a/n: This took me a while. Hope you all enjoy it and please click the review button! I love reviews! :)

"All imperfection is easier to tolerate

If served in small doses."

Let me be clear. When we finally met, it was not love at first sight or any kind of other cliché. Another thing, I was not the first Uchiha she met. People would assume that I met her through my brother Itachi since he also has hoards of women following him everywhere.

No.

I met her when my father finally decided to "introduce" us.

Let me start from the beginning.

i.

"Um, excuse me, is this seat taken?"

I turned towards the right where the voice came from and was immediately caught in her jade gaze.

And then I noticed the pink hair.

I didn't say anything, but shrugged my shoulders, feeling indifferent whether she decided to take the seat next to me or not.

She sat next to me.

I immediately felt claustrophobic. All I could think was, what the hell is this weird chick with pink hair doing? The thing is that by the time I was a senior in college, I already established my reputation as the guy who prefers to be alone. So everyone seemed to know who I was and let me be, but lo and behold, this girl comes and sits next to me in biology.

Weird.

We never talked to each other that semester. She took her own notes while I did mine. She never texted in class. She always participated. In other words, she was a know it all.

Annoying.

I thought I would never see her again after that one class we had that semester. But things got even weirder when she was in all of my classes the following one. Again, I feigned indifference, and thought whatever.

But she still decided to sit next to me.

I guess having so many classes together, one gets used to the other's presence, but that still did not mean we spoke a word to each other. I guess she could read that I was never in the mood to talk, and decided to respect that.

That is, until it was the Friday before finals week.

After our last class of the day, she packed her stuff as I did the same. Then she said, "Hey."

I looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

She smiled and said, "Good luck on your finals," and walked away.

After that I never got to see her because during our exams we had to sit where our assigned numbers were and she was always at the front of the lecture hall while I was in the back. And it was a pity, too because I genuinely wanted to wish her good luck as well on her finals.

But something in me told me that she wouldn't need luck. She was a know it all.

ii.

In college, I applied for medical schools, but unfortunately I did not pass the exam. Twice. My parents, however, were not disappointed because they knew I was great academically. Instead, my father began to train me in our family business so that I could take over with Itachi once he retires.

So when I was 22, I began to work with Itachi in company projects and made investments that helped the company grow.

After seven years of working there, and after Itachi married his last girlfriend Hana Inuzuka, my father began to ask when it was my turn to get married.

"You date a lot, Sasuke. But it never lasts long. Why is that?" my father asked me one day when he and my mother decided to visit me in my condo.

I shrugged not really knowing why and my father sighed knowing that it's the end of an unwanted discussion.

It wasn't until a few weeks later that my father wanted to invest in a hospital run by Doctor Tsunade. He could not make the appointment, but wanted Itachi and I to represent the company, so we went to see the place. After the tour and meeting, Tsunade had to go back to work. My brother and I were on our way to the exit when something small and fast collided with my left shoulder.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!"

Recognizing the voice, I look up and was bombarded with those jade orbs.

She recognized me, too because she smiled and said, "Hey! Long time no see!"

I was about to reply the same when a nurse said, "Doctor Haruno, everything is ready for the operation."

She nodded at the nurse and waved at me. "Sorry, but duty calls!" And before I knew it, she walked away from me. Again.

I don't know how long I stood there, watching her retreating form, but Itachi slapped my back waking me from my reverie.

"Little brother," he mocked, "who is she?"

With a small smile I replied, "A know it all."

I was glad to know that she did not need luck to pass her exams after all.

iii.

A few months after that encounter and our investment in the hospital, my father began a friendship with the head Doctor. Tsunade was always welcome in our home and my mother was excited to make a new friend after so many years. While she was having dinner with us, her and my father got into the topic of my dating life.

"You see, I keep telling Sasuke that he needs to marry soon. But he is just too picky about his women!" my father exclaimed.

Tsunade nodded in understanding. "I know what you're talking about. I am having the same problem with my protégé."

My father laughed. "Don't tell me your lovely girl is having problems! I just can't believe it! She is by far the most intelligent and beautiful young woman I have ever met!"

However, Tsunade scoffed, "Not so young anymore, Fugaku! She is the same age as your Sasuke over here."

And that statement seemed to have resonated with them because they smiled and slowly turned to my direction.

"Sasuke, you need to meet her. She is by far a fantastic woman." Then my father turned to Tsunade and said, "Tell her to meet my son at Naruto's next week."

And that was how I was set up for a blind date. Itachi could not stop laughing when I told him about it.

The bastard.

iv.

When the day for the blind date arrived, I got to Naruto's early. I wanted to talk to Naruto about who I was going to meet. Naruto also couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, teme, you're not the only one having a blind date tonight. My other best friend, Sakura, called me and told me about her being set up. Says she's coming here, too. I'll give you what I also promised her: my best wine on the house."

That really made me feel better.

Then Naruto perked up when he looked over my shoulder. "Sakura-chan! Over here!"

I also turned around; waiting to greet my best friend's other friend. What I saw nearly made my jaw drop.

It was the pinkette.

She smiled and embraced Naruto, but when she saw me, she gasped.

When they let go, Naruto introduced her. "Sakura-chan, this is my best friend Sasuke-teme. Sasuke-teme, this is my best friend Sakura-chan."

She laughed. "It's great to finally know your name after all these years."

I couldn't help but smile. "Likewise."

Naruto chuckled. "Alright, now tell me your table numbers."

"Table 7."

I looked at her, shocked that she voiced my table, and she reciprocated the look. Naruto was as shocked as us. "Wow. You're each other's dates! This is beyond funny," he guffawed.

All I can say was that that night was the beginning of a new life.

I guess from the moment I first met her, we were bound to each other.

Or maybe it was just God taking pity on me knowing that I never talked to her before and wanted to let me redeem myself by placing her in front of me after so many years.

Either way, I know this for a fact: I grew to love her every time I thought of her.

And with this ring, I hope she feels the same.