A/N - Hey guys. So, I know I've been horrible with updating and stuff, but school has been so annoying and holidays too busy...and I'm too lazy to write at times. But anyway, I have updated this story and hope to update more frequently, and I am so incredibly happy with all the follows and favorites. I was like "AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH". I hope you enjoy, and don't forget to drop a review. Enjoy the story.

Chapter 2

Sakura grumbled unhappily to herself as she drove home. She had made plans with her television and popcorn for the night and now, thanks to the egoistical male that was Itachi, they would have to be cancelled. Thinking of all the preparations she would have to do to look her best for tonight's party made her head hurt.

Punching in a number on her I-Phone, she set it on speakerphone and waited for an answer. She set up an appointment at her regular salon and set course for the mall. If she was going to attend a party with Itachi Uchiha on her arm, she was going to do it in so much style, it would knock the socks off of anyone in a five mile radius.

At exactly 6:58, the bell rang, signalling Itachi's arrival. Slipping on her heels, she checked her appearance one last time before exiting her room. She gracefully made her way down the stairs. She let one hand gently trail down the banister, guiding her steps and ensuring her balance while her other hand held her black and silver clutch and still managed to hold up her dress so that she would not trip on it.

Itachi glanced up from thanking the butler and froze mid-sentence. Sakura had donned an emerald sleeve-less, off-the-shoulder, silk dress that pooled at her feet. There was a thin band of black that circled just underneath her breasts, subtly emphasizing her figure. The band was the only tight thing about her dress, as the cloth beneath it flowed loosely outward.

Her hair had been put into an up-do, leaving a few curly tendrils to frame her face. Her make-up was to a minimum, smokey eyes, blush and glossy, red lipstick. She wore long, sparkling, silver earrings embedded with emeralds and diamonds and a simple necklace of similar design. Thin, silver bracelets jingled merrily on her wrists and a transparent black wrap, interwoven with silver threads went about her shoulders, catching the light and shimmering with beautiful elegance.

Her heels clicked as she descended the stairs and Itachi could do nothing but stare because she looked completely different from when her saw her, and dare he think it, a lot more beautiful. As she stopped and stood in front of him, he realized just how much shorter she was compared to him. Even in heels, he stood a full head taller than her.

Sakura felt her breath whoosh out the moment she laid eyes on Itachi. She looked up at him and saw his eyes glint with something akin to approval. She had to admit, Itachi decked out in a silken black dress shirt, black dress pants and a matching black suit jacket, was a force to be reckoned with, His long black hair was tied in a loose pony-tail at the base of his neck, leaving a few strands to brush against his angular jaw and cheekbones.

With his piercing onyx eyes, chiselled jaw and perfectly shaped nose, Itachi would be the perfect embodiment of Adonis on Earth. Eyeing his plump lips, Sakura wondered if he would be a good kisser too.

Tearing her gaze away from his lips, she blushed and noticed that Itachi had held out his elbow out to her. Slipping her hand to rest on his forearm, she waved goodbye to her smiling butler and allowed Itachi to lead her out the door.

"Good Evening, Sakura."

Sakura felt a tremor run through her as his baritone voice caressed her name. She looked up at him. Since he used her first name, she figure that it would be better if she dropped the formalities as well.

"Hello, Itachi," she responded.

"You look beautiful," he said softly.

"Thank you. You look wonderful too," she replied, averting her eyes and blushing.

'Since when do I blush when a guy pays me a compliment?! Whew, this guy's hotness is surely affecting my brain patterns.' Sakura whisper-screamed in her mind.

He smirked and held open the door of the limo for her. He gestured for her to enter and shut the door after she slid in.

Sakura looked around the interior of the black limo and was fascinated at the classy elegance of it. The eight seats were soft and plush, covered over in black leather. Arranged similar to loveseats, two were at the back, two at the front and the other four on opposing sides of the limo, facing each other in an imitation of a circle. The dim lighting gave the atmosphere an aura of seduction.

Itachi walked swiftly around to the other side and entered to sit beside her. Leaning forward, he tapped the glass, signalling the driver to set course to their destination. Looking at Sakura, he was surprised to see her looking steadily back at him.

"Well, aren't you going to tell me what exactly I should and should not do at this party? All I know is that the Annual Gathering is the biggest event of the year and that all of the prominent clans in society are expected to be there. And that's it's ridiculously formal and all that fancy stuff. What else do I need to know?" she snapped uncomfortably, after a minute of his persistent staring.

'Seriously, people that good looking should be outlawed,' Sakura stewed mentally. "Or maybe stuck on an island where everybody else is just that good-looking so that the normal people in life shouldn't have to feel bad about themselves.'

Itachi's brow rose in amusement; this woman changed moods like the wind. However, she was right. There were certain etiquettes she would have to follow. So he dove right into it.

"Since the Uchiha's will be hosting the Gathering this year, all of the Uchiha family members are required to attend. Besides the entirety of my clan, there will be several other prominent clans. Also, a few other middle-class and lower class clans are expected to be attending. If you wish to go anywhere in life, this gathering, and how you come across to the clan heads and Elders, can make or break you for life. So you are expected to greet most of these people and leave a good and lasting impression or else you will be snubbed by the entire world."

Sakura did an about turn from her subtle glaring and squeaked in horror.

"What?! You invite me to this ridiculous party and give me the opinion that I wouldn't have to talk to anyone and only now that I'm stuck in the car will you tell me that I actually have to be nice to these people or I'll be committing social suicide?!" she screamed.

Itachi was taken aback by her sudden screaming and eyed her wearily.

"I never said anything to give you the opinion that you wouldn't have to talk to them. It is an honour and privilege to be invited to one of these gatherings. Many people would kill to attend and get the opportunities that come with an invitation," he told her apathetically.

"Oh really?" she replied sarcastically, "Well, I'm one of the minorities that would prefer to sit on my couch in my pyjamas and gorge on popcorn and ice cream while binge watching tv shows," she informed him haughtily.

"What an unfortunate occurrence then."

Sakura huffed and turned away from him, glaring daggers out the tinted windows.

"I wondered how much of a temper you had behind those vibrant green eyes," he wondered, "It appears to be a full blown one."

She gave no indication that she heard him.

Itachi studied her closely. She had crossed her arms beneath her breasts, making them considerably larger. Dropping his gaze to them, he averaged them to be c-cups and a wonderful handful. He'd had enough experience with women to be able to guess accurately or at least very closely.

Her slightly pouting lips, high cheekbones, defiance-raised chin and crossed legs, gave him a vague impression of a petulant child being denied a new toy at Christmas.

Smirking to himself, he looked out the window as the limo pulled up in front of the Uchiha Main Residence. It was a large compound in which all the Uchihas had a house but the Main House was the largest of them all. Several other houses were scattered around the compound and all roads led to the Main House.

Getting out and walking around to Sakura's side, he opened the door and held his hand out for her. She stepped out in a dainty fashion, head held high in a regal stance. Itachi was impressed at her change in demeanour. Gone was the petulant child, in her place, a woman; classy, sexy and elegant.

He led her through the massive wooden double doors and into the foyer where a butler awaited them. Gesturing for them to enter the ballroom, he bowed respectfully to Itachi and smiled at his date who was a little preoccupied at the moment.

Sakura was very busy gaping in wonderment at the Uchiha house. Shining marble floors gleamed in the light from the elegant crystal chandeliers. Delicate porcelain figurines, lined the side tables in the foyer. If there was any doubt of the Uchiha's wealth, it was gone now, smashed to bits at the sight of the richly, and tastefully decorated foyer. If this was only the entrance of the Uchiha house, she would bet her diamond earrings the rest of the house would be even more exquisite. Heck, she could fit her whole house in just the foyer, and her house was no dollhouse.

Itachi strolled into the ballroom. Sakura, having composed herself, walking gracefully at his side. A hush fell over the room as they noticed the pink-haired beauty alongside the Itachi Uchiha. Sakura blushed and averted her gaze to the floor.

Stopping in front of the Uchiha Clan Leaders, Itachi introduced Sakura to his parents and the Elders.

He spoke in a quiet, respectful tone towards his parents, "Mother, Father, this is Sakura Haruno, my date for this evening and also my new secretary."

Mikoto Uchiha and matriarch of the Uchiha clan stepped forward and embraced Sakura in a warm, motherly hug.

"Welcome dear. Oh my, Itachi really chose his date well. You are absolutely lovely," she cooed, patting Sakura's cheek.

Sakura blushed, "Thank you, Uchiha-san. You look beautiful also."

Sakura hadn't lied. The Uchiha matriarch was beautiful, with her silky ebony locks spilling about her shoulders; she wore a silky black, long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder, floor-length ball gown that shimmered every time she moved. Simple onyx jewelry adorned her throat and wrists and not a wrinkle mark could be seen on her.

"Oh, thank you dear. But please, call me Mikoto. Uchiha-san makes me feel old."

"Mikoto-san then," Sakura replied, smiling pleasantly.

Mikoto gave her a blinding smile and stepped back to loop her hand through her husband's.

Sakura bowed to Fugaku and smiled when the clan head nodded in acknowledgement.

When Itachi introduced her to his clan elders, his voice was considerable colder. And it was no wonder either, the clan heads looked her up and down and glared at her as if she was inferior.

Hiding her anger well, she dropped into a bow and then hid her head in Itachi's arm.

Walking back to his parents, he noted her stiffness. He knew exactly how infuriating the Elders could be.

Sakura glanced up and noticed a third person standing with Itachi's parents. Seeing the familiar shape of duck-butt styled hair, she gasped.

"Sasuke?" she whispered.

The shape turned and there was Sasuke Uchiha in all his tuxedo clad glory.

"Sakura?" he asked dubiously.

"Sasu-cakes! It is you!" she cooed, launching herself at him.

Itachi snorted in laughter at the nickname given to his socially constipated, foolish little brother.

Meanwhile, Mikoto and Fugaku watched in fascination and horror as Sasuke staggered backward due to Sakura's unexpected weight. Sasuke was not a very….nice person to say the least and was very violent when provoked. Whereas Itachi could at least feign pleasantries, Sasuke preferred to glare at everyone and everything in sight.

So it was, to say the least, a huge surprise to everyone when little Uchiha not only wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist, but actually let out a small but genuine smile. The silence that followed was deafening.

It was well known that Sasuke hated PDA, hated nicknames and above all, never smiled.

While Sakura cooed "Sasu-cakes" over and over again, all Itachi could think was, "What strange alien planet have I landed on? And what the hell just happened?!"

A/N - Liked it, loved it, loathed it? Tell me, tell me. Thanks for reading, please review. Until next time,

-Aria