Cherry Blossoms in Winter

Synopsis: Naruto and Sasuke are the wealthiest, most popular young men at Japan's prestigious university. Sakura is a poor but hardworking student who transfers to the university. When Sakura stands up to the two bullies, Naruto and Sasuke pledge to make her life a living hell. But what happens when things backfire?

Disclaimer: Based partly upon Meteor Garden/Hana Yori Dango.

Chapter 2

Staring at the retreating back of the young blond man, Sakura pondered the meaning of that "welcome". She was so focused that she almost missed the sight of someone bending down to pick up the handkerchief off the ground. Surprised, Sakura stared at the young man. She hadn't noticed him until now though she was sure she saw him standing a little apart from the rude blond. His long bangs partly concealed his pale face as he bent down, one hand in his pocket. Sakura was taken aback at his beauty. He had a sharp nose and slender body frame with sapphire-tinted hair. With a slightly curved back and frown that gave him a laid-back look, he walked over to the girl and held out the piece of cloth. Looking as surprised as Sakura was, the girl quickly accepted the handkerchief with both hands. She looked like she was about to thank him when he turned his back on her. "Don't mention it."

"What's the hold up, Sasuke?" voiced the blond, looking back.

"Be right there," replied the young man, starting toward the blond with his hands in his pockets. As he passed, he gave Sakura a side-way glance. Startled, Sakura blushed a shade similar to that of her hair. Her eyes trailed him until he disappeared behind the dispersing crowd of onlookers. "Sasuke…" she thought to herself.

"E-excuse me," whispered a feminine voice from behind her.

Sakura snapped out of her daydream; she had almost forgotten the timid girl that had began the whole incident. It seemed to Sakura that she was now noticing the young female student for the first time. She had thick black bangs and lavender eyes, which were strange because of their opaque, almost transparent quality. Even she was wearing a thick jacket, Sakura noticed enviously, her chest size was large enough to be noticeable.

"I-Is there something on my face?" inquired the young lady, her misty lavender eyes looking at Sakura.

"Not at all," replied Sakura with an embarrassed laugh. "Anyway, I'm Haruno Sakura."

"My name is Hyuuga Hinata," said Hinata with a curt bow. "Thank you…"

"Nice to meet you. It was no trouble at all," lied Sakura cheerfully. "But who was that jerk?"

Sakura failed to notice how Hinata looked away uncomfortably. "You must be new because everyone here knows Naruto-san."

"Naruto…" repeated Sakura. "Who is he?"

"His dad is one of the founders of Konoha University," answered Hinata.

"No wonder he's such an arrogant jerk," remarked Sakura, unimpressed. "He must think he runs this school or something."

Hinata looked down silently and fiddled with her handkerchief. "Yeah, that must be it."

The sight of the little square of linen reminded Sakura of the mysterious young man. "Who was that other one with the blue jacket?"

"Sasuke-san?" asked Hinata, to which Sakura nodded eagerly. "He's also the son of one of the university's founders and Naruto's close friend. You don't recognize him? He's a famous musician."

"You mean he's the Uchiha Sasuke?" exclaimed Sakura. "I suspected it was so but couldn't bring myself to believe it."

Hinata laughed a little girlish laugh. "Are you a fan of his?"

"I guess," admitted Sakura sheepishly. "I still can't believe it's him…and that he's friends with that other guy. He's so much more pleasant than that porcupine-head Naruto, isn't he?"

At this, the rate of Hinata's fidgeting increased and her cheeks turned a slight pink. "Well…"

"Oh no, what time is it?" exclaimed Sakura, looking at her old leather watch. "I have a class in five minutes and I don't even know where it is yet."

"What's the room number? Maybe I can help you," offered Hinata.

Sakura showed her the printed schedule. "It says here CHM 120."

"Oh, I have that class right now," said Hinata, her face lighting up. "We can go there together."

"You're a lifesaver!" exclaimed Sakura, following Hinata across the courtyard towards a two-story brick building. "That's the building there, right? Alright, we can still make it on time. Let's run for it!" Grabbing onto the strap of her school bag, Sakura cut across the plot of grass. Hinata looked surprised for a minute, but quickly followed Sakura, clutching her school books tightly to her chest.

They were both laughing and out of breath by the time they reached the door of CHM 120. "I've never done that before," said Hinata in her soft voice, laughing and panting for breath.

"What? Run?" asked Sakura.

Hinata shook her head. "It's just that at Konoha, you typically…"

"Look," interrupted Sakura, looking hard at the other girl. "I don't care who's looking or what anyone else thinks. To tell you the truth, it wasn't my choice to come here in the first place and I'm not from the upper class either. That's why I won't bother with trying to fit in here."

Hinata's wide lavender eyes stared at Sakura, filled half with amazement and half with admiration. "Sakura-san..."

"We should go in now," suggested Sakura, smiling. "And it's Sa-ku-ra."

Sakura had hardly entered the classroom when she gasped. A few tables down from the front of the classroom sat a bored-looking young man with spiky yellow hair. Reclining in his seat with his arms crossed, Naruto looked up. His eyes grew increasingly wider as he distinguished the pink-haired student

"You again!" they both exclaimed in unison.

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