Title: Grad School Drama
Pairings: Unknown (Look at bottom for more info)
Genre: Romance/Humor
Summary: AU Haruno Sakura is a young girl, fresh out of college and ready to face the world. Well, not yet. She still has to face the challenges of grad school and all the drama it brings along. KakaSaku, SasuSaku, NejiSaku
A/N: Hey guys! Well I am very disappointed to see that I only got one review! I can't choose any pairings if there was only one vote! So if you are reading this right now, please tell your friends to read and submit their input in as well! So far:
Sasuke-1
Neji-0
Kakshi-0
Thanks again. Hope you enjoy this chapter
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Sakura was tired and utterly confused, just as she had been a day ago. Neji had done a fine job on showing her where her classes were…..it was just that her memory was failing her.
"Cha…failing memory? More like you're going stupid! You should call up Neji-kun, you know. I'm sure he'll be ecstatic in assisting you." Inner Sakura slyly proposed.
The pink haired beauty groaned. It was true; Hyuuga Neji had given her his cell phone number, which was a major exclusive considering the number of girls that had his personal number was about two, not including Sakura.
She had been a bit surprised when he had passively slipped a small white slip of paper into her hands before muttering a resolute 'hn' and stalking off, leaving her to attend to her classes.
Of course, it wasn't given to her for the purposes that Inner Sakura had suggested. Sakura had a feeling that Neji knew she was going to have some trouble getting around.
Sakura sighed resignedly. "I do need to get to my freaking dorm…" She rummaged around her pocket until she felt the tiny article grasped between her slender fingers. Whipping out her sleek phone, she flipped it open and tentatively punched in the tiny scrawl.
"Well here goes nothing…" Sakura mumbled aloud as she waited nervously.
The phone kept ringing and Sakura began to feel exasperated. Just as she was about to shut the phone, a deep masculine voice shot through the tiny speakers.
"Hello? Who is this?"
Sakura fumbled with her phone awkwardly before putting it up to her face and half-heartedly saying, "Hello? Is this Neji? Well, er…this is Sakura. Um, you see, I'm kinda lost…"
She could hear a gruff 'hn' on the other line and then the voice spoke up again. "Where exactly are you?"
"Um, I'm at the cafeteria entrance, facing northwest towards the cherry blossom trees."
"Listen carefully. Look to your left and you'll see a tall statue of the Fourth Hokage. Now beyond that statue is a fountain beside a gray building. If you go straight past that building, you'll come to another white building. Just enter that and I think you can find your way by then."
Sakura stuttered a bit as she replied, "Ah-h, Neji-san, arigato! I'll talk to you later then!"
She heard the click of a line hanging up on the other side and she stood there for a moment, staring at her phone while an invisible smile graced her lips.
Shaking her head to attention, Sakura hesitantly stepped around the campus, following the directions of Neji that stuck to her head.
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The tall blonde grinned slyly as he noticed a shiny, black phone lying unattended on a marble table top. Picking it up, he looked furtively around before sneaking off to the restroom.
After locking himself in a stall, Naruto opened the phone and checked its contents.
"Oi…its Neji's. I wonder what he's been up to lately…"
Clicking on the call log icon, he noticed a foreign number listed at the top. Clicking on it, he read the info as 'Unknown' and another devilish grin appeared.
"Hehe…I wonder if this is Mikagami…"
Naruto had disclosed Neji's phone number to his number one fan, Hiromi Mikagami, a few hours ago. In turn, he would get to witness the ultimate demise of the great Hyuuga.
Pressing the 'call back' button, Naruto's head bobbed in excitement. A few rings were heard and then a slight crackle before a sweet, feminine voice sounded.
"Hello? Is this Neji-san?"
Naruto, being the ditz he was, didn't realize that real fan girls wouldn't address Neji as 'Neji-san'. Roughening up his throat, Naruto awkwardly attempted to imitate Neji's deep voice.
"E-Ahem Yea! Yes this is Neji. I just wanted to ask if you would like to hang out with me and some other friends tonight at the Shuriken Club."
Sakura, on the other line, was slightly confused because of Neji's strange voice, but dismissed the notion as bad connection.
"Er…sure I guess. Where is it?"
Grinning from ear to ear, Naruto said, "It's on 12467 Kunai Ave. Building # 3346. You can't miss it, it's huge! Come around 8:30, alright? Ask for the Hyuuga Reservation."
"Oh yea, I wanted to thank you for giving me the directions before! I made it to my dorm safely. Arigato Neji-san. I guess I'll see you soon!" Sakura replied from the other line.
Naruto clicked the phone off and snickered. He rubbed his hands gleefully and bounded out the cramped stall, only to bump into the Hyuuga himself.
"Naruto. Have you seen my phone?" The intimidating man narrowed his eyes at the blonde, who was feigning to appear casual.
"Neji! WASUP! Oh yeah, I just came back from the bathroom and I happened to find it on the counter! Thank god it was there!" Naruto shouted, his nervousness overridden with meretricious excitement.
The handsome boy just cocked his head and snatched the phone from Naruto's grasp. Turning on his heel, he didn't spare a single glance backwards at the relieved blonde.
Wiping the sweat from his head, he grinned once more and then bounded off to the club.
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When Sakura had told Ino that she was going to the Shuriken Club, she had screeched loudly in excitement. Apparently, you had to be specially invited or a regular to be admitted into the elite club.
Ino had heartily agreed on helping Sakura pick the perfect outfit, since it was semi-formal dressing as well.
They had been rummaging through Sakura's multiple bags for hours, trying on this and that. Sakura was by no means poor. Her father had always supplied a bountiful income and his wife used that money for what she loved doing most.
Shopping.
She had lavished heaps of outfits, dresses, shoes, and jewelry on Sakura before she had left for grad school and now she had found a use for all the extravagances she had been provided with.
"Wow! Sakura-chan, I love this shirt! Can I borrow it?" Ino said with a sparkle in her eyes.
Ino had just as much clothes as Sakura did, except she actually wanted to wear them. Sakura only wore her humble attire because she found no need to ravish her self with such accessories that were uncomfortable and could be a liability. She had her father's wit, always thinking logically and conservatively.
"Yea, Ino-chan, take what you want." Sakura muttered absent-mindedly.
Ino smiled and then suddenly popped out of the pile of clothes screaming, "I found the perfect dress!"
Ino approached Sakura with an evil grin plastered on her face and she cackled.
Sakura backed away, afraid of what demented dress Ino had found for her. Sighing, she reluctantly gave up and allowed Ino to force the dress upon her.
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Sakura peeked her head out shyly and Ino urged her to come out faster.
"Sakura-chan, you'll look great. Just get out of the freaking bathroom already!"
Taking small steps, Sakura presented herself in a tight, form-fitting ebony halter dress. It clung to all her deep curves and it accentuated her long, toned legs. It stopped right at mid-thigh and it revealed most of her backside.
Where had her freaking mother found something like this to give to her daughter?
Ino squealed as if pleased and began fussing over her. She picked out a pair of black kitty heels and embellished Sakura's ears and neck with a matching pair of diamond studs and a silver heart locket.
Her hair was swooped into a messy bun, with stray hairs loosely framing her face. It was held together by a pair of black chopsticks with tiny, diamond heart charms hanging off the tips.
No make-up was applied, thankfully for Sakura, because it ultimately ruined her complexion for she had sensitive skin.
Even then, she looked stunning. Sakura was uncomfortable at the idea of revealing so much…flesh. Sure, she had seen her mother wear dresses like these, but she never came up with the notion that she would end up wearing such a thing.
With a few encouraging pushes, Ino shoved Sakura out into the campus parking lot and bid her a farewell. Telling Sakura to call her if she needed any help, Ino walked back to the dorm room.
Sakura sighed and started up her sleek convertible. "There's no turning back now…" Sakura thought wearily.
She backed out of the semi-dark lot and sped off toward the busy streets of downtown Konoha.
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Upon arrival at the club, Sakura allowed a chauffeur to drive away her car. The club was indeed huge. No, that would be an understatement. It was enormous! Flashing neon lights were sparkling on the outside and a red carpet was rolled out toward the entrance.
There was a long line that was forming and Sakura waited at the back. One lecherous guard had his eye on Sakura and he motioned for Sakura to come to the start of the line.
Stepping toward him innocently, she found herself being pulled through the front doors, amidst the grumblings of those who had to wait.
Before she could be moved any further, Sakura halted and said quickly, "Sir, I need to find the Hyuuga Reservation."
The gruff guard turned and faced her with a sick grin. "Sorry babe, but the only reservation you're getting is in my pants."
Sakura stood there, shocked and utterly disgusted. She raised her hand swiftly and dealt a hefty blow to his cheek. She felt her old self rising up again and Inner Sakura let out a bellowing cry of protest in her head.
The rough man grabbed her seemingly frail wrist and muttered angrily, "Why you little bi—"
He was cut off as he fell to the cool, tile flooring, writhing in agony. Sakura stepped back, alarmed.
"Sakura. What brings you here?"
Sakura swiveled her head toward the source and found herself face to face with Kakashi, dressed in a black tux.
She let out a cry of relief and she unknowingly jumped on him, encasing him within a tight squeeze.
"Ah! I'm so glad to see you Kakashi! You always come at the right times! And I thought that pervert was going to rape me or something!"
Kakashi slowly withdrew himself from Sakura's death hug and said patted her awkwardly on the back.
"Well, now that you're here, I guess I should show you around."
Sakura cut in, "Actually, I'm supposed to be going to the Hyuuga Reservation. Do you know where that is?"
Kakashi's visible eyebrow rose and he just suddenly pulled Sakura along by her hand without saying a word.
Though before she was dragged away, she gave one last fleeting glare at the bulky man that was still lying on the floor, clutching his bleeding nose.
"Kakashi! Where are we go-" Sakura stopped talking once she saw the name plating above the traditional Japanese styled doors. She muttered a slight 'oh' and smiled at Kakashi.
Kakashi pushed aside the paper sliding door and she stepped tentatively in.
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Naruto sniggered aloud for no apparent reason. He had been doing that spontaneously for the past thirty minutes as he watched his clock and threw glances at the doors, as if expecting someone.
Just as he was about to check his watch again, the doors opened.
He expected a blundering and neurotic Mikagami to come in, with thick layers of pasty make-up applied onto her rotund face, flaunting a bright pink dress.
Instead, what came into his vision was spectacular. She had soft, pink hair that had been sweeped up into messy bun and she wore no make-up, and yet she still looked natural and beautiful. Her dress was tight and revealed all the curves and that were evident upon her body and her legs were like magnets, drawing his immediate attention to them. What intrigued him the most were her jade eyes; they were like open books. They were endless and reflected many different emotions.
Naruto sucked in his breath, Sasuke made no significant movements, and Neji just raised his eyebrow, wondering why Sakura was in his private quarters.
"I'd like you to meet Haruno Sakura everyone. Of course Neji knows her, right?" Kakashi said more as a statement than as a question.
"Ah, Ohayo everyone. Thank you for inviting me Neji-san", Sakura said softly as she gave a quick bow towards his direction.
The handsome raven haired boy with a cold look caught Sakura's attention and she recognized him as the rude man that had bumped into her in the morning and didn't help her up.
Sakura accusingly pointed and shouted, "YOU! You're the bastard that pushed me this morning and didn't help me up!"
Sasuke, the dark haired person, scoffed, "Hn, so it was you that ran into me? You forgot to apologize to me."
Sakura was fuming at the injustice and she yelled again, "Apologize!? You should be damn well apologizing to me, you cold ass prick!" Sakura took a breath before continuing, "If you are even half the gentleman Neji is, then I'd say that you should be on your knees, begging for forgiveness!"
Sasuke merely shrugged and threw her a frigid glare. "Shut up woman. Your voice is annoying." He then picked himself up off the leather couch and walked out the door, past her.
Narrowing her eyes in frustration, Sakura pouted cutely and sat herself down where the Uchiha had previously sat at.
While that whole episode was occurring, Naruto, Neji, and Kakashi had been discussing amongst themselves of how Sakura had came to be here.
"Hehe, hey pervert, how'd you grab a chick like that?" Naruto said slyly at Kakashi.
Neji furrowed his brow and Kakashi just impassively replied, "Naruto, for the last time. I didn't pick her up. I met her before and I just happened to see her getting harassed by the door guard."
"Is she who you've been waiting for?" Neji asked sharply, "Don't play dumb Naruto; we all know you've been expecting someone."
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly and grinned. "Haha, about that…well I gave your phone number to your fan girl Mikagami earlier…and then I looked at your contact list in your phone and I noticed an unknown number. So I assumed it was her and decided to invite her over. But I guess it was actually Sakura-cha-"
Naruto was cut off as a fuming Neji stalked toward him with a murderous intent in his eyes. "You did what? You damn well know that I-"
Sprinting out the door, Naruto turned and stuck his tongue out at Neji. Neji reacted quickly by dashing out the doorway, on hot pursuit of Naruto's trail.
Shaking his head, Kakashi plopped himself beside a confused Sakura and sat in a restive silence.
Breaking the awkward atmosphere, Sakura cocked her head and asked quizzically, "Are they always like that?"
Flicking one lazy eye toward her direction, Kakashi chuckled and said, "Hai. Though you should see Naruto and Sasuke. It's quite amusing once you get used the fighting."
Sakura stood up abruptly and stuttered, "Fighting? Shouldn't we be stopping them? They could get kicked out of the club!"
Kakashi motioned for Sakura to sit down and she warily did. "Don't worry its happened tons of times. Besides, as long as they don't involve anyone else or break anything, the manager won't notice."
Kakashi rose to his feet and offered a sudden hand to Sakura. "Well since we're here, we should be enjoying ourselves and having a good time. Care to join me?"
Sakura clasped his hand and followed suit, with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. "Dancing? Now that's something I'd love to do."
Pulling Kakashi eagerly by the hand, Sakura nimbly ran out the lounge and towards the dance floor.
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Ok, done! Well Sakura is about to dance with Kakashi in the next chapter and she'll meet up with some old acquaintances as well. Anyways, please review!! I need to have a final tally of the pairings soon for me to be able to develop the story!
Pairings w/Sakura:
Kakashi-0
Sasuke-1
Neji-0