Engagement On Hold
Summary: (AU) Uchiha Sasuke is Konoha High's reigning prince. Haruno Sakura is…? Who is she again? What happens when the guy everybody knows finds himself engaged to the girl nobody knows?
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura, Naruto/Hinata, Shikamaru/Temari
Author: pei-chan
Disclaimer: Wouldn't it be nice if Sasuke and Sakura were really engaged in the Naruto series? Then again, that would only occur in our dreams… ne?
A/N: Warning―will encounter assholes in this chapter. Ehem, I won't say anything more. This chapter was very difficult for me to write despite the fact that it's my favourite one. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
Chapter 21―Engagement On Hold
She awkwardly took a spot beside the windowsill and watched the commotion going on at the school gates. Noticing the numerous flashes coming from the said location, she momentarily glanced at her best friend in silence.
Hinata was hoping to expect the worst and the sight of Sakura's distant yet forlorn expression spoke for itself. She felt her own mood turning sour. Sakura's sullen form was merely a part of it, but it was her inability to do something to relieve her of the pain she was feeling. She felt useless.
She squinted as she saw a limousine parked at the front of the school and the two celebrities came out with a swarm of reporters immediately surrounding them. So the newspaper article wasn't a lie. They were together, but how and when did it happen?
Taking another look at Sakura, she realized something.
Sakura-chan liked Sasuke-san?
The commotion about the sudden news about Uchiha Sasuke and Yamanaka Ino's secret relationship became known throughout the whole school that even the faculty members started discussing the matter.
Hinata felt her uneasiness about the issue continue to increase throughout the day that she didn't even hear Hatake-sensei call her up to the board to answer a question. Oh, how embarrassing! Well, she wasn't the only one distracted.
The same fate was brought on to Sakura when their sensei's call was ignored as she continued to look out of the window in a trance. Fortunately, Sakura was able to answer the question at the next sound of her name being called without their sensei repeating the question for her. Disappointment could be seen at some of their fellow classmates that there wouldn't be anything worth humorous to relieve them with the boredom of the class.
If things couldn't get any worse, it was that Yamanaka Ino had to come to their class during lunch that resulted with Watanabe Ami confronting her within the classroom about the news.
"Sasuke," Ino called gleefully as she came into the classroom with a smile just as lunch started.
The students in the class turned expectantly towards Sasuke, waiting for his reaction.
He gave her a mere glance and proceeded in keeping all of his books and other school materials in his bag.
"I'm ready when you are, Sasuke-kun," she shifted her shoulder bag into a more secure position so that it wouldn't slide off.
Sasuke nodded as he shut his bag. "Let's go."
The two were about the walk out of the room when Watanabe Ami barged inside the room, glaring at Ino intensely.
Most of the student stood their ground and watched in anticipation to the next set of events that would unfold. Well, who could blame them―some people just liked gossip.
Sakura merely sighed in annoyance and used the unoccupied door at the back and slipped out of the classroom, not even being noticed by her fellow classmates other than her best friend.
Hinata anxiously became concerned about her friend and carefully slipped towards the back of the room and walked out of the classroom to check if she would find any sign of her friend. When she couldn't locate her, Hinata came to a decision. Taking her bag, she got out of the classroom and went to find Sakura.
She didn't like anything that was happening that day, and she refused to continue being a spectator. She had to do something, but first thing was to find Sakura… somewhere.
Hinata did succeed in getting Sakura to hang out with her after school, but she still held the same forlorn expression that made Hinata embarrassed. She felt that she wasn't doing a good job.
She needed to cheer Sakura up somehow. She tried having a random conversation with her, but Hinata would eventually be tongue tied that their discussion would come to an abrupt end. She wanted to try making a joke, but she was never good with making people laugh. Truthfully, Hinata never excelled in socializing with others and making her friends feel better was no exception.
She really didn't know what to do. She would always leave the initiation of discussions towards Sakura, since it was her forte. Sometimes Hinata would wonder why her best friend would try to hide this great talent that would give her a strong position in school.
She tried asking ones before why Sakura would dress in such odd ways that hid her physical attributes―yes, she knew that Sakura could look beautiful if she would only dress up―but she only got an evasive smile and a reply that it wasn't important. Hinata didn't press, but she wished Sakura would start coming to her if she needed someone there.
"Hinata," Sakura's soft voice broke the silence around them as they walked. She didn't pause or shown any hesitation with her speculation. "You like Naruto, don't you?"
Hinata's blush was immediate. She had to bite her lip when she had the urge to deny it, but this was her best friend. She didn't have to hide to her. "Yes, I do." Hinata smiled, silently giving an invitation that Sakura could tell her anything.
"What would you do if you find out he likes someone else?" There was hesitation when Sakura said it.
Hinata understood the meaning behind those words. Sakura had feelings for Sasuke-san and was afraid that those feelings were one-sided. She could relate to those feelings, not completely since she wasn't sure if Naruto had feelings for someone else so there was fear of rejection.
"My feelings for Naruto-kun are something I can't stop or change. It would hurt me if I find out that he likes someone else, but that's something that can't be helped. Even though my feelings might be unrequited it wouldn't matter." Hinata explained.
Sakura shook her head in disdain, "What's the point? If you're only going to get hurt in the end…"
"That's true," Hinata agreed, but she smiled with confidence Sakura had never seen from her before. "However, even if my feelings are one-sided, those feelings are what helped me get stronger than before."
Sakura pondered about Hinata's confession and her own feelings. She didn't know what she should do. She thought about her engagement, Itachi's bet and the development of Ino and Sasuke's relationship.
"How about you, Sakura-chan, do you like Sasuke-san?"
What would be the right thing to do?
Her name was Tsubasa, and she was their childhood friend. The three of them had been together since they were kids. He wasn't sure if she was aware of his brother's condition, but since he would see them smiling together, he made the decision not to say anything. He liked seeing his brother happy, and the times whenever he was with her was when he was the happiest.
In a way, one could say he was jealous of Tsubasa. After all, most of his brother's attention was focused on her. How he wished his brother was like that to him as well.
His brother was very protective of her when they were little kids. He didn't understand back then. Weren't brothers supposed to be closer to each other more than anyone? Why was he closer to that girl? What was so special about her?
He confronted his brother about it, but he merely got a ruffle on the head and was told that when he fell in love one day, he would understand.
He really didn't get it. He would fall in love… with a girl? Thinking of his childhood friend, Tsubasa, he mentally scoffed. Like that was happening.
It was after three years that he found out why his brother was overprotective of her.
He could hear his mother yelling inside the room. It had only been a week since his brother died. His entire family took it hard and his parents took more time at work to try and avoid the pain of losing their eldest child, leaving him alone to fend for himself most of the time.
He figured that he should give his mother the time to cool off, since a great possibility that an argument might ensue. However, it was the sound of another person weeping that drew his attention.
Someone was crying?
He heard the soft sobs once more that made him immediately open the door.
"It was your fault that my son died! You're not welcome here!"
It was his mother, but who was the other person?
He didn't hear a response, but his mother's hurtful statement only made the sob more coherent.
"If it wasn't for you, he would have immediately gone to the doctor when he had been sick, but no―he refused to go see the doctor because he didn't want you to lose the chance of obtaining a donor," his mother gave a bitter laugh. "He actually thought of giving his lungs to you. He would actually give his life for someone like you!" She gave an accusatory glare and gave in to her suppressed feelings and started crying for the death of her oldest son.
It was then that Sai finally understood what was going on, but there were still pieces of the puzzle he didn't possess. He walked in the room and alerted them of his presence.
"Mother, I've decided," Sai said, drawing his mother's attention to him. "I'll take care of her from now on."
His mother gave him a suspicious glare. "Why?"
Call it curiosity. He wanted to know about that feeling called love.
"Nii-san wasn't the only one who found her special" ―he saw his mother's horrified expression― "I'm also in love with Tsubasa."
His mother wished she had fainted. This was too much! Why was this happening?
Tsubasa was stunned. Did she hear him right?
Sai digested their mixed reactions with a smile.
He didn't believe his brother died for a girl he loved.
What lies, he thought with a scoff.
He groggily opened his eyes and shifted on the bed. A dream, was it?
Oh yes, how could he forget? That moment was the start of everything.
She was here… in front of his house. She had finally made up her mind. There was no sense backing down now. It was time to end this charade once and for all.
She was tired of lying. The sudden uproar of Ino and Sasuke's relationship made her realize that. She had to clear up all the lies and tell him the truth about―everything, whether it was about her life…
Or her feelings.
But then, wasn't he already aware of it?
The door opened revealing a cheerful made that greeted her with a smile. "Sakura-sama, how nice to see you! Please, do come in." The maid ushered her abruptly ushered her inside, not giving her a chance to reply.
It would seem that the household remained unaware about the news of the relationship of the young master of the house and the famous model, or it could be possible that they only feigned ignorance about it for her benefit.
Well, if they couldn't be any more thoughtful.
The maid directed her to the living room and told her that she would fetch the young master. They certainly didn't waste any time.
Were they trying to bring the two of them back together?
Sakura mentally shook head at the absurdity of her thoughts. There was no way they would waste their effort about something so trivial like her relationship with her fiancée.
Everyone knew that they were only engaged because it was convenient.
There was nothing 'trivial' such as an engagement.
Sakura wasn't sure if their engagement would be kept by the way circumstances were changing. It wouldn't be long before their parents find out about her fiancée's new interest and they would definitely rush home to deal with it.
"So it's you."
Sasuke. His indifferent expression gave her a sense of doubt. Would he even care about what she had to say? He never gave her any reason to believe that he had any feelings for her as his fiancée. He may have feelings for 'Sakura' but not his fiancée, so was she doing the right thing?
No, she couldn't hesitate now.
"Sasuke―"
"Why are you here?"
Oh, don't get cold feet now! "Well… I wanted to talk to you about something."
Sasuke gave her a wary gaze and replied impatiently. "Make it quick since I have somewhere I need to go to."
"Where?" Sakura unconsciously asked, mentally scolding herself for prying. She knew how he was going to respond.
"That is none of your business, but since you're curious I'm going to meet Ino today," Sasuke replied coldly while finishing his statement with a mysterious glint in his eye.
I see. He really never wanted this engagement after all. She was a hindrance to his life. Sakura remained preoccupied in contemplating Sasuke's statement that she didn't realize that he was waiting for her reply and reaction.
No, she didn't get it at all! What the hell was he trying to do! What was Ino's role in all of this? "What are you trying to do?" Sakura asked, the anger building up inside her. The anxiousness of confessing her feelings were gone in an instant, and aggravation was left. The thought of him using her friend for his own personal gain made her mad. She wouldn't let him get away with it if that was the case.
"What exactly do you mean? You should make demands explaining what you want me to answer or we're just going to go in circles."
Sakura was not amused. "Why exactly are you 'going out' with Ino?"
Now this was something Sasuke did not expect. "Is that jealousy talking?"
"Answer the question, damn you!" Sakura didn't have the patience for his ridiculous side comments. She recalled her conversation with Ino the other day when Ino told her, "If you get too comfortable, I'll steal him away from you. Consider this your final warning." Sakura didn't want her friend to get hurt, which Ino would most likely would if Sasuke didn't have pure intentions about that announcement.
That wasn't what Sasuke wanted to hear. He needed her to slip. He needed her to admit it, and he finally had the opportunity to expose her after her next statement.
"If you hurt her in any way, I'll never forgive you." Sakura declared with determination.
"I'm not the only one that's been using people." Sasuke smiled, jumping at the opening and asked, "Saying that if I hurt her, are you speaking from personal experience?" He noticed Sakura become still at his accusation. "I never gave you a reason to think that I found you special in any way, don't tell me that you did…?"
He was right. He never gave her any reason to think she was special to him as his fiancée, but as 'Sakura' however… no, but that couldn't be! Was he actually referring to her as 'Sakura'? Don't tell me the reason why he did all those things for me was because…
"Your name is… Sakura."
"It's a nice name."
"It suits you, Sakura."
"I want to see you again."
"Thank you."
He knew about everything―right from the beginning! He knew and she had been played for a fool all along.
"You knew… all this time you knew all along didn't you?" She whispered in disbelief, but it was articulated enough for Sasuke to hear. "You knew that I'm 'Sakura'."
"That's right."
So… right from the beginning…
"Then why go through the charade? I tried to tell you before but you brushed me off and made me believe you didn't know. What was the point of the times we had together then?"
"The point?" Sasuke repeated with a pause. "I found you interesting, that's all."
Ah, so she was right.
She never stood a chance.
From the very beginning, she had already been rejected.
Naruto grimaced at his dumb luck. Rain was pouring and he forgot to bring an umbrella. It just had to rain at the worst possible time―why couldn't it have rained after they had got to his house. Ah yes, Naruto didn't want to think about what his friend was contemplating at the moment.
After all, they wouldn't be in this situation if he just had possession of his car. Damn that old man! Punishing him by taking his car and license because of his low marks―it wasn't fair! He was told that he needed to 'suffer a little' that he had to walk home from school from then on. His old man was a cruel old fart.
He really didn't like him at the moment.
"How far is your house, Naruto?" Gaara asked, finally voicing out his concern. Despite not really caring whether they got wet under the rain or not, he couldn't afford to fall ill with a cold for merely staying under the rain too long.
Naruto laughed awkwardly, earning a sharp glare from Gaara. It would seem that the excuse 'almost there' wouldn't be able to cut it, huh? "Two blocks," Naruto simply replied honestly, prepared for the sharper glare he was given. He had hoped that being direct wouldn't bring such a negative reaction.
The intensified glare he received told him otherwise.
Well, so much for that.
Naruto quickened his pace, influencing Gaara to do the same. Maybe getting there faster might tone his friend's anger down a bit.
Now focusing on the road ahead, Naruto noticed a figure coming closer towards them. It took a while before the person was more visible because of the rain obscuring the view. He barely recognized the girl who was absentmindedly walking towards them, but when he saw Gaara approach the girl, he finally identified the girl as the one he saw at the festival. She looked quite different without a kimono and being wet under the rain, since similarly to their situation, she didn't bring an umbrella as well.
Naruto trailed from behind Gaara as they came closer to the girl. It was then that Naruto noticed the forlorn expression her jade eyes were reflecting, but they immediately vanished when she noticed them coming towards her.
Naruto's earlier assumption proved to be correct since the girl greeted Gaara with a small smile.
Gaara, however, didn't return the gesture but merely asked sternly, "What are you doing out here in the rain?"
"Trying to cool off," the girl grinned, trying to wipe her sad expression with a smile.
"Why?" Gaara didn't buy it.
Her reply was too abrupt that it made no difference in trying to hide her problem. "It refreshes my mind."
"Sakura," Gaara warned impatiently.
Sakura's mask crumbled knowing that it was futile to hide her feelings any longer. "I… I already told myself that it was bound to happen sooner or later," a lone teardrop came down her cheek, and mingled with the raindrops cascading down her face, but it only triggered a soft sob that made her voice hitch. "But I didn't think it would hurt this much."
She didn't say anything else but merely lowered her head and let it rest on Gaara's shoulder, silently seeking comfort that Gaara didn't think twice in giving. Even before her head touched his shoulder, he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to him.
Any thoughts of getting wet were forgotten by the two men as they listened to the soft sobs blending with the falling rain.
Sakura silently sat on the couch, a towel draped on top of her head. She was at the Uzumaki residence with her brother and Naruto when the blonde suggested they go to his house since it had only been a block away from the place they met. She vaguely recalled receiving the cup of tea in front of her now losing its warmth from her inattentiveness.
Naruto's exclamation did succeed in bringing her attention to the conversation occurring in front of her.
"WHAT! She's your sister!"
Gaara sighed for the fifth time, "I told you that at the festival if you don't recall."
Naruto shook his head and clarified. "Not that! I didn't know that Haruno Sakura was your sister!"
Sakura merely stared at them blankly. Ah, so that was what they were talking about. Well, no matter, it was never a secret anyway.
"But what does that have to do with Sasuke?"
Gaara thought of what to say. He knew that his sister didn't want to disclose being engaged to the Uchiha, but would it still apply to this situation. The Uchiha residence was only a couple of blocks away from the Uzumaki's that the two families have been very close, maybe even close enough to know each other's secrets. Yet, Naruto didn't know?
The decision was taken away from Gaara, however, when Sakura bluntly replied, "Uchiha Sasuke is my fiancée."
"EH! WHAT! HOW? When did that happen?"
Sakura ignored Naruto's outburst when she sensed Gaara's questioning glance and answered him instead, "I don't care. It doesn't matter anymore anyway."
Gaara sighed in defeat.
"Wait―that doesn't make sense. What about the newspaper article about Sasuke dating Ino?"
Now, it was Sakura's turn to sigh. "It's complicated."
Naruto wasn't the only one curious about the situation. Gaara also eyed Sakura skeptically, but didn't protest unlike Naruto. He knew that she had too much in her mind right now and she wasn't ready to go into specifics.
"But now this makes me mad! I'll beat up that teme when I see him!" Naruto declared, annoyed that his best friend was openly hurting his fiancée. He really liked Sakura and he hated what his best friend was doing to her. She was one of the women in school―besides his Hinata-chan―that he wouldn't mind hanging out with. They might've been in the wrong page in the beginning of the school year when he didn't remember her, but when he realized that she was friends with Hinata-chan he immediately knew Sakura wasn't a bad person. It only took Hinata smiling at her friend that made Naruto justify Sakura's positive qualities.
It was when Naruto didn't witness any change in Sakura's mood as it remained as gloomy as before that gave Naruto the final decision.
Yup, he needed to beat up Sasuke for Sakura when he sees him.
Gaara couldn't have agreed more. His leniency with the Uchiha had been prolonged long enough.
Temari knew that to pry would be rude and annoying but the urge was becoming quite strong throughout the weekend when Sakura came home real down one night. She tried to ask Gaara since the two of them came home together, but Gaara didn't go into specifics. He merely said, "It's the Uchiha's fault", thinking that would be enough for an explanation.
Well, it did explain something but so little that Temari could only assume that the Uchiha her brother was referring to was their little sister's fiancée, Uchiha Sasuke. She could only imagine what happened between the two of them that made Sakura this depressed.
Temari had hoped that they would be able to have a decent conversation before school would start once again. Knowing their mother, she definitely had already took care of everything―which would mean that in a week's time, Sakura's birthday party would ensue with the whole student body invited.
What a way to take matters in her own hands.
Sumire must've had been at her wit's end to want to drop the bomb like that. Like honestly, she gave no warning about it. Inviting the whole school to their house and other influential individuals to the party with an intention of broadcasting Sakura's social standing and engagement for the sole reason of making Sakura stop her unexplainable acts of self torture was definitely not the way to do it.
Now Temari only had minutes to warn Sakura about the probable calamity awaiting her. If she didn't tell her about it before they get to school then Sakura might not be prepared of what she would be facing at school, considering that their mother already had the invitations distributed during the weekend. Her brothers already knew what was bound to happen later and Gaara clearly warned her to tread softly and consider Sakura's feelings at the moment but Temari had no time to think about that now.
"Sakura," Temari called.
She had to know.
Sakura turned and gave a questionable glance towards her older sister.
"I know it's not a good time for you right now, but there's something you should know about."
"What is it?" Sakura frowned.
"Mother really is making a huge celebration for your birthday, since she did mention that it would be the official announcement of your engagement to Uchiha Sasuke," Temari explained to her distressed sister.
"Really," Sakura sighed, trying to relieve the stress she had been feeling for the past few days. "'Announcement,' huh?" Well, this only added to her dilemma. "Next week?"
Temari nodded in confirmation.
It never ends, does it? If the party was the upcoming weekend, then it the invitations had already been sent. That would mean…?
"They already know then…?"
Temari understood the question. "It's safe to say that we're siblings in the open now, since everyone knows that the party will be held at the Sabaku estate. People would get confused why Haruno Sakura's birthday party will be held at the Sabaku residence and our relationship will be questioned."
Sakura agreed, knowing they had no other excuse out of that. She was Haruno Sakura in which the Haruno family were novelty but had no money. The house she was living in when she was little and was separated from her mother was the only land that the Harunos were able to keep with great difficulty. It wasn't as big as the Sabaku estate, but she used to love it there.
She refused to go there now due to unpleasant memories she wanted to forget. Besides, that was the place where her grandmother had her live in with her father after her father married her mother. She didn't want to go back there again.
It was after her father died that her grandmother cast her out to live with her mother. Maybe the old woman partly blamed her for what happened to her son, but she didn't care about her anymore after that. It was the last time she saw her grandmother.
She lived with her mother and siblings in the Sabaku estate since then. No one really questioned her relationship with her siblings before since they rarely saw each other at school. It wasn't really a secret since no one asked about it, considering that they didn't have the same last names and they rarely associated at school. They also rarely came together to school that no one thought they were anything other than acquaintances.
They didn't talk about each other to their friends since they barely had any relationship to begin with. The four of them had only been together for barely four years and came to a truce that they had to deal with their own family problem by themselves. They refused to talk about themselves too much knowing that it might lead to gossip.
They all knew what a hassle that would be; however, since it was already out in the open, it might not be too bad to admit it.
Temari, however, was worried about how Sakura would be treated from now on. "Do you want me to come by at lunch?"
Sakura smiled, moved by her sister's concern but shook her head confidently. "I'll be fine. It's nothing I can't deal with."
"Did you know?"
"Haruno Sakura lives in the Sabaku residence!"
"Oh my, you mean she's living with those cool siblings!"
"She's so lucky!"
"I heard she's an orphan and the Sabaku family were kind enough to let her live with them."
A jealous squeal was heard. "I want to be orphaned too!"
"You just want to live under the same roof as Gaara and Kankuro―"
"Temari-san as well since she's so cool!"
"So, that girl isn't a scholarship student?"
"Wait, who is she anyway?"
Kankuro sighed having the urge to plug his eardrums shut. He didn't like what he was hearing. Not only were they farfetched, the people around him didn't have a clue what they were talking about.
Gossip had started.
It couldn't get any worse, right?
Hinata looked around with a confused frown. She didn't understand what was happening and why everyone was talking about Sakura that way. Everyone was worse than when Sasuke and Ino's relationship was announced in the newspaper. All she could hear was something about Sakura now and most of it weren't pleasant.
She did receive an invitation about Sakura's birthday. She knew it was coming up, but she never expected to get invited to the Sabaku's house for the celebration along with the rest of the student body. It didn't make any sense. She wouldn't think that Sakura was rich. Actually, she never told her anything about it.
A subtle "Something in your mind?" was asked beside her that gave her a clue that it was directed to her.
Hinata turned around to see Sai smiling at her. She didn't answer, not knowing what to say. She didn't want to tell anyone her dilemma at the moment. She was supposed to be Sakura's best friend and was to be her support every step of the way, but right now…
"It seems that Sakura-san is the gossip of the week." When Sai didn't get the desired response he was seeking as Hinata remained as silent as before, he decided to take another route. "They say that Haruno Sakura is an orphaned girl that was taken in by the Sabaku's. It sounds just like a fairytale to me since it's such a farfetched tale," Sai chuckled at how absurd gossips were. "How about you, what's your take on it?"
Hinata was embarrassed and it wasn't because of her shy attitude towards other people but because she didn't know about Sakura's relationship with the Sabakus. "I… I don't know." She didn't know what else to say.
Sai took pleasure in the girl's confusion. "I see, then what about Haruno Sakura being a hidden rich young lady living a secretive life." He paused, seeing the girl stiff in distress. "Do you anything about that?"
Sai chuckled in amusement at Hinata's silence. The girl was fidgeting. Well, wasn't this just interesting. "Aren't you her best friend? You should be the one who knows the truth about her. Isn't it your job to defend her against the people who are throwing mud into her name? Hm, but considering how you are, you aren't that type of girl?" He threw in the insult and got the desired results when Hinata started shivering. "Or maybe you just don't know."
Hinata wanted to run, but her feet remained glued to the ground. Her body refused to move. No! She didn't want to hear it―don't say it!
"It is possible that you don't know anything about Sakura at all?"
It was then that she felt her legs once more, subconsciously running away from him. She was afraid and hurt.
Everything he said were true.
The mixture of confusion, anger and sadness made her stop only when she went to the place she could be alone―the school dojo.
Did Sakura not trust her at all? Why didn't she tell her anything? If she had the confidence, she would have told Sai that maybe Sakura wasn't really to tell her about it yet… but was that really the case or was she merely deluding herself?
Were they even friends from the beginning?
"Should I give you a round of applause in this situation?" Ino remarked sardonically as she walked towards Sai in a casual manner.
"You're actually here early for a change."
Ino ignored that comment knowing that he wanted to divert the conversation elsewhere. "You're crueler than a girl." She was referring to how manipulative women were to get what they want, and witnessing Sai's treatment towards Hinata was worse in her book.
Sai smiled sensing the girl's malice. She must be angry from the incident at the hospital. They didn't see each other after that even when Ino and Sasuke's relationship was made public. Maybe that would throw her off. "Where's your boyfriend?" The attempt to change the topic under conversation didn't work. She glared at him for avoiding her statement.
"Why did you do that for?" Ino asked, referring to Sai's conversation with Hinata. "That was not necessary."
Sai shook his head with a sigh. "I don't get it. Why do you care? This should be going along in your favor right?"
Ino knew that Sai was talking about Sakura. After the incident at the hospital, she lost her trust in him. She didn't understand why he was here. What was his goal? Seeing him plant seeds of doubt towards the only person Sakura was close to in school gave Ino the presumption that it wasn't anything good.
He was mistaken though. "I don't hate Sakura," Ino simply stated, correcting Sai implied notion.
Sai refused to believe it. "Really, I don't see how that's possible. The girl you called 'best friend' before practically cut ties from you and you don't feel any ounce of resentment because of it. Now that wouldn't make sense."
"And that's where you're wrong, Sai. I can't say I never had mixed feelings about Sakura, but I never felt any hatred towards her." In seeing Sai's confused frown, Ino smiled. "It was never about making her pay about what she did to me. That isn't why I'm doing this."
Sai wasn't stupid. He knew the announcement of Ino and Sasuke's sudden relationship was only announced for the benefit of one person―Sakura. He thought she was doing it for revenge―to make the girl suffer, but his assumptions were wrong. Now he didn't understand it. Why would she do it then? What was the reason she had that announcement for? "Are you saying that you don't feel anything for Uchiha Sasuke like the rest of the female student body?"
Ino shrugged, "I can't say I don't feel anything for him, but he and I came to an understanding and truce."
Now Sai really wanted to hear the reason of this. How interesting. The Uchiha had come to a truce with her, huh? He had never heard that excuse before. "Are you going to share your amusing conclusion with me?" He asked casually, leveling his interest to mild amusement, but he couldn't deny that he really wanted to hear it.
"He didn't really tell me his reasons, but I know one thing." Ino brushed off his question, laying out her challenge to him. "No matter how violent or evil of a person other people say she is―I will never believe them until she tells me herself. Something happened while I was away two years ago and I know it relates to the three people: Tsubasa, Sakura and you. I will find out what that is and mark my words: if you were the cause of how Sakura is now, I will make you pay."
Her challenge was all it took for him to chuckle. She really made a great joke. There was no way he would believe that. People with that kind of loyalty to people who betrayed them did not exist in this world. If she was really like that then he wouldn't classify her as any other than stupid. How absurd.
Ino scoffed at his offensive reaction. She knew that he didn't believe any word she said. Oh well, no matter. She didn't come here to prove him anything. The purpose of this conversation was already achieved. She had delivered her message, and made the first move.
Now, she wanted to see how Sakura was going to react.
She only hoped that the action she took that would drive Sakura back to her old self was the right one.
It had been quiet when Sakura arrived at school. Considering that Temari stuck to her like glue when they arrived at school, no one dared to come near her… yet. Sakura was happy that Temari took the time to try and protect her, but she knew that it would only prolong the inevitable. The moment when Temari left her side, it would start―she was sure of it.
It was only a brief moment that Sakura had peace when Temari reluctantly left her to go to her first period classroom that was in the opposite direction of the school building. The moment she arrived at the floor of her classroom, Ami appeared before her wearing a smug smile.
Sakura knew it. Here goes nothing. She waited for her nemesis to start with her long trail of insult, which never came.
Instead, Ami turned to her two lackeys and said, "See, I was right. It's just not possible that it's her."
Aya scoffed, "She's too ugly."
"There's no way she can actually plan a decent party that's worth going to," Aki nodded, adding her share of insults.
Sakura noticed a small crowd gathering around them, hearing the commotion. Sakura inwardly smiled. Ah, so it starts.
Ami sighed, "It must be someone else in school since the invitation clearly stated that she's a student in our school."
"I wonder who she is. She must be someone really beautiful…"
The rest of their insults became a blur for Sakura. She couldn't even remember them from how unoriginal and repetitive they sounded. Couldn't these girls get to the point? Amateurs.
"You call this entertaining," Sakura chuckled, earning an abrupt pause from the 3-A girls. The spectators also became silent from her odd response. No one knew what she was talking about.
Ami was the one who voiced out her confusion. "What are you saying?" Leave it to the girl to try and hog the spotlight.
"If you're trying to insult someone, please do it with more imagination and style," Sakura muttered casually. "I was starting to get bored."
Aya and Aki gasped at Sakura's arrogance.
Ami's eyes widened from shock. It took her a while to regain her composure. Sakura was already walking away, leaving the crowd in tense silence, when Ami was able to yell in anger, "Wait a minute―you bitch!"
Sakura sighed, stopping at the edge of the crowd's circle and turned around. "Name calling now? I thought you were more original than that."
"Watch what you say," Ami warned firmly.
Sakura smiled correctly predicting Ami's next moves or rather, her reactions. "Threats now? You really disappoint me; I thought you had more originality than this. You were amusing before, you've lost your touch perhaps."
Ami was grinding her teeth in rage. She was very close to inflicting physical harm on Sakura―real close.
Sakura's smile twitched triumphantly, "And that's how you aggravate someone. Try better next time." Sakura stopped herself from walking away and added, "I look forward in seeing you Saturday." The urge was too good to pass up.
Well now―that felt good! The weight from being rejected and her mother's annoying meddling was lifted off her shoulders and she felt like she could finally relax.
That was refreshing!
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke gave Naruto a glance as he approached him. He ignored the assertiveness in his tone, significantly meaning that his mood would lead to a fight between them. He didn't wait for him though and simply continued walking down the hall. He ignored the ogling and the longing sighs he heard from the girls he passed by, getting used to the event as a normal occurrence.
"Wait a minute!"
Sasuke mentally sighed. Naruto―that idiot! Couldn't he stop being so loud?
Naruto growled in annoyance. That stupid guy's ego! Couldn't he be considerate for one moment? "If you don't stop I'll broadcast to the whole school about your engage―"
Naruto got the response he desired. Before he could finish his sentence, a book was thrown at his direction, making him pause as his attention focused in catching the said object before it reached its destination―his face. His achievement had been in vain however, when he barely had the time to react before he was dragged away from the hall where passers-by could lead into full of witnesses of their conversation. Naruto cursed at his luck. He just had to be dragged by the back of his collar, in which he would have understood if Sasuke would simply tell him to shut up and go to a secluded area. Damn Uchiha and his pride!
Finally reaching a secluded area, Naruto pulled himself out of Sasuke's grasp, scowling as he dusted himself off. Sometimes he never understood why he became friends with the guy in the first place.
"How do you know?"
Naruto took a moment to compose himself in order to be able to give a reasonable reply. Public humiliation was something he didn't sit well with. "I found out after Gaara and I found Sakura-chan crying under the rain." When Sasuke didn't reply and merely looked away as if in contemplation, Naruto's anger came back, telling him off recalling his original intention. "You're a bastard Sasuke!"
"Is that all she told you?"
Naruto didn't like Sasuke's attitude. Why was he asking such useless questions? "It's perfectly understandable what you did since you made the girl cry Sasuke."
It became clear to him that Naruto didn't know anything. His friend was really the type of person to be ruled by his feelings. "Stay out of it, Naruto."
"Like hell I will!" Naruto retorted. "She's your fiancée and you're not treating her the way she deserves to be treated."
Sasuke chuckled at how simple minded Naruto was. He really didn't understand what he was saying, or getting into. "Have you ever been engaged without your consent, dobe?"
Naruto blinked questioningly. What does that have to do with anything?
"Being engaged to someone doesn't mean it's because of 'love'. You live in the social monarchy where wealth craves for more wealth. Despite trying to rebel against it, you should have some idea what that means, don't you?" Sasuke asked, finally rendering Naruto speechless.
How was he supposed to respond to that? An arranged marriage. It wasn't as common as before but it still existed―usually arranged in wealthy families and nobles. That meant he didn't feel anything for Sakura-chan and that was why he rejected her, but it was different for Sakura-chan. He felt it.
Sakura-chan was in love with his best friend.
An arranged marriage mixed with one-sided love.
It was out of his hands.
It was later that week when Sakura arrived at Tsubasa's hospital room unannounced. She never did visit her during the week since she was usually busy, which was why Tsubasa was puzzled. Why was she here? Did she know?
"I heard you're back at the hospital again," Sakura greeted, giving her a warm smile.
Tsubasa kept her mouth closed. I'll never leave the hospital again, that's why.
"Are you feeling better?" Sakura asked in concern.
I'll never be better, Tsubasa wanted to cut her off with that scatting remark.
"Sorry I came here without telling you first. I wanted to talk to you about something," Sakura grinned apologetically.
Tsubasa was able to ask softly, despite the turmoil her emotions were making. "What is it?"
"I came to apologize," Sakura lowered her gaze, in repentance. She already made up her mind. It was time to put an end to it. Tsubasa's frown didn't even put a dent to her decision. "I came to tell you that I can't keep my promise."
Tsubasa looked away from Sakura, realizing what she wanted to say.
"I said that I would live like you did as penitence for what I did to you. I would isolate myself from everyone and give up my popularity. When I realized what I did to you, I vowed that I didn't deserve to ever be happy since I ruined your life," Sakura sighed, having difficulty letting out all of her enclosed feelings. It had been a long time since then, and yet recalling the incident two years ago did make her hesitate.
No. She had done enough. She couldn't do this anymore. "But…" Sakura paused and gave a determined smile "I think two years worth of torturing myself has been enough. I realized that that isn't enough to compensate for what happened to you, so I've decided that from now on, I'll live a life worthy enough for the both of us."
Tsubasa stared at Sakura silently in disbelief. What? No! No, this wasn't happening! Sakura wouldn't do this to her! Live a life for the both of them―that was insane!
"That's how I'll atone for my sins," Sakura finished and after a while she left, earning no response from Tsubasa. Sakura figured that she might not want to be alone for a while.
Sakura… she was going to leave her.
This was all she wanted before. She wanted Sakura to leave her alone once and for all after she was assaulted and hospitalized. That was all she ever wanted… but now…
She hated her for what she did, which was why she couldn't have agreed more when Sakura volunteered to give up her popularity as a reflection of the life she lived when they met.
Now, she gets the chance to turn her life around. It wasn't fair. The feelings of loss when Shin died resurfaced and the pain brought tears to her eyes. Why? It was just like that time…
"I'll protect you, no matter what. I won't let you die."
That was what he said but he left her and died first. It wasn't fair! The promises that people made with her had always been broken. Everyone was leaving her.
She didn't want to be alone again.
Don't leave me, Sakura
Shin… I'm scared.
The designated date has arrived. Their mother, Sumire, came back a couple of days before to complete the arrangements for the occasion. Everything was perfect. The celebration was to be held at the garden where the cherry blossoms have fully blossomed. Sumire had already planned for this occasion after many years. She had ordered for cherry blossoms to be planted on the back yard, hoping that they would all bloom for this occasion. Her hopes weren't dashed. All the cherry blossoms in the back yard had bloomed that would give beautiful scenery of pastel colored clouds hovering above their visitors. Usually some would bloom late resulting in the other early bloomers to have already fallen out of the tree. It wasn't like that this year though. She was ecstatic.
Sumire wanted the cherry blossoms to be fully bloomed where her daughter, Sakura, would celebrate her 17th birthday so that she would get good luck. She wanted happiness for her daughter and she prayed that this would have a high influence to that possibility.
"Sumire-sama!" Ayame, their housemaid called out apprehensively.
Sumire pleasantly smiled at the girl, thinking that nothing could bring her mood down since everything was going according to her plans.
"Sakura-sama is―she's―I tried looking for her everywhere, but I couldn't find her." Ayame admitted guiltily, blaming herself for the disappearance of the girl.
Well, not quite. Problems would always come in different ways.
"It's only an hour left before the guests would start arriving and I checked to make sure that she was ready and I couldn't find her in her room―or anywhere!"
Sumire sighed. She was afraid that this would happen.
"Hinata-neesama, that guy, Uzumaki Naruto came here to see you," Hyuuga Hanabi informed her sister calmly, despite the knowledge that their father's dislike to the boy. Knowing her sister's affection towards the boy, she decided to add for her benefit, "He's talking with father at this moment."
Hinata's eyes widened in alarm and it didn't take long to make her stumble to climb out of her bed and run out of her room.
Hanabi shook her head in and thought in dismay, Typical.
Hinata arrived just in time to see her father stand up with a solemn expression in his aging features.
"Tou-sama…"
"I've been notified that it's the birthday of the daughter of Haruno Sumire and you've been invited to the event."
Hinata lowered her head to look away from the stern gaze her father was giving her, diminishing her confidence in an instant. She had to think twice before she was able to answer meekly, "Yes." She expected her father to ask her why she wasn't dressed or why wasn't she going, but as if reading her mind, Hiashi gave her no room for an argument.
"I expect that you would show up as a proper representation of the Hyuuga family. Don't disappoint me and when you show up; be on your best behavior."
Hinata looked up in incredulity. There was no way she was allowed to say no to that. Her father completely stated that she was definitely going, and there was nothing she could do about it. Now she really had to go, but she didn't want to.
"Hinata-chan?"
She turned around at the sound of Naruto's voice calling her. She almost forgot that he was the reason why she came downstairs that led her to seeing her father―wait, where was he? She looked around the room to see if her father was within the room or anywhere near and found no trace of him. He was gone. There was really no chance for her to reason with him and say that she didn't want to go ― was there?
"Hinata-chan," Naruto repeated once more, finally bringing Hinata's full attention towards him. "Did something happen between you and Sakura-chan?"
Hinata said nothing and looked away.
"But you're friends… aren't you?"
Hinata sighed in uncertainty, "Naruto-kun, I'm sorry… I'm just confused right now. I don't even know… with everything that happened lately… I just…" She didn't know what to think anymore.
"Sakura-chan really cherishes you, Hinata-chan," Naruto grinned confidently.
Hinata shook her head in denial. "How can you be so sure? S-she didn't tell me anything," her voice quivered dejectedly. "I don't know anything…"
Naruto couldn't blame Hinata-chan. There were a lot of mystery about Sakura, but he knew she wasn't an awful person.
"I… I already told myself that it was bound to happen sooner or later," a lone teardrop came down her cheek, and mingled with the raindrops cascading down her face, but it only triggered a soft sob that made her voice hitch. "But I didn't think it would hurt this much."
No, it wasn't possible.
"She may have her reasons. I don't know what it is, but there's one thing I know," Naruto placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder as a comforting gesture. "She needs you right now―more than ever. I'm sure that after her problems are solved, you'll be the first one she'll confide in."
Hinata slowly nodded. She sniffed in relief, a great weight lifted off her shoulders. She couldn't agree more. Yeah, she would wait. She had to trust in Sakura.
"So then," Naruto released her and laid out his invitation with a smile, "shall we go there together."
Hinata made no gesture to show her agreement, but instead made Naruto step back uncomfortably when she jumped on him and abruptly wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Thank you, Naruto-kun.
"She's just like her namesake―beautiful and lovely!"
Tenten didn't know how long she could take in hearing all about how great Haruno Sakura was until she would put her companion out of his delusional state and render him unconscious. She already reasoned with herself beforehand that she would have to take care of his unconscious body and that would be too much work for her. She had enough stress in the hospital.
"I am so lucky―being invited is such an honor! I bought the perfect present that I hope Sakura-san would love."
Tenten didn't want to hear anymore. This was the last time she was going anywhere with Lee. Well, he was usually quite tolerable, but she never knew about his fetish with Haruno Sakura until today. She should scratch the first thought then. The appropriate thought was that she wouldn't go anywhere Lee when Sakura was concerned. He would become too… emotional.
Ugh, she was definitely looking for Neji when they arrived. She wasn't going to be the only one to deal with Lee. It would be difficult to ask Neji to accompany her in the party with Lee close to her. Hm, she'll find a way. She usually does.
He didn't understand what the big deal was. He knew that announcing a relationship with another woman would be an invitation of a huge confrontation with his father. That wasn't the problem though.
His mother and father arrived earlier during the week, and his father wasted no time and immediately looked for him. He was even sent home early that day, so that his father could demand an explanation from him what was the meaning of the ridiculous announcement in the newspaper.
Fugaku might not have been satisfied with his petty explanation that he immediately made a conclusion to the dilemma, which Sasuke did not like one bit.
It was the last act of rebellion his father was going to tolerate. At the climax of the party, he placed an order that left no room for arguments.
Sasuke would announce his engagement to Haruno Sakura and deny his relationship with Yamanaka Ino or his father would.
Breaking the said engagement seemed to be impossible now.
"Don't worry, you'll understand one day," Shin grinned as he ruffled his younger brother's head affectionately.
"No matter how violent or evil of a person other people say she is―I will never believe them until she tells me herself. Something happened while I was away two years ago and I know it relates to the three people: Tsubasa, Sakura and you. I will find out what that is and mark my words: if you were the cause of how Sakura is now, I will make you pay."
It was there. He felt it when Ino gave him that warning. He sensed the same feeling when his brother told him that he would understand his brother's feelings the moment he fell in love. It wasn't the same as the impression he felt when he was talking to Ino that time, but it was similar. At that moment, he knew that Sakura was important to Ino just like Tsubasa was important to his brother Shin.
Sakura...
"Well, we have an acronym as a sign of our friendship," Sakura grinned giddily.
Sai looked at her politely, merely slightly curious yet somewhat indifferent, "Oh?"
Sakura gave a proud smile, "SaI, that's what we named ourselves."
A joke? He wouldn't disappoint her if she wanted him to laugh, since he did find it amusing and chuckled at the irony. Immediately he knew… this girl liked him.
She wasn't fond of his reaction to her statement and glared at him, "What's so funny?"
"I know that was meant to be a joke, and I do find that hilarious," Sai paused to say, but resumed laughing when the thought came back to him once more.
"It not a joke," Sakura protested. "I was being serious!"
Finally, he was able to stop sniggering and smirked knowingly. "I suppose you're going to say that it means Sakura, Ami and Ino."
Now it was Sakura's turn to start giggling. The reason why he started laughing at her was because that's what he thought it meant. Oh, that was rich. "That's what most people think, since everyone knows that the three of us like you" ―Sai didn't see any hesitation when she admitted her feelings for him only to see her giving him a noble smile― "But for me, it means something completely different."
It was at that moment that she was able to captivate him.
"It's a sign of my friendship with Ino―that we're best friends."
… like he was looking at her for the very first time.
"Sakura and Ino, which is SaI for short," Sakura giggled cheerfully, "Cool huh! Instead of SaI being written all in katakana ― like your name ― the 'Sa' from my name is in katakana, while the 'I' from Ino's name is written in hiragana. So SaI!"
He had fallen for her.
Sai cursed the memory with a sigh. Those feelings were only a moment of confusion. There was no way he would fall for anyone. He had to focus on his plans. He had no time to start daydreaming about the past.
Taking his jacket, he walked out of the door. It was time to go to the Sabaku mansion.
He was invited after all. It would be rude to decline a humble invitation.
Temari sighed nervously, checking around the garden for the sign of her little sister. Most of the guests had already arrived and had asked for the celebrant. Barely able to get a decent excuse that would prevent her from embarrassing her family in front of their guests, Temari prayed that they could find Sakura soon.
Lying to them is getting harder. She started tapping her foot impatiently. Where was that girl?
"You know, you're going to make people wonder if there's a problem if you keep looking like that," a voice pointed out from beside her.
Temari scowled in recognition, "Go away Nara."
"You should stop looking so nervous or people are going to wonder. If there's a problem, start being more professional and don't show it," Shikamaru suggested, taking a sip from the glass of wine in his hand.
Ugh, he was definitely not helping. Ignoring his advice, Temari sighed once more but tried to be more casual in peeking at the garden for the sign of her little sister.
Shikamaru sensed the tension of the woman beside him increasing. Barely thinking of what he was doing, he handed her his glass in which she took without a fuss and gulped down the rest of the wine still in the glass. Maybe that would calm her down. He took the empty glass that she handed back to him silently and observed her.
Temari didn't even notice that he stayed beside her since then, holding an empty glass in his hand. She was too preoccupied in trying to scan the increasing guests in the garden for her little sister. Looking for long pink hair as a mark was a mistake, since she didn't even notice that her sister had just walked in the room until most of the crowd started focusing at the entrance of the garden.
Noticing that the attention of the people around her were directed towards their house, Temari conformed and turned towards her left to see what the commotion was about. Her mouth opened with a gasp in what she saw.
Sakura appeared at the far end of the cherry blossom garden that was their backyard, wearing a simple knee-length red Chinese-style sleeveless silk dress with the fastening frogs on the left and a slit all the way to mid-thigh exposing her right leg every time she walked. A slender silver belt accentuated her tiny waist, and her slender legs were encased in soft suede brown boots from below the knee down. Her previously thick lenses were conspicuously absent, clearly showing off the pure green color of her eyes. Matching silver teardrop earrings and a teardrop necklace completed the hip ensemble ― for a chic club ― not an elegant and classy first-rate birthday ball. And to complete the shock value of her image: Sakura's previous waist length pink hair… was now shoulder length.
She could feel everyone's eyes directed towards her. Some were shocked. Some were confused. Some were amused. She noticed smirks, snarls, gasps, glares, squeals, and even scoffs. It didn't matter to her what anyone thought. Silently and confidently, she made her way towards the small stage positioned at the far end of the garden.
She didn't stop for long for any greeting she was giving. She would immediately excuse herself and make her way towards the stage as casually and quickly as possible. When she reached her destination, she ignored the wary glance that her siblings were giving her and made her announcement.
"Hello everyone, my name is Haruno Sakura, and I am celebrating my 17th birthday today. I'm sorry for my tardiness, but I was delayed because of personal reasons," she spoke on the microphone, earning all the guests attention at once.
"Thank you all for coming today, but before we continue with the party I have an announcement to make," Sakura paused, intentionally making the crowd apprehensive, "From this day forward, my engagement with Uchiha Sasuke is officially broken."
TBC
A/N: Cliffhanger much? Please review. I'm interested with the feedback for this chapter. I hope it cleared some of the fog in the last chapter. There's more mystery in this chapter too, but it will be explained in the future, so do not worry. I sincerely hope you're excited for the next chapter, but here's a preview if you're interested.
Chapter 22 – Aftermath
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as he approached her. She didn't trust him. Why did he save her? He wouldn't do it just because he was feeling gallant. Itachi… gallant? That could never happen.
"Why are you here, Itachi-san?" Sakura asked, wary about his true intention.
"I just thought that since you're heartbroken, Sakura-san, I could help you feel better" ―Sakura's opened her mouth in shock, not believing what she was hearing― "How about being with me instead?" Itachi finished with a confident smirk.
He was joking… right?
Updated: April 3, 2010