*Cherry Blossoms in Winter*

Synopsis:  Naruto and Sasuke are the wealthiest, most popular young men at Japan’s prestigious university. Sakura is a poor but hardworking student who transfers to the university. When Sakura stands up to the two bullies, Naruto and Sasuke pledge to make her life a living hell. But what happens when things backfire?

Disclaimer: Based partly upon Meteor Garden/Hana Yori Dango.

REVISION NOTICE (First-time readers please skip): It took me forever but I've edited the first chapter. I recommend u reread it before starting the second chapter but even so, maybe only I will notice the changes. o.o It's up to u. Still, I took Sai out and the part where Sakura meets Sasuke.

-------------------------------------Chapter 1---------------------------------------

Sakura gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She looked good in her in her white blouse and scarlet pleated skirt. Adjusting the Konoha University crest pinned on her blouse one last time, Sakura grabbed her scarf and coat and headed downstairs. “I’m going to school now,” announced Sakura, slipping on her black pumps.

“Sakura-chan, did you eat any breakfast?” asked Mrs. Haruno, walking out of the kitchen with an apron around her waist.
For an answer, Sakura grabbed an apple on the kitchen counter and smiled.
“Good luck, dear” wished Mrs. Haruno, hugging her daughter tightly.
“Don’t forget,” said Mr. Haruno from behind the morning newspaper, “how fortunate we are to be accepted into this school.”
“Yes, yes, you’ve told me a million times,” replied Sakura good-naturedly. She gave her parents a kiss each and shouldered her school bag. “I’m off. G’bye mom. Bye dad.”
“Be careful,” advised Mr. Haruno.
“Do your best, Sakura-chan!” Sakura’s mom shouted from the doorway.
“I’m right here mom,” said Sakura, sighing. Looking into the mirror of her moped parked in the driveway, Sakura gathered up her long blossom-pink hair in a pony-tail. She climbed onto the vehicle and turned the key in the ignition. The engine shuddered in a sporadic way for a few moments but before long, was sputtering down the cherry tree-lined road towards Konoha University.

A mass of traffic and twenty minutes later, Sakura stood before Konoha University, the most prestigious and celebrated university in Tokyo. The square red-bricked building was a masterpiece in size alone, with ancient oaks and lush green grass surrounding it. Sakura was walking toward the gate and admiring the panorama when a group of tall girls almost knocked her aside going through it. Picking herself up, Sakura glared at the group of girls who were still sniggering. “I like this place better every minute,” muttered Sakura to herself. Sakura was wandering down the university’s spacious courtyard and wondered how she’d ever find her classes when an angry cry pierced the calm atmosphere. Sakura spun around to see a furious-looking young man with coffee spilled all over the front of his jacket and a furiously blushing girl.

“I-I’m so sorry!” stammered the female student with her arms tightly clenched to her chest. She was blushing so deeply that Sakura wondered if her crimson skirt might not be a match.
“It’s all over me!” cried the blond young man.
“That’s a shame,” remarked a dark-haired male next to him with a chuckle. He had spiky hair similar to the first with two red triangles tattooed on his cheeks.
“How troublesome,” sighed a relaxed-looking young man standing nearby. One of his hands supported his egg-shaped head while the other rested on his hip. The shape of his head was emphasized even further by the way his hair was tautly pulled back, ending in a short, ragged ponytail.

“I’m so sorry! It was my fault,” confessed the girl, the same bewildered look in her wide lavender eyes. “Here, p-please use this.” With trembling hands, the girl offered him a small handkerchief.
Suddenly, the young man looked up, his deep blue eyes flashing with such intensity that even Sakura was taken aback. Despite herself, Sakura couldn’t help thinking the young man was handsome with his well-built form, spiky yellow hair and bronzed skin.
“You!” began the young man as if he had just noticed the poor girl in front of him. “What the hell is wrong with you? Watch where you’re going!” He abruptly seized the handkerchief from her hand and threw it on the ground, earning a wave of enthusiastic gasps from the crowd which had gathered around the scene like vultures to carcass.

Sakura felt indignation rising up inside of her like boiling liquid. Without thinking, she darted between the hapless female student and the young man who looked like he was about to eat her. “Stop it! It was an accident. Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”
Apparently stunned, the blond stared at Sakura. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something and then seemed to changed his mind. “Yeah, so what?” he taunted.
Eyes narrowing dangerously, Sakura began to curl her fingers into a fist when the image of her parents appeared before her mind; they had too many hopes for her in attending the university that couldn’t screw up no matter what. Slowly and grudgingly, her fingers relaxed again. “Apologize to her,” demanded Sakura in a low voice.
The blond folded his arms on his chest and smirked. “So what you going to do?”
Sakura was now glaring at him so hard that she felt she were about to drill holes through his head. “I can’t stand people like you,” she muttered.
“What? I didn’t hear you,” said the young man.
Biting her lower lip, Sakura tried to compose herself.
“That’s right…” said the young man contemptuously, turning away.

As Sakura looked after the back of the young man’s spiky blond head, her control seemed to snap and charged straight at him, her fist in a tight ball. The force of her fist connecting with his skull made him stagger forward. There seemed to follow a moment of intense silence when all Sakura was aware of was the young man in front of her and her own jagged breathing. Slowly, he straightened himself up and turned around to face Sakura. To her astonishment, there was a smile on his scarred face. Looking directly into her aqua-green eyes, the young man addressed her.

“Welcome to Konoha University. You’ve just arrived in hell.”