Disclaimer, I do not own Naruto!

Chapter 1

New Year, New Sakura

Unlike the usual parties she found herself in, this one was a little different. There was no loud music hammering your ear drums open nor was there excessive bumping and grinding. The hype was turned down from the usual, which Sakura actually preferred. It was a small gathering for a New Year's party in a comfortable little apartment freshly stocked of what seem to be a never ending supply of alcohol. The music was low and of a slower pace. 'Alternative perhaps?' She wasn't sure but it did promote conversation which she liked. The only think though, was the fact that her 'date' was busy having a party of his own with his gamer group.

Sakura wasn't much of a hardcore gamer. She enjoyed one or two adventure games on the side but it wasn't her main source of entertainment. She was comfortable with her casual gamer status but of course it excluded her from most of the conversations shared between her date and the rest of his friends. The pinkette sat on a bar stool leaning casually onto the counter facing the kitchen, her legs dangling down the side of it. She had been sitting there by herself for almost a half hour. Her long rosy locks spilled over her back and hugged her face which anyone could tell, was filled with boredom. She had worn, in her mind, a plain, mini black dress to celebrate the coming of the New Year, but soon realized how overdressed she was at this particular party. At the very least, the other women did make an attempt with their make-up, managing to ride their hair of any knots and tangles, which, in Sakura's mind seemed like a big deal for women who had devoted most of their free time to mastering strategies of pawning their opponent.

She released a sigh from her red lips. "So over the top," she muttered under her breath.

"What is?" asked her date before pressing a usual kiss onto her forehead.

Sakura jumped slightly in her stool, not noticing him approach. Letting her blush show upon impact of his kiss, she lied, "M-my outfit."

Sasuke chuckled, "I told you."

"Yes but… It's Old Years night," Sakura argued with him again convinced that dressing up was the custom.

He chuckled again, "That may be… but my friends aren't ones to care. Not even the girls."

Sakura's frustration stirred a bit, taking in her date's own attire. He wore his usual pair of jeans and a plain, long sleeve black t-shirt whose sleeves were pulled up right below his elbows. His group of friends dressed in pretty much the same way, even the girls. To be fair, at least one of them wore a high waist skirt but, for the most parts, ordinary. Sakura sighed admitting her defeat. Sasuke smirk before leaning in, inching his lips closer to her ear. "Don't worry. That by default makes you the hottest girl here," he whispered. Blood rushed to her cheeks causing her to immediately look away. Satisfied with her reaction, he took two glasses from the counter and stated, "Lemme make us some drinks."

As he began to pour from the numerous array of alcohol displayed on the counter, Sakura heard everyone greeting a couple newcomers. She turned to identify them and to her delight, she saw Naruto and his girlfriend, Hinata, walking through the group towards her. She immediately noticed their attire. Hinata also wore a dress. 'Thank God.' It was a short, trendy, purple dress trimmed with lace at the hem and thin straps exposing her shoulders and arms. Naruto on the other hand wore what seemed to her, like a new pair of black jeans and a long sleeve orange shirt, like Sasuke's, was gathered up to his elbows. Sakura waved and greeted them with a soft smile as they approached.

"Here you go," Sasuke pushed a drink to her face. She instantly recoiled when the icy glass brushed her cheek. "Careful it may be a bit strong."

"Thanks Sasuke," She turned towards him again, smiling as she accepted his drink.

"Drinking already I see! Couldn't even wait for your best friend huh?!" Naruto grinned, pulling Sasuke into a strong hug. He was as cheerful and boisterous as ever. Hinata simply shared a smile with Sakura as a greeting, it was enough especially given her shy temperament.

"Hah! Took you long enough! I couldn't wait anymore," Sasuke responded with a pat on his good friend's back.

"Yeah well someone here insisted on making me look good tonight," the blond teased, jabbing at his navy haired girlfriend. She didn't respond, only smile timidly as she recoiled behind him.

Sasuke chuckled, "I can relate. The trick is to not give in," obviously referring to Sakura, who, unlike Hinata, rolled her eyes. Getting to her feet, she pushed her way in between the two guys, before pulling Naruto into a tight squeeze. It was her usual greeting for her childhood friend.

"Ah! Hello Sa-Ku-Ra-chan!" beamed Naruto, returning her hug. "Gosh you look great!" he eyed her up and down.

Retreating, the pinkette smiled up at him, "Thanks! So do you. Good job Hinata!"

"Yo Sasuke! Explain to this noob here why playing range will get you killed!" A feminine voice from among Sasuke's friends called out.

The spikey haired Uchiha gave Sakura and Naruto a quick smile, "duty calls," before returning to his other friends.

Sakura then noticed Hinata whispering in her boyfriend's ear and he responded with a quick nod. "Sooo, eventually you're going to have to make friends with them," Naruto turned to Sakura before grabbing a soda from the bar counter. Pouring it into a glass, he plunked a translucent straw into it before handing her the beverage. "Don't take too long, else I'll come looking for you," he smiled, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. Hinata blushed. And with a small sip, she delved into the 'non-gamer group' to greet her cousin, Hyuga Neji. Sakura smiled at the act. They performed the customs of a happy couple so effortlessly. It was something for her to admire as she lacked that very thing.

"Let's just say I wanted to be social, what would be the first thing I'd do? 'Hi I'm Sakura, Sasuke's 'friend'. I don't O.D. on games but I'm still fun to talk to. So tell me about yourself'," the pinkette responded sarcastically, climbing back onto the stool.

Naruto snickered at her attempts while grabbing his first beer. "Alright alright, I get your point. Sasuke's friends are unapproachable," he smiled before taking a sip.

"At this point, I'm not sure if they'd even be interesting in talking to a girl," She sighed glancing back at the group the Uchiha was so engrossed in.

Naruto laughed a little louder this time. "Trust me! They'd be interested!" he blurted out. "They probably just too terrified to even approach one, especially when they're wearing a hot number like this," he pointed as he arched a brow, obviously referring to her mini black dress, "when at most, they probably just shaved to come here. It's literally no contest. I wouldn't even bother myself," he shrugged his shoulder, sipping his beer again.

Sakura internalized his words, looking over to the group again. Both the men and women… or rather woman, having heated conversations about what she would have considered absolutely idiotic and allover insignificant gaming matters. From where she sat, it seemed like their hand gestures were just as vital to the conversation as they carried on. Trolling and raising their voice over the other. It seemed more like noise to her really. Just the thought of shadowing Sasuke and being trapped in one of those 'stimulating' conversations was inherently discomforting, even if it meant being able to sit on his lap while he spoke. Sighing again, she turned back to the blonde, "Even the girl intimidate me."

Naurto chuckled, "And here I was thinking it was only me."

Sakura was fully aware of how tonight would turn out, but at the very least, it was better than spending New Years alone. She did enjoy dressing up and meeting new people, even if her company was only Naruto. 'Thank God for Naruto' she thought, but still, she couldn't help but feel incomplete. A frequent feeling one gets when harboring aspirations for the Uchiha. Quite frankly, she was tired of her emptiness.

"But… they are his friends, what exactly are you planning to do about the rest of the night… and about Sasuke?" Naruto inquired cautiously, as if following her train of thought.

She wasn't alarmed at his question. No, in fact, she expected it. They had shared many memories together growing up and was well aware each other's flaws and inadequacies, accepting them and consequently able to take harsh criticism from each other. Moreover, they were able to celebrate in each other's good fortune, namely Naruto's successful relationship thus far, and also empathize during their moments of weakness. As of late, whenever she confided in him. It goes without saying that the blond disapproved of the manner in which his best friend lead her to hope for commitment, but, at the same time, Naruto was also disappointed in the pinkette for pursuing him for so long. Both of which he had already made clear to her.

She merely shrugged and held his direct gaze. Her jade eyes were sad yet determined. He knew her well enough to read them. He knew she was hurting but didn't reach out to her as he'd usually do. He wanted her to grow and comforting her was not the way in his opinion. Perhaps things will change after tonight. Perhaps, the dawn of the New Year could be her defining moment. She can forget about Sasuke and just move on with her life. With any luck, this year will bring new opportunities for her in that department. New men that would actually want to commit to her. She was never one to get caught up in making New Years' resolutions but perhaps this time it is needed. "New Year-" she started.

"New Sakura," he finished for her, nodding. He was hopeful this time, hopeful that this may actually be it, that defining moment. Naruto drank down the rest of his beer and tossed the can in the bin near the bar. She looked down at her own drink realizing that she had yet to take a sip of Sasuke's concoction. She was about to bring the glass to her lips when the blond asked, "So… did you know Itachi from before?" he asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

She froze for a moment, "Itachi?"

"Yeah. Sasuke's brother. You know, tall, long hair, brooding type," Naruto explained before pointing to a portrait on the wall of the living room. She gave the image a long look over before coming to the realization. "Wait! So that teme brought you here without telling you whose apartment it was?" he laughed, shaking his head.

'His brother's apartment…' she thought to herself hopping off the bar stool to get a closer look at the portrait on the wall.

"Ah! Sakura!" he exclaimed, "I've gotta rescue Hinata!" looking over to his navy haired girlfriend sitting by her cousin's side. The Hyuga appeared slightly bored but was still polite enough to smile in between topics.

"Yes of course. Tell her thanks for me. I kept you for a while," Sakura nodded as he began to walk away.

"Tell her yourself!" he returned before taking his place at his girlfriend's side. He took up residents on the couch's arm rest. Looming over the raven head, he stretched an arm around her bare shoulders before greeting her companions. She of course jumped at his sudden action.

Sakura didn't mind being alone, observing them for a moment before averting her attention back to the portrait. She hopped off the stool in the hope of getting a better inspection at what was, in fact, a family portrait. Immediately, she recognized the smiling woman to the left as Sasuke's mom, having a few… uncomfortable encounters with her in the past. However, based on Naruto's description, it was easy for her to assume that Itachi was the one to the right, propping a younger version of Sasuke upon his back. His eyes were dark… deep, yet, somehow contented. She could clearly appreciate why Naruto would describe him as the brooding type. Taking in the younger Sasuke's elated expression atop his brother's back, she smiled. 'They must have been close,' she considered, 'it's strange. He never really mentioned his brother before.'

Her smile faded as she averted her eyes to the figure in the center of the portrait, the eldest Uchiha, who, she assumed to be their late father. Of the little she knew about the family, she was aware that this man had long since passed when Sasuke was only twelve years old. 'His eyes are so intimidating,' she thought to herself, examining the serious expression painted on his face. 'How odd,' she thought eerily. To hold such a serious expression for a family portrait really says something about one's persona. 'He must've been an unapproachable man.'

"Hey! At last! Late to his own party!" she heard Naruto shout. Turning to locate the new arrival to the festivities, she found the blond's head bobbing its way across the room. Naruto threw an arm around the man's shoulder, walking with him to the bar counter. The long haired man smiled at Naruto, obviously friends, and raised his hand to Sasuke, acknowledging his presence. As they approached the bar counter, he placed the bags of groceries once propped over his shoulder down, and began conversing with Naruto. She couldn't quite make out what he was saying, but could only assume he was talking about her as the calculating, slim built male slowly turned his attention. Arching a brow curiously at her.

She froze as his distinctive, obsidian eyes filled her vision, 'those eyes.' "Uchiha... Itachi," she muttered under her breath.

A.N

Hey guys.

I'm slowly but surely re-editing/ polishing the earlier pilot chapters so the style of writing would be fluid and consistent to the very end.

I started Break My Silence quite a while ago and i'm confident in saying that, be it my first story, my writing has since improved. sooo yeah.

Just a lil clean up.

To any newcomers, i hope you enjoy. Let me know your thoughts as you progress. I read every review and appreciate every follow/ fav.

Oh and a HUGE thank you to all those who have continued this journey with me.

XOXO