Song of a Cherry Blossom
by Diana-san

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 3

Sakura slowly opened her eyes as a white ceiling came into view. Huh? Where am I? Sakura tried to rack her brain for an answer but came up with a blank and a splitting headache. Sakura pulled on her pink tresses as she tried to recall what happened to her. Let's see. I woke up late. Came to school. Found out my teacher was perverted. Had lunch. Went to gym. Went to gym and? And got…

Sakura scratched her head. She couldn't remember what happened after she went to gym. Kakashi-sensei was reading his perverted book. And so he made us…play basketball! And then… what happened while we played basketball?

Sakura rolled over on her side and then took notice that she was on a bed. She placed her hand on the mattress and felt the comfy bed beneath her. She looked up from the bed as she took in her surroundings. A white curtain shielded her view of the rest of the small room. Sakura let her right arm fall down freely against the side of the bed and was surprised when her arm hit against something. She quickly sat up straight as she turned to look down at her side.

A boy with messy blond hair was sleeping with his head rested on the edge of the bed. Sakura stared at the blond. She had no idea what she should do at the moment. She pulled her sheets up to her chin as she pulled her legs inward and sat in a crouching position.

The results of her movements, however, caused the blond to lose balance as his arms slipped out from underneath him and he stumbled from his chair. Sakura winced as she saw the boy jolt from his nap. "Sorry!" Sakura apologized as she released the sheets and tried to catch the boy from falling. Even though that was slightly hilarious to watch.

The blond blinked his eyes as he gave a giant yawn. Sakura tried to stifle a giggle as the blond looked even more confused at where he was. When realization sank in, he grinned at her. "You're finally awake! I was worried that basketball knocked you out cold forever."

Is that what happened? Sakura wondered. She touched her face as she felt a slight sting vibrating all over her cheeks.

The blond scratched his head sheepishly. "You're Haruno Sakura, right?"

Sakura nodded. The blond gave an even bigger grin. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"

"I know you. You're in my class. You sit in front of me, right?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah."

"What time is it?"

Naruto glanced at his watch. "School ended about an hour ago."

Ugh, I missed all my afternoon classes. Sakura glanced around her bed. "Uh, where am I?"

"The nurse's office," Naruto replied.

"Nurse's office?" Sakura echoed.

"Yeah. You got hit in the face pretty hard and then got knocked out unconscious. I tried to warn you but I guess it was too late. Of course, the idiot who did that to you, Sasuke, had to be so stupid and passed the ball to someone who wasn't paying attention so the ball went and hit your pretty face instead…"

Pretty? He thinks I'm pretty? Sakura thought as she blushed slightly.

Naruto continued on with his talking while oblivious to the faint color of pink on Sakura's face. "…and then you fell down on the floor so we weren't sure of what to do. But I came to the rescue and picked you up and ran all the way to the nurse's office. So here we are now," Naruto finished. The blond bent down and peered at Sakura. "How's your head?"

"Uh, fine I guess. Other than a slight concussion, I feel great," Sakura joked.

Naruto laughed. "You sound just like him," he remarked.

"Who?"

"Sasuke," he said with a smile.

Sakura frowned. "Please. Don't compare me to that guy."

"What? You hate him or something?"

"Considering how he gave me a head injury, my feelings towards him are more negative than positive."

Naruto laughed. "He is a little hard to like given his personality." He started to get up from his seat. "Since you're awake, then I should get your things."

Sakura glanced down at her clothes. She noticed that she was still in her gym uniform. She looked down distastefully at the white T-shirt and green shorts. "Thanks, but I think I can manage," Sakura said as she started to get off the bed. Before she could, Naruto pushed her back down. "I said I'll go get it. After all, like you said, you almost got a brain injury from that basketball so you might as well rest here for a bit," Naruto told her.

Sakura sighed. It was hard for her to argue with this boy. "Fine," she agreed as she placed her legs back underneath the white sheets. Naruto grinned. "Okay then. I'll be right back," he said as he left through the curtains and out the door.

Sakura sat back against the headboard of the bed and suddenly realized something. If I got hit in the face, then that means…

Sakura brought her hands up to her face and felt along her eyes. "My glasses," she muttered. She scanned around the room and finally saw her glasses lying on top of the bedside table. She gently picked them up and frowned when she saw its condition. The lenses were cracked and looked beyond repair. Sakura cursed silently to herself as she stewed in anger. She placed the glasses back on the table. Just my lucky day. One misfortune after another. All thanks to that display attraction.

The sound of a door opening caused Sakura to look up as she looked over to see a shadowy figure behind the curtains. "Back already?" she called out. The curtains pulled open and revealed a man with rebellious spiky black hair instead of blond.

"What are you doing here?" Sakura asked with an annoyed tone in her voice.

"Nice to see you too," the dark raven-head said sarcastically. "Does it matter?"

Sakura scowled. "Yes, in fact it very much matters." She was beyond irritated now thinking of her broken glasses and the fact that she missed out on the rest of the school day.

"Man, aren't you grouchy when you wake up."

Sakura's head ache as she rubbed her temples. "Shut up, chicken-head."

Sasuke stared at Sakura with a stunned look on his face. "What did you call me?" he growled.

Sakura smiled smugly. "I called you chic-ken-head," Sakura said as she emphasized each word. "That means I think you have the hair of a chicken's ass and the brain of one too."

Sasuke growled. "You're lucky you're a girl or else I would have pummeled you by now."

Sakura scoffed. "Is that supposed to be a threat? You can go ahead and try to hit me… if you can."

Sasuke muttered curses under his breath. He glared at the pink-headed girl. "Do you know who you are talking to? I'm a very big and important person in Japan."

Sakura laughed. "The only thing that is big about you is the size of your ego."

"Listen, woman. I only came here because for some odd reason, I couldn't shake this uneasy feeling and it was getting on my nerves so I came to see how you were doing."

Sakura scoffed. "So, you mean to tell me that you actually feel guilty?" she questioned.

The raven-haired man grunted. "Is that what it is called?"

Sakura smirked. "So, is this your first feeling of guilt?"

Sasuke grunted again. "Does it ever go away?"

"Perhaps, if I forgive you. But that depends on how I feel about you and right now it's not a very positive feeling."

Sasuke glared at Sakura and Sakura gave a glare back. The curtain opened and Naruto stepped in. He looked at the two people in front of him who were still glaring at each other.

"Uh, Sakura? Sasuke? Did I interrupt something?" Naruto asked.

Sakura and Sasuke whirled around and shouted in unison, "With that person?!" They pointed their fingers accusingly at each other. "What do you mean with ME?!" they shouted at each other.

"You should feel honor to have your name included with mines in the same sentence!" Sasuke shouted at the pink-headed girl.

"Oh please Mr. All High and Mighty. Spare me the dramatic act."

"Who are you calling dramatic, you forehead girl!"

"FOREHEAD GIRL?" Sakura exclaimed loudly. "You chauvinist pig!"

They glared angrily at each other. Naruto stood dumbfounded by the curtains as he was unsure what he should do.

"I'm wasting my time arguing with you," Sakura muttered.

"I couldn't agree more," Sasuke retorted.

Sakura looked away from Sasuke and glanced outside the window, still fuming inside. The sky was beginning to darken and the bright full moon was just beginning to show behind the dark clouds.

Has it really been an hour since school ended?

Sakura jumped up from the bed as she slipped into her sneakers and ran over to Naruto who was carrying her clothes and schoolbag. She grabbed Naruto's arm forcefully and glanced at the digital watch worn over his wrist. The digits 6:24 PM gazed back at her. Sakura stared wide-eyed at the time. "Oh my god," she muttered under her breath.

Sakura took her belongings from the surprised boy's hands and while holding everything under one arm, she took Naruto's hand and shook it quickly. "Thank you for everything but I have to run," Sakura said in a rush. The blond stared back at the pink-haired girl with a confused look in his eyes and a faint blush on his cheeks from when Sakura grabbed his hands.

Sakura smiled apologetically and quickly shoved the curtains open and ran out. The two men stared at the girl's retreating figure as she ran out the door. A moment later, she came back and grabbed the watch that was sitting on top of the bedside table and ran back out without another glance at the two men.

When the door slammed shut behind her, Sasuke scratched his head and frowned. "She left while we were arguing with each other," he muttered.

Naruto remained quiet but the faint rosy color still remained on his face as he stared at the door which Sakura had left through. "She held my hand," he said in a dazed voice.

Sasuke grunted. "Who wants to hold hands with that kind of girl?"

Naruto sighed happily. "I do," he said with a dreamy look in his eyes.

Sasuke whacks the blond upside the head. "Idiot! Don't be having that stupid look in your stupid eyes about that stupid girl."

Naruto rubbed his head and growled at the raven-haired man. "Bastard! Don't be insulting Sakura-chan or I'll beat you up."

Sasuke smirked. "You never were able to beat me once when we were taking karate lessons."

Naruto only responded with another growl. "That's because you always had the good teacher."

Sasuke walked to the door. He opened it and looked back at Naruto as he walked out. "It's called skills." He stepped outside and the door closed behind the Uchiha.

Naruto scowled at the closed door. "Bastard," he muttered.

Sakura ran as fast as she could as the cool night breeze blew through her cheery-colored hair. She slipped the straps of the bag onto her shoulder and quickly stuffed her clothes inside. The cold wind blew against her legs as she shivered in her gym uniform. She ran even faster and finally came to a stop in front of the nightclub. She glanced at her watch. In the dim light of the streetlights, she read 6:58 PM on her watch. She sighed in relief. The whole day seemed to have consisted of only running the entire day.

I made it on time.

Sakura pushed the heavy doors in front of her wide opened as she stepped inside the club. Tsunade walked out from behind the stage curtains as she hurried over to Sakura.

"Sakura! You're late!" Tsunade cried out.

Sakura pointed her finger to her watch in protest. "I'm two minutes early! Give me a break."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "You're half an hour later than usual."

Sakura smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Tsunade-sama. I got knocked out by an orange basketball from a conceited, arrogant jerk and then lost all memories of who I was and then had to be driven over here by a red and white ambulance with sirens blasting like crazy just so I could make it here on time."

Tsunade frowned. "Sakura, I'm sorry to say that even Jiraiya came up with a better excuse than you."

Sakura grinned. "At least the first half of it is true."

The blonde woman sighed. "Alright then. Just go and change into your outfit. The customers will be coming in here soon and two of the waitresses called in sick so you are going to have a bit of work ahead of you."

Sakura groaned. "And I thought I would be having an easy night tonight."

Tsunade smiled. "Well Jiraiya's going to pay you triple for this night."

Sakura's face brightened. "That could work!" Sakura tapped her finger on her chin. "But isn't it a Monday? It shouldn't be too hectic around here to have that many waitresses."

The blonde woman laughed. "We booked a new gig today and the place will probably be pretty packed up soon. It's all part of the Fall Welcome initiative to get the students coming here on the weeknights!"

Sakura nodded. "Oh right, I remember the flyers you made me post around town."

The pink-headed to the back of the stage and walked down the short hallway to the dressing room. The first room was Sakura's dressing room when she had performances on scheduled nights as Miss Saki. But Sakura uses it during the weekdays to change into her work clothes. Sakura dropped her bag on the floor and placed her regular clothes on the small sofa in the room. She opened up the small closet which had a bunch of different outfits for her many performances that Tsunade makes her wear. She sorted through the outfits to find her waitress uniform at the very end. She took it out and quickly changed into it. Sakura's fingers fumbled with the small white buttons on the long-sleeved cream-colored blouse. She finished buttoning up the shirt and then tucked it in her black skirt which came up to above her knees. Sakura looked into the mirror as she straightened up the small black bowtie and then clipped on her nametag that read 'Sakura'.

Sakura ran her fingers through her pink hair and pulled it back. She quickly got a rubber band and tied her hair up into a high ponytail so that her green emerald eyes were shown clearly. She removed her sneakers and socks and stepped into a pair of black heels. The short sturdy heels brought Sakura's height to another inch and seem to make her skirt look even shorter. She pulled on the hem on the skirt to try to have it cover her knees but the skirt refused to do so. Sakura sighed. Oh well.

Sakura checked her appearance once more to see if everything was in order. She glanced at her watch. It was a little past seven. Sakura walked out the door and closed the dressing room door behind her as she walked out to the bar. The dimly-lit area became brighter as the club started to open. Some people were starting to come in and find seats at the tables and couches. Sakura walked over to the bar counter where Idate was making several drinks.

"Seems like it's going to be a busy night," Sakura remarked as she sat down on a stool.

Idate didn't turn around but nodded his head. "Yeah, for you and me both. Another person called in sick and I have to cover his shift."

Sakura laughed. "Are we the unlucky ones, or what?"

Idate smiled and turned around. He set a tray of drinks in front of Sakura "This is for the table over there," he said as he pointed to a table in the far back of the club. Sakura nodded and took the heavy tray. She carefully balanced the tray on her right hand and walked over to the table.

She placed the drinks down in front of the three people seated at the table. One in front of a girl with chocolate-colored hair, another in front of a man with white eyes and the last in front of a man with unusual bushy eyebrows.

"Thank you," the girl said as she picked up her drink. She smiled at Sakura and Sakura smiled back at her.

The white-eyed man said nothing but gave a curt nod. Sakura hugged the tray against her chest and was about the turn around when someone grabbed her hand from behind. Sakura whirled around in surprise. The bushy eyebrows guy had grabbed firmly onto Sakura's hand and was staring intently at the pink-headed girl. The chocolate-haired girl giggled at the sight. The white-eyed man remained as stoic as ever but was observing the situation.

"Um, excuse me sir. But you're kind of like holding my…" Sakura began.

"Miss Sakura-san is it?" the busy eyebrows man asked as he read the nametag on Sakura's shirt. Sakura nodded slowly. What's with this guy? Sakura thought.

"Miss Sakura-san, will you honor me with a dance?" he asked.

Sakura stared at the man in front of her with a shocked look. She gaped at him and was unsure what to say. Thankfully, she heard Idate calling out to her. "Sakura, I have another tray for you."

Sakura quickly took her hand out from the man's grasp. "Uh, I have to get to work. Sorry!" she quickly said as she scurried off.

"My name is Rock Lee!" he called out after her. "Do not forget me, Miss Sakura-san!"

Sakura slammed the empty tray on top of the counter and took a deep breath. She was out of breath since she ran away as fast as she could.

Idate looked at the panting pink-headed girl as he set another tray of drinks down on the counter.

"Sakura, are you alright? You look like you just ran a marathon."

Sakura looked up at the dark-haired man and smiled sheepishly. "I-it's nothing. Just some weird customers."

She took the tray filled with drinks and with a smile she asked, "So, where does this tray go?"

Idate pointed his finger to some people sitting on the couches. Sakura nodded and brought the drinks over to the people. For the next half hour, Sakura worked busily as she brought drinks and appetizers to the customers and took the empty glasses and plates to be washed.

Sakura brought a tray of dirty glasses to the bar counter and gave it to the man who was busy washing glasses and plates. She walked to the other side of the bar counter where Idate was making some more drinks. Sakura collapsed down on the stool in exhaustion as she waited for the next tray.

Idate turned around and placed five drinks on the tray. "This is for the table over there," Idate said as he pointed to a table. Sakura looked over to the table and spotted the girl with the chocolate-colored hair and the white-eyed man. The bushy eyebrows guy was nowhere to be seen. Instead, two new people were sitting with them. Sakura gasped. A girl with long blonde hair was in the accompaniment of Sasuke as they sat down besides the other two.

Oh great. It's him.

Sakura groaned. "I don't want to."

Idate wiped his hands on a small hand towel. "Why not?"

"Don't ask."

"But you have to," a voice said from behind Sakura. Sakura whirled around to see Anko sitting on a stool and eating dango.

"Anko!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise. Anko grinned while chomping on her dango. She finished off the last one and dumped the skewer on the table. The dark violet-haired woman picked up the tray and handed it to Sakura. "Look, there's a cute guy sitting over there."

Sakura frowned. "I don't see anything cute about that guy."

"I never said which one was the cute one."

Sakura blushed in embarrassment. "Well, I still don't want to."

Anko shoved the tray into Sakura's hands. "Too bad. It's your job."

"I never liked this job anyway," Sakura grumbled as she slowly turned and walked slowly to the table grudgingly.

Anko shouted behind her, "Hurry up Sakura! Can you be any slower?"

"Shut up, please," Sakura muttered. Sakura reached the table and quickly set the drinks down without making eye contact with Sasuke. Everyone was deep in conversation and they seem to not notice Sakura who was placing their drinks in front of them. Sakura placed the last drink down and quickly turned around and sighed in relief that Sasuke didn't notice her. She was about to walk off when a voice called out to her.

"Is that you? Forehead girl?" Sasuke called out in a questioning tone.

Sakura didn't turn around and merely shook her head. It was obvious that she couldn't hide it since her pink hair was a big give-away. She sighed and turned around.

Sasuke smirked when he saw her. "What are you doing here?" he asked in a mocking tone.

Sakura shot back at him, "I work here, obviously." Sakura gestured towards her uniform.

"A working girl, huh? Good for you."

Ino snuggled up against Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun, who's this?"

"Some annoying girl in our class," Sasuke responded.

Sakura glared at that response. "You're not that great either." With that said, Sakura turned on her heel and stomped away.

Ino looked back the retreating figure of the pink-headed girl. She seems familiar, Ino thought.

The blonde woman leaned her head against Sasuke's shoulder. "I can't believe that girl just talked back to you like that."

Sasuke grunted something inaudible. "Yeah, she's a strange one. She doesn't even know who I am."

Tenten laughed. "I like her. She's got spunk."

Tenten looked over to Neji. "Right?" she asked as she nudged the white-eyed man. Neji slowly nodded. "No girl has ever talked back to Uchiha, that's for sure."

Tenten sat back in her seat. "I would like to know her better."

"WHAT?" Sasuke exclaimed. "Why would you want to meet a girl like that? She has no respect for people."

Tenten snorted, "I bet she has more respect for people than you do, Uchiha Sasuke."

Ino wagged her finger at Tenten. "Don't be mean to Sasuke-kun, Tenten."

Tenten rolled her eyes. "I was being truthful."

Sasuke grumbled under his breath, "Be friends with her if you want. I don't care. I have nothing to do with girls like that."

Tenten shot back, "I never asked for your approval of who I should be friends with."

Ino sighed. "Tenten, Sasuke-kun didn't mean it like that." Ino hugged onto Sasuke's arm as she tilted her head to look at Sasuke. "And you better not have anything to do with that girl. After all, you're mine."

"Hn," Sasuke replied.

Neji sighed. "You three talk too much."

Sakura walked back and slumped down on the stool in front of Idate. Idate placed a drink in front of Sakura. Sakura sighed. "Who's this for?" she asked.

The dark-haired man grinned. "It's for you. My treat."

Sakura's eyes brightened. "Really? For me?"

Idate nodded. "After seeing you working so hard, I think you deserve a drink."

Sakura smiled. "Thanks, Idate-san," she said happily as she sipped at her drink.

Sakura placed the tray down on the counter and gazed up at the band. The song they were playing came to an end as the lead guitarist ended the song with a smooth flourish. The audience started to clap and Sakura set her drink down to applaud for the band.

The band members waved out to the audience and started to pack up their instruments and equipment. Sakura leaned against the counter in disappointment. "I barely got to listen to them because of all the customers," Sakura said with a disappointed sigh.

The band left the stage and music began to play over the sound system. Sakura stretched her arms and glanced at her watch. It was 9:30 PM.

"Half an hour before closing today," Sakura remarked.

Idate, who was wiping the counter, dropped his towel on the countertop and grabbed Sakura's hands. "Then let's go dance."

"Wha-? But the customers…" Sakura protested.

Idate ignored her protests. "I'll have someone cover for me and since there are less people now since the band is gone, there won't be as much requests for drinks."

"But, but-"

Idate placed his finger on Sakura's lips. "Shh, you think too much."

Sakura quieted down when Idate's finger was pressed against her lips. When Idate removed his finger, Sakura quietly replied, "Do not."

Idate laughed. "Do too," he said as he dragged Sakura onto the dance floor.

The area was less empty than before since most of the people had left. A few remained and were slowly dancing to the slow song playing over the sound system.

"I don't really want to dance. Besides, I'm no good," Sakura protested.

"Lies. I know that you took dance classes before."

Sakura frowned. "Remind me to never ever tell you anything about myself ever again."

The dark-haired man laughed. "Sure, but first you have to loosen up and stop stressing."

"Who says I'm stressing?" Sakura retorted.

Idate poked at Sakura's shoulder. "Your shoulder is so tense that my finger is now injured from poking it."

"I am not responsible for the bodily harm you may get from being in contact with me."

An upbeat song started up and Sakura couldn't help but tap her heels against the floor. Slowly she bobbed her head to the music and hips began to sway. Idate looked at Sakura with a smile.

"This feels like second nature to you doesn't it?" he asked softly.

Sakura glanced over at Idate. "What do you mean?"

"You're starting to dance," Idate pointed out.

"I was just making sure my joints were working properly," Sakura explained. Sakura averted her gaze from Idate. "And for your information, it's first nature."

Idate laughed and Sakura smiled. The pink-headed girl grabbed Idate's hand. "Let's go dance then." Idate followed Sakura's lead as they began to dance to the music. Sakura's movements flowed with the music as she closed her eyes. She could feel the song enveloping around her and taking over her body. She opened her eyes and stared into Idate's smiling face. She began to softly sing the words to the song and continued to dance along to the song. Idate reached over to Sakura and pulled off the rubber band that held her pink hair up high. Sakura's glossy pink hair tumbled down and rested over her shoulders.

Sakura bounced her head to the beat as she grabbed Idate's head and tried to make him do the same thing. Sakura giggled at Idate's awkward dancing. "I think you should just stick to doing the robot."

"I can't. I have been banned from doing that dance."

Sakura laughed. "No wonder."

Sasuke raised his glass as he let the liquid swished in the glass. Through the clear glass, he could see the pink-haired girl dancing with a dark-headed man. Hn.

Sasuke forcefully slammed the glass down on the table. "Let's leave this place," he muttered as he grabbed his coat and walked out the door and into the cool crisp night air. Ino ran out after him in her blue strapless dress as she grabbed onto Sasuke's hand.

"Sasuke-kun, why are we leaving so suddenly?" Ino complained.

Sasuke turned his head at Ino and replied coolly, "You can stay if you want. I don't care." The raven-haired man shoved his hands into his pant pockets and walked off leaving the blonde woman standing in the cold.

"Damn," Sasuke muttered to himself. He felt more irritated than usual today. Today was not his day.