The Knot Between Them

She was 7 at that time when she stood at the swings by herself, with no friends near her whatsoever. All she could hear were snide remarks as she sat on a swing and began lifting her legs back and forth in a slow motion. "I heard she's his sister!" "Wha! You mean that Uzumaki kid?" "Yeah! What more is that, her name means sadness!" "Wow! Pity much?!" "Haha!"

She only sat there with her bangs covering her eyes as silent tears fell down her cheeks. 'I'm a big girl now right? I shouldn't cry! Big girls don't cry! Onii-chama will be worried if I cry… demo…' she remembered their comments on her as she continued letting tears flow right down to the ground.

She was about to get off the swing when she heard rustling and she looked up in surprise when a girl took a seat on the swing beside her, the girl was really pretty with her golden auburn hair and amber eyes, she didn't look Japanese from what Aijou could tell. She had an accent too, as she spoke.

"Ne, why are you alone? Don't you play with kids over there too? You're friends right?" the girl asked, throwing questions to her at any chance she got. Aijou didn't answer as a small blush formed on her cheeks, she's never spoken to anyone before except her brother and maybe her teacher sometimes if she felt like answering.

The little girl with an accent continued, "You don't speak? Are you shy? Well, I'll tell you my name! I'm Rosette Baldassare! The third daughter of Oceane Baldassare! I think I sound weird by my mommy says that's because I'm not fully Nihongo! She says that I'm… F…F-…eto… Fwe…? Fwe… oh! French! It sounds weird right?! I think so!" Rosette smiled.

Aijou looked at her in surprise before smiling weakly and murmured in a soft voice her own name. "U-Uzumaki… Aijou…" Aijou whispered her name in shame almost. She was surprised even further though when Rosette merely grinned widely at her and showed her a peace sign happily as she raised two fingers up.

Rosette started swinging, her legs lifting up and down quickly, much opposite of Aijou's short, slow motions. "Aijou huh? I heard my mommy once say something like Angel and she says it means Tenshi! To me, Aijou sort of, kinda sounds like Angel a little! Looks like you're a Tenshi, Aijou-tenshi!" Rosette giggled.

Aijou looked at her with widened eyes, why was this girl trying to befriend her? Shouldn't she be staying away? "Why… why are you talking to me?" Aijou asked shyly as she brought her gaze back to the ground beneath her and continued swinging in her own little gestures as tears formed at her eyes as she imagined Rosette's answer.

Rosette's answer though, was totally different of what she had in mind. She was expecting a 'I'm bored and maybe I'll be cool if I talk to that freak!' instead though, Rosette's reply was a question against her own question. "Am I not supposed to?" Aijou felt her eyes brim with joyful tears.

And that was how she got her first friend…

And her first disappointment.

Aijou could only stare as tears fell off her eyes. "W-What do you mean you're leaving?" the now 9 year old girl questioned her best friend as Rosette also cried. "I thought we were gonna be best friends forever! Why are you breaking a promise?! Utsuki (liar)!" Aijou cried out as she wiped away the tears.

Rosette hugged Aijou before sniffing, "M-My mommy said it's time to go back to the place I belong, s-she called it the French Heaven. She said it's where tenshi and angels are with Kami-sama and Megami-sama! She says that… that I'm a tenshi that left my home a long time ago!!" Rosette explained in a sad voice.

Aijou hiccupped as she tried to stop crying, "D-Demo!! You didn't leave home yet!! This is your home! STAY!!" Aijou shouted the last word in indignation. Rosette jumped back in surprise as the girl shouted for what seemed like the first time ever since they became the best of friends two years ago.

Rosette was about to say more until her mother came, her mother- Oceane,- smiled sadly at Aijou, "I'm sorry girls, but you'll have to find each other another day," Oceane whispered to them before placing a warm hand on Aijou's forehead. Rosette widened her eyes as Aijou fell back into Oceane's awaiting arms.

"M-Mommy! Aijou-chan fainted!"

Oceane didn't smile her usual heartwarming smile, but instead hugged Aijou before setting her to lie on the bench outside of her and her brother's apartment. "Say goodbye to Aijou, Rosette," Rosette complied and hugged Aijou before placing something in her hands. Beautiful white wings sprouted from Oceane's back before she took Rosette in her arms and let her look at Aijou one more time before fluttering into the sky.

In Aijou's hands was a single crystal cylinder made of pure white glass.

"Remember me… Aijou…"

It had been 6 years since Aijou and Rosette met.

It had been 4 years since Aijou and Rosette separated.

And now, at age 13, the only thing to give Aijou even the vaguest of memories about this person named Rosette…

Is a single pure white crystal.

"Aijou-chan! Aijou-chan!"

Aijou looked up in surprise as she looked around her surroundings, everything was… white and there was light shining nearly everywhere and she felt like she was stepping on… something… soft? She looked down and gasped when she was standing on fluffy white clouds.

She was confused, who was calling her?

"Who… who's there?!"

She shouted into the seemingly endless place. She heard a giggly as the same voice from before answered her. She gasped.

"It's me silly! Remember? Your best friend!"

Aijou was seriously confused now, since when had she had a best friend that lived in a place that didn't even look half like Earth!?

"I don't have a best friend!"

She heard a loud gasp erupt from nowhere and looked around to find the source of all this to find no one, again.

"Never say that! Remember? It's me! Remember what I told you about angels?"

Aijou nearly rolled her eyes at this. She was 13 now! There's no time to believe in such things.

"No! I don't know you and there's no such things as angels!"

She suddenly felt herself being pushed back as she looked around and widened her eyes to find a familiar looking girl glaring at her.

"You liar! You so do remember me!"

Aijou shook her head in confusion.

"No I don't!"

The girl bit back something she looked like she was going to say but smirked.

"Well then, if you don't remember me, then remembered what you promised me?"

Aijou shook her head again.

"I'm Rosette! And you promised me that we'll be that best of friends forever and forever! Zutto, zutto!"

Aijou widened her eyes.

She didn't know why but for the rest of the time she knew that girl, she always met her in dreams. And there was a peculiar one she remembered too!

Aijou and Rosette were laughing as they chased a flying cloud. "Wha!" Rosette sighed in bliss before dropping onto the clouds beneath them to lie down. She looked sad all of a sudden.

Aijou looked at her, "What's wrong, Rosette?" she asked innocently.

Rosette looked at her sadly, "I wish I was like you. I'm an only child so I've never had the feeling of being protected before,"

Aijou and Rosette stayed silent before Aijou smiled brightly, "Rosette! I have the best idea ever! I promise you that I'll let you borrow my brother, ne?"

Rosette looked at her in surprise before smiling widely.

"For one year?"

"For one year!"

Their promise was made then and as they grew older, Rosette took Aijou's identity. Somehow…

She didn't know if that was right or not. Because it seemed to change everything.

NEW FEATURE!!!

Chapter 9 Cover

A picture of Sakura sitting in the Uchiha living room with Sasuke. She is sitting on the arm rest wearing a strapless black gown that reaches her knees and puffs out; it has white small polka dots on it with a large red bow tied around her waist and in the back. She has on short black gloves and red pumps. Her hair is in curvy curls and her bangs are clipped back up in a poof. Sasuke is standing behind her in black pants, a black dress shirt with the first three buttons unbuttoned with a red tied hanging loosely around his neck and he is carrying a black blazer in his arm while in his other arm is hugging Sakura's waist as he lays his head on her shoulder. Sakura's head is slightly turned to face Sasuke's face. There is a shadow of Naruto in the background behind the door spying on them with Aijou looking at him from behind. Naruto is in black jeans and an orange t-shirt and wearing a black unbuttoned blazer over that with Aijou in an elegant black knee long babydoll dress and black flats.

-Printed on the top of the cover in Old English Text MT is the title-

WANTED: A PINK HAIRED WIFE

Summary: Sakura gaped as she looked at the sign before doing a double take. Yup, she wasn't dreaming. There on the sign in front of the mansion, was stating that Uchiha Sasuke needed a wife. And it was her lucky day that she became the hired wife.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto T-T

Note: The characters may seem moody but I'm really trying to keep them as in character as much as I could until later on.

CHAPTER 9

A bullet.

And what's worse… it had his initials on it.

O.O.

Sakura blinked continuously to get the sleep out of her eyes as she smiled when she saw Sachi curled up in her bed with Shina hugging him like a teddy bear. 'They're so sweet…' she thought and giggled before getting off the bed. Sakura smiled before stretching and arching her back leisurely. "Ah…"

She breathed out before opening her closet up. She looked at the many arrays of clothing before picking out a thin long sleeve white shirt with the words Ice Cream Soda, Me On Top, written in pink and red rhinestones, black fitting jeans that hugged her curvaceous hips, and hot pink vans to give her that teenage look.

She waved her hair and straightened her bangs before pulling on a cute baby pink and white cardigan cap. Sakura smiled at them before leaving the room and closing the door behind her gently. She sighed as she walked downstairs, she had said to meet Ino this morning to get with the modeling agency. In the mean time, she remembered where Sasuke was going this morning.

He said he was going to go to a meeting in the company and something that she would start her job as his secretary tomorrow and they'll get the scripts for Forbidden Fruit pretty soon. Sakura couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that in just one week, her whole entire life was changing. 7 days ago, she was a little wanderer, without family and friends.

Now, she was getting engaged, had a whole bunch of rich friends, becoming a model, becoming the secretary for the biggest corporation in Japan, and becoming an actress for all she knew. It was like the poor little Miss Sakura from way back then was gone and now what replaced her was soon-to-be famous actress and model Mrs. Uchiha Sakura.

Uchiha Sakura.

She let the name roll off her tongue, wondering what life will be like once that name really did become hers. She couldn't help but be scared of the thought, scared of what the future held for her. She was really scared, because she was scared that she'd fall in love with Sasuke. She was scared of that dream she had. She was scared…

That he was just acting.

Sasuke looked at Naruto with mere interest as the blonde drank from his coffee, the two beings the first ones to arrive at the meeting since it wouldn't start until 20 minutes later. Naruto was actually quite for once as he slurped some ramen from his cup. Sasuke rolled his eyes before managing to add, "What is with you and ramen?"

Naruto looked at him and he was surprised to find the innocent and childish spark in Naruto's eyes now replaced with envy and hate, "I love it," somehow, Sasuke felt as though the words Naruto just spoke held a deeper meaning to it, and he wasn't talking about ramen, but more about… the current object of their attentions.

Sasuke smirked, knowing that the blonde wanted her, "You know you can't have her, Naruto," Sasuke said quietly as he placed a hand on his cheek boringly. Naruto didn't say anything but continued eating his ramen.

It felt like the only connection between the two was snapped, broken, and gone. It felt like they were never more than just business partners.

It was like, the link they shared, the bond they held, was now gone because of a girl. They had let a girl come into their friendship. And somehow…

They were both proud of it.

Sakura smiled at Ino as the blonde led her to her car which was a silver Lexus. Ino got in the driver seat as Sakura went into the passenger side. Ino started the engine as she closed the door. Sakura sighed before looking around the car, the chairs were white leather seats which Ino placed cute Mashimaro cushions on top.

There were three Mashimaro stuff animes placed in the back window and one hanging on the front window. Sakura smiled as she inhaled the smell of vanilla and lavenders. "I like your car Ino-chan," Sakura looked at the blonde that was strapping her seatbelt on. Ino grinned at Sakura and clicked the belt into the clasp before making herself comfortable.

"Temari-chan bought me this car as a sign of friendship when we stopped fighting over Shikamaru, I figured I was being the biggest third wheel ever and so I laid low and she forgave me and we became friends," Ino seemed a little sad as she told Sakura this. Sakura mentally noticed that in the tone the blonde was using, she was still definitely in love with the pineapple head.

Sakura frowned inwardly. Ino brushed it off though as she smiled brightly, "Well Sakura! Ready for your interview? I know, interviews suck, but hey! I'm absolutely sure Takahashi-san will hire you! And besides, he has to since the clothes his models wear are made especially from my family's own designing company," Ino winked.

Sakura giggled and the blonde frowned as she examined Sakura, "Hmm… you look much too teenaged for a nearly married woman, I'm going to take you shopping later on, we girls at this age of 21 need to uphold the elegance we get to have while also showing off our young energy at the same time, and nothing shows these things better than a nice outfit!" Ino grinned.

Sakura could only smile as she drove out of the parking curb and out of the gates of the Uchiha Mansion.

Sasuke stood outside of the modeling agency's building as he leaned against his car, waiting for his fiancée to come out of the building. It wasn't very long until he saw a head of pink and another one of blonde come out, smiling brightly at each other. Sasuke frowned as he looked at her attire. Too teenage.

Sakura spotted Sasuke and waved to Ino as the blonde said bye to her, Ino caught Sasuke's gaze and nodded her head in greeting in which Sasuke did the same. Ino got in her car and started the engine before driving off. Sakura beamed as she arrived in front of Sasuke, "I got the job! I'm officially the Yamanaka Fashions main model!"

Sasuke smirked and nodded, "Hn, good for you, now get in," Sakura pouted at his lack of enthusiasm. Sasuke got in the drivers seat and Sakura got in the passenger seat, the two closed the door at the same time before he started the engine. Sasuke looked at Sakura as he drove away, "You look too young, we're going to get you changed,"

Sakura groaned, "Again! Why does everyone mock my sense of fashion? I happen to like looking as young as possible!" Sakura blurted out as her cheeks puffed out in anger. Sasuke smirked as he looked over at her quickly before back at the road ahead, he let out a hand to poke one of her cheeks and Sakura squeaked when the air on her cheeks died out with the poke he just gave her.

He rolled his eyes at her childishness, "We're going to La-La-Yuki Boutique," Sakura widened her eyes, he was actually taking her to one of the most expensive boutiques on Earth owned by… Yamanaka Ino?

Ino smiled as she nodded at her workers in the boutique, there were a lot of customers right now considering it was a Sunday, she heard someone call her over and she nodded at the receptionist, "Ano, Yamanaka-sama, there's a customer under the name Uchiha that requests your skills personally," Ino smirked, knowing exactly who it was.

"Aa, arigato Kimi," Ino said before walking to the waiting room. She walked inside to find a large crowd surrounding what appeared to be the Uchiha couple, she smirked, "Alright, break it up all of you if you don't want to be taken out of here looking like you just came from someone's stomach," the crowd dispersed immediately.

She saw a blushing Sakura and a smirking Sasuke, "Of course, my ever so beautiful best friend and her ice cube of a fiancé! Come, come!" Ino smiled widely as she took Sakura's arm who dragged Sasuke with her. "Alright Sakura, let's give you that maturity sense, I'll have you worked up especially by me!" Ino grinned.

Sasuke glared at her, "If you don't want your boutique bulldozed by next week, then I suggest you not describe me like that, Yamanaka," Ino rolled her eyes, as if daring him to. They both knew that he wouldn't do that to one of his best friends.

Sakura sweat dropped as the three stopped before two huge and tall double doors with a label that read, 'YAMANAKA INO'S OFFICE.' Ino slipped a pass card into the slot on the doorknob before the guard standing in front of the door opened it for her. Ino nodded at him as she led Sakura and Sasuke inside.

Sakura gaped as the door shut close behind her. It was like a second boutique in here! Except the colors were more radiant and Ino-lyzed. Ino grinned before taking Sakura into a room, "You wait here Sasuke! I'll have her fixed up and beautiful to go before you know it!" Ino grinned. Sasuke simply plopped onto the sofa as he heard remnants of Ino's talking inside the large walk-in closet.

"Hmm… too orange!" "Too bright!" "Too elegant!" "Too casual!" "Too colorful!" "Too- ew… what the hell is this? KIMI! THROW THIS AWAY LATER!" "Too dark!" "Too preppy!" "Too slutty!" "Too covered!" "Too show off!" "Too sparkly!" "Too… -gasp-! PERFECT!!" Sasuke swore he heard screams as the blonde worked her magic on his fiancée.

Sakura came out now dressed in a tight hot pink low neck racer-back tank top that showed the straps of her black bra and short enough to show some skin at her waist line, a thin elbow-sleeve white button up on top that she left unbuttoned, and low rise curve-hugging black jeans. She still had on her pink vans and instead of her cardigan cap, she had on a regular black cap.

Her hair was wavy as usual and her lips sported a candy-apple color now with light, light green eyeshadow that accented her own jade orbs. Sasuke raised an eyebrow and Ino could only chuckle nervously, "Hehe, well, what can I say? Sakura just suits the teenage look more than anything!" Ino grinned.

Sasuke rolled his eyes before taking Sakura by the wrist, "You're lucky that she needs to look like a sexy teenager for the movie," Sakura flushed bright red as Sasuke smirked as Ino giggled. "Well then, I'll see you two later! Sayonara, Sakura, Sasuke!" Ino waved bye as the two exited the office.

Sasuke examined Sakura as the two neared his car in the parking lot. Sakura gulped as he suddenly neared her until he encased her between him and the car. "S-Sasuke?" Sasuke smirked as he leaned in close to her, their lips barely touching, Sakura glared at him as she blushed, "O-Oi! You stole my first kiss, you made out with me, now what do you wanna do, huh?!"

Sasuke chuckled as he trapped her as he shifted his weight onto her, Sakura squeaked, "You know Sakura… you look really tempting in that outfit…" he murmured and Sakura closed her eyes, anticipating him to kiss her, he smirked, inwardly chuckling as he pretended to be about to kiss her, but he stopped midway to lean back. "Ah… well at least you don't look ghetto, heh, you should have seen the look on your face!"

Sakura widened her eyes before twitching, realizing he had just tricked her, she glowered at him as he stopped chuckling, he gulped as he looked at her. "You better enjoy your last moments laughing because…"

"UCHIHA SASUKE!"

Sakura and Sasuke laughed as they chased each other around the studio, remembering what happened earlier. The two stopped as Sasuke wrapped his arms around her waist, Sakura giggled as she leaned her head back on his shoulder. That was when she noticed that everyone was staring at them.

Sakura blushed under the many gazes of the people in the studio as they gawked at her. She looked well, drop down sexy in a teenaged way. The director gaped as he looked at her. He ran over to the two immediately before starting to yell out, "Sasuke! Where did you bring this angel from!? She's perfect for the movie! Is she the one that you're introducing? Or is that person another person? But this girl's perfect!"

Sasuke glared at him, "Shut it Kozumi. And yeah, she is the girl I was going to introduce you to, now will you just stop scaring her?" Sasuke rolled his eyes as Sakura looked at him and the director and giggled. "I've got the main female actress covered for you. Now who's my co-star and rival?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

Kozumi was about to open his mouth when a voice answered for him.

"I am,"

Sakura and Sasuke widened their eyes, the voice sounded so familiar to their ears and as they turned around, Sakura gasped as she saw who it was.

"Naruto…"

Jade clashed with cerulean blue as hate clashed with regret.

Ohohoho! You guys had better review!! This is a present for the lovely reviews and response I got for the last chapter! I wanted to make this chapter long for you guys, so you enjoyed it… right? Right?

Well this was a fun chapter, I'm in a bubbly mood so I wanted to make a none-so-dramatic chapter to introduce Sakura and Sasuke's even more blooming relationship and also warning you guys of the fact that Naruto will be coming into the picture again pretty soon.

So I hope you liked it and please review!! You guys were great because we made it over the 200 mark!! Woot!! Now, I'm shooting for 20 or more reviews again!! Pretty please??

Lots of love,

XOXO Kaze-Chan