The heart is known for its secrets. Scientists have dissected it, analysed it, examined it, put it into parts and chambers but they still haven't found what makes it, well, tick. They haven't found how it makes people stand in front of all their friends and declare their undying love for each other; they haven't found why even the most wilful girls spend their lives being exasperated with the laziest of men just for love or what brings two completely different individuals together. And they certainly haven't found out why two hearts bring people together in the first place.

The heart had brought Neji and Tenten together after so much, even bringing them through family gatherings and pre-wedding jitters, which Tenten had coped with by downing almost half a bottle of vodka to her friend's horror to her credit it was at least a small bottle, and now they were sharing their spotlight dance, their arms around each other with eyes closed oblivious to the people watching them.

Their hearts causing them to focus only on each other.

Even Shikamaru, who had a habit of giving up, had been compelled to stay with Ino through thick and thin and her screaming at him to 'get off his lazy backside and help her' because of his heart. Sakura smiled as she watched Naruto and Hinata talk amongst themselves ignoring the hostile looks Neji was sending in Naruto's direction, Hinata was giggling softly at something Naruto was whispering to her. Sakura scanned the room and found herself looking over towards the person her heart was leading her to, Sasuke was in conversation with Kiba and Shino and a small smile crossed her face as he looked relatively happy compared to when he was in the church with his family.

A small frown crossed her face as she wondered, once again about his home life, after gently questioning Naruto she had discovered that he lived alone and away from the rest of his family but she was reluctant to pry further and ask what things had been like before he moved out.

"Fancy meeting you here." A quiet voice said behind her and Sakura jumped as she saw Itachi behind her.

"Oh, hello, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked, trying to remain polite despite her unease.

"My family's friendly with the Hyuuga's, I already told you that." Itachi said, Sakura nodded feeling stupid and they fell into an uncomfortable silence, Sakura shifted uneasily but Itachi seemed content with just watching her.

"I never expected to see you again." He said finally and Sakura felt confused, she briefly wondered if it was some kind of family trait to talk in riddles and never fully explain yourself as Sasuke also seemed to be in the habit of doing that. Sakura shrugged.

"Well you did," She said shortly trying to think of a way out of this conversation.

"Indeed." The conversation lagged again and Sakura found herself struggling to find something to say, Itachi showed no sign of being bored with her but he didn't seem to want to actually engage in conversation either. She shifted slightly, feeling uncomfortable under his relentless gaze and similarly to when she first met him, Sakura found herself comparing him to Sasuke.

Sasuke was kinder, that was obvious, and it was surprisingly easier to carry a conversation with him as opposed to Itachi who seemed to sum everything up in one word. Sasuke, despite his seriousness, was fun to be around and made her laugh, Itachi made Sakura uneasy and a little bit afraid. Although she had to admit that they both were attractive, Sakura didn't have any compulsion to kiss Itachi and Sasuke on the other hand…

Sakura shook her head slightly to pull herself out of her thoughts and noticed that Itachi was still content watching her, although now he seemed rather curious because of her sudden movement. Sakura offered him a small smile.

"Excuse me," She said to Itachi, "I need to-" She waved her hand in the direction of the toilets and he nodded dismissing her. Sakura turned away feeling faintly uneasy as she felt his eyes on her back as she walked away.

Sakura saw Ino watching her and she jerked her head in the direction of the toilets in a silent message, Ino gave a short nod and made her excuses to the group she was with and separated to join Sakura.

Once in the toilets they both examined their reflections critically in the mirror; adjusting a few stray pieces of hair or an imaginary crease in their dresses.

"Do you know who you were just talking to?" Ino hissed, "I asked Shikamaru, Itachi Uchiha."

"I don't want his attention," Sakura muttered, "Did he tell you that Itachi is Sasuke's brother, and I understand that they don't really get along." Ino was silent for a while.

"Is that why he was talking to you?" She almost sounded indignant. "To get at Sasuke?"

"Because he can't be interested in my looks or personality, can he?" Sakura said rolling her eyes.

"You know what I mean; does he know you and Sasuke are, well, meeting up?" Ino asked, adding under her breath, "as you always insist you're not dating," Sakura looked thoughtful.

"I don't know, I don't see how he would know unless he saw us together."

"Have you met him earlier, before the wedding I mean?" Ino stopped messing with her hair and turned to look directly as Sakura who sighed, absentmindedly curling her hair round her fingers.

"Yes, when Naruto told me that Sasuke was an Uchiha I later went to their offices to see where he worked and..."

"Met by chance?"

"Yes."

"Interesting coincidence though." Ino muttered and Sakura tried to laugh it off.

"You're seeing conspiracy theories again Ino, I still say that Sasuke is not a spy or anything like that I've seen him at work." And they both fell silent for a while. "Although, Itachi did insist on taking me into the building, and it was when Sasuke later came into his office," She shook her head vigorously, "No. It must be a coincidence; otherwise it would mean that Itachi's been following us around or something weird like that."

"There are no coincidences only fate, that's what Neji used to say, or something like that," Ino said smiling, then she grew serious, "Is Itachi a touchy subject with Sasuke?" She asked warily and Sakura nodded.

"We argued the day Sasuke saw me in Itachi's office, I think Itachi has a way of sparking Sasuke's temper."

"All the reported stuff about the Uchiha company focuses on Itachi and his dad doesn't it." Ino mused, "He must be the golden child of the family, it must have caused a rift between them." Sakura stayed silent, thinking about the bruises Sasuke sometimes had on his arms, wondering what could explain the reasons behind that.

"But you argued?" Ino grinned at her friend "is that why you were so quiet and subdued a few weeks back?" Sakura blushed in confirmation and Ino laughed, the noise echoing off the tiled walls.

"Let's get back to the party," Sakura muttered and hurried out of the toilets, Ino chased her.

"Aw, Sakura you like him!" She insisted childishly.

"Shut up Ino," Sakura hissed.

"Sakura, I've been looking all over for you." Both Ino and Sakura were startled to see Lee in front of them giving them a broad grin.

"Oh hi Lee," Sakura said politely and she saw Ino trying to subtly edge away, the traitor, unfortunately for Sakura Lee only had eyes for her and didn't notice Ino's escape.

"Sakura, would you honour me with a dance?"

"Um…"

"Just the one, surely Kiba can't protest at that, we're at a party everyone's dancing and I'd hate for you to be left alone." Sakura inwardly panicked, Lee was a good friend to her and that's how she wanted it to stay but agreeing to dance with him? Would that be considered leading him on? She didn't want to give him false hope after all the times she had declined a date with him.

"Sakura," Another person joined then, she turned to see Sasuke who was watching her with some amusement again, "I believe you promised to dance with me."

"Yes I did," She turned to Lee, "Sorry."

"Don't worry Sakura I understand it's importance for you to keep your promises." Sakura smiled at him in return and grabbed Sasuke's arm, dragging him off before Lee could get her to promise to dance with him.

"You've got good timing Sasuke," Sakura commented as they headed out to the dance floor.

"Well I was talking to your friend Kiba and your, uh, problems with Lee came up in conversation." Sasuke replied and Sakura turned to look at him horrified.

"Oh God, what did Kiba say?" Sasuke shrugged.

"That he was pretending to be your boyfriend, why?" He studied her expression "Does it get worse?" Sakura shook her head slightly. As they stepped up to the edge of the dancers the song ended and a slower, more romantic one came on. Sakura chanced a sideways glance at Sasuke who held his blank expression but there was a hint of pink on his checks.

"Sasuke, you're really quite shy aren't you?" Sakura teased and Sasuke blushed.

"What makes you say that?"

"You get a lot quieter around other people," Sakura said. "And you're embarrassed about dancing with me." Sasuke opened his mouth to protest but then just shook his head slightly and offered Sakura his hand.

"Come on, let's go." Sakura took the proffered hand and Sasuke led her out to the centre of the dancers. Sakura took her position in front of Sasuke and they both stood there for a moment overcome with a wave of nervousness, until Sasuke, determined to prove that he wasn't shy, took one of Sakura's hands in his and placed his other hand on her waist. Sakura smiled up at him and rested her hand on his shoulder. Sakura could see Ino behind Sasuke looking in their direction; she was smiling and nudging Hinata who was looking at them out of the corner of her eye.

"I think we've been spotted." She said to Sasuke as they started to move, the steps were slightly awkward at first as they both felt self conscious from the attention but they gradually grew in confidence and began to move their feet without having to think about it.

"By who?" Sasuke asked

"Ino, and now she's made Hinata and Naruto notice us." Sasuke sighed, and glanced in their direction, they were all watching them and smiling and Naruto was whispering something to Hinata again, with a broad smile on his face.

"He's never going to let me forget this," Sasuke muttered and Sakura laughed. They fell silent for a while both feeling content to just dance but after a few moments Sakura found herself dwelling on the conversation she had shared with Ino, and she wondered if Itachi was watching them now.

"Sasuke," Sakura said softly, "I know you and you're brother don't get along but-" She felt Sasuke stiffen slightly, "how far would he go to hurt you?" He pulled away from her slightly as they danced, moving to the familiar steps.

"What do you mean?" He asked puzzled by the conversation Sakura looked down at their feet.

"It's just; I was talking to Ino…" She trailed off "I don't know." Sasuke noticed how agitated Sakura had become and hesitantly drew her closer to him.

"Don't worry about it," He murmured and Sakura buried her face in the crook of his neck feeling strangely comforted by his presence.

Sasuke frowned slightly as he held Sakura, resting his chin on the top of her head. They continued swaying to the music but what Sakura said had troubled him, he had seen Sakura talking to Itachi earlier and now he wondered what it had been about.

"Is it always like this for you Sasuke?" Sakura asked her voice was muffled slightly as she still was leaning on him, he face pressed against his shirt. "Is your life always full of tension and worry?" Sasuke was silent for a while before he finally spoke.

"Not when I'm with you," He felt Sakura shift and he released his hold on her, letting her pull away from him. Sakura smiled up at him.

"Thanks, Sasuke, I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you." He was still frowning slightly at her in concern and she offered him a reassuring smile. Sasuke scanned the room and noticed his parents looking their way, his mum was smiling faintly but his father was frowning.

"I think my parents want to meet you," He whispered in her ear.

"What makes you say that?" Sakura asked looking up at him, noticing that slightly guarded look in his eyes.

"They keep looking this way," He said and Sakura gave him a cheerful smile

"Then would you introduce me?" He gave her a curt nod and they separated. Sasuke started walking ahead and Sakura followed realising that Sasuke had reverted to being more quiet and subdued again. She smiled at his parents when he introduced her.

"How did you meet my son then?" Sasuke's father asked her, and Sakura noticed Sasuke shift slightly out of the corner of her eye, she guessed that his father didn't know that he had made a habit of disappearing from the offices at every opportunity.

"Through Naruto," She replied.

"Naruto, huh?" He said and his manner became even more disapproving, Sasuke's mum smile.

"Naruto's always very cheerful isn't he?" She commented and Sakura nodded, she lowered her voice but her next comment was still audible to Sasuke and his dad. "My husband thinks Naruto's a bad influence on Sasuke." Sakura suppressed a smile.

"Is he?" Sakura asked genuinely interested in what she had to say as Sasuke looked slightly guilty, his mother smiled at Sakura.

"Well you should have seen what they were like when they were teenagers." She said in a conspiratorial voice Sakura glanced at Sasuke who shook his head slightly.

"That's enough," Sasuke's father interrupted them, "hopefully he's learnt from his mistakes now." Sasuke frowned slightly and Sakura wondered what was going through his head. "If he was more like Itachi then we wouldn't have this problem," Sasuke went ridged and Sakura grew uneasy at this sudden turn of events. Sasuke's mother gave them both a smile.

"Ignore him, for some strange reason he doesn't enjoy parties, you two go and have fun." There was a slight protest and Sasuke didn't seem to want to move. It was strange how much of an impact his father's words had had on him and Sakura caught his arm and tugged slightly.

"Sasuke," She said softly, "Sasuke, come on, let's go" He nodded, still looking unsure of himself for the first time since Sakura had met him so she gently guided him across the room.

"Sakura," Ino called out to her cheerfully and waved the two over. Naruto took one look at Sasuke and immediately looked concerned. "And this is Sasuke, I was hoping to have a proper conversation with you at some point." Sasuke seemed to snap out of his trance.

"Oh? And why's that?" He questioned. And Sakura noticed that he seemed to be slowly relaxing away from the presence of his parents, but Naruto was still giving him a worried look and she wondered if he was just pretending to be alright.

"Because you've been spending time with Sakura and I like to see who she's spending time with."

"Ino," Sakura protested but her friend just laughed.

"So, you've been spending time with Sakura for quite some time," Ino said folding her arms and Shikamaru sighed.

"Here we go, brace yourself Sasuke." He muttered and Ino glared at him.

"Yes I have," Sasuke said, mimicking Ino and folding his arms, a slight smile graced his lips.

"And?"

"And what?" Sasuke asked innocently, Ino glared at him.

"And what happens now?" Sasuke shrugged and his smile widened slightly, Naruto grinned as he seemed to realise what Sasuke was up too.

"Well, we're at a party you see that means there'll probably be some dancing, things going on in dark corners and then much later we all have to watch Neji and Tenten drive off in the wedding car for their honeymoon as she's somehow managed to convince him to take a week off for holiday and then we all get to leave." Ino scowled.

"Answer the question properly," Ino said frowning at him for being flippant with her, Sasuke looked at her wide eyed, radiating innocence.

"I thought I did," He said and Ino narrowed her eyes at him.

"What will you do about Sakura?" She asked and Sasuke looked thoughtful.

"Offer her a lift home if she wants it." Naruto laughed quietly and Ino glared at him, Hinata hid a smile behind her hand. "Sorry," Sasuke said, "I couldn't resist, I think you were asking me about something along the lines of whether I want to marry Sakura." He said flatly and Sakura felt herself going red. Ino shook her head.

"Well no, are you going to date her at least?" Sasuke shrugged.

"Shouldn't you wait until I ask Sakura instead of telling you first?" Ino opened her mouth to protest at his obscure answer and then the meaning behind his words sunk in, he wanted to ask her out. Sasuke smirked and noticed that Naruto was watching him carefully, and Sasuke guessed that he had seen his encounter with his father.

"Naruto you worry too much," Sasuke muttered and a look of relief crossed his friends face.

"I think I have a good enough reason to worry about you," Naruto said.

"Oh, that reminds me," Sakura said suddenly, "What did you two do when you were teenagers?" She demanded.

"Nothing," They both insisted and Sakura scowled at them, "I don't believe you."

"Come on Sakura," Sasuke said taking her hand, he looked back to the group they were with. "Sorry, I just want to show her something," Ino gave a slight smile and nodded, they said their goodbyes and Sasuke gently led Sakura towards a corridor that was just off the main room.

"Sasuke, what is it?" Sakura asked walking along side him. He stopped walking and let go of her hand and they stood in silence for a while. Sakura got the impression that Sasuke was working up to something, and she looked across the room and saw Neji and Tenten still surrounded by well wishers and friends .Sasuke came up behind Sakura and slipped his arms around her waist, a faint smile graced his lips.

"So what did you think?" He asked suddenly

"What do I think?" Sakura asked blankly, she turned to face him and without really thinking pushed his hair away from his face.

"About my parents now you've met them," Sakura paused to think as she wrapped her arms around his neck to gently play with his hair.

"Your mum's nice," She said finally, "But your dad's a bit stern."

"That's an understatement." Sasuke muttered, he looked out across the grand room and noticed his brother leaning against one of the pillars; he instinctively tightened his hold on Sakura's waist and his thoughts returned to Sakura's conversation with Itachi, whatever it had been about he wanted to know what about it had shaken her up so much.

"Don't think too much Sasuke, it's a party have fun," Sakura commented when she noticed him frowning slightly and she followed his gaze across to his brother. She giggled slightly and tugged him further down the passage way, finally stopping and pulling him closer to her again feeling daring after all the excitement and few glasses of wine she had had over the meal. Sasuke gave her a quizzical look.

"Oh?" He said softly, "And how would you propose I do that? What would you suggest that's fun?" He said slightly suggestively and Sakura began to blush at the intent look in his eyes.

"Well…" She started as Sasuke leant towards her and they were now almost nose to nose.

"Well?" He inquired. Sakura's heart sped up, she desperately wanted to kiss him but the slight flush on Sasuke's cheeks made her realise that he was slowly over coming his shyness and working up the courage to do it himself.

"I think that maybe..." She tightened her grip on his neck slightly, tangling her fingers in his dark hair.

"Mmm?" Sasuke gently brushed his lips against hers and drew away from Sakura uncertainly.

She gave him a broad smile and pulled him closer to her again to kiss him quickly on the lips. Sasuke gave a soft laugh and then rewarded her with a genuine smile. If his smiles hadn't had an impact on her before this one certainly would have, it completely transformed his face and he looked truly happy and Sakura found herself smiling back at him. Sasuke gathered her up in his arms, holding onto her tightly, he leant down and kissed her again, for longer this time and Sakura pressed herself against him enjoying the feel of his lips against hers. After all the interruptions they had endured at least, she decided, it was worth the wait.

"Sakura?" Sasuke whispered.

"What is it?" She said just as softly.

"Do you want to," He paused, "Maybe meet up sometime in the evening?"

"You mean a date?" She asked, trying not to sound too eager, Sasuke nodded and Sakura smiled at him again.

"I'd love to." He grinned at her and crushed her against him in a hug. Sakura squeaked in surprise and then laughed at how happy he had suddenly become just because of that one question.

Sasuke cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, running his fingers along the side of her face and jaw line and he drew back. Sakura smiled up at him, and Sasuke smiled back and pulled her close into his arms, he rested his chin on the top of her head and they stayed there for a while content, with Sakura reaching up and playing with the ends of his hair.

Sakura pulled herself out of Sasuke's embrace and gave him another quick smile; he gave her a quizzical look, raising one eyebrow slightly. Sakura giggled shyly and extended her hand towards him. Echoes from the past came flooding back as they both recalled another time, another place, where the soft music played in the streets and they had danced uninterrupted.

"Dance with me," Sakura asked softly. Sasuke smiled at her and reached out, his larger hand enclosing her smaller one and she gently led him out towards the dance floor.

Sakura wrapped her arms round his neck as a slow song played once again. It was strange she reflected how all this started with coffee but soon became so much more.

Now Sakura's routine had changed, she used to come in every week with Ino for a chat and to catch up but now she came in every week, went up to the counter as usual and, smiling, joined the dark haired young man by the window. And best of all, she now saw him in the evenings as well.

End

In Chocolate Sasuke mentions that after he hit Itachi and walked out on him that Itachi said he was happy for him. Suggestions that the corruption in the Uchiha company goes deeper than Itachi and he was just trying to force Sasuke out of the company for his own good.

End

Well, I'm really glad I got this finished at last. I've still got ideas for this story but I thought this part of it works well on its own so I'm ending it here for now and I'll probably continue with a sequel.

I hope I've made people happy by finally bringing Sasuke and Sakura together and a big thanks to everyone who has read this, reviewed it, added it to their favourites and so on, I had no idea that it had gotten quite popular until recently. So THANK YOU and I hope you all keep reading my stories and enjoy them.