So I went through and revised stuff because there were plotholes and grammar mistakes and it was sad. I was… so inexperienced… and I pretty much still am. Meh. Anyway, enjoy the REVISED VERSION: PEOPLE CHANGE SPECIALTY EDITION.

…PLUS! (ha, I love DDR)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these people. Yay for me!

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Wake Up Call

Sakura strolled down the street, attempting to whistle. It was early morning in Konoha village and, while she liked the quiet, a little noise made everything better. It helped her avoid getting bogged down by her own mind. Unfortunately, she had already sunken somewhat into her own head. This would pass, but it might take the whole walk.

See, she was currently on her way to her favorite spot: the bench. She could be found there almost every day at some point, either asleep or just letting time pass.

Of course, everyone who passed her (and who had known about her grand obsession) figured that she was pining after Sasuke; the bench was the very one he'd left her on that night so long ago. And given her abject admiration of him, no one questioned her reasons for being there so often.

People who weren't in the know just thought she was strange.

In truth, she simply liked the location. She hadn't at first, but as the memories faded, a subtle enjoyment had arisen in their place. The sunrise looked lovely from that vantage point, and yet the spot remained shady. It was the perfect place to think.

The hill at the edge of the village was a more comfortable spot, but there were always those early risers who would show up and interrupt her dreaming, day or otherwise. And if that weren't bad enough, most of them had tendencies to watch her and talk quietly amongst themselves about her (so she figured).

Sakura loathed the automatic assumption of people that she only went back to the bench because she was missing Sasuke. She was not so weak that she would still want him to come back, after all this time… Besides, her feelings for him had long since frozen over. It had taken a lot of consideration, but she realized after a while that she didn't need to hang on to such useless emotions. If Sasuke returned to Konoha and suddenly professed great love to her, only then would she let her heart decide about whether or not to fall for him again.

But now was the time to shake herself of thoughts like that. She had arrived at her destination and wished to relax, not grouse about idiots of the past and present. The sun was about to rise on a brand new day.

Sakura left the house so early on account of her mother, who was convinced that Sakura's extra medical training with the Fifth started before the sky was even pink. Little did her mother know how early Tsunade started drinking…

The fact that her mother point-blank refused to accept the Godaime's recent orders for Sakura to take a vacation only increased the girl's desire for a little space of her own.

All I need is a cozy little apartment with windows facing east… Oh boy, would I love that.

Sakura let out a contented hum as she plopped down and curled up into a little ball, letting herself drift completely back into her sleepy, early-morning haze. The horizon was just beginning to flame, and a nice breeze was blowing through the trees, greeting her with light caresses as it went on its way. She sighed contentedly. Oh, she could have stayed that way forever… And she would have been that way at least until the sun rose fully, but there's nothing like the sound of a shuriken whizzing right past your ear to get the blood pumping.

Sakura nearly flipped into a tree. Feeling half-asleep still, she was having a hard time focusing on exactly where the weapon had come from. Then the thrower stepped forward from the shadows. Sakura blinked in confusion.

Sasuke?

She rubbed her eyes violently, but he was still there when she opened them again. A strange urge to throw a pebble or something at him passed through her mind, just to see if he was solid, but she refrained. And still he stood, silently eyeing her, sharingan alive and well in his normally obsidian eyes.

Sakura, still confused as all get out, knelt back on the bench, but not without a certain degree of caution. It may have been Sasuke (she could sense no illusion), but the vibes she was getting weren't friendly.

And still he didn't move, didn't even blink. Sakura swallowed.

"So… How've you been?"