A/N: I am happy you like this fic! Here is the next chapter!

Dumpster Flower

Chapter 2

Walking down the dirt roads in the mornings were more dreadful than the evenings because of one thing, people. Crowds filled the streets, walking in all directions, constantly bumping me and getting in my way.

The Academy should be closer, damn it. At least I'm not grounded.

Waking up at the crack of dawn only to be at school slightly early made me want to scream sometimes, but it was what refined ladies did and I was a refined young lady. I had to to get Sasuke, of course.

I stopped at a poorly marked crosswalk where wagons filled with assortments of things passed me by at lightning speed. If I wasn't going to be a Genin in two weeks, the fear of death would occupy my heart whenever I crossed the street. So, this was just another annoyance.

"No wonder ninjas roof hop," I grumbled under my breath, looking up at the ninjas crowding the roofs.

After the rush of transportation died down, I was able to cross the road. But when I was halfway there, a huge cow drawn wagon filled with chickens drove by; the dust mixed with feathers swishing my hair. I almost lost balance. Luckily, I caught myself thanks to my ninja training.

"Ack! It's in my mouth!" I spat, getting that disgusting taste of dirty feathers all the while I fixed my now tangled hair.

I ignored the part of me that wanted to cut off the mess on my head by reminding myself of how much Sasuke liked long hair. With a heavy heart, I wiped as much dust as I could off before continuing on my way, quicker this time. I might not die from a crash, but I would surely get broken bones if I loitered any longer.

After I survived crossing the hectic street, I knew my day was going to be a bad one, but my negative thoughts stopped when I looked ahead.

I saw him walking in the distance. My miracle. My Sasuke. Time seemed to slow the more I gazed.

The wind perfectly swayed his black hair and gave it a beautiful sheen while dust glitter around him, making him look super cool. He wore his usual dark blue and white attire which fit him perfectly. His white pants glistened. I always wondered how he could wear white anywhere and never get it dirty. It almost glowed now that I thought about it. Dust covered me while it veiled him. I internally gushed.

Sasuke is too pure for this world!

I ran my hands through my hair and gave my best smile before I caught up to him, elegantly of course.

"Sasuke~" I called; my voice heightened to make it sound sweeter.

Sasuke glanced up, his stoic expression unchanging, hands securely in his pockets.

"Sakura," he greeted, tilting his head a little in my direction.

My face turned beet red, and my eyes widened. I wanted to squeal so bad but held my breath. It was so much progress that I wished I could capture this moment for the rest of my life.

I took a deep breath and said the first thing that came to mind.

"W-want to be permanent partners?" I gasped, wanting to kick myself the moment the words came out.

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. A few seconds of silence stretched between us, and it seemed like he was walking faster, but that had to be my imagination.

Cha! I can fix this! I can fix this!

"For classwork, of course!" I continued with a chuckle.

Still no response and he looked away from me, his long bangs and funnel collar covering his expression.

Maybe he did not hear me.

"It would help with our Teamwork grade if two smart people worked together often," I added, a bit louder.

I noticed the bright red structure of the Hokage's Tower ahead of us and knew that we were close to the Academy. My heart sped up as I repeatedly glanced at the building and drew myself closer to Sasuke. In a panic, I stared him down.

He finally faced me when my wide eyes started hurting. I wanted to sigh in relief as his black eyes stared into my green. But any form of bliss from getting his attention was sucked out of me when I saw the frown protruding from his face.

"No," Sasuke said. "I rather work alone,"

A part of me deflated, but I couldn't give up now. This was the longest I have ever talked with him and working with him was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

"You know that Mr. Iruka won't like that, especially if we have to work with partners. It would hurt our grade!" I insisted as we entered the circular school building.

I put my hands together and leaned even closer, almost touching him.

"So, let's be partners on those assignments at least, please?"

Sasuke mumbled something under his breath that I could not quite hear.

"No," he said with more emphasis. "That would be too much trouble,"

Sasuke turned the corner and grabbed the doorknob to a room that was not our classroom. I tried to follow him in, but he put his hand out before pointing upward.

My face turned red as I stared at the sign hanging above us and I heard the toilet flush.

"You have my answer, and I am not changing it, so stop following me," he said, his frown morphing into a sneer, "It's annoying,"

I cringed as the door slammed in my face and my face felt hot. I did not know which was worse, annoying Sasuke or almost following him into the boy's bathroom. My body trembled.

Damn it! I am such an embarrassment! He's never going to talk to me again at this rate!

All I could do was run away with my face in my hands. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice who was in front of me, resulting in me bumping into them and falling on my butt.

"Gah! Watch where you are going, you—Sakura?!"

I rubbed my backside and glared at the person I bumped into. It was none other than Naruto Uzumaki.

He rubbed the back of his head as he looked at me, his cheeks rosy and giving me a huge grin. My classmate was sloppily put together with his green goggles and orange jacket. I couldn't imagine the amount of tangles his blonde hair had, its spikes all over the place.

I mildly disliked him for as long as I could remember, seeing him waddle around, treating ninja training like a joke with his pranks. Mom always told me to be careful of who I was close to because I might start acting like them. Naruto was the definition of a person I would never want to affect me, constantly getting into trouble. And what's worse was that he was against Sasuke.

"People usually say sorry to those they hurt," I said curtly.

"I know! I know! I was surprised, ya know," he chuckled lightly before jumping up and extending his hand to me. "Uh, sorry for bumping into you,"

"Too late," I replied, crossing my arms and scooting away from him. "I do not accept your apology,"

"What?!" he shouted. "Ah, come on, Sakura,"

"Don't "come on" me!" I grumbled, getting up. "I don't have time for this,"

I must find a way to make it up to Sasuke.

"But I~ have to make it up to you, ya know," Naruto whined, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Naruto's eyes lit up and moved in close, too close. I could smell his foul ramen breath.

He looked around and whispered, "I'll let you in on a prank I am doing,"

My ears perked up at that. Some of his annoying pranks were kind of funny, but the more rational part of my brain nibbed that thought in the bud.

I curled my hands into fists, the desire to punch him apparent. His bad habits were already trying to affect me, but I wasn't going to let that happen. Ladies don't do pranks and I had to be a lady for Sasuke.

"I don't want in on any of your pranks, you idiot," I scoffed, beginning to walk toward the classroom.

My internal clock told me that it won't be time for class in a while, but punctuality was a virtue to have. Naruto followed right beside me.

"Aww," he sighed. "Then don't tell anyone. Pranks are supposed to be a surprise, ya know,"

It took me a moment to think about it. This prank of his was either going to be funny or ruin the rest of my day more. Usually, they ruin it, but actively going to a teacher would make me a snitch and I am no tattletale. Everyone knows that snitches are people who got jumped. I wish I didn't know from experience.

"Fine," I sighed, opening the door to our empty room.

Naruto's expression brightened and he grabbed my hand, wrapping his pinky around mine. "It's a promise, believe it! And I swear to make up for bumping into you too!"

I pried my hand out of his and rubbed it with a humph. Naruto just shrugged before opening the door to our empty classroom, leading me inside.