The Sakura Blossom Festival was fast approaching. Villagers were getting asked out left, right and center. Every girl, or so it seemed, was asking the famous Sasuke Uchiha. His answer turned out the same every time; 'No. Why would I go with you?'. No one could get this young Uchiha to go. A day before the festival Team Kakashi and Team Asuma were finishing their training together.

"Sakura," Naruto asked leaning in close "Would you like to go to the Blossom Festival with me tomorrow?"

"No thank you Naruto," she shook her head sadly "I'm not going this year."

Naruto tilted his head down and walked off upset. Choiji and Shikamaru walked off with him offering him a round of ramen to cheer him up. Naruto smiled hugging his friends and agreed to their kindness. Ramen was all it took to bring him back to his old self.

"Sasuke," Ino flirted "Would you like to go to the Festival with me?"

"I already have a date," he replied.

"WHAT!" she shrieked "Who? You've said no to every girl in this village."

"Not every girl," he smirked.

The next day everyone was getting ready for the Sakura Blossom Festival. By late afternoon Sasuke walked through the village looking for a certain house. When he found it he jumped up to the window and tapped it gently. The one who answered it was none other than his team mate Sakura Haruno, who looked at him stunned by his sudden appearance.

"Sasuke," she let him in flabbergasted "What are you doing here?"

"I came to pick up my date for the Festival," he responded frowning "You're not dressed, I'll wait."

"But -," she started to complain.

"No buts. I'll wait for you to get dressed."

She ran to her closet and grabbed a kimono then made her way to the bathroom to change, she wasn't going to miss this oportunity. When she returned Sasuke was sitting on her bed. He looked her up and down smiling gently making her blush.

"You look gorgeous," he stood and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I don't understand," she admitted confused "I thought you hated me."

"That's not true; you're the only one who has ever cared for me since my family died."

"I can't go to the Festival though."

"Why not?" he asked hurt.

"I told Naruto I wasn't going, he would freak if he saw me there."

"Then we won't go to the Festival."

"Where will we go?"

"Do you trust me?"

Sasuke was at the window again, he squatted on the window sill his hand extended toward her. She cautiously reached out for his hand and he drew her near. They walked through the village until they were in the surrounding forest. Sasuke and Sakura sat against a tree in a clearing, night was beginning to darken the skies.

"The stars are so beautiful," Sakura sighed leaning her head against Sasuke's shoulder.

"They are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you."

Sakura looked up to see Sasuke staring down at her with loving eyes. He leaned in closer, gently holding her head in his hands. Sasuke kissed Sakura with such a sweet kiss it melted her whole body.

"Sasuke," Sakura was out of breath "I love you, please don't leave me."

"I love you too much to leave anywhere without you Sakura," he promised.

She closed her eyes and gently drifted away to a relaxing sleep. He sighed picking her up bridal style and carried her back to her room. Sasuke placed her in her bed, and then laid on top of the sheets wrapping his arm around her waist.

"I will always protect you Sakura, you're my life," he whispered kissing her forehead.

Sakura got many glares from the Uchiha fan girls the next day, more than usual. She was walking around town with Sasuke by her side and his arm wrapped around her waist kissing her every now and again. Nothing could ruin her love for him, not even his hatred toward his brother; she was determined to be there for him no matter what.