Chapter 1: Opposites

Haruno Sakura hated her life. She often thought that it would have been much better, if she was never born. Everyone would have been better off, including herself. She wouldn't have to suffer, always worrying what else can go wrong in her life. Sakura always wondered why her mother even bothered to born a child whose father she didn't know. It, probably, because Haruno Hiromi feared to be alone in the end and decided that sharing her sad destiny with innocent child would make her feel better. Maybe, it did but the benefit definitely wasn't gained by both parties. All Sakura remembered was their constant running from her monthly "fathers". Her mother was truly beautiful women even now, in her late 30s. It's no wonder, why many men fell for her, especially giving her ability to flirt and seduce. The problem was there wasn't any decent man among Hiromi's love choices. They were usually either alcoholics with abusive behavior or pathetic men with no money and future. Occasionally, there were a few decent (and it doesn't mean "good") males but her mother's selfishness and greediness always destroyed any normal relationships. Now again Sakura was sitting on the back seat of some car going to a new so-called home with a stranger as a driver.

It all started a little more than a month ago. Sakura and her mother were running from drunken Hiromi's fiancé, Shigeru. The older woman was constantly complaining that they shouldn't have left since it was Sakura's idea. However, her complaints stopped, when she saw the golden ring with a big diamond that her daughter was smart enough to steal from unfortunate "father". The ring, actually, wasn't in the possession of the said man but rather some local criminal gang who wasn't too happy about missing jewelry. Sakura and Hiromi could get on train which was filled with high school students who, probably, went to or from school trip. Unfortunately, the gang found them and mother and daughter had no choice but to hide in two opposite train bathrooms. Sakura was unlucky enough to bump into some female student with a name tag Hyuuga Hinata on her uniform. The schoolgirl was shocked and almost screamed but Sakura could close her mouth with a hand just in time. It didn't help since someone start bumping to the door. Then there was shouting and Sakura understood that she was found. She should think of something and quick because her followers would soon break the door. Then she got an idea. The girl in front of her looked wealthy with her stylish bag and expensive earrings. The girl, Hinata, was still surprised but Sakura saw curiosity in her beautiful light eyes. Sakura didn't have a choice but to give the stolen ring to the girl. She can easily find the girl with school uniform revealing the school's name and return the ring later. Everything is better than return the ring to the bandits. Sakura briefly explained to the girl that she needed a favor and that she will come for the ring later. Then she just put the ring to the bag of shocked girl just in time before the bathroom door broke down and several men took her.

She and Hiromi were dragged back to Shigeru's house where they tried to explain that they never stole the ring. However, all their promises and persuasions didn't work and when men started to beat them, Sakura gave up and told that she would bring the ring to them if they let them go. Nevertheless, criminals were reluctant to free the daughter who can just abandon her mother and disappear with the jewelry. Thus, they released Hiromi to get them the ring, thinking that mother would never leave her child. Sakura thought that they made a wrong decision since her mother can surely do it. In their family only Sakura had the sense of responsibility. Hiromi was freed and disappeared for a month. Captures were angry but still had a hope that she would return. And Sakura, although with bleeding lower lip and bruises on her body, was happy. Her mother left her. It meant that she was, finally, free from liabilities toward the parent. Late at night, when only Shigeru was guarding her, Sakura using all her running away experience almost was able to escape. Almost. Then there appeared a man. No, it was a guy, maybe, several years older than her. He called her name. Sakura is still trying to figure out why she stopped. Several seconds they were staring at each other. The guy was handsome with his dark eyes, messy black hair and well-build body. Then, Shigeru appeared, shouting. Sakura desperately tried to run but the man grabbed her arm. She started to scream, when suddenly she was freed. Shocked, she saw Shigeru with broken nose on the ground.

The guy hit him!

Why? It didn't matter. She had a second chance. With all her force Sakura ran. She didn't know where but it that was ok. Then she felt that someone was running after her. She tried to speed up but her legs arched from beating. The pursuer caught her. She tried to free herself from the grasp but couldn't. She didn't notice that tears started falling on her cheeks.

Not now, she thought, when Hiromi finally released her. Making her last effort, she hardly pushed the guy. However, he still held her forearm, so they ended up falling together with her on top. Then, the guy changed their places.

That's when Sakura understood she lost. And she started crying and shouting that she would not come back to that house, her mother wouldn't come with the ring.

"I am from your mother!" the guy shocked her over shouting her.

Sakura froze. So, after all, she wasn't free.

That's how she got to sitting in the car.

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke, by the way." Sasuke curiously looked at back view mirror to see the girl.

She was sitting with crossed arms and looking through the window. Her eyes dried from tears. Her messy unevenly cut short pink hair still had pieces of grass from their recent fight. Green eyes contained strange determination like she just prepared to something unpleasant. All her appearance told that she doesn't care.

At all.

About anyrything.

One can't conclude that she was hysterically crying by quarter an hour ago. She wore old pair of jeans and dirty T-shirt with blood stains. This girl was sure through a lot hardships but it's seemed she wasn't of a type who would complain about it and pity herself. It resembled himself a lot and that's why Sasuke was a little interested in her.

"I'm working for Hyuga Hiashi. He, as your mother's fiancé, sent me to retrieve you."He continued.

Sakura shrugged. Here we go again. Hiromi could get a new man while her daughter was kept hostage by previous one. Her mother was brilliant in some sick way.

After an hour and a half ride they finally arrived to a two-story mansion. It was big and beautiful practically shouting that its owners were rich.

"Is my mother's boyfriend a servant or a driver?" She asked the guy, was his name Sasuke?

Once her mother already dated a butler, who was working for some rich construction company president. They were kicked out after three weeks when the owner found out that they were secretly living there.

Sasuke was speechless for several seconds, probably, surprised that the girl finally said something. She was ignoring him while they were in the car.

"No, of course, Hyuga Hiashi is the owner of the house." He finally answered.

Ok, this time she was a little shocked. Maybe, it was the first time she couldn't say: been there, done it. However, she composed herself after a minute. It didn't matter if new husband would be rich… even really-really rich. They wouldn't stay here for too long.

Millions possibilities ran through her head. She definitely should gain from this marriage as much as she could.

They were almost at the door, when it was burst open. Her mother ran through the door and hugged Sakura.

"Sakura, dear! Thank God, you are ok! I was so worried!" Hiromi said with fake voice. Then the man went out from the house.

"Welcome to your new family! I'm Hyuga Hiashi, your mother's fiancé. It, probably, too quick for you but I promise that I love your mother and will treat you as my daughter." He said with a nervous voice.

All men are the same, Sakura thought. Can't they be more original with stepdaughter greetings? The man was in his early forties with dark hair and light eyes. Something about his appearance seemed familiar to Sakura but she couldn't remember why. Then it struck her.

What was the name of the girl in the train?

The answer ran through the door. It was the same girl she gave the ring. She rushed to the Sakura hugging her.

"Finally, you arrived, Sakura-chan! I was waiting for my sister so much!" She said with a shy smile.

"This is my daughter Hinata." Hiashi said looking at his child with proud eyes.

Sakura first ended the hug. Now she could look at a beautiful girl. She had the same long black hair which was curled this time. She had a hair band with a butterfly pattern. Her eyes, which were similar to her father's, looked kind. She wore white summer dress that made her look like innocent princess. She was surely a good and generous person, who never endured any hardships. Sakura could tell that Hinata was her complete opposite just by looking at her.

The live with this family would surely be interesting. Sakura just wasn't sure, if it was a bad or good thing.

A/N: Here it is, the first chapter. Tell me what you think.