Dragonfly Festival

"Can you believe it's that time of year again?" a rosette with glowing emerald orbs questioned as they walked down the dirt path. She ran her fingers through her pink hair and soaked up the sun and the light breeze that blew by. Letting out a soft sigh she turned around to her group, they were returning home from a mission. "The Dragonfly Festival." She said softly to herself seeing the gates of Konoha in the distance.

"I know it's only a month away," a girl with long black hair and pale lavender eyes explained. She put her hands behind her back and continued strolling at an even pace with the two fellow guys with them. "The guys are supposed to ask girls this year." She mentioned looking over to the two guys who just shrugged it off as though it meant nothing at all to them.

"It's so dumb," one guy mumbled and the rosette turned to the hazel-eyed pineapple head to the right of Hinata. "Troublesome, why should we bother?" he questioned and Sakura rolled her emerald eyes while Hinata chuckled lightly at his question.

"I think it's a youthful conquest!" a guy with black bushy eyebrows and a bowl cut were a green suit shouted a fire in his dark eyes.

"Of course you do," Sakura chuckled softly looking at the ninja dressed in green, who rubbed the back of his neck out of embarrassment and confusion. "Don't lie, Shikamaru. We all know the truth." Sakura told the strategist who gave her a confused stare.

"What are you talking about?" Shikamaru questioned the beautiful medic who shrugged her shoulders turning on her heels and continued walking back towards Konoha, after being gone for two weeks it was good to see home.

The following day Sakura woke up and prepared herself for the day, since she had just returned Tsunade gave her two days off along with Hinata, Lee, and Shikamaru. She sat on the edge of her bed after dressing herself and pulled on her shoes. Standing up she went over to her mirror and did a final check, once satisfied she nodded trotted downstairs.

Upon her arrival in the kitchen she found a note stuck onto the refrigerator. It was from her mother saying she had to go grocery shopping and she would be back around noon. Sakura looked up at the clock it was currently 9:00am exactly. Figuring she was free for the day she left the house to go talk to her friend, Yamanaka Ino.

Sakura locked the door and walked down the street heading for the Yamanaka flower shop. As she walked she heard someone kids shouting. Turning around quickly she screamed as a cat jumped over her. Sakura glared at the cat and then turned to see Konohamaru and his squad running up.

"Sorry Sakura-san!" they all shouted as they rushed passed her. Shaking her head the rosette sighed and continued along her way. The memories of when she was a young genin learning the ropes of being a ninja, floated to the surface. It came to her she hadn't seen Naruto in a while, nor Kakashi. However more importantly there hadn't been any word on Sasuke in several months, she was beginning to lose faith in ever retrieving him. Sakura didn't want to be sad, knowing that the Dragonfly Festival was right around the corner.

"Sakura-san, welcome back!" a voice called from one of the many restaurants. She turned her head and smiled seeing Inuzuka Kiba, his white dog Akamaru, Sai, and Shino. "How was the mission?" Sai asked and Sakura smiled weakly shrugging her shoulders. Walking over to them she put her hands on her hips and looked them over, they seemed so relaxed.

"Have any missions lately?" she asked them.

"Actually we just got back from escorting a caravan to the ports at Suna." Kiba said grabbing a stick of hot, fresh dumplings. Sakura nodded her head and put her arms behind her back.

"Ino was with us as well," Shino said pushing up his sunglasses. Sakura frowned slightly and Sai nodded his head slowly. "She was fine until we got to Suna." He explained and Sakura expected that. Ino was in bad shape whenever it came to Temari and Shikamaru.

"Where is she?" Sakura asked concerned for her blonde haired friend.

"She's working at the flower shop today." Kiba said after swallowing his food. Sakura nodded her head and waved to the three boys quickly rushing down the street to go see how her friend was holding up.

So this is my first fanfic on here in a long time!

But I think I'm ready for a challenge, so please give me so reviews with feedback.

Or just let me know if you like it.

THANK YOU!

-Sunny