A/N: Hey guys, thanks for hanging in there and reading this far. Unfortunately, because I don't have a lot of reviews on this, I am not sure how I'm doing with it. I hope it has been an interesting read this far, even if the first few chapters are a little slow going.

I do not own Naruto.

Chapter Three: An Invitation to Dinner

The rest of the party went by fine. Sakura decided to avoid Sasuke Uchiha at all costs, and glared at him, burning holes throught he back of his head whenever she got a chance.

Naruto found Hinata again, and asked for a few more dances before the night was over, and Sakura was happy that her good friend, Tenten showed up. Tenten was plain for a girl, but Sakura didn't care. She could tell the girl anything.

"He seriously said that?" Tenten asked in disbelief. Sakura nodded. "Wow, that is rude. You're like the prettiest girl I know."

"I don't know what his problem is. It's like he thinks he's too good for everyone here." Sakura replied, sighing.

"Well, that's okay. If he liked you, that might cause all sorts of problems." Tenten giggled. Sakura smiled. That was true. Right now Sakura didn't need a boyfriend or a love affair to distract her. She had one more year of her pre-med left, and it was presumably the hardest year. She had to stay focused if she wanted someone to sponsor her through schooling as a doctor.

Around midnight, Hiashi found his daughters and told them it was time to go home. The party had died down a little then, the late nighters hanging around. They said their goodbyes and headed home.

Sakura could not sleep that night. She was still fuming about the behavior of a certain Uchiha. Instead, she decided to research who exactly this Sasuke was. She had heard rumors at the party that though he was only twenty three, he was the CEO of a vastly rich company. His parents passed away when he was young, leaving the company to him.

Upon researching it on the internet, she found that the rumors were true, but her eyes widened when she saw which company it was. He was the CEO of Uchiha industries! The company was well known for their advances in technology and led the world into futuristic technological uses. This guy was rich. No wonder he was such an ass and a prick. How exactly did a guy like that end up with the Uzumaki's? They were like polar opposites.

A week since the party had passed, and all the excitement around town had died down a little. However, rumors of dislike of Sasuke Uchiha spread around like wildfire. People complained that he was rude, arrogant, and quiet. Everyone seemed to prefer Naruto to him, and Sakura could definitely see why.

Later that evening, when their father came home, he called his girls into his study.

"Y-yes father, what is it?" Hinata asked sitting in a chair in the study. Sakura stood beside her.

"I received a call today at work from Minato Uzumaki," Hiashi began. "He asked if you would like to have dinner with them sometime later this week, Hinata." He said calmly. "It seems that Naruto is interested in getting to know you a little better." Hinata blushed, and Sakura felt a little jealous inside, but she figured as much by the way Naruto had been looking at her the whole night at the party.

"When would they like me to come over?" Hinata asked. She was excited to have dinner with them. She rather liked Naruto. He was really a gentleman.

"Friday night at six in the evening." Hiashi replied. "Sakura, would you be willing to help Hinata out? I'm sure she would like to look cute and you are good at that kind of thing."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah I can do that for Hinata. I'll make sure that she's super pretty!" With that, they left their father to rest a little before dinner.

Friday evening came and Sakura was busy helping her sister. This time, she convinced Hinata to wear a flowy knee length skirt that was a solid black color with a white ruffly shirt that had a modest scoop neck. She chose a nice long silver necklace with beads and a bow and some cute black flats for Hinata to wear. This time she did a half updo with Hinata's hair, and kept her makeup as simple as it was the night of the party.

"Thank you Sakura, I should really learn a few things from you. You always know how to make me look so pretty." Hinata trailed off.

"You are pretty Hinata. You just have to know what to wear for your body shape is all." Sakura replied back kindly.

The doorbell rang, and Sakura knew that it was because Naruto was here to pick Hinata up. Sakura ushered Hinata downstairs when she heard their father open the door and greet Naruto to come in. When the two men heard them coming, they stopped in the middle of their conversation. Sakura could tell that Naruto liked what he saw since he didn't take his eyes off Hinata the whole way down the stairs.

"I will bring her back around nine after dinner." Naruto said, finally taking his eyes of Hinata to look at Hiashi. He nodded.

"Very well then. Enjoy your evening you two! Hinata, you look beautiful." With that, Hiashi gave his daughter a hug and let Naruto escort her out the door where his car was idling. Hiashi shut the door behind him.

"No lecture daddy?" Sakura teased. Hiashi sighed."

"I would love to give Hinata the be safe lecture, but she's twenty one. I think she's a little too old for that." Sakura couldn't help but laugh a little. Dinner was just about ready, so the two of them decided to go into the dining room and eat.

It was just after eight when the phone rang. Sakura picked it up after it rang a few times.

"Hello, Hyuuga residence." She answered.

"Hi, this is Kushina Uzumaki." the voice on the other line began. Sakura wondered why Kushina was calling. Did something happen to Hinata?

"Is Hinata okay?" Sakura asked.

"Well... She is, but she seems to have caught something. She's been throwing up since we finished dinner." Kushina explained. Sakura frowned. That can't be good.

"Okay, let me get my dad." Was all Sakura said before running off to inform her father. She sat quietly and listened to their conversation.

"I see... okay... you really don't have to... If it isn't a burden... that is really so generous of you... I appreciate it... Thanks." And then, he hung up the phone.

"What's the matter with Hinata?" Sakura asked.

"She's got a slight fever and is throwing up, but everyone thinks she will be fine. They already called the doctor and it seems to be some food poisoning. Did Hinata eat anything funny today?" Hiashi asked.

"I think she ate some leftovers for breakfast." Sakura replied, trying to think of what could possibly cause sickness.

"Anyway, they are letting Hinata rest in one of their spare rooms and insist on letting her stay there. I suppose it's okay considering that they live thirty minutes from here and Hinata probaby wouldn't tolerate a car ride very well."

"I'll go see her tomorrow morning while you're at work if that would make you feel better, dad." Sakura offered. Hiashi nodded.

"That would be good, I think." He replied.

As Sakura retired for the evening, she thought about Naruto and Hinata, and how cute they were. She was slightly jealous of what their relationship was turning out to be, and then she though of that Sasuke. She could still feel her blood boil over what happened that night at the party and then wondered why she was even thinking about that arrogant jerk. Hopefully he was gone and when she went to the Uzumaki estate, she wouldn't have to see or deal with him.

Morning came, and it was sunny and cool out. Sakura went about her morning, eating breakfast and drinking some coffee. She needed to go on her run this morning and decided to have one of their housemaids just drop her off at the edge of town. That would give her plenty of miles to run in the countryside to the Uchiha estate.

Waving goodbye, she put in her headphones and began her jog.

It was about an hour before she could see the estate in view. It looked just a s grand in the morning as it did the night of the party. The fountain out front had birds bathing in it, chirping. She got to the estate gates and pressed the doorbell.

"Can I help you ma'am?" A voice over the intercom sounded.

"Yes, I'm Sakura Haruno, Hinata's sister. I've come to visit her." There wasn't a reply on the intercom, but instead the sound of a loud click, and the hinges of the gate beginning to pull it open. As soon as there was a decent opening, Sakura proceeded.

When Sakura finally reached the front doors, before she could knock it was opened by a butler.

"This way Ms. Haruno. I will escort you to the meeting room." Sakura followed suit. The butler led her into an area of the house that she hadn't previously been in before. It wasn't until now that she realized that the estate was far bigger than she originally thought.

"Here we are." The butler opened a huge door and Sakura entered. Kushina, Naruto, and Sasuke were sitting on the couch, Kushina and Naruto engaged in a conversation. They immediately stopped upon seeing Sakura.

She did not like that he was still here. Not one bit. How long was that Uchiha planning on staying anyway? If he was indeed the CEO of his company, shouldn't he be more busy and well.. gone?

"Sakura! How nice of you to stop by!" Kushina greeted. "Are you here to see Hinata?" Sakura nodded. Naruto grinned, but Sasuke just gave her a skeptical look. All of a sudden, it made her really embarrassed that she was in her jogging clothes, sweaty, and her hair a mess.

Sasuke just stared. He didn't really know what to even think. He was somewhat amused to see Sakura in such a polar opposite appearance as the party. In fact, this look made her actually stand out to him a little for the first time. Her pony was messy and strands of hair had fallen loose and framed her face. Her jogging outfit still hugged her body, but her face was fresh in a way with a workout glow and sweat. He averted his gaze. Why was he bother to analyze her anyway?

"Naruto, son, why don't you show Sakura to where Hinata is staying?" Kushina suggested. Naruto got up off the couch.

"Of course. Sakura follow me." He instructed as he walked passed her. Sakura mouthed a thank you to Kushina and completely pretended that Sasuke didn't even exist as she turned around to follow Naruto.

Sakura again was led through parts of the house that she was unfamiliar with. This time however, it seemed much shorter before they stopped in front of a door.

"She's staying in this room. I'll come check on you guys a little later." And with that, Naruto turned away and walked off. Sakura quietly opened the door and walked in. Hinata was already staring at her, book in hand. She closed it and jumped out of bed, really excited to see her sister.

"Sakura! You're here!" She exclaimed, hugging her.

"Yeah... I'm a little stinky. I ran here." Sakura replied when Hinata let go. The girls sat on the bed, talking.

"How have they treated you?" Sakura asked. Hinata smiled, and blushed.

"They have seriously treated me so good! They gave me medicine and have fed me, and let me sleep!" Sakura was amused by the excitement in Hinata's voice. It was rare that her sister showed her feelings.

They then heard a knock at the door.

"Is it okay if I come in?" A voice asked. The girls immediately recognized it as Naruto. The blush was instantly back on Hinata's face.

"Y-yes," she replied. "You can come in." The door opened and Naruto walked in.

"Is there anything else I can get you Hinata?" Naruto asked as he proceeded to sit in a chair that was situated by the bed. He then put his hand to her forehead. "IIt don't think you have a fever anymore!" He exclaimed excitedly. Hinata was beet red. "You can probably go home tomorrow morning."

"Naruto, I really want to thank you and your family for taking care of Hinata for us." Sakura interrupted. "It means a lot, and was very kind of you." Naruto just smiled, still looking at Hinata.

"It was no problem at all. It was a pleasure looking after Hinata." Sakura grinned as she listened to the two continue a conversation. She was pleased to see her sister so happy.

She didn't expect to find that happiness herself anytime soon. She never really had luck when it came to the dating scene anyway.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was definitely centered more around NaruHina. If you've ever read Pride and Prejudice, it also takes off really slow in the beginning with the main character's love life. I still hope that you loved reading it, and as always, reviews are really appreciated!