TWO

"Sasuke."

The young teen turned when the voice reached his ears, grey eyes connecting with bright blue ones. His mother was at his door, her expression gentle. Her long dark hair was still as it rested past her shoulders, her pale hands connected as she clasped her hands together, resting on her thigh. Her long white gown was perfect on her, bringing out the white flecks in her eyes.

"Mom." He said, and smiled. "What is it?"

She pushed hair from her face and allowed her light pink lips to curve into a soft smile. "Are you nervous?"

"Why should I be?" He asked casually, glancing at the mirror, staring at his reflection. He wore a suit, one his father had bought for him; of course, using his immense bank account. Sasuke sighed, not exactly looking forward to the ball that night.

"Well, you're going to find your wife." She said in the same soft voice she always had. "Why wouldn't you be nervous?"

Sasuke shook his head. "I'll be down in a minute, mother."

"Alright, Sasuke." She said, peeling away from the front door and whisking herself downstairs to meet his father. Sasuke watched her leave and looked at himself once more in the mirror before following her to the ballroom.

"Psst, Sakura!"

The pink-haired girl tore her concentration away from applying her pink lipstick to give her brother an exasperated look. Her hair was pulled into a neat, curly bun. She wore gunk on her face (Yuri applied it, thinking Sakura was just trying to be more lady-like) and her dress was crisp and beautiful—and Yuri's. Yuri had been oddly nice about letting Sakura dress up. She would, anyway.

Sakura dropped the lipstick and followed after her brother, who was heading toward the mansion along with a million other pretty girls…much prettier than Sakura.

"You don't have to whisper." Sakura rolled her eyes. Her brother only grabbed her wrist and quickened his pace before entering the large house easily, finally releasing an annoyed Sakura. She lifted her bright green eyes to peer around the large ballroom, taking in the image of all the girls and food and fancy stuff.

"Ugh." She said and her brother laughed.

"We're just going to eat the food, laugh at the goofy hairstyles, and then leave." He said simply with a boyish smile. Sakura blinked and sighed, shaking her head at her childish brother. He was older than her yet he acted like a little kid.

Sakura headed to the food table first, eyes set firmly on the fancy foods set up on the long table. She picked up a small shrimp, slipping it between her parted lips and coughing slightly at the slimy taste. A waiter, so it looked, breezed by her with a tray of wine so she grabbed one, sipping it then groaning at the burning in her throat.

"Forget food." She mumbled, turning away and crossing her arms. She veered towards the back so she could find her brother, who somehow got lost in the crowd, and giggle at the beehive hairstyles some of these girls flaunted around with.

That is, until she nearly rammed into someone. She stumbled back, muttering curses under her breath and lifted her striking green eyes to glare at the boy.

"Quite the vocabulary." Sasuke Uchiha said, amusement obvious in his voice. "…coming from such a pretty girl."

Sakura didn't buy it. She only scowled at him and tried to push past him, but the boy wouldn't take that and politely stopped her by grabbing her arm.

"Wait." He said, and she did.

"I'm…" He stopped.

"I know who you are." She rolled her eyes.

"Well, then, what's your name?" He asked, grey eyes sparkling. She stared at him mutely, her arm aching from his iron grip but she refused to admit it.

"Sakura." She finally said.

"Would you dance with me?" He asked. She stared at him, baffled.

"Wh…Why?" She asked, feeling the burning jealous stares from the girls around her. Sasuke smiled, seeming to want to say something else but decided against it.

"You're different." He said, and she rolled her eyes once again.

"Okay." She gave in, letting him lead her on the dance floor. He swept her close, one hand on her waist the other holding her hand up, his face close but not too close. If that happened, she would have to beat him to a pulp. His eyes were gazing directly into hers, and instead of pulling away and running or smacking him in the face she felt her stomach flip upside down. Scary thought, falling for Sasuke of all people.

"Hm, must be the shrimp." She mumbled.

"What?" Sasuke said, though he looked amused.

"Er, the shrimp…" She said, racking her brain for an excuse. "…uh, I just feel a bit sick."

"Or in love?" Sasuke smirked. The feeling she had a moment ago vanished and she frowned. Sasuke saw the change and backtracked.

"Well, I meant, in love with the shrimp."

Sakura had to smile at that. "You're an idiot."

He turned and she tried her best to catch up. She was never very coordinated, definitely when it came to dancing.

"Hey, don't push me." He said, though his tone was teasing. "I'm royalty, you know."

"Oh, yes, being filthy rich is counted as royalty." She rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. She hated this man yet at that moment, she was having a nice conversation that didn't include anyone ripping the other's eyes out.

"Of course." He said, suddenly looking a bit nervous. She raised her eyebrow but didn't say anything, her mind turning to his hand, which was resting on her hip but his fingers were curling, gripping the fabric on her dress. She ignored it.

"The songs over." She said and pulled away, smiling at him. He blinked and watched as she turned and disappeared in the crowd.

"Wait…" He said softly. "Don't go…Sakura."

But she was gone.

"Sasuke." Naruto said once he found Sasuke staring blankly into space. The raven-haired boy jumped slightly, turning his gaze onto the blonde who stared at him in amusement. He had dressed up nicely with a suit and his blonde hair slicked back, bright blue eyes warm as they looked at his friend questioningly.

"Sorry." Sasuke said. "What is it, Naruto?"

"Well." The blonde said, scratching the back of his head. "I need some advice."

"Oh?" He quirked his eyebrow. "What about?"

"How to get a girl to like you." He said, face red. Sasuke chuckled.

"Whatever happened to being single?"

His face only turned redder. "Uh, yeah, well…things change."

Sasuke smirked. "Alright then. I don't really have any advice, since it depends on the girl." He glanced at the crowd again, seeming to be searching for someone. Naruto clapped his shoulder and sighed.

"Thanks. I have to go find her."

"Good luck."

Naruto nodded and lopped off, bright eyes scanning for Hinata, yet he didn't see her. He decided to take a break and headed to the snack tables, sipping on some red wine as he relaxed and told himself she wouldn't lie or anything. She seemed sweet and honest, anyway…and beautiful.

"Naruto?"

He turned and almost dropped his drink. There she was, her beauty dazzling. Her hair was shining with the lights from the chandelier and her long. Silky white dress flowed past her feet, her slim hands resting on her lap, folding over each other daintily.

"Hinata." He said, and smiled. She smiled back and he stepped forward, offering his hand along with a soft grin.

"Would you like to—"

"I'd love to." She cut in, putting her hand in his. He pulled her gently to the floor and spun her around and into his arms, breathing in the smell of her hair; lavender. She put her arms around his neck and he placed his around her waist and they spun together, gazing into each other's eyes and sharing secrets and their lives, goals and dreams and thoughts.

Then the song was over and he was leading her outside. The dark night skies shed upon them, the crisp cold air making Hinata shiver slightly then flashed Naurto another breath-taking smile. He hesitated but wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she eased against him, his body warmth making her sigh in content.

"Naruto." She said. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

He grinned, brushing his lips over the top of her head though he wasn't sure if she even felt it. "I do."

To be continued in chapter three!

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