Sorry this is so late guys school and work has been taking up my time but thank to Scarlettfics my new beta I've brought you this way quicker than i would have without.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto if I did NAruto and hinata would have gotten together so much sooner

Dialog:

'asdfghjkl' inner thoughts

'asdfghjkl' thinking

"Asdfghjkl" voice on the phone

"asdfghjkl" talking

asdfghjkl text

Flashback

He sat in the windowsill looking so deep in thought. The way the setting sun cast a glow around his silhouette made him looking so breathtaking and so very tempting. Sakura hated that her heart sped up a beat just by seeing him.

"I see you've returned to me Kohitsuji" He said taking a puff of his lit cigarette, then turned to look at me with eyes of a predator "Did you want to finish where we left off?"

Sakura blushed, she wouldn't lie and say that a piece of her wasn't hoping that they would continue what they had started. It had been the only thing that she could think of since then. This new feeling that Sasuke had unleashed craved for more and she was so tempted to appease it. But she couldn't, her fear kept her in check. They were like invisible chains that strapped around her mind in utter submission. She quickly looked away from him.

"I-I only came not came um-I-um... I mean." she looked up to see that Sasuke was heavily amuse by her nervousness. She turned her head away from him and stuck her hand out to reveal a lighter. The one she had taken by accident.

"Here's your lighter. Sorry I took it." Sakura muttered. She felt a pair of hands gently touch hers. The hand that held the lighter trembled slightly at the sensation. The familiar electric shock shot through her entire body. She looked up to see Sasuke closing her around the lighter.

"Hold on to it." Sasuke said. He gave her and expression she had never seen him use before. It was between a smile and a grin, but behind it all was a sadness she wasn't expecting.

"But, I thought it was important." Sakura said confused. She couldn't understand why he would give a complete stranger something so precious.

"It is, it was made specially for just me and I never let just anyone touch it let alone keep it for so long."

"But, then why would you all-" and before Sakura could finish Sasuke closed the distance between them and kissed her. Immediately her body went aflamed and the feeling inside her grew overpowering the voice in her head. She was so into the kiss that when he pulled away she didn't know what to do. She opened her eyes and saw that Sasuke was less than half an inch away from her face. Both of their breaths ragged, their lack of oxygen had left the breathless. Her heart tingled at the sensation of his lips against her, like a sweet tomato.

"I want you to hold onto it as a reminder that the flame inside you is amazing, never let anyone control it and never let anyone snuff it out. " he said, his voice was no higher than a whisper.

"Okay." was all she could say. Her heart beating rapidly as Sasuke stared deeply into her eyes. They looked like endless pool of darkness that Sakura knew if she wasn't careful she would get lost in them and would never find her way out.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

"Omg, I hate that we're going to another gala. Isn't it like the tenth one this year?" Ino groaned as she leaned against her locker. It wasn't easy being part of the high social class. Attending these events only meant one thing...future-husband hunt. Ino's parents were already searching for a possible candidate for their daughter. Ino was sure of it. "No offense Hinata, but most of your family's galas are a real snooze fest."

"I-I-I don't think it's that boring. What do you think Sakura….Sakura?" Hinata raised her hand to gently pat Sakura's shoulder. The sudden touch caused Sakura to jump slightly.

"Huh? Oh sorry, what were you saying?" Sakura's puzzled gaze landed on her friends.

"God Sakura, pay attention!" Ino said and then went back to discussing the trouble of preparing and attending a social gala.

Ino and Hinata were Sakura's closest friends. All three stood by their lockers discussing the upcoming gala hosted by the Hyuuga family. Sakura couldn't focus, all she could do is think of Sasuke. He was all she thought about, he was like a virus that had infected her very being, but she knew that she shouldn't think of him. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Ino was speaking to her again until she felt someone bruskly thump her forehead.

"Hey forehead! You're spacing out again." Ino said with a sigh.

"Sakura, is s-o-something bothering you? You can tell us if there is." Hinata said trying not to stutter. Sakura smiled at the concern that Hinata showed. Hinata was a kind and caring person completely different person from her family who were cold people, colder than her parents even. They kept hinata on such a tight leash that every time she spoke she would stutter out of fear of saying the wrong thing. It was as if Sakura was looking at her own future through Hinata's eyes. She knew that she was the same way, and if not yet then she would be. Her parents were suffocating her, controlling every single aspect of her life.

What was she supposed to do? It was a deadly card that had been dealt to her. Either she accepted her situation and remained a slave, one that was forced to uphold the family name. Or leave everything behind, create something of herself, be the person she always wanted to be. The answer wasn't as simple, she was afraid. She knew it...the thought of losing everything she knew...Fear was her greatest chain. If only Sasuke were with her, perhaps he could help her make the decision. She stopped herself, her and Sasuke were over, she knew that but, yet she didn't want to believe it. A small part of her wanted to hold onto the moments her and Sasuke shared, the feeling of freedom that blossomed when she was with him. For some reason he was so much more to her than a love partner. Did he think the same way?

Sakura stopped her introspection and returned her attention to Hinata.

"No, its nothing. Don't worry, I'm fine." she said placing a hand on Hinata's shoulder to reassure her. A smile adorning her delicate face...the same facade that she had learned to give everyone around her.

"Okay, if you're sure." Hinata replied. Deep inside she had a feeling something was wrong with Sakura. She could tell, she herself was dealing with the same demons.

"Yeah, she's fine hinata. You know how she is, all forehead no brain." ino said mockingly as she laughed at her own joke.

"Very funny pig. I've gotta go, I need to find Gyōgi so we can talk about coordinating your outfits for the gala." Sakura said.

"Must be nice to be in love with someone so young." Ino said.

Sakura giggled, but deep inside she felt that what she and Gyōgi had she couldn't call love, at least not anymore. After saying bye to her friends, Sakura went to go find her boyfriend.

'Love, that use to be something I could say me and Gyōgi had without a second thought. Now though those words sound so wrong to me.' While browsing the empty halls a certain raven haired boy popped into her head once again. She wondered why she hadn't heard from him lately. Sakura hated to admit it, but she was starting to get worried. She hadn't seen or heard from Sasuke in weeks and it was starting to affect her. No matter what she did her thoughts always found their way back to Sasuke.

As Sakura passed by an empty classroom a familiar giggle brought her out of her thoughts. Her blood ran cold as a moan soon followed after the giggle. She crept up to the classroom slowly, cautiously as if that something in the classroom was going to pop out and scare her. The moaning and giggling never stopped as she approached the supposedly empty classroom. When she slowly peeked into the classroom her eyes widened and her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. Deja vu is a cruel bitch.

There they were Gyōgi and Ami together half naked. Ami's leg wrapped tightly around Gyōgi's waist as her fingers tangled themselves in his hair. Her shirt was completely off, his lips tracing kisses up and down her neck. His calloused hand held her tightly as he pulled her body even closer to his. With every kiss they shared, with every moan given Sakura felt sicker and sicker. Part of her wanted to scream, another wanted to cry, and another part actually felt relieved. Relieved that Gyōgi did this, relieved that she can catch him in the act and bring their relationship to an end, and relieved that she doesn't have to constantly carry around this feeling of guilt. The feeling that she wasn't good enough for anyone, even him. He was a constant reminder that she would never be wanted as a woman...except for Sasuke. He made her feel truly desired in his arms, with his every touch he burned marks of pleasure and devotion into her skin. To him she would surrender body and soul. Suddenly Ami stopped moaning, pulling Sakura out of her thoughts.

"Gyōgi." Ami said while trying to catch her breath "Why do stay with her and yet you always find your way to me?" Her slender finger traced circles on his chest, her glance turned down avoiding to look at him in the eyes.

"What do you mean?" Gyōgi asked while placing kisses along Ami's shoulder.

"I mean why make love to me if you love her?" She said looking deeply into Gyōgi's eyes. Even from where Sakura stood she could see the fire in Ami's eyes as if it was a question Ami needed to reminded Sakura of herself when she was with Sasuke. Back when she was at that party, where her and Sasuke made love.

Gyōgi chuckled and grabbed a piece of Ami's purple hair. He looked at it lovingly and kissed it before turning back to gaze at Ami. Sakura couldn't help but feel a little jealous that Gyōgi never once did that to her. He never even told her that he liked the color of her pink hair when Sakura complained about how ugly the color was.

"The answer is simple Ami. I don't love Sakura never have, never will." he said it so calmly. Sakura felt tears began to run down her face. "You see, Sakura is like a expensive car, really pricey and having one makes you look good but easily discarded once there is no money to be gain from it. While Ami you're like a rare diamond, there is nothing better than a diamond, you just cannot be replaced and your value is unmeasurable."

"Then why stay with Sakura?" Ami asked. Sakura was all ears by then hoping that there was something, anything to make what he just said better.

"Like I said she makes me look good. Her father has a well established status in our society the only family to rank higher than them is the Hyuuga family. Being in a relationship with Sakura would boost my family's' wealth and status. But know this Ami, Sakura will never have my heart. The only person I would ever give that to is you my love." Gyōgi then leaned down and gave Ami a gentle yet passionate kiss full of love. Sakura couldn't watch any longer, tear rolling down her face as she slowly backed away from the door. So many emotions danced throughout her heart. Hurt, betrayal, sadness, relief, anger, happiness which one should she feel. She needed to talk to someone, anyone.

Then as if by a miracle her phone began to ring. Sakura looked at the caller ID only to see that it was her mother. Sakura didn't know what got over her but she answered the phone hoping to maybe get some form of love from her usually cold mother.

"Sakura Haruno where are you? You were expected to call with your outfit plans so that your father and I may decide whether or not it is deemed appropriate." her mother's usual stern voice broke whatever dam that stood behind Sakura's eyes.

"Mom." Sakura voiced cracked as she spoke "I just caught Gyōgi cheating on me."

There was a long pause then Sakura heard her mother sigh. "Get home as soon as you can you and I will discuss this in the privacy of our home." Sakura didn't get to respond before she hung up. Sakura stared at the phone for a few minutes before deciding to do as her mother said. As she walked to her car she was overjoyed that school was over and that no one was in the halls to see her crying like this.

When Sakura finally got home, she noticed her father's car wasn't in the driveway. When she entered the house she saw her mother sitting at the living room table. Her mother was drinking what appeared to be coffee as she stared off into nothing. Just the sight of her in that state made her look angelic, her mother looked made out of porcelain, she was so beautiful.

"Come sit Sakura dear." Sakura was taken aback, never has Sakura's mother ever called her dear before. She saw a tenderness that she had lacked and yearned for since she was a child. Compassion was foreign to Mebuki Haruno, Sakura was the primary witness of that fact. Sakura sat down across from her mother. It was quiet for a minute before her mom spoke.

"So tell me what happened?" she said. So Sakura did and by the end she was crying again.

"I don't know what to do mother. I know I can't stay with him that's for sure." she said drying up her tears. Sakura was sure of that, after seeing him cheat on her and tell Ami that he didn't love Sakura, she realized that they never had a future together,it was never going to work. Suddenly her mother slammed her cup down startling Sakura.

"You most certainly will continue dating Gyōgi!" her mother said with a stern look in her face. Sakura stared at her mother dumbfoundedly.

"Mother he cheated on me!" Sakura exclaimed.

"I know it hurts sweetie and I feel for you. I would never wish you to be in that kind of relationship, but it is for the best sweetie. The Uda family has a lot of wealth and connections, the gain is too large for you to throw it away because of a silly little affair."

"Silly little affair?! He told her that he didn't love me, but only the way I make him look!"

"I've heard your father tell his mistress that he distaste me but do you see me calling for a divorce? No, because the wealth and status would be too great of a loss."

"Mother, father has a mistress?" Sakura felt sick it was as if everything that it appeared to be is being burned away and become bad. Everything she grew up knowing to be right was blown away by the wind. No matter how her father treated her, she had always held him in a pedestal. She respected her father, everything he had done for her the good and the bad. But to think that he had another family?! What reality was she living?

"Yes actually he has another child by the woman he is seeing, but that is not the point my sweet Sakura." her mother said giving her a sweet loving smile and placing a hand on Sakura's arm. "The point is love has little to do with marriage. Marriage is nothing but a business contract between two people to gain something that they did not have before. Social status, connections, money, power, stability , all these thing are most important in marriage. The Uda family can provide all these things Sakura whether Gyōgi loves you or even likes you is irrelevant. As long as his family maintains their current wealth and status, he could cheat on you a million times over and it wouldn't matter. It is for the best Sakura, trust me."

Sakura didn't know where this anger came from, but before she could even stop herself she push herself away from her mother and glared at her.

"How dare you say that. How do you know what is the best for me? It is apparent that you don't even know what's best for yourself. Since when have you ever known what's been the best for me! All you care about is money and status!" Sakura yelled. It was as if all the anger and resentment came bubbling to the surface. The fear that she had for her mother disappeared and was replaced with disgust.

Her mother didn't look angry surprisingly. She remained calm as she got up and walked towards Sakura. Mebuki was used to Sakura's sudden outbursts of "freedom". She gave Sakura another one of those gentle smiles before Sakura felt a stinging pain on her cheek. Her mother had slapped her, but that was not most surprising thing to happen. Suddenly her mother pulled her into hug. Sakura stood frozen not sure what to do. Her mother had never hugged Sakura, not when she was sad, not when she was hurt and crying, never. The single thought that went through Sakura's head was ' so this is want a mother's hug feels like...it feels nice, really nice'

"Oh Sakura...my sweet innocent child." her mother's voice brought Sakura out of her thoughts "I know, because I have been through it all. I know this will surprise you but I didn't come from a wealthy family... My father left my mother before I was even born. My mother hated me, believing that it was my fault my father left, so what little money we had she refused to spend a dime on me, all of it went to her drinking. I wore old ratty clothes that I found off the street or clothes I stole from stores. My mother never fed me, I had to fend for myself, some nights I would go to bed hungry. I began to resent love. I vowed that when I was older I would never marry for love but money and stability. Eventually as I grew up I found a way out of that hellhole. I worked hard and got a masters degree at a prestigious college. I met your father and made him believe that I came from a wealthy family that had amazing connections. I tricked him into signing a prenup stating that if he left me I get everything he has. It wasn't till after the prenup was signed and we were married that he found out that I didn't come from a wealthy family. He wanted to leave me the second he found out but he knew that if he did he would have a cent to his name. So he stayed with me, hating me each and everyday. After a year of marriage we began to want a child to pass on our legacy and in the end of all the pain and suffering I had go through I had you. Sakura you've lived a very sheltered life and you can continue living this nice life if you keep dating Gyōgi. But if you marry for love you'll just end up poor and unhappy. Now do you understand dear? Think of this as a peace offering to your father. Your engagement will make him so happy, the gain to his power as a result of your marriage will bring him great joy. We can make things right. "

All Sakura could do was silently nod her head.

"Good now. How about you go up to your room and start deciding what you're going to wear for the gala?"

With that Sakura walked out the kitchen and up to her room. She sat on her bed and tried to digest the information that her mother presented to her. Her entire life was built on lies. Her mother wasn't who she said she was, her father had another family and didn't care for neither her nor her mother, and Gyōgi was only using her for her status. Sakura was confused, betrayed and hurt beyond thought. Sakura laid face down onto her bed and she did the only thing she could think of, she cried.

She didn't know how long she cried but when she was done she no longer felt sad just drained. Her soul had left her body, all that remained was an empty shell.

'Is this my life?' she thought 'living in a marriage without love, knowing that my husband resents me and is constantly cheating on me. Forcing my own child to do the same thing. Living an unhappy and unfulfilling life'

Suddenly her hand brushed against something cold. Sakura looked at what her hand touched. It was the lighter Sasuke had given to her. She had completely forgotten about it. A gift from the boy who only wanted her for sex.

"It is, it was made special for just me and I never let just anyone touch let alone keep it for so long" those words whispered inside Sakura's head making her confused.

'Why would he give such a special lighter if he was just using me for sex. This lighter looks really expensive' she thought 'no cheap lighter would have a such detailed engraving on it'

She flipped the lid of the lighter and lite the small blue flame. As if by magic the flames began to soothed her.

"But if you marry for love you'll just end up poor and unhappy" Sakura thought what her mother had said.

'Maybe she's right' Sakura thought 'It's what my parents would expect of me'

'I want you to hold onto it as a reminder that the flame inside you is amazing" Sasuke's voice began to ring in her head "never let anyone control it and never let anyone snuff it out."

Those words revived something that had begun to die in her. Sakura didn't know what it was but this feeling began to grow overshadowing the fear and submissiveness that had controlled her life.

"I don't want to live a life of money and unhappiness. I don't want to live a lie like you mother."she said as she stared at the flame "Today I choose for myself what I want. I will write my own future."

It was as if the chains of fear that kept her submissive broke and from now on Sakura would keep them off. She thrusted the lighter in her skirt pocket and stood, once she was out the door she knew where she was heading. Her body was acting on its own, she felt accelerated and free. She had to see him, it was now or never. Sasuke gave the lighter for a reason, and she was going to find out why.

Leaving everything behind she pazed out the door and onto her car, unbeknownst to her a pair of eyes were watching her departure.

So there you have it my oh so patient readers chapter 7.

Hope you like it please leave a review and also sorry again for making you wait.

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