Disclaimer: I don't own any characters... obviously.

People Change Too

Chapter 1: Talking to Chairs

It has been a long, excruciating, tiresome, weary day at the hospital. Plus, I had training sessions with Tsunade-sama for a few hours trying to learn a new B-type medical jutsu. I'm sixteen for Pete's-freakin-sake. Well, I failed to learn the rejuvenating cells technique... I guess that's why I'm still a nurse and sometimes an orderly. At least I got off work early. Early as in 8:30 at night. I guess I should be grateful.

"Bye, Suki!" I called out to the night-shift desk receptionist, as I exited the twenty-four hour hospital and entered the streets. The night sky was a black torrent filled with a sea of stars. Simply one word: breathtaking. I love the mystery of night. Everything is so secretive and tranquil.

Nights like these bring back so many memories. I remember lying out on the grass with the rest of Team 7 and looking up at the stars. Kakashi-sensei usually fell asleep with his Icha Icha book rested on his face during the stargazing times. Naruto and Sasuke would usually close their eyes and doze off to their own little worlds. But not me. I always kept my green eyes wide open and stared at the enigmatic sight above me. My father taught me how to find different constellations in the sky. I always tried to find all of them. Whenever I lay down on that grass with my long pink hair spread out all over the ground, I had a big smile on my face.

I loved the feeling of the short grass blades under me, and I would spread my arms and legs out as if I was making a snow angel. But unfortunately those days are over. Sasuke is still gone, Naruto is still going on Sasuke Retrieval Missions, and Kakashi-sensei... well, he's in Konoha... I think. I mean really, no one ever knows where that man is...

I finally reached my destination, the east side of the village. After walking for about five long minutes my apartment building came into view. The structure was about twenty years old so it's not ancient.

At a snail's pace I walked to the side of the building and enter the complex. I made my way over to the elevator. "Damn it," I mumbled as I saw a sign saying that the elevator was still out of order. This place is so cheap... Now I have to use the freakin stairs. Why did my apartment have to be on the fifth floor!?!

I eventually made it up the flight of stairs and arrived to my floor. Walking over to my apartment, I dug out my keys from my pocket. On the ring for my keys there was a key chain that Naruto made for me. It was supposed to be a bracelet, but unfortunately it was a little too small for my wrist so I used it as a keychain. It has a pattern of colored beads that went red, pink, pink, white, and after each white bead there was a mini sakura blossom he made using God-knows-what. It was so pretty and cute that I couldn't get rid of it after having the bauble for two years.

I picked out my house key and opened the door. I've had an apartment for about a year. I made a deal with my parents that I could live on my own and pay for myself as long as I still call them once in a while. It's not like I never see them. They only live a few streets away... My apartment is medium size with a living room attached to the kitchen. There's a red couch and a matching chair with a dark wood coffee table between the two said objects. The floors are off-white tiles and the wallpaper is a pale yellow. There's also my room, my bathroom, and my office. The kitchen is simple because of my lack of cooking skills, but there is a small wooden table where I eat and also a pantry. Home sweet home.

I walked over to the pantry and took out some instant ramen. I put it in the microwave, which I use often, and waited thirty seconds for my meal to be ready. When the half-minute was over I took the ramen and quietly sat down to eat... everything is so quiet... I looked at the empty chair across from me. I stared at it and did something so random, so out of the blue, I questioned my sanity. I started talking to a non-existant dining partner.

"How was your day?" I asked the chair. Silence. "Well, mine was okay, I guess." Silence. "I learned a few new medical techniques, but I couldn't do this one jutsu, which is a little disappointing." Silence. "Well, did you learn anything today?" I asked. Obviously I wasn't really expecting an answer.

"Actually, I did. I learned that my old student is crazy." I gasped. Did that chair just talk to me? Wait...did the chair say 'old student' "Sakura, behind you," said the same voice. I screamed out of sheer surprise. "Kakashi-sensei! What the heck are you doing here?"

Right behind me was my old sensei. His aloof demeanor ever-present. Kakashi Hatake, famous Copy-nin, ex-teacher, and strong jonin leader was here in my kitchen.

"I'm here to tell you that the Hokage herself sent me to find and tell you that she summons you to her office tomorrow morning at 7:00 sharp," Kakashi-sensei said in a very loud and annoying voice. "I don't know the details," he quickly added, "at least not yet."

"Okay. Fine," I answered roughly.

"Is something bothering you?" Kakashi asked raising his visible eyebrow.

"No," I said flatly in a monotone.

"Fine," then he performed hand signs and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

With saddened eyes I looked at the spot where Kakashi stood five seconds ago... He's right, I probably am crazy... or maybe I just need a friend to talk to. Why else would I talk to a chair?

Author's Note: That is chapter one! YAY! I have chapter 2 written out... but I still need to type it. I may make this into a romance story too, but who should it be? If you have any suggestions, then please leave a review. Also I don't care about criticism so be as hard as you wish!