Summary: Slight AU. Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke were childhood friends. They've been separated from each other since they graduated from the Ninja Academy and his parents decided to move. But then, when he comes back after 10 years, he finds out that Sakura is soon to marry his childhood best friend, Sai. Will they be able to unravel their Twisted Fate?

Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto… I don't own any part of it…

Author's Notes:

"Text"-normal conversation

"Text"-thoughts

Text- flashback mode

"Text"- flashback mode, conversation

"Text"- thoughts, flashback mode

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"Do you really love her?" Sasuke asked Sai

"I certainly do." He replied, as simple as that.

Sasuke paused for a while, thinking of how to say what he wanted to say until he finally came up with one.

"Meet me tomorrow, 2:30 p.m., at the forest" Sasuke told his best friend. "The one who'll lose would have to let Sakura go."

He stood up and stretched an arm to Sai. "Deal?"

"Deal." He firmly replied and reached for his hand as they shook hands. After that 'manly-gesture', Sasuke disappeared in a puff leaving an annoyed Sai behind.

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Chapter One: Sakura

Months passed by and since the day they met, they've always met in their "favorite place", the cherry blossom field, every after dismissal. They spend their time quietly there, just waiting for the sun to set. Though they know each other, they never showed it in front of their friends for the anxiety of telling them how they knew each other. In the academy, they barely look at each other. But one day, after dismissal, as expected from Uchiha Sasuke to go to the field, Sakura waited patiently for her friend.

It's already been an hour and a half since Sakura reached the field. She had been waiting diligently for her friend to come until it was almost three hours but still, he hasn't arrived yet. She started to worry, but shook the thought off for she knows nothing bad can happen to Uchiha Sasuke, the mightiest rookie of her age.

Since it's already getting a bit dark, she decided to go home. She knew that if it gets dark, strange animals may appear again. She wouldn't know where Sasuke would be. She started to walk across the village's streets, still thinking about her comrade. When she was about to turn in the corner, she bumped into someone who was quite on an emergency for he was running very fast.

She let out a small groan while the person she bumped with had the same reaction. They both fell on the floor but the other person quickly stood up. When he was already standing up, he brushed his hair away from his face for it was blocking his eyes. He offered a hand to Sakura and she quickly grabbed it. She was soothing the back of her head for it bumped to the floor. As she stood up, he got a clearer view of his face. When their eyes met, she felt something strange.

'Sasuke? No…' She thought.

"Oh, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to run over you. My friends and I were playing hide and seek and I was just looking for somewhere to hide. Gomen…" He said, removing the dirt that stuck to his shirt. "Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm Sai." He introduced, stretching out his hand.

"Sakura here." She replied, but not acknowledging his stretched hand. She really had a weird feeling about this guy. He looked so much like Sasuke even though she knew he was different.

Sai put his hand back to his side when he realized that a handshake was not the best thing to do. "Are you sure you're fine?" He asked.

"Yeah, sure do." She answered. "Uhh… Maybe I should go now. It's getting darker. I'm sure okaa-san would be worried."

"Wait." He lowered his head, fearing that he might get embarrassed "Maybe I shou-" He was cut off by a "bang sound". When he searched for where the sound came from, he saw a limp body lying in front of him. "Sakura!" He exclaimed. "Hey kid, wake up. You said you were fine. Wake up!" he shouted at her pale face. "You can't die… I'm going to be blamed for sure." He thought nervously. "Please! Everyone, help me!" He shouted at the people around them.

They brought her to the nearest hospital. After a few hours the doctor had checked her, she woke up.

She slowly sat up, and her eyes wandered around the room. "White blankets, white sheets, white cabinets, white room? Am I in a hospital? As her eyes roamed, she caught a glimpse of pink. "Mommy?" She inquired.

"Oh, honey, you're finally awake. Thank God."

Sakura turned to the person beside her.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetie, I'm here. My mom and I would never leave you." He said, circling his arm around his wife's waist. They both neared the hospital bed Sakura was on.

"How're you feeling?" Her dad asked.

"I'm quite fine. Why am I here in the first place?" She asked, with confusion on her eyes.

"A young boy was just here a while ago. He told us that after the two of you bumped into each other, you suddenly fainted. He cried for help and good thing, the people quickly offered a hand. It turned out that the boy's father is your dad's business partner." Her mom narrated.

'Oh… So that's why dad's here. Business.' She thought sadly, realizing that she was not really the main reason why her dad's in the hospital. "Ah…" That's all she said.

There was a short pause until her mom decided to speak again.

"Saku, do you remember the name of the kid?" Her mom asked.

She stayed quiet for a while while digging her memories for the kid's name but all she can remember was Sasuke's name. He looked like Sasuke. He acted like Sasuke, always willing to help. He's so much like Sasuke. "Sasuke?" She surprisingly said aloud.

"Sasuke? Was that the boy's name?" Her mom inquired again.

"No. Sasuke's my classmate. Wait. I remember! His name is Sai."

"You know Uchiha Sasuke?" Her dad joined their little conversation.

"Yes."

"So… You and the Uchiha are classmates, huh? Isn't Sai your classmate too?" He cocked a brow at his daughter.

"No. Maybe he's in another section."

"Maybe. His dad said he's also from the ninja academy."

"Maybe."

"Good for you." Her dad whispered. Her mom eyed him suspiciously.

"Hm, I didn't catch that, dad." She said.

"Nothing. Forget it." Her dad replied.

She has matured, her dad thought. She's so young at the age of eight yet, so wise. He sure was very proud of her. Her grades were high and she was an outstanding student. He didn't even think that his daughter would go this far even though he knew she was talented and intelligent. Yes, he couldn't deny that he also missed the days when his family would have picnics during Sundays. He missed them too but he can't be always with them since he's securing their future. He wanted Sakura's future to be bright. He knew Sakura would understand him. But then, he remembered his conversation with his wife.

-FLASHBACK-

It was already 11 P.M. and Mr. Haruno had just arrived on the Haruno mansion. When he opened the door, he saw his wife sitting on the couch, reading a book.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" He asked.

"I'm waiting for you." She stood up and took the attaché case from her husband's hand like any other wife would do when their husband arrives from work. "So, how was your day?" She asked.

"As usual, tiring. I had to sign all the documents before the sun rises tomorrow, so I stayed overtime." He answered. "Where's Sakura? How were the ceremonies?" He asked.

"She's already sleeping. The ceremonies were fine but she waited for you until the last minute. She was very near to tears." She said in a matter-of-fact tone.

They started to head up the stairs and went to their bedroom. When they reached their bedroom, Mr. Haruno, went straight to the bathroom and took a shower. As usual for a wife, Mrs. Haruno prepared his clothes and laid them on the bed. When he was finished with his shower, he took the fresh clothes and wore them. He saw that his wife was already lying down but he could sense that she was not sleeping yet. He crawled under the sheets, his wife's back facing him. He wrapped an arm around her woman's waist.

"Honey, do you think we should tell Saku? I think she's in the right age to know." He said.

There was a short pause from her, thinking of what to say.

"No, not yet. You think she's ready for those things already? God, she's only eight." She turned around and faced him, ridicule evident in her voice.

"But she's bright, she would understand. And I think I should tell her before-" He was cut off by his wife.

"Don't think about it. You're strong and you know that. Don't strain yourself from the doctor's words. You would still see her grow… Please, don't mention it again." She pleaded and a tear rolled down her cheek.

He wiped the tear and said, "Shhh… I'm sorry. But I was just concerned."

"Your daughter and I can handle ourselves." She assured him.

"I know…" He kissed her on the cheek. "Let's just go to sleep, okay? Good night."

"Good night." She replied. "I love you so much…"

"I love you too."

-END FLASHBACK-

"I think I should go. I still have to pick Saku's clothes from the house." He said.

"You're leaving already?" Sakura inquired.

"Yes, sweetie. I'll be back in an hour."

"Can't you at least stay for a little more while? At least up until the time I fall to sleep…"

Mrs. Haruno joined the conversation. "Yeah. I can just pick her clothes you could stay here and watch her."

"Are you sure it would be fine?" He asked worriedly.

"Of course. . . Where's the car key?"

"Here." He handed the key to his wife as Mrs. Haruno walked out of the room.

"Daddy, can you tell me stories just like when I was younger?" Her words struck her father.

'Yeah. . . It's been a while.' The man thought.

"Sure, honey. What do you want?"

"Uhmm. . . Anything would do. As long as it's you who'd narrate."

"Okay… Once upon a time, there was a princess named after the cherry blossoms of spring. She was such a beautiful and nice girl that everyone envied her. She had everything that she wanted except for one thing. She was lonely." He was cut off by a soft snore that came from his daughter's soft lips.

"Hey, Saku, are you sleeping?" He asked but he received no reply.

"Good night, sweetie. I love you so much." He kissed her on the forehead and Sakura moved a bit. She slowly opened her eyes. "Good night, dad. Sorry, but please reserve your story. I'm already sleepy. Good night again, daddy. I love you too." She kissed him on the cheek and with that, she returned to her slumber.

'You just don't know how much I love you. Please forgive me for my next actions, it's for you and your future. I love you so much, baby.' With those thoughts, he wrapped an arm around her daughter's waist as they slept together at the hospital bed. About thirty minutes later, Mrs. Haruno knocked on the door and woke her husband.

"I'll just clean her with this towel and change her clothes. I also brought some clothes for you so you don't have to go back home. Your daughter missed you very badly." She stated.

"I'll sleep at the couch then." He said, pointing to the couch beside his daughter's bed.

"Okay then."

When the sun rose, the whole family woke up and the attending physician came to their daughter's room.

"You may take her home this afternoon. She's already fine. She just got a shock for her head bumped to the floor." The doctor stated.

"Thank you very much." Mr. and Mrs. Haruno said.

And later that afternoon, Haruno Sakura was discarded from the hospital.

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I've decided to post the next chapter both in this account and my other account... i just thought it would be good... lol... anyways... please review!

-dReAm EmPrEsS