A shared past, a shared future. But will she ever truly be his? He's determined to make it so.

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Seashells by the Seashore

Chapter 01

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"Sakura-san, look this way please!" the photographer called out as she twisted into another pose, her eyes looking directly into the lens. The artists continued to click away, snapping shots of her as she switched up her poses every few clicks. "Good, good!" the other woman behind the lens called out as she took one last shot and brought her head up.

"Cream-coloured fabric really does suit you, Sakura-san!" Rin smiled as she turned to her assistant, "Let's look through those shots, Obito!" Another staff member approached the pinkette and guided her to the dressing room for a wardrobe change. "This season's collections are really nice," the staff member commented as Sakura changed outfits behind a screen.

"Yes, I think I might buy some of these pieces when they hit the market," they were taking a photo shoot today for some company's spring collection even though it was technically still winter. The were two lines by the same company, Island Beauty and Desert Beauty. Sakura was the main model for the Island line.

A knock came at the door, "We're ready for the next set," and Sakura headed back out in a different ensemble. "Temari-san, we're ready for you now," the same staff said and a familiar figure entered the room. The models were ushered to the prepared back drop and Sakura greeted her long-time friend, "Temari! Long time no see." The women shared a quick hug before setting to work.

What seemed like an eternity of shutter clicks later, Rin announced a lunch break. The models changed back into their own clothes and met at the studio cafeteria for their meal. They took the time to catch up, their conversation occasionally being interrupted to greet or be greeted by familiar faces in the industry, celebrities and staff alike.

Towards the end of their break, another familiar pair approached them. The shorter of the two was first to speak, "Sakura, look who I found!" The pinkette looked up to see her childhood friend and manager, Haku, pulling along another childhood friend and all-around handy-man Zabuza. She quirked an eyebrow at the familiar sight, "You know, I remember this being the other way around when we were younger."

Zabuza winced slightly. Picking up the boy had been a whim, but introducing him to Sakura was a mistake. They got along better than biological twins. It was like a perfect match made in hell. At least, that's what he told himself whenever the boy caught him and hauled him to the pinkette like a prize.

Temari greeted the men before letting her friend she was heading back first. After she left, Sakura returned her attention to her friends and cocked her head to the side, "I thought you worked at KBS?" Zabuza shoved his hands into his pockets, "I go wherever there's work to be done."

They were currently inside the SBS building, on the other side of the city from KBS. Zabuza never had to worry about a shortage of work, anybody who knew him always had work to offer him because he was reliable and good at what he did.

"Of course you would, Zabuza," she gave the man a cursory once-over, "Are you eating well? There's more to a meal than just convenience store onigiri, you know." Zabuza sucked his teeth, caught entirely red-handed. His living alone status coupled with the long and odd hours of being a stage crew member made convenience store bento and cup noodles his staple diet.

Haku frowned in disapproval as well, they turned on the older man together and gave him a shared look. He hated when they twinned like that, gave him the chills. It also meant nagging, squared. "Zabuza! You should know better, you need to take care of yourself better. Perhaps you need... an intervention?" he boy suggested slyly. Oh, Zabuza narrowed his eyes, I know exactly where this is going.

He brought his fists down on both their heads, a little more gently for Sakura. "Mind your own business, brats," he was only a few years older than them, but it gave him such satisfaction to be able to lord it over their heads, "I eat a decent meal most nights." Like when the team leader invites the crew out to dinner.

The younger two collectively narrowed their eyes, "Quit doubting me," Zabuza sighed as he retracted his hands and placed them back inside his pockets, "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

Haku started, "Oh, that's right! If we don't hurry you'll be late Sakura. There's still another session before your next appointment." Sakura nodded and dropped the topic of Zabuza's diet. It was going to come back to bite him the rear one day, she just knew it. "We should get going," she turned to pick up her tray, "It was nice seeing you again Zabuza, don't be a stranger!" she smiled at her friend before walking to the exit.

Haku lingered behind and pouted, "You should have invited her out to dinner or something! It was the perfect chance." Zabuza sighed long-sufferingly before giving Haku a look, "You know I can't do that. Not anymore."

x

"Hey Zabuza, look what I made!" Sakura ran up to the older boy, Haku trailing behind her at a more sedated pace. She stopped in front of him and thrusted the basket into his arms. He caught it and opened the lid to reveal sandwiches.

Tuna salad sandwiches.

He dipped his hand into the basket and pulled out a sandwich half and took a ginger bite, expecting for her to have messed it up somehow. But it was delicious. Just the right amount of mayo to canned tuna. He didn't even mind the pieces of lettuce and cucumber that kept the bread from soaking in the tuna salad.

"Not bad," he commented as he took a bigger bite and eventually finished the sandwich. He found himself reaching for another one without any prompt from the others. Haku neared and they all sat under the tree. He pulled out the thermos with tea and his own lunch box and Sakura with hers.

"Just so you know, the sandwiches I made are in there too," Haku inserted lightly. Zabuza rolled his eyes. Those two had chosen to take home economics together, which basically amounted to a lot of cooking lessons. And a lot of free food... for him.

"You know, you don't have to always give me the stuff you make. I do have a lunch you know."

Sakura grimaced, "A rice triangle wrapped in seaweed is not enough nutrients for a higher schooler," Haku nodded enthusiastically, "Bet you didn't even know we managed to hide a bunch of vegetables in that tuna salad!" Zabuza paused mid-bite and gave his sandwich a dirty look. But he was hungry. And the fish overpowered everything else. Giving up, he continued to eat.

"See?" Sakura said as she watched her friend's internal debate, written all over his face. "One of these days, I'll be able to cook you a full meal, just you wait!"

x

A side of him was still waiting for that promised dinner. But he wasn't willing to acknowledge that facet of himself. Not yet.

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Author's Note: Just a plot bunny. :)