Sasuke could see messy, pink hair as he peered over the side of a car. He sped around the vehicle until he was in front of the girl. She had her head buried in her knees as she wept. Thick, pink strands and chunks of hair surrounded her; a pair of scissors lay behind her.

"Sakura?" He asked. She glanced up, then quickly looked away, trying to hide her face from him. "What happened?" He asked. Naruto rounded the corner.

"Sakura-chan!" He screamed. "What happened!?" He flung himself to his knees next to her. She shook her head, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Karin?" Sasuke assumed. Sakura just looked at him with pleading eyes as more tears streamed down her cheeks. Sasuke growled and Naruto grabbed the scissors.

"Yeah! Isn't that her car?" Naruto shrieked, pointing to the car they were crouched next to. Sakura and Sasuke nodded. Naruto took the scissors and pressed them against her car, but Sasuke pulled his hand away.

"It isn't worth it, Naruto! You could get suspended or sued over damaged property!" Sasuke said.

"What about her!? She cut off Sakura-chan's hair!" Naruto screeched. Sasuke grumbled.

"She's gonna get what's coming to her." He said. Sakura looked up at him again, questioningly. He grabbed her by her elbows, lifting her up. He wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her. They walked back to her dorm and as they entered Ino gasped. Sasuke rushed over to her.

"What the hell! It was your job to watch her and make sure that Karin didn't do anything to her! You had one job, Ino, one fucking job!" Sasuke yelled. Ino flinched, biting her knuckles with a guilty expression on her face.

"I-I'm sorry, Sasuke!" She yelled. "She wanted to be alone! I didn't want to stress her out! I'm sorry!" She looked over at Sakura. Sakura's hair was extremely short in the back, just reaching the bottom of her ears. Her bangs were untouched. But the rest of her hair was unevenly cut, disheveled strands hung in her face and it looked like someone had repeatedly ruffled her hair. Ino's heart sank. "Sakura-chan, I'm SO sorry!" She screamed.

"It's your job to get back at Karin." Sasuke said. Ino gave him a panicked expression.

"But-" She began, but he cut her off.

"It's YOUR job." He said. Then he walked over to Sakura and stood in front of her. She looked up at him, unintentionally pouting, as he lightly brushed her hair out of her face. He sighed, and walked out of the room. Naruto, who was in silent awe about the entire scenario, followed quietly out the door.

"Sakura-chan…come over here. I'll fix your hair for you." Ino said. She slumped over to Ino. Ino went into the bathroom and grabbed a pair of scissors and a brush. She evened out Sakura's hair in the back, then cut her bangs slightly. When she was finished, Sakura had a cute bob cut. "He he, you look cute!" Ino giggled. Sakura just gave a delicate smile. She didn't talk much over the next few days, only when asked why she cut her hair. She told everyone that it was just too hot out to have long hair. Despite her anguish, she received many appreciated compliments about her new look. On Friday, Ino took her to buy a dress for the Akatsuki's party. Sakura bought a short, white strapless dress. It had a thick, red waistband and the skirt was frilly and poofy. The waistband hugged the curve of her waist perfectly and it looked amazing on her. Ino squealed with delight and Sakura giggled. That was the first time she had felt any joy since the incident. Ino bought a short, purple, halter top dress. The straps went around her neck and the back of the dress was open. The waistband hugged tightly and the skirt draped loosely. She looked gorgeous. They both picked out heels to compliment the outfit and headed back to campus.

Back at their dorm, the girls discussed the upcoming party. Ino was elated about being invited by Sakura. She was the kind of girl that loved being involved in EVERYTHING. Sakura was excited about the party, but she couldn't get her mind off of her anger towards Karin.

"Ino-chan, how are you going to get back at Karin?" She asked. Ino balled her hands into fists.

"Oh, I'm gonna beat her ass!" She yelled. "I can't believe the nerve of that little bitch!" Ino threw a pillow at the wall. Someone knocked on the door. Sakura answered, to find Sasuke being shoved into the room by Naruto.

"ASK, TEME!" Naruto said to Sasuke. Sasuke glared. "Sasuke wants to know if you'll go to the Akatsuki party with him!" Naruto asked for Sasuke. Sasuke punched him in the arm.

"Oh! Ano, Itachi…already invited me...and I asked Ino to go with me since Itachi mentioned in the note that he had invited you." She replied.

"Ooooh." Naruto said, glancing at Sasuke and preparing himself to get hit by the raven haired boy for embarrassing him. But Sasuke was staring suspiciously at Sakura.

With an irritated tone, he asked, "He…invited you?" Sakura nodded. He nodded back. "Aa." Then he turned and dragged Naruto out the door.