Hey! This is the oft mentioned editor. Sorry for no updates to our other stories as of late, Wahyah is having technical issues but wants to be the one writing, so we've decided to hold off on those for a bit and work on something we've been tossing around for a bit. Tell us what you think! ~nightingale

"The sun is shining, it's one of the last few beautiful days of this year, and I have enough money to buy the lot of this town... And yet, here I am, standing around, waiting for someone who might not even come this way."

Sasuke Uchiha sighed, turning on his heel and walking down the stretch of road for the umpteenth time. Having long forgone his air of superiority with the realization that no one who was likely to come down this path would care, he had deigned to instead glare down at either end of the road, hoping for a glimpse of the person he was there to (hopefully) meet.

"...Hn. Figures. The day I have the nerve to try to make myself known, she take a different route home. Or stays in town. Or gets herself killed. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me, she never was one for keeping her head on straight. I may as well head...back..."

His ranting to himself petered out slowly as he glimpsed a shape at the far end of the path. Hoping he didn't seem too excited, he strolled towards the figure, hoping more than he would admit that this was who he thought it was. He had spent far too long - and far too much - finding this little city and setting himself in the perfect place. West Egg, they called it. Hn. Far too placid for his tastes... But, if he was correct,it would be worth it.

As he closed in on the figure, the sun in his eyes obscuring it quite well, he slowed, confused. Something wasn't right... With a start, he realized that there was not one, but two people walking towards him. No, this couldn't be her; more than likely just a few locals, coming home from their day. Yet, indeed, as they drew close enough for him to see them clearly, he groaned; it was the woman he was looking for... But she was being escorted by some man.

Drawing himself up straight - he was too close and looked too intent on speaking with her to back out now - he he waved to them, then stepped forward.

"Hello! You look a little lost pal, I don't suppose you're the guy who just moved in over yonder?" The man said, gesturing vaguely into the distance. He was tall, and broadly built, with dark skin, darker hair, and darker still eyes. Seeing the new look in Sasuke's eyes, he drew back, pulling the woman a bit closer to him. Sasuke was a bit put off, but said nothing; he understood, at this time of night, this off the path, someone like him drew suspicion.

"Aa. I saw you walking this way and felt it appropriate to introduce myself. Sasuke said, not entirely lying. He had planned on introducing himself, at any rate.

"Ha! I thought as much. You don't seem to be the type we'd see at the country club. Anyway, it's nice to meet you! My name's Kiba, I live off there, by the lake." He said, pointing out the obviously older East Egg.

"So tell us then, who are you?" The woman said, curious. A tiny thing, with pale skin, and pale, oddly tinted hair. Most would assume from first glance that it was catching some light from somewhere, but a second look generally told the truth.

"Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha." He said, stiffly. As he did, her face cinched, as if hit with a bout of deja vu. Sasuke's spirits jumped; if she remembered... But, after a few seconds of tense silence, her face relaxed, and she held out her hand.

"Well welcome to the city Sasuke! I'm Sakura! I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of each other."

The words that fell out of her mouth hurt him more than he should have let. He kept his composure, however; he should have known better than to let it bother him; surely the years had taught him better than that. Gently, cautiously, he took her hand and shook it, earning himself an odd look from Kiba as he unknowingly held her hand longer than he should have.

Sasuke cleared the lump in his throat, hoping he was as strong as he liked to believe, strong enough keep his voice from cracking. "I'm sure we will." He almost cringed at the sound of envy in his own voice, but if the other two noticed, they didn't show it.

"So, do you know anyone who lives around here, Sasuke?" Kiba gave Sasuke a toothy grin, making him inwardly growl.

"Aa." He answered calmly, "I'm sure you know of him, Naruto Uzumaki." Sasuke finished, pleased that he had kept bitterness out of his voice.

Sakura's bright green eyes lit up; that was what Sasuke hated about her, again, the way she always makes you want to smile. "Oh yes! I've known him for years... Although, he's never mentioned you, I don't think."

Inwardly, he flinched. Of course the imbecile would not have talked about him. He was probably trying to forget about him as well. Perhaps he should have stayed far away and let them live their lives, but he had to be selfish and try again for something that may not ever be again.

"We...have been out of touch for quite some time." Sasuke answered swiftly, wanting no more to do with the subject.

The sun had started to set, dark enough to make the three's shadows stretch farther down the sidewalk. The street lamps flickering to life at the notice of the light slowly fading. A chill climbed up Sasuke's back, but he suppressed the urge to shiver; he wanted to seem all the more postured. He just wanted to talk with her for a while longer. Kiba could go fall into an abyss for all he cared.

"I see." She smiled gently at him, "Well, it's getting late, I should be getting home."

"I'll walk you the rest of the way, m'lady." Kiba smiled at her.

Sasuke suddenly felt that horrid emotion that only Sakura could ever make him feel. The feeling that got him in so much trouble not even a decade ago. Jealousy.

He stepped to the side so they may walk by, and they politely took that as a sign that their little meet-and-greet was over. He kept his gaze on Sakura just a little while longer as she walked away from him.

Sakura turned her head at Sasuke, "I'm having a small get-together at my house tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps you could join?"

He hesitated for just a moment, but before she started walking again, he answered.

"Aa"