A remake of the original 'Little Red Riding Hood', starring Haruno Sakura as Red Riding Hood, Uchiha Sasuke as the Woodcutter, and Orochimaru as the Big Bad Wolf. Coming soon to a theatre near you. –Warning: Mature audiences recommended; includes mature themes–

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ChapterONE

Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived in a town next to a big scary forest. Every time she went out, her mother would remind her to come home after her job was done. And the girl would promise every time to come home straight after her job was done.

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/ / Little.

Pink.

Riding.

Hood. / /

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Sakura was such a pretty girl, barely 16. Her eyes were a beautiful, rare light green. Her hair was a glossy, soft pink. Her nose was a cute little button on her face. Her lips were a peachy pink full pout. She was her town's little treasure. Their little beauty.

But she was as absentminded and carefree as she was attractive.

Simple directions given to her were immediately forgotten.

Advices were thrown aside carelessly.

Sakura wasn't the brightest girl in her small town of Konoha, but she was the kindest and she had a heart that was as innocent and pure as any child's.

Konoha was a town of a small population. Everybody knew everybody else. They were all either bakers or pastry chefs, so the streets smelt like melted butter and fresh flour. The houses were cramped together with the school and also the several cow stall that they had.

It was a breezy, sunny morning when Sakura's mother handed her daughter a note. It was Sakura's to-do list. Everything was written twice in large bold words and then signed lovingly by her mother. Sakura beamed brightly and promised earnestly to do everything on the list by afternoon.

"Thank you, Sakura-chan. I'll be home by sunset. Remember, don't talk to strangers. And don't accept any gifts from them either. And, please, please do not go outside of the town."

Her mother repeated that sentence daily, hoping that her it would be the one thing that Sakura would not forget.

"Don't worry, mother. I'll be fine by myself."

Sakura's mother did worry though. Sakura was too easily deceived by people; she was too sweet for her own good.

When Sakura stepped outside into the soft autumn sunlight, she took a deep breath in, just as a light breeze rolled by. She check her list;

1. Collect a dozen eggs from the chicken coops behind Iruka-san's house. If you've forgotten where he lives, ask Kakashi-san.

2. Go and buy a bucket from Kurenai-san. She knows which bucket. If you've forgotten where she lives, ask Kakashi-san.

3. Find the woodcutter who lives on the edge of the town and get some spare wood from him. Just ask him for a bundle. If you don't know where he lives, ask Kakashi-san.

Kakashi was Sakura's neighbour and her mentor. Sakura had always thought he was a funny man with funny hair and a funny personality. He had brilliant silver hair that stood up in a gravity defying fashion. She loved him like an older brother and he never missed an opportunity to help her or tell her what to do and what not to do.

Sakura visited him every afternoon to recount what she'd done that day.

"Kaka-san! Does Iruka-san still live next to the creek?"

"Haha, Sakura-chan, Iruka has never lived next to a creek. He lives next to the school."

"Oh. I know where that is." Sakura laughed at herself and waved good bye to Kakashi, who closed the door and sighed. Sakura was so beautiful and sweet, but it was such a pity that she was a dazed person. It was only a matter of time when Sakura would be hurt by somebody.

Sakura wandered through the town, as though in a dream. She smiled vaguely and nodded her head to people who greeted her.

Several young men gave her dashing smiles that she couldn't fully return. Sakura knew that she was pretty and that almost every boy her age would die to just hear her say hello to them. But she had no interest in them. Sakura could not understand what the boys wanted from her.

When she arrived at the school, Iruka was already waiting in front of it, with a basket of eggs.

"You're early, Sakura-chan! I wasn't expecting you for another half an hour."

"Well, you see Iruka-san, you're the first thing on the list my mother wrote. I'm starting from the top of it."

Iruka laughed. "That's smart, Sakura-chan. Be careful not to smash those eggs. Maybe you should go straight home and put those away."

"I know, I will, Iruka-san. See you around!"

Iruka took a look at Sakura's wide smile and waved slowly to her as she spun around and danced off.

"Be careful on your way home, Sakura-chan," he called out as she disappeared around the corner. As you would expect, she didn't hear him.

By the time Sakura arrived home, she left the eggs on the door step and sat next to the basket and just stared at her front yard.

The wooden fence was beginning to fall down and the apples that had fallen at the base of the apple tree were beginning to decompose. Not just rot; the fruit was brown and withered like a walnut. The yellow grass was knee high and parted in the centre of the yard, where the path was paved with smooth coloured rocks.

It was a quiet, peaceful moment until Kakashi walked over and leant on the fence. Even though the fence protested again the weight with a moan, Sakura didn't notice Kakashi until he said, "I was taking a walk and I bumped into Kurenai-san. She handed me a bucket to give to you."

"What?"

Kakashi tried to stop a sigh from coming out and scratched his face. "I think it's on your list."

"My list. Oh no! No! I'd forgotten about it. I-I was...distracted. Was Kurenai-san upset?" Sakura looked horrified.

Kakashi chuckled. "She was smiling. I don't think she minded."

"Oh thank you, Kaka-san!" Sakura gushed and skipped over to Kakashi and took a small metal bucket from him. Kakashi patted her on the head fondly as she peered inside it and pouted when she saw it was empty. She turned it over to see whether anything would fall out.

"Why would my mother want an empty bucket?"

"Maybe she wants to fill it up with water or something."

Sakura laughed contagious giggle and smiled at Kakashi who was grinning. Her bright green eyes widened when she figured out that she had another thing on the list.

"Oh, the woodcutter!"

"What wrong with the woodcutter? Do you need firewood?"

"I think so..."

Sakura checked the list. "Why does he live on the edge of the town?"

"Because there's a forest there and he's a woodcutter."

Sakura sighed and looked down at the sheet of paper. "That's awfully far away. He must be so lonely there."

"I've met him a few times and trust me, he's not lonely. He likes his solitude and quiet. He's not very friendly."

"Kaka-san! I'm sure he's very nice if you just talk to him. Maybe I'll talk to him and we'll become friends."

Kakashi didn't bother removing his sceptical look, but Sakura didn't see it anyway. Sakura put the bucket next to the eggs and pranced through the grass, running her dainty white hands through the long yellow grass. She cried out a cheerful farewell to Kakashi who sighed again and leapt over the fence on one hand to take the basket and bucket into the house.

The fence swayed dangerously behind him.

Sakura flounced through the street gracefully, stopping every few minutes for directions. People turned their heads wherever Sakura went.

The town was so small that the number of people who turned their heads swindled quickly and soon no one was left to tell her where and where to turn left. And the edge of town still seemed very far; Sakura could just make out a long stretch of wall in the distance.

"Hey, you."

Sakura turned around and searched for the person whom the cold, emotionless voice belonged to.

There was a grove of trees on her right and she could see a dark figure leaning on a tree in the shadows. Sakura cocked her head to one side and her eyes widened slowly as the figure straightened. She tugged at her hair nervously as the figure began to walk into the light. Sakura took him in quickly.

He was a strapping young man, no different from the boys in town. But one thing did make him stand out, his dark black eyes. They held a feeling that Sakura could not explain, like a pain or ache. But Sakura could not deny the fact that he was very striking and good-looking.

Much better looking than the butcher's grizzly son, who had been trying to court her for months.

"Look, girl, I'm pretty sure that this is private property," he said in a low dangerous voice. Sakura's reaction almost let the young man show surprise on his face. Most people who drifted onto his piece of land would rush off in fear when he appeared, not give a wide smile.

"I've never seen you before," Sakura said softly and then grinned. "Have you always lived here? Where am I anyway...? Can you give me directions? W-what's your name? I'm Sakura."

She said that all in one breathe. The boy decided that he didn't like Sakura. She was too cheery and bright. And she asked way too many questions. But she didn't cower under his glare; she just kept looking at him with her big questioning eyes. He stayed silent before turning around and walking away from Sakura.

"Hey! W-wait!" Sakura cried. "Um, I need to cross the woodcutter off my list, a-and I need to find him. F-for w-wood..."

"There's a pile of scrap wood over there, by the barrels."

"Oh. So is this the edge of town? Does that mean that-" she pointed to the grove of trees, "-is the forest?"

"It extends into a forest," the boy answered without turning around, heavily hinting that Sakura should just leave. Sakura strained her neck to see a dark area behind the long fence. The forest looked so very frightening, as if from a fairy tale, where trolls lived under bridges and elves hunted for food. Sakura was amazed that the young man would go to the forest all by himself for wood.

Sakura looked over at the pile of wood and then back at the boy.

"Maybe I should ask the woodcutter first," Sakura said unsurely. "If he gets angry with me..."

The boy stopped walking and turned his head to look over his shoulder, smirking. "Is that what they call me in town now?"

"That depends. Who are you? You haven't told me your name yet."

Sasuke blinked at the pink haired girl, who was so clueless.

"I'm Sasuke."

Sakura bowed her head politely but Sasuke had begun to show her his back again. "Wait!"

"What?"

"Can you help me with the firewood?"

"How much do you need?"

"Ummm... I don't remember. A lot?"

"There's a wheelbarrow next to the barrels. You can borrow that."

"Then, can you help me home?"

"What?"

Sakura's smile faded a bit and the twinkle was lost in her eyes. "I've never been here before. I can't remember the way home."

"Why do you get let out then?"

"...I don't understand."

"You don't even know the way back to where you live. It's stupid to let you out by yourself."

Sasuke hadn't really meant for the words to sound harsh, but the choice of words combined with his cold demeaning attitude said the opposite. But the thought of apologizing didn't even run through his mind. Even with his back turned to her, he could feel Sakura's confused expression turn into a flash of pain

"I do know where I live," she cried, waving her arms at Sasuke's back. "I've just never been here before."

Sasuke sighed at how annoying this girl was. "Fine, I'll help you with the fire wood, then tell you how to get home."

"Thank you."

"Hn."

Sasuke reluctantly began to walk over to the heap of scrap wood and pile it into the old wheelbarrow. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Sakura approach him and watch him work. Sasuke ignored her.

"Do you need any help?"

Sasuke almost snorted. The small girl was asking whether he needed any help. He held back a smile. What if he said yes? What would she be able to do? Delicately pick at the wood and then cry when she got a splinter? Ha.

"Aren't you afraid that you'll break a nail?" he scoffed at her, tossing a bundle of wood into the wheelbarrow. It was already half full.

Sakura watched curiously and held out her hand, smiling again. Sasuke looked at her warily and passed her a slice of wood about the size of his palm, but to Sakura, it was nearly the size of her entire hand. She grinned at Sasuke and threw the wood in the wheelbarrow.

"No nails broken," Sakura giggled and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Congratulations."

Sakura didn't pick up the evident sarcasm in his voice.

She looked down shyly and blushed. No one had ever congratulated her on anything before. They usually told her she did a good job but would have to sit in the corner for the rest of the time. And when she asked why, they would always reply with, "So other people can do good jobs, too!" Sakura didn't like the way the spoke to her. Like she was completely helpless. She wasn't. She just...couldn't remember.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said softly. The only reaction Sasuke had was a raised eyebrow. This girl was crazy.

"Whatever," he said gruffly, after he realised that Sakura was blushing. "Look, there's enough fire wood for 2 nights in this wheelbarrow. Can you leave now?"

"It's almost lunchtime," said Sakura, looking up at the sky, seemingly unaware that Sasuke had spoken at all. "Would you like to have lunch with me?"

"No."

"What? Sasuke-kun is mean," pouted Sakura, placing a hand on her hip. "Please have lunch with me. You've been really nice to me."

Sasuke cursed at himself silently. Was he really being nice to her?

Damn.

He'd been trying to get rid of her for the past 10 minutes. Maybe he should have just left her by herself and let her wander off into the forest... No. Even Sasuke was cruel enough to send a person, especially a girl like Sakura into such a dark and dangerous place. It was rumoured that restless souls of the dead lived in there, preying on humans. Sasuke thought it was a load of bull that parents told to their children to ensure that they stay out of the forest, but occasionally someone would walk into the forest, and never be heard from again.

News like this would always send chills down Sasuke's back.

"I guess I have been nice to you," said Sasuke, saying it more to himself than to Sakura, thinking that he'd somehow saved Sakura's life. If he hadn't been here, Sakura probably would have become the forest's next victim. An odd pride swelled in Sasuke's chest. Then he got annoyed. "But I usually eat alone."

"Not today!"

"Then let me clarify, Sakura, I want to eat alone."

"Oh..."

Sasuke sighed. "See that black pole over there?" Sakura nodded quickly, slightly confused.

"That's the way you came from. Just go there and then ask for more directions."

"From who?"

Sasuke wanted to groan out loud and bash his head against a wall. This girl was impossible. Was she for real?

"Just go," he said in an exasperated tone. Sakura nodded slowly, not willing to show that she was hurt inside. She'd tried to befriend him but he kept pushing her away.

She remembered what Kakashi-san had said about the woodcutter, "He's not very friendly..." What was the other thing that Kakashi-san had said about Sasuke? Something about liking quiet? The more Sakura tried to recall Kakashi-san's words, the more infuriated she got.

"Fine. I'll go," she said stiffly. This was as nasty as Sakura tried to sound. She'd never been spiteful to anyone in her life before.

Sasuke raised both eyebrows this time and watched Sakura walk away. Finally. He was alone again. Just as he liked. But for some reason he couldn't stop staring at Sakura.

The way her body moved when she walking.

The way her hands were balled into fists at her sides.

The way her hair flopped from side to side as she took each step.

Not that Sasuke cared. When Sakura was about halfway between the pole and Sasuke, she suddenly turned around and flipped him off. Then she saw that Sasuke was still watching her and she began to walk faster, head lowered half in shame and half in satisfaction. She didn't really understand what the middle finger meant, but her mother told her that people made that hand gesture to people they didn't like.

"Hn."

But it was an amused 'hn'. When Sakura reached the pole, she turned to a nearby farmer and began to talk to him, then disappear behind a house. That was the last of Sakura, Sasuke ever saw.

At least, that's what he thought at the time. Until he saw that he was leaning on the wheelbarrow, full of firewood.

Damn.

Sakura probably wouldn't even notice until the next day... which meant that she would be coming back! Sasuke narrowed his eyes in thought. Which would he prefer? Another visit from Sakura? Or a quick visit to Sakura and drop off the wood and then hopefully never see her again?

The latter please.

TBC

Author's Note: This is my first SasuSaku fanfic :) the rest of the story depends entirely on the responce I get from this chapter. So please add this fic to your alert list and review ;)

Elle.