Green Eyes

Author's Note: I decided to re-upload this story so I think some of you will be familiar with it. It's actually complete but then again, for me, it's work-in-progress because I might decide to change or edit some stuff before I upload the next chapter...or even make the story longer...I haven't decided yet. Please be gentle if you see any grammatical mistakes or whatnots. I'm sure I missed some parts.

Anyway, the usual disclaimer...I don't own any of the original characters and some circumstances from the anime/ manga. The original characters added to the story though and the storyline, are mine.

Michiko

Chapter 1

It had been years…years since the accident, which took my father's life as well as one of my only friends at that time. We were both five (well technically, I only had a few days left before my sixth birthday) at that time. It was late in the afternoon. I remember because it was the last time I was able to play with my best friend at our favorite spot, "our spot".

It was the spot where we met, me being teased by the other kids and him, the new kid, standing up for me. We have been inseparable ever since…well that was…until the accident.

I can tell you everything about that day…every detail…every sound…every laugh…every color…every moment of happiness…and every moment of pain.

Now, as I live my life in darkness, it doesn't really feel like that. It feels much more because in the few years that I lived just like a normal person, I have in me a vast number of memories that could last me a lifetime. It is not that I cannot find happiness now or I'm sad…no, on the contrary. But ever since I lost my sight, I can tell that people either look down on me or take me much into pity.

Sometimes I wonder…am I really the blind one or are they?

XxXxXx

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Sakura tried to find the alarm clock on the bedside table to hopefully shut it off. She still wasn't fully awake yet. Honestly, she didn't want to wake up early that day. She had finished a major project the night before and had wanted to sleep in for once. But she suddenly remembered that she and her best friend a.k.a. business partner had an important business meeting at 8:30. Ino said that she was going to pick her up to save her the trouble of worrying about how to get there.

With a groan, Sakura made herself get up. Lifting the sheets and setting her feet down, she felt her trusted guide dog, Aki, a golden Labrador, brush against her. She couldn't help but smile and scratch behind his ears.

"Good morning, Aki. Today is a big day. Hopefully I get this project. I always did love a challenge."

The dog nuzzled his nose onto her leg as he guided her towards the bathroom. It didn't take long for Sakura to get ready. Once she made it at the kitchen to prepare some food for herself and Aki, there was a knock on the door. Sakura couldn't help the smile that escaped her lips when she welcomed the newcomer.

"Good morning, Ino,"

"Morning, Forehead," Ino replied as she entered and bent to pat Aki. "Here," She added as she handed some coffee and a freshly baked muffin towards Sakura.

"I brought you breakfast. Hinata made it by the way. She dropped by my apartment before I headed out. She's offering us a new business deal. She's going to start her own bakeshop, with the coffee and everything. She wants to meet with us both on Saturday, 9 am. Are you free?"

Sakura bit her muffin and nodded. She sighed in delight. She had always loved Hinata's baked goodies. She always managed to make them light, fluffy, moist, and absolutely delicious. What Sakura loved most about them was they were never too sweet. Actually, anything Hinata made was something Sakura always looked forward to. Hinata's chicken potpie and her Bolognese sauce were just some of her favorites.

"She's finally opening her own shop, huh? That's great! So, where are we going to meet up?"

"How about at the shop?"

Sakura nodded and got up. Ino turned to Aki and patted his head again, "Sorry big guy. I can't take you with us. No pets policy."

"But-"

"Don't worry about it, Sakura. Naruto is going to bring you to the shop afterwards. You can pick up Aki on the way. See? No worries. Oh! I might not be able to be back today."

"Yeah, yeah, I remember. You are going to check out that new greenhouse out of town for those orchids you have your eyes on. Not to mention, you were gushing out about your date later. 'Oh my Shika is so dreamy. He's taking me out to dinner tomorrow. I have a feeling he's going to propose this time'." Sakura replied as she put on her coat. She could see it in her mind's eye how Ino flushed with embarrassment.

Ino was red as a tomato, not that she would ever admit it. "Ok, ok, shortstop! Geez!"

"When you get that ring, I expect detail STAT!"

"Of course! That goes without saying!" Ino exclaimed. "Did you get everything?"

Sakura nodded. "Anyway, remember my cousin, Kakashi?" When she didn't hear Ino's reply, she took it as a cue to continue. "He's finally moving back here."

"No way? That hot cousin of yours is coming back? It's about time!"

"That's what I said. But you know Kakashi, he's always late but always reliable. He's staying with me at the apartment until he can find his own."

"So true," Ino commented as she made a turn, "So basically you will have more dogs in the house aside from your cousin/big brother figure around for a while? There goes my plan of hooking you up on a blind date, no pun intended."

"None taken. But seriously? A blind date? Not another one…the last guy you set me up with couldn't be man enough to get up from laughing his ass off from realizing that his 'blind' date was actually blind. Yeah. I really enjoyed that one."

"Oh hush! I'm not leaving you to wallow by yourself and grow old alone. What best friend would I be if I let you turn out to be a spinster? Not going to happen! And you're right, that guy was not for you so on to the next. We will get you married off sooner or later."

"Gee thanks, Pig. I feel so much better but for once I would like to meet a normal guy who isn't too weird or too air-headed. Oh you can add too conceited to the list of what-not while you're at it."

"Duly noted. Oh hold on, we're here."

XxXxXx

He was surrounded by much incompetence and it was putting Itachi in a foul mood. It wasn't up to his standards and it was irking him to no end.

He had recently taken over the position of CEO after his father had retired the previous month. The transition wasn't as smooth as he had expected. There were a lot of loose ends that came into his notice after his initial survey and feedback from all departments.

He was supposed to run a company, not a zoo. At the moment, he couldn't fathom how to let things run smoothly without doing some drastic changes.

First on the list was the annual banquet. He knew he could have left it to his PR committee and his personal assistant. Having reviewed the PR head's performance for the past months, it was clear that he didn't meet up to the company standards so Itachi had decided to lay him off.

Itachi decided to take it upon himself to make some of the important decisions. That was why he had his assistant make some changes in his schedule to accommodate the meeting with a Haruno Sakura, who was said to be an expert in glass sculptures and designs. He will have to decide if he could leave it in the hands of the woman.

XxXxXx

Sakura stood at the exact spot Ino left her. She had no idea where she was but Ino said that it was the Uchiha Corp. Her mind wondered back to her first best friend. She couldn't help it. Waiting for Ino to find Naruto allowed her to reminisce her dearly, departed best bud.

She was holding her portfolio, while her purse was on her shoulder. Truth be told, she was nervous about the upcoming meeting. She had no idea what to expect and only knew that that her potential client was a very important one who had a very distinct taste. In the process of composing and psyching herself for the meeting, someone had bumped into her hard.

Papers scattered everywhere as they dropped from her portfolio when Sakura fell towards the wall.

"Watch it! You shouldn't even be standing like a stupid person in the middle of a hallway!" Came a distinct female voice that Sakura knew was directed at her.

She didn't say anything as she tried to contain her temper. She was the one who bumped into her. She should have known that there was somebody standing there. And from what Sakura had noted of her surroundings, she could tell that it wasn't just a narrow hallway. So, Sakura opted to gather her portfolio but as she felt around for it, she noted much to her dismay that her papers were scattered. It was a pain trying to get a hold on all of them without Aki by her side.

She heard people coming their way as the woman continued to 'reprimand' her for being stupid. It wasn't long before she heard Ino calling out to her, hurried footsteps heading her way. Another hurried gait, which she could easily guess as Naruto's, was also approaching her.

Before they could reach her though, papers were thrust towards Sakura's hands.

Hmm. At least not all people are inconsiderate…must have figured that I'm blind.

XxXxXx

Itachi watched as a commotion unfolded with one of his senior PR staff members. His sharp and observant eyes didn't miss anything. He didn't fail to notice the pink-haired woman's tight jaw. It was very telling that she was holding her tongue, while her attempt to gather her stuff through touch was a definite indicator that she was sight impaired.

Without much thought, his feet brought him before the petite woman that his foolish staff member was lashing out on and picked up the papers she missed. He watched her look up towards his person, noting the dulled green eyes. From his initial glance of the papers, he knew without a shadow of doubt that this woman before him was the one he was supposed to meet.

"Haruno Sakura I presume."

(to be continued...)