*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.

-------------------------------------Chapter 3---------------------------------------

Sakura stood paralyzed in the doorway, regretting her involuntary outburst and becoming keenly aware of the eyes that turned upon her and Naruto. “Why didn’t you tell me he was here?” whispered Sakura to Hinata. The shy female student apologized and fidgeted with the tassel of her jacket. Sakura sighed and wondered how she should act next when the instructor stopped scribbling on the board and looked over at them.
“What’s wrong? Causing a ruckus after coming in late…Take a seat!” yelled the female instructor.
Irked, Sakura forced a smile. “I’m terribly sorry professor. I just transferred here so I had a little trouble around the campus but it won’t happen again.”
“Oh, why didn’t you say so?” said the professor, looking suddenly intrigued. “Welcome to Konoha. I’m Dr. Anko. Come on over and I’ll get you set up.”

Casting a worried glance at Hinata, Sakura took a deep breath and started towards Dr. Anko’s desk in the center front of the lab room. The lab was big enough and occupied by enough people to make Sakura feel like a rabbit in a lion’s den. As she passed Naruto’s lab table at the front of the class, Sakura stole a glance at him. She was surprised to see him talking with a blond female a seat from him, having previously established that no girl would ever want to speak to such a jerk, however good-looking.

Sakura reached Dr. Anko’s desk wondering if she should be more stunned by the professor’s appearance or by the mess on the desk. While most of her professors already had grey hairs, Dr. Anko looked like she was still in her twenties. Moreover, beneath Dr. Anko’s unbuttoned lab coat was an outfit even Sakura would blush to wear.
“Where is it?” mumbled Dr. Anko, shuffling through the papers and folders that looked like they had somehow exploded on her desk.
Noticing a sheet of paper which had slipped to the floor, Sakura picked it up. The paper was written in flawless kanji and had received a one-hundred percent.

“Ah, here it is…the syllabus and lab manual,” said Dr. Anko, handing Sakura a packet of papers. Sakura was sure the cover felt a little sticky. “The rules are basic. You probably know how it goes: wear your gloves and goggles, follow instructions, wear closed-toe shoes, and most importantly…no eating in class!”
Sakura glanced doubtfully at the plate of multicolored orbs on the professor’s desk. “I understand.”
“Good,” said Dr. Anko stuffing a pink dango in her mouth. “As for your lab group, I believe Naruto’s has an opening. Naruto, raise your hand!”

Hoping against hope that it was a different Naruto, Sakura turned around to face her new lab partner. Sure enough, there was the spiky-haired blond with that infuriating grin on his streaked face.
“Yo,” said Naruto, lifting a hand.
Feeling desperate, Sakura turned towards her chemistry professor. “Actually, could I-?”
“Nara Shikamaru!” bellowed Dr. Anko suddenly. “How many times do I have to tell you? Take your lazy head off the table!” With a skillful and experienced stroke, Dr. Anko shot her dango skewer at the student beside Naruto, striking him squarely on the head.
Sitting up, Shikamaru rubbed the top of his head and mumbled something.
“What was that?” challenged Dr. Anko raising a balled fist.
“Nothing,” replied Shikamaru, sulking.
Exhaling deeply, Dr. Anko turned back to Sakura. “What were you saying?”
“N-nothing,” squeaked Sakura, jumping to attention.
“Good,” said Dr. Anko. Then with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she added: “Welcome to Chemistry 1020 and good luck. If you follow my instructions, you might be able to survive.”

Sakura gave the professor a nervous laugh and hastened away. She didn’t fail to see the uncanny resemblance between the professor’s statement and Naruto’s threat to her earlier. There’s definitely something the matter with the folks at Konoha University, Sakura decided. Winding her way towards the seat furthest from Naruto’s at the lab table, Sakura was about to put her bag down when she noticed a red and black book-bag already leaning against the chair leg.
“That seat’s taken,” informed Naruto.
Without replying, Sakura stood there with her bag around her shoulders. She was mustering up the courage to sit next to Naruto when a voice in her ear caused her to jump.
“There’s an empty seat next to Naruto.”
Sakura’s heart raced as she recognized the voice. She could recognize it anywhere. She had listened to it a million times on the radio. Sakura turned slowly around to face Uchiha Sasuke, the hunkiest idol in Japan. And what would be the first thing she would say to him?

“Okay.” Lowering her face so that her long bangs concealed it, Sakura scampered to the seat to the seat next to Naruto.
“I don’t get it,” said the young man from the adjacent table, whom Sakura recognized from earlier by the two tattoos on his face. Hinata sat next to him, looking very concerned about his beaker being heated on the Bunsen burner. “Why is it that out of the four of us, only Sasuke gets that kind of reaction from girls?”
Sakura stopped rummaging in her schoolbag and felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Was she that obvious?
“Beats me,” replied Naruto, rubbing the back of his head. “All I get from girls are punches.”
“Are you two serious?” voiced the female student next to Sasuke. She was very pretty with extremely long bleach blond hair tied up in a high ponytail. “Sasuke-kun is the most popular idol in Japan. Handsome, wealthy, and famous. Any girl would fall for him…even poor common girls without a chance with him.”

Sakura felt those words hit her like a clod of snow to the head. Smiling dryly, Sakura looked up at the speaker, who smiled and stared back at her with cold blue eyes.
“Isn’t that right…”
“Sakura. Haruno Sakura,” suggested the pink-haired transfer. “And you’re absolutely right. Maybe Sasuke-san would never fall for such a girl…but I’m sure he’ll never go for a shallow conceited one either.” Sakura smiled. “Nice to meet you.”