Title - Unexpected Turn of Life

Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto…

'….' – Thoughts

"…..." – Speaking

Chapter 19

No one's POV

Sasuke pressed the doorbell button. He stood outside of Sakura's apartment, bored and all prepared for the party, wearing a tuxedo. He wore a white dress shirt with black vest which looked a little glossy and black blazer with it along with dark blue tie and black dress pants with black oxford shoes, all perfectly fit. His hair looked the same but gelled, framing his perfect face while he carried his usual emotionless mask. Somehow he seemed to be sparkling. That's the reason his mother asked him to model to which he refused instantly.

"Coming…" he heard her say and the door opened, revealing a smiling Sakura in her black gown. Sasuke blinked twice.

Sakura wore a strapless, A-line flowing long chiffon black gown tinted with blue, with a thin silver satin sash tied at the side in a floral pattern, just below her chest, a diamond necklace with matching earrings, a diamond studded bracelet and simple black heels. Her hair was tied up in a bun and curled, held by diamond studded clip, some fringes left loose in the front covering her forehead. Her look completed with a light make up and her purse. She looked elegant.

"Hn… Not bad for a Pinky" said Sasuke and smirked. Sakura's smile faded as her eyebrow twitched. She had been getting ready for almost an hour… after Ino's threatening… and the first thing she hears from him is this?

"Well, you look the same… as JERK" said Sakura and smirked. She turned around to lock her door then added, "Let's just go… My friends might be waiting"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her. He grabbed her hand which halted her. "You got the box?" he asked. Sakura looked at his hand which was grasping her wrist. He followed her eyes and let go, putting them in his pockets.

"Y-Yes. I'll give it once we are in the party. Who knows… you might dump me somewhere if I give it now…" said Sakura giving him an excuse which was… lame. Sasuke gave her a blank look but went towards his car.

"Whatever…"

They were in the car, seated in the back. As the car passed the familiar streets, Sakura was in deep thought, looking out the window. She glanced up at the sky, thinking about today.

Flash back…..

Sakura was sitting on her couch, her instant noddle bowl was lying on the table she just had. She was thinking about the solution and had pondered over many suggestions. She sighed.

'I don't even know what's inside… So, replacing is out of option'. She stared at her cell phone beside the bowl and thought that she should tell Sasuke the truth which was the …dangerous way. Just as she reached, it ringed.

'Text message…?' she thought and saw it was from an unknown number. She raised her eyebrow. 'Who might this be?' thinking, she read the text. Her eyes widened as she read it.

"How...? When…? Is this some kind of joke?" she muttered. She read the message again…

-'The box you might be searching now is with Karin. I'm afraid she might be giving it to someone in exchange of something, in the party'

Sakura frowned. She tried calling that number but she couldn't reach.

"What the heck?! And that Karin!" she yelled. 'Why is this happening with me?! Did she really took it?' she thought and sighed.

'And because of you, I'm always dragged in trouble with you!' exclaimed her inner self.

'Well, you are one suggesting dumb ideas!' thought Sakura and huffed. Her inner self snickered and retorted 'Well, you are me! Haha!'. Sakura sweat dropped.

"Whatever…"

Sakura thought that she doesn't have much choice. After drawing conclusion, she decided, 'I'll confront Karin first and if she doesn't have it then I'll tell the truth to Uchiha… It's better than telling him now…'

End of flash back….

Sakura snapped back to reality when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face Sasuke who let go of her shoulder and asked her, "Are you dozing off? I called you three times"

Sakura smiled, nervously. "I was just thinking … Do you need something?" she asked.

She noticed that he was staring at her. Now that she saw him, he looked the same yet different somehow. She tilted her head a little, thinking which made Sasuke blink and look in the front.

"It's just that Kaa-san and Otou-san wanted to meet you…" said Sasuke. He noticed that he was stealing glances at her, every now and then. After he had conversation with Itachi, he had been thinking a lot, as she was in danger because of him. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him.

"And you are telling me this NOW? You are the worst boyfriend!" she exclaimed while Sasuke saw her outburst. She blushed as she realized her mistake. "I… m-mean P-Pretend boyfriend!" she stuttered lowly and looked aside.

Sasuke glared. "I see… So, what is your idea of an ideal boyfriend?" he asked. Sakura glanced at him.

"Let's see… the one who cares for his loved ones and the people around him, I guess…? And the one who… Wait! Why am I telling you this? You are far away from it anyway!" she said and huffed.

"How? I care for my loved ones as well" stated Sasuke, not showing much emotion but he was slightly hurt by her words.

"I know that!" exclaimed Sakura as she had realized he cares for his family too much. Sasuke smirked as he heard that.

"Well… Sorry to disturb your flirting which is amusing to hear but we'll be reaching in five" said the driver. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched as he recognized the voice while Sakura blushed.

"Kakashi?" said Sasuke, glaring at the person in driver's seat. Kakashi chuckled. Sasuke realized Itachi must have asked Kakashi to accompany him… but he should have told him sooner.

"Glad you noticed it's me. You were so engrossed in talking with this beautiful lady here and failed to notice me all this time… I'm so disappointed, Sasuke…" said Kakashi and chuckled.

Sasuke crossed his arms, "Whatever…"

"Hello, Sakura-chan. Well, Sasuke doesn't look like he'll introduce me but anyway… I'm Kakashi Hatake, working under Uchiha's. Nice to meet you! You look lovely tonight" said Kakashi and Sakura saw him smile from the mirror. Sakura smiled while Sasuke glared at Kakashi.

"Thank you Kakashi-san! Nice to meet you too" said Sakura in greeting. Sasuke glared her while Sakura glanced outside and saw the outline of sea. 'Where is the party being held…?' she thought.

"I think… many guys will fall in love with you tonight" said Kakashi. Sakura laughed at this while Sasuke's glare intensified. Kakashi laughed as he glanced at a Sasuke through mirror.

"Whatever you think, try to keep it in your head" stated Sasuke and looked outside. Kakashi smirked 'Isn't jealousy is a great fuel…?'

"This is where the party is?!" asked Sakura, her eyes wide.

She blinked and stared at the cruise in front of her. She had asked Sasuke about the location and he had told her "Royale Blue" in monotone. She thought it might be some royal party hall… but this is… unexpected.

They walked inside, hand in hand. Well… Sakura was his date for tonight. Sasuke glanced at Sakura, walking beside him who was glancing around with awe. As the name suggests, everything was royal. The people were chatting among themselves, all business like. There were not too many people as it was a private party but still may be fifty…? Hundred…? Sasuke glanced at their hands and sighed, running his hand through his hair and removed his hand from hers.

"Sasuke, Sakura-chan, you are here. Nice to meet you again, Sakura-chan" greeted Itachi as he held Sakura's hand and kissed the back of her hand. Sakura blushed which irked Sasuke. Itachi smirked as he let go of Sakura's hand and looked at Sasuke.

"I'm a little busy right now… Sasuke, Otou-san and Oka-san are waiting for you both. Have fun" said Itachi as he winked in Sakura's direction and left the two.

"So…" started Sakura and glanced around to search her friends. "Where's everyone…?" she asked and turn to face Sasuke who was talking on the phone. 'Is the cruise moving…?' she thought.

"Hn" the call ended and Sasuke looked at Sakura only to find her staring at him.

"Done checking me out?" he asked and smirked.

"As if…" muttered Sakura and glared at him.

Sasuke looked around as they stood at the corner and said, "Don't forget we are a couple here… for your friends and my family" stated Sasuke looking at her. Sakura nodded.

"Don't remind me…" said Sakura, sarcastically. He smirked.

"You really hate me that much?" he asked out of blue. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him.

"You really want to know?" she asked and sighed.

"I don't hate you… you are who you are and I don't care who you are or what your status is… It's just… your behavior is confusing…? Mostly rude …sometimes nice? And… am I blabbering again…? I really should stop doing this…" she said and sweat dropped.

On the other hand, Sasuke was surprised to hear her say that but then masked his surprise with a smirk. He was amused that she even spoke her mind about his behavior.

"I see…"

Sakura glanced at Sasuke. "Oyi, don't be delusional that I like you, okay?" she said. Sasuke leaned down towards her face causing her to blush.

"Really now…? Then explain your red face, Sa-ku-ra…" he said, pausing at each syllable of her name.

Sakura turned around. "L-Let's go meet your p-parents. And don't say my name like that" and went ahead. Sasuke chuckled.

"You are going the wrong way, Sa-ku-ra. Follow me" he said and turned while Sakura followed him, saying "Didn't you hear me?!"

"Hn"

"There you are Sasuke! You must be Sakura! Welcome Sakura-chan! I'm really happy to meet you, finally!" exclaimed Mikoto, as she gave Sakura a hug. Sakura was surprised while Sasuke and Fugaku sweat dropped.

Sakura smiled as Mikoto let go of her. "Hello, Uchiha-san, Uchiha-sama. It's an honor to meet you!" Sakura greeted, politely bowing in respect.

Mikoto smiled. "Oh, call me Mikoto!" she said.

Fugaku nodded, "Hello, Sakura… Haruno. Nice to meet you"

"Please make yourself comfortable…" added Fugaku while Mikoto was busy speaking with Sasuke.

"She's really beautiful and well-mannered, Sasuke! No wonder you fell in love with her! Look, you dad is talking with her that means she got his acknowledgement" whispered Mikoto to Sasuke while he glanced at his father and Sakura who was smiling.

Mikoto patted Sasuke's back and continued, "Well, your dad and I have discussed and we have nothing against her for that magazine incident… Look at the bright side! You met her because of that incident! It's something that… when I saw her now, I thought… she might be the daughter of my best friend… I remember she had said she had a daughter with pink hair but before I had a chance to meet her, she passed away… I didn't even have her surname after her marriage". Mikoto sighed sadly. Sasuke looked at his mother.

"I… never asked… but she has no parents and she lives alone…" said Sasuke.

"Itachi told us…" said Mikoto and went towards Sakura and Fugaku while Sasuke followed her.

On the other hand, Sakura smiled nervously. They were seated in a private area as there was no one besides them four in the cabin. She glanced at Sasuke and Mikoto who were talking.

"Well, I just wanted to ask… Is Sasuke treating you properly? He was never good with women…" asked Fugaku as he glanced at Sasuke.

'Don't remind me…' thought Sakura.

"Well… we could say… he's improving…? He's rude sometimes… but can be nice. Sasuke-kun… has a good heart" she blabbered without thinking but then realized it. "I… I apologize! I do not intend to talk ill about him! I'm sorry, Sir!" she stood and bowed a little.

'You Idiot! You totally messed our speech we prepared to say! What will they think now?!' exclaimed her inner self, panicking. Fugaku saw the words she spoke were sincere and smiled which was barely noticeable.

"I appreciate your honest answer, Sakura" said Fugaku which left Sakura speechless. Just then, Mikoto approached, followed by Sasuke and they all talked casually for some time, drinking tea.

"So… Sakura-chan, I wanted to ask… what are your parent's names? If you don't mind me asking…" asked Mikoto. Sakura looked at her, surprised then smiled.

"Their names are Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno, Mikoto-san" said Sakura and smiled.

Mikoto nodded and smiled but didn't say anything except, "I would like to talk more with you some other time"

After a while, Sasuke and Sakura were left alone by his parents who went to greet their uncle. Sasuke noticed she was glancing around and hasn't even glanced in his direction, much to his amusement. He was glad he didn't have to come with any other woman to the party who would only stare at him and beg for his attention.

"I didn't know Otou-san would talk this much with you, Pinky. What did you say to Father?" asked Sasuke while Sakura laughed nervously.

"Nothing special… I must say your father cares so much about you and also your mother… I'm jealous" replied Sakura and huffed.

Sasuke sighed but didn't say anything. He thought of his uncle, Uchiha Madara, a well-know and powerful businessman. Suddenly aware quietness, he glanced at Sakura but found no one there. He shook his head. On the other hand, Sakura saw glimpse of Karin, who went out towards the deck.

'This is my chance!' she thought as she followed her.

Meanwhile…

"YOU?!" exclaimed Tenten and Neji at the same time, glaring at each other.

Naruto and Hinata just went off to somewhere leaving Tenten and Ino for few minutes but then Ino saw Sai who was wandering around, wearing a black formal suit and went towards him. That's when Tenten bumped into someone. It was Neji Hyuuga.

"You are the girl who punched me, right?" asked Neji, glaring at her.

"You are the guy who bumped into me! I wasted my ice-cream because of you! Wait… Neji…? You're Neji Hyuuga, right…?" asked Tenten, finally realizing who it was. Neji raised an eyebrow at her.

"Tenten…? It's you…? I apologize I couldn't recognize you. You look…uh… different" said Neji as he looked at his childhood friend. Tenten smiled happily and embraced him which took him by surprise.

"I'm so happy I met you again!" exclaimed Tenten, happily. Neji's face flushed a little and but composed himself as she let go. He smirked.

"Me too. You have changed… but still you punch like a guy" he said as he saw her wearing a maroon halter neck gown which reached to her ankles and her hair held up in a high bun, leaving her fringes in the front with a little make up.

Tenten laughed. 'I hope Hinata-chan doesn't show up here' she thought as she glanced around but….

"Ten-chan, Ino-chan is-…" said Hinata but was interrupted.

"Hinata!" Neji couldn't help but exclaim. His eyes slightly widened as he faced his cousin.

Hinata's eyes widened as she saw Neji and stuttered out, "N-Neji-nii-san…?". But then they heard a gunshot and went towards the source of the noise.

A few minutes earlier…

Sakura saw Karin glancing around standing near the deck as she hid herself. The party just started so everyone was inside, busy greeting each other. Karin pulled out the box from her purse and stood near the railing. Sakura's eyes widened as she saw the box in her hand. The message she got was indeed true.

'What is she doing…?' thought Sakura and glanced around to see if anyone was there and found no one besides Karin. So, she walked towards her, whose back was turned towards Sakura.

"The box doesn't belong to you, Karin. How about giving it back?" said Sakura while Karin panicked as she heard Sakura's voice. She turned around.

"Haruno Sakura?" she muttered lowly. Sakura sighed.

"Look Karin, we have our disputes but I want it back, please…? I'll be in a VERY big trouble you know…" said Sakura. She looked up at the dark clouds and thought 'Is there a storm coming…?'. Just then she saw lightning in the sky. Karin glared at her but then sighed.

"I don't care… I just wanted to come here" said Karin and frowned. She looked like she was thinking. "I admit… that I took it from you… But, I cannot give you this now, you see…" she said. Sakura raised her eyebrow then smirked as she thought of an idea.

"Well, Karin… Sasuke-kun seemed so upset because he wanted the box. He even said that he'll NEVER forgive that person who stole it! You don't want me to tell him that it was you, ne…?" said Sakura which left Karin surprised.

"D-Don't you dare…! I mean… we can negotiate…?" Karin stuttered out.

"I'll tell Sasuke-kun that I invited you to the party…but First…" Sakura held her hand out and pointing at the box. Karin sighed but handed it to her. Sakura smiled satisfied and nodded 'go on'.

"Well… the thing is… someone called me and then we negotiated. He said that he can arrange a pass for me to this party in exchange of this thing…" explained Karin while Sakura listened half-heartedly.

"Whatever, you can tell them the deal is off…? Let's go in…" said Sakura as a drop landed on her cheek.

She frowned as she saw a shadow of a person but then her eyes widened. 'It's a gun! Oh no! Karin!' she thought as she pushed Karin.

Karin fell on floor and before she could question, there was a gunshot but then Sakura's foot slipped as the ship moved, she was thrashed against the railing and fell off, followed by her scream…

To be continued…

A/N – Oh no! What will happen now…? Review to find what's next! Please! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! ^^