A Twisted Fairy Tale

Chapter 10

'Frustration is an emotional response to circumstances where one is obstructed from arriving at a personal goal. The more important the goal, the greater the frustration. It is related to anger and disappointment.'

-Wikipedia

Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose, frustrated that nothing was really going his way today. Ino just texted him, telling him that she may be running late for the party, which was only a mere hour from starting with people already crowding into his rather large flat. Itachi, his brother, had left for the night, the only thing that has actually going right today.

The ebony haired boy retreated to his room, vaguely thinking that tonight would be the night he would finally have what he wanted; he would finally have Sakura. Who knows he may even get lucky and score the ever willing, and annoying, Ino Yamanaka as well? Sasuke smirked, stretching his lean body on the comfort that was his bed. Tonight would be great. Ino would surely be willing to come in here with him, to give herself away, but Sakura would be a different story all together.

She was forbidden, a taboo for him; and that made him want her all the more.

He idly bounced his foot, smiling wide at the thought of finally getting what he deserved. He's waited three years since that night freshmen year, the night that changed her so much. Then, she was still fresh, still beaming with an all alluring smile just for him. She and Ino, he remembered, had gained back their friendship. Sakura then still tried to emulate Ino by wearing clothing that clung to her, still had her hair long, and he knew that she had somehow forgotten about him at one point during that summer before high school.

This he knew because of her good friend Ino. The blond clung to him, and he had definitely noticed Sakura's absence. Ino had tracked him one day in the hall. It was a bout a month into school and Sakura's sudden cold shoulder to him all but annoyed the brooding Uchiha. Ino had cornered him by his locker, getting way into his personal space.

"Ino?" He asked, trying to gently push her away. But she stuck to him like glue. Her cyan eyes were hooded, as she smiled at him, face nearing his with each passing second.

"Sasuke. You wanted to talk. So what about?" She batted her long lashes out him. He almost wanted to laugh as she made her voice breathy.

She really did try too hard.

"Hn." He replied, slamming his locker shut, backing away from the pouting blond. She stepped forward to once again claim a part of his all important personal sphere. He hated girls like Ino. They were annoying, a waste of time and energy. He only put up with her because he knew that this blond was the only link to Sakura, the only girl in the school who openly ignored him. And for some reason her cold shoulder attracted him to her.

"I wanted to ask you about Sakura." He briefly stated, thankful the blond took that as her cue to step away from him. Her eyes betrayed her annoyance as he watched as he put her hands on her hips, smiling brightly as if his mention of her 'friend' did not bother her at all.

"What about her?" she asked sweetly.

"Will she be at the game Friday?" His voice was monotone as he asked it, not betraying his hope for Ino to answer in the positive.

"Uh, Yeah. I think," She paused, "But I will be too, though." She was once again latched onto his shoulder. Sasuke nodded trying once again to shake off the blond who had a vice like grip on him. When she refused to let go, he just sighed, jamming his hands into his pockets.

"You're annoying," He muttered, trying to walk with the infatuated blond stumbling at his side.

"Is that all you wanted to talk about, Sasuke? I mean you know I will be at that game." She said hopefully.

"…"

"I'll be there. You'll be there," She paused, laying her head onto his should, stumbling a bit in her heals as he sped up his pace as they weaved through the kids that cluttered the small hallways, "You know, we could hang out." She batted her eyelashes at him.

"Hn." He tried to duck his shoulder a bit in an attempt to make her get off. His hands curled in his pockets, brow furrowing when he felt her warm breath on his face.

"Think about it, Sasuke. At a game with all those noisy, noisy people," She said airily. Somehow, her grip got tighter on his arm.

"…"

Annoyed with his silence, the blond inched her face closer to his. Then her lips touched his cheek. Sasuke's eyes narrowed and he was no longer discreet or gentle when he shook off the annoying blond. But she came right back to him. Thankfully she did not try to latch herself to him.

"Just think about it." He couldn't help to think she was a little miffed about his denial to her requests and even his earlier mention of the rosette. He just walked into his class, shaking his head.

That day was the first step in finally getting closer to Sakura. His coal eyes scanned over his room, the dim lighting casted shadows onto his off white walls. He closed his eyes and continued lounging on his bed, thinking of all the things he could do tonight. 'Two for one.' At that thought, he smiled with satisfaction.

This party was going to be great. Everything would go his way.

-

"Cummon Sakura!" Ino whined, from behind the bathroom door. "We're gonna be late!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. She grabbed her compact off the counter, using the powder to try and lighten the circles that plagued the bottoms of her eyes. The rosette hasn't had a good sleep in what seemed like ages. She hardly got any at the hospital, with her staying up all last night talking to her math teacher. Not that she minded. That talk was going into the part of her mind where she kept her most treasured memories.

Mr. Hatake just made her spill her guts. She had tensed when he asked about her parents. Sakura had no idea what to tell him, so she just told him that partial story that she stayed at the Yamanaka's because her parents had passed away two years ago. Thankfully he was pleased about that answer, and went into his own story about how his parents passed away. Like she, he did not go into great detail. They seemed to be forming a bond, a close one, but they hardly knew one another, so things as painful as that they did not just give out to each other. Trust still needed to be fully established.

Sakura was just glad that she was able to get something off her chest. And she never realized it before, but actually smiling and laughing about her memories with her parents, made it easier. She hardly even felt any sadness when she talked about her beloved parents. It was a so abnormal that Sakura was quite shocked about it, so much so that she blurted that tidbit of information to Mr. Hatake, who just chuckled, telling her that he knew what she meant.

She smiled, as she dabbed the powder lightly just in case she had to actually fetch Ino from the party after she got too wasted. The Uchiha was known for his formality with his parties. Everyone who went was expected to dress accordingly. No jeans or tennis shoes were allowed, which Sakura couldn't help but to scoff at. What made him so important to tell people how to dress at a high school party? She peered down at the navy blue halter dress that Ino had thrown at her. In attempt to make the dress more suited to her she donned black leggings, black jacket, and her ever present converse. There was no way she going to go without those. Sakura didn't care if they matched or not. She didn't even care if she got into the party, only going to serve at Ino's chauffeur. Actually, Sakura was planning to just wait in the car until Ino was done. It would work.

Right?

The door rattled as Ino banged on it. "Hurry up, Forehead!"

Sakura narrowed her eyes when they landed on the angry purple bruise that marred her left cheek. 'At least it's kind of more by my hair line. I might be able to cover it. Ugh. I hate this. I shouldn't even care what I look like, but I know Ino will complain if I don't at least look okay… the things I do for that stupid…'

"Sakura!"

"Shut up, Pig!" She yelled at the door, glaring daggers. Sakura attempted to part her bangs so that they draped over the left side of her face. Satisfied with at least covering most of the bruise, she opened the door, smirking when she was greeted with a very exasperated Ino.

"We're gonna be late because you, Forehead!"

"So…?" Sakura said with raised brows. She could care less whether they were late or not. Ino shook her head as her eyes looked Sakura up and down, nose scrunching when her blue gaze landed on Sakura's shoes.

"Are you seriously wearing those with that?"

"Yeah," Sakura said nodded her head, briefly noting the very revealing scarlet dress Ino chose to wear. It stopped short at mid-thigh, showing way more leg than Sakura really wanted to see, and it was strapless. Her shoes were just black heals that tied in bows around her ankles. It was Sakura turn to scrunch her nose when Ino flipped her curly locks over her shoulder, the smell of hair spray making Sakura's eyes water. 'Really! What is wrong with straight hair?"

Ino shook her head, sighing, "Whatever. Let's go we're already late because of you." Sakura stole a glance at the clock in the hall as Ino bounded down the stairs, surprised at the time. It took her longer to get ready than normal. Of course the piece of plaster on her arm and her sore body did not help any, not to mention the extra care she had to take of covering some stray bruises. How she hated this so, Ino making her go to this stupid party with the threat of her losing her internship and her pay form the flower shop.

"Mom can take away your pay. I can make her," Ino had said to her earlier. Oh, how Sakura just wanted to strangle her pretty little neck. Being able to skip this party was almost worth losing her pay form the flower shop, but then she thought back to all the other things she needed that money for. There was no way she could lose it…

So she was stuck… She put on her jacket, rising up the hood as she went down the stairs.

Ino's mother sat on the couch in the living room in nothing but her robe and a book was situated on her lap.

"Are you guys leaving now?" she asked her daughter who stood at the large entry way into the room, tapping her manicured nails on the wall.

"Duh!"

"Innoo." There was a sharp edge to her voice and her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Mooom." Ino reply just as sharply with a hint of a smug smile hinting at her lips.

"Right well… Sakura! Where is Sakura?"

The said girl looked from mother to daughter with question in her jade orbs, "What?"

Ino shrugged. Mrs. Yamanaka waved her finger towards the rosette, "You will not speak to me like that young lady. I don't care whether you're hurt or not!"

She was taking out all her pent up towards her daughter out on Sakura. Ino smiled widely, almost pleased with her mother. The older woman was finally getting the hint to not even dare try and raise her voice at her less her secret be spilled.

Sakura narrowed her eyes, but stayed silent. The last time she raised her voice to the Shrew her pay was docked. That briefly made her remember the day that her internship was first threatened. "Right." Sakura just replied through clenched teeth.

"You will make sure Ino makes it back safe, and there is to be not a scratch on her. I don't know why I'm trusting you with her…" She trailed her eyes resting on her left arm down to where her cast was peeking out under her jacket. Then her gaze fell on her face, to the small part of the bruise that Sakura could not hide with her hood or her hair. "And you look horrible."

'I feel horrible.' Was what Sakura wanted to say. And she did feel horrible. Her body was sore and she was tired. All she wanted to was sleep. The bones in her left arm ached, and Sakura mentally scolded herself for not taking the medication Shizune had left with her. Then she remembered Mrs. Yamanaka had seized them from her, claiming that she didn't need that stuff that Tylenol would work just as fine. Sakura actually wondered what the shrew did with the pain medication.

Sakura shook herself out of her thoughts when Mrs. Yamanaka spoke again. "Have fun, honey. I'll see you later. Sakura make sure you take care of her."

The last part was said bitterly.

"Ugh! We're so late. Hurry up, Forehead!"

Too tired to argue back Sakura, shut and locked the door behind her, cringing when the cold her skin. Ino stood there shivering when the cold hit her body. Sakura could have laughed. 'Should've worn a jacket, Pig.'HHe rfkwjefh glksqfkln cwjehr re wdfklw

"Gimme your jacket," she said, her words jittery as her small body shivered.

"Uh. No." Sakura stated.

"Uh. Yeah," Ino argued.

"No. You should have been smart enough to bring your own, "Sakura replied, annoyed that she had to deal with this. Ino knew it was the middle of fall. She knew that this time of the year was cold, so she knew to get a jacket. It's her problem. Not Sakura's.

"Look, Forehead," She warned, "It's not like I want to, that thing is horrid, but what would Mom think if I came home with a terrible cold and I tell her I got one because you were too selfish to give me your jacket. Now stop thinking about yourself and give it or you lose your precious pay and internship."

Ino smiled smugly when Sakura moved to take her jacket off and the car keys from its pocket before she made to hand it over. She held it out to the blond who snatched it away, quickly snuggling into the warmth it provided her shivering body. The rosette bit her lips when the cold hit her skin. It was especially cold tonight.

"Now let's go," Ino ordered as she walked over to the passenger side of her Mom's BMW. Sakura just realized something when she moved to open the driver's side door.

"Why are you standing there? Hurry up I'm cold," Ino whined, wanting the heat to be turned on inside the car.

"Uh Ino?" Sakura held up her left arm, nose scrunching when it ached. Ino slapped her forehead.

"Crap. I forgot you can't drive with that stupid thing… Sakura you ruin everything." She moaned, getting out of the car, jamming her hand in her small black clutch to bring out her blackberry. "I hope he can come get us," she mumbled flicking her thumbs to dial a number on the phone.

Sakura watched, shivering, briefly wondering who she was going to call. Ino slowly climbed out of the car, slamming the door shut, biting her lip, hoping he would answer. Sakura shut her door, and then brought her arms to her, trying to get any warmth she could. She hated not having her jacket. She watched with narrowed eyes, as Ino walked the long driveway, snuggling into the warmth of her favorite jacket. She so wanted to rip of her head right now. Sakura clenched her jaw.

Ino's eyes glistened when she heard the soft tenor come from the small speaker on her phone.

"Hello?" Sasuke answered, scratching his head.

"Hi Sasuke," Ino said happily the cold of the outside forgotten, "I need a ride. Sakura can't drive us. I was wondering if you could give us one?"

Sakura frowned, the last thing she wanted to do was ride to that stupid party with the very person she despised for ruining her weekend… This was the day she was supposed to be resting and also studying for the calculus test she was to be having on Monday.

"I know she's so annoying. She broke her arm and like now she can't drive me any where," Ino gushed into the phone. Sakura stomped her foot on the ground, briefly catching the attention of the very happy blond. Ino just smiled smugly at her nodding her head to something Sasuke had said.

Sakura really had a bad feeling about this. Something about this whole thing seemed not right, almost dangerous really. She hated being around Sasuke. She hated everything about him, this party, the fact she was being forced into possibly riding with him. After all the things he has done to her, she just wished he would stay out of her life. Why wouldn't he just give into Ino and give up on her? Everyone knew Ino was just the girl for him. Sakura let her gaze travel to the sky, noting the clouds, which blocked out the usually clear view of the stars. 'Great… It's even going to rain.'

Her right hand tightened around the keys when she heard Ino squeal happily.

"Great!"

"Yeah," Sasuke replied, "I'll be there in a few minutes."

With that they both hung up. Ino looked at Sakura, shivering, "Let's wait inside. I'll just keep this too. I'll need it tonight. You don't mind right?"

Sakura glared at the smug girl, "Whatever." They walked inside and waited for Sasuke, Ino happy, Sakura frustrated.

'I'm going to this. Mhm. I just know it.'

I'm sorry it's kinda short. I was getting frustrated because I had no idea what to write for this chapter. I hope it turned out alright. I'll update sure fire quick after tomorrow. I don't want to make wait too long for the next chapter. It will certainly be better than this one. I hope you can get some enjoyment out of it though.

And THANKS you guys. You're the best… I got 11 reviews for the last chapter. .claps. I was soooo happy. It really made me forget the frustration for this chapter. Thanks soo much. Until next time! Don't forget to review!

Any takes for a BETA? XD