A Walk in the Park-

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto!

Chapter One-

Initial Interaction

I wasn't a stalker. Uchiha's do not stalk and we most certainly do not obsess over things. If anything, I was . . . passionate and determined. Yes, that sounds better. I was determined to get her to notice me today.

Every morning I would take my ebony husky, Luna, for a walk in the park. My eyes never failed to spot her beautiful pink hair as she tucked stray strands behind her ear. She always sat on the bench beneath the old oak tree, her green eyes focused on whatever book she had brought with her.

It amused me to watch her read, her face honest when what she read pleased or frustrated her. It was refreshing to see someone in their own little world with no hidden motives or selfish and ill intent. I was fed up with being approached by liars and con artists, no one was genuine unless it reaped benefits. I got enough of those people at work, but I do not want to think about them now.

My attention was on the girl who I was most certainly not obsessing over and watching like a stalker. I knew the moment I saw her that she was different from other women. Usually women would throw themselves at me with blatant flirting and offers for sex. However, this girl . . . she is not affected by my presence in the slightest. Even in the rare moments our eyes had met when I walked past her, she had only given me a small smile and then returned to her book. She was classy, she was attractive and she was a challenge.

Now I find myself wanting her to notice me despite all these years that I have told Itachi I had no interest in the female population. I was eating my words now, because I am most definitely interested. Hopefully she would be just as she seemed, and I would not be disappointed.

"Are you ready, Luna?" I asked my black furred husky. She looked up at me with her crystal blue eyes and barked.

"Hn."

So far Luna had been the only lady I tolerated in my life, but perhaps today that would change. I held her red leash in my right hand as I walked her down the path and closer to the pinkette. Just as only a few feet separated us, I let go of Luna's leash and she ran straight to the green-eyed beauty. That's my girl. I put on my ever-stoic expression and went over to the girl currently being licked to death.

"Luna! Down girl." I scolded, but the husky knew I didn't mean it.

Green eyes glanced at me for a second before turning back to Luna who still had her front paws on her lap.

"Oh, my. What a friendly girl you are." The pinkette mused, completely ignoring me. The corner of my mouth twitched as I held back a smirk. Well played.

My charcoal eyes took in the red sundress she was wearing and admired the way it nicely, but modestly hugged her figure. She was interesting alright.

"Luna." I called again, but she ignored me like the gem she was.

"She likes you, better than me it would seem. She's not even listening." I sighed.

"She's such a beautiful dog." The girl said, giving me a brief glance before looking back at Luna as she continued to pet her. "Luna, was it?"

Luna barked yes and wagged her tail back and forth. The girl quietly giggled and my face softened at the sound. I nonchalantly sat next to her on the bench but made sure to keep a reasonable distance between us. Luna turned her head towards me and barked again.

"Yes, I know, you're spoiled." I teased while leaning back to get comfortable.

She looked over at me again with a fond smile and I liked the way it graced her face. Her green eyes sparkled at the attention Luna was giving her, her happiness evident and clear.

"You walk her here often, don't you? I've seen you around . . ." She said and I refused to acknowledge the faint quickening of my heart at this admission. Maybe I had left a bigger impression on her than I first thought.

"Oh? You must be here regularly as well then. Always with a book, if I recall correctly." I observed and turned my gaze to the book at her side before looking back at her.

"Oh, um. . ." She began and I admired the slight blush that tinted her cheeks as her eyes fell to the book. "You noticed?"

After a few quick heartbeats she looked back over at me and smiled, meeting my gaze. "I love this place, actually. I come here almost every day if I can."

Luna finally got down and sat in front of me. I began scratching her ear and nodded to the somewhat shy girl. Her emotions were even more transparent up close and I found relief in her honesty.

"I can relate to that. I make it a point to walk Luna whenever I have the time. She can be very disagreeable if I don't give her the attention she wants." I explained and gave my dog a small smile. Then I looked back at the girl who had been on my mind for weeks. "I'm Sasuke."

She was still smiling shyly and watching me, eyes seemingly full of wonder. "I'm Sakura. . . It's nice to meet you, Sasuke."

She was blushing again, but she quickly turned her eyes to Luna as a distraction.

"And you as well, Luna!"

Luna barked and walked back over to Sakura. It was a fitting name, complimenting her pink hair and flawless skin. I finally had a name for this intriguing woman who was always reading. The air about her was strangely calming. I had to admit, I was a little taken aback.

Ever since I could remember, women have always irritated me. The way they talk, the way they hover and the way they can never seem to take a hint. I hated it when women got pushy despite my obvious lack of interest. It was almost as if I said one thing and they heard something else entirely. My train of thought was suddenly interrupted by my stomach growling. Sakura tried to hide a giggle at that and I treasured the sound. Her giggling is the only one I'll want to hear.

"I may have skipped breakfast." I confessed and used this to my advantage. "Would you be interested in joining me for lunch?"

"Hm..." Sakura thought as an uncontainable grin formed on her face, but she kept her eyes focused on Luna. "Actually, that sounds lovely since I'll be working a late shift today."

"It's settled then." I said, wondering idly what kind of work she did. I don't know her well enough to rule anything out, but I suspected it was something practical.

My phone started ringing and I pulled it out of my jean's pocket. I looked at the caller ID and held back a frown. It was Itachi.

"I have to take this." I told her and got up without waiting for a reply.

I walked a good distance away before reluctantly answering. Knowing my brother, he would keep calling me until I picked up the phone. Why must he interrupt me every time I'm in the middle of something?

"What?" I snapped.

"Woah there, little brother, I haven't even said hello." He reminded and I rolled my eyes. Yet he has the nerve to call me the sensitive one.

"I'm busy."

"Yes, yes, on one of your walks with Luna, I am well aware. You have been enjoying them a lot recently." He stated in indifference, but I knew that tone. He was finding my behavior odd and it was only a matter of time before he stuck his nose in.

"Am I not allowed to enjoy spending time with my dog?" I asked, trying to keep the defensiveness out of my voice.

"Interesting." He said and I mentally cursed. He always could see right through me, sometimes I really hated his intelligence.

"If you just called to bug me, I'm hanging up." I warned and he laughed.

"It can wait until you get home. Have fun, little brother." He said and ended the call. What the hell? If it could wait then why did you call me? Stupid aniki.

I made my way back to Sakura and picked up Luna's red leash. She padded over to my side and waited patiently for me to lead the way.

"Now, where were we?" I said as I offered Sakura my arm.

She hesitated for a second before getting up and entwining her arm with mine.

"Just so you know, I don't usually do this." She explained. I am sure to pull her a little closer than necessary as we walked down the park's path.

"Do what? Leave with a stranger? It's just lunch." I teased and shot her a smirk. She blushed seven shades of red, looking anywhere but at me. Satisfaction washed over me at her reaction.

"Yeah. . . Just lunch. . . With a stranger." She muttered.

"Oh, wait." I said and stopped to take Luna off her leash.

"Luna, go back and get Sakura's book." I ordered and she took off back the way the we came.

"It seems we were both preoccupied." I said and winked.

"W-what?" Sakura was flabbergasted. "You mean she will actually get it?"

"Hn. I expect nothing less from my dog." I told her. If Luna couldn't do something as simple as that, she wouldn't be worthy of the name Uchiha.

"That's amazing!" Sakura giggled. "Was she professionally trained?"

"Not exactly. It would be more accurate to say she was trained professionally." I said but she gave me a confused look. "While I may not be a certified dog trainer, I am definitely a professional."

"Well, you're certainly confident. But, I can see she was definitely trained well. I find it sweet that you take up so much time with her." She complimented.

"She is the only woman in my life and I make it a point to treat her with the utmost care." I casually explained, certain she would get the blatant admission of my bachelorhood.

Luna returned with the book and I carefully took it from her mouth. I was proud she left little to no drool. I put her leash in my back pocket, deciding to let her travel without it. She knew better than to run off and has been absolute gold today.

"That's sweet, really. I admire you for that. It's easy to see how much she adores you." Sakura proclaimed. I gave her a small smile and carried her book as we walked.

Mae's cafe was fairly close and I enjoyed listening to her talk about the book she'd been reading. Her hand would move around as she spoke and come to rest in front of her mouth when she laughed. I just quietly gazed at her soft features and let her do most of the talking. She would still blush when our eyes met, but it felt like she was getting more comfortable with me.

Sakura may have been shy, but she spoke with such conviction. I could sense an inner confidence and fire shine through whenever she got passionate in her explanation. My intuition has never failed me before and it was telling me she was definitely worth a lot more than a second glance alone.

A/N:

Hello dear readers!

I still can't believe it but I have found myself a beta reader! YAY!

With their help I was finally able to map out the remainder of what's to come with My Dear Princess, Love is War, and also Through Thick and Thin!

She totally dragged me out of the funk I was in and got me back on track with my writing and during all that, the two of us decided to do a little project together!

And this is it.

All Sasuke bits will be credited to Kaname84 and of course that leaves Sakura to yours truly!

We're loving this story and are a few chapters in already so we wanted to share.

ENJOY from the two of us.

-KanaTyy