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Month Prompt #1

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Sakura held back a sneeze as she tightened the knot of her scarf, even though it was nearly impossible with half-frozen fingers.

The wintertime working conditions of Konoha Daily was less than sufficient. Sakura mentally threw another curse at that damned custodian who never wanted to come at five o'clock in the morning to turn on the heating system.

She rubbed her knuckles together in an attempt to warm them, a trick her mother taught her during her first Konoha winter. It didn't seem to work at that particular moment, or maybe it was just Sakura in a terrible mood.

Her dusty computer monitor reflected the gradually-broadening rays of daylight seeping in through the high-rise's windows. Snowflakes were floating slowly from the ashen skies, sporadically sticking to the double-paned windows behind her.

Sakura sighed, watching as her breath misted in a silver cloud and floated away. I'm so tired, Sakura thought, closing her eyes and resting her cheek on the desk in front of her.

Tired of her job, even though writing for this newspaper was her dream ever since she was a teenager. Tired of sharing an apartment with her fellow interns Ino and Tenten, who, when put together, were the perfect formula for a sleepless night with their music and chatter and constant shrieking. Tired of Naruto constantly showing up to her place and having to cook dinner for him, even though he insisted he was perfectly fine with having ramen, but Sakura knew she had to feed the boy something other than ramen every night.

Tired of life, Sakura concluded.

Her green eyes snapped open as she heard a rustling and felt the sensation of paper hit her forehead.

She bolted up to catch the culprit in the act, but there was only the backs of her co-workers typing away steadily at their computers.

Sakura furrowed her brow and reached for a bright yellow sticky note wadded up into a ball, sitting precariously at the edge of her desk. She unfolded the note with suspicious precision, only to be met with a line of fluid blue ink and impeccably neat handwriting.

You'd better hope the Boss doesn't see you slacking off.

-S

Sakura bit her lip and slowly stood up to look at the cubicle directly across from hers.

A finely-structured face peered back at her. His black hair hung in thick strands across his dark eyes, framed with impossibly long lashes. There was a hint of mischief etched into his pale face, his slightly crooked mouth sliding into an easy smirk.

He placed his finger on his lips, silencing her. Gesturing for her to sit down again, he reached for another page from a stack of sticky notes positioned close by.

Sakura felt her heart thump, from excitement, curiosity, or whatever the hell this stranger was making her feel. She'd never seen this intern before. Was he new here? Or had they just never met? It seemed unlikely when their workspaces were so close together. Maybe he just didn't like to socialize? Well that didn't seem like a possibility if he was initiating a conversation with yellow sticky notes.

Another wad of paper flew past the wall that divided them and landed in a graceful arc on her lap.

I liked your last article about the elephants. Very… touching.

-S

The clacking of heels made her stop in mid-reach for a pad of fluorescent pink sticky notes on her desk. Tsunade was patrolling the aisles again, with an especially cross expression on her face.

Sakura bit her lip as she passed, trying to put on her most deceivingly interesting face as she stared at a blank computer monitor.

After the shadow left the corners of her cubicle, Sakura uncapped her best fountain pen and scrawled a reply.

Thanks.

Who… are you?

Sorry my aim is probably terrible.

-S

Sakura checked behind her before crumpling up the paper and sending it flying over the wall.

There was a creaking of the office chairs as the mysterious newcomer bent down to retrieve her message.

Sakura found herself waiting in anticipation as the next one flew over.

I'm… observant.

Your aim is quite good for someone new at this.

-S

Sakura tapped the tip of her pen on the desk.

So do you flirt with all the other interns you end up next to as well?

With Post-Its?

-S

Sakura ran a list of all the possible names that started with S through her mind. But none of them matched the face on the other side. That face. She longed to get another look.

I'm only initiating conversation, Sakura.

It does get a bit dull here, doesn't it?

-S

Sakura suddenly smiled. It felt good after what seemed like an endlessly bad month of files and reports and catering to everyone's needs.

Only a bit. You get used to the quiet after a while.

How do you know my name?

What's your name?

Please tell me.

-Sakura

Sakura doodled a flower on her pad while waiting for a reply.

I read your article on the elephants.

Did you forget already?

Thanks for the flower. Or at least I think it's a flower.

I can't be too sure.

-S

Sakura swear she heard a low chuckle from behind the wall.

Now I'm hurt. :(

-Sakura

She rested her chin in her palm as she waited for a reply. She could hear the rustling of paper, but nothing came sailing over.

A few minutes passed, and Sakura found herself beginning to panic slightly.

Was he going to write something back? Was she being to snippy? Her mother always told her she needed to hold her tongue half the time. She hated the thought of potentially offending this newfound friend of hers. She really hoped he'd-

Something colorful came whizzing by. It dropped onto the floor with a delicate crinkle.

Sakura bent down and picked up an origami paper flower, folded with meticulous precision in a dozen different colored tissue paper. It almost killed her to slowly unfold the beauty between her fingers to reveal the final message.

Coffee at 10?

I'll make it up to you. :)

-Sasuke

A/N: Ah yes, I was in the mood for some cute fluff to kick off SasuSaku Month. Sorry if the characters are terribly OOC.

Please review, it would make my day. :