Picking up Sasuke
Naruto Story [Number of Chapters Undecided]
Pairings- SasukexSakura, Small hints of NarutoxHinata, TentenxNeji, and ShikamaruxIno

Summary: Sasuke never REALLY knew the meaning of crazy until he met his new pink-haired, green-eyed, and not to mention irresistibly alluring secretary.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, then Itachi and Kakashi would be all mine, not to mention the total Ninja fight thing would be turned into a cliche shoujo

I also don't own the song 'Jingle Bells Rock' although it's a freakin' amazing song ;D

.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.

Deep in thought about Sasuke's behavior, I stopped in my tracks when I realized my feet had unconsciously brought me to the said man's door. I snorted quietly. Was I that in love with the fool that I spent my every waking hour thinking about him?

…Pretty much, yeah.

I mentally scoffed at myself. I could barely go to the bathroom without thinking about where Sasuke was or how he was doing or if he was thinking about me like I thought about him. Inner fangirl Sakura was making her way out into the open faster than I expected. A lot faster.

I managed to keep her at bay though, telling myself that Sasuke wouldn't enjoy me squealing every time he caught my eye, or having a bloody nose whenever he brushed past me.

I didn't know how much longer I could hold her off, though.

I sighed. Falling in love with the damned bastard had its drawbacks. Like now, for example. My fucking feet wouldn't listen to me, and they ruthlessly plowed on ahead, dragging my body with them.

By the way, if anyone was wondering, your answer was yes, I was PMSing like a madwomen. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…or something like that.

I awoke from my self-pity as my cursed hand reached up and grabbed the shiny metal doorknob. As much as I resisted, my efforts were futile and I braced myself for the impact as the door creaked open.

.:. .:. .:. Normal POV .:. .:. .:.

Sasuke didn't look up as he heard his door squeak open and someone step through. Immediately, the scent of Lavender and French Vanilla wafted through his nose.

"What is it, Sakura?" He questioned the owner of the smell, greatly confused about how he could recognize what she smelled like.

"Hey, how'd you know it was me without looking up or anything?"

.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.

I stepped in the room, and was immediately bombed with a question. "What is it, Sakura?"

I frowned slightly. "How'd you know it was me without looking up or anything?" He hadn't bothered to look up, or even glance at my direction.

Silence.

I cleared my throat. Awkward… "Right-o. So," I searched my brain for a discussable topic. "What do you want for Christmas?"

This time he did look up, but only to glance at me with a quirked eyebrow. "Why?" He shot back, not answering my question.

I fidgeted, tugging on a stray lock of pink hair. "Well, you know. Christmas is coming up and, uh, I thought that, um, I might get you a Christmaspresentorsomething." I could feel a blush coming on.

Before he could answer, though, the door burst open.

.:. .:. .:. Ino .:. .:. .:.

~Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring~

~Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun

Now, the jingle hop has begun~

Tapping my foot in the high-class elevator, I was glad they played Christmas songs instead of that cheesy elevator shit. At least they were festive.

...Hmm, Haruno Sakura. That name. It's almost as if–

The thought was lost when I heard the elevator ding, signaling that it had brought me to the destined floor. I knew as a model I should be taking the stairs instead, but whatever. It's Christmas time, I was allowed a break every now and then.

As I walked towards Sasuke's office, the voices were loud enough for me to eavesdro–ahem, I mean coincidentally listen into. Staying quiet, I made myself comfortable, kneeling by the oak door.

"What is it, Sakura?" I head a voice–undoubtedly Sasuke's–ask. If I were any less cool, I would have stroked my chin. Apparently they were on a first name basis too. Hmm, interesting.

"Hey, how'd you know it was me without looking up or anything?" I sighed almost inaudibly. This was all small talk. I wanted to hear the real stuff.

Silence ensued, so I'm pretty sure Sasuke either gave her a look, or ignored her. Probably the latter, knowing his personality. The girl called Sakura made an irritated noise with her throat and continued.

"Right-o…" Awkward silence. Hmm, didn't they know that every time there was an awkward silence, a gay baby was born? Gosh, imagine how many gay babies are crying right now because of them.

"So…What do you want for Christmas?" The girl's voice spoke once more, breaking the quietness of the room.

Sasuke seemed to ponder the question for a bit, before answering with his own grunt of, "Why?"

Ughh, I couldn't stand it any longer. This was so boring! I got up from my crouched position, sighing again from the lack of conversation.

I decided to take a peek at the girl before heading back down to the main floor, just to see if she was as pretty as me. Wait, that was impossible. Just to see if she was close to as pretty as me. Which was also highly impossible.

I craned my neck sideways to see if I could catch a glimpse of this mysterious girl. Just as I caught sight of her, she opened her mouth to answer his question.

"Well, you know–"

Wait, was that pink hair?

"Christmas is coming up and, uh–"

And those green eyes…

"I thought that, um–"

Wait, no…it can't be.

"I might–"

It's impossible…But…

"get you a Christmaspresentorsomething–"

I kicked the door open, eyes scanning the girl to check if my assumption was correct.

"Forehead-girl?"

.:. .:. .:. Sakura .:. .:. .:.

"Forehead-girl?"

Wait, what? There's only one person who's ever called me that…

Instinctively, I replied, "Ino-pig?"

A gasp was audible, and then I was tackled into a death-grip hug that was oh-so-familiar, but just oh-so-painful at the same time.

"Can't…breathe…" I choked out, and immediately inhaled when the pressure was lifted off of me. After my air supply was brought back, I glanced at the attacker.

It was her. Ino.

Her long blond hair–something I was forever envious of– glimmered as she moved, with the usual single lock of hair running down the middle of her face, adding a unique touch. Ino's baby blue eyes sparkled as she examined me the way I was probably doing to her now.

I laughed, pure joy coming from my lips. "It's been so long, Ino-pig," I greeted, adding the affectionate suffix.

"Yeah, Forehead-girl. I haven't seen you for ages. You look so…so old." Ino stuck her tongue out at me as the insult left her lips.

My lips curled into a grin even as I replied. "I could say the same for you, pig. Those wrinkles are starting to show on your face, you know." I ignored Ino's indignant 'Hey!' and smiled fondly.

Oh it was so nice seeing her again. But wait…

"Which, by the way, why are you here?"

"Yes, why are you here, Yamanaka?" Sasuke's voice echoed my own, and I turned to look at him. In my excitement, I had forgotten he was there.

Ino's laugh rang in my ears. "Hi to you too, Sasuke. Well, to answer your question, that's for me to know and you to never find out." She stuck her tongue out for emphasis.

I stood there, puzzled by this friendly exchange. "Wait, you two know each other?" The words came out with more jealousy than I intended.

Ino and Sasuke shared a glance–which bothered me more than it should have. "Yeah, she used to be my secretary long before you came." Sasuke answered patiently.

"Yeah, and before I met my dear Shika-kun and quit this hellhole for good," Ino added good-naturedly. "Glad I did, too, or else Sakura and I might haven't of have met."

"Speaking of which," Ino continued, "Me and Sakura are in desperate need of some girl-talk. Catch you later, mkay Sasuke? It was nice seeing you again."

And without waiting for Sasuke's answer, Ino put a death grip on my arm and pulled me–110 pounds and all–out the door.

I had a bad feeling some major girl-talk was going to take place.

.:. .:. .:. Normal POV .:. .:. .:.

"Anyways, what's the real reason? Why are you here? And why didn't you tell me that you and Sasuke knew each other?" Sakura immediately attacked Ino with questions once they were out of the room.

"Woah, slow down there for a sec, Forehead. Calm down." Ino led Sakura over to the sofa, and they both plopped down on it. "I'm here because of Naruto's pleaing."

A groan emerged from Sakura's form. "Ahh! He told you what I've been trying to do? I feel so fucking ridiculous." Sakrura continued to whine.

"Hold on, he didn't tell me the details, only that it had to do something with you. Now spill, Forehead. I wanna hear every single detail. And don't try to lie. You're horrible at it." Ino commanded, in her Professional Love Doctor mode.

Sakura obliged. She spilled. Everything.

.

.

.

"Wow…that is kind of…embarrassing." Ino nodded, filled out from head to toe of Sakura's experiences and attempts with Sasuke.

"You're telling me. At least you're not the one that has to experience it." Sakura argued back, both embarrassed yet slightly aggravated as the aftereffects of retelling her story.

"Well, if pickup lines don't work, maybe we need to try something more effective. Are you willing to work with me?" Ino locked eyes with Sakura, totally serious.

"As long as it's not related to one of Naruto's ridiculous plans, I'm in." Sakura consented.

"Don't worry. I've got just the thing…"


[a/N How was it? Yeah, I know it was a bit short, but look forward to one on Christmas Day!...ora day after...or a couple of days. LOL! Anyways, I'm sorry I haven't been replying to any reviews or PMs! T.T Ifeel so bad! I'll get to all of them tomorrow, now that it's winter break ;D]

Read and Review!

I promise I'll reply this time!