly, she corrected herself before those wide emerald eyes turned into an angry forest green, "You are right. She much choose you, child, she must love you first, and that takes work."

"How come?" Curiosity instantly dominating the small tantrum that had burst just a few seconds ago.

"Because in this world, Sakura, girls must fall in love with boys, and if they don't they are instantly branded and shunned."

X

Sitting next to my brother, fist under my chin as I supported my head from nodding into sleep, I listened as each bachelor drawled on and on about themselves. Two hours without moving was causing my leg to fall asleep, and as I twitched my foot to wake it up, I focused on the strange prickling sensation that traveled throughout my leg. Right now, that was more entertainment than this man, who was babbling on about his father's company and how he would soon own the business.

My brother, being the idiot that he is, was on the edge of his seat, totally engrossed and nodding, hanging over every word the man said. With each mention of money and fortune his ears would perk, and I could practically see him salivating at the thought of being rich for life.

Why he is so interested in this money game, I don't know. Our grandmother had enough money to go around and we were living in a mansion. Soon my brother would own the very company my grandmother built from the ground up, and he would be bathing in the useless bills. So, I couldn't understand at all why he was so interested in my future, in my fortune, when even I didn't give a damn.

He didn't have to be married off to a key business giant to keep the business going. He didn't have to deal with hearing these men talk about their soon to be future and how that future contained nothing but the most expensive and luxurious products. Yet, he was here anyway, showing more interest in these men than I was.

"Well, he was pretty good!" My brother said as he wrote the man's name down with a smile, "And he seemed like a nice guy."

"Naruto, he drowned both of us in his talk and didn't ask a single question about us. Mark his name out." I snapped, growling that he even gave the man a thought.

"Ino, he held out your chair, offered you the finest wine his company had, and looked completely absorbed by how beautiful you are! This is your guy." He argued, continuing to write the phone number that the man had so generously left.

"But he couldn't allow a single breath of his chatter off of himself. He's too self-absorbed and I don't like him." I countered, snatching the paper from underneath my brother's hand and scratching it out furiously with dark solid marks.

"Woman, if you keep this up you will never find a man." Naruto sighed out with a shake of his head, grabbing a list that showed everyone who I was supposed to be meeting today.

"Hell if I care," I mumbled, crossing my arms, "Men are overrated."

"Next in line is Sakura Haruno," he said, obviously not listening to me. His eyebrows came together as he stared at the list for a moment, then looked over at me, "The last name sounds really familiar, but they sound like a girl. What did you put on your bio? That you were bicurious or something?"

I blinked, looking clueless, "I was suppose to make a bio?"

"You're telling me you didn't make one?" He said in disbelief, "What the hell, Ino. I told you to make one, like, a month ago."

"Oh wait! Yeah I remember!" I said, squinting my eyes as I looked at him, trying to remember exactly what happened, "Oh! Oh! Yeah, I told one of the maids to handle it."

Rubbing his eyes, he frowned deeply, "And what in the world made you think that would be okay?"

"Well, the maids must know me better than anyone; I mean they are watching me twenty-four seven." I answered happily, proud of my past self for thinking of such a good solution. Not only was it clever, it also skipped me out of doing some useless work.

"This means they had to have heard your man hatred speech more than once." Naruto groaned out as he tossed the paper back on the table, "Damnit, Ino, I give you one single task to do and you can't even do that much."

Frowning, I feel my anger boiling, "A task that is stupid and unnecessary. Do you honestly think any of them are reading my bio, Naruto? They are here to marry me for the same reason I'm marrying them: To keep their business empire surging with unlimited power."

He sighed and shook his head, turning towards a butler who was standing there silently the whole time, "Call in Sakura Haruno."

"Reading my bio?" I continued to mumble angrily with a roll of my eyes, "Yeah right."

Naruto glanced at me with a dangerous warning and looked back ahead as the door opened with our next self absorbed guest.

Looking down at the table, wishing I was anywhere but here, I waited. It wasn't until the silence became over whelming that I looked up to see what was taking the man so long to sit down. The first thing that my eyes saw was emerald green…

It wasn't a man at all, but a she, with beautiful green eyes that stared at me so intensely that I started to feel my cheeks warm. Though she was a woman, even I had to admit she looked absolutely stunning. Her skin was soft and even, her lips silky and full, and her cheeks were smooth that matched her sharp shaped face. Her hair was soft pink that carelessly tossed on top her head, shifting with each movement she made. But what was truly amazing about her, was her eyes. Emerald green that looked so sharp, so deep, that they were memorizing.

Then, with smooth, flawless, movements, she walked around the table and swept to my feet in a kneel. Grabbing my hand carefully, she held it delicately and placed her palm over her chest.

My breath was taken as I stared at her powerful compassionate eyes that pierced right through my own.

"Ino Yamanaka."

Her voice, soft yet surging with something I couldn't explain, caused a shiver to run through my body. I struggled to get out any sound as I opened my mouth, "Yes?"

"My name is Sakura Haruno, it is an honor."

And, watching me carefully the whole time, she leaned forward slowly and gently kissed the knuckle right above my ring finger. Her flower petaled lips didn't linger for very long, but for the fraction of a second it did electricity rushed through me, causing my heart to beat hard once. Before I knew it, the woman was on her feet again, bowing slightly before moving back to her seat and sitting down.

Silence must have caused the goose bumps to cover my arms; it must have also caused the strange feeling through my chest. But when our eyes met again, my cheeks flushed and I tore my eyes away from her. I knew it wasn't the silence that was causing me to feel this way, but I didn't want to admit it.

The clearing of someone's throat almost caused me to jump, "Well, um, Sakura Haruno, please tell us about yourself."

Naruto, he was here. I had completely forgotten. Blinking, I shook my head and sat up straight. I lifted my head, but carefully avoided woman's eyes.

"My name, as you know, is Sakura Haruno, and I am twenty-four years old."

She spoke with such ease and confidence, as if she was comfortable with being in front of us. Taking a chance, I glanced at her eyes to see them steadily watching Naruto's. This woman had a certain aura about her, because even Naruto shifted and looked slightly uncomfortable. Maybe it was her bold way of acting, her confident behavior, that caused almost everyone to shift around her. Only someone so self secure could create such atmosphere.

"Any special talent?" Naruto asked, leaning back in his chair to look more relaxed but the movement only caused him to look even more uneasy about the woman steadily staring at him.

Her smile, yet small, was beautiful. Playfully putting her finger to her chin, she hummed in thought, "Not very many. I'm about as average as potential business bachelors come. I can run a business, talk stiffly to other stiff CEO's, and mindlessly nod and smile as presidents of company's speak to me."

I felt a smile slowly creeping to my lips as I watched the woman poke fun at my brother. It was a silly question to ask, what talent was she suppose to have?

She must have caught my smile because her eyes slid to mine, and I found that even though they could be intense and uncomfortable, they can also be good-natured and playful. Still smiling softly, she spoke while looking directly at me, "I can also cook. It was my dream, once upon a time, to become a chef. You know, before my dreams were snatched and I had to take care of my troublesome business."

My smile grew wider. She was stunning, confident, and funny. I found myself slowly warming up to her, "Sad story, but it sounds about right if you're living this type of business life."

Her smile reached her eyes as nodded, "Very true. Do you like to eat, Miss Yamanka?"

"When I'm not stuck studying with my brother, I am eating." I reply with a laugh, "Of course I like to eat, Miss Haruno. Who doesn't?"

"Please, call me Sakura." She said, her eyes turning intense again, causing my cheeks to slightly flush.

Determined to not break eye contact, even with her deep powerful eyes staring into mine, I struggled to sit still. I fully understood now why Naruto shifted in his seat. Her eyes were far too powerful to sit still through. Fighting the urge to hide in a corner, I whispered out , "Who doesn't…Sakura?"

Instantly, her eyes turned warm and I saw them burst with happiness, "You're right, Miss Yamanka. So maybe I could cook you your favorite food one night? I promise it'll be the very best you'll have."

"Oh?" I say with a smile and a raise of my eyebrows, "Well it's very hard to get alfredo exactly how I like it."

"Alfredo? Madam don't insult me. My alfredo is to die for." She waved off with a flick of her wrist.

"And yet I have yet to hear about your famous alfredo." I drawled, looking at my nails lazily before glancing up at her with a teasing smirk.

"Merciless, huh?" She said as she leaned against the table, "Take me up on a date, and I promise I will exceed your expectations."

My heart thudded with the suggestion, and my nonchalant front quickly broke. Eyes widening, I blushed before looking away. To ask me on a date so boldly, especially in front of-

"You have yet to share with us what business you represent, Miss Haruno." Naruto said in tight controlled syllables.

I looked over at Naruto, who was sitting straight and had narrowed eyes locked on Sakura. He was beyond annoyed, but for what reason I don't know why. Maybe it was because of the small joke, or maybe because me and Sakura had fallen into a conversation that didn't include him, but he looked as if we were on his final nerve for the evening.

"Ah, you're right. I have failed to mention my company." Sakura said as she leaned back into her chair and slid her eyes, which were stormy green, back to Naruto, "Because we all know if my company isn't good enough, I don't stand a chance against the 'competitors'."

Naruto's lips thinned as his jaw tightened, "That's right. So your company, Sakura Haruno?"

I frowned at the way he spoke to Sakura. It was almost rude, which was out of character of Naruto, who always stayed polite, no matter who he dealt with.

"I represent the OldCentury industry." Her words were sharp and clean as sat up straight, "A company that has been alive and striving for-"

"A hundred and seventy-two years." Naruto cut off as his anger flared, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm interested in partnership, of course. You are ranked 71, after all." Sakura answered tonelessly as she checked the time. She frowned as she read it.

"You're joking," Naruto voice was sharp and filled with rage, "Like we would ever consider it."

Sakura looked up at Naruto with annoyance, "And why not? Don't you think it's time-"

Naruto shot from his seat, his furious blue eyes glaring down at Sakura, "Get out. Now."

I stared, wide eyed in shock. "Naruto!"

"Well, I am a guest, it's only right that I leave when you feel it fit." Sakura said, gritting her teeth as she stood up in one smooth motion.

"Wilson, show her to the door." Naruto said, grabbing the papers from the table and placing them into the folders they had come in.

"Of course, sir." Wilson replied as he walked over next to Sakura and waited as she gathered herself.

Feeling overwhelmed, I stood up, looking between Naruto and Sakura. There was something I wasn't getting, something that I was missing, but I didn't care at the moment. I was just surprised at how fast everything shifted, "Naruto, what has gotten-"

"I'm sorry I didn't get to speak with you more, Miss Yamanka," Sakura spoke quickly, smiling in sincere apology, "Perhaps another time?"

"Like hell!" Naruto roared, slamming his chair under the table, "Wilson, get her out of here NOW."

I looked speechless from Sakura to Naruto, unable to believe he was behaving like this. When I tore my gaze away from Naruto, I saw that Sakura was practically being dragged out. The maids quickly grabbed the door as Wilson continued to hold Sakura's arm firm, leading her towards the exit. Scrambling to think of something to say, I call to her, "Ino! Call me Ino!"

Even as she was being escorted out she was able to turn around and smile at me, her expression beyond happy. She opened her mouth to reply, but was cut short when the door shut. The last thing I was able to see was the joyous look on her face.

After a moment of me standing there, watching after her even after the door had closed, I whirled around, anger surging through me that was so powerful, so uncontrollable, that I was honestly shaking.

"Naruto, what the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded, storming over to him with anger like fire flickering around me, causing my whole body to grow hot.

"She had no business showing up here." Naruto snapped, handing the folder with the list of names to Wilson, who had quickly grabbed it and stepped away.

"She was only trying to partner with us!" I argued, stepping in his line of sight as he snapped his fingers to another maid and pointed towards the kitchen.

"Tell the kitchen to start dinner; we are ending a bit early tonight." Naruto ordered, completely ignoring me.

Honest, furious, rage rose through me as he continued to ignore me and grabbed his paper with his personal list of potential bachelors, When he turned to leave, I found myself yelling, "Naruto!"

At the call of his name he whipped around, anger so hot and red that I actually took a step back, "Do you have any idea who she is? What company she represents? You have to have at least remembered this in our studies, Ino, because it was the only one important thing you had to remember!"

The shock of his anger had passed. I stood there, glaring at him steadily as my anger simmered to a threatening boil.

"Of course you don't, because you refuse to remember a thing that doesn't deal with you!" Naruto roared as he flung his arm towards me, "Stop being a child and grow up. Learn something for once! OldCentury is our company's enemy! And they have been since the company first started running."

Without allowing me to reply, he whirled back around and stormed towards the door, "And I'll be damn if they show up here, making a mockery of us as if we are some sort of joke!" Naruto yelled as he yanked the door open, "Not in this home, not in my face. If they want comedy, I'll show them!"

The room shook as the door slammed, leaving nothing but silence, me, and seven standing by maids with Wilson by my side.


Stage set. Leggo! As always, drop a review. This story is going to be amazing, I'm so excited.

(Idk if this will send out an email as another chapter for those whose following my story. But I just had it edited by my beta and reposted the story. :] )

Shycadet loves, out.