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
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Cutting through the thick crowd, Neji loped swiftly to catch up with Naruto. Side stepping a startled waitress, he slid across the banister of a short staircase and stopped at the end, just as the energetic blonde reached the bottom.
"Shit!" Naruto cursed haggardly under his breath.
Turning around to make another hasty escape, Naruto gave a great leap but then tripped and fell flat on his face. Feeling the back of his shirt being lifted up, he was tossed onto the hard floor by an extremely annoyed Neji.
Grinning anxiously as he lay there, he felt himself being picked up by Neji again but instead, off his feet. Feeling Neji's hot breath fanning his nervous face, he tried to twist away from his solid grasp but failed miserably.
"You dumbass, you know not to give my phone number to a fangirl. Now I'm going to have to change my number", Neji hissed icily.
Biting back a reply, Naruto just shriveled away from Neji, feeling his heated wrath suffocating him.
Just as Neji pulled back his crumpled fist, a giddy Sakura with Kakashi entered his peripheral view and he hesitated a moment.
Damn. I don't want Sakura to see this.
Suddenly, he had a moment of de ja vu and his scowl turned deeper and darker. His fist was shaking slightly in what could have been uncontrollable rage.
Suddenly, he reverted his expression to impassiveness. Neji dropped Naruto callously onto the floor and straightened out his suit. Ignoring the blonde's odd looks, he briskly walked off toward the mini bar.
Naruto sat on his sore bum and scratched his head in apparent confusion. It was particularly uncharacteristic of Neji to stop mid-way from a punch and then suddenly walk off as a brawl had never been initiated.
The stoic Hyuuga never backed down from an innocent fight, much less a fist-fight. Maybe there was something going on?
Looking around wildly, Naruto tried to spot for factors that could possibly effect Neji's offbeat actions, but found nothing but the usual riotous drunken fools and rhythmic grinding of sweaty bodies concurrent with raucous music.
Undeniably glad that he had not been pummeled senseless by the cantankerous Hyuuga, Naruto dashed toward Sakura and Kakashi screaming, "Sakura-chan! Wait up!"
Turning her head, Sakura giggled slightly at Naruto's childish antics and Kakashi just chuckled. Sakura immediately took a liking to the boy's coltish disposition.
Noticing he was unscathed and wasn't accompanied by a fuming Neji, Sakura cocked her head innocently and asked, "What happened to Neji-san?
Grinning from ear to ear, he shrugged nonchalantly and pointed toward the seemingly brooding Hyuuga who was sitting at the mini bar and was glaring intently at the dregs of his cocktail.
Genuinely concerned, Sakura furrowed her brow and asked with a worried tone, "What's wrong with him? He looks lonely and…angry. What happened?"
"He's just mad that he lost! I was on the floor when I suddenly pun—"
Kakashi merely snorted and drawled out lazily, "Cut the crap Naruto. You would have been dead meat if Neji actually fought you. Remember the last time?"
Scratching his head in defeat, Naruto replied in a slightly puzzled tone, "Actually, I dunno. He was about to beat the shit outta me when he suddenly stopped, dropped me, and walked off. It's pretty weird for Neji to do that. Maybe he's having family prob—"
Kakashi slapped a hand over Naruto's mouth and dragged him to the corner of the room, after he muttered a slight 'excuse us' to Sakura.
Once within the dark confines of the corner, illuminated lightly with the flashing of neon lights, and out of Sakura's hearing range, Kakashi pulled Naruto upright and pushed him against the wall.
Looking at him intently with his one visible eye, Kakashi said casually yet sternly, "Naruto, you know you shouldn't talk about Neji's family so carelessly, especially dealing with his personal life. Knowing Sakura, she's one who would ask questions, merely in an attempt to empathize with him."
Looking at Kakashi equally serious, Naruto replied, "I know. But I trust Sakura-chan. It'd be good for Neji to have someone who understands."
Shaking his head in disbelief, Kakashi glanced at the naïve boy and sighed resignedly. How could this kid be so dumb, yet admirable at the same time? Kakashi usually doubted the boy's choices, but he also held a certain degree for respect for his altruistic morals and his unwavering bravery.
"You've only known Sakura for an hour and you've only said a few words to her. How can you trust someone so easily?"
He didn't hesitate to answer. Smiling confidently, Naruto just replied firmly, "I just do. She just has that special thing. Don't you agree?"
Contemplating quickly, Kakashi didn't reply and Naruto took that as a 'yes'. Naruto's intuition was questionable, but it seemed he was right in the end, no matter how ridiculous it sounded.
Catching Sakura's eye over Kakashi's shoulder, he grinned foxily at her for second. Muttering curses, Kakashi walked slowly behind the hyperactive blonde as he bounded toward Sakura.
Smiling warmly when he approached Sakura, Kakashi said jokingly, "Naruto meant that Neji might have girl problems. You know, after twenty years his hormones are finally kicking in."
Frown dissipating, Sakura cracked a small smile and let out a soft giggle. "So who's the lucky lady?"
Looking around frantically, Naruto intervened in the conversation and blurted, "Her!" He had pointed to a tall, brown-haired woman that was wearing a dark blue dress. Her hair was uniquely put up in two buns and she had a much toned and slightly muscular frame.
Sakura's eyes widened in recognition and a sly grin appeared on her lips. "Tenten? Neji's interested in Tenten?"
Naruto asked, confused, "Eh? Who?"
After being kicked in the shin by twitching Kakashi, Naruto realized his error and awkwardly attempted to correct himself.
"I mean—did you say Tenten? Yea, Tenten…he likes her…a lot…"
Giggling once more, Sakura grabbed Naruto by the arm and pulled him down to discuss Neji's "object" of interest.
Peering at the tall woman, Sakura whispered, "I didn't know that Neji liked her! But I could hook them up if he wanted me too…"
Naruto laughed and nervously said, "Ahaha! That'd be awesome Sakura-chan! I'm sure Neji will appreciate it. Anyways, did you just see Sasuke over there? Yea, I think he's calling for me! Well gotta go, bye!"
Naruto dashed quickly off to a random sector of the club and Sakura looked at him, puzzled. Now alone with Kakashi, Sakura eagerly asked, "Wanna dance?"
Shaking his head in amusement, Kakashi replied, "I can't dance. I'm going to have to sit this one out. Or rather, all of them."
Pouting cutely, Sakura complained, "But what's that point of coming to a club when you're not gonna dance?"
Turning on her heel, Sakura plunged into the bedlam of dancers and Kakashi lost sight of her, even with her incandescently candy colored hair.
Sighing as he got up, he began to wander around the tables, musing over his thoughts. He felt himself bumping constantly into other bodies and heard the rowdy yells of an intoxicated person. Surveying the scene, he spotted a couple making-out, who didn't seem as if they felt a particle of shame. Turning his head quickly, Kakashi aimlessly continued to wander, lost amidst the turmoil.
Abruptly, Kakashi steered towards the irritated Hyuuga who was now being plagued by multitudes of slutty, drunken women.
Spuriously winking at the women, he motioned for them to clear off and they complied a little too eagerly, giggling and attempting to grab his ass.
Squirming uncomfortably, Kakashi grimaced once the legion of promiscuous women left the vicinity. Pulling up a chair across from the now sobered Neji, he propped his elbows against the table.
"What is it?" Kakashi didn't need to ask. He just did so the silence and tension would be lessened by the presence of a few words.
Maneuvering his pearly gaze to the floor, Neji glared unfocusedly and said nothing.
Clearing his throat, Kakashi leaned back and pulled out a small orange book from his pocket. Not feeling even a single moment of awkwardness for reading in a nightclub, Kakashi began to immerse himself in the small book.
He didn't flinch as the shrill laughter of a woman pervaded his hearing and his eye was focused so intently, it seemed obvious he was intensely engrossed in this "fascinating" piece of literature.
A long bout of suspenseful silence followed afterwards.
Neji looked up and snorted.
"Pervert."
It seemed Neji was back to his usual sarcastic and passive self.
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Sakura ran out into the cool night air with ardor. Feeling refreshed in the open sky, Sakura stopped to admire the simple magnificence of the stars. Gazing thoughtfully, she didn't notice that she had been blocking the doorway.
Chuckling, Kakashi wordlessly pulled Sakura lightly by the arm and into the parking lot and Sakura snapped out of her daze.
Blushing in embarrassment, Sakura had realized that she had been standing in the doorway. Again.
Rubbing her head nervously, Sakura said mirthfully, "Hehe, sorry 'bout that. It seems like years ago since the first time I met you, even if it was only yesterday that I had been standing like an utter fool in the doorway. Anyways, thanks fo—"
"Sakura. You're babbling." Kakashi said.
Clasping her hands in embarrassment again Sakura just grinned cherubically. Suddenly, her eyes perked up.
"Kakashi, where is Neji-san? I never got to thank him properly for inviting me and for telling me how to get to my dorm."
Stating blithely, Kakashi answered, "Neji had to leave early. He had classes early in the morning."
Changing his voice to a more positive undertone, Kakashi said, "Say Sakura, don't you have an early class as well?"
Sakura didn't register the information for a second.
Her eyes widened frantically and she muttered some incoherent words. Hastily stumbling on the dark asphalt, Sakura tried to find her car and she nearly tripped.
Sakura had spent three hours straight dancing. Or to be more specific, three hours of intense, exhilarating partying and grinding. The repercussions may have included dizziness, for it certainly wasn't alcohol that caused her to bumble about since she was underage.
Kakashi sweatdropped when he saw her clumsily walking about. "Maybe I should take you home instead. We could grab your car later."
Apologetically laughing, Sakura said, "Haha, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. And besides, I need to get used to Konoha anyways, I might as well start by finding my own car in a parking lot. Thanks for the offer though!"
Turning around, Sakura walked among the seemingly infinite rows of cars. Yelling a loud 'bye' to Kakashi, who was rooted in the same spot under the light by the club, Sakura disappeared into the darkness.
Grumbling profusely as she ambled around the blinding blackness of the night, she muttered, "Damn. Why don't they have lights out here?"
Sakura tripped over a dark lump and her bag fell to the floor. Cursing as she reached down to search for it, she heard the jangle of keys and she had a sudden revelation.
Exclaiming out loud, Sakura said, "Aargh! Stupid me! I could have just pressed the panic button to find my car!"
Fumbling with her keys, she searched for the button, but then the object was suddenly ripped from her hands.
Looking about confused, she heard the sinister snickers and chuckles of some men. Realizing what had just occurred, Sakura stamped her heel angrily and hissed.
"You bastards, who ever you are, give me back my damn keys! Don't mess with me!"
Sensing nothing but the incandescently relentless echoes of their cruel laughter, Sakura fumed even more and looked scathingly around but found nothing but the malignant darkness of the night.
Suddenly, a light flashed in front of her and the horrid face of a man was illuminated by a flashlight.
Yelping and jumping back in surprise, she tripped on her heels and feel upon the dewy, softness of grass.
A yell was heard and Sakura heard the clacks of shoes coming her way. Immediately attempting to compose herself, Sakura tore off her shoes and shot up, getting into a defensive stance.
A grubby hand gripped her arm harshly and she retaliated, swinging her available arm blindly toward the direction from where it had come from.
Her fist connected with the hard flesh of a nose and she felt the blood spurting onto her hand. A hoarse scream of pain could be heard and the same voice yelled, "Get that bitch!"
Now realizing she was screwed, Sakura dashed off to a random direction, hoping, wishing, that she wouldn't bump into anyone.
Veering toward the direction of where she thought was the club, Sakura put a boost to her speed, now confident that she would escape.
Suddenly, a thick hand grasped her leg and she tumbled ungracefully to the ground. Snarling, she clawed at the hand until she could see the shadowy silhouettes of her pursuers.
Someone spat on her and she seethed in rage. That dirty bastard! How dare he spit on her! Scowling, her feline-like features contorted into an expression of loathing. Of all the nights to get caught unprepared!
An unruly kick was suddenly dealt to her side and she hissed in pain. More sadistic chuckled could be heard and one man said lecherously, "Hehe, she's hot and she has pink hair too. Exotic and feisty…maybe we could have some fun with her…"
A rough hand brushed over her breasts and her legs, pulling at the straps on her mangled dress. Sakura sat there in utter shock and incredulousness.
The faggot touched her.
He fucking touched her.
Waves of fury emanated from her very being and she could feel her anger being released from that core that had been suppressed too long.
Just as she was lifting her leg to smash into the perpetrator's face, a scream of agony was heard.
A dark figure loomed over head and was proceeding to pummel the thugs. The enigma swiftly caught one man in the gut and blocked an oncoming kick with its arm and spun around, throwing its enemies off balance.
Upper cutting another in the jaw, it caught a fist and twisted the arm, causing a splintering crack to be heard.
Sakura winced as though she felt her own arm being snapped. She was grateful for being saved…but this was no fight, this was a massacre!
Still dazed, Sakura sat there helplessly, watching her former pursuers being beaten down, one by one.
Just as the enigma caught one in the throat, crushing his windpipe and knocking him down with a kick, Sakura came to her senses and jumped up.
"Stop! Don't hurt him anymore! You've done enough!"
Her arms were poised in front of her as if she were trying to shield herself and she found that the dark figure was turning around as it dropped the limp body.
Trembling slightly in trepidation, Sakura felt intimidated by the looming person. Slowly, the being stepped toward her and as it got closer, she began to scrutinize the features.
A masculine jaw, broad built shoulders…it was a man for sure!
When it stopped it front of Sakura, her initial fear had receded and had been replaced by curiosity and anxiety.
Squinting slightly, she attempted to study the face by the dim light provided by the stars, and she was amazed.
"Sasuke-san…?", Sakura inquired hesitantly.
She could hear a brief 'hn' before Sasuke began to walk stiffly off toward the other direction. Sakura stood there, mouth agape until she realized that he was walking away from her. Not knowing what else to do, Sakura stumbled after him calling out his name.
"Sasuke-san! Wait up!"
Breathlessly, Sakura took one sprint and latched herself onto his arm, stubbornly refusing to move. They had stopped under a bright streetlight and she could now see his full form.
Turning around, Sakura let go in surprise and her gaze met his. Large, innocent emerald eyes met with the cold, steely onyx of his.
Time slowed down for a moment and the two pairs of eyes seemed to scrutinize one another, taking in each others appearance; Sakura's, inquisitive and Sasuke's, analytical.
Sakura broke the gaze first by looking down in embarrassment. His sharp look was rivaled to a heated glare and he ultimately scared her.
Sasuke said coldly, "You're annoying woman."
Sakura snapped her head up and her eye twitched until she held bearings of her Inner self. Taking a deep breath, she scrunched her fists in an attempt to control her words and actions.
Through clenched teeth Sakura replied, "I just wanted to thank you for saving me. I would have probably been half-dead and raped in a ditch by now if it wasn't for you."
Sasuke stood there, unmoving and unperturbed by the disturbingly possible morbid truth and his lips turned down in the corners, as if he could have been even more displeased as he already looked.
"Go away woman. I saved you, now leave me alone."
Outraged, Sakura snapped. "All I wanted to do was to thank you and all you did was rudely ignore my words and treat me as if I'm some nuisance! If you thought I was a bothersome in the first place, then why fight for me? I me—"
His tone was deadly and meant business. "I didn't fight because of you. I fought because I was merely exercising my abilities."
He began to walk away from her again and this time, Sakura grabbed him in the upper arm. She felt him flinch a little under her touch before he had attempted to shrug her off and she knew that he had been hurt.
Her tone softened but became urgent. "Sasuke-san, I know you've been hurt. Please come with me to my dorm and I'll fix you up."
With a solid resolve, she prodded the tender part of his arm and made him flinch again. Sternly, she added, "…And if you go to the campus clinic, they'll know what you've been up to."
He stopped trying to pry her fingers from his arm and spoke monotonously, "I've been through worse. It doesn't hurt."
Frowning, Sakura argued, "But it might be a broken or sprained bone, or your muscles might have ripped. You need treatment! As a current student of medical studies, I order you to come with me."
He shot her a warning glance and replied harshly, "Don't order me around, you annoying woman."
Trying to reason with him, she replied in a less imposing tone, "Please! If you just let me help you this one time, I won't feel as bad for letting you get hurt in my stead." Pausing for the words to take effect, she added, "I think you know how it feels to be indebted to someone."
She could feel him tensing, and then relaxing.
Sasuke gruffly replied, "Fine. But just this time, and make it fast."
Slightly incredulous and mostly elated from her accomplishment, Sakura smiled sweetly and motioned for him to follow along.
On her way, Sakura stopped by the unconscious bodies of the men Sasuke had defeated and frisked their pockets for her keys.
Grabbing them in her palm in satisfaction, she spat on the man with sheer animosity and loped off to find her car.
It was fairly easy to locate her car once the flashing lights began blinking and a loud honking noise could be heard echoing.
Sakura pulled out of the nearly empty lot, exhausted yet excited, with Sasuke in tow.
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"C'mon, hurry up before anyone sees us."
Sasuke grunted in response but quickened his pace to a loose stride, nimbly going up the steps, skipping one or two at a time.
Just as the door shut behind them, Sakura locked it and flipped on the switch.
Ino wasn't home yet and Sakura reasoned that she was probably out partying like she had been a few hours earlier.
Sakura said mirthfully, "Sorry about the mess. I just moved in and I haven't had the chance to clean or pack up. Besides—," she added with a grin, "…my roommate Ino is a pig. Well, just kidding, but don't tell her that."
Allowing the resilient Sasuke to settle down on her soft, plush bed, she rummaged through her bag until she pulled out a large, plastic box.
Inside, was loaded with all the possible medical necessities any doctor needed. Sakura wasn't an accomplished doctor yet, but she was an aspiring to be one.
Slightly embarrassed, she ordered him to take off his shirt and he did so, with excruciating slowness, as if he were teasing her.
Sakura took that time to grab a few bottles of crisp, cool water from her mini fridge and she offered one to him.
Taking a swig, she relieved her parched throat and relaxed. Hearing the clearing of Sasuke's throat, she turned around to attend to him.
Her eyes widened a fraction when she saw how glorious he was. His taut eight-pack was visible under his tight, white tank top and his bare arms were coiled with sinewy muscles. His handsome, masculine features were empty and brooding, which made him sexier in a daredevil way.
Resuming her activities and ignoring his physical appearance, she mused, "Well, if I'm to be a doctor, I might as well get used to seeing some built men."
"Okay, now lift up your right arm and stretch for me."
Sakura made him go through several exercises and she scribbled something down on a pad. She pressed her slender fingers against his stressed muscles, he tensed.
"Relax. Just relax." She whispered soothingly.
Feeling him relax under her touch, she continued to massage him until she was done with his arms. Turning him around she examined his back and gasped.
"Sasuke-san, you have a potentially dangerous knife would on your back. And you were going to refuse to get this checked?"
He snorted and nonchalantly replied, "It's only a scratch. And the bleeding had already been staunched."
Peeling away the shirt from the wound, she dabbed some gently antiseptic on it and smartly bandaged the gash. Allowing him to flex and loosen up, she realized she was done and she automatically began to pack all her materials away.
Turning around, she meant to say something to him, but was speechless when she found that he was no longer there.
Walking towards the front door, she saw that it was slightly ajar and she smiled at the thought of him.
Maybe he wasn't such a bastard after all.
Yawning loudly as she stepped toward her bed, she didn't realize she passed out the moment she hit the soft, creamy sheets of her comforter, clothes and all still on.
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And so the relationship with Sakura and Sasuke begin. Well if the polls end up that way. So here are the results so far! Keep reviewing please!
Sasuke-2
Neji-1
Kakashi-0
Poor Kakashi. Haha well, Bye!