Disclaimer: I own nothing. (this story is kinda boring and slow at first but it picks up)

YeahWhatever12: neither does I.

"Yup, we will see each other again." a 7 year old Sasuke promised.

"Promise?"

"Promise!" he parroted, holding up a hand, while his other crossed over his heart. She giggled.

"See you later."

"See you later." He replied, and then turned and ran after his mother and brother.

He skidded to a stop and then turned back. "Oh hey, I still think big brothers are cooler than big sisters."

"No, no, no, big sisters are waaaay more cooler than big brothers!" a 5 year yold Sakura cried, stomping her foot for emphasis.

He laughed and started running again, her giggle following him.

Got up on the wrong side, I left today yeah, crashed my car and I'm gonna be really late, my phone doesn't work cos it's out of range, looks like it's just one of those kinds of days – Avril Lavigne, Runaway.

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10 YEARS LATER, on a balmy hot, humid day, a now 16 almost 17 year old Sakura Haruno boarded the 11 AM train.

Mostly unnoticed by the other passengers, she let out a sigh of relief as she plopped down on the last available window seat. She detested all other seats, mostly due to her hate of the feeling of being boxed in. An open window helped with that.

Settling back comfortably, she pulled her hood back, revealing cherry blossom colored hair that shone in the pre-afternoon sunlight that drifted through the window. Her head turning to the side, she watched her parents' car drive away from the station out of the corner of her eye, as she jammed her headphones onto her head, blocking out the annoying chatter of the other passengers.

Avril Lavigne's voice immediately filled her ears, just as the car turned the corner. Her face screwed up as she immediately reached to change the song. Her frown deepened when she noticed the distinct lack of anything she would want to listen to in the playlist. If this was Anna's idea of a farewell joke, she was so going to pay. Hannah Montana..? Seriously...? Why did best friends insist on being total pains in the ass?

Sighing in defeat, she scrolled back to the Avril album and let it play.

Still staring out the window, she absently started fanning herself with her diary as she waited for the train to start off. Avril wasn't that bad, she decided. The song was decent, and she could actually relate it. She picked up her iPod again to read the title.

Runaway.

Well, she wasn't running away…but she definitely wanted to.

Just grab a rucksack of things she deemed absolutely necessary. Like her diary, her toothbrush, that irreplaceable pair of Classic Converses…

As her list went on in her head, Sakura was only vaguely aware of someone sitting next to her, but she ignored them completely, in no mood for conversation. She was thankful when whoever it was made no move to disturb her.

Not that she was surprised.

Who would want to disturb a frowning pink haired girl, wearing a hoodie on a very hot summer day, black skinny jeans, flat white pumps covered with graffiti that matched the scowl she wore, head slightly bobbing along to the very loud punk-pop-rock music blaring from her earphones?

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After what seemed like an eternity, the train finally started off, and Sakura felt a twinge of panic as the city she had lived in her whole life started to flash past her, faster with each passing second, until she couldn't stand it anymore and just turned away from the window completely, facing forward.

She soon grew tired of looking at the bald head in front of her, and so she flipped her diary open, skimming through the pages littered with her scribbled handwriting, notes and rants. When she reached the next blank page, she pulled out the pen from the binding, and after smoothing down the page, began writing.

Dear diary,

The train just started off, and I feel like I'm going to be sick. I know I should be celebrating right now. How long have I wanted to finally leave home?

And yet, here I am. Sulking.

What is this feeling called again?...oh yeah.

Melancholia.

Hmm…big word.

Anyway, I really didn't think leaving would bother me this much. I don't even like this place that much to begin with.

Konoha, on the other hand is a…well, it's an okay place to live I guess. I used to go down there a lot when I was kid, but I haven't been there in like years. I bet it hasn't changed at all.

Oh. My. God….I'm going to have to deal with those idiots that live down there.

I did NOT think of that.

Oh joy.

On the bright side, at least I don't have to suffer through another day at Tokyo Girls Prep. If I got another neurotic boy band song stuck in my head, I'm pretty sure I'd shoot myself.

Man, it's so hot. Why did I even wear a hoodie?

Ugh, and I'm going to be in this seat for the next four hours. I'm so not looking forward to i-

"It is quite hot, isn't it?"

Sakura flinched, immediately tensing. Realizing that it was just her seat neighbour, she allowed her tense muscles to relax. "Excuse me?"

"I said that it is quite hot today. I was agreeing with you."

Sakura blinked. "Yeah, I don't recall speaking to you… or at all, actually."

"Oh no, you didn't. I read it in your journal."

"You read my journal? While I was writing? Without my permission?"

He nodded, smiling. If you could call what he was doing smiling. She thought it to be cross between looking constipated and looking like you had your appendix removed that morning.

Sakura looked at him. Really looked. And after taking in the paler than normal skin, the dark almost pupil-less eyes, and uninteresting short black hair, she decided… he was weird.

When it became apparent that she was unsure how to proceed, he spoke again. "For someone who is complaining about the weather, your choice of attire is really…" his eyes travelled over her, and she squirmed, uncomfortable with the look-over, "….stupid."

"I'm sorry? I didn't quite catch that. My attire is what..?"

He frowned, eyebrows pulling together. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

She gave him an odd look, but he just blinked back innocently. He was either an extremely good actor, or he really didn't know. "Gee, I don't know," she said finally, waving a hand. "You tell me."

"Why do I get the feeling any answer I give will be wrong?"

Sakura smiled, amused. "Hn. You're smart… for an idiot."

"Uh…thank you." He answered, unsure. "That was a compliment…right?" he asked after a few moments, giving up on deciding on whether or not it was.

Sakura chuckled at that. "Sure." She said finally. He smiled again, and she grimaced. That was one creepy smile.

"Sakura." She added, sticking out her hand.

He looked at it for a few seconds, as if debating, and then finally shook it. "Er…Sai." he introduced himself. "Charmed."

Sakura gave him a weird look. "People still say that?"

He shrugged, and she chuckled as she bent over to put her diary back into her rucksack. When she straightened back up, Sai was looking at her funny.

"What?"

"After reading your…inner musings, I wouldn't peg you for being much of a conversationalist."

"Actually I'm not."

"Then why are you talking to me?"

"That's an odd question," Sakura commented, face scrunched up, and then after a few more seconds of thought, added, "Actually, no; it's a pretty good question. Why am I talking to you?"

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Approximately four hours later, Sakura disembarked, and the three people that had been waiting for her immediately waved.

Well, the two girls, one being platinum blonde, the other having navy blue-indigo like hair, waved at her like normal people. The third, a blonde guy, looked more like he was fighting off a swarm of angry bees than waving.

"SAKURAAAAAAAAA!" he shouted as he ran forward, picking her up and swinging her around like a rag doll.

"Yeah. Hi, Naruto." She answered in monotone, even as he continued to swing her around. And cue idiots, she thought drearily.

When he finally set her down, still laughing, the blonde girl walked over and smacked him upside the head.

"OW!" he yelled, rubbing the sore spot. "Hey! What was that for?!"

"For being an idiot, duh." She replied, rolling her eyes.

"I-Ino…"

Ino sighed. "Sorry Hinata. I know I promised not to hit him anymore, but your boyfriend here is too much of an idiot sometimes."

"All I did was hug her!" Naruto shouted, his voice defensive.

"Actually, if Sakura here was someone prone to motion sickness, a long, non-stop trip followed by vigorous shaking would probably make her vomit."

"Exactly." Ino agreed, smiling. "Thank you, Sai."

"You're welcome…even though I am unsure of what you are thanking me for."

"Sai?" Naruto asked, only then noticing the other boy for the first time. "When did you get here?"

"Oh Naruto…don't you remember?" Ino laughed, repeatedly elbowing said blonde in the ribs, brutally.

"Remember…what?" Naruto asked, in between coughs, trying to fend her off. "Ah, forget it. It hurts too much to care."

Sakura's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Ino's smile was just a tad too innocent. Sakura was about to go super interrogator on her, but was unable to do that, or anything else, when she was suddenly enveloped in a bone-crushing hug.

"Sakuraaa! I missed you soooo much squirt!"

"Nice…to see…you too, sis." Sakura choked out, just barely managing to pat her sister's back.

"Whoa, Maya-san! Her face is turning blue!" Naruto shouted. "Cut it out!"

"Oops…?" Maya squeaked, and then laughed, ruffling Sakura's pink hair, as the pinkette inhaled deeply. "Did ya miss me?"

"You? Maybe…your hugs? Not so much." Sakura wheezed.

"Okay! Let's go, people!" Ino announced, herding them all towards Maya's minivan. "we don't have all day!"

"What's the rush?" Naruto asked, clapping his hands to remove residual dust he had accumulated after he and Sai had finished loading the last of Sakura's luggage.

He coughed again when he received another painful jab to the ribs.

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During the ride home, Sakura sat on one side of the van with Sai while Naruto, Hinata and Ino sat on the other side as Maya drove.

As Sakura watched her suspiciously, Ino chattered away about how excited she was about senior year and going to college.

"I mean, you only get to be a senior once right?" she was saying, waving a hand around.

"Unless you fail and have to repeat." Maya interjected from the front seat.

"Maya-san!"

"Watch the road!"

"Oh, right! Sorry, my bad!" Maya called over her shoulder, staying out of the conversation to focus on her driving.

"We are going to die in here, aren't we?" Naruto moaned.

"ANY-WAY," Ino enunciated, getting everyone's attention again, "as I was saying," she continued, flipping her hair over her shoulder, "I plan to do A LOT this year. There better be better parties than last year. Like, seriously, does no one have a decent sense of style and decorum in Konoha?" she asked, "besides me?" she added after a few seconds of thought.

She received blank stares from Sai and Naruto, while Hinata just looked off to the side, hoping the question wasn't directed at her.

"I propose a welcome-back party for Sakura next week." Ino suddenly announced. "We can invite everyone!" she continued, ignoring the groans of protest. "It could even double as a "We-are-finally-seniors!" party and-"

"What are you planning, Ino-pig?" Sakura interrupted, eyes narrowed, unable to contain her curiosity – and interrogation – anymore.

"Me?" Ino blinked innocently. "I'm not planning anything."

"Oh really?" Sakura replied, raising an eyebrow. She turned to Sai who was sitting next to her. "Say Sai, was it?"

"Yes?"

"How come you didn't have any luggage with you?"

"I was in Tokyo for a one-day art expo today." Sai replied slowly.

"Really? Which museum?"

"Um…"

"Come to think of it, I haven't heard of an art expo that short before." Sakura continued.

"What do you mean?" Sai asked as his eyes darted to the side. Ino was starting to sweat.

Too easy, Sakura sighed inwardly.

"If the train we got on left around eleven, what time did you leave Konoha to get to Tokyo before the-"

"Wow Sakura! Your forehead is much larger in person." Ino suddenly interrupted, attempting to distract her.

There was an awkward silence as Sakura, who had been facing Sai, slowly turned to look at a grinning Ino.

"Pardon?"

"They say the camera adds ten pounds, I think your webcam had the opposite effect. Cause wow, I could advertise on that billboard. How much you rentin'?"

Sakura's eye twitched. And then she let out a horrendously fake laugh that had everyone cringing. "Oh Ino, you are SO funny. You know I totally take back what I said about you looking like my neighbour's pet pig. You are much, MUCH prettier."

"Really?" Ino blinked. "I mean…I know right?!" she chirped, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Yes, yes. Much prettier" Sakura smiled, "….. Just like the pet pig's mom." She finished in monotone.

Ino's teeth clenched, grin disappearing instantly.

Hinata sighed. Sai looked bored. Naruto was watching, blue eyes shining with excitement, as he munched on popcorn he had gotten from Kami knows where.

"Guys, c-come on…you promised not to fight anymo-" Hinata started, but was silenced by Naruto's finger on her lips.

"Shhh! I wanna see what will happen next." He whisper-shouted, not taking his eyes off the girls currently locked in a glaring contest.

Hinata's eyes crossed as she looked at Naruto's finger on her mouth, and she sighed again.

"I'll never understand you people." Sai mumbled.

The van suddenly lurched to a stop, causing the teens to scream and grip each other for balance.

"We're here!" Maya announced, jumping out of the front seat.

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Naruto immediately leapt forward to kick the double doors open. He jumped out first, and then caught Hinata, who jumped out next. She was squealing as he swung her around, and Ino jumped out next and rushed to try to stop him.

Sakura stood back in the minivan, watching her friends and sister squabble in the driveway.

"I wonder about their sanity sometimes." Sai commented in her ear, from where he stood next to her. she hadn't even noticed that he had been standing next to her. He then jumped down as well, and then joined Maya where she stood.

Sakura hovered where she stood in the van, smiling faintly as she slowly sank down to sit on the van's floor, legs dangling over the edge.

A breeze blew past and Sakura's eyes fluttered closed as she breathed in deeply, her shoulder-length pink hair fluttering around her. When the breeze passed, her eyes opened and she found herself looking up through the branches of the oak tree she used to climb all the time with her friends.

Her eyes slowly travelled around of their own accord, taking in the place she now called home. A kaleidoscope of memories of her childhood visits flitted through her head, but she shut them out and tried to remain focused on her surroundings instead.

Next door to the right, she saw Naruto's house. Her smile widened a little when she noticed that he still had those horrible orange curtains in his room. Looking down the empty street, she noted that the trees had grown in the few years since she last came here.

Against her will, her eyes travelled to the house next door to the left.

His house.

Sasuke's house.

Eyes flicking to his bedroom window, which was shut, she noted that he too hadn't changed his bedroom curtains. They were still a dark navy blue. Next she saw the other oak tree, the one that grew between their houses (and rooms)…the same old oak tree she used to climb with him and Naruto, before she had met and befriended Hinata and Ino.

And then her eyes flicked downwards, and they met onyx black ones…and she froze.

Breath hitching, she couldn't hear her friends anymore. He didn't move, and neither did she, and how long they stayed that way, staring at each other, she didn't know.

It must have been mere seconds, for she blinked once, and the next thing she knew, he had stepped back and turned around, letting the curtain fall over the window.

The breath she didn't know she had been holding came out in a puff, and her shoulders slumped the slightest bit. It was then that she noticed how quiet it had become. Her head snapped up, she didn't even know when it had lowered.

Her friends were quiet, shuffling uncomfortably in their spots and looking like they had no idea what to say or do. Maya, who had been looking at the window that no one stood at anymore, turned to face her, a sympathetic look on her face…and that was it, Sakura snapped out of her trance-like state and jumped down from the van.

"So," she started, and then stopped. Her voice didn't sound right. She swallowed, clapping her hands of imaginary dust to distract herself while she did so.

"So," she tried again, "you going to show me my new room or what?"

Everyone snapped to attention, grabbing a bag and dragging/hauling/carrying it inside.

When only Sakura and Maya remained outside, Maya walked over to stand in front of her little sister…who she decided really wasn't so little anymore.

"You okay, squirt?"

Sakura pressed her lips together, eyebrows furrowing as she looked up at the sky. Was she okay? she asked herself.

When she lowered her head, she gave her sister a small smile. "I told you not to call me that anymore."

Maya laughed. "Right. My bad…. Saks."

Sakura frowned, and Maya laughed again. "It's either squirt or Saks, pick one."

"How about none of the above?" Sakura deadpanned.

Maya laughed again as she and Sakura went inside.

The rest of the day was spent catching up with her friends over snacks, and for a while Sakura was able to forget just who now lived next door.

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