World Turned Upside Down

Chapter 4

Real life doesn't have a shortcut.
It's either you take the long and sure way,
Or you just have to take the easy but unsure way.

-SAKURA HARUNO-

"Wow." The only word that escaped through my lips as I rang the doorbell in front of that Uchiha's house – no, scratch that – mansion is more like it.

"Hello? How may I help you?" The voice in the speaker said. I guess he's talking to me.

"I'm looking for Mr. Sasuke Uchiha." I asked.

"What business do you have with him, Ma'am? May I ask?" The voice asked.

"Uhh…" Should I say homework?

"Hey," I heard the sound of the door opened at the speaker. "I'm expecting a Haruno girl to come."

That was him. No doubt.

"That's me." I said without explanation and the gate opened.

"Please, come in."

"Thank you, I muttered, still awed.

His mansion reminded me of the fairy tales I believed in when I was a little child, you know? The garden was big and spacious and I think I could get lost inside his house. Grand and fabulous.

"Hn." I heard an amused chuckle behind me and I jumped and looked back.

"Right." I nodded at him. "We need to finish this."

"Right." He said and walked away and I sheepishly followed behind him.

I just noticed now how he dressed at home. He wore a navy blue shirt – the usual, weren't he getting tired of the color? Or, isn't there any other shirt he has? – and blue faded jeans and slippers. I can't help but notice how his back was toned and how it looked really good for his age. Wait. I sounded like an old woman. Ew.

We entered a room, I suppose this is his. Because he sat comfortably on the sofa the very moment we entered it.

The room was very elegant and beautiful, of course. Talk about Uchiha's riches.

We tried to follow each step carefully. And we distinctly remember, this will be the last day we'll be parenting our baby egg because it is due for tomorrow. And… UGH. That means we also have to do the five other steps right now.

The four others were easy, but the last one made me whack, seriously.

"Bring your baby egg to the park and take a picture with the mommy and daddy kissing the baby egg." He exhaled a gust of air.

That Kakashi-sensei…

We have no choice then. We both went out of his room which almost has the double size of our small rented house. We walked silently – I just followed behind him. Maybe if her actually left me here, I would struggle all day long just to find the exit. Just before we will pass this hallway, the door opened and revealed a man in his office suit and I was almost startled.

"H-Hello." I bowed my head in reverence. Maybe he is Sasuke's Dad.

Sasuke stopped walking the moment he heard me greet someone and he turned around and his look on his face obviously told me that he's not happy.

Obviously. But… Why?

-SASUKE UCHIHA-

I saw her greet my Dad. Oh, no fucking way. Why did it have to be today of all times? Why does he have to show up at these times? Like, oh no freaking way.

"Oh, Sasuke…" He smiled sweetly at me, then at her. "I didn't know you have a visitor."

"We have a project." I interjected for his fake smile.

There were really times when I just wanted to strangle my father to death.

Like right now. I really really do.

"Oh, so you are…?" My father raised his brow. Actually he does know her. And he's playing safe, which is getting me irritated to death.

He is a freaking cheater.

"Sakura Haruno, sir." She smiled – a true smile. I can determine true smiles from fake because my father always have those irritating fake smiles. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh. So you're the girl–"

I instantly grabbed Sakura's arm and began walking away. I wouldn't let him spill my secret to her. I will tell her. I wouldn't let him do it.

"We have to go." I shot back at my father while I walked harshly gripping her arm. And I didn't let go until she winced in pain outside the gates of the house.

"Ouch."

I dropped my arm. "Sorry." I know it was a bit harsh.

She let it go. "Okay, then. Better get this over with." She shrugged and started walking to the nearest park. The Leaf Public Park.

We sat at the bench near the duck pond and watched the ducks paddled around and we even bought some cotton candy for evidence that we really did go here. I took out my phone and set it to camera mode – I forgot the digital cam. That was so stupid of me. I actually will show this to my father as evidence. Evidence of the lie I told him.

"Yo." We heard a familiar voice and we instantly looked back.

"Kakashi-sensei." I monotone.

"He smiled in return. His eyes were still on his orange book. And I think there was no way anyone could change that. Really.

"Yo." He smiled again. "You done with the project."

"Almost." Sakura sighed. She was indeed, exhausted. I pity her.

But she will be lucky, too, for the next months of her life if she'll be with me.

"Oh," He laughed when he saw that our checklist has only one left that is unmarked. "Consider yourselves perfect with a high score."

"What?" We both asked at the same time.

"I appreciated the effort." Kakashi-sensei smiled again – is that his hobby? "Actually, this was honesty and discipline test. This project was intended for the patience you have to give for your future lives – as parents. And the honesty thing… I have been waiting for students to arrive here at the park, because I know you guys will settle here. Since this is free and it is open to all. I thought that students would just invent some excuses and will just probably check almost all of the steps there. Life has no shortcuts. Remember that."

Wow. That was the first time I ever heard sensei with something with sense. I mean, to me – and her.

"And you two are the first students to arrive." He smiled at us. "Congratulations."

Sakura smiled even though exhausted. "That was a relief."

"Yeah," Kakashi-sensei nodded. The only thing left for you to do is check that last step, go home and relax that tomorrow."

"Thank you sir."

"My pleasure." He waved off.

"So… Uhh… I gotta go." She tried to smile and she gathered her things. "Thank you."

"Wait." I held her hand and she waited for me to speak.

Should I say it now? Or…

-SAKURA HARUNO-

"Uh…" He glanced around. What the hell is this guy thinking? "Take this with you."

"Oh." I blinked. "Thanks." I grabbed the cotton candy from his hand, smiled and walked away.

This was a long day, and I can't wait for my butt to sit on my not-so-comfy-but-will-do bed and lie there 'til I wake up tomorrow. Ah, I wish life would be that easy.

I knocked on the open door and let myself in on our small home.

My father and mother were expecting me.

"Sakura," My Dad began.

"Yes?" I asked as I take off my shoes and put them beside the old rug.

"Will you please listen to what we have to say and be open-minded?" My father asked.

I walked to our small dining table and sat at the chair in front of my parents. "Yeah," I nodded.

I wonder what this is about. Maybe this was the conversation I interrupted days ago.

"Your mother is…" My father hesitated.

"Is what?" I asked immediately. "Is she sick?" They both looked pale.

"No, honey." Mother gave out a low chuckle. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Then, what…?" I was nearly paranoid.

"I'm pregnant, honey." My mother smiled, her cheeks were slightly round and this was another moment I saw her happy.

"W-Wow." I mouthed. "Congratulations." I smiled.

I am going to be an older sister! Yaay! Yaay!

But… Why does my father look so down?

"Is there any problem?" I asked.

"Yes, Sakura." Father heaved a deep sigh. "I can't support your sister studying for college and your Mom's pregnancy with the bills to pay and the house rent that we still owed for… three months."

I never knew about them having so much financial burden. And here I am, spending my few dimes on a bar of chocolate. That guilt ate me up. I should've saved my money. I should have.

"I don't really want to force you out of school, Sakura." Dad continued. "But it seems that I have to. You have to help me work, or at least, study on a public school."

"But that doesn't change anything – if I study on a public school, I mean." I frowned. "I'm the one supporting myself, anyway." I know that sounded a bit harsh. But it's true. And hey, I worked my butt off everyday just so I can finish my schooling.

"It seems that you don't understand, Sakura." Father monotone. "You should study at a public school. So that the money you are spending to pay your tuition fees can help us – your Mother."

I bit my lip. I so wanted to shout something. But what good can it do? It'll do nothing.

"Dear," Mom pinched my Dad's cheek. "Sakura, you don't have to if you don't want."

My face lit up in an instant second. I love my Mom so much. But my brightened face disappeared an instant, too.

Yes. I don't have to. But that wasn't the right thing to do.

"After you finish this term, you'll be studying at an ordinary public school." Father concluded and stood up.

I nodded a little and headed straight to my room. How can anyone understand what am I feeling right now?

I think I should savor every moment I have left. I grimaced as I thought of my best girl friends. Leaving them…

-xXxXx-

"Oh," Tenten and the girls grimaced as I broke the news to them.

"We'll miss you." Ino pouted. "But we can still see each other, right?"

"Right." I tried to sound cheerful. "You know where to visit me." I smiled.

"I-Ichiraku's…" Hinata smiled a little.

"Yes." I nodded. "That's where Blondie boy goes to, anyway."

Tenten whistled and Hinata blushed. We laughed.

They shared me their one week experiences with their partners in taking care of the egg. The funny one that was narrating was Hinata. She always blush. I was so happy that they also passed that project.

Ino dragged Shikamaru to the park when Tenten sent her a message on her phone, saying they passed because Kakashi sensei passed them on the park blah blah blah. I can picture Shikamaru mentally complaining to Ino. That made me laugh.

Tenten was just laughing at us. She said that they were just talking casually. Though, I doubt. She had this goofy face on. Something happened.

"What about you, forehead?" Ino pried. "You know, every girl in class wants to know what happened in a week."

My lips automatically frowned. "Of course nothing happened. We passed. We talked casually."

"Really?"

"Oh," I fished out the phone on my pocket. "And he gave me a phone."

"What?" Tenten's eyes almost popped out of her sockets.

"Put your numbers in." I gave them my phone.

They nodded and put their numbers.

"But that could mean something." Ino looked at me and wiggled her brows.

"Please give me a break, Ino." I sighed. "That week is officially over and I'm so happy that it is."

I rolled my eyes.

-xXxXx-

We were laughing as we were strolling on the football field of the school. School was over for this day and they were planning to send me to Ichiraku's. they were really savoring every moment with me. How thoughtful of them.

"Miss Haruno?" I heard a guy asked and we looked back.

"Hmm?" I asked. He was wearing white long-sleeved shirt with black leather jacket and black tie. His slocks were also black and shiny black shoes. Talk about men in black.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

"Sir Madara wants to talk to you."

"Who?" I checked.

"Sir Madara." He repeated.

Who the hell is that Madara?

"Who?" I asked again.

"Sasuke's father."

What the hell does he want with me? ! My thoughts were panicked.

"Uh…" Loss of words.

"He said to take you forcefully if you don't come peacefully with us."

"Uh… Ok…?" I nodded and followed them I don't want any more mess. Another problem added to my list. Seriously, am I keeping tabs of my problems?

My friends were left there, staring at me as I obeyed these two men in black.

Oh, God. Life couldn't get any worse…

Or so I thought.

-SASUKE UCHIHA-

"Coming or not?" Naruto repeated. "Coming or not?"

"I said, yes, right?" I rolled my eyes.

They were planning a drinking session at Naruto's house for nothing in particular. We are still underage so we can't go to a bar. Not that I would like to. I guess that dobe had some problems, too. That was new.

Neji smirked. "Sasuke. More fangirls?" He asked at me.

"Can't help it." I grinned back. "Popular as hell."

You could say that Neji was my ultimate rival when it comes to girls. Hey. I'm popular – and so is he. I tried to run away from them, but I just can't run away from every paparazzi who would even follow you to the toilet. So I made a deal with their president of the fansclub whatsoever. I'm giving them attention, and they won't dare to interfere my personal life.

I looked back and saw new girls. Well, not really new. They were Sakura's friends. I wonder why they are here.

"S-Sasuke!" The blonde one gasped. "Sakura!"

"What?" I raised my brow.

"Sakura was taken!" The timid Hyuuga girl shivered.

"Taken?"

"By two men in black." It was the Chun Li girl who explained. "Said she was asked by your father…"

"WHAT? !" Was my instant response and my fists balled.

I hurriedly walked away from them to the garage where I parked my black Mercedes.

"What happened?" I heard Neji asked. No one answered.

"Naruto," I called back. "I'm sorry I don't think I can attend your party. I'm afraid I had to deal with my lame father."

He let out a laugh. "Be sure to catch up to us after that was settled, huh, teme?"

"Yeah," I waved.

Damn it. He would really ruin everything. My father will do everything just to ruin my life.

I groaned as I stomped on the gas pedal and hoped that Sakura hadn't said a single word yet. A single word that would endanger my life.

That Madara would freaking kill me if he knew I lied to him. No, not really kill. But he would seriously engage me to… that bitch.

UGH. Life couldn't get any worse, can it?

Author's Notes:

I apologize for updating so late. I have loads of schoolworks to finish last two weeks. And that was also exams week. Prelims were over. Thank God. Tests are awesomesauce. XD I just hope I passed it all. :) I also have to take three special exams since I was absent because we went to Macau and HongKong DisneyLand on our exams week. XD I couldn't refuse my family.

Yeah. Busy weeks officially over. :) And here's your update! I know you guys will bug me again about what did Sasuke said to his father... Hahaha. ;) I'll get on to that next chappy. Which will be next week, if I can get my lazy butt to work. XD

Oh, and hey. I just watched Naruto - again! After almost a year without watching! That almost killed me. Seriously. the last episode that I watched was when Pain caused a big fuss over Konoha. And now, I watched Sasuke kill DANZO. I was like. WTF? ! XD and Tsunade was sick? That's why Danzo was appointed Hokage? And then since he died. KAKASHI WAS APPOINTED! XD I was like, O.O NO WAY! XD HAHAHA. But unfortunately, Tsunade got well again. Yaay! And Kabuto joined forces with Madara and Sasuke. OMG! And Naruto planned on unlocking the seal on his belly. OMG. Okay. No spoilers on that part. That was the last pert I watched last night! Hihi. I'm going to watch again when there are no classes. :D

So... Thank you for reading and I hope you had fun and enjoyed reading it.

So... Please leave a review and tell me what you think. You guys are ore awesomesauce than my tests. :D

Thank you again. I love you all. More power to the Naruto community!

Oh, and thanks to those who messaged me and posted on my wall in FB. You guys are so amazing.

~ LunarChan (08-08-2011)