Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters

So, here's chapter seven. First day without school—it's a bit shorter than what I'm used to writing with this story, but I like how it came out. And um… just to answer what someone reviewed, yeah I am pretty mean lol. But the story wouldn't have the drama it needs without hateful classmates, so thanks for stopping by and reading the story anyways. :] Enjoy chapter seven.

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Sakura tossed and turned in her bed, trying to not wake up. It was Saturday and she wanted to sleep in. Why do I feel like I should be up? Ugh, go back to sleep… she tried to force herself, slamming her second pillow over her face. "I was planning on going out to the city and buying some things"… oh gosh! She rolled herself off the bed and hit the floor with a "thump". "Ouch… oh no oh no, what time is it?" She looked around frantically and grabbed her clock and stared at it for awhile because her vision was still blurry: 8:30.

"Oh… my… gosh! He said nine!" Frantically, Sakura threw herself in the shower and made sure to take less than ten minutes. When she got out, she insulted her stupidity of not choosing an outfit the day before. "What to wear what to wear…" she mumbled as she rummaged through her drawers. Shaking her head, she lifted the window and felt the temperature outside: it was a nice day with a slight breeze. It's a nice day… which means I'm free to wear whatever I want! I hope I look cute… She worried as she looked back to her drawer: did she own anything worthy of this rich man?

I should have saved one of my outfits that I wore to tutoring or something… ugh, stupid stupid stupid! She mentally slapped herself as she looked from her clock to her drawers and back several times. Finally, Sakura decided on wearing a pair of black jeans and a red and gray striped shirt. It wasn't fancy, but it was comfortable. Maybe my hair will make up for my lack of creativity… She groaned as she left her pink hair to its natural waves to hang off her shoulders.

Looking over to her clock, she saw the time: eight fifty-three. Stupid! She screamed at herself and raced downstairs. Sakura enjoyed the freedom of running through the halls without worrying about bumping into Ino or anyone else from her gang. When she got outside, she saw Professor Uchiha. Oh my gosh… her eyes widened.

He was dressed handsomely: black jeans, gray shirt, and an over jacket with a cut that complimented his body outlining perfectly. His soft, charcoal bangs hung in his face and around his small eyes. The tranquil Uchiha was leaning on a tree, seeming to await the arrival of the pinkette. How early had he gotten up that he was here? Or… was she late? "Um, hi, professor," Sakura greeted him with a shy smile.

"Good morning, Ms. Haruno. You're ready?" She nodded in a response. Sasuke nodded and waved his hand towards some other direction she couldn't pinpoint, but before she knew it, a limousine drove up to pick them up.

A man came out from the driver's seat door and rushed to open the doors, but Sasuke stopped him. "Relax, Kai; I'll take care of the doors," he said coolly as he smiled. He opened the door to the backseat and motioned for Sakura to enter. "After you, Ms. Haruno."

Sakura blushed profusely. A man had never opened a door for her—and this was a rich man! This was Professor Uchiha! She stepped in and mumbled an embarrassed "thank you" to him. He was constantly making her equal with him as if he wanted to drill it into her mind that he was human too.

He sat in the backseat as well, on the side across from her. "Take us to the mall, Kai," he ordered with a hint of kindness in his tranquil voice. Sakura looked at Sasuke as he was now in his element: he was in charge, giving out orders, but something seemed off. He wasn't snobby or full of himself. He was just rich in name, not in actions. "So, Haruno—er, Miss—"

"Please, just call me Haruno; it's all right—or even… Sakura, if you want to." She saw Sasuke's eyes widen with a sort of pleased look. His lips curved up into a smile.

"Sakura is a nice name," he complimented her, raising a blush to her cheeks. Did he just flirt with her? Sakura looked away only slightly—she knew she liked it, but it was very embarrassing to know that Kai could hear everything they were saying. "So, Sakura," he made a point to say her name, "what kind of clothes do you like? You seem to dress in a variety of different styles," he noted.

"Well, pretty much anything that's comfortable… I apologize if it's not—"

"You look nice," he encouraged her, another blush now tinting her cheeks.

"We are here, sir," Kai announced, pulling the limo up to the entrance of the massive mall. It was a very tall building with a unique structure Sakura had never seen before. She looked up to the name: Uzumaki Mall. She cringed at the name and Sasuke chuckled when he saw her face.

"Thank you, Kai; I understand Uzumaki hasn't exactly made a good impression on you. Do you want to go elsewhere?" He offered. She shook her head, sucking up her dislike back in its hidden compartment in her heart.

"No, it's okay; it's not like he'll be there anyways," she answered with a smile. Sasuke grunted a short "hn", but followed it with a smile of his own.

"Come, let's go," he said, scooting out the door and holding it open for her. Sakura gladly followed after him and walked beside him. Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets in a very un-rich manner. Sakura giggled; he definitely seemed comfortable.

When they got inside, it was the most magnificent mall Sakura had ever seen. The entry way was massive and elaborate. The Uzumakis had certainly gone all out with this mall, that much was obvious. She looked around, wondering if all the silver items she saw decorating the walls was actual silver—or perhaps platinum? "Are you going to walk?" Sasuke chuckled at her. Sakura blushed, realizing she had stopped in her tracks to admire the architecture.

"I almost feel like I can't!" She laughed. Sasuke chuckled and just smiled at her.

"Well, I don't want to have to drag you around, so let's try this again," he said teasingly as he continued walking.

"Well, we're here," he pointed to one of the many stores in the mall. "This has pretty much the style of clothing you described." She gawked as she saw the inside of the store. It was… gorgeous. She was about to do one of her infamous stunned-in-place actions, but Sasuke nudged her forward. "Come on, Sakura," he chuckled and led her inside.

"Oh right!" She laughed and started walking again. She saw so many things that caught her eye, but the prices turned her off immediately. However, Sasuke put his mark on every last thing that she gave a wishing look to. He finally convinced her to pick out one thing that she would allow him to get for her and go try it on.

She chose a red gown as she was now thinking ahead to attending the party at the Hyuga Estate on Tuesday. This time, she would know how to handle the circumstances. And she knew Professor Uchiha would be there too. He had promised to protect her from her menacing peers. "All right, I'm going to go get changed," she told her professor, who merely nodded and responded:

"Hn; come out when you're done, I want to see you in it," he smiled briefly. While Sakura was getting changed, Sasuke spoke with the cashier and told her everything that he would be purchasing—that is, everything Sakura laid even one glance at in the store. Anything that caught her eye, it was now hers, through Sasuke's abundance of money.

Sakura dressed herself in the crimson gown, which fit perfectly around her body. She twirled in front of the mirror and giggled. She loved it; it complimented both her skin tone and her pink tresses. However, she felt bad making Sasuke purchase something so expensive for her. Of course, she didn't know he planned on buying out the entire store for her because she liked so many things.

He said he wanted to see me in it… I wonder if he'll think I look pretty. She tapped her finger on her chin and studied herself in the mirror. She didn't find herself very pretty, but she refused to call herself ugly. Maybe she was just… plain. Her hair was probably her only standout feature. Well, the moment of truth I guess…! She took a deep breath and stepped out of the dressing room shyly to show Sasuke her dress.

Sasuke's reaction was pleasurable: "Well, well don't you look lovely."

"Thank you…" she answered breathlessly.

"Do you want it?" He asked her with a placid smile. Sakura nodded vigorously.

"Yes, please."

"Then it's yours," he said simply with a nod and a smile. Sakura grinned and hopped a bit in happiness.

"Thank you so much Professor Uchiha!" She called while running back off to the dressing room to change back into her original outfit. He didn't say I looked pretty, he said I looked "lovely"! I can't believe this! She beamed as she couldn't stop herself from giggling quietly in the room. "He's pretty dreamy…" she mused quietly after slipping her shirt back on.

After purchasing all the dress and all the other clothes against Sakura's will, Sasuke ordered it to be delivered to her dorm room. Sakura thanked everyone in the store and walked out with Professor Uchiha. He seemed to be having a good time, and although he had said he was going out to the stores to buy things, truly, he went to the mall just for her. This raised a smile to the young girl's face as she studied her music professor: tall, handsome, dark hair… She didn't bother to get into detail with her mind, for intense detail would never do him justice. He was regal and gorgeous, but he had a manly air about him as well.

When they got back inside the limousine, Sasuke requested that Kai take them to the grocery store. "The grocery store, sir?" His driver questioned him, seeming confused.

"Yes, I'm running an errand for Kakashi-sensei." Kai nodded and started driving. Sakura gave her professor a questioning look. "Professor Hatake," he clarified for her. She gave a drawn out "oh" in her realization and looked out the windows at the scenery. She felt Sasuke smiling at her, so she glanced at him out the corner of her eye and returned the smile with a grin. "Say, Sakura?"

"Yes?" She looked over at him fully.

"I need to tell you something," his tone changed to assess something serious. She nodded at gave him her full attention. "Don't trust Hatake-sensei. I… Look, I know him; he practically raised me, and his kindness is an act." Sakura frowned. Professor Hatake had been faking the whole time? So the professors really didn't like her then.

"Oh…" she mumbled, disappointment lowering her mood.

"However," Sasuke continued, "Guy-sensei is a different story; his family act upon their true thoughts. What you see is what you get in other words—so, he really does enjoy your company. He's not faking," he encouraged her. Sakura smiled lightly, seeming happier.

"Thanks for the warning, Sas—Professor—"

"It's fine, we're off school grounds. If I can call you Sakura, you can call me Sasuke," he said simply with a shrug. Sakura blushed and nodded, a smile curving on her lips. We're using our first names now…

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Sakura gazed out the window, watching the trees fly by as they drove down the highway. Sasuke groaned inwardly. This grocery store was really out of the way, and he wished he didn't have to go. "Kai, where is Karin right now?"

"I drove her to the Hyuga Estate, master Uchiha; she hasn't contacted me since," the driver answered without hesitation. Sasuke sighed harshly and glided his fingers through his dark mop. Sakura looked over at him.

"Are you okay?" She asked with concern. He gave her a curt nod, and then asked:

"Sakura, how is your arm?" She looked at him with confusion.

"My arm?—oh, um… it's healed up by now," she rolled up her sleeve and showed him the faded scar on her arm. It wasn't very noticeable unless, like Sasuke and Sakura, you knew where to look. He lightly took her arm into his hand and looked carefully at the marked skin. Gently, he passed his thumb across the sensitive area.

"What did you use?" He lowered his voice so Kai wouldn't hear their conversation, but Sakura took it in an entirely different way. He sounds really hot when he whispers… she swallowed. Oh gosh what am I thinking?! She shook her head a bit and answered:

"I'm not sure… I did it in my subconscious…" she admitted, her voice staying at an equally low tone. Sasuke grunted a thoughtful "hn" as he released her arm.

"At least it's okay now," he nodded and turned his attention to the window. Sakura couldn't help but notice that he had his fair share of scars on his wrists. Did he used to cut himself? Maybe that's why he could tell so quickly when she was trying to hide her arm behind her back. He caught her eyes examining his wrists and he pulled his sleeve down a bit. "It was awhile ago," he answered her look.

"Am I intruding?" She frowned a bit, concerned she had entered his personal bubble. He shook his head.

"No; I just don't like that I have these scars. I never did any sort of physical abuse to myself, because I knew that the marks would make me be able to remember what exactly happened. But when I got these… all these were attempts at killing myself," he glanced away after hearing Sakura let out a slight gasp. "Kakashi-sensei stopped me pretty much every time at the last second. I literally owe him my life, but that doesn't mean I'll do whatever he wants me to. It just means… I respect him for it."

"Do you still feel… suicidal?" Sakura worried with a frown and knitted eyebrows. Sasuke shook his head.

"No, I just hit stuff now," he responded jokingly. Sakura laughed at his sudden change of character and leaned her face in her palm. He really has gone through a lot… she thought. He's definitely inspiring…

Only a little while later, Sakura saw a large building outside the window. "We're here," Kai announced as he drove up to the grocery store. Sakura was looking for one of the last names of her classmates in the title, but she didn't see one. Maybe this family doesn't flaunt their name around like the Uzumakis… she concluded. She and Sasuke walked side by side as they entered the grocery store.

When she looked up, she noticed her professor walking towards the section containing the alcohol. Sasuke put his hands over her eyes. "Cover your underage eyes, I'm buying the bad stuff now," he joked as he now grabbed several packages of beer.

"I hear glass bottles clanging!" Sakura played along, a horrified gasp escaping her lips while she fought back a laugh. He removed his hand from her eyes and waved the beer in her face.

"And now you see them," he smirked and held them back at his side. Sakura broke out laughing and shoved him playfully.

After Sasuke purchased the beer, they both got back in the limousine and headed on the long trip back to the school. This time, however, they were sitting side by side rather than across from each other. Sakura's hand overlapped Sasuke's slightly as they rested between where they were sitting. At this point, Sakura couldn't help but think back when she had kissed Sasuke's cheek in that awkward way.

I wonder if he liked it anyways… She thought to herself, looking up at the placid face of the Uchiha. He looked oddly calm as he stared out the window. It was starting to get late, and the sun was sinking below the horizon. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" He said softly, his attention not veering away from the scenery.

"Mhm…" Sakura nodded, looking out to the sky with him. It certainly was a breathtaking site to behold. She breathed out a calm sigh and felt nearly as tranquil as the regal man beside her.

When the sun had set and it was still too cloudy to see the stars, Sakura and Sasuke redirected their attention to each other. Their smiles formed simultaneously, and they laughed at the strange circumstance. "Wow, this is crazy," Sasuke said under his breath and shook his head.

"What is?" Sakura asked curiously. He just shook his head and looked back into the emerald spheres that seemed to connect with his own onyx stare. She was a very beautiful girl, and he wasn't afraid to admit it. Her lips were pale and had a rosy tinge decorating them, even without makeup. Now that he was studying her face, he noticed she didn't wear any makeup at all.

Her smile was also attractive, and her chin rounded off at just the right point. She had a small nose that peeked off her face, but her eyes were her most captivating feature.

Sakura found herself thinking off all her dreams, her daydreams, her wandering thoughts—all of them directed at Sasuke Uchiha. All the fantasies she could ever dream of involved him and him alone. Before she met him, not even the knight in her dreams had a face, but when Professor Uchiha came along, his face filled the knight's lacking.

It felt like fate. It looked like fate. She wanted it to be fate—she wanted it to be something she couldn't escape from even if she wanted to. Sakura Haruno wanted life to make so she was meant to be Sasuke Uchiha. And little did she know, her music professor felt the same way.

She scooted closer and tipped her head up and Sasuke leaned down, his eyes slowly closing. Reality met fantasy in a surreal glow as their lips met in a kiss. Sakura felt herself melting under the feelings that she felt Sasuke pouring out into that kiss.

"Mmhh…" he groaned, leaning in closer to her, locking their lips together. Sakura pulled him in closer, seeming to lose herself in the moment.

"We've arrived, master Uchiha," Kai spoke calmly to his superior, not hearing what was going on. Sasuke and Sakura broke away from each other when they heard his voice, both of their faces flushed red in embarrassment.

"Thank you, Kai," Sasuke managed to speak with dignity and without the stammer that threatened to push out. After making their way out of the limo, Sasuke and Sakura bid Kai goodbye as he drove back off to the Hatake Estate. They both just looked at each other, still feeling quite awkward over what had just happened.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have done… that…" Sasuke finally spoke, clearly his throat slightly. Sakura shook her head.

"No, no, it was me don't blame yourself…" she frowned embarrassedly. Sasuke scratched the back of his head and glanced at her awkwardly.

"I suppose we should… um..."

"Yeah… right, um…"

"I'll uh, see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah, tomorrow," she nodded and smiled awkwardly.

"Right, um… goodnight?"

"Goodnight," she glanced around nervously.

"So um, I'm just gonna…"

"Yeah," she tiptoed and their lips joined again before they went their separate ways.

oOoOo

Awkward relationships are too fun to do… especially when you imagine it in your head. Well, I hope you all like it so far still, thanks for favoriting/following or doing both. :] Arigatogozaimasu for your support. And don't forget to R&R!

InaGaTa