Pairings: SasuSaku. (Slight NejiTen and NaruHina- in future chapters.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Wish I could but… All I own is the plot and some random characters. (Note: for this chapter, I didn't copy anyone's work. I have this idea in my head ages ago.)
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Chapter ten
Sakura knew it would annoy him, but she did it anyway. She followed him. Godaime had forbid him to go and find Itachi, which made him angry. "Sasuke-kun! Wait!" Sakura said breathlessly, catching up to him. He shot her an annoying, and angry glare. "What do you want?"
"Stop- walking- so- fast." Sakura demanded.
"It's your fault that you're so slow." He snapped. Sakura arched an eyebrow. "Sorry then." She said sarcastically. "Honestly, you don't have to be so angry!" She folded her arms. Angry green eyes met the cold, onyx ones.
"Why are you here?" Sasuke repeated.
"To check if you're okay." Sakura replied dryly.
"I'm okay now." He said coldly. Sakura shrugged. "Sheesh, don't have to be so angry you know. I'm only trying to help." Why is she blabbering?
"You're not helping." He stated. Sakura once again, shrugged. Sasuke paused then said. "I'm going home." Sakura suddenly felt angry. He's not walking me home? How nice.
"Fine. Bye." Sakura said, trying not to show her emotion. "Kakashi-sensei said to meet at the bridge tomorrow." He halted and gazed back at Sakura.
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Sakura arrived surprisingly early in the next morning. She was exactly thirty minutes early. She sighed heavily as she sat down on the ground, hugging her knees. Sakura had once worried if Sasuke ever liked her. He thought she was annoying, that was for sure. It's not that she's not pretty or anything. She was pretty. Well quite pretty. Sakura always down played her looks; she wore simple, uninteresting clothes. She hardly ever wore make up or jewelry. Unlike the other Konoha girls, who were trying to get attention from Sasuke—His fanclub; and she always wears her hair down. Tenten once suggested that she would look beautiful if she ties her hair up.
From when she was a little girl, her mother had always told her, her beauty was a gift. Her beauty made her fell self conscious and exposed. It brought her the kind of attention she hated. People kept gazing at her or smiling at her as she walk pass. She's seventeen, a young, beautiful, elegant woman. Sakura, spend too much of her life making sure none of the people she trusted cared about how she looked, and avoiding the people who did.
Footsteps approached her, but Sakura didn't realize. She was deep in thoughts. "Sakura." She looked up, shocked. "S-Sasuke-kun." She choked.
"You're early." Sasuke stated, leaning against the bridge bars, arms folded, looking bored.
"Y-Yes." She said with a small blush. "You're early too."
"Yes." He said flatly. Once again, another blush appeared on her cheeks.
Ten minutes later, Naruto arrived, shouting and jumping. Sakura rolled her eyes. He was always excited when they are meeting. "Shut up Naruto." Sakura said. "You're making my head throb. Jesus."
Naruto looked hurt. "Aw, Sakura-chan, you didn't mean that!"
"I did."
"No you didn't!"
"I did! Now shut up!"
"Sakura-chaaan!"
"Shut up dobe." This time, it wasn't Sakura's voice. It was Sasuke's. Naruto turned his attention to Sasuke. "What did you say, Sasuke-teme."
"Shut up."
So they went on and on, arguing. Sakura just stood there, looking annoyed. Exactly one hour later. Kakashi had appeared. "Good morning you three!" He said cheerfully.
"It's hardly morning Sensei…" Naruto said.
"Haha. I met this person who were trying to ambush me." Kakashi explained. Sakura rolled her eyes. "Oh save it." Kakashi smiled then said. "I have good news."
"Good news?" Naruto asked suspiciously. "You mean we can join ANBU?"
"No, no." Kakashi said. "Not that. I mean there's a big event coming up." Sakura looked interested, Naruto looked excited. Sasuke, as usual, looked bored.
"There's this ball-"
"Ball?" Naruto asked. "What ball? You mean sports?"
"Naruto shut up and listen."
"Okay." Kakashi cleared his throat. "It's a Ball, organized by Godaime-sama." He glanced at the three of them. "All the people who graduated from the Ninja Academy have to go." He looked at Sasuke as he said that.
"I'm not going." Sasuke said quickly.
"You have to, Sasuke." Kakashi said idly. Naruto jumped, shouting. "Yay! I'm asking Hinata-chan! Yay, yay, yay!" Sakura fidgeted nervously. "Do… we have to go?"
Kakashi sighed and turned his gaze at the pink haired kunoichi. "Yes Sakura."
"What if we don't get a partner?" Sakura asked, blushing. She could feel Uchiha's eyes on her.
"You won't." Kakashi said.
"Huh? What do you mean, Sensei?" Sakura asked more worriedly.
"Well… you have loads of admirers." Kakashi said, grinning. Jade eyes widened, looked surprised. "I have – what?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"Oh. I thought you know." Kakashi said. "Anyway, no mission today. The Ball is next Monday. Today is Thursday. You better prepare for it. You know get a partner and stuff – Oh yes, Sasuke and Naruto, men wear a white shirt and black trousers. Remember that." He turned to Sakura. "Women wear dresses. Have a good day. See you." With a pop he was gone.
Sasuke groaned. Great, he's going to look ridiculous. He didn't want to go to the stupid Ball. Damn that Godaime! She forbids Sasuke to search for Itachi now with the Ball?
"Neh. Sasuke-teme." Naruto said quietly beside him. Sasuke jumped, gritting his teeth. "What?"
Naruto gave him a mischievous grin. "Ask Sakura-chan."
"What?" Sasuke asked blankly.
"Duh, to the ball stupid!" Naruto whispered, glancing at Sakura, who was looking at the water blankly. "She's really pretty, you should ask her before anyone else does." He gave him a slight push. Sasuke glared at him. "No."
Naruto looked shocked. "Why not? I thought you like her!" Sasuke jumped. "Who gave you this idea!" Naruto goggled at him. "You did! You know, always taking care of her… smiling-"
"I don't smile!" Sasuke cut him off. Naruto looked aghast. "What are you? Human ice cube?"
"Probably I am!" Sasuke yelled.
"Suit yourself then!" Naruto said angrily, turning around, he grabbed Sakura's wrist, tugging her along. "Let's go Sakura-chan, I'll find you someone!"
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Sakura had no idea where Naruto is taking her. But she followed, interested. They arrived at a coffee shop and entered. Sakura goggled and found herself facing many familiar faces. They stared back.
"Hinata-chan!" Naruto said happily, letting go of Sakura's wrist, he went forward and hugged the Byakugan user girl—uh woman.
"N-Naruto-kun." Hinata said shyly, hugging him back. Naruto gave her a kiss on the cheek. Neji glared and coughed. Tenten giggled and poked him on the chest.
"Everyone's here!" Sakura burst out.
Naruto cleared his throat. "Okay. Gejimayu!" He called to Lee, who looked up, surprised. "You know about the Ball that is coming up…"
He nodded slowly, frowning. The whole room seemed to be listening. Naruto looked around and cleared his throat, a serious expression on his face.
Just then Sasuke entered, an eyebrow arched. "What the…" They tear their gaze away from Naruto and looked at Sasuke. Naruto opened his mouth but stopped. "What the hell are you doing here, Sasuke-teme!" He yelled, pointing his finger at him. Sasuke walked towards him and smirked. "Why can't I be here?" The girls 'wooed', Sakura shot an aggressive glare at them.
Naruto looked angry, he pulled up his sleeve and yelled. "Why you little-"
Sakura grimaced, and ran in front of Naruto. "Naruto, you do not want to fight here-"
"Yes I do Sakura-chan!" He said loudly, eyes fixed on Sasuke. He frowned slightly. Sakura exhaled deeply turned, she gazed pleadingly at Hinata. She fidgeted nervously, but she rose from her chair. "N-Naruto-kun…" His glare softened and turned at Hinata. Sakura smiled, and sighed with relieve. Hinata smiled lightly. "Please… don't start a fight…" She took his hand and dragged him away from the crowd before he could answer. Sakura watched them go, ignoring the angry protests.
Tenten beside Lee nudged him. Lee looked at her blankly. She leaned closer and hissed quietly. "You want to ask her to the dance, don't you?"
Lee blushed crimson, but answered calmly. "Yes, I do."
"Ask her then!"
Lee's eyes widened and stared at Tenten. "Tenten! Do you know what you're talking about?"
"Yes." Tenten said.
"But-" Lee stuttered. "What about Sasuke-kun?"
Tenten hesitated and said. "He doesn't love her." Lee looked aghast. "Tenten! You have to consider her feelings!" Tenten frowned slightly. "Yes, that's true. But if Sasuke is not going with her, who would?" Lee paused, and glanced at Sakura. That's true… "What if she said 'no'?"
"You have to try!" Tenten said, and pushed him towards her. Sakura jumped, she stared at him with widened eyes. "Lee-san?"
"Sakura-san." Lee said, the whole room seemed to be listening. Especially Sasuke. "Would you like to go to the dance with me?" He blurted out. The whole room gasped, Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Sakura looked taken back. She smiled lightly. "Okay." The whole room gasped once more. They broke out into several mutterings.
"I never knew she liked him…"
"Isn't she after Sasuke?"
"Wow, she actually smiled at him…"
Sasuke looked taken back as well. He was shocked at her words. He thought that she liked him? Who cares, I got my fan club. A girl dressed in violet came up to him. "Sasuke-kun…" He slowly looked down at that girl. She was rail-thin and pretty, with a well-rehearsed tip-me-thirty-percent smile pasted on her face. She had skin the color of coffee ice cream; short cropped curly hair, a figure that was the perfect combination of sleek and curvy, and deep, dancing brown eyes. Sasuke never met her before. His eyes traveled to her forehead-protector. Konoha, he read.
"Seki Reika, from the Seki clan." She held out her perfect, small hand. Sasuke looked at it, but didn't accept it. He could feel Sakura watching. "How nice." He said sarcastically. She realized he didn't accept her hand, and she dropped it.
"Come to the dance with me." She said, completely ignoring his last answer. Sasuke grimaced. Is that an order? He smirked. Then again, that will piss Sakura off. "Seven o'clock sharp."
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Sakura couldn't believe he said yes, she ran out of the shop without telling anyone. She hates to admit: she was pretty. Extremely pretty, she's no match against her. Who cares I'm going with Lee-san. She turned on her on shower. I want to go with him though… Sakura closed her eyes and let streams of hot water rinse the suds from her face. She pulled back and started lathering soap on her skin in quick motions from shoulders to forearms to thighs and on down her legs.
The dance is in a few days… She opened her eyes once again. She imagined her dancing with Lee and the girl dancing with Sasuke. She turned off the shower in frustration. Then she heard the knocking.Damn! She cursed under her breath. She pulled out the tower and wrapped around her thin, slender body and ran out of the bathroom. A wet foot slipped on the clean, polished floor and she fell on her face. She ignored the pain and grimaced. She raced downstairs and reached the doorknob. She swung it open, panting.
Her eyes widened as she realized who it was. The person, as well, widened his eyes in embarrassment. "Sasuke-kun?" Her face blushed crimson, breathless. Sakura tensed as a smirk tugging his lips. "You dropped your wallet as you ran out of your room." He offered a hand. Sakura looked at him and slowly, she took it. She found herself smiling. That's almost… nice… Sasuke stuffed his hands in his pockets again. "Then… see you." Sakura's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to ask him about the ball. Sakura opened her mouth to speak until she was cut off by a piercing shriek.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Both heads turned around and stared at the other girl. It was Reika. Sasuke cursed under his breath. "Why did you follow me?" He felt irritated.
"Oh?" She replied calmly, ignoring Sakura. "Isn't it obvious?" She went over and touched his arm. Sasuke frowned. Sakura cringed and gritted her teeth. Get your paws off him! Her dark eyes traveled to Sakura. "Hello. You must be his teammate." She said pleasantly.
"Yes, I am." Sakura said, trying so hard not to glare at the girl. She smiled again, Sakura hated it, "I'm Seki Reika."
"Haruno Sakura." She replied coolly. Reika smirked as she darted her gaze on her half naked body. "Oh I see you were taking a shower." Sakura folded her arms across her chest. "Yes I was." So what?
Reika smiled at her again, "Nice to meet you Sakura-san." She turned back at Sasuke and slipped her arm under his. "Let's go, I need to do some shopping." Before he could protest, she dragged him out of Sakura's way.
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Authoress's Note: I'm sorry about the late update! I went to Sydney, Australia! It was awesome. XD I love my new Naruto key rings, they so rule. –sigh- Anyway, I watched the Naruto movie- Sky Princess, god that was awesome. Sasuke lying on Sakura's lap! –dances- So adorable. And that Konoha Athletics it was so funny. (hahaha) Oh by the way, this whole ball thing is created by me. I didn't copy anyone's work. Don't sue me for this.
There are some people I would like to thank!
Hyzenthlay-shin dew fur: Thank you!
angelady: Meteor Garden? Oh I borrowed the DVD from my friend. Yeah… XD and I live in New Zealand!
punk sasuke: Domo arigatou!
SilverMoonsBlackWings: Gomen… I suppose I want it to be done quickly. So sorry… XD
nixxie 1430: Thanks a lot!
Hopeless-girl: Hmm, better read again! (Haha)
Jazzy Uchiha: Glad you love it!
Kiza: Thanks SO much for reminding me! I was thinking about Orochimaru, then I just wrote it down! Thanks so much for reminding me! Glad you enjoy the other chapter XD.
Joyce07: Thank you!
SasuSakuforeva-iloveSasuke: Not yet –grins- Hehe, soon.
Others: Thanks so much for reviewing! Give you cookies! –hugs-
Note: If I miss anyone, I'm really sorry, email me. XD
Next Chapter: She didn't look like Sakura at all. She had something with her hair; it was straight and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing a dress made of a silky, light blue material. She looked very pretty indeed. She waved at her friends who stared at her in shocked. Even Sasuke looked surprise. Sakura grimaced as she noticed the figure next to him.
To be continued…Review, review, review! Thanks!