A/N: I hope that you'll like and enjoy my new story. Please review!!

CHAPTER 1:

The peaceful village of Konoha…

It was early morning but people already began to fill the streets. Children ran and excitedly went to Konoha's ninja academy. Ichiraku ramen shop was starting to open and Naruto was already waiting…uh… peacefully. Other high ranking ninjas went in and out of the Hokage's office, reporting and getting their missions. It was peaceful until…

"Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan!! Wake up, wake up! Hurry!!" Sai cried.

Sai was one of Sakura's best friends. He was also hiding his feelings for Sakura. He thought that it was awkward to fall in love with your best friend. Sakura turned and placed a pillow over her head. Sai kept shaking her. Sakura grumbled but Sai didn't stop waking Sakura. Sakura got irritated and sat up. Sai smiled at her and she stared at him coldly.

"What's all the commotion about?" Sakura asked irritation still on her tone.

Though it hurt Sai so much, Sai finally told Sakura that Tsunade assigned them along with Naruto to retrieve Sasuke back from Orochimaru. If they wouldn't be able to get him back, Tsunade wouldn't assign any missions regarding that concern. Sakura felt both overjoyed and sad. Overjoyed because she would be able to see Sasuke again after a long time and sad because he might not come with them. Sakura pushed Sai out of her room and dressed into her usual red outfit. She tied her hitai-ate around her head like a headband and went out. Sai and Sakura didn't even wonder where Naruto was. They went to Ichiraku ramen shop and grabbed Naruto by his collar even though he hasn't started eating yet. Naruto was whining while being dragged. As they took a step out of Konoha, Sai explained the mission again. Naruto forgot about the ramen issue and felt really energized. They hopped tree to tree and by nightfall, they reached the end of the Fire Country's terrain. Only half a day will it take for them to reach Sound. They found a cave to stay for the night. Naruto went looking for some firewood. Sai noticed Sakura was alone with him and that she has neither smiled nor speak while on their mission. Sai sat beside her and poked her.

"Hey, cheer up. You know that I don't like seeing you out. It makes me sad, too" Sai told her.

"Gomen…I just can't help but think of what Sasuke would look like after all these years and how he would react if he sees me." Sakura said.

"I'm sure that any man will find you pretty if he sees you." Sai muttered.

"Huh?" Sakura asked.

Sai shook his head. Naruto arrived and they all warmed themselves around the fire. They continued on their mission the following day. As they arrived in the terrains of Sound, they've encountered different traps, deadly animals and lots of genjutsus. Naruto was always triggering the genjutsus and traps and made Sakura's and Sai's lives miserable. In the end, they were able to survive the forest and get out of it in one piece. Sakura hit Naruto's head.

"Baka!! Wasn't two years of training with Jiraiya-sama enough for you to learn how to be more careful?" Sakura complained.

Naruto apologized and swore to be better. They arrived at Orochimaru's underground castle. Sakura's and Naruto's hearts were beating fast. Their mission two years ago was the same mission as they have now but the mission last time was a failure. They walked down the staircase and inside the castle. It was dark as usual and candles were the only source of light. Naruto looked hard on the ground so as not to trigger traps anymore. They looked at almost all the doors there but Sasuke wasn't in any one of them. Finally, at the end of the corridor, they saw a door that was different than the others. Naruto swallowed the big lump in his throat and quietly turned the knob. Just as they opened the door, Sasuke slashed Orochimaru's head off. They were shocked. Other than Orochimaru's lifeless body, there were other shinobis swimming in their own pool of blood. Sasuke's kimono…or yukata was soaked with blood. Sasuke smirked and then turned at them. Sakura was frightened.

Could it be that Sasuke-kun has turned into a cold heartless murderer?

There was silence between the two parties. They were so damn quiet that they can almost hear themselves breathing. Finally, Sasuke broke the ice.

"You look beautiful as ever, Sakura…" Sasuke complimented.

With tears streaming down her face, Sakura ran toward Sasuke. She hugged him tightly. Sai leaned on one of the door's pillars and stared down at the floor. Naruto began complaining of why Sasuke left Konoha and hurt Sakura.

"Shut up, baka" Sasuke said.

Naruto grew even louder.

"Sasuke-kun… Are you… going back to Konoha with us now that you've killed Orochimaru?" Sakura asked.

"Orochimaru isn't the one that I wanted to kill." Sasuke said.

Sakura's eyes indicated sadness.

I knew it… he's still going to take revenge on Itachi. I knew that he won't return home…

Sasuke saw Sakura's eyes. He touched Sakura's face and made her look at him. Sai was outraged.

"Don't worry, I'm returning to Konoha. I've already proven that I can protect the girl that I cherish." Sasuke told Sakura.

Sakura was glad and hugged Sasuke again. Sai rolled his eyes.

"Can we go now?" Sai asked them.

Naruto agreed and they all went on their way back to Konoha. Sai was thinking.

It really is awkward, falling in love with your best friend. But I can't help it. I get all jealous whenever she talks of Sasuke. And now that we've succeeded in the mission…Grrr…I hate Sasuke

"Sakura-chan..." Sasuke began.

"Huh? What is it Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked.

"Come to think of it…who's that guy?" Sasuke questioned, referring to Sai.

Sakura told Sasuke all about Sai. She told him that he was his best friend and he's the one who replaced Sasuke when he left.

"Oh… but then… what will happen now that I've returned?" Sasuke asked again.

"Sai leaves the team!" Naruto said as if Sai's not listening.

Sakura hit Naruto's head.

"Baka!! Don't say things like that!" she told him.

Naruto apologized. Sai said that it was alright but deep inside he was hurt because he never thought of what would happen to him if Sasuke comes back. He never though of what would happen if he's not by Sakura's side anymore. They arrived at Konoha the following day. Kakashi was at the front gate and immediately saw the team with Sasuke. He congratulated them for bringing Sasuke back. He also told them to go to Tsunade's office to report their mission.

"Good work…"Tsunade said. "I'm still going to deal with Sasuek so you three may leave the room."

The three left. Sakura stayed outside the office.

"Sakura-chan… let's go eat at Ichiraku's!" Naruro invited.

Sakura declined and told him that he'll wait for Sasuke. Naruto sighed and went to Ichiraku alone. Sai was still there, beside Sakura.

"Uh…Sakura-chan…" Sai said.

"Huh?" Sakura asked.

"I…I'll be at my house if you need me…" Sai told her.

Sakura nodded and smiled. Sai left and as soon as he did, Sasuke went out of Tsunade's office. Sakura greeted him. Sasuke smiled. Sakura was surprised.

He…He smiled? A smile without... hatred?

"Well, I need to rest. See you tomorrow." Sasuke said.

"Uh… OK…" Sakura stuttered.

Sasuke began walking away when he suddenly remembered something. He returned to Sakura and gave her a peck on the cheek. Sakura blushed. Sasuke went on his way home. Sakura smiled and rushed to Sai's house. Sai was surprised. Sakira told Sai about Sasuke. Sai just smiled as Sakura told the story.

"I'm sure you two will make a perfect couple." Sai said.

Sakura smiled and hugged Sai. She left afterwards. Sai lay on his bed and thought about telling Sakura his true feelings

But if I tell her… Our friendship will surely not be the same as it is right now…

Sai sighed. He turned and thought more of Sakura. Sakura on the other side was thinking of Sasuke. She couldn't stop smiling as she thought of their kiss. The following day, Sakura woke up earlier than usual. Sai was on his way on waking Sakura up when he saw Sasuke going towards the direction of Sakura's house. Sai bit her lip and quietly followed Sasuke. Sakura heard a knock. She quickly answered it and thinking that it was Sai, she cried,

"Ha! You don't have to bother waking me up 'coz I already did!"

Sasuke sweatdropped, so did Sakura. Sakura apologized. Sasuke smiled and gave Sakura a bouquet of roses. Sakura thanked Sasuke with a smile and arranged the flowers neatly. Sai was furious at Sasuke and left. Sasuke and Sakura went out since they have no missions to do. They had lunch at a fancy restaurant and then they went to a movie. Next, they went to the amusement park where Sasuke won different stuffed toys for Sakura. And lastly, they went shopping. At sunset, they went to a cliff where the whole Konoha can be seen. They both sat down and Sakura leaned on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Sakura-chan…" Sasuke started.

Sakura was all ears. Sasuke got a small case from his pocket and opened it. It revealed a necklace with a cherry blossom as a pendant. Sakura was overjoyed. Sasuke placed the necklace around Sakura's neck.

"It looks good on you…" He complimented.

Sakura blushed.

"Sakura-chan… would you be my girlfriend?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura nodded and hugged Sasuke. Sasuke hugged Sakura back and kissed her lips. Sakura went even redder. Sasuke accompanied Sakura home after they ate dinner.

"Sasuke-kun… daisuki!!" Sakura told Sasuke and gave him a goodnight kiss.

Sasuke smiled then seeing that Sakura has gone inside went on his way home. On his way, he met Sai.

"Is Sakura… your girlfriend?" Sai asked.

Sasuke nodded.

"Then… I should tell you that if you hurt my best friend, you'll certainly regret it. I will kill you…" Sai threatened.

Sasuke smirked.

"I'm not going to hurt Sakura. You have my word as an Uchiha…" Sasuke said and went on his way.

Sai just watched Sasuke leave. He was really jealous of him.

I shouldn't be jealous…I should just accept that I'm not worthy of Sakura…'

END OF FIRST CHAPTER

A/N: How's that? Please review!!