Dividing Line:

Piecing it Together

"Sakura, don't go!" The blonde screamed as the pink haired girl walked away, "I-" she was now to far away to hear that plead, "SAKURA!

The pink haired kinochi sat up strait, breathing hard and sweating. Why would a dream of so long ago, was it 12 or 13 years now? Come up. Ino and she were friends again for a long time now, 7 years for sure. "nnnggg" Sakura got up, she was working at the hospital today, Tsunade-sama had too many too look after and Sakura was free. She took a shower and got dressed.

Even at 20 Sakura didn't have many curves. All of her beauty rested in her face emerald eyes glinting nothing escaping her vision, just like the fact Naruto, hiding behind a tree to scare her no doubt, jumped out and said, "Sakura!" she just gave him an annoyed look.

"Not very effective Naruto- kun."

"I can't scare you anymore, what fun is that?" He asked.

More fun for me than you. Besides you haven't been able to scare me for 5 years now."

"I know but I'll keep trying, I have to go practice with Kakashi-sensei."

What could he teach you that Jiraiya can't?"

"Not much but Jiraiya-sensei needs a break." Naruto said, "You're working today?"

"Yea."

"When will Grandma let us find Sasuke again?"

Soon is all she ever says."

"See ya later Sakura-chan!" Naruto said taking the turn to go to the training grounds.

With Naruto gone Sakura picked up the pace and entered the hospital. She arrived early and went looking for Tsunade-sama for work. When Sakura found Tusande she said, "Naruto wants to know when we can look for Sasuke."

"Soon." The Hokage replied.

"That's all you ever say, Sensei. Will we ever get to look for Sasuke again?"

"I don't know, Sakura." Tsunade said, "I would let you go.... but he's almost certain to get away again, the Uchiha is slippery."

Sakura said nothing. She and Naruto could have easily taken him down and dragged him home between the two of them, yet he always had someone with him. Now that Itachi was dead Sasuke seemed to wonder, never being predictable in where he was going.

Sighing Sakura got to work. Hours later she was finishing up when a female voice called at the door.

"Sakura. Hokage says you're done for the day." She turned to look at a blonde the one from her dream the night before, Ino continued, "Let's go shopping."
Sakura was a little surprised; they hadn't gone shopping for a long time together why today? Either way it sounded like fun.

When all was said and done, Ino had purchased numeral items in which she had asked Sakura what she thought of all of them. "Ino" Sakura said after about the third top, "I don't know the latest fashions. They all look great but you can't possibly buy all of them."

Ino smiled, "But Sakura which one do you like the best? Whatever you say I won't pick up because it's going to because it'll be the most sensible one, like for everyday work or something."

Sakura winced. How could Ino always find the worst way to put things so Sakura felt ugly or stupid? Just because of that Sakura picked the most outrageous thing there. The small skimpy purple top with the mini skirt that was so short that Sakura had almost mistaken it for a belt. Sakura hated it. The thought of all the boys crawling all over Ino in that made Sakura want to lock Ino in a closet. "That one" She pointed to it, thinking Ino wouldn't pick it.

"Really?" Ino gave her the strangest look and mumbled something under breath which was followed by a nasty grin, "Ok, Sakura, I'll get it." Sakura's face must have showed her disgust as Ino smiled even bigger when she paid for it.

"I-I-Ino-chan. Where are you going to wear that?" Sakura asked wanting to be there to smack anyone within three feet of Ino when wearing that.

"Why do you care, Sakura? You don't want anyone to see my body?" Sakura turned red at being caught. Ino was much too young to go in public like that. Sakura believed that no one was old enough to look like that.

Sakura went home and slept dreaming, the same dream. "You like Sasuke-kun, Ino." Sakura looked at her friend. "This makes us rivals from now on." Ino just looked at her as Sakura got up and walked away. "Sakura, don't go." But, she kept walking, "I don't…. Sakura I" Once again Sakura was too far away too hear. "SAKURA!"

Sakura awoke it had been about Sasuke she knew that, he was long gone and neither she nor Ino had those feelings for him anymore. Sakura didn't think Ino even thought of Sasuke anymore.

Sasuke, the traitor, who had left for power to kill his brother. Both she and Naruto still thought of him as a friend. And they wanted to bring him back. Even against his own will.

But either way what had Ino, that day so long ago, been trying to say when Sakura left? It was important, it had to be. She would ask Ino.

"Sakura!" Sakura hurriedly got dressed and opened the door, Naruto. "What?

"

"Sasuke! He's attacking a small village!" Sakura nodded. And started following Naruto.

"Why are we going?"

"Granny-Tsunade told me we could get Sasuke." Naruto replied.