Author's Note:

Thanks so much for the reviews from the first chapter! I'm overjoyed that readers are still receptive to my writing style and my ideas. It honestly means a lot.

I'm sorry that I couldn't respond to the reviews - work's at its busiest in the year, but know that I do appreciate them.

Also, one reviewer guessed what Sakura's condition is, so great job! You guys will find out what I mean in this chapter.

Update will be in a week's time! As always, lots of hugs and love for my readers, and even more so for reviewers, too!

Kanryu 2/20/2017

Prestissimo

Sasuke made his around to the back of the stage where a number of people crowded together - people he presumed who were the performers' fans. He waited in the back behind the crowd, leaning against the wall as he did so in the shadows of the curtains. He crossed his arms in front of him, surveying the people who were trying to hold a conversation with the few performers left. It wasn't easy asking for permission to enter the back, as the attendant was very insistent that only certain individuals were permitted.

"I'm sorry, sir, but you won't be allowed in." A young male dressed in a simple white dress shirt and black dress pants barred his entry.

Sasuke regarded the attendant with an even look, and watched as he continued to wave in attendees who were dressed in casual street clothing. That was when Sasuke understood what he must have looked like to the attendant - a pretentious man in an expensive suit who must be trying to woo the only female pianist in the room beyond. This must not have been the first time the attendant had experienced this.

"I think there must be a misunderstanding. I am merely here to give my gratitude to the performer for the last performance." He smoothly said in a charismatic tone.

The attendant narrowed his eyes as he regarded him again with a calculative look. He sighed, then finally said, "Alright, I'll be frank. There have been some men in the past who have slipped past and tried to sexually harass Haruno-san. I don't want to call security on you, and I'm certain that you wouldn't want that either, seeing as you may be someone of high standing based on how you are dressed. You don't want to have a sexual assault charge on your profile, right?"

Sasuke was rather amused by how serious this guy in front of him was taking his job. "Haruno-san must be very nice for you to be so protective of her."

"She is a respectable woman who treats everyone with kindness regardless of their backgrounds." The attendant professionally responded. "If you'd like to see her, sir, please give me your word that you will not verbally harass her or initiate any physical contact with her. I will treat your word as a verbal contract."

"Very well, I agree to your verbal contract." Sasuke mused. He reached his hand into the breast pocket on the inside of his suit jacket, and produced a black business card from within its reaches. "If you'd like for me to verify a written contract as you had just specified, please feel free to email me at the address on that card."

The attendant deftly took the business card and peered at it before his jaw dropped open. Sasuke quickly put a finger to his lips to silence him before his name could be uttered.

"I apologize for my insolence earlier, Uchiha-san. My name is Takeshi." He quietly said. "Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance."

"I will let you know, but for now, thank you for doing your job properly." Sasuke winked at the young man before walking quietly past him. "If you email me, I can send you a pair of tickets to my next show, Takeshi."

Sasuke watched as the last visitors and performers made their way out of the backstage area, leaving the young pinkette by herself seated in front of her makeup dresser. He straightened and walked out from behind the curtains. Takeshi glanced at him as he pulled the tassel which held the curtains drawn. The black velvet drapes fell together to close the entrance from allowing anymore visitors to come backstage. His shoes clicked resoundingly on the polished mahogany-coloured hardwood of the backstage as he made his way towards the young woman.

"Haruno-san, it was a pleasure to hear your entrancing performance tonight." Sasuke smiled at the still-seated pinkette. Her white lacy dress was alluring, and her perfectly red painted lips were slightly parted as she turned to face him, her expression inviting.

"Ah, thank you." She smiled back at him, her eyes not quite meeting his own. It seemed she was looking in the general direction of his voice, but her gaze wasn't quite fixated on his as his was on hers. "Did you happen to be sitting on the first balcony for the concert…?" She trailed off as she waited for him to introduce himself.

"Sasuke. And yes, I did happen to be sitting there. Why do you ask?" He didn't miss a beat and flashed her a smile, which would usually have others around him do a double take at his charm or even blush, but her lips only curved into a perfect smile, her cheeks still the same beautiful paleness it was before.

"Sasuke-san, if you don't mind me saying, I hope you were not giving the lady beside you any grief. She seemed very much distressed whenever you addressed her with your…dare I say, sass?" The pinkette bit her lip as her hand went up to push back the slight curls which brushed her shoulders behind her ear, her cheeks lightly flushed at the audacity of her question.

She was absolutely captivating, and she had no idea how much she interested him. Bold, yet shy. What a beautiful combination.

He was amused, yet intrigued by either how loud he was, or how good this lady's hearing is. "No, I would very much enjoy hearing how much of an asshole I sounded from where you sat if you'd excuse my language. Either I was much louder than I had intended, or you have impeccable hearing."

She turned away from him and gently rested her hands on top of the dresser, her face facing the mirror. "I'm flattered you did not notice, Sasuke-san. I only have 4 remaining senses which work for me, which means I'm able to use them more effectively." Then she paused briefly.

"I'm blind, you see."

Everything clicked into place at her words. But she seemed rather adaptable for someone who was blind.

"I honestly did not notice." He said softly in all seriousness. "You move very smoothly, and I'm awed by the fact that you can play the piano so very well without your sight."

She turned back to him with a small smile. "Am I the first blind performer you have met, Sasuke-san?"

The question took him a bit by surprise, but he recovered quick enough to provide a response in his usual manner. "The only one I've been interested in enough to speak to, yes."

Takeshi stepped in and cleared his throat to make his presence known, the look on his face apologetic. "Haruno-san, Uchiha-san, the cleaners are just about to start their shifts for the night, as it is almost 11pm. They would like for us to be out within 15 minutes. Would that be sufficient time for the both of you?"

"Oh, Takeshi, I'm so sorry. I hadn't realized it was this late. Yes, we can leave in a few. I just need to pack up my—" She started, before she was interrupted by her assistant.

"All done, Haruno-san." A smile graced his lips. "If you'd like, I can wait for you in the van as you two finish up."

"Yes, Takeshi, that sounds lovely." A sigh of relief escaped her plump lips. "I will finish up here soon and meet you in the parking lot out back."

As Takeshi left the two of them alone, evident by his fading footsteps, the young woman spoke to Sasuke once more. "So, Uchiha-san, when was it that you would have told me your identity?" She coyly asked. "It's rather flattering that a world-renowned violinist such as yourself would attend a local performance held by amateur performers. I apologize for calling you so informally before."

Sasuke smiled to himself, now knowing that the woman in front of him cannot see his features, and that he did not need to hide his emotions. He lifted his hand up to scratch the back of his head in defeat. "I was hoping to get to know you a bit over coffee or dinner before my surname surfaced, Haruno-san."

"And the reason you attended must not have been due to my scheduled performance tonight. I do not have much of a name to myself yet." Her voice contained a smile. "And please call me Sakura. I'd be rather embarrassed if a virtuoso such as yourself called me with such formalities."

"It would be an embarrassment to me if I could not give a fellow musician with such talent the respect she deserves." He countered with amusement in his tone. "What do you say to going for a coffee or someplace quiet to have some food? My treat."

"If only you gave your date as much respect as you are currently giving me, Uchiha-san." The pinkette hid a smile behind a slender hand as she stood up from her chair. "Coffee or dinner would sound great, but for now, I will have to deny your kind offer."

"I think it would be a shame that we missed a date based on my behaviour from earlier tonight." Sasuke did not miss a beat at her rejection. He wanted to get to know her better, and once he wanted something, he never stopped until he got it.

She turned to face him. "Uchiha-san, it is common knowledge that past behaviour almost always set the precedence for future behaviour. I would hate for my opinion of you to be smeared if anything were to go less than optimal."

"At least let me walk you to your vehicle, Haruno-san." Sasuke offered. "I would love the additional time to give you an explanation of my behaviour, and clear my reputation of any bad experiences."

"Uchiha-san, I want to state this as clearly as I can so that there are no misgivings." Sakura sighed as she snapped her walking stick to its full length so the end touched the floor. "I am not interested in entering a relationship at this point in time."

"If you insist, we do not have to know each other personally so soon into our meeting. We could be business partners." He offered. "I'm certain there are things you want to do in your career as a musician that I could help with, or even facilitate."

She paused, her expression conveying to him that she was seriously contemplating his offer. "Uchiha-san, I do hope that if you are so audacious as to provide me such an offer that you would provide this in writing. Wouldn't you also need to consult with your manager on this?"

"If you claim your hearing is as good as you make it out to be, I'm certain you must've heard another woman's voice to the other side of me." Sasuke smirked at her, his amusement clearly present in his tone. "She is my manager who also happens to be my mother, and I believe she would be more than delighted that I am speaking to another woman of such talent and beauty."