Summary: Sakura's successful father is focused on one thing. Its money and fortune. He's even willing to set up an arranged marriage for her to join his company with another family's company to get more money. The Uchihas are willing to force their son Sasuke to go along with this marriage. But there is competition. Sakura doesn't want anything to do with this, but will she change her mind when she and Sasuke get to know each other more?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto in any way. . . . . . blah, blah, blah.

A/N: I started this fiction in honor of Valentines Day; which is coming up. If I don't finish this fiction by then; then Oh Well; at least you guys well have something to read =]

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Chapter One

Arranged Marriage?

Sakura opened her emerald green eyes and yawned. She sat at the kitchen table with her parents. Her mother Kyoko was talking animatedly about having a party for Sakura's 18th birthday. But her father Sanichi sat at this table silently watching Sakura as she drank down her orange juice. The way he stared at her coldly was starting to scare her.

Sanichi Haruno was a very powerful man in the world of industry and politics. He owned a very successful business that just kept growing and bringing in money. That was what Sanichi loved most. Money. Sakura grimaced at the thought. She knew that her father cared for one thing in this world and that was money. He would go to no limits to get it. Her mother Kyoko on the other hand, was such a wonderful parent that she almost made up for her father's cold selfishness. Almost.

Finally Sakura couldn't stand it anymore, "Daddy, why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something?"

Sanichi looked long and hard at Sakura then to his wife who was now silent, she obviously knew why his behavior was a little strange this morning. Kyoko was looking at Sakura with apologetic and sympathetic eyes and suddenly, Sakura didn't really want to know the answer anymore.

"Sakura," her father began, "I've been thinking, and this is a very hard decision for both me and your mother---"

He was interrupted by Kyoko's suddenly stern voice, "Sanichi, don't bring me into this. I didn't want anything to do with your idea."

He huffed, "Fine, I mean I was thinking that our business could use even more publicity and seeing that you're turning 18 in a couple of weeks, I think that that you could help with our business."

Sakura looked at both her parents in confusion, "Help how? Do you want me to like advertise or be your secretary or something?"

Kyoko glared at her husband and he tugged at the collar of his suit, "No Sakura, what I'm trying to say is that we, I mean, I need your help to merge two businesses together." Sakura was still confused. "What I'm trying to say is that I want to set up an arranged marriage for you to help our business grow bigger."

Sakura froze and dropped her glass of orange juice. She didn't even notice when the glass hit the floor beneath her and shattered into a hundreds of sharp pieces. She couldn't get anything to come out of her mouth. Her feelings were suddenly trying to burst out of her body and smack the man in front of her. Sakura stood up abruptly causing her chair to fall over, and her hands gripped the edges of the huge table to glare at her so called 'father.'

"WHAT? Dad I can't BELIEVE YOU! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD GO THIS FREAKING FAR JUST FOR MONEY! Don't I get a say in this? What do you think I would like to do huh? I knew you were selfish and craved money, but I NEVER thought that you would EVER stoop as low as to MARRY your BARELY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OFF!"

Sakura was stunned to feel a sting on her face as her father slapped her across the face. Kyoko stood up and went to Sakura's side as Sakura just stared at her father in anger and shock. Had he just slapped her?

"Sakura Haruno, you ungrateful child. Don't you ever talk to me like that again. I do what I do to bring money to this family. How do you think you can afford to go to that school of yours? How do you think you can afford all of those designer clothes and things that you females buy? How do you think you can even afford that fancy car or yours? You WILL get married for this family's and the company's sake understood?"

Sakura couldn't say anything else in fear of her father's reaction so she just swallowed her pride and nodded like a good daughter would. Kyoko stroked her daughter's hair and Sakura knew that even if her mother wanted to, she wouldn't have been able to change her father's mind.

"Good, now sit down so that I can give you the details before you head off to school. This afternoon after school, I would like you to come home early and get ready for company to come over. You will be meeting the families of the boys that I will choose for you to marry. There will be two families and one of the boys from them will end up your husband; depending on how well their family's company or business does in this economy. The wedding is to be no later than in 4 months. It is already being planned as we speak. All that's missing is the groom and he will be chosen of the two by the end of this month."

Sakura's mouth stood agape as she processed her father's information. Four months? That soon? And she'll know who the groom is by the end of the month? This was ridiculous. Why was he rushing things so much? And what's worse was that she was meeting her bachelors and their families tonight. Wonderful.

Sakura nodded and asked to be excused to get ready for school.

Her hands were shaking in anger as she pulled the brush through her soft pink hair. It was maybe two inches past her shoulders now. Sakura looked at herself in the mirror. She examined herself fully before grabbing her bag. Her jeans showed off the outline of her legs and her red shirt hugged her body just right. Sakura had come a long way since middle school. Definitely. Her curves and bust were to die for. Her lips and smile made guys drool. Her legs were seductive and her confidence was priceless. She had guys forming fan clubs for her at school. It annoyed her immensely.

Sakura practically ran down the stairs and threw herself into her car, desperate to get out of the house . . . and her father. Her mind was racing as she drove to school. She was incredibly irritated with her dad. How could he do this to her? Tears almost formed in her eyes as she drove into the school parking lot. Rushing into the hallway, careful to avoid fan-boys, she found her friends.

Ino, Hinata and TenTen were sitting at their desks wait for Sakura to come into the classroom. They stood up to join Sakura at her desk as she sat down. She put on a fake smile hoping that her friends wouldn't notice her upset attitude.

"Hey Sakura! Guess what? Shikamaru just asked me out! Isn't that awesome? I can't believe it . . . . . . ." Ino rambled on and on but they usually just let her talk until she ran out of things to say.

"Hey Ino-pig, hey TenTen, hey Hinata." The said girls started talking about the most random things, but Sakura wasn't paying attention. She was too distracted to answer anything. TenTen and Hinata were the first ones to notice Sakura's off behavior.

"Whats wrong Sakura?" Hinata looked at her in concern.

Sakura's eyes fluttered up to Hinata and smiled, "Oh nothing, I'm just tired and stressed out by the fan-boys that's all."

TenTen raised an eyebrow at Sakura and said, "Liar, we know you, what's really stressing you out?"

Sakura frowned as the three girls inspected her face for any clues. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to get out of this one. Finally she sighed and gave in, "Okay, I'll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell anyone. Not until I can deal with things. Promise?"

They all nodded seriously. "Okay, well you all know how selfish and money obsessed by dad is right? Well, would you believe me if I told you that he's willing to stoop so low as to set up an arranged marriage for me just so that his company can join with another company to get more successful?"

The three girls stood wide eyed at her for a few seconds in shock and suddenly they all screamed, "WHAT?!?!?!?!"

Sakura rolled her eyes, "Shhhhh. . . . Do you want the whole school to find out?"

Ino giggled sheepishly, "Oh sorry, but are you serious? Is that even legal anymore?"

TenTen looked over at Ino and said, "Of course she's serious, why would she lie about that? And yes, arranged marriages are legal, but not a lot of people actually do that nowadays."

Ino muttered something that sounded like, "Know-it-all."

Hinata had nothing to say but she still looked so worried about Sakura that she had to reassure her, "Hinata, I'm okay really, I just don't like the idea of marrying some complete stranger for money. I'd rather marry for love and all that; you know?"

They all nodded, "Sure sucks to be you right now Haruno."

Sakura sighed, "No kidding."

Class started and Kurenai-sensei started teaching about the history of who knows what. That class went by surprisingly fast, as well as the rest of their classes for the first half of the day. Maybe it was because Sakura couldn't focus, or maybe it was the fact that she didn't want to go home today that made time go by so fast. Funny of time does that to you.

It was lunch time and the four girls walked down the hallway to the cafeteria. She girls walked to their regular lunch table where their friends were already there.

There was Shikamaru, who was already pulling Ino down to his side. Neji, who was too busy tongue-wrestling and lip locking with TenTen already to notice anything, and Naruto who gave a madly blushing Hinata on the cheek before he spotted Sakura, and then there was the Uchiha, who sat there arms crossed glaring at Naruto like he was an idiot. (Not that we don't all agree with that.)

"SAKURAAAAAAAA-CHAAAAN!" Suddenly a Sakura saw a flash of blonde hair and was instantly crushed into a big hug.

Sakura laughed and said, "Naruto, I can't breathe."

A cold voice suddenly cut into the group's laughter, "Dobe, let the self centered pink haired girl go."

Naruto turned around and stomped back to the table with a fuming Sakura trailing behind him, "Teme, you ass, you always have to ruin the fun with your lame attitude."

"Hn."

That did it for Sakura, "Sasuke, how dare you call me a self centered girl? Coming from you, it sounded like hypocrisy. You're the one always surrounding yourself with girls playboy."

Sasuke gave Sakura his famous smirk, "At least I have people who think I'm a turn on, you on the other hand are a totally different story. Oh wait, maybe I'm wrong, playgirl. You could be a slut for all I know."

Sakura gasped and was ready to yell back a nasty comeback because he knew perfectly well that she was a virgin and planned to stay way until she was married (which wouldn't be long), when Sai came over to the table and grabbed Sakura's ass. "On the contrary Sasuke, I find her very sexy. How about you and me skip lunch and go to an empty classroom Sakura?"

Sakura turned to glare at him and pulled her hand back to slap him but he caught it before it hit is face. "Sai, you're such a sexual predator. Ugh."

He smiled, "At least I'm not a cold hearted bastard like someone over there."

Sasuke gave Sai a deathly glare and snapped, "Kitori (A/N: I had to make up a name for Sai's last name and his family's) I'm going to rearrange your face if you say one more word."

Sakura sighed and sat down at the table before Sai could harass her anymore. Fortunately He and Sasuke were busy having a glaring contest to notice her now so she was able to eat lunch with the others in peace.

Naruto was the first one to ask a question, "Okay, so guys, anyone want to go to the club tonight? (God knows, how they're allowed into clubs anyway)"

Sakura shook her head regretfully, "No sorry, I have uhhh. . . . . something to do tonight" TenTen, Hinata, and Ino looked over at Sakura curiously.

Sasuke said, "I'm busy," without looking away from Sai,

Sai did the same, "So am I."

Sakura narrowed her eyes. What could they be doing that afternoon that wouldn't let them have time to go to the bar with Naruto?

After lunch, Sai had tried to touch Sakura again but she had managed to dodge behind Naruto and Neji before he could come any closer.

The rest of the day was pretty boring but Sakura was dreading what was waiting for her at home.

* * * * * * * * * * *

After school Sakura said good-bye to her friends and got into her car. She drove home deliberately slow so that she wouldn't get home that early. She really did NOT want to get married at 18. Especially if she couldn't marry someone she loved. Her dad was a horrible person that was for sure.

She walked into her house and ran immediately into her parents. Her mother was the first one to speak, "Oh good Sakura, you're home on time. Your father was beginning to think. . . . oh never mind, we have to get you and the house ready for guests."

Sakura had never seen her mother so anxious before, maybe it was because her father was breathing down her mother's neck, trying to make everyone hurry for this or maybe it was the thought that her barely 18 year old daughter was being forced to marry by her own father. Who knew?

Sakura hugged her mom half-heartedly and said, "Breathe mom, I'll cooperate okay?"

She looked over at her father reluctantly and asked, "When will they be here?"

He looked at her from the counter, while reading his newspaper, and said, "In exactly 2 hours so go make yourself look presentable and be sure to make a good impression on these families. Am I clear?"

Sakura made an effort to keep her anger inside and said, "Fine."

She practically ran to her room with her mother at her heels. She eyes were threatening to get wet with tears but she pushed them back. Now was not the time for crying. Maybe tonight when everything is over and she was under the protection of her blankets, but not now.

She threw her things on the floor and sat down on the chair in front of her make-up table. Her mom came in behind her and said, "Honey, I'm sorry I couldn't do anything about this. I know this isn't what you wanted, but your father. . . . . ."

She looked at her mom in the mirror, "It's okay mom, I'll live. I'll do this for his sake okay?"

Kyoko sighed, "Your father. . . . . . He's not the man I married almost 20 years ago. He's changed, but I still love him, you understand why I can't just go against him right?"

Sakura nodded but envied her mother. She had had the chance to love and now she lover her husband so much that she was willing to side with him even if she loved her daughter to an even more serious extent.

"I understand. I can't always get what I want." Sakura smiled tightly at her mother.

Her mother suddenly grinned, "Sakura lets make the best of this shall we? Wait until you see your dress. Oh and I'll do your hair and everything!"

She was getting over-excited. "Mom, mom, calm down, we're just meeting these people tonight; it's not the wedding yet okay mom? Let's not go over board on dressing me."

Kyoko laughed and said, "Okay, but lets get you into your dress, it's on the bed."

They walked over to Sakura's huge bed and there was a dress that looked brand new. Sakura's eyes grew wide and she started laughing, "Mom! Are you trying to get me to seduce these guys into liking me or what?"

Her mom chuckled but made Sakura get into the dress nonetheless. Once it was on, Kyoko started working on her daughter's hair and just a little touch of make-up (although Sakura didn't really need any make-up to make her face glow beautifully). They worked the whole two hours because Kyoko and Sakura both were doing each other's hair and make-up, having to mother-daughter time. Finally they heard the doorbell ring and Kyoko stood up and gave Sakura a thorough inspection.

Sakura could see tears in her mother's eyes, "Oh Sakura, my grown-up baby, you look so beautiful, I'm so proud of you."

Her mom kissed her on the forehead and went downstairs to greet the guests. Sakura turned to look at herself for the first time in her full length mirror.

She couldn't help but let herself smile at her reflection. Could that really be her? She was wearing a black mini-dress that clung to her body like a second layer of skin and the neckline was just low enough but not too low. The edges of her dress ended mid-thigh and showed off her long nicely shaped legs. Her pink hair was slightly wavy and bounced every time she moved her head. Her face had natural glow and blush and her lips were already a perfect shade so they didn't do a lot there.

Sakura could already hear voices downstairs. Suddenly, her heart was beating and she began to feel nervous and anxious. Could she really be expecting to get engaged so soon?

The voices downstairs were louder now as everyone got familiar with one another. She thought she heard some familiar voices downstairs but that was impossible.

She took a few deep breaths and walked steadily down the stairs.

She lowered her eyes and kept walking then she heard a few gasps and her father's voice, "Ah, there is my daughter, Sakura Haruno."

Sakura gracefully raised her eyes for effect and took in the room.

She saw the women who gasped. They both looked at Sakura approvingly and smiled when she met their gazes. Their faces looked strangely familiar. Must be the mothers, Sakura thought. She then looked at the two men, they both wore stoic but warm faces. I guess men in the company business are all like that. Then she gasped as she recognized her two "bachelors."

Impossible. Could it be? "Sasuke? Sai? What are you guys doing here?"

Sasuke and Sai were both staring at Sakura in complete shock, but they both were giving her the once over. Their eyes traveled down her body but then back to her face as they realized that they both had to compete over her. To marry her.

"Sakura?" They both said in unison.

The adults looked pleased, especially Sanichi, "Oh, so you three already know each other? Good, good. That'll make things easier. Let's introduce the families."

The Uchihas were beautiful people, Fugaku, Sasuke's father, and Mikoto, Sasuke's mother, were both black haired onyx eyed people. Mikoto was a smiley person who seemed loving and warm while Fugaku seemed utterly cold and impossible, just like his son. There was one other person in the Uchiha family, Itachi, Sasuke's older brother. Itachi seemed intimidating but seemed nice enough to her.

The Kitoris were almost the same. Kanki, Sai's father looked almost exactly like him, but he was quiet as well. Harisha, Sai's mother, was an outgoing person who was already getting along with the other mothers.

They all looked at Sakura the same way, approvingly and proudly. Except for Sasuke and Sai of course, who had no expression on their faces whatsoever.

They all sat down in the dining room and talked over dinner, Sakura had put on a good show for everyone, smiling, talking, and interacting with everyone. Her social skills surprised Sasuke and Sai a bit. After dinner, the adults sat down to talk about some things and told the three of them to go up-stairs to the at home bar and have fun but not to drink anything.

Sakura led the way silently but that was usually how it was at school with Sasuke and Sai too so they were used to it. When they got there, Sai decided to start up the conversation. "Hm, so You are the girl that I might me engaged to. I can't say I'm not liking this. To have a sexy good looking girl at home with me all the time and all night, this is going to be fun."

Sakura groaned in disgust, 'Ugh, Sai, don't even go there, maybe I won't marry you, you have about the same chance as Sasuke does so don't go fantasizing yet."

Sai chuckled and leaned over Sakura as she went to sit down on the couch his hand traced a line down her throat to her collar bone, Sakura pushed his hand away causing it to fall her leg. He chuckled again and began sliding his hand up her leg and to the hem of her dress.

Sasuke looked at him in disgust and pushed Sai out of the way and stood in front of Sakura protectively although he wasn't sure why (if you couldn't already tell, the three don't get along with each other all that well). "Kitori, you sick person, do you have ANY respect for women at all?"

This sudden move and comment from Sasuke made Sakura's eyes widen in shock. Was the great Uchiha defending her?

Sai smiled darkly, "Uchiha, we're competing for her aren't we? So let's say whoever wins her gets to do whatever we want with her because she'll belong to that person."

Sakura narrowed her eyes and stood up and look at Sai from behind Sasuke. Her eyes screamed murder. "I. AM. NOT. A. TROPHY. I AM. A. HUMAN. BEING!"

Sai was about to retort but his mother called for him and told him that they were going home early because they had business to attend to.

Sasuke turned to Sakura as the door to the bar closed behind Sai. Her fists were clenched but she sat down and tried to calm herself. Sasuke smirked, even now; she looked pretty irresistible, even if he couldn't stand her.

He sat down next to her on the couch and said, "I don't want to do this."

She turned to glare at him, "Oh, and you think I do? I feel like an item or a trophy being won. I don't even have a choice to fall in love or marry whom I choose anymore. I hate it."

"Hn."

Sakura didn't try to stop herself from rambling now, she was through with bottling up her feelings for the day, she started to talk in a quiet, hurt voice that caught Sasuke's attention, He turned to look at her "My dad. . . . He doesn't care about what I want as long as he gets money and publicity. It's always been that way. Now he's taken away my will. My life. I can't even marry someone that I hope to fall in love with anymore. I'm being forced to marry just for his sake. Maybe I'm crazy for ever hoping that I'll ever have a good future. Considering my options. I don't want to go with Sai. I'm almost afraid of what he might do to me. He might even rape me if that's the case. I don't want to go with you because I'm just afraid of getting hurt, considering how many hearts you've broken before. Either way, I won't have a choice will I? I can't do this Sasuke, I can't. I'm scared. I just. . . . . "

Sakura hadn't noticed that her tears were starting pour from her emerald eyes. Sasuke didn't quite know why but he didn't like it when he saw Sakura's tears. Her pain. Her sadness. He lifted his hand and brushed her tears gently away from her fair face. This only made her sob a little more and as she leaned into him to sob into his shoulder about her twisted and horrible life, Sasuke couldn't help but want her to smile again. Even if he didn't know how to do it.

"Sakura, I promise I'll try to do something okay? Smile for me again okay?"

Sakura buried her face into Sasuke neck and Sasuke wrapped his arms around her waist. Even if he didn't particularly like her, he'd at least try to end her misery right?

Itachi stood outside the door watching through the slightly ajar crack. He saw this scene between his usually cold and unfeeling little brother and this pretty Sakura girl who might end up his sister in law.

He knew that Sasuke was thinking and denying that he wanted this girl to be happy. He was probably even saying that he didn't like this girl. But if Sasuke had seen what he had seen through Itachi's eyes then he would've changed his mind.

Is this one pretty little girl going to be the one who'll change Sasuke?

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Okay; so that was the first chapter. This is one of my very first fanfictions for SasuSaki so please review and tell me what you think. Nice constructive criticism is allowed but no flames please. Tell how you like it.

I'm hoping to post the next chapter soon! It'll help if there are a TON of reviews for this one!

There will be a lemon in future chapters if you guys would like.

Thanks !

With Love,

xnhix