Chapter 4

It was almost time for the party; Sakura just got out of a shower and came out wrapped in a light pink, dressing gown. She moved over to her dressing table and started to brush her long hair, when she heard a light knock on her door.

"Come in." she called out.

"Miss Haruno. It is time to get ready." Said a young voice of the servant.

Sakura nodded her head and watched the young girl come over and started working on her hair. Sakura wasn't paying much attention to what she was doing, she was to busy thinking about tonight. It was mainly just old, important clients and their children who were around her age or older. All of her friends will be there at least. Oh well, she doubts that her father will find what he is looking for, no one is ever good enough for him. Sakura looked outside her window and saw the guests had started to arrive. Well time to put every lesson her father has taught her to the test, even though they are like second nature to her.

"You are ready Miss Haruno." Stated the maid, who bowed and walked out.

Sakura looked at herself and smiled sadly, only if her mother was here. Then her life wouldn't have been so … controlled. Sakura shook her head, she wasn't allowed to talk about her mother, and it's been so long. Sakura shook her head again, no now wasn't the time. All she had to do now was to wait for her father to fetch her before she could move and go to the party. Sakura walked to her window and saw more limos coming into their long driveway and saw the guest entering the huge, main doors and entering the main hall where the party is being held. Sakura heard a knock on her door, and she didn't even say come in, for her father came in.

"Sakura it is time." she heard her father's voice call out to her, more like ordering her.

"Yes father." Sakura replied and walked to her father's side.

…...

"Hey guys. Where are Sakura and her father?" asked Ino, joining the group of teenage friends.

"They aren't here yet." Answered Naruto, who had is arm linked with Hinata's.

More guests started to arrive, and the group of teenagers just talked amongst themselves, allowing the adults to talk about their businesses and stuff. When suddenly the big doubled door on the other side of the entrance was opened by two butlers. Everyone turned their heads to welcome their host and his daughter. They walked down, the small fleet of steps. Sakura smiling polity, her hands lightly resting on her father's right elbow. They made their way to the bottom of the steps and stopped, to stand at the bottom.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Greeted her father, with a loud voice, but stern face. "Please enjoy." He stated. He looked to Sakura and nodded, and she released his elbow and walked away from him, her dress flowing behind her.

Sakura saw her friends and walked over to them. "I am very glad that you could all attend." She stated happily, with a smile.

"Sakura that dress is so cute and suits you so well!" stated Ino, gleefully inspecting the pink haired girl from head to toe.

"Thank you Ino. Your dress suits you also." Sakura replied with her small smile.

They all just started talking and enjoying the evening when a man came over and asked Sakura for a dance, Sakura politely accepted, said a quick goodbye and hooked her arm around his elbow and they walked to the dance floor.

Its been a good two hours into the party, Sakura has danced with Neji, Kiba, Naruto, Shikamaru, surprisingly, and even Shino and Lee and a bunch of other boys from other families like Kankuro and Gaara and some she can't even remember. The whole time feeling her father's gaze, watching to make sure she was acting like the lady she should and to look for the one that suited to his standings. Sakura, could feel drained from all the dancing, but didn't allow it to show. She hand just finished another dance and politely excused herself to fetch a refreshment for herself. On her way though she was stopped by some of the adults and kept asking her questions and wouldn't stop. She could feel the irritation starting to build up, but kept her smile on. She really didn't want to listen to these adults talk about their businesses. Suddenly a hand was placed in front of her, she looked to see the face and was shocked to see Sasuke holding out his hand to her. She turned to the adults and excused herself again and took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor.

"Thank you Sasuke." She whispered, not wanting her father to hear her.

"Hn" was all he said and they continued to dance to the slow song.

He didn't know why he did it, he just did. He's been watching

every other guy dance with her and for some reason he felt irritated by it. So when he saw her walking away but was stopped by a group of adults, he could see that she didn't want to be there, his feet just started walking towards her. Now that they were dancing he got a real close up of her face. He could see her pale face and electrifying eyes, her hair that would bounce with each step and her dress flowing around her, just added to it all. Even when he first saw her walk in, he couldn't stop looking at her. Her small hand in his was so warm and fit his perfectly. She was smiling at him, but this smile looked so much more brighter than the one she always has, but he wasn't able to continue his observation for the song came to an end. She did a small curtsey and he returned it with a slight bow. He held out his elbow and she took it, allowing him to lead her back to their friends. Both nor prepared to admit that they didn't want to end the dance.

"Wow, you guys looked like you were dancing on air!" stated Naruto, with his usual grin, but with a sly look.

Sakura giggled slightly and Sasuke glared at him. Eventually it turned into a little tease from everyone. Sakura was trying not to laugh out loud so she just smiled, probably her biggest smile she has ever had in a long time and giggled some more when they were glaring at each other. Sakura was suddenly broken out of this.

"Miss Haruno. May I have this dance." Asked a deep, voice behind her.

Sakura turned around, and for a second thought she was looking at Sasuke, but realised that it wasn't Sasuke. This man had long, jet black, hair tied in a low pony tail and was much taller and older than Sasuke.

"Of course." She replied, smiling. Even though she didn't want to ever dance again.

He held out his elbow and she took and turned to her friends and excused herself, but she saw Sasuke and saw him looking very irritated. She was lead back to the dance floor, where a song just ended and a new one was just about to start.

"Miss Haruno, I would like to give you something." The man said, taking out a red flower and putting it behind her hair.

"Thank sir. It is beautiful and please call me Sakura." She stated getting into the correct dancing position, putting her hand lightly on his shoulder.

The man chuckled, "Then please call me Itachi, Sakura." He said with smirk, putting his hand on her waist.

Sakura didn't reply, for the song started, and was whisked away. It was the best dance this evening, he was graceful and swift. He didn't step on her toes, or take a wrong step… it was perfect. His eyes never left hers, they were so dark and never ending, just like Sasuke's, but she couldn't see any emotion in them like she can in Sasuke's. Sakura was smiling at him, feeling as light as air, she didn't even notice that there was crowd watching them now, with no one else on the dance floor until the song was over and she heard clapping. Sakura looked up and saw everyone watching them. She turned back to face Itachi, she curtseyed and he bowed. He then took her hand and kissed her knuckles lightly.

"Thank you Sakura." He said low enough for just her to hear.

Sakura smiled. He then stood up and escorted her off the dance floor, and she noticed he was taking her to where her father was talking to another pair of adults, but what shocked her was that Sasuke was there. They stopped just by them.

"Itachi. Sakura." Said her father looking rather pleased.

"Father." Sakura said with bow of her head. Making sure she was straight.

"I was just talking with Itachi's father and mother." He continued.

Sakura didn't like where this was going, but kept quiet. She stole a glance at Sasuke and saw him looking away and irritated. Wait did he say mother and father?

"They have agreed, to have you as Itachi's fiancé and that you may marry once you have graduated." He stated.

Sakura felt he stomached drop, he found someone? He chose Itachi? Sakura looked at Sasuke, but couldn't see his eyes. She looked back to her father and saw that Itachi's parents looked pleased at this arrangement. Sakura could feel all gazes their on her. Sakura forced a smile on her face.

"That is wonderful, father." She said as politely as she could in her state of shock.

Her father nodded and moved away to the stairs and stood by them, he cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I would like to announce the engagement between Itachi Uchiha and my daughter Sakura Haruno." He said in a loud and clear voice and listened to the applauses of the guests.

…

AN: wow that was long, sorry for the wait.