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

.:. .:. .:. After Discussing the Plan .:. .:. .:.

"Don't worry, Sakura. If anything happens, just yell "FIRE!" and I'm sure someone will help you…Unless, you know, you want it to happen." Ino waggled her eyebrows playfully.

The rosette huffed in return. "Oh, shut up pig." She turned serious. "But I'm still not sure about this. I mean–MMPHH!" A cloth was bound over Sakura's eyes as something wet was held over her nose. She held her breath for as long as she could, but being deprived of oxygen was just too much, and Sakura inhaled sharply, the poison immediately filling her lungs.

'Sasuke' was her last thought before blacking out.

.:. .:. .:. Later .:. .:. .:.

'Whaa...? W-what happened? Where am I?" Sakura thought as she groggily became aware of surroundings.

Still half-unconscious and practically dead to the world, Sakura's senses were having trouble adjusting. Maybe she would have noticed the predicament she was in if her senses weren't so dulled.

Having the strong urge to stretch like a cat after being woke up from its nap, Sakura reached out to loosen her joints-- only to realize that was virtually impossible.

Reflexively, she panicked and cried out for help-- only to realize that not only were her hands and feet bound, but also her mouth.

Sharpening her senses, the pinkette picked up a bit of information about the challenge she was facing. Her body was packed up into a small box, barely fit to accommodate to her size. Good thing she wasn't claustrophobic.

Not only was her space limited, though, but it was also pitch black. And I mean pitch. Black.

Who could have done this? Sakura searched through her brain for possible suspects. Then she remembered her conversation with Ino.

Ino... That sneaky little bitch.

.:. .:. .:. Flashback .:. .:. .:.

"Okay, so what's your plan, pig? And it better be good 'cause I'm not gunna make a fool outta myself again," Sakura huffed as she and Ino walked into a popular cafe to grab a bite.

"Well, I'm going to have someone grab you, knock you out, and put you in a present in Sasuke's house. Then you--" Ino explained bluntly but was fiercely interrupted by a bewildered Sakura.

"Wait, w-what? Tell me you're kidding. Knock me unconscious? Present?" Sakura was slightly afraid, especially since it was Ino speaking, who could make things happen. She was a force to be reckoned with.

Ino was silent, her face drawn and reserved. Then she broke out into a bright, blinding smile. "Of course not Forehead! What kind of person do you think I am?"

Sakura sighed in relief.

Little did she know what was really going on in Ino's devious mind.

.:. .:. .:. End of Flashback .:. .:. .:.

Grr, that pig was going to get it!

Sakura sighed, the sound muffled by the cloth--object-- blocking her mouth. The only thing she could do was wait, and pray that Sasuke didn't think huge random boxes in his house were too suspicious.

.:. .:. .:. Sasuke .:. .:. .:.

Sasuke locked up for the night, way later than he expected. Since it was Christmas Eve, many of his workers were asking for leave early. He granted it, but in return, Sasuke himself had to make up for the unfinished work.

It was nearly midnight when Sasuke reached his house–ahem mansion.

The author won't bore you and go into detail about the place, but let's just say that it put Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's house to shame.

The sound of Sasuke's keys jingled in the cold breeze. As the door unlocked, the man blindly groped for the light switch.

Light flooded the room as his hand found the treasure and switched the light on. To his surprise and slight shock, there was an enormous package lying in the center if the room, wrapped to perfection.

Almost positive it wasn't there before, Sasuke crept along the walls, trying to stay as far away from it as possible. He grabbed an object lying on the ground–it happened to be a pink bunny stuffed animal–and chucked it towards the box, almost missing the target completely.

No one knew that when it came sports, Sasuke was the last person to go to. No one knew, and he'd plan to bring that secret to the grave.

Back to the matter at hand, Sasuke sighed in relief when nothing exploded, and no suspicious lasers came flying out.

He took baby steps towards the present, and, when close enough, quickly flipped the lip off. Sasuke steeled hinself for the worst when he looked into the box.

"Sakura?"

.:. .:. .:. Meanwhile .:. .:. .:.

"Hmm, I wonder how Sakura and Sasuke and doing?" Ino wondered aloud, her chest puffing out slightly. Her plot had been a success. Now it was up to Sakura to finish everything.

"I don't know, but Teme's gunna freak when he realizes I stole his house key when he wasn't looking and made a copy," Naruto added absentmindedly, grabbing a handful of chips from the bag.

Ino shrugged. "Whatever. That's not my problem." She ignored Naruto's whine.

Suddenly, the beauty heaved a great big sigh. "Wait, why the hell am I hanging out with you for Christmas again?"

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

"Sakura?"

The top of the contraption Sakura was held in was suddenly thrown open, and the bound girl automatically squinted to get used to the sudden brightness. When her eyes were adjusted, she made out Sasuke's confused face in her line of sight.

"Mmphh. " Sakura struggled against the bonds that held her. Now that she could actually see, she identified that the bonds holding her were actually... Ribbons? Sakura sweatdropped. Lame.

Sasuke seemed to be frozen in shock, but another 'mmphh' of encouragement brought him out of his daze. He, quickly assessing the damage, wasted no time to tear the ribbons binding Sakura's arms, legs, and mouth. Once free, Sakura rubbed her raw wrists and ankles.

"W-why are you here, Sakura?" Sasuke stuttered, astonishment still in his voice despite how calm he looked.

Sakura exhaled loudly through her nose, thoroughly annoyed at Ino. "I'm betting that damn Ino knocked me unconscious, bound and gagged me, and left me here to rot and I'm fucking annoyed right now," Sakura exhaled again, not bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice.

"Okay...So why did she bring you here? And how'd you even get in here?" Sasuke continued.

The annoyance drained out of Sakura as something akin to embarrassment replaced it. "I'm not sure, Naruto probably made a copy if your key or something when you weren't looking," Sakura answered right on the mark, pointedly ignoring the first question.

Trying to change the subject, the now-free girl threw a hard kick to the cage that had held her captive, but furrowed her eyebrows when something fell out of the box. Cautiously stepping towards it, Sakura picked up the object and blushed when she realized it was the present
Sakura had gotten Sasuke on an impulse.

Meanwhile, Sasuke watched this exchange with interest. His eyes brushed past the clock, and his lips fell into a half-grin when he saw the time.

Sakura's eyes traveled to what he was looking at and her eyes softened.

"12:01" they both whispered simultaneously. "Christmas morning," Sakura added softly.

Dark emerald clashed with intense onyx. Their gaze was held for what seemed like a lifetime, before Sasuke coughed and avoided her eyes.

Sakura knocked out of it and glanced at the present resting in her hands. "Merry Christmas, Sasuke." She sheepishly handed Sasuke her gift, not wanting to break the fragile moment they were having. Sasuke took it with unsure hands.

"Go ahead. Open it," Sakura encouraged as she watched his eyes dart around nervously. "It won't bite."

Slowly, Sasuke tore the wrapping off the present. Inside was a pair of...ramen socks?

Sakura blushed hard, mouth spilling profanities that would put a sailor to shame. She hastily grabbed the socks away from Sasuke and hid it behind herself. "Stupid Ino," Sakura mumbled, "That was Naruto's present, not yours." She fumbled with the pair of black socks with a bowl on miso ramen sown on each.

Sakura jerked her head up sharply as she heard Sasuke laugh. Not a snort, not a cruel, cold burst of laughter, but an actual laugh. He was gripping his sides, trying to control the happy feeling bubbling up his throat.

Blushing to her roots, Sakura whacked the laughing man in the shoulder with the pair of socks. "Shut up, Uchiha. It's not that funny." Even so, Sakura found it impossible to keep a straight face, and soon she herself was chuckling along.

This lasted for a while, the sound of two voices echoing throughout the house.

The laughter died down eventually, leaving only a tiny giggle every now and then.

"Uhh," Sasuke hesitated, "I didn't...get you anything," he eventually admitted, and managed to look sheepish.

Sakura smiled softly. At least he felt a bit guilty. "It's okay. You weren't obligated or anything. Besides, it'd be totally...you know, not you if you did, anyways." Besides, your laugh is enough of a present for me.

But Sakura kept that last statement to herself.

"Merry Christmas Sasuke."

"Hn...Merry Christmas."


[a/N Reminds me of a 'Kay Jewelers' commercial. xD I actually kept my promise and updated on Christmas (for all those of you living in the US)! Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? I did! ;D So happy! Merry Christmas!]

Hmm, why doesn't it feel like Christmas this year?

Maybe if you review, it'll feel more like Christmas!R&R!