Another story that has been bugging me for months. Hope you like it!

Warning: Definitely SasuSaku despite the first chapter.

Disclaimer: If it was mine, there would be already Uchiha brats running around now.

It has just entered autumn but northern winds were flowing through Konoha. Through the window, Sasuke watched crisp leaves swayed in the dull streets, floating up in the gray sky. The city was in its most mellow state, as if time has neglected this place.

Light entered the dark room as the door creaked, showing glimpses of books and reports displayed on the mahogany desk. A globe sat on the corner on the desk, as a bottle of opened whiskey rested right next to it.

"Lady Hyuuga has arrived, Sir."

Ice clinked in the glass, "Allow her in."

As the steps faded quietly into the hall, Sasuke fastened his cuffs but let his collar and white dress shirt loose. Hinata never cared for formality but he wasn't the man to take advantage of a female. He settled his glass of whiskey on the desk, waiting for his childhood friend to arrive.

There was a soft knock on the door but one can tell it was only for the manner. Under the golden light of the corridor, a petite silhouette stood at the door way.

"You're back."

"And you are the same", voice soft as feathers, the lady moved further into the room, "always hiding in the shadows."

There was a quiet shuffling, and then light faded through the lamps, "Pardon me."

The lady shook her head, and settled in a maroon velvet chair, while Sasuke leaned on his desk, dark eyes scrutinizing her, "You look tired."

But 'tired' didn't nearly covered what she looked. She was beautiful lady, as expected from Hyuuga clan yet even with her long inky locks and eyes as white as the winter moon; one can see the dark rings under her eyes or the dryness of her pale lips. Even the blush that grew couldn't help bring color to her pale complexion. His eyes hardened.

Hinata fiddled nervously with the wool on her loose grey sweater but finally allowed her hands to rest on her black slacks, "The Hyuuga clan have been quite… busy lately. Neji-nii looks even worse than me."

Sasuke only nodded his head; he took a sip of whiskey, his face ineffective from the strong taste. "You came back earlier than expected", his voice blunt, "Why?"

"Well, the headquarters don't need my, um, help anymore," a dark shadow flashed in her pearl eyes and didn't go unseen by a certain Uchiha, "and I want to see some certain… childhood friends." Her face flustered at the last word.

Sasuke's shoulder suddenly tensed, his brow knitted together but his voice was void from emotions, "Uzumaki."

Hinata licked her lips, eyes uncertain, "How is he?"

"He's fine." His reply came out a little too quick.

"It's been… six months", she started to fidget, the composed heiress was gone and left a stuttering women in love, "I-I wonder if he changed. Has he s-spok-ken of m-me?" Her voice squeaked at the last word of her question.

Instead, Sasuke just stared at the glass with intense. Just stared. Until he muttered, "Of course, you're his childhood friend." He clenched the glass, till his knuckles turn white.

Her brow knitted together, "B-but, that's not what I want", she turn to look at him, "I want him to—Sasuke-kun? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

She shook her head, "No, what's wrong? I was only talking about Naruto-ku—" She paused, then her calm voice became erratic, "Something happened. Didn't it? Tell me. Did he do something reckless again? Got sick? Or hurt? Sasuke-kun, you can't keep this from me. Did he-he…," she stopped, "…meet… somebody?"

Sasuke downed his glass and looked away. He watched the wind ripped its way through one branch to the other.

"Hey Sakura, Table 3 got some company!"

Naruto watched the rosette scrambled her way through customers and tables, pink hair flying, green eyes flashing yet she still managed to keep that amazing smile. Naruto took another sip of his coffee.

"Um, Sir, will you like to order something?"

He gave the blonde waitress a blinding smile, "Not now, can you come by later?" Then turned his attention back to the pink pixie in her uniform. When he saw Sakura finished getting her order, he immediately starts waving his arms wildly, which didn't go unseen. Sakura raised a brow and walked straight towards him. Seeing this, Naruto frantically combed through his blonde hair and slapped on his brightest smile.

"Hi Sakura-chan!"

Sakura laid her hand on her hip and gave him a disapproving look, "Hello, Naruto."

"I just passed by and decided to try the food here", he plastered on his perkiest face.

"Why, ain't that swell. It must have taken you a long time to choose your order, or you wouldn't have sent Ino back for the THIRD time. But since I'm here, it must that you finished juggling with your choices for FORTY minutes, hm?" Her lips curled into a fake-sweet smile at the end of the sarcastic speech.

He tried to muster an innocent look but it was clearly failing, "I don't understand, Sakura-chan. I'm sure I just got here."

"Oh, really? Then I must mistaken someone else with the same blinding blonde hair and bright orange T-shirt", she then looked down and wrinkled her nose, "or those surprisingly same shade of converse."

He couldn't have looked repentant even if he tried.

Sakura clicked her pen on her board, "Your order, please?"

Naruto cleared his throat and skimmed through the menu. He finally looked up with a sheepish smile, "… Ramen?"

"Honey-mustard chicken sandwich with fries", she scribbled, "Thank you, your order will arrive shortly." And then went straight to the counter."

Naruto grinned, that is what he liked about her, that fiery personality and straight-forward attitude. His mom would love her, not to mention his dad would definitely approve. She was better than any other high-class debutante or heiress, Sakura was free and wild. Even the bastard thought she was 'nice', and for Uchiha-standards; that was more than enough. Though he doesn't understand why was Sasuke so reluctant about continuing to meet her, she might become the next Mrs. Uzumaki for God's sake! Naruto shrugged; at least Hinata-chan will adore her.

Then his cell rang.

Sakura sighed as her head throbbed. Dealing with Naruto was like dealing with a whole class of babies going through the 'terrible-twos' and Sakura prided herself in being a good babysitter but she has given up hope on Naruto.

"Well, it seems that Forehead finally got the order."

Sakura looked at the girl behind her and sighed again, "I'm sorry Ino, I didn't think he would actually come here."

Ino shrugged and flipped her platinum hair off her shoulders, "I'm fine. I mean, you don't always get see such a cutie like that around here."

Sakura scoffed and looked back, "Him? Cute? Please!"

"Hey, you have to admit he is something. Sun-kissed hair, sky blue eyes, tanned skin, tall built; he reeks of 'Summer Fling'," she gave a flirtatious wink, "Talk about ultimate boy-toy."

With a snort, Sakura gave a wary wave, "Well, while you are drooling, I'm gonna go to the bathroom for a sec."

As she closed the door, she slid down the surface and rested on the marble ground. Her pink head sat softly on the top of her knees. She hadn't had enough sleep for days, running between the hospital and the waitress work. Sometimes she wishes she could to take a break but rent was high in Konoha, especially living in the city.

Usually when she gets upset with her money problems, she tries to think about the good things. I got a scholarship in University of Konoha. I'm a summa cum laude. I'm also the apprentice of one of the best doctors. But when Sakura looked in the mirror, she couldn't help but feel even more depressed. Forget about her natural pink hair, there were dark rings under her eyes and her complexion was pale. She lost weight, and her chin was sharper. She looked down and let out a hiss of dismay, even her chest looked smaller! And to make it even worse, the lime green and yellow cream uniform looked horrible on her.

But this wasn't a time to moan about her appearance, she has big emerald eyes, thick lashes, she wasn't fat, and aside from her short height, she has a rather proportional body. For the uniform, anyone would look ugly in it.

Except Ino, with her hourglass body, long legs and baby doll face, she wore it like she walked off a runway.

Sakura groaned as walked out the door but to be only stopped by a certain female.

"Sakura, there is this really pretty girl and this really, really pretty guy sitting at Naruto's table!"

Before she could process Ino's word, she was dragged to the counter and was faced to Naurto's table. There stood afar two figures, one taller than the other. The girl was breath-taking, ethereal skin that seemed to break by any slight touch. Long midnight blue locks cascaded down her delicate back while her fringe didn't hide a pair of beautiful winter eyes. She was wearing a dove grey pea-jacket with a white knitted scarf. This was a woman of class and high upbringing; a fragile porcelain doll. Sakura tore her gaze from the girl and looked at the man next her to her. Her green eyes widen with recognition.

Since nobody forgets Uchiha Sasuke. She met him once, at Ichiraku, with Naruto. She was only there since it was the only way to stop Naruto from asking her again and that time Naruto wanted to introduce her to his best friend since childhood. He looked even better now, with his jacket hanging off his right arm, he wore a loose fitting black V-necked sweater and made-to-measure black slacks. He had hair darker that the lady next to him but a slightly tanner skin. Piercing onyx eyes and sculpted features, he was exact opposite Naruto; the Tall, the Dark, the Brooding.

"Forget about Naruto, Sakura. I jump the other anytime, anywhere. Just name it."

Sakura scoffed at Ino's comment and continued to stare at the pyrotechnic effect the triad produced.

Hinata blushed at Naruto's smile. He was still the same. Goofy, reckless and but so, so sweet, she thought her heart would burst.

"Teme! You should have told me she arrived yesterday! We could have eaten at Ichiraku." He sent a bright smile at Hinata, "My treat of course!"

Hinata shook her head, "I-It's alright. I didn't want Sasuke-kun to tell you." She gave a tentative smile, "I was too tired."

With a sulky pout, Naruto let Sasuke off with reluctance, "Well, okay. But next time you come to me or I'll think you like Teme better."

She nodded in agreement.

Sasuke turned to her and said in a low voice, "Do you want anything?"

She looked up to him, "Maybe some tea?"

He gave a slight nod and looked for the waiter until his gaze stopped immediately, "… Haruno."

At the name, Naruto gave a proud lift of his head, "That's right. Hinata, I want you to meet someone special," he turned his warm gaze towards the counter and gestured someone to come, "She happens to work here."

She saw a small figure coming towards them but instead she fixed her gaze on the way his blue softens, losing its electricity, but like the rippling of a lagoon. The razor edges of his mouth relaxed into a satisfied smile. Or the way he tilt his head towards her as if he has been waiting for this moment forever. She felt a deep pang of envy inside her.

"How may I help you?"

Hinata finally tore her gaze off Naruto and faced the source of this bubbly voice. As she turned, pink was the first thing to enter her vision. Light pink. Like cherry blossoms. Or cotton candy in the fair. It was an unusual color to see. Especially for hair. It was cropped right above her shoulder; it looked soft and wispy. Then she focused on her eyes, which shock her. For all she imagined, she never expected green eyes; ones that are so verdant that they look like sea glass. The rest of the waitress came to sharp angles and delicate points, from a set of fragile bladed cheekbones, to a petite, arrow-tipped nose, to a chin keen enough to cut glass. She looked smaller than Hinata, with her narrow shoulder and thin neck, but she held herself as if she could slay dragons if she had to.

"This is Haruno Sakura!" Such a fitting name.

Sakura gave an exasperated sigh and smiled at her. A dimpled formed on the right of her cheek, "Well, is there anything I can help you?"

Sasuke was the first to sit down, "One tea and one coffee. Black." Hinata followed as well.

Sakura was about to scribbled the order but was stopped by the one and only Naruto. He gave a stern stare at Sasuke before turning his blue eyes to Sakura.

"First," he gestured to herself, "this is Hinata. She is also one of our childhood friends. Hyuuga Hinata," he turned to face her, "this is Sakura." More than a friend.

Sakura nodded, "Nice to meet you, Hyuuga-san."

Hinata barely could form a smile, "Likewise, Haruno-san. And you can call me Hinata."

Sakura smiled, "Then you can call me Sakura."

Finally Hinata turned to the man next to her, "Sakura-san, this Uchiha Sasuke."

Sakura nodded, "We've met. Not too long ago", she glanced at Sasuke, "Am I correct?"

"Yes." he replied bluntly, not looking at her.

Hinata fiddled with the napkin uncomfortably, "…I see." So Sasuke met her. Yet he hadn't mentioned it till yesterday. She looked from the corner of her eye but to only find him looking out the window. She suppressed a sigh.

"So Sakura, how is Tsunade-baachan? Still PMS-ing?" Naruto wiggled his brow.

Sakura slapped on the back of his head, "Don't be rude. And Master Tsunade is fine."

Naruto laughed while rubbing his head, "Sakura here is Baachan's apprentice. She's becoming a doctor!"

Sakura shook her head, "Let me get your order." Then she smiled and walked back.

Hinata understood. Very clearly. Sakura was just like Naruto's mother Kushina. Bright, straight-forward and radiant. She is just like spring, enjoying the sun's attention, while Hinata was the moon. The Sun and the Moon don't meet. And just then, she couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't breathe properly and her insides are twisting. If she doesn't leave, she doesn't know how to control these tears. She was so weak. Just like what her father said.

With a watery smile, Hinata stood up, "F-father wouldn't like m-me staying out for so long. I-it's time t-to go b-back. Tell S-sakura is was l-lovely meeting h-her."

And then she ran.

The minute she went out the door, Sasuke leapt up, ignoring Naruto's yell. He knew he shouldn't let her come, but Hinata wanted to see him.

Only him.

She was only a few steps away from him. The restaurant was next to the park, and because of the cold weather, it was empty. Nobody was there to see her tears. Even Naruto. He grabbed her arm.

"It's pathetic." She hiccupped, "I-I should be h-happy for him. N-not crying."

Sasuke was silent. Naruto was always the cause of her tears.

But he was also the cause of her smiles.

"She's p-perfect for him", she choked. She looked up, her dark hair matted across her wet cheeks, "Y-yet it hurts so much. Sasuke, its hurts. Make it stop." Another tear.

And then Sasuke pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her. Words wouldn't heal her pain, yet he hope that his action can at least give her some strength to lick her wounds.

"I love him. I love him. I love him."

Sasuke looked up into the grey sky and felt the continuous tremble from the small body in his arms. Enough was enough. He knew he should respect Naruto's decision but not when Hinata's heart is breaking. He will do anything for her.

Anything.

Yes, this is a SasuSaku. It is. You will understand later.

Please Review. It motivates me.