Hello, I decided to try and write a SasuSaku story. First of all, in this story, they are not ninja. They are just adults in the real world with a job and real life problems. This story is rated T because there is mild language and sexual references, but there will be no lemon. (For all of you who don't know what a "lemon" is, it just means a sex scene.) So, there will be no lemon.

Sasuke: Age 23

Sakura: Age 22

The little girl in the story, Kiku, will be used to strengthen the SasuSaku relationship and also show how much Sakura loves children. And she is my own character. I hope you enjoy the story, and feel free to send me a review!

-Chapter One-

With a heavy heart, Sakura Haruno watched the little girl slump into the chair across from her. Dark circles lied just under the small child's luminous blue eyes.

Sakura smiled at the child she had come to know and love. Daily, the pink-haired woman would visit the orphanage to spend time with the children that called the small, aged building their home. This is where she had met Kiku Yumi, a small blond-haired and blue-eyed girl. Sakura had been nineteen when she had first met Kiku and the younger female had been ten. Although the woman, now twenty-two, spent time with all the children, she had come to know Kiku the best.

"How are you feeling?" were the first words that came out of Sakura's mouth. The words were used so frequently towards the thirteen-year-old these days. Kiku smiled weakly at the older-sister figure sitting across from her. She had known the question was coming.

"I've been more tired recently," the blond answered truthfully. "It's getting closer, you know." Clenching her teeth, Sakura's gaze flickered towards her lap where her hands were resting. Just last year Kiku had been diagnosed with cancer, the doctors saying she would only have around another year to live.

A burning sensation invaded Sakura's nose, the kind you get before you cry. "I know." Swallowing the lump that had been slowly rising in her throat, the twenty-two-year-old directed her view to the girl's face. "Kiku, I wish there was something I could do. You're like family to me, like a little sister." She bit down on her smooth lower lip, forcing tears back once again. "I don't want to lose someone important to me. Not again." Within the past two years Sakura had lost both her mother and her father to car accidents.

Tiny, frail arms embraced the woman when the girl stood from her chair. The head full of shimmering blond hair rested at the crook of the older woman's neck. "It's all part of life, everyone dies at some point."

At that moment the sad truth slapped Sakura right across her flawless face. The woman was worrying about herself, not about the girl hugging her. A look of pure guilt flashed across her face when Kiku pulled away and threw her friend a smile. "I know what you're thinking. Don't feel bad, Sakura, it's only human nature that people worry about themselves first."

A loud beeping noise filled the room suddenly, Sakura digging into her purse to retrieve her cell phone. Flipping it open, her green eyes spotted the time and she jumped up from her seat. "I'm so sorry!" Sakura gushed, sweeping the young girl into her arms. "If I don't leave now I'm going to be late for work. I'll try and visit you at an earlier time tomorrow so that we can spend more time together."

Their eyes locked solidly as Sakura broke away from Kiku. "I love you, Sakura."

"I love you too, Sweetheart, I love you too. I'll see you tomorrow." Rushing out of the building, Sakura walked briskly to her shining red Honda Accord and swung the door open hastily, climbing in.

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Any onlookers would be able to see a woman wearing a black business suit rushing through a parking lot in high heels to get to work on time. She had been warned numerous times before that she would be fired if she arrived late to work any more than she already had.

It was not long before one of her coworkers, Naruto Uzumaki, was trotting alongside her in his suit. "At least we don't have to worry about gaining weight," the man commented, a large grin spreading across his face. The woman rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at his words.

Simultaneously, they burst through the double doors of the building in which they worked. Heading opposite ways, Naruto went to his cubicle and Sakura went to her own.

"Ah, right on time." Kakashi Hatake, Sakura's boss, strode out of his overly neat office and smiled at her in satisfaction.

As soon as the silver-haired man disappeared into his office, Ino Yamanaka bounded over to her best friend's cubicle with anxiousness showing on her face, promising some exciting information. "I'm inviting everyone in the office to hang out at the bar tonight and have a drink," the azure-eyed woman announced. A light blush dusted her cheeks as she jabbed a slender finger in the direction of Sasuke Uchiha's work space. "I'm hoping that downright sexy coworker of ours will show up. It would be the perfect time to strike up a conversation and reel him in, you know?" Ino smirked mischievously as Sakura heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes.

Personally, the Haruno female didn't see what was so great about Sasuke Uchiha. There was no doubt he was sexy, but his personality was a total turn-off to her. He wasn't a conversationalist and he was rude to a lot of the people that worked there. Naruto seemed to be his only really close friend, but some of the other males were acquainted with him.

Seeing Sakura's face twist with distaste, Ino glared halfheartedly. "What?" Sakura snapped, crossing her arms and returning the glare. "He's always so anti-social and mean. What the hell is shoved up his ass?"

Pink locks fluttered slightly as Ino spun and strutted away. Hot breath seeped from between Sakura's slightly parted lips when she sighed, casting her eyes down towards the paper work that was to be done. This was going to be a long day. After such a tiring day, she wasn't sure if she would take pleasure in conversing with colleagues at the bar or not. Her internal battle lasted for about an hour as she filled out the paper work in front of her.

The white walls of the building were soon what captured her attention. The plain, boring white walls. At that moment, she started comparing those white walls to her life. The woman had the same routine every single day, there was hardly anything that happened that was out of the ordinary. The more she thought about it, the more boring she realized her life was. Maybe it was time for a change.

With a lopsided smile on her face, Sakura stood and called across the area, "Hey Ino, when are we planning to meet at the bar tonight?"

Pearl-colored eyes peeked over the top of the glass surrounding a cubicle. Hinata Hyuga was grinning at the woman who had just spoken. "Eight," her soft voice called before Ino got the chance to utter a single word. Sakura smiled at her other best friend and thanked her.

The three females had all gone to the same school growing up. Sakura and Ino had been best friends since the second grade, Hinata joining the friendship their first year of high school. As most friends do while in high school, they make promises of sticking together after graduating, and unlike most of those promises, the three had kept theirs.

Two men immediately arose from the chairs at their desks and lustfully gazed at the woman they admired. "Would you like me to drive you there?" both Kiba Inuzuka and Rock Lee asked at the same time. Seconds later, they were both glaring menacingly at one another. Sakura was always flattered at how the two men fancied her, but she honestly had no interest in either of them. Kiba just didn't seem to be her type and neither did Rock Lee, not to mention he was not the best looking man she had ever met.

"No, but thank you both for the offer." Sulkily, the two sank down into their chairs without another word to her. Even though the two were rivals trying to win her affection, they both had at least one thing in common: both had been rejected by Sakura on many occasions.

Resting the tip of her pen on her mouth, the woman smiled, looking forward to the night ahead of her. She was sure she would have fun with her friends. Being with them always diverted her mind from stressful thoughts.

Only a few cubicles away, the Uchiha man of age twenty-three tapped the end of his pen thoughtfully upon his chin. Earlier that morning the annoying blond admirer of his had swooped into his work space and babbled about a stupid social event at the bar. He had merely waved his hand absently, disinterested in what she was talking about. The more he thought about it, the more he started to accept the idea of getting a drink with the people he worked with. Naruto and the other guys would be there too, not just the bunch of feminine workers, which only happened to be four people. The only woman in his work department that he found completely irritating and frustrating was Ino. She would obsess over him and shower him with affection whenever she got the chance, undressing him with her eyes every time she passed by his cubicle. He found it to be unnerving and aggravating. Hinata was a quiet woman that minded her own business, and she seemed to have an interest in Naruto. Tenten was dating Neji Hyuga, so she never looked at Sasuke in a romantic way. The last woman that worked near him was Sakura Haruno. Often times he would hear her and Ino talking, obviously not realizing their volume. The pink-haired woman had a fiery temper and showed a lack of interest in him, which he found comforting. The last thing he wanted was for the two loudest and most obnoxious girls in the work area to be attracted to him.

Ino will be there, Sasuke told himself mentally, but it might not be that bad. Maybe I should go and hang out with the guys. Sakura and Hinata will be there to distract Ino. Hopefully, anyways.

With a stiff nod, the man made up his mind. He would go. He liked being around the guys, and if the strident blond female would be preoccupied he had nothing to worry about.

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Ino had evidently been awaiting Sakura's appearance at the get-together because when the woman stepped inside the bar her best friend jumped up from her seat at the counter and waved her hands, shouting.

"Glad you could make it," Ino greeted, slapping her friend on the back as the woman approached her coworkers. Everyone else was already there, a drink either setting in front of them or held in a hand.

Wait. Sakura glanced at the group of people. Sasuke isn't here. Wait...why do I care? She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she took a seat on one end of the assembly of people. Ino seemed to be stationed in the center seat, right beside Shikamaru Nara. The lazy man was attempting to listen to Ino talk, but he looked like it was getting on his nerves a bit.

Hinata was sitting by Naruto, who was currently downing a drink. The black-haired woman twisted to smile at her friend. "Going to order something?" After nodding towards her, Sakura signaled the bartender and ordered a margarita. All of the others around her seemed to be having a good time and conversing with one another. Sakura listened in on some of the conversations, but mostly just gazed down at her drink and focused on the rim of the glass, which was caked with salt.

It was only when someone on the other side of her spoke that she realized someone had sat down beside her. Emerald orbs flickering over, they met cold onyx ones.

Sasuke. So he did show up. Does Ino know?

The bartender slid the drink he ordered to the man and with a large, pale hand, Sasuke picked the drink up and took a swig. Sakura was enjoying herself by just being in the presence of her friends, she didn't need to be talking.

After a while she ordered a shot of whiskey, then another after she was finished with the first. Her ears perked up when she heard Sasuke request a shot of whiskey for himself. It wasn't long before three empty shot glasses sat in front of the raven-haired man.

His lips were curled slightly to one side when Sakura glanced at his face, one of his fine-lined eyebrows raised challengingly.

Oh, it is on, pretty boy.

Sakura ordered one shot of whiskey after another, her face flushed from her alcohol consumption. The man beside her consumed the same amount then looked to her, his face tinged with pink. When she made no move to order another, he did, and after downing the last shot, she slurred, "You win."

They both felt light-headed and unaware of what was going on around them. Sakura rose from her seat, swaying slightly in her drunken state. "I should-" she hiccupped, "go home." The victor of the drinking contest also stood, saying, "I'll walk you home."

Staggering along the streets together, the two made their way to Sakura's apartment, chattering in slurred words and laughing idiotically at small comments. It seemed the like more they talked the worse their state became. Sakura was hardly conscious of what was going on, but she was only in a slightly worse state of mind than her companion.

They came up to the front of her apartment complex and Sakura buzzed herself in. Before she could successfully enter the building, a warm hand grabbed her wrist and tugged her. Body pressed against that of her co-worker, the only thing she knew was that her heart fluttered. Her eyesight was fuzzy to some extent and his sweet smell was enveloping her.

Sasuke was aware of the rise and fall of her chest, which was pressed against his own. "Sak-" he started to say. Not knowing what she was doing, Sakura crushed her lips against his, knotting her small hands in his oddly styled hair. His reaction was quick, his lips moving against hers as he kissed her back roughly.

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Inhaling deeply, the scent of lilac greeted Sasuke's nostrils as he slowly came out of a deep sleep. The light of the morning sun cascading about the room could be sensed through his eyelids. It was then that his sense of touch distracted him. Under his large hands was a soft and silky texture that was warm, and unbeknownst to him, was Sakura's stomach. Almost out of his half sleep, the man brushed his fingers gently against the surface. His hand ventured down the object even more and he found that it curved at some point.

What the hell?

Dark eyes snapping open, he was met with smooth pink hair. His mind, not working properly after he just awoke, did not comprehend what was going on. Finally, he lifted his head away from the pillow it had been resting on all night and took a peek beneath the covers.

Damn it. Sakura and I obviously had sex last night after getting drunk at the bar. My first time and I can't even remember.

Pouting somewhat, the man slid out of the bed and slipped his boxers and pants on. Sighing, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled over to the window, glancing out at the world outside. He was debating on putting his top on and getting out of the place before his coworker woke up, but he honestly couldn't do that to Sakura. He could not just leave and let her assume nothing happened when something did take place between them last night.

Twisting a bit, he gazed at her sleeping form. Her light pink lips were parted slightly allowing her to breathe deeply and evenly, her face holding a peaceful look. The rays of the sun shining in just right, to him, she looked like an angel.

The man just noticed his throbbing headache, which was the result of his drinking the night before. He was tempted to mosey into the kitchen or bathroom and seek out medicine, but the feminine figure under the covers shifted.

He watched as her jade eyes fluttered open and she squinted a bit against the brightness of the sun. Seeing the man standing mutely in her bedroom, she was at a loss for words. Finally, she took note of her bare skin and let out a dry sob, realizing she and the man had gotten intimate last night.

"I knew I shouldn't have gone to that stupid bar," Sakura whispered hoarsely, covering her face with her hands. "I was so drunk last night; I can't remember anything after leaving the bar."

"Neither can I."

With a weak wave of her hand she gestured for him to turn and look away. When he was facing the window the woman slid out of bed, cringing from the soreness in her vaginal area.

My first time and I can't even remember, she growled inwardly.

Once she had underwear, a bra, and a robe on, she told him it was okay. Stealing a glance at the clock, the now furious woman forcefully kicked her dresser.

"I should have been at work three hours ago!" she bellowed, slamming her foot into the dresser a second time. "Shit! I could lose my job!" She went to kick the hard wood again but strong hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away from it.

"Stop it, Sakura."

The woman jerked away from him and glared icily into his eyes. "Don't touch me," she spat. "Don't you think you did enough of that last night?"

Sasuke blinked in surprise of her words. Crossing her arms hastily, she sniffed a couple of times, tears glistening in her eyes. "All we have to do is call off of work. That way they can't count us as being late." His words calmed her somewhat and she nodded once.

They both called off of work claiming they were ill. After this task was done, Sakura demanded that her companion take a shower in the only guest bathroom she had. Surprisingly, Sasuke didn't bicker. Both showered and redressed, Sasuke having to wear his suit since it was the only clothing he had at her apartment.

"Well, I should probably be heading home," Sasuke announced as they met up in the kitchen after their showers. Placing a hand on her hip, the woman protested.

"No, you're staying with me until I take a pregnancy test."

"Says you. I say I'm going home and there is nothing you can do to stop me." Out of his peripheral vision he could see her flexing a hand as if she was restraining herself from punching him.

His legs acted without him even having to think about what he was doing. Sasuke made a run for the door, but the smaller frame leapt in front of it before he could reach it. He was making his way towards the exit so fast that he literally ran into her, their bodies pressed against each other once again. He was so close that he could smell the scent of her lilac shampoo, the smell he had been greeted with just as he had woken up that morning.

"Y-You're staying here," she stammered, slightly intimidated by being pressed against the door by a man that was a couple inches taller than her and no undoubtedly stronger. "If the pregnancy test is positive the baby is your responsibility too, Sasuke. You can't leave me now, not at a time like this." Her desperation was suddenly overwhelming him. "I know we hardly know each other, but truthfully, I need you here when I find out."

Shutting his eyes for a split second, he stepped away from her and murmured, "Alright."

Closing her viridian eyes, Sakura slowly slid down until she landed on the ground, propped up against the door. She knew she was most likely not pregnant, but there was still a slim possibility that she was. And she definitely wanted to know right away. Her plain and ordinary white walls were now different, decorated in ugly puke green splotches. If she had known she was going get drunk and sleep with the co-worker she had no interest in and possibly become pregnant, she would have chose to continue living her normal and ordinary life. But that was in the past. She can't undo was has been done. But she can certainly wish she could.

Well, that is the first chapter. I'm also writing other stories for my own pleasure, so it might be a while until I update, but I assure you that it won't be too terribly long. I know how you all feel when there is a story that you want updated and they never freaking update. I understand. So you won't have to wait too long.