Just Call Me Cinderella
Chapter Eighteen
January passed in a blur. Sakura couldn't remember much of anything that had happened. Sasuke had disappeared into the recesses of his giant house when he wasn't at school and Sakura was focused on her work and schoolwork. Her body was still healing but she had much more movement than she had previously. Her skin was tight but she had been working with Rin and the doctors she had seen at Thanskgiving to get the proper care so her scaring would be minimal. Working made Sakura feel almost back to normal. She scrubbed with all her vigor and felt the familiar burn in her arms. Things were almost back to normal.
Well, most things.
There was still the Sasuke problem.
Music thrummed through the air as Sakura dumped out a bowl of icy water. This was it. The biggest party of the year and she had never been more nervous. Sasuke had decided that he was going to shake up his party schedule. He wanted to have a ball. Literally a black tie event in January. No one knew why he was so intent on some random ancient tradition but they honestly were more excited about it than for prom.
Sasuke had announced it as soon as school was back in session after Christmas. The whole school was buzzing for the last three weeks. The household staff had been frantically cleaning, decorating, and organizing everything to Sasuke's liking. He had Mei basically glued to his side and since he had agreed to give Sakura space all of their meetings were held in his room. Ino had instantly wanted to shop for dresses for everyone. She had been in heaven the minute she heard there was a real ball happening. Sakura had rolled her eyes but was secretly really excited. That was until earlier today.
Sakura returned to the kitchen and set the bowl on the table to be filled with fresh ice. To be perfectly honest, Sakura was nervous. More nervous than she had ever been. Tonight she was going to tell Sasuke how she felt and finally accept him. It had been weeks since his confession and apology in the gazebo. Weeks that he had given her space to figure herself out and weeks that she was trying her hardest to ignore the urge to barge into his room to see him. Her conversation with Ino that morning rang in her head.
"Forehead, what are you thinking? Are you going to date him or what?" Ino flung the light blue dress she had worn to the last party on her bed. She was looking for a very specific formal gown. Sakura had convinced her that she had enough dresses to pick from and didn't need anything new. But Sai had asked Ino to be his date tonight and she was freaking out.
"That's the thing. I think I've never stopped loving him but I'm scared."
Ino spun on her heel, dropping a purple skirt in the closet. "Scared? Don't you think all of us are scared?"
Sakura looked up at her and furrowed her brow.
"That's what love is about. Taking risks. Sure there's a risk that you'll get hurt. But what if you don't? Won't it be worth it?" Sakura contemplated Ino's words as Ino disappeared into her closet again.
"Think about it Forehead. I'm scared out of my mind that Sai might hurt me but I'd rather see what happens then wonder what might have. Look at Hinata, she was always so shy around Naruto and afraid he wouldn't like her but he does and they are adorable. I say, go for it."
Ino emerged in a stunning purple gown that wrapped elegantly around her every curve. It had one strap and flared at the floor. She looked like a goddess ready to take on the world. Not someone afraid. She was right. She was always right.
"Okay, I'll do it. Tonight, after work I'll tell Sasuke that I love him and I'm ready to date him."
"That's my girl." Ino winked. "Now, help me figure out my hair before you leave."
Sakura had made a promise to herself that she would overcome her fear. Who would have thought that she'd be building up to the same thing she dreaded only a few years ago? The cook turned around and handed Sakura a platter of what looked like shrimp cocktail. She bowed slightly and made her way into the crowd.
Her classmates were spread around the various rooms chatting and eating. There was light music with a beat playing in the background. The dancing would start in about thirty minutes. Sasuke was not sitting on his standard throne of couches near the front. Instead he was chatting quietly to Naruto and Hinata. Sakura was surprised that the blonde was so quiet. Then again the real fun hadn't begun yet.
This party Sasuke had opted for his maids to wear simple black dresses that weren't particularly flattering with their hair tied up in standard buns. For once they looked like actual maids that blended into the background more. It felt nice to have people ignore her again.
The last few weeks there were too many eyes trained on her. Apparently, word had gotten out that Sasuke had set his sights on her as his new conquest. At least, that was the way the rumor was framed. Sakura knew that it was deeper than that. But it was new for her to have people watching her every step so she reveled in her anonymity again.
Sakura's platter emptied quickly and she was again back in the kitchen. This time she was tasked with checking to make sure the bathrooms were all right. There were only over a dozen that she had to check but Sakura honestly didn't mind. It was keeping her busy and helping keep her nerves at bay. The minute she stopped working she might chicken out and run for the nearest exit.
She reached the second floor right as the music really started thumping through the house. Naruto made some declaration that she couldn't hear followed by raucous cheers. Sakura shook her head and knocked on the guest bathroom door before opening it to check it out. There was a random sophomore couple making out and Sakura tried to keep her face composed. The couple hadn't even noticed she opened the door. She shut the door hard and turned to lean on it while she caught her breath.
Ridiculous.
Sakura shook her head and started stomping down the hallway to the second guest bathroom. Itachi's door flew open and suddenly Sakura was pulled into the room. She screamed bloody murder but a hand was clamped tightly over her mouth. "Sakura, calm down. We're not going to hurt you."
The hand was released and Sakura turned to see Ino, Tenten, Hinata, and Izumi standing in front of her.
"What are you all up to?" Sakura folded her arms and tilted her head.
"It's ten. It's time to make you into Cinderella." Tenten smirked as she mirrored Sakura's stance.
"What about my job? Did y'all forget I'm working?"
"Itachi took care of it a week ago. You were only scheduled until ten to begin with." Izumi smiled and Sakura started to lighten up.
"Why are you all helping me?"
Ino rolled her eyes. "Because we love you forehead. Plus, you've got something big happening tonight so we need you to look the part." With that the four girls descended on Sakura and she was afraid.
Sasuke glowered at his room full of guests. Naruto and the rest of the guys were chatting around the room but all of the girls they normally hung out with were missing. That was suspicious but Sasuke wasn't in the mood to care. The only girl that he wanted to see wasn't here either. She was working tonight but he hadn't seen her serving either.
It had been weeks since Sauske had seen her in a non-school capacity. He had agreed to give her some space to think about things but it was driving him crazy. There were several close calls as she was working where he had to fight the urge to speak to her or come up with an excuse for her to help him with something He could be patient when he wanted to be and right now he did not want to be. A lot of the students had asked him why he was throwing a ball of all things.
The answer was plain and simple. He needed something to keep him occupied. Naruto had mentioned that Sasuke needed to throw one last bash to outdo all the others ones he had thrown before. Sasuke decided that he would throw a ball. Naruto had been begging for a big, stupid reason to dress up and act had Mei take care of basically all the planning but he pretended to be making decisions. Truthfully, he was busy with homework.
Plus, he was hoping the ball would be a good excuse to see Sakura. He was hoping maybe to get one dance with her without it being an official school dance. He didn't want to miss an opportunity to be close to her in case she decided she didn't want to date him after all. The thought twisted his stomach. Sasuke grabbed the nearest drink and chugged it.
Naruto was in the middle of a giant group of underclassmen that were cheering. He tried to break dance and actually was doing a half decent job but Sasuke rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics and turned to take a drink of whatever was left in his hand.
The cup froze on his lips as four girls started walking down the stairs and illuminated the beauty shuffling behind them. Sakura emerged at the top of stairs wrapped in a light green dress that shimmered in the light. Her hair was curled and swept back. Sasuke could hear the hush over the crowd as he stared, transfixed at the beauty in front of him. Had her eyes always been that green?
Sasuke didn't notice that the crowd parted as Sakura shyly made her way down the stairs. His pulse hammered in his ears. The crowd had resumed talking but everything else was muted to him. He vaguely could see the grin Naruto was shooting him but he ignored it. An actual angel was walking toward him. Sakura expertly made her way through the crowd until she stood barely in front of him.
"Sasuke?"
The music shifted into a soft, romantic something that Sasuke had never heard before but he needed to dance with her like he had in the garden room with Itachi. His hands impatiently itched to touch her. To make sure she was real. He reached his right hand around to rest on the small of her back. Sakura looked mildly surprised and there was a gasp somewhere in the crowd. Sasuke locked his eyes with the mesmerizing green ones in front of him as he slid his left hand to gently pull her hand to sit in his.
Sasuke stepped forward and the two of them began slow dancing. There were no other couples dancing beside them but Sasuke didn't mind. He was finally alone with Sakura. He had been waiting to hold her again and it felt like years. She didn't say anything but she did pull him closer. Sasuke smirked at the action.
Sakura swallowed a few times and looked down at the floor.
"What's wrong?" Sasuke couldn't believe that such a sincere statement came from his lips.
Sakura swallowed for what felt like the fiftieth time in the last minute. Her palms were sweating an obscene amount and she hoped that Sasuke hadn't noticed. Why was she so nervous? She knew that he liked her and the minute she told him what she had to say the two of them would be a couple.
Who was she kidding. She knew why she was nervous. There was some part of her that was afraid that Sasuke's feelings for her were actually some heinous joke and the minute she confessed to him again pig's blood would fall on her from the ceiling.
Sasuke squeezed her hand tighter and pulled her closer. "Sakura, you've never been this quiet before."
"I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous."
"Nervous. About what?"
Sakura tore her gaze from his and looked around the room. They were the only two dancing. Ino smiled at her and nodded her head. Tenten gave her a thumbs up and Naruto grinned like he had just won a ramen eating contest. She could do this. She could.
But, right now she needed air.
The song slowed to the end and soon another bass heavy song filled the air. There were cheers around the room and bodies started filling up the dance floor once again. Sauske was still holding onto Sakura.
"I need a minute."
Sakura dashed out the door onto the back porch. The chill January air filled her lungs and her nervousness seemed to dry up with it. It was cleaning her nerves from the outside. Sasuke had tried to follow her but he got swallowed up in the crowd. She had never been more thankful for a large group of people in her life.
Sakura took one last deep breath and felt confidence flow in her veins. This was it. The girls had dressed her up like a princess and she was ready to accept Sasuke.
There were loud voices as Sakura approached the back door. It seemed like something was going on and not in a good way. There was yelling. Sakura opened the door cautiously to see Ami, violently kissing Sasuke. He saw her and immediately pushed Ami off of him. Sakura could feel the confidence in her veins being replaced with anger. How could she fall for this again?
"Sakura, it's not what you think!"
Sakura stormed through the crowd and sprinted as fast as she could. There was no way she was staying in this house for another second. How could she be so stupid? How could she think that Sasuke could change his attitude in just a few months? He was just a good for nothing man-whore.
"Sakura, wait!"
She ignored Sasuke's voice and threw open the front door. In her haste she tripped on the door frame. The strappy heels Ino had shoved on her feet were really hindering her exit. The right one had come completely off and was sticking out of the base of the door frame. Sakura growled angrily as she ripped off the left one and ran with all her might down the street. Why did she keep falling in love with Sasuke Uchiha when all it brought was heartbreak?
Sasuke breathed heavily as he pushed against the bodies that were no longer dancing. He was now a spectacle in his own stupid house. The music was still blaring and people were speaking in murmurs but the life of the party had been sucked out. A sophomore on the football team was drinking and laughing with some freshman girl in the middle of the hallway. Sasuke barreled into him and pushed him out of the way. That stupid Ami. And that stupid agreement.
When Sasuke was a freshman he was anything but nice. He had come back from his internship with a chip on his shoulder and a need to start carving a name for himself. He put his all into academics and sports but eventually got tired of that. So, he started playing with girls. It was during that year he had made a few questionable choices at parties.
Namely, agreeing to something in the future.
Ami was similar to Karin. She was a Sasuke fangirl but also a slut. She had slept with about a million guys and when they were freshman she had made a deal with Sasuke.
She wouldn't pursue him. All she required was one hot kiss. When he finally fell in love. Sasuke had scoffed when she suggested that. Ami had always been a little weird and the agreement she suggested sounded like something straight from a fairy tale. Plus, he knew full well that he was never going to fall in love. He didn't have room to love. He had other more important things to worry about. Besides, he had high standards and no girl would ever fit that.
He agreed and they drank on it.
But it had come crashing down on him a few minutes ago. After Sakura had gone out back for some air he was ambushed. Ami and her skanky friends surrounded him. Naruto, Neji, and Sai noticed and came to flank him just in case.
"It's time to pay up Uchiha." Ami smirked and folded her arms in a way that made her chest more noticeable. Sasuke swallowed back the bile rising in his throat.
"What are you talking about?"
Ami laughed. "Oh, don't tell me you forgot about our agreement?"
Sasuke opened his mouth to answer but Naruto elbowed him. Naruto leaned to whisper in Sasuke's ear. "The kiss man. You agreed to kiss her if you fell in love."
Sasuke's eyes widened and he looked at the other guys. Neji looked sympathetic and Sai just smiled like normal. Ino crossed her arms. Sasuke forgot that Ino had been at the same party.
"He's not going to kiss you whore. We were freshmen back then. Like that matters now? What are you some sort of witch?"
Ami glared at Ino and changed her stance. "Stay out of this. It's none of your business. If Sasuke won't pay up, then fine."
Ami stepped forward and grabbed the front of Sasuke's jacket. He tried to pry her off but her fingers were like claws. Ami slammed her mouth on his and instantly pushed her tongue past his lips. Sasuke kept trying to fight her off. Her friends were yelling and fighting with Ino, Tenten, and Hinata.
It was while all this was happening that Sakura decided to come back in. The hurt on her face was going to be the subject of his nightmares from now on.
Sasuke finally reached the front door and noticed a silver stiletto stuck right side up. He leaned down and pulled it free. It had to be Sakura's. No one else would be in such a hurry to leave a shoe behind.
Naruto and the rest of the crew reached the front door a second after Sasuke. "What the heck? Did Sakura just disappear?" Naruto looked outside into the black night and then turned to Sasuke. "What do you want to do man?"
"I have to find her."
There was silence as everyone looked at each other. Sasuke had never acted this way about anyone before. This was serious.
"Okay. What do you want us to do?"
"We should split up. Sakura was probably running so we'll take that as a start. Sai, Ino, Tenten, and Neji; the four of you head to her home and then the school. Naruto and Hinata I want you to hit all the emotional places for her. The hospital, cemetery, places you know were important to her."
"What about you?" Naruto placed his hand delicately on Sasuke's shoulder so he wouldn't startle him.
"I'll go with him. I have a hunch about where she might go." Everyone turned to the right where Itachi was leaning against the wall. "He needs someone to help him and I would do anything for my little brother's happiness."
Sasuke clenched the shoe in his left hand. "All right, let's go. If you can't find her in an hour, meet back at the house."
There were nods and affirmations around the group.
"Also, Naruto, if you don't mind."
"COPS ARE HERE! EVERYONE CLEAR OUT!"
The air was getting colder and colder by the second. It looked like snow might start falling but Sakura ignored it. Her skin was stone cold but her limbs were burning with the exertion of running for the first time in almost a year. A car honked loudly at her as she drifted into the street. She needed to stop soon and rest.
Sakura turned to the right and headed down a little path until she reached her destination. Her feet had carried her all the way here without her even realizing it. The idea that this was where she wanted to go after Sasuke broke her heart again made her laugh. It was where she went the last time too. Not even Ino knew that.
There was hardly any moonlight since heavy snow clouds hung low in the air. Sakura slowed to a walk and stumbled blindly down the lane. The cabins around her were deserted and the paint was chipping. But there was still a feeling in the air of excitement and accomplishment. Sakura shivered as her sweat covered body finally realized it was cold and she was out here in nothing but a satin evening gown.
She made her way to the training ground and found the familiar bridge team seven always met. It was the place that Sakura first felt safe with Sasuke and Naruto and where she was sure that she loved him. It held so much meaning for her. She wondered if it held any meeting for Sasuke, Naruto, or even Kakashi.
Sakura ungracefully plopped down on the worn planks and rested her back against the fence. She looked up at the dark sky as slow flurries started to fall. Maybe she should have listened to Sasuke's explanation first before running for the hills.
She shook her head at that thought and hugged her arms closer. Sakura winced as the skin on her chest folded uncomfortably. She really shouldn't have run. Her body was still healing. She really hoped there wasn't going to be any more damage.
Quiet footsteps approached her and Sakura cautiously turned to her left. The place was deserted but she was still on edge.
"Yo."
Kakashi half waved then shoved his hands in his pockets. He moved toward Sakura and held out a dark green blanket. She eagerly took it and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"What are you doing here Kakashi-sensei?"
"Same as you I suppose. Thinking." He leaned against the fence and glanced up at the sky. "What happened?"
"Sasuke."
"Ah, I see."
Sakura pulled the blanket tighter around her body. She wanted to be warm but she didn't want to leave. Everywhere else she thought of going seemed to oppressive. Here the sky was open and her memories for the most part were happy.
"You know Sakura, I know Sasuke pretty well. I doubt whatever he did he did with the intent to hurt you."
Sakura snorted. "Yeah right. He's never given a crap for my feelings."
"Are you sure about that?"
Sakura looked up at Kakashi. He motioned to the other side of the bridge where Sasuke was panting and clutching her silver shoe. Itachi stood behind him. Kakashi turned to leave and Itachi followed behind him. The two of them spoke in a hushed tone as they moved to another part of the camp.
Sakura's pulse screamed in her ears. How was it possible that even with everything that had happened tonight the sight of him still sent her heart into a frenzy?
Sasuke slowly made his way up the bridge without breaking her gaze. Sakura stubbornly turned her head to the right and refused to watch him but she could feel his presence getting closer and closer.
Sasuke knelt in front of her and gently turned her face to look at him. New tears rolled down her cheek. Why had he followed her? Hadn't he just been kissing another girl?
"Sakura. it wasn't what you thought. I wasn't kissing Ami. She was trying to fulfill a deal we made three years ago and I refused. She forced herself on me."
Sakura listened intently to what he was saying. Ami had forced him to kiss her? Yeah right.
"I'm being completely serious. I could never do something like that to you. I love you."
Sakura's mouth dropped in shock. Did he really mean it? He loved her? She scrutinized his face. There was not an ounce of deceit anywhere. He was telling the truth.
"Oh Sasuke." Sakura burst into tears and Sasuke tried to comfort her but he didn't know how. Sakura then burst into laughter. She could not contain her joy anymore. "I love you too. I always have."
Sasuke finally dropped her shoe as he pulled her close to him and kissed her.
After an eternity they pulled apart. Sasuke rested his forehead on Sakura's as they caught their breath.
"Let's get you somewhere warm." Sasuke scooped Sakura up and carried her back to Itachi's car where he was waiting with Kakashi.
A/N: And they lived happily ever after. . .
Also, I have no idea what was with all the flashbacks.