WARNING(S): N/A

The band was swinging and the air was light and jazzy at the dance hall, dozens of bodies moving and chattering and laughing together. Skirts swished daintily and heeled shoes clacked against the hardwood floor. Some remained at the margins of the crowd, drinking punch and talking amongst themselves, while the more confident moved along the middle with their partners, carefree and happy.

Nineteen-year-old Sasuke Uchiha sipped his punch quietly, eyeing the crowd. It wasn't every day that he could come to a dance hall for some fun, yet now that he was here it didn't feel as exciting as it had when he was getting dressed up earlier. None of his friends were here, least of all others of his social circle. Tonight it seemed the middle class youth had gathered, with very few of the upper class. His father, a strict businessman, would surely balk at the crowd, imploring him to mingle with "better company".

As his wandering gaze crawled across the crowd, his posture momentarily straightened as he caught a glimpse of pink hair. There was a cluster of girls huddled together, giggling and talking, and among them was one with a peculiar coloring - tanned skin, bright green eyes, and- that hair. It was ridiculously pink. Yet she was clad in a very pretty sparkling red dress that brought out the color of her tresses, brought up in a stylish bun. Her dancing partner, a blonde, he recognized; the heiress of the Yamanaka family. The pink one was less pronounced in his mind, yet he'd seen her once or twice in her father's tailor shop.

Downing the rest of his punch, he set down the cup and made his way to the center of the room. Eyes casually turned to glimpse him and then turned into double-takes, whispers beginning to circle the hall.

By the time he made his way to that pink-haired young lady, her friends were openly staring at him, and so was she - but she was surprised, and intrigued.

"Hello," he began, stopping in front of her.

"Good evening," she responded, automatically trying to curtsy - before remembering the dress she wore and straightening back up with a flush of her cheeks. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight, Sasuke Uchiha."

"I had some free time and decided to see what was happening in town." With a shrug, he extended his hand. "Care for a dance?"

The blonde and her other friends began whispering, and Sakura blinked slowly.

"She would love to," Ino gushed, not-so-discreetly pushing her towards him a bit.

Fumbling with her words a bit, the girl finally nodded and took his hand. Her evening gloves were satiny against his hands, a pleasant touch as he wrapped his fingers around her own and tugged her further into the circle of dancers.

"So," she started, twirling with him to the beat of the music, "I didn't expect you of all people to want me as a partner."

He shrugged. "You stand out in a crowd. I wanted to see who, exactly, would be so bold in color."

Sakura's cheeks flushed a pink that matched her hair. She pouted a little and turned her face slightly away. "My hair is natural. I get it from my father's side."

"Your hair wasn't the only thing to catch my eye. Your dress is well-made. Where did you get it?"

As she twirled, the sparkling fabric swished against her knees and her straps were soft with - what was that? Feathers? Fur? Some cheer returned to her expression as she stated proudly, "I made it myself. I'm glad you like it."

"You made this?" Now he was intrigued. He eyed the scalloped ends and trailed his gaze up until it met the boxy neckline.

"My mother is a tailor by trade; she taught me everything I know. I've been working on this for months." As the music faded to a stop, she too came to a stop. Stooping to rest with her hands on her knees for a few moments, she caught her breath and straightened up again. "Well, that was fun. Thanks for the dance."

"Would… would you like to go again?"

The incredulity in her eyes was slowly replaced with excitement, and she nodded with a beaming smile. Her hand slipped in his again, squeezing with a surprising firmness.