Chapter 1: Chapter 1
A.N.: yes, another story from yours truly.
Title: Hers for A Night
Overview: On her 20th birthday, a stranger came and asked her for a dance. He was the epitome of a perfect man and every woman's fantasy. He was Sasuke Uchiha, the one who made her heartbeat faster for the first time.
Rating: M (to be safe)
-Standard disclaimer applied-
CHAPTER 1
"Look at her Tsunade-san, she's all grown-up. Really beautiful," Shizune happily exclaimed to her aunt. She was looking at her aunt's adoptive daughter who was now making her way through the halls of a beautifully decorated restaurant.
They were in Ichiraku's, one of Konoha's finest restaurants. The whole place was reserved and beautifully decorated. It was filled with trimmings of pink and silver decorations. Lights danced in all the walls and the guests were simply having a good time.
All of these things were done by Tsunade just for her special one. Her name is Sakura, Tsunade's adoptive daughter.
She was still an infant when someone left her at Tsunade's house. And being a widow with no child of her own, she took Sakura in and treated her like a real daughter. Together with her late husband Dan and his niece, they have raised Sakura into a bright and beautiful lady.
And today, as they celebrate her 20th birthday, everything must be special.
After all, she promised her to give this party when her coming of age comes.
The night, Tsunade has been preparing for.
And the night, Sakura was hoping for.
.
From the great halls, two dim lights focused on one spot. A lovely lady was soon to behold, and everyone stopped to look at her.
Sakura walked out of the light, filling up a presence that only lovely princesses have. She was wearing a lovely pink kimono, embedded with trinkets of silver flowers that looked like a cherry blossom. Tsunade personally chose that expensive kimono as her gift for her beloved stepdaughter.
Sakura was just a simple girl. She was beautiful and yet it was utterly covered by her simple style, living and ways. But tonight, as she walked through the crowded place, she blossomed like the most beautiful flower in a lovely garden.
She was soon joined by a blonde boy, wearing a black suit that complimented his blue eyes. The boy lovingly smiled at her, as if wishing her all the good things in the world. His name was Naruto, Sakura's childhood friend and one of her suitors.
Naruto held out his hand and guided her towards the center. Everyone gathered around her like bees, as they all greeted her.
"She was just a kid back then; I even remembered her singing a song for me just to do her braids." Shizune smilingly added.
"I know, time runs so fast. My daughter's a lovely lady now." Tsunade said, wearing a sentimental tone in her voice while looking at Sakura.
"That's why you need to prepare yourself now Tsunade-san."
"For what?" Tsunade asked, raising one of her brows at her niece.
"Sooner or later, Sakura might fall in-love. And who knows? One day she might bring some guy right on your doorstep."
"For real?"
"Yes, Tsunade-san. In love for real, we might even talk about marriage this time." Shizune said.
"What? Sakura's still studying! There's absolutely no way my daughter's bringing a guy in this house let alone talk about marriage!."
"Ano… Tsunade-san, you have to understand that Sakura's not a child anymore. She's Twenty; and a full grown woman now. From here on, she can live independently and choose her own destiny. She can even choose if she's really interested to become a doctor or to be a contented homemaker."
Tsunade looked at her niece, wondering and amused by her out-of-the-line-speeches. "Where in the world did you get those ideas?"
"From watching too much drama shows I guess…" Shizune grinned at her.
Tsunde looked at her and gave a hearty laugh. But their attention was soon called when a slow dance was played, Sakura was now dancing with Naruto.
No doubt Sakura was the happiest person that night, all of her friends came. Her classmates and close friends from Konoha University, came too. They were Ten-Ten, Hinata, Temari and the ever-extravagant Ino who was wearing a kimono too much lovely from the celebrator itself. Of course! Since when did Ino allowed someone to over-stun her?
"Hey Sakura, I'm sorry about this outfit. I didn't mean to steal their attention away from you." Ino said, right after Sakura was done dancing with Naruto. "I just really like this dress. And I couldn't wait for two months for my own birthday to wear it."
"No, it's perfectly fine…"
"Fine?… Can't you see she's jealous?" Inner Sakura said.
Sakura shrugged, bugging her inner self away.
Of course, Ino was still an important friend for her. She can be a bit annoying sometimes, but she was still there whenever Sakura needs any help. Whenever Ino's acting stupid again, Sakura just shrugged it off by thinking it was just her' inner "Spoiled-brat" personality who's coming out. Being her friend is the only thing that matters for Sakura. After all, Ino was the only student in Konoha University who has the guts to shout and threaten a resident bully, all for her sake.
.
After meeting her friends Sakura gazed around her, looking for a very important person to thank for.
Sakura smiled at her mother, looking at her direction with thankful eyes. She then silently walked towards her, giving her a heartwarming hug.
"Arigatou Okaasan." She said.
"hmm…?"
"For this party." She exclaimed. "I didn't expect it to be this big and beautiful! We're not even rich; it must have cost you a lot huh?"
"You don't want to know" she said, smiling at her. "But you know, it's your birthday. Everything must be special for my only daughter who, of course, is also celebrating her coming of age." She winked.
Sakura flashed her lovely smile.
"But really Okaasan, you don't have to do this. Having a small dinner with you and my friends is enough for me."
"Sakura, you know well enough that you deserve all these things."
"Honto arigatou, Okaasan." She said one last time before hugging her mother again.
.
After some time, Naruto approached them and blushingly gave her a rose as she asked Sakura for a dance again. Tsunade nodded to him and the couple walked in the center to dance under a lovely music.
"Sakura-chan, I'll ask you again. Will you accept it this time?" he whispered, both were now swaying in a slow dance.
"About what?"
"You know… what I told you last time."
Sakura gave him a look while Naruto's cheeks continued to flare up.
"Oh… that" she said, breathing up some air for courage.
"So?"
"Naruto, you know how much I love you... but-"
"-you love me as a brother. Yeah, I know that. But still, I want to hope that someday, you'll give me a chance."
Sakura smiled at him, not knowing how to say to him that he was too good for her, that he deserves a better one. She loves him, but it's different. Her love for him was more like a brother, not as someone she would spend her life with.
"I'm sorry..."
Naruto frowned a bit, but soon enough a happy grin covered it.
"Its fine," he shrugged. "Maybe I'll take my chances again"
He then changed his pace, as if trying to change their conversation again.
.
They were still dancing when something suddenly caught her attention. Most of her guests were looking at one direction and she felt curiosity flowed through her brain like them. As soon as she followed the traces of their gaze, she saw something or rather, 'a someone'.
Looking at him has made her eyes to go round and her heart to skip a beat.
A stranger, wearing a handsome dark suit, came.
Who is he? She thought.
He was a complete stranger for her, realizing that she has never seen him before. He's not from Konoha she presumed.
"But he's really gorgeous! And deadly hot! A really hot gatecrasher" Inner Sakura sheepishly sighed.
For a minute, her eyes didn't leave him. Her beautiful emerald eyes traced the wholeness of this man. And she definitely has to agree with her inner self.
He is so damn gorgeous!
The man was tall that he towered most of the guests. And he wears this dignified air around him, marking him differently against all the men in her party. His hair, raven in color was neatly combed on his back and a few locks fell on his eyes, giving him an aristocratic look for his beautiful and pale-white face. Even from a distance, one can clearly see and say that he is really handsome.
"Do you know him Naruto?"
"Yes," Naruto sighed. "He's Uchiha, Sasuke"
Uchiha? That means… he's one of Fugaku- sama's sons. She thought, remembering that they were once told by Shizune; who, on the other hand, was working on one of the Uchiha's owned establishments - Konoha Medical Hospital.
Sakura looked at the man intently.
Why is he here?
She knew that the sons of Uchiha Fugaku were raised in Tokyo though they were born in Konoha.
When she was a kid, she used to visit a park near the Uchiha estate. And a little boy was usually seen playing with his older brother under a hot summer day. But after she finished her 6th grade, she never saw them again. Maybe it was due to their father's business, or their school activities; but whatever it is, she never laid eyes on them again.
Never in her life would she recognize that she was staring at that same little kid now.
Only he was different, far from the very innocent kid she once knew.
.
Sakura was still staring at him, when she saw Shizune whispered something to that man.
The said man nodded, and he was now walking towards Sakura's direction.
"Tanjoubi omedeto, Sakura-san." he said, giving her a lovely pink rose with a small smile on his lips. "May I please have this dance?"
She nodded while Naruto bade goodbye.
Sakura instantly felt anxiety cringing up to her as she felt his hands on her own and his other one on her waist. Her heart was beating faster and she felt like she was trembling inside while they sway to a lovely music.
Now that she can look at him closely, she has concluded that he was indeed extraordinarily handsome.
He was a man every woman would dream of.
When she gazed her direction to her friends, she saw them lit up with playful eyes and devilish grins. Ino, on the other hand, was steaming red.
She smiled to herself as her inner self shouted: "come on! Steam like jealous monkeys!"
.
"I'm Sasuke by the way, Uchiha Sasuke." He said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "I'm sorry for crashing in, Shizune-san invited my parents to attend your party. But since both my parents are away, and my brother's on a trip with his wife, Outousan said I should come instead."
"oh… a-arigatou" she only said, smiling at him; Trying hard not to stutter in front of him.
He smirked.
"My pleasure. Let's just say it's about time I get to know Konoha's people. Since it is my birthplace and maybe... where I'll be staying for good."
"You'll be staying here for good?" She asked, wondering why she felt it was good news for her.
"I'm afraid so" he said. "It was his orders." Sasuke shrugged, remembering his father's words that he wants him to take over their companies in Konoha as soon as he finished college.
"Well… Konoha's a good place. It's nice to live here. Everything's peaceful, kind and they'll treat you like family. And it can even compete with Tokyo's lifestyle now, it'll be easier for you to adjust.
"hn.."
.
.
After their dance, Shizune approached them.
"So… you finally met Sasuke-sama here."
"Hai, I was really surprised. I didn't know you invited an Uchiha, you didn't tell me." She said, smiling at Shizune.
"Gomen-ne, I totally forgot it with all these excitement. And besides, I didn't know they would really come with all their busy schedules."
"Any way, thank you for coming to my party Sasuke-sama" Sakura said, changing her gaze to the man beside her.
"No problem, As I've told you, I wanted to know Konoha and its people"
"Is that so? Then why don't you introduce him to your friends, Sakura?" Shizune suggested.
Sakura nodded and motioned him to where a group was gathered around. She proudly introduced him to her classmates and friends.
.
Throughout the party, Sasuke was fully entertained by Sakura as if all her attention was only set to him. She helped him to get his food, introduced him to her guests, and talked anything that may interest him.
This is crazy, why am I acting like this? Why can't I stop looking at him as if he'll disappear if I blink?
Weird alright, but that's what she feels about him. It's as if a powerful magnet was sucking her to him.
And kami! She just met him.
Anyway, he said he's staying here in Konoha. That means, I can see him everyday.
THAT EVENING...
She was still holding the pink rose Sasuke gave her; though she didn't know exactly why that particular rose was really that special for her. She just met him today for Kami's sake!
She placed it on top of the gifts she received. She glanced at one of her presents and took one, motioning that she'll be opening it now.
She took Sasuke's gift first. The box was covered in blue, with a small pink cherry blossom to accessorize it. Opening it, she saw an expensive looking diary with a lock. It was carefully placed on the box, covered with a silk cloth.
She opened her diary, and turned its pages. She then place the rose on it, got herself a pen and wrote at the first page.
.
March 28
This is the happiest day I ever had. I really had a great day. My party was a blast and I was really surprised that Okaasan would give me such a beautiful and unforgettable party. My friends and classmates were all there. But the best thing that happened to me tonight was when I met Uchiha Sasuke.
Kami-sama! An Uchiha came to my party!
He was really cute and hot! His eyes were really lovely. I love his hair, his skin, i think all of him was really perfect. I think I'll never forget his face for my entire life. Tomorrow, I'll print his pictures. I'll even watch my video just to see his gorgeous face again.
Kami, is this what they call: love at first sight?
That Monday in their campus' garden, Sakura and her friends were spending their free time in their usual hang out place. Conversations from her previous party went on from their mouths like it just happened a minute ago.
Everyone went crazy when Sakura showed them the pictures. And their excitement grew when they saw Sasuke's pictures.
"He's really cute, ne?" Temari said.
"hai" Ten-Ten added.
"And obviously, everything went invincible for Sakura when Sasuke-sama came." Ino said.
"That's because Sakura's head-over-heels with Uchiha-sama" Ten-Ten taunted.
"Who wouldn't? You all agreed he was something!" Sakura said, planting her hand on her hips.
"Of course" Temari nodded.
"But you know what? I even thought of not taking my make-up off that night, I don't want to take away his kiss from my cheeks. It was just too heavenly." She exclaimed, having glassy eyes as if she was dreaming something very pleasant.
Everyone sweatdropped
"hmph. Anyway, Neji's cuter than him." Ten-Ten said.
"Here we go again." Temari sighed.
"Hey Sakura and Ten-Ten, mind if I crack reality on your heads? Both of those guys are in the peak of society. Both of them are from the most influential and wealthiest clans in Konoha. They can't just go down from their throne to choose you guys." Ino said with her as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"Whatever. What matters is, I'm in love with him. And I've finally decided..." Sakura said in a mighty tone. All her friends turned their full attention on her.
"That Uchiha Sasuke will be the man for me." she finally said, hugging all of Sasuke's pictures on her chest.
.
.
End of Chapter 1,,, looking forward for chapter 2!
notes:
In Japan, the coming of age for both male and female is the age of 20.
Okaasan - mother
Arigatou / Hontou Arigatou - thank you
Ano / Ano ne - you know or well...
suffix "san" - a word of respect for acquaintances, older people
suffix "sama" - used as a word of respect, usually for master-slave relationship
Hope you like it
Thank you so much for reading!
Reviews are highly appreciated.
*edited June 2011