A/N: Well, here I am again. It's been so long since I've written here and I've almost forgotten how this works. But my whole being is pushing me to write again and I'm just going to let the flow take me away.

So. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Naruto.

Thank Your Stars All You Want

Chapter One: Good Mornings

Slowly, the early morning sunlight filtered through the blinds. It steadily crawled through the rug-covered floor, up the dishevelled bed, and then resting on pink coloured locks. She had awoken earlier and watched its progression, still too comfortable to get up, until she had to shield her eyes from the too bright light.

It was another day. Another day that she was alone. She contemplated if she could play truant for just today, sleep in, and maybe take a walk in the park in the afternoon. It felt like she had all the time in the world, and with just those thoughts, a wide smile tugged at the corners of her cherry lips. It was another day that she was free.

With a sigh, she disentangled herself from her pristinely white bed sheets, letting them gather on the floor. These days she rarely slept with much clothes on, just a too short shorts and tank top. It was ironic, back when he was still sharing her bed, she was never this comfortable with her skin. It was like being on her own made her appreciate herself more.

Another thing she had started appreciating was mornings. It used to be that, in the first few days, she would wake up with a jerk when she reached for his side of the bed only to find it empty. Just cold and empty. Those mornings, she could barely stop herself from jumping off the bed, mindlessly trying to find something else to do.

The wounds were still there, but now the loneliness never caught her unaware anymore. These days, she made it a habit to stand near the wall window in her apartment, looking at the bustling metropolis down below as it came to life. She would press herself against the glass, cherishing these quiet moments.

But like everything, it couldn't last forever. The point couldn't have been made clearer by the sudden ringing of her phone. It was a good thing she was fast becoming a morning person, otherwise whoever she would find on the other end would get an earful.

"Oi. Ugly."

She winced. Oh she had a feeling that her day would just go downhill from here. "Good morning to you too Sai. What do you want?"

"I was just going to ask if you had plans after lunch." She shuddered at the cheerfulness in his voice, only because she knew it to be fake. The man was as emotionless as a rock, and insensitive to boot.

She thought back to the newly painted masterpiece in her studio. It had taken most of last week to complete and she had barely gone out of the apartment. Then again, after everything, she rarely met with any of their friends after.

"Yeah, I have to deliver a commission. Why?" 'Why are you bothering me this early?'

"Where?"

Her brows furrowed, was she ever going to get answers from the infuriating man. He wanted something, that much she could tell. Sai was a good friend, but he never sought her out before. She mourned the passing of her sense of peace. With a great sigh of restraint, she relented, "Mitsui Outlet Park. Tell me—!"

The nerve! Sai had hung up on her just like that! She could barely restrain the scream that was threatening to come out of her. And it was all she could do to not throw the phone against the wall. 'The fuck?'

Muttering more curses, she grabbed the fluffy towel draped on the headboard of her bed and headed towards the bathroom. Whatever Sai was planning, she was just going to have to wait and see. But for now, she refused to let it get to her.

Feeling energized, her bottle-green eyes lit up. After all, she wouldn't be Haruno Sakura if she didn't face her problems heads on.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Fuck."

A taut arm snaked its way out of the sheets, clumsily trying to turn off the alarm. When the blaring refused to stop, he opted to just throw the damned thing out of the room. Not that it did a lot of good; he could still here the shrill thing.

Another muttered curse, and he got up, pale blue pajama bottoms and all. The clock had read 6:00 am and he was slightly surprised that he hadn't woken up before now. Then again, he didn't actually want to get up today.

Lying back on the bed, he thought of the reasons why he didn't want to go through with his plans for the day. One, he wasn't too keen on spending six and a half hours on a cramped plane to Osaka with the walking, talking ramen advertisement that he liked to call his bestfriend. He was already getting a headache just thinking about it.

Two. They'd have to rent a room on a hotel when they got to Japan. Three guesses on who would insist on becoming his roommate. No, it wasn't the blonde. Naruto he could handle. His redhead cousin on the other hand?

Third. It was spring, and spring in Osaka was more often than not hot and humid. And they'd be there for days. How bothersome, as a certain Nara genius would say.

But when he closed his eyes, he could almost see the real reason why he doubted his resolve for this trip. He could almost hear her haughty laughter and smell her lavender scented shampoo. No, if he had to be honest he knew it was because she was there. But she wasn't there for him. Not with him.

It was awkward enough that she was going, but he bristled at the thought of the whispers behind his back: "Poor guy, he's already been through a lot. Now this?" If ever he did go, it was going to be a long, long two weeks.

He looked to his bedside table where he knew, inside, was an unopened box with a haphazardly-tied purple ribbon. With a grunt, he lifted himself back on his feet. However he felt about this, he was going to have to go. Because he had a job to do. Because, and he felt no guilt in being smug about this, they all depended on him for this job. But mostly, if there was nothing he could do, he would at least give her this last gift.

He let a hand pass through his messy, black hair and smirked. He was an Uchiha, and he would get through this, step by step. Slowly.

Okay, it's my sickness. I always start of a story without much dialogue. And all this pronoun game? Haha, what do you guys think? Read and review! Next chapter will be up in a few days.