Chapter 1: Fresh Ground

Author's Note: Konichiwa! This is Ayume here! I am (finally) submitting in MY VERY FIRST FanFic! It's not a oneshot though, I've decided to go with a SasuSaku chapter story instead! This is such a big moment (starts tearing up), I've prepared a very good, long speech to honour this moment! (clears throat) I . . . (gets a tomato thrown at her), nevermind! Just enjoy this story, and PLEASE try to review!

"There it is; Konoha CI!" Sakura breathed in fresh air and held it briefly before slowly letting it go.

For 2 whole years, Sakura had tried endlessly to get into this high school, and her efforts had finally paid off! But now there was one problem. She was now shivering uncontrollably with nervousness right outside the Konoha doors. A couple of girls walked past her with their eyebrows raised.

Sakura mentally kicked herself. "Calm down, Saku. It's your first day, first and last chance to make first impressions." The pep talk didn't help her at all. She moaned, "Ugh. I'll be lucky if I make it through the day without chocolate milk on my clothes."

But here she was anyway, forcing herself inside the building. She continued her calm walk down the hall to the main office, flashing smiles at anyone she saw. Any one of them could end up being her best friend for the rest of high school. "Act cool, Sakura, act cool!" She told herself.

Her head suddenly spun when she thought about all the drama, frenemies, and new friends she was going to meet. Her old school had enough of that.

Was it really a good idea to switch high schools in 11th grade? Especially in late October? Oh well, she did have a very good reason . . .

Sakura's smile faded into a gulp, when she reached the office. There was another reason for that though (besides her nervous, shaking legs).

"Spit out your gum before you talk to me." A bold and blonde woman was throwing a death glare at the redhead in front of her.

He merely chewed his gum even more. "It's not against the law, is it?"

"In this school, yes!" The lady fumed.

"You talk as if you own this school, Tsunade-san." The boy rolled his eyes.

"I am its principal!" Tsunade yelled.

Sakura inhaled sharply. "That potential sumo wrestler was the principal?"

Just then the two turned at their intruder, and made Sakura wince at the sudden attention. The boy seemed like a senior with a unique sense of fashion. He looked at Sakura, without blinking for what seemed like hours, then started walking towards her.

"Sasori! Where do you think you're going?" Tsunade's voice sliced through the air.

Sasori stopped. "To class, duh?"

Tsunade fumed, but Sakura noticed a sense of helplessness in her eyes. Or rather, the fear of actually doing something that could bring her consequences . . .

Sakura's attention turned to Sasori's approaching figure, and their eyes locked. The contact made her intimidated, and she blinked her eyes closed. When she opened them, he was gone.

Sakura breathed again.

"Sakura Haruno?"

"Y-yes?" Sakura faced the principal, surprised she knew her name.

"Your locker number, schedule and everything else you need to get started on your first day is here." Tsunade handed her a package.

"Thank you ma'am."

Tsunade blinked at the sudden politeness very few gave her. "I'll tell you something, young lady. Keep this attitude all through high school and you'll graduate with honours!"

"Thank you ma'am!" Sakura beamed. "Mission: Get on Principal's good side. Status: Accomplished!" She thought happily.

Sakura skipped along the hallway, then immediately stopped, looked around, and adjusted herself into a normal walk. She stopped when she reached a row of lockers. "Mine should be here!"

"BANG!" Sakura turned abruptly at the sound. Across from her were another set of lockers, and there stood the redhead from earlier with an opened locker. She turned back almost immediately and fiddled with her own locker, trying to seem busy. There was silence for a few minutes, then –

"Your name?"

Sakura spun around to see the same redhead (Sasori was it), standing less than a metre away. She quickly backed into her locker. "M-me?"

"Do you see anyone else here?"

Sakura mentally rolled her eyes, already annoyed at his attitude. Should she just ignore him?

Wrong move.

As soon as she turned her back to him, he reached out and slammed her locker from behind her.

"Your name." It was a demand this time.

Sakura slowly turned back around. "Sakura." She said with the same slowness.

A small smile crept across his face. "Pretty name."

Sakura averted her eyes, but planted her feet strongly into the ground. She knew what was coming next, a diss.

"That's something you and your name share."

Sakura's head perked up. "What?"

Sasori chuckled, "When someone compliments you, you say 'thank you'." With that, he walked away, slamming his locker closed.

Sakura blinked. That had just taken a whole new turn.

"That's nice, Ino-san." Sakura smiled as brightly as possible without straining her jaw.

"Ino, just call me Ino." Ino emphasized again.

The two had just met a few classes ago, and had apparently become best friends. At least Ino had said so, while Sakura strained a smile. Now they were sitting at the lunch table, with the rest of Sakura's new friends.

Sakura had nothing against Ino, but the only means of conversation Ino had ever brought up till now was about a dream boy named Sasuke Uchiha. In fact the entire day so far had gone like this:

Period 2: Science: Biology

Sakura quietly made her way to sit beside the cheerful Ino, as Kurenai-sensei had askedher. But then she used up two seconds merely gaping at In's incredibly long blond hair.

"Hi, Sakura! I'm Ino, and I'm so glad to meet you! You know something? I think we are meant to be best friends! How about you? You probably feel the same way, right? OMG! We're gonna have a great time together! I just can't wait! I'll introduce you to my other bffs, and we can totally hang out later tonight! Yes, that will be awesome, just think about all the . . . .

(20 minutes later)

"There he is, there he is!" Ino and a few other girls squealed. They were all crowded around a doorway.

"Sakura, Sakura, come here quick!" Ino frantically gestured for Sakura to come over.

"What's up Ino-san?"

"Look, look! That's Sasuke!"

Sakura looked through the doorway, half-interested. "Where? I don't-"

"Darn it! You missed him!"

"It's okay, I'll just-"

"No, that's not okay! I mean, you're my best friend, shouldn't you know who my future husband is going to be?" That was the last thing Ino had said loud enough for anyone to hear. For the rest ofscience, she merely sulked through.

Period 3: Math

"Hi, I, I'm H-Hinata. N-nice to meet y-"

Ino jumped in between a startled Hinata and Sakura. "Sakura, Hinata! Great, you guys met! Sakura, you can finally see Sasuke! He has math with us! Aren't you excited? Of course you are! Listen, he is SO HOT! So, I'll understand if you fall for him a bit, but remember!" Ino held up her index finger. "He. Is. Mine."

Sakura nodded vigorously.

Ino smiled, satisfied, and skipped off to another group of squealing girls.

Sakura turned to a timid Hinata and attempted a conversation. "So, um, is the math teacher nice?"

"The math teacher?" A loud voice spoke from behind Sakura, who turned to see a blond boy with three stripes on both his cheeks.

Sakura's eyes widened. Not because of the stripes, but because the boy was standing on a desk on one foot and a . . . an orange in his hand? (Who know for what reason.) He dropped down and walked over to the two girls.

"Well, he's always 30 to 40 minutes out of schedule." The boy answered on Hinata's behalf. "But Kakashi-sensei is pretty okay, I guess. I just wish he'd find a better thing to do with his free time than reading those books. Right Hinata-san?" The boy casually put his arm around Hinata's shoulder.

Hinata's face resembled a tomato's before she nodded slightly. "Y-yes, N-Naruto-kun."

Naruto smiled with his eyes closed, completely oblivious to Hinata's blushing.

"He's here! He's here!" A combined fangirl scream, a stampede, chatter.

Sakura waited until she felt the world return to stability from the sudden earthquake, then slowly turned around to the yelling crowd. The only people not part of it was Naruto, Hinata and Sakura herself. Sakura blinked. The last time she saw such an incident was, well . . . she never really saw anything like this before.

"Looks like Sasuke's here." Then Naruto left the two girls alone, reducing the 'I-am-not-an-insane-high-pitched-fan' club to two members. An hour ago Sasuke Uchiha was another human being, but now Sakura really was curious. She strained to see this 'oh-so-beloved" Sasuke but couldn't make it past the overflowing wave of people. In fact, they seemed so violent, that she didn't even bother trying to penetrate it.

Period 4: Phys. Ed.

"You sure (huff) are good (huff) with weapons, (huff) Tenten-san." Sakura tried to catch her breath, while focusing on finishing the last lap.

"And you (huff) sure are (huff) fast, Sakura. (huff) And, (huff) please just (huff) call me Tenten." The girls slowed into a jog as they finished the last lap.

"Good job girls. Take a break." Anko-sensei pointed to a grassy spot in the sun. The girls obeyed and sat down.

"Look! The guys are running a race!" Tenten pointed to the opposite field.

"Wow, they're pretty fast." Sakura commented.

"Yeah, but it's not like the winner's going to change."

"What do you mean?"

"Sasuke always wins."

"S-Sasuke?" Sakura sat up straight.

"It's obviou- Oh, that's right. You don't know him. Well, let's just say he's the fastest runner in the school, actually in Tokyo."

"No way!"

"Yep, he's the champion of Tokyo Tracks, a race that goes all over Tokyo."

Sakura's eyes widened. "Now, I'm 100% curious!" Sakura struggled to see the face of this amazing prodigy, but no luck. The guys had formed a crowd (again) around the obvious winner. Sakura cursed under her breath and slumped back down on the grass.

Now back to the present.

Sakura, Ino, Hinata and Tenten were now sitting clustered together, and happily chatting away.

Sakura sighed in relief, when Ino brought up another topic. "Are you guys going to the dance?"

"Nah, it's just gonna be couples dancing to boring slow songs." Tenten yawned.

"Actually, I heard this year they're bringing in a new DJ. And rumour has it, he's cute!" Ino beamed.

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were a Sasuke devotee."

"I am!" Ino jumped at Tenten, then her face turned glum. "But it's not like he's going to ask me out anytime soon."

Sakura jumped in desperately trying to change the topic to something other than the famed Uchiha. "How about you Hinata-san, oh, right, Hinata? Do you plan on going to the dance with someone?" Sakura felt stupid right after saying that. The girl cowered in front of her own gender, how could she possibly whip up the courage to dance with a guy?

"Hinata, dancing with someone? Heh, you're funny. She doesn't even have the courage to confess to her long-term crush, Naruto-" Ino cupped her mouth. There was an awkward silence . . .

"Um, don't tell anyone that. Okay, Sakura?" Ino said sheepishly.

Sakura nodded, failing to hide the amused smile on her face. "I kind of had a feeling though."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone knows by now." Tenten patted Hinata's shoulder. There was another awkward silence, as Hinata fiddled with her fingers . . .

Ino suddenly stood up and slammed the lunch table with both hands. "Guys! Let's head outside, it's a nice day today!"

Everyone agreed immediately. Well Hinata didn't say anyhthing, but she didn't object when Tenten half-carried her out the door.

"I am so the best at shopping!" Ino put her hands on her hips.

Tenten stood up so that the two girls were face-to-face. "You are so not the best! All you can do is go on a rampage at the mall and end up with 20 pairs of the same pants. Don't deny it, I've seen your closet!" Tenten crossed her arms, victoriously.

The girls were outside in a shaded area with a nice wooden bench in the corner.

Ino visibly shook with rage. "So? That was a result of my devotion to shopping! You shouldn't be talking Tenten. Your entire weapon collection is the same junk of kunais and shurikens!"

That ticked Tenten off. "Why you- you are so DEAD!" Tenten chased a screaming Ino out into the field.

Sakura laughed and settled back into the wooden bench. Hinata seemed worried though. "What's wrong, Hinata?"

"W-well, the last time th-they fought, I-Ino came b-back with a b-bloody nose and Tenten l-lost one side of h-her hair."

"Oh . . ." Sakura wasn't expecting such a blunt answer.

Hinata quickly skidded off without another word, trying to catch up to the two girls. Sakura didn't know whether to laugh or shift uncomfortably, so she did both.

"What's so funny?"

That voice!

Sakura spun around and saw that same red hair. "S-Sasori . . ."

"Good. You remember my name. You should." Sasori walked closer, making Sakura jolt up off the bench. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Sakura sounded bold, quite opposite from the way she felt.

"I heard you're going to the dance."

"When did he hear?" Sakura thought. Was he stalking – no, couldn't be.

"Good. You can go with me."

"WHAT?" Sakura was sure she had quacked that out. She cleared her throat. "What?" That was better. Wait. No it wasn't! This is all horrible!

"You're pretty, quiet, and not a daffodil. You're good enough to last for at least 3 weeks."

"Last? What's that supp-"

"The length of time you'll be my girlfriend."

"The length of time?" Sakura felt anger rush up to her throat.

Sasori sighed. "K, give me your number and your address. I'll pick you up at 6 for the dance." Sasori took out his cell and was ready to punch in her number.

Sakura gulped, not in fear, but in anger. "I strongly refuse your offer."

Sasori stared at Sakura for a moment, eyes wide . . . then burst out laughing. "You're refusing my offer?" Sasori shook his head, chuckling. "Look, Samu, Saki, uh, what was your name again?"

Sakura's eyebrow twitched. "Sakura!" He didn't even know her name and he - Ugh!

"Right, Sakura. Look, I didn't give you an offer. Did you hear me ask you a question? No. I only told you that you're going out with me. Now hurry up and give me your number."

Sakura felt the rage grow inside of her. His attitude was so irritating! He had just told her that she had no self-will in this, and given her a time-limit for the 'relationship'. Sakura inhaled slowly then exhaled twice as slow.

"You. Are. Disgusting." Sakura stated as bluntly as possible and started walking away. She searched for Ino and the others, but they weren't on the field. She cursed silently, but kept walking.

She heard racing footsteps behind her, and before she could react -

Sasori grabbed her arm and spun her around. "What'd you say?" Sasori seethed through his teeth, still gripping Sakura tightly.

"Let go of me."

"Make me!"

"I said, let go!"

"I said make me!"

"Saso-"

"Make me!"

Sakura reached out with her other hand and slapped Sasori. "I just did." Sakura rubbed her sore arm, and backed up a bit.

Sasori stayed frozen for a moment, then stepped back into motion. He was shivering now, rage all over his body. When his eyes locked with Sakura, she noticed that his eyes were blood-red. Sakura's courage slowly slipped away when she saw his face. She had a strong feeling that he was ready to kill her.

Sasori launched at Sakura, aiming for her throat. Sakura was ready to scream, with her hands forming a weak shield over her body. "I'm dead!" Sakura thought.

But Sasori didn't lay a finger on her, for what seemed like several minutes. Sakura slowly lifted her head. "Sasuke?" She quickly straightened herself and inched over to Sasuke Uchiha, who was standing face-to-face with a surprised Sasori.

"You're Itachi's brother . . . aren't you?"

Sasuke merely glared.

"What are you doing here?" Sasori asked.

Sakura spoke up. "Sasuke, it's nothing, really!"

Sasuke still kept his firm stance, not budging. His black vacuums, were ready to suck the soul out of Sasori.

Sasori grew suspicious. "You know this girl?"

Sakura tried to stop Sasuke from answering, "Sasuke, don't-"

"She's my girlfriend!"

There it is my first ever chapter of my first ever FanFic; Upside-Down! I'm so (sniff) proud (sniff)! I really hope you guys enjoyed it! I will be posting the next chapter ASAP, but a little reviewing and motivating will REALLY help! Put in any suggestions for the story, comments, criticism, ANYTHING! Thank you so much to all our readers, especially Sayuri Haruno, our very first support! Everyone please hang in there for our other stories too! Sayonara!