Against All Odds
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Pairing: Deidara x Sakura (slight: Itachi x Sakura)
Summary: The Life of a Geisha is not as glamorous as it may seem. Just ask Lady Sakura who finds herself entangled in the most devious web of 2 Lords. Will her duty keep her from the man she's always wanted or will she find away to get around the odds?
Character Ages
Sakura: 19
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Deidara: 25
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Itachi: 26
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Ino: 19
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Naruto: 20
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Sasuke: 20
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Tsunade: 41
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Author's Note
Well, this is my first Deidara x Sakura fanfic and I hope that I did an alright job writing the first chapter; yes, I know this chapter is going to be short but I can assure you all that I will write a lot more in the 2nd and so on chapters! XD
Oo, and I am personally dedicating this chapter to my crazy friend, BlackStarAlchemist; she was the one who encouraged me to write this story and now, here I am! XXD
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters; Masashi Kishimoto does!!! XD
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Chapter 1: Farewell
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Tree branches swayed overhead, creating a rustling sound that was quite pleasant to the ears. Sakura Haruno lay on the soft grassy ground, surrounded by cherry blossom trees… She was only 8 years old, and pretty damn wise.
Her green kimono was made of pure silk, one of the most finest in all of Konohagakure. Her mother had told her that the colour of the kimono brought out her large jade orbs. Smiling at the recent memory, Sakura hoisted herself up into a sitting position on the ground, humming a sweet tune.
A cool breeze drifted by, making the young girl smile to herself; for she was to become a Geisha… It had always been her dream since she saw those finely dressed woman floating across a bridge wearing beautiful kimono made of wondrous fabric…
Granny Tsunade, as she would often refer to the wise woman as, was her teacher since 1 year ago… The woman, even though she lacked grace and withstanding, gained respect of all the villagers.
Now standing by the edge of the flowing river, Sakura effortlessly picked up a small flat rock and tossed it into the river and continued to watch the strong currents crash into moss covered rocks…
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"Lady Sakura!" Called one of the Okiya maids from downstairs…
Startled awake, the said woman grudgingly opened her eyes to the bright sunlight that filtered into the room through the open window to the far right. Rubbing her sleepy jade orbs, Sakura untangled herself in the mass of blankets she was given to sleep under and crawled out of her warm bed.
The maid called her name again.
"I'm coming, Suki…" Sakura chirped.
As she pulled on a white yukata, Sakura treaded down the wooden steps until she reached the bottom floor where the Maid, Suki was waiting for her with a bright smile on her face.
"Azami wanted me to tell you that you are to entertain the men at the tea house called Okakura…"
Processing everything, Sakura merely nodded her head and informed the young woman that she was going to bathe in the indoor springs; nodding curtly, Suki disappeared around a corner, leaving Sakura to walk towards the springs…
It was only 4 months ago that Sakura had blossomed from a Maiko, an apprentice Geisha to a full fledged Geisha and already she had earned the village's blessing and respect! She had become the most popular and well mannered Geisha in all of Konohagakure!
And it was all thanks to her teacher since childhood, Granny Tsunade…
Smiling as she lowered her naked form within the warm water of the springs, Sakura rested her head against he ledge of the springs as she closed her eyes and let the water replenish her body and soul…
Even though she was not yet adopted by Azami, she still felt like a second mother to her… Both her parents died during the war of Konohagakure and Otagakure nearly 10 years ago and it was Granny Tsunade who comforted her and took her in as one of her very own…
Up until now, Sakura was living with a new woman who took care of her, though many Okiya fought to have her live within their boundaries, it was in Tsunade's best interest that Sakura was to live with her friend since childhood, Tanaka Azami…
Though, Sakura wasn't the only Geisha living in the same Okiya as Azami; there were a few other who she has grown found with and friendly along the terms of actions towards each other… Yamanaka Ino, she was the first to approach Sakura when she began living with Azami; her long blonde hair was always pulled back and her cerulean eyes were so full of energy…
Hyuga Hinata, even though she wasn't a Geisha, she was a Hyuga; making her apart of one of the most prestigious clans in Konohagakure. Sakura was usually sent to their large manor on the outskirts of Konoha to entertain the young Lord known as Hyuga Neji, Hinata's cousin…
Sakura and Neji only went as far as whispering into one another's ears and a few playful nudges here and there… Sakura knew better than to have an affair with the young Lord of the Hyuga Manor, which would surely get her scorned and her respect level would drop drastically!
They were close friends, even though Sakura had a difficult time getting that through Ino's perverted head!
Stepping out of the springs, Sakura wrapped a towel around her body as she left the springs in search of Suki who would have to help her put on her Kimono and other fine silks; it was such a hassle being a Geisha, she couldn't sleep in like she used to and she had to dress in layers and layers of silk which became quite annoying after a while…
"Oh sure being a Geisha seems fun at first…" Sakura mumbled to herself.
"But it's rather complicated and there are far too many rules that I have to abide by…"
Almost running into Suki, the Geisha stopped and gave the maid an apologetic look. In Suki's arms was a kimono that Sakura had never seen before, giving the maid a quizzical look, Suki answered her.
"You're new Kimono Lady Sakura…"
Nodding her head, Sakura and Suki walked towards the dressing room where Sakura let the yukata fall to the wooden floor and went in search for some undergarments. Once that was taken care of, Suki extracted the juban, which is a white under robe and tied a white sash around the woman's waist to keep it in place.
Next was the actual Kimono itself, the deep crimson material was pulled on, the billowing sleeves falling to Sakura's side as Suki wound the silk sash around her body and tied it at the back. The thick black obi was wrapped around Sakura's waist, covering the original sash and continued to tighten until Sakura could hardly breathe…
This is the part I hate about being a Geisha…
Once the black obi was fastened properly at the back, Sakura sat herself in front of the tall mirror as Suki fetched the hair accessories and began to pull Sakura's long pink tendrils into a complicated bun, and then placed the last accessory near the bun…
As for makeup, Sakura wasn't a huge fan and never wore the white face cream that still so many Geisha wore these days; dismissing Suki, the young woman took a look at herself as she slipped on her zori sandals and left the dressing room.
That bath took up a lot of time…
Meeting Suki near the front entrance, Sakura bowed her head to the maid as the maid did the same to her. The pink haired woman left the Okiya and headed over towards Okakura teahouse where she was expected to be this afternoon…
Entertaining people is all I seem to be doing these days…
I wish something more exciting would happen once in a while…
Too deep in thought to notice where she was going, Sakura smashed into a sturdy backside of a person and nearly hit the dirty ground beneath her if it wasn't for two strong arms holding her up. Blinking in shock, Sakura looked up at the handsome face of Hyuga Neji smirking at her…
"Gomen, Neji-san…" Sakura said quietly.
Shaking his head, the two of them engaged in a pleasant conversation as they walked towards the northern direction…
"So, you're headed towards Okakura as well…" Sakura mused.
Smiling at the woman, once they reached the cobblestone steps of the Okakura teahouse, Neji slid open the screen door and allowed Sakura entrance to the teahouse first before he walked in himself… The two of them were currently being seated at a large table through one of the screen doors and into another well furnished room already filled with people…
Catching site of her friend, Yamanaka Ino, Sakura inclined her head to Neji and dashed towards the blonde haired woman who was currently speaking to a well mannered male…
"Konichiwa, Ino-chan…" Sakura said cheerfully.
Smiling at her friend, Ino was led away by Sakura as the two began to excitedly chatter away. Laughing and giggling, Sakura's eyes caught sight of Azami who was currently speaking to a rather tall and lean male, though it was hard to tell who the man was since his back was facing in Sakura's direction…
Ignoring Ino's jabbing, Sakura continued to watch the two talk away until Ino shouted in her ear; causing Sakura to jump a little and smile sheepishly.
"Are you listening to me, Sakura-chan?" She asked.
"Gomen…" Sakura chirped.
Starting all over again, Sakura tried her bet to listen but her gaze kept sweeping over to Azami and the strange black haired male; she didn't know why but something was telling her that whatever they were talking about it wasn't good at all…
Called over to a nearby table crowded with many people, Sakura was seated beside the Hyuga himself and began a light conversation with him, occasionally pouring him some tea as he thanked her and finished off that glass…
Hours seemed to go by as Sakura and Neji were speaking to each other yet again; the skies outside were painted in shades of orange and red as the sun began to set in the far horizon… A small bowl of rice was placed in front of Sakura as Ino passed her by…
Picking up some chopsticks, Sakura took some and placed it into her mouth as she chewed and savoured the delicious yet dry taste of the rice; Neji had already eaten long ago and was busy speaking to another male seated across from him…
Tapped on the shoulder, Sakura turned her attention to Azami who gave the woman a small smile, though it seemed so sad no matter how hard Azami tried to look happy… Standing from her cushioned seat on the floor, Sakura stood to stand on her feet as she was dragged away by Azami to a corner of the crowded room…
"Sakura, you are to pack you're kimono tonight and leave the Okiya…"
Too shocked to do anything else but let her mouth hang open in a un-lady like gesture, Sakura blinked her jade eyes a few times, her mind still processing everything Azami had just told her…
"A… Azami…"
"You have been sold to distant manor located in the Mist country…" Azami quickly cut in.
"But, why… Have I displeased you?" Sakura asked quietly.
Shaking her head and taking a hold of her shoulders, Azami pulled Sakura into a mother-daughter like embrace as she stroked the woman's hair and whispered a quick, sorry…
"You are to live with the young Lord of the manor…" Azami stated to Sakura who was on the verge of tears.
"Who…" Sakura whispered out.
Azami turned Sakura around to face a tall male with raven black hair that framed his pale face… Azami bowed to the two of them as she left the area.
"It's a pleasure, Lady Sakura…" The man said as he took a hold of her right hand and kissed her knuckles.
Wanting to pull her hand away in distaste, Sakura knew that it was not in her place to argue with a Lord… Looking into his pair of onyx eyes, Sakura took this as her chance to get a good look at him… He looked to be no older than 22 years old and seemed well pampered by the clothing he wore…
"I am, Uchiha Itachi…" He stated.
He seems nice…
Nodding her head in a silent hello, Sakura closed her eyes for a moment but quickly opened them when she felt herself being pulled towards the exit of the Okakura teahouse… She wanted to run away from him but she knew that she could not disobey him…
"I'm sorry to say that we'll have to depart Konoha if we want to arrive in Mist country before dusk…"
Stopping abruptly, Sakura threw Itachi a questioning glance, her eyebrows knitting together.
"But, what about my things…"
"I'll have my servants send for them in the morning, there is plenty of Kimono for you to wear…" Itachi said fairly quickly.
Shrugging her shoulders, Sakura let herself be led away by Itachi; she didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her friends…
I'll have to write them all a letter…
Stepping into a carriage parked out front, Sakura seated herself on the far left side as Itachi climbed in next and sat right beside her, she couldn't help but feel awkward around Itachi…
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A few hours went by and she was yet to be informed if they were nearing their destination; parting her rosy lips, Sakura began to speak in a quiet manner…
"Uchiha-san have we-"
Bur she was cut off…
"Don't speak unless you're addressed…" Itachi growled.
Wanting to yell at the male, Sakura held her tongue as she instead gazed longingly out the passenger side window, watching as the carriage slowly passed by trees and then finally when it seemed forever a few houses and Okiya…
I hope we're almost in Mist…
And as she looked abruptly at the man beside her, Sakura couldn't help but narrow her eyes at him; she knew him for only a few hours and already he was a total jerk!
I guess that whole nice act was only to swoon me…
And to fool everyone else…
As she felt the carriage stop, the door was opened and out stepped Itachi and then herself, the man not even bothering to help her out… Walking right behind him, Sakura looked at the large manor surrounded by gates and trees; it seemed as if they were in the middle of nowhere!
Entering the large manor, Sakura caught sight of the well furnished living room and the many stairs that led upstairs and downstairs; Itachi instructed a nearby maid to bring Sakura up to her room. Not even bothering to say goodnight to her or anything!
The nerve of that guy!
Entering her largely decorated room, Sakura found the bed and plopped herself down on it, burying her face within the mounds of pillows there were… And for the first time that day, she felt as if it were finally alright to cry and so she did…
You're a Geisha…
You must honor you're duties as one of such grace and elegance…
Those were the wise words of Granny Tsunade before Sakura left to live with Azami and came out of her Maiko shell to become a beautiful Geisha…
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Author's Note
So, how was the first chapter!?! I hope I did an alright job doing this XD and also! Deidara will be coming in around the next chapter and then from then on in; and also a few other characters XXD
The next chapter should be up by the end of this week!!! XD
Go easy on me; this is my FIRST Deidara x Sakura romance fic! XXD
Thanks again to BlackStarAlchemist who once again encouraged me to begin writing a Deidara x Sakura fic, if it wasn't for her, this story would even be posted on XXD
Until next time
Read and Review
Hugs 'n' kisses
Sasuke-Sakura-14
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Sorry if there are ANY spelling mistakes OR grammatical errors!!!
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