Title: Not So Fast

Summary: A certain pinkette is enrolling in Konoha High... but what would the students make of her? It was only an attempt to escape the past, along with the shift of her personality. All she ever wanted was to play things safe, though it turns out that some things are not easy to slip away from. Oh dear.. was her choice ever right? MultiSaku AU

Word Count: 1,287

I figured that you all deserved another update after my long absence. Much love.

CHAPTER 9

There was something about her that brought his attraction. Perhaps, since he is much more clear-headed now than when he was at such a close proximity with her, the illogical way of thinking and feeling was out of pure instinct. She was different and it is only natural to be curious. Maybe he had mistaken curiosity for attraction then? Or are they relative terms? The latter sounds more plausible. The Uchiha still can't see it in himself to miscalculate something so trivial. He was a man of intellect. He had no time for feelings, which is why it was unnecessary of him, wanting to glare down his blue-skinned acquaintance just because he had passed the chance of spending more time with the transferee. He hadn't meant to feel the slight irritation swell in his chest that led him to ignore his partner's greeting. Similarly, he also hadn't meant to mask his surprise and delight upon seeing a pink head take one seat away from him either.

Where were these impulsive actions coming from? Maybe he was only feeling under the weather today which explains his peculiar behavior. But for whatever reasons his mind quickly conjured, deep inside he just knew. A handful of them were merely excuses.

Charcoal eyes darted across the different parts of the room, observing the students engaging in mindless chatter. From verbal to non-verbal cues, the man attempted to study clusters of gestures that often depicted behavior, along with straining his ears to listen with mild to little interest as he jumped from one conversation to another's. Because really, he was merely dividing the weak from those who had great potential. What started as a mission later became a favored past time. He enjoys watching people who fulfill a purpose. Whether it may be their own, or of others in which they completely adopted, it could only mean one thing. The right to change. Men attracted to power have long to deservingly wield that right. And how would that be without the means to do so? Change is the only thing justified in this world. Purely circumstantial, only a fool would outright question such a momentous force, for it proceeds on its own accord. He may not be able to fully control it, but he rather be prepared enough to foresee these events. After all, he believed that there were many opportunities for him to intervene and play his part. And without a doubt, he will bestow his gifts to this miserably ignorant world.

And as so he has looked, marked out, and looked on even more with hopes diminishing ever so little, unaware of the ripples that will intensify in the peak of its time. A forgotten factor might as well be his doom. The unknown variable will certainly become the harbinger of change.

The pinkette entered her next class along with her blue-skinned acquaintance. The huge boy chose to position himself in the middle area and as such, had Sakura realizing that it was next to her supposed, 'tour guide'. The older Uchiha didn't even spare a glance at Kisame as he preferred to blink at her uncertainly, not knowing that she was being the object of his confusion. Sakura chose to nod at him politely despite the lack of any vocal reception.

"So Sakura! I forgot to mention that Itachi here," he nudged his partner for effect, earning a displeased grunt from the stoic boy "told me to give you a tour since he's got his hands full." The older Uchiha saw this an opportunity to take his words back however, he stopped himself from doing so since it would not make any sense to be open about his eagerness in such a minor affair. Or so he tells himself.

"Whaddya say? You and me... and this hell-hole?" The shark-like boy wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, leaving the pinkette little resistance at such a comical face. She managed a small smile that lightly pulled on her face muscles, revealing something pleasantly alluring much to the amazement of both men.

"Actually-" The pinkette wasn't able to speak when a deep voice interrupted, silencing the class.

Without any greetings the teacher introduced himself.

"As you are all aware, I am Madara Uchiha, your Calculus teacher. I understand that since most of you are in your final years, I advise that you refrain from acting like the insolent pests you are." The teacher narrowed his eyes for emphasis, challenging his students to object him. A mock smile sat on his lips, reminding them of who was in control. "This is neither a request nor a favor. Calculus is a very difficult subject should many of you fail to pay attention in my class. Though I am obliged to help you, I will not entertain your silly questions especially when I am aware of the fact that you have been scribbling love letters in my class. Are we clear, Mr. Nikimura?" The ravenette ended his speech with a stern closed-eyed smile.

Like a deer caught in headlights, said boy visibly paled and nodded dumbly. The poor senior was probably going to be on the teacher's hit list. First impressions do last after all.

If Sakura wasn't any way reticent, she would've breathed an impressed, "Wow.." at having felt the domineering presence of the man before her. She can easily admire the serious disposition of her sensei and respected him as such, although not fully since he has yet to prove to her anything other than an intimidating aura.

"Now, we shall begin this productive school year with a diagnostic test..."

The students didn't even dare to make a sound of protest. Not only was it to please their teacher, it was also an attempt to wrack their brains out and recollect the topics from the previous year. From the introductions and rumors going around, they understood this much that the man before them was certainly the infamous, "Terror-Sensei" of Konoha High.

As expected, his nephew aced the test, while his blue-skinned friend though only had scored enough to get by. Checking the rest of the papers however, was uneventful. Some were average, only a few above average, but most can be considered as utter imbeciles. He came across an unfortunate circumstance of witnessing a 6 multiplied by 4, becoming a 32 in the earlier part of a student's solution. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

Where had he misplaced that shredder again?

He made an extra note to search for it later.

Somehow, as if the fates understood his suffering, he encountered the paper of one Sakura Haruno. He raised a brow, impressed as he finished checking her paper. She scored a perfect mark. He proceeded to study her solutions but only found out that she merely jotted down formulas. The rest were directly her final answers. He was aware that she was one of the only few juniors in this class currently taking up his subject. However, students who only exuberate intelligence do not mean much to him. No, what the world needs are persons who complete a set of skills. Possessing a single ability poses higher risks of being easily manipulated and offers limited choices to go about.

Though, if she appears to be that pink haired girl that Hoshigaki accompanied on the way out, and not to mention, has also captured the attention of his nephew by the numerous glances he kept throwing at her... then the matter may be worth investing in. His subordinates are not easy to acquaint with, given their status and reputation. Perhaps, a reasonable amount of field work is due. He'll just have to pay a visit to the secretarial desk when he has the time.

A/N: Ohohoho My story's Madara is totally not you're humorous, lovesick, hormonal persona that a lot of you have seen in other fanfics (although I might be considering that aspect towards the latter part of the story... maybe). In fact, I wanted to try and experiment with the Canon-Madara except less evil (I define evil as hell-bent on destroying the world just to gain control blarg) and focusing more on his manipulative/control-freak personality... who envisions a better change for the world (I hope I make this work).

Also, there's more light on Itachi's insecurities/confusion all because of a little thing he would hate to admit: a "crush" on dear Saku.

Aww, if Sakura actually finished her sentence would that mean that there was gonna be a sure-fire Kisame bonding in the future? Hahaha we'll see ;)

How well did I write my characters so far? REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! :D