A/N: hi, Ms. Wolffe shows up again. It seems I've caught the procrastination bug of being a fanfic writer. Inspiration comes easily, but is always fleeting due to my tendency to forget all important things and hoard insignificant information. Please don't hit me; *gets on hands and knees* "A week just turned into a month, please spare me!" *clears throat* Now that that has been said, I thoroughly apologize for leaving you all on a ledge. With combinations of school and home, it's very distracting from writing. I really want to avoid being that writer that abandons the story and readers for a month. I'll try to keep on schedule next time.

P.S. all those years...of obsessively shipping SasuSaku against the naysayers... And it finally happens—I can now die fulfilled! -insert tears of joy-

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any parts of the manga/anime franchise. I do however own the plotline to this story :)

Voila, chapter 7!

Karin walked out of her bedroom fresh from a hot shower with a small bounce in her step and her hair still wet, dripping on the wooden carpeted floor as she strolled throughout the house. It was still early in the morning and looked to be a nice Saturday and she wore her new black suede high heeled boots which Sasuke had purchased for her at Konoha Mall yesterday. She proudly strode in them, taking them as a trophy of Sasuke's adoration of her. A schoolgirl-like giggle escaped her lips as she thought of her 'boyfriend'; their relationship wasn't official yet because of the raven haired boy's stubborness, but all the same he was hers.

She had had a great evening the other night with her said boyfriend: she snuck over, they fooled around, and by the time his parents had came home she had been long gone. In the beginning, Sasuke was not in the mood to have sex (she had received this a couple times from other men), but Karin had her way of persuading males to think otherwise; It was her personal gift to control the opposite sex into doing her bidding—and the fact that it was Sasuke Uchiha of all people that she had in her strings gave her all the more satisfaction. The feeling of Sasuke's hands on her body was an absolutely delicious thought swimming in her mind.

However, two days ago when they were fooling around at his house, Karin felt Sasuke wasn't really there—in the physical aspect, definitely, but not in mind. She remembered how when he was on top of her, his eyes would not meet hers and instead trail to the otherside of the room to some far off place she couldn't see and when she leaned in to kiss him hoping to again catch his attention, he turned his face to the side leaving her lips to meet only his cheek; it was like he was thinking of someone else...while with her...

She shook her head rapidly. Impossible! Sasuke could never think of another while she wasn't in his prescrence nevertheless in it! She reprimanded herself for her foolish train of thought. Her Sasu-cakes was probably anxious about getting caught by his parents or football or maybe about school, but another woman? Never—she would make sure of it.

Karin entered the hallway leading to kitchen and it took her a second before realized something was strange. She raised her nose to the air and inhaled. It was true—there was no aroma of eggs, frying bacon, or blueberry pancakes wafting through the air that usually greeted her in the morning. She ran to the kitchen and peered inside, her narrowed eyes peering in. Her calculations were right. The kitchen was completely void of any activity, remaining just as the family had left it last night; the dishes were piled high into the sink, the floor was filthy with dirt and crumbs of food, and the garbage can was well past full. What the hell? Didn't the ugly pink haired bitch know it was her duty to clean? Had she forgotten?

Karin grinned in malice. She could use the seemingly small mistake as a way to get the pinkie in trouble. Karin's mother stressed order in the house and hated any sign of filth so if she saw this, she would go ballistic with Karin nodding innocently in the corner, shaking her head at her inadequate stepsister while on the inside she was high on elation at seeing the girl chastised or humiliated for any reason at all.

As children, Karin remembered how she would trash her own room and then blame it on her sister just for the satisfaction of seeing her mother shout at her and her father frowning silently in the background, and they would punish her despite the girl's pleading that she was innocent of the crime then make her clean Karin's entire room with Karin directing her to make sure she got every single piece. She had not pulled a stunt like that in a while because for her it getting boring since the pink haired girl somehow had grown immmune to the torture, but to Karin it seemed like a good time to spark some old-fashioned action in the household. Karin ran to her parents' room and rudely banged on the door.

No answer.

Karin banged harder until she heard shuffling to the door before it was yanked open. Her mother stood with her arms akimbo with a scowl marred on her face with her hair still in a night cap and only clad in her blue silk robe tied loosely around her waist and still in her white nightie. "Why are you banging?! I have ears damnit! And why are you waking us up, it's only 7 am!"

Karin rolled her eyes. "I just wanted to let you know that our kitchen is a mess."

Akiko eyes became slits, "What are you talking about?"

"Just what a said, our kitchen has gone to shit."

To fired up to correct Karin for her vulgar language toward her, Akiko stormed past her daughter and into the kitchen. Sure enough, it was completely disastrous just as Karin said and Akiko's blood began to boil. Her small fist clenched, she shouted, "SAKURA! Come here this instance!" Karin had followed behind her mother into the kitchen not wanting to miss a minute of the spectacle.

Yet Akiko's call was met with silence and this enraged the woman more.

"HARUNO! You get your ass up here now!"

Again the command went unanswered and by now Hiroshi had reluctantly climbed out of bed and into the kitchen doorway, standing silently behind Karin, to examine the scene to figure as to why his wife was screaming so early in the morning. He eyed the dirty kitchen with a raised eyebrow. He turned to Karin, "What's going on?"

"It seems our pink haired pest didn't clean the kitchen last night."

Hiroshi simply replied a simple 'Oh' and remained mute.

Akiko was seething now. The pink haired burden had pushed her for the last time. She snapped at her husband silently who was watching the scene. "Go get your daughter and bring her here now!"

Hiroshi stared at her for moment before obeying her command and walked down the hallway and down the steps leading to the basement. The door was closed and Hiroshi knocked.

"Your mother wants you immediately."

Silence.

Hiroshi repeated himself a little louder and when no one answered he took the liberty of letting himself in. The door was surprisingly unlocked and Hiroshi looked into the small living quarters and frowned. He headed back up stairs and met Karin and Akiko standing in the hallway both tapping their feet impatiently. They were both surprised to not see the teenager trailing behind her father.

"She's not there."

"What do you mean she's not there? If not there, where?"

Hiroshi rubbed his temples. "I mean her room's empty and her bed doesn't look like its been slept in all night."

Karin's mouth fell open in surprise. She had not imagined that the situation could escalate this quickly, but she enjoying every second of it. Sakura never coming home? Compared to the lashing for staying out all night, the dirty kitchen punishment would look like field day. Karin tried her best to disguise her malicious smile.

"Where could she be?! You and I both know she has no friends so where could she go?" Akiko shrieked. When she wanted something done, it would be done that very minute or else there would be severe repercussions.

"Do I look like I know?" Hiroshi fired back back frustrated.

"Maybe she ran away?" Karin commented hopeful.

"Shut up," Akiko turned on her, "go clean the dishes and get breakfast started."

Karin's face dropped. "Br-Breakfast? Ma I can't cook! I just got my nails done!" She whined holding up her hands and showing her newly manicured nails to her mother.

"Did I ask you what you can do?! Do it or I'll ground you for a week."

Karin was at the brink of tears, "But Ma, Sakura does all the cleaning and cooking and look how hideous she turned out?! Why do I have to do it when I'm so gorgeous? Can't we just wait until she gets home and make her do it?" Karin's plan had absolutely backfired on her and now she was about to be reduced to menial labor. She attempted a puppy dog face that unfortunately did not sway her mother's temper.

"And she will once she gets home, but she isn't here so I'm not asking, I said go! Your father and I are going back to bed. Wake us up as soon as she steps foot through that door."

In defeat and not listening after 'I said go', Karin hung her head in loathing and dragged herself to the kitchen, muttering under her breath 'Stupid Sakura.' She eyed the sink filled with dishes with last night's dinner still evident on them. At the moment, she wished two things she never would have bothered with before this sudden turn of events: one) the pink haired pest had been home and two) dishwater wouldn't damage a French manicure.

She turned on the faucet and plugged the sink.

"Ugly, where are you?!"

Across town, the early morning light filtered through the curtains despite them being pulled, laying its reach upon a petite form that lay on a four-poster king sized bed deep in slumber. The breathing of the occupant was so soft and lax that one could easily mistake the person for dead, but the person's chest rose in rhythm with their breathing, completely incapacitated and vulnerable.

Sakura involuntarily hugged the pillow closer to her form. A sweet sigh passed from her lips as she adjusted her body to her comfort. Madara watched the girl from the chair beside his bookshelf where he had dwelled all the previous night with obvious lust and fascination. He did not feel tired nor bored at the sight the girl asleep in his bed. In fact, to him it was like a child visiting a candy shop; he knew he mustn't touch yet the sight was titalating to him and exciting just by being in the same atmosphere. Sakura's seemingly small movements were as a long inactive volcano started to spew ash and smoke from its center—it won't be too long now.

Madara had called in to the office sick with the flu and scheduled that he not return until Monday from fear that he would infect those around him. That would give him plenty of time to play with his new toy. For now, he would wait silently for her to awake.

'Where am I?' was the first thought that came to Sakura as her emerald eyes fluttered open. She felt swathed in the warm, silky comfort of silk linens and dove-feather pillows—there lies a problem; her little cot down in the basement back on Yoshio street had the comfort factor equivalent to sleeping on straw hay bales.

Sakura snapped her head up. Rushes of memories flooded her pysche and she gasped. Oh no...she never came home. Sakura quickly peeled back the covers and sat up and felt an odd aching in her wrist and looking up, she noticed one was positioned above her head at an awkward angle. Her right wrist had been handcuffed above her to one of the wooden poles at the head of the bed. The bastard must've done it while she was sleeping. She stood up straight in the bed and began to yank her arm away from the pole. She heaved and tugged with little progress and collapsed back down to the bed in exhaustion.

"Good morning, Sakura-chan."

She loathed that smooth, nonchalant voice. "Madara-san," she says mustering a faint smile, "May I ask why am I handcuffed to your bed?" Sakura took the chance to look down at her body and saw she was in her blue polka dot bra and panties.

Her cheeks turned scarlet as she attempted to shield herself from his view.

"—And where the hell are my clothes?! D-Did we—we didn't...you know..."

She feared the worst and eventually the inevitable had occurred during her long incapacitation.

Sakura could see a prominent vein throbbing on Madara's forehead that she knew was caused from her cursing. Though, he chose to ignore her language and instead casually checked messages on his Blackberry. "Can't have you running off, can we? As for your clothes, I had them dry cleaned because they were filthy and are in the night stand," he pointed to the small table beside the bed. "And we did not have relations if that is what you're suggesting—unfortunately. But I'd rather have you fully conscious when I consummate this relationship."

Ignoring the last part, Sakura sighed in relief mentally and rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just uncuff me and let me go home. I want to forget last night ever happened and my family's probably already having a meltdown since no one took out the trash yesterday."

"You must know, Sakura, I'm a deliberate man and never go into a business venture without checking my resources. Well, I've done my research on you, koi , and from what I've observed of you, your 'family' doesn't seem to value you very much at all—with the exception as a live-in housekeeper."

Madara sent two texts to Izuna promising that the house was still in proper order before looking up. Sakura sat staring at him, a lone tear trailing down her face. Madara felt slight self-loathing as he watched her face screw up before she wiped her tear away with the back of her hand. If it had been any other female crying, Madara would have just exited room to avoid the awkward situation, but Sakura was only a child and he couldn't possibly win her favor to him by making her sob.

He went to her, trying to quell her tears with contrite words. "My apologies, Sakura. I admit I was a bit too brash, but unfortunately I cannot assuage the truth," he wrapped an arm around her small shoulders,"especially when it works in my favor."

Sakura pushed his arm off of her harshly and whipped her head around. Madara forced her head back to him with the tip of his finger and in an instant felt something wet land on his cheek. He put his palm to his face and wiped away the substance after thumbing it with his forefinger and glanced at the seething pink haired teenager. All traces of solace and sorrow gone, now replaced by rage, he took her by the arms and shook her repeatedly sending electric jolts throughout her body with each violent movement.

"You dare spit on me?! After I've pampered and catered to you like a queen, you treat me like dirt under your shoe? Do you know what I've sacrificed to have you?!"

He cuffed her cheek with such raw force that it knocked her head back. A steady stream of blood fell from her nose from the harsh blow and Madara dropped her back on the bed.

Sakura touched her nose in shock. She had never imagined Madara would ever hit her, no matter how possessive and controlling he was, Sakura considered that in every situation he was placed in Madara handled himself with a calm demeanor and like a gentleman.

Wrong.

"Y-You...hit me?" It came out as a question rather a statement.

"Yes, as much as I did not want to, you pushed to be a brute with you because of your clear disrespect for my authority. Koi, I don't enjoy damaging my toys or my possessions, especially if I take great stake and pride in them, but if necessary—", he leaned into her panic stricken face, his eyes black mirrors of his disturbed soul, "I will break you."

Sakura inhaled a sharp breath of air, hoping Madara didn't take notice of her relent. Madara sensed her fear and took a step back to admire his work. Much to his pleasure, Sakura's small hands trembled uncontrollably in her lap as she tried to avoid his gaze by looking at the wall. Madara smirked; he had won this battle. Again.

"Why are you doing this to me? There are so many other beautiful women out there, yet you'd rather some skinny pink-haired teenager with nothing to offer?"

Sakura had slight guilt about wishing Madara on another person (who would want that?), but held fast to the notion that any other individual in her position would do the same if it meant even an iota chance of escaping.

"I thought I already answered that question last night? Lesson number 1, Sakura: I do not like to repeat myself; however, since you are still getting used to the system I've put in place, I'll reiterate myself." Madara again seated himself in the chair and relaxed into it. "Of course there are millions other gorgeous women I could occupy my time with, and definitely more well behaved ones that respect me and hold me in higher regard, but never shall I seek them out—at least not for now. I have chosen you because of the fact that you are different, Sakura. For some reason, you have set yourself in a shy and coy facade that does not match the entirety of your personality at all. But once the shell of your charade is cracked, your true, aggressive, passionate self surfaces and you really express your inner thoughts and how you truly feel. That is one of things I for one enjoy about you—your 'spunk.' I admit I do not take well to your constant disrespect towards me as I could give the world to you in the palm of your hand if you asked for it, yet at the same time, your temper exhilarates me and keeps me well entertained. So you see, I chose you not only for your 'interesting' appearance, but your attitude as well."

Sakura had balled up the sheets in her hands, her knuckles turning white. "So that's all I am to you? A cheap piece of entertainment?"

"I would hardly call four years of college tuition and additional dance lessons cheap, but yes, that is all you are to me. And you can feel comfort knowing that when I tire of you, you will no longer have to see me and I will still keep up my obligation to pay your tuition and such. But for now, you're just a little suit of armor in my game of chess and Sakura, I'll tell you, I always win."

Sakura said nothing for a few moments, only watching him with cold eyes then repeated, "I want to go home."

Madara sighed, "As you wish. Unfortunately, I have no tasks for you today and I presume it would be best if you returned home to your 'family'. I'll make arrangements for a limo to pick you up and drop you off."

Madara was dailing the number when Sakura shook her head. "As much as I would love to see you get busted by the feds, you can't send me home in a limo."

Madara quirked an eyebrow, "Why not?"

"Because my family knows I'm broke and have very little friends. My parents are probably pissed at me and are waiting for me on the porch as we speak and if they see me pull up in a limo after being out all night, they're going to figure something's up."

"And why do I care what they think? Their opinions do not effect me in any way. I am the most powerful man in Japan. The federal government would have a sufficient amount trouble trying to prosecute me for any crime, so why should I worry about a single dysfunctional family? You are taking the limo and that's final."

Sakura did not argue, but felt a bitter taste fill her mouth as she listened to Madara bad talk her family. Sorry excuse for one as they were, they were still her flesh and blood, plus Sakura had earned the right to dump on them because of the awful way they mistreated her—Madara couldn't be allowed to do for free what she had taken years to earn. Despite this, somewhere deep down inside Sakura took pleasure in hearing Madara express his contempt of them. It brought her an indescribable pleasure at knowing that Sakura knew someone as powerful as Madara that would not be swayed by neither Karin's or Akiko's slithery ways to turn him against her.

Madara pocketed his Blackberry and addressed her. "Get dressed, the limo will be here in ten minutes. We shall resume this session on Monday. I'll be downstairs waiting." Hands in his slacks, Madara left the room and Sakura proceeded to dress.

Sakura chewed her fingernails as the black limousine pulled up on her curb. Thankfully, no one was waiting for her on the porch, but Sakura knew sure enough she would receive an earful once she went inside. Madara had decided not to join her on the ride to her house, saying that he unfortunately had office business to settle and could not accompany her. Sakura was atleast glad for that small torture she had been spared from.

After telling the chauffeur her address, Sakura had rode through the entire trip in silence. She feared what brutalities would come to her after she walked through her front door. Would they yell? Definitely, that was mandatory. Would she be punished? Again yes, though to what extent she did not know. Sakura gulped down the accumulated saliva in her mouth, thanked the driver, and stepped out of the car. She walked across her lawn and heard the limo roll away from the house; No witnesses now. She took in a large breath of air before sticking her key in the door and turning the knob.

Sakura stepped through door expecting to be hounded by yelling and scathing insults, but instead her father and Akiko only looked up at her momentarily from the couch before directing their view back at the television. Sakura stood awkward at the doorway, frightened to even speak. Akiko was the first to break the silence.

"Where have you been, girl? It's almost noon."

"I had... an interview. And I got the job, so during the weekdays I'm going to be coming home much later than usual."

Sakura began to pick at her bitten off fingernails as she waited for a response.

"I don't care what job interview or whatever you've got planned. I spent 4,000 yen for Karin to get her nails done and now its ruined because you decided to take off into the night like a damn snake to do whatever. Before you go anywhere, you check with me to see if there are chores to be done around this house. Do you understand?"

Akiko narrowed her eyes at the girl and Sakura replied a curt 'Yes.' Sakura was surprised that no yelling had commenced yet and her shock melted away after Akiko clenched her jaw. "Now that that's done, what's the unlucky guy's name, you little whore."

"His name? You think I've been out all with a guy?"

Sakura already feel the facade Madara had spoke about slipping; she refused to admit that there was a little truth in Akiko's statement.

"I ask the questions and you have yet to answer mine," Akiko's raised her voice slightly, getting up from the sofa. "I asked you, Jezebel, what is the punk's name and I want it now!"

Sakura said nothing and Akiko lost her control. She grabbed Sakura by the front of her shirt and pushed her up against the wall. "You think you can act like a hooker all night then make us clean up your dirty work?! Make my trophy-winning daughter do your dishes, clean your floors? If you don't tell the little bastard's name it will make no difference—I'll find it out on the birth certificate of the little demons you two bring into the world."

Crack, the pure porcelain of the china doll starts to fall.

"Tell me, did you just give a blowjob or did two go all the way? Knowing how insecure you are, you probably let the idiot do anything he wants."

The face is cracking, veins of cracks spreading across the doll face like spiderwebs and gaping black holes were where once rosy cheeks should have been.

Sakura's anger bubbled inside her and threatened to spill over. With the last remnants of calm she possessed, Sakura simply said, "I did not have sex with a boy last night."

Akiko, incredulous, turned her husband who was sitting silently on the couch watching the scene with no clear emotion. "See, Hiroshi? I told you she would grow up to be a whore—just like her mother."

The final straw drawn, Sakura snapped and let her rage take the wheel. She grabbed both of Akiko's wrists and shoved her to the ground harshly. She raised her backhand and delivered a loud 'pop' to Akiko's face. "DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER AGAIN!" She screeched before rushing up and dashing to her room and locking the door before her father could react.

There, she paced around with her rage still bay. Sakura stared down at the palms of her hands in awe. She managed to stop Akiko from hurting her, though not in the peaceful way she'd liked. But Akiko deserved it, talking about her and mother that way; she barely knew either of them—or did she? Had Akiko known her mother and was she speaking truth. Sakura shook her head. No, all Akiko ever spoke was lies to protect her own reputation and vanity with no consideration for others. She and Karin were the reason that Sakura had lost all her previous friends because they were in the pursuit of making her life miserable. Sakura wasn't a whore and neither was her mother.

Hoping to avoid retaliation, Sakura stripped down to her undergarments and put on her pajamas and decided to sleep the rest of the day away. When Karin came home from meeting Sasuke at the park, she was shocked to hear that Sakura had viciously attacked her mother, but was given no time to respond because Sakura never opened her door for the rest of the day.

Another day came and went and Sakura still holed herself up in her room through it. On the second day Karin had tried to coax her through the door to come out and just talk with their parents, but Sakura knew better; as soon as she would leave her room, Akiko would be on her like a crazed monkey. Sakura ignored Karin's enticements and lay in the comfort of her bed. No one else bothered her for the rest of the day.

The start of the new week came around soon enough and because she couldn't miss school, Sakura finally opened her door and bolted out of the house two seconds later, not caring about making the family's breakfast; she did not want to risk a sneak attack for Akiko or Karin to ambush her. Her father would be of no help to the situation as usual—he would just sit back quietly and watch spectacle with no sign of intended intervention. It was always like that during their family feuds; Karin would be in the background sneering and adding in an occasional word or two, Akiko would holding the reins of the operation in making sure Sakura's life was a living hell and thoroughly punished, and Hiroshi—she hadn't called him 'Dad' in ages and didn't plan on starting anytime soon (especially when he never acted like one)—would just sit there watching as Sakura got abused. To Sakura, it was the most painful part of her severed relationship with her father. She could stand his neglect for her feelings and plain apathy towards her growth from child to near adult, but what she could not bear was how he would stand back and watch his daughter get torn to ribbons inside and out by his wife and stepdaughter. To make matters worse, he didn't even attempt to try to console her after it was over, offering no special choice words to make her feel better except 'Don't forget to brush your teeth tonight.'

What kind of father was that?! Fathers are supposed to be kind, understanding, and spoil their little girls yet Hiroshi seemed to know none of these traits, unless you'd consider his demonstration on Karin all these years. Sakura power walked up the grassy hill in front of the school and could see Konoha High in the distance. She would think of these hurtful thoughts later tonight, for now she had to go to class.

Sakura went to her first and homeroom class with Mr. Kakashi, who taught English and Modern Literature, before class started and sat in her seat located at the very back of the room. First making sure no one was around to walk in on her, she took out her secret journal and began writing until the other students began filing in and the bell sounded. She put the journal back into her backpack and took out pencil and paper and readied herself for the start of class.

And as expected, Kakashi-sama was almost thirty minutes late like he was everyday. During that period, the students sat and chatted with eachother about afterschool plans, what was on TV the previous night, and the hottest highschool gossip circling around. Sakura had spotted Hinata and Naruto walk in and was about to wave to them when Sasuke came in close behind the two and she quickly changed her mind; she decided it better if she stayed quiet and saved herself the mortification of facing Sasuke after that awkward night at his house.

She'd just have to talk to them after class was over.

At 7:35 am, Kakashi rushed into class with his normal black lower face medical mask (he confessed on the first day that he was a recovering hypochondriac), messy brown suit jacket and blue jeans and a dark brown brief case with an apologetic look on his face and offered up some half ass excuse on his tardiness, saying something about helping an old lady find her lost cat and on the way, saving several orphans from a house fire. The class all rolled their eyes unanimously as it was the educator's reputation in the school for never being punctual and most were far from caring anymore—they never wanted class to start anyway.

"Ok class, today we will be doing a refreshment on some grammar rules," he says and pulls out graded papers from his briefcase and begins passing them back to the class, "since some of us are still having trouble with using gerunds and interjections properly," he made direct eye contact with Naruto seated in between Hinata and Sasuke, who made a nasty face and crossed his arms away from the teacher. Kakashi shook his head and continued to pass back papers. When he got to Sakura, he froze in the midst of handing her back her paper. "Sakura, you didn't study for this test, did you?"

Sakura glanced away nervously. "Uh...No, Kakashi-sama."

Kakashi nodded, "As expected," and handed her her paper and continued on the the next person. Sakura, terrified, peered at the grade on her paper and let out a sigh of relief. She had gotten a perfect 100% on the 70 question grammar check test. Kakashi was toying with her foolish need to overachieve in all her academic studies. Sakura relaxed back into her seat and awaited the day's lesson.

Kakashi gave back the last paper and took his place up at the front of the room. He opened his mouth to speak when Naruto's hand shot up. Kakashi sighed heavily and turned his attention to the troublesome blonde.

"Yes, Naruto?"

"Kakashi-Sensei, you gave me a question mark. What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Kakashi rubbed her temples. "Watch your mouth in my class, Naruto. I put a question mark on your paper because all your answers were correct."

Naruto still looked lost. "And? If they're all correct I should have a 100%!"

Kakashi walked over to Naruto's desk and picked up his paper. "Naruto, you and I both know you cheated on this test."

Naruto was outraged. "Kakashi-sensei, how can you say that when I tried so hard to prepare for this test! I studied night and day until i was dehydrated and couldn't see straight and this is my reward?! Hmph! I object to all your accusations!", he added righteously while Hinata gave a subtle applause, proud of her boyfriend for standing up for himself. Sakura watched the scene with amusement—Naruto was up to his old tricks again.

Kakashi leaned over Naruto's desk and pointed at his paper. "Well Naruto, if you didn't cheat then how do you explain why Sasuke's name is copied down on this paper—in your handwriting?"

Naruto sat silent and the class waited in suspense. Though he tried to disguise it, the entire class heard Naruto curse under his breath and Sasuke beside him mutter, 'Dobe.' Then the boy burst into a sheepish grin and put his hands behind his head. "Okay old man, you got me, but you gotta admit I was really close to getting away with it this time!"

Sasuke rest his chin on his folded hands. "Dobe, you are never copying my paper again."

"Awww, c'mon Sasuke! I was rushing okay and so what if I accidentally copied your name down? It was an honest mistake, man."

Sasuke was still unsympathetic, "I don't care. I decide to let you cheat off of me because you decided to spend your late nights playing Black OPs Online instead of studying and you almost get the both of us in trouble with your incompetence—No."

Naruto turned red. "Sasuke, stop showing off using your big words! You think you're soooo smart! Huh, some friend you are! Well, I don't need your stinking answers anyway!" Naruto pouted with his bottom lip poking out and folded together his arms. Someone tapped him lightly on the shoulder and he turned to see Hinata's beet red face.

"Hinata-chan, are you alright? Do you need to go to the nurse's office?", Naruto asked worried.

Hinata put her hands in front of her apologetically, "O-Oh no, Naruto-kun, I-I'm fine, it's just—"

Naruto grabbed Hinata's shoulders. "What? What's wrong Hinata?"

Hinata stared into her lap and twiddled her thumbs. "N-Naruto, why didn't you say you needed help? I was just t-thinking that y-you and I could have a study date so you won't have to copy off of anyone anymore."

Naruto blushed and crushed Hinata to his chest, "Aw Hinata, you're the best girlfriend a guy could ever ask for." He turned back to Sasuke, "and who needs your stupid answers when I've got a study buddy right here, Sasuke!" Sasuke pretended not to hear the blond haired idiot and started checking the messages on his phone.

Hinata turned redder as Naruto pointed at her and went on. "She's sweet, lovable, and not to mention very soft so when I get sleepy from the boring studying, I can just go right in her lap."

Kakashi watched the scene unfold with mild interest and though he adored the Icha-Icha Paradise series, as a teacher he could not tolerate a description of even half the things that were done in his precious books in his class presented by the ever clever Naruto—and he had a feeling that's exactly where Naruto was heading.

Kakashi clears his throat, "Er, Naruto..."

"Unlike you, Sasuke, I won't have to sleep with a cold bedside tonight, because I have a true love to cuddle all night long." Naruto hugged his girlfriend to his chest, unaware of her rapidly flushing face.

"Naruto, this is highly—"

"Yeah Sasuke, and guess what else? Late at night, when I get in a frisky mood, my baby Hinata's right there when I need her to—"

"Naruto, go to the principal's office."

"What?! Why?"

"Because as amusing as they are, you are making indecent remarks in my classroom."

"Bullcrap, I am not Kakashi!"

Fed up with his idiocy, Ino jumped up from her seat and chimed in, "You idiot, can't you see your embarrassing Hinata?"

Naruto looked from Ino down to see Hinata smothered in the crook of his elbow trying to hide her face. He was instantly apologetic, "I'm sorry Hinata sweetie, I didn't mean to embarrass you, it's just Teme was being a jackass," he hugged her closer to his form and kissed her head. Hinata lifts her scarlet face from his elbow and says, "I-It's fine, Naruto. I forgive you."

"Hinata, you're so amazing! What would I do without you?" Naruto gushed and rocked her in his arms to which Hinata giggled. The class 'aww-ed' at the popular couple's display of affection, but the moment had short life.

"Will you two cut it out? This is a classroom, not a motel. If you want to do that, go somewhere else," Sasuke says.

Naruto turns on him again with Hinata still in his arms, "Oh shut up, Teme! You started this! You're just jealous because you're alone and you don't have somebody like Hinata to care for you like she does for me."

"Heh, me...jealous of you? That'll be the day. Why would I want to settle down with one girl when there are thousands at this school begging at my feet? It's really none of your business, but the reason I don't have a girlfriend, Dobe, is because I don't need some empty headed bimbo to justify my stance in life. I'm at the head of the pack and if I am to ever associate with those weak creatures, it's strictly physical."

As he said this, Sakura glared daggers at the back of Sasuke's skull, hoping they would burn through the scalp. Was it a family custom that all Uchiha men think women are valued nothing more than whores?! 'Like uncle, like nephew,' Sakura thought bitterly to herself.

Naruto pointed at Sasuke. "Kakashi, why won't you send him to the principal's office? He's being a nasty ass and implying 'sexual conduct'!"

"Naruto, for the last time stop cursing and close your mouth. The both of you are about to go to the principal's office if you keep disrupting class."

"But Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi rubs his temple in utter annoyance. Could he not have one day where the two weren't going at eachother?

"Dobe, you're the reason I'm in this mess and if I remember correctly, you cheated off of me so you'll be going to see Jiraya alone."

Hinata was startled when Naruto knashed his teeth and slammed one his palms against the desk. "Oh dammit Sasuke, will you shut up?! If you didn't shield your paper with your freaking elbow half of the time I wouldn't have had to rush and get caught!"

Sasuke bolted from his chair ready to attack. "Who the hell do you think you're telling to shut up, Baka?"

The class was already readying itself for a fight and pulling out their cellphones to capture the moment on video.

"Naruto and Sasuke, go—" Kakashi began, but was immediately cut off.

"BOTH OF YOU SIT YOUR ASSES DOWN!"

At hearing the voice, the class turned around, stunned in silence, even Kakashi looked stupefied.

Palms pressed against her desk and out of her chair, Sakura shot Sasuke and Naruto a poisonous look that sent a small shiver down both the boys' backs. Her nostrils flare in silent rage and her breathing was ragged when she spoke, "I have had a very...very bad week and am not going to sit here and listen to this foolishness any longer. Sit down and be quiet—NOW."

Sasuke and Naruto's mouths fell wide open before sending one another a death glare and taking their seat.

Sakura let out a breath she had been unaware she was holding. "Thank you," she mutters quietly and sat down. The entire class was turned towards her, but she ignored their awed looks and instead gazed out the window nearest to her.

No one could exactly tell, but Kakashi's mouth hung open like a dead fish under his mask. Who would have thought Sakura...quiet, brilliant little Sakura was capable of...whatever that just was? He suddenly felt dizzy. A hand snuck shyly into the air and he redirected his gaze from the seemingly apathetic pink haired student to the student and her waterfall of dark purple hair.

"Yes, Hinata?"

"Kakashi-sensei, please don't send Naruto to Principal Jiraya; he can't afford another detention slip. I-I'll keep him quiet for the rest of class, I promise," Hinata eyes began to water as she clutched to Naruto and Kakashi gave in completely.

"Alright Hinata, he can stay—but only if he promises not to interrupt class anymore."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically and pretended to zip his lips as Sasuke rolls his eyes at him.

The rest of class went on as normal with the usual notes and discussions. Sakura sat quietly in her seat pretending to ignore all the sideways looks thrown her way and the hushed whispers in her direction.

When the bell rung, the class cleared out and Sakura remained in her seat a tad longer before gathering her things. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and looked up to see Sasuke staring dead at her from the front of the room, seemingly confused. Sakura was the first to break the eye contact and breezed past him in embarrassment from the show she displayed earlier and said with an almost inaudible voice, 'sorry'.

The day went on as normal after English with Kakashi, Sakura went to Calculus with Anko, Biology taught by Asuma, and lastly and most dreaded, Gym, which was taught by the always most energetic and odd, Guy-sensei.

Sakura remembered well her last embarrassment in the class when her menstrual cycle showed up early this month. It was a week later and she was still trying to live down the shame of what happened and ignore the taunting looks of her classmates. Despite all the awful things that had happened (once again, because of loudmouth Karin), there was one small bonus, a secret that felt warm against her heart and made her hold her head a little higher. She refused to tell anyone about it since she knew it would basically ruin someone's reputation.

Sakura walked into the gym with her gym bag swinging by her hip and when she saw Karin (more accurate, heard) and her group of friends on the bleachers, she slowed down.

"Hey Ino, where do you get your nails done? They're always so perfect," a girl in the group asked.

"A little professional nail shop downtown. Here, let me give you their card."

"Yeah!"

She stood and watched quietly as Karin started on about her recent escapade with Sasuke.

"Oh yeah, I think I'll definitely become Mrs. Uchiha within the next few years. I can feel it; Sasuke is putty in my hands when it has anything to do with me. You guys should see him, he'd die for me if I asked him too. Our babies will be the cutest little things."

One of the girls listening perked at the mention of future children. "Karin, I never knew you wanted to be a mom? That's so adorable." Sakura, who was eavesdropping on the conversation, raised an eyebrow for this even surprised her, more so from the fact that she had to learn from strangers that Karin actually wanted to start a family and she had lived with the girl for the past eight years. Karin treated her like trash, but it warmed Sakura's heart to know that Karin wanted to someday have children and care for someone other than herself—even if it was with the one person Sakura loved most in the world.

The touching conversation was put to an immediate end when Karin scoffed at the girl's inquiry. "Have a baby? Hell no, do you think I would ruin my perfect body for nine months just to get stuck with a crying and pooping brat?! Sasuke would never look at me again and I'm not going to walk around looking like a whale for nothing! We're going to adopt."

The teenager who asked the question looked demurely appalled, "But...don't you want to sacrifice for Sasuke...and for your marriage? I really doubt Sasuke would want to adopt kids when you are able to get pregnant."

As quick as a whip, Karin was in the girl's face and grabbed her by the collar of her shirt. "What do you know about my Sasuke? You don't even have a boyfriend of your own so who the hell are you to judge, fugly?" Karin then smacked the girl mildly across the face and pushed her away, disgusted by her prescence. She snapped her fingers at a nearby blonde girl, "Yoko, get this bitch away from me." Like a soldier given a command, the bleach blonde girl named Yoko snatched the girl away from the group and pushed her onto the gym floor and returned to her seat near Karin. The girl stood up feebly and ran crying to the girls' locker room, Karin snickering and pointing at girl as she left.

Sakura stared at Karin in disgust. 'Your one shot to gain a sliver of respect from me—blown to smithereens,' she thought angrily.

The others from Karin's malicious posse joined in and laughed as they always did—that is, all except one. Ino sat with her head perched on the palm of her hand and a disappointed frown set plainly on her face. Sakura caught Ino's eye seated a bleacher step higher than Karin and feeling sudden courage, she smiled. Ino stared at the pink haired girl confused for a moment, looked around quickly to see who Sakura was smiling at, and when she saw no one, pointed herself and mouthed in confusion, 'me?'

Sakura nodded and mouthed the silent, but slow words 'Thank you' back to Ino before winking as if in on an inside joke before dashing off to the girls' locker room.

Ino stared after her in confusion. Karin and her gang were still giggling and mocking the poor victim they'd humiliated, completely unaware of the secret message exchanged between only the two.

"A-Ahhhhh..."

Upon a darkened hallway small noises permit from an adjacent room. The parallel walls of the hallway were decorated with massive portraits of the house's current owner, all of which had the same features; a man possibly in his early thirties with long dark spiky hair that fell down his back, strong, almost regal-like face structure, black, almond shaped eyes that seemed upsettingly puffy around the bottom lid and a proud sneer written across his face. At the end of the hallway however hung a portrait of a woman, around her twenties, with spring green eyes that seemed to sparkle through the canvas, a soft yet high sexual heart shaped face with rouge cheeks, a small button nose, petal pink lips and curious pink hair piled in elegant curls around her face. It was clear that the woman in the portrait was a work of true beauty.

"Oh yes, yes!"

The hallway gave way to a dimly light bedroom with the door slightly ajar. Articles of clothing were forgotten and strewn haphazardly across the floor to be retrieved later. The four-poster bed shook as the two occupants made unbridled love.

"Oh Madara, yes oh kami, don't stop!"

A deep grunt was heard in reply followed by a low, masculine moan. The woman was naked and straddling her lover widly upon the bed which they shared.

The man then palmed the woman's creamy breast in his hands and she threw her head back in passion.

"Madara...I love you!" she screamed aloud. Instantly, the man whispered in the woman's ear, "I love you too, Sakura."

"Madara-sama?"

Madara snapped out of his trance and glared at the door. "What?", he answers with venom lacing his every syllable. The brunette at the door nearly shrieked, "Nothing!" before departing and closing the door behind her. Madara exhaled heavily and smoothed his hair.

He must have dozed off and had had yet another dream about Sakura, or his 'Koi'as he liked to call her, which was ironic because despite the pet name, he was a hundred percent sure he did not love her.

But then what about the dream? Or the other three he had had two days ago? All figments of imagination, as arousing as they were. Yes, he would soon enough have Sakura in his bed and screaming for more, but the whispering of love? An event of fiction indeed. What would he, Madara Uchiha, of all people need with love? He must have ate something in the past two days that were triggering his erotic dreams.

Madara smiled. As for tonight, he'd try to make some of the aspects of his fictional dreams a prevalent reality.

"Bye Hinata! Tell Naruto I'm sorry about class and I said hi!" Sakura called down the hall as she waved goodbye to her good friend. Hinata nodded "I will!", and waved back, leaving the pink haired girl at the stoop of S&U Academy. The streetlights had come on by now and the sun had set against the horizon, the moon starting to rise.

Sakura watched as Hinata got into her family owned car and wave one last time before the car left.

She sighs and began to go around to the back parking lot of the school. This was the moment she loathed to the bottom pit of her soul all school day. Besides her outburst in Literature and thanking Ino for the tissue in gym, she had had a pretty uneventful day until now. Sakura shivered to think what Madara had planned for her as a part of her 'assignment.' 'Might as well get it over with,' she thought and walked through the parking lot towards the large silver Benz parked beside quietly the street curb.

Madara popped open the trunk and helped Sakura put her things in before situating her in her seat and getting back in the driver's seat. When he turned the keys, the engine roared to life and the car started from the parking lot.

Once nearing the highway, Madara snuck a glance at the female beside him. Sakura had her arms folded and an obvious scowl placed on her face with a hard set jawline as if she were crunching her teeth.

"You're as lively as ever? Did something happen that I should be aware of or is this just a pitiful attempt at protest?"

Madara noticed how Sakura's jaw clenched even harder, if possible, when he spoke. Yet no sound left her lips to answer his questions. Madara cocked an eyebrow.

"I asked you a question."

Again silence filled the void between the two in the car and Sakura directed her view out to the window at the slowly passing city in the distance.

"Sakura, if you do not answer me I will stop this car."

Sakura ignored his threat and continued to gaze blankly out the window.

Annoyed, Madara directed his attention back to the road and raised his eyebrows in indifference. "So be it," he says and slams on the brakes, nearly launching Sakura from her seat into the windshield had she not been strapped in her seatbelt. The car jolted forward for a few seconds before lurching backwards in a complete stop. Sakura moaned and rubbed the back of her neck from the whiplash as a chorus of honks from angry drivers decsended on the car.

"Um, are you crazy?! This is highway and you decide to suddenly stop in the middle of the road like a maniac! You could have killed somebody!"

"They'll be fine, I know the man who built this road. Hopefully you'll take this as demonstration I hold true to my promises. Now we have no more distractions and I would like to have a small chat," Madara turns off the engine and faces her, "I'm waiting."

"Fine, fine. You want to know what's bothering me? Well, here it is..."

Sakura took a deep breath and looked Madara straight in the eye.

"You created a mini Madara in my class that was once my friend and now I have to put up with him for the rest of the year! As if one of you weren't enough!"

Madara was still in the dark. "Stop speaking in riddles, woman. What exactly happened?"

Sakura then explained to him how Sasuke talked about how he felt about the opposite sex, how they were only cheap, easy flusies meant for his enjoyment and repopulation of his clan.

Madara quirks an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

Sakura was incredulous, " 'Is that all?' What do you mean by that? I tell you your nephew is a male chauvinist and that's your response?! You Uchiha men are all the same!", she says as she crosses her arms and refuses to look at Madara, who refused see the big controversy.

He ran his fingers through his black mane. "First off, never, ever, in you life compare me with my teenage nephew as if we are on the same level because I assure you we are not. I am and always will be his superior."

Another horn honked, almost crashing into the parked vehicle, but both ignored it.

Madara's eyes became narrow slits that scrutinized Sakura's every movement.

"I could care less if Sasuke hated all women or worships the ground at their feet. I do, however, care as to why you have so much of your mind invested in my great-nephew."

Madara watched as a faint blush appeared on Sakura's cheeks and felt an uncomfortable sensation bubble to the pit of his stomach.

He cranked the engine and drove back to the right side of the lane.

"You're dropping that class."

The rouge on her cheeks disappeared and was eplaced by quick anger. "I most certainly will not! What little friends I have are in that class and it's the only I genuinely like. Why the sudden decision anyway?"

"It is none of your business why I made my decision and you'd do well to remember your place. I am the master and you are the servant, that's how this relationship will commence from today onwards."

Sakura grew more furious with each word coming from his mouth.

"Your servant? You say it like you own me."

"Because I do, according to the contract you signed. You must obey my every whim and any acts of misbehavior shall result in punishment of my choice."

Sakura involuntarily cowered against her seat. "P-Punishment?"

Madara smirked, sadistically teasing her. "You shall see soon."

The car edged on across the bridge to the opposite and more wealthy side of Konoha. They passed by dozens of houses and buildings; it was when they passed by the Uchiha district that Sakura slowly fell into panic mode.

"Isn't your house back there?"

"Yes, but I am not taking you there this evening; no worries, you shall plenty of other opportunities to explore it later after the house keeper leaves. Now sit back."

Sakura quietly obeyed Madara's words much to his delight. So she was capable of controlling. They drove in silence although Madara turned the radio to a classical music station which seemed to put Sakura on edge more so now than before. They drove to a mostly dead park of town where the streetlights lazily lit up the road and occasionally blinked out to come back on a couple of seconds later. Exhausting herself from the adrenaline pumping through her veins, Sakura had fallen asleep and was in such state when Madara pulled up in the driveway to a pitch black dark modern shaped tall building.

When the car cut off, Sakura woke with a start and stared frantically around her.

"Calm down, we're here."

Madara got out of the car and went around to Sakura's side to unbuckle her. She gulped back the fears in her mind, "Where exactly is here?"

"My penthouse," he motions her out of the car, "follow me."

Sakura stares at the box in her lap in utter horror, her mouth hanging wide open. "You...You want me to wear this?"

Her voice was quiet and meek and Madara could sense she was slipping back into her demure facade. He glowered at her as a response and says, "Yes. It's your official uniform—for the time being anyway."

Sakura lifted the article of clothing from its packaging, feeling the sudden need to hurl. It was a traditional black and white French maid's uniform made of soft broadcloth complete with a white pinafore decorated with ruffles on the straps and lace around the neckline and bottom, a black knee length dress with puffed sleeves and white ruffles at the hem, black stockings that stop at the thigh, a silk ivory garter belt, a plain hat with more lace and ruffles, black bootie heels and to finish it all off, a grey feather duster.

"You think I've forgotten your little outburst on Friday? Oh no, far from it, also there's those numerous times you've cursed at me. Everything you do has a consequence my dear and you must suffer them whatever they may be—this just happens to be one."

Sakura couldn't breathe. She tried to breathe in long drags of braath to slow her heart down and speak at the same time.

"I can't wear this! I'll look like a—oh what is wrong with you?! Isn't it enough you're holding me against my will to an agreement I don't cosign to, now you're making me dress like a streetwalker!"

Madara feigned hurt. "I'm surprised at you, Koi. After all, I went to a specialized dress maker to have your outfit handmade just for you. Do you not like it?"

He chuckled to himself as he watched the facade once again crack and her discontent shine through.

"NO! I'll look. like. a. prostitute."

"Far from it, I'd say...you'd never see a prostitute with a pure Italian silk garter belt."

Sakura pursed her lips so hard that they looked as if they would disappear on face.

"I hate you."

"You've already established that, but to your misfortune I don't care. Go in the bathroom and change into your uniform so I can see how it fits you."

'Why am I here again?' Sakura thought to herself as she gathered her 'uniform' and headed to the bathroom down the hall of the large apartment.

Seeming to read her mind, Madara answers, "Because I have the power to ruin your life and all those you love. Now shoo."

"This is so humiliating..."

Madara waved it off, "I don't know why you're embarrassed, the uniform actually suits you quite well. Besides, it's not that different from skintight leotards now isn't it?"

Sakura cuts her eyes at him, but says nothing and continues to tug the hem of the dress down in vain.

"Enough with the talk. Follow me this way please."

Madara led her down a hallway to a door at the far back of the penthouse. He took out a key and turned the door and held it open for her to see. Sakura was numb all over her body and her jaw dropped as she saw what lay inside.

"Time to hold up your end of the deal, Koi."

A/N: Gosh, finally finished! I don't think this is the most well written chapter as far as grammar goes, but entertaining no less. Does everybody see the personality change in Sakura? -wink, wink- I'm so mean to her :3 I regret nothing. Happy early Thanksgiving everyone!