My alarm clock didn't have a change to ring before Ino came prancing in my room. She jumped on top of me and started to shake me awake.

"Wake up forehead! Time to start an amazing day!" Her laughter was filling the room and I couldn't help but join her. Rolling over, I pushed her off of me and a thud echoed as she hit the floor. Walking over to my closet, I pulled out my everyday clothes.

"So what are we doing today?" I peeled off my night clothes and replaced them with my other clothes. Running to the bathroom, I brushed my hair and teeth.

"Well we are going to eat breakfast at the new café, then shopping for tomorrow and whatever else we can do." I walked out to my living room and she was holding the scroll in her hands. I instinctively reached for it and she pulled her hand back, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

"Ah, ah Sakura. You can read it tonight after I leave. Now let's go." Pulling me through the door our day began way before I expected. The new café had opened across the street from the flower shop and Ino was too excited about it. We took a seat next to the window and the waitress took our drink order. Ino was smiling at me.

"Just relax Sakura. You've been tense ever since Naruto gave you that thing."

"Don't you think I'm trying Ino? I've felt lost ever since he left two years ago. We finally get to fight side by side, I save both Naruto and Sasuke's life, Sasuke comes home and then a few months later he is gone."

The waitress brought our coffee out and I started to drink the hot, black liquid as if it were water. The blonde in front of me took a sip and looked back at me.

"Sakura did something happen between you and Sasuke before he left? It seems there is a lot of unsolved tension."

"Tension? I don't think that can cover what is unresolved. Nothing happened between us before he left. Why do you ask?"

"We both know that you still love him and Sasuke is such a mystery that we will never know what he is thinking. I don't know…maybe because Hinata said that she saw you two together alone before he left."

Oh yeah…that day I was trying to convince him to receive his artificial arm. I knew that he was leaving soon and I just wanted him to be prepared. I smiled at her then continued to drink my coffee. Our food was being placed in front of us before Ino was able to get me to respond. Eating our meal in silence, I paid for both of ours and she smacked my shoulder as we left.

"You didn't have to pay Sakura. Anyways, let's go get you a new outfit for tomorrow."

"Ino I don't want a new outfit. Sasuke isn't going to care what I'm wearing or anything. He's probably going to visit Naruto and Kakashi. I'm really not expecting him to see me, I'm guessing that's why he wrote the scroll."

Her blue eyes rolled at me, did she know something that I didn't? Before she had a chance to respond, I pulled her by the wrist to the training grounds. Ino's loud remarks weren't going to change my mind, if she wanted to spend all day distracting me then she will have to do it this way.

"Sakura what are we doing here?"

"Simple. If I win the match, no shopping and we continue to spar all day. If you win, then I'm your doll for the rest of the day." I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot into the dirty. Her eyes scanned me and then she realized that I was completely serious.

"Deal. Just don't complain when I win."

Taking her pose, I readied myself. Watching her prepare for a strike, I quickly dodged and ran back a few feet. A smirk was across her face and I punched the ground causing it to create a trail towards Ino. A blur of blonde caught my attention, barely able to move away from a paper bomb I jumped onto the lake pouring chakra into my feet. Throwing a kunai towards her, the metal meets with a thud. Damn substitution jutsu. What are we 12 again?

A pair of hands grab me from behind and send me flying for the woods. There is no way that I will let her play dress up all day. There were only two options at this point, take her into the woods and play hide-and-seek or let everything out now. Ino comes charging at me with full force and I flee over the fence into the woods. Ever since our first chunin exam this area has been off limits and memories flood back to me. Shaking my head, I fall as I step onto a dead limb. A pile of dried leaves hardly breaks my fall and I can feel a fracture in my leg.

Ino's chakra gets closer I as repair the damage. I feel another familiar chakra and I sigh knowing exactly who it is. Yesterday there was a point when sparring with him felt like a good idea, but now I know him and Ino are teamed up. I'm no match against them both by myself. They are standing on a tree above me with smiles plastered across their faces.

"Hi Sakura. Seems like you need a good training session." His voice echoed in the empty woods. Shaking my head, I punch the tree and ran to find a clearing. I've had enough of everything. As if all at once, every memory from the past invade my mind. My younger self would've broken down into a panic attack, tears covering her face going on and on about Sasuke. Our destiny started in these damn woods, Sasuke being used as a tool, Naruto being shown the truth and I finally realized that I wanted to protect them.

Clenching my fists and squinting my eyes, I stopped in the clearing and I know exactly where I am. The same spot that the three sound ninja beat me like a practice dummy. The place I knew everything would change for Naruto, Sasuke and I. Turning to face them, I had chakra already in my fists. Ino and Naruto paused for just a minute and looked around the same clearing, their eyes dropped slightly like mine had.

"It's funny that we are here isn't it Sakura? Naruto was unconscious over there along with Sasuke. You went through so much until he woke up. This is where you changed."

Her voice sounded sad but also proud at the same time. Naruto looked at me and back to the tree behind me. A few shadow clones appeared and I punched and kicked them away from me. A single one managed to grab me by the shoulder and throw me into the tree. My back met bark, the air left my lungs and I started to gasp for air. Ino wanted to win more than anything and she would do whatever it took. She ran full force towards me and I blocked her punch with my arm. Returning the favor, I landed a solid, chakra infused hit in the stomach. Falling to the ground she instantly started to heal herself. Naruto then took the opportunity to engage me.

This was going to be difficult without a doubt. He had an enormous amount of chakra compared to me, the only way I could match him is if I use my seal. That wasn't an options, once I use all that chakra I have to restore it. My only option now is to fight with what I have left, which isn't much. More shadow clones came running my way and there were too many to fight off. One threw me to another, meeting a fist to the gut and another to the back. I was able to land a few good hits before I was tossed around like a doll.

It was all a blur and before I knew what happened, Ino was sitting on my chest. I was defeated and I was embarrassed. After fighting beside, the two strongest ninja in the world, I couldn't beat my two best friends in a friendly sparring match. Ino's hands glowed green and I felt all the aches and pains disappear. Helping me up, I dusted off the dirt and leaves.

"Good match Sakura." Naruto smiled at me and I snarled at him. Ino couldn't help but laugh at my childish behavior. She had won the bet so as we exited the damn woods, she skipped through the trees. Yeah I'm mad that I lost but it was a good workout that I haven't done in forever.

"Well I won! So now you get to be my person doll for the day. Let's start."

"Can I come? Hinata is working with Kakashi today, he needed her to scan something. I'm bored."

"Sure. You can help me keep her in line. Plus, you're a guy." Wiggling her eyebrows at me, I shrugged my shoulders and followed her into town. Naruto was blabbing about how excited he was for tomorrow. Myself on the other hand just wanted to go home and peel open a certain scroll. Walking into a shop, my attention was averted to the racks and instantly my cheeks turned red.

"What the hell Ino? There is no way I'm wearing any of this." I hiss at her and my voice is thick with anger. Not only has she won our little bet, now I'm in a freaking lingerie store for absolutely no reason with Ino and Naruto. I'm being punished for some fucking reason.

"You never know Sakura. Tomorrow when you-know-who comes home, he might just show up and ravish you." Her eyes shined and Naruto was chuckling looking at the objects on the hangers. Ino was walking up and down, grabbing anything she thought would look good. No way in hell would Sasuke fucking Uchiha come back to the village to sleep with me. Although, it's not like I would refuse him either. After all I have been in love with him my entire life…

There are two stacks waiting on me in the dressing room and Ino was standing there ready to help me out. Ino's first little number was exactly that, a pink bra with a matching thong. Shaking my head, no, another piece of fabric was shoved in my face. Looking at the stack something caught my eye, touching the material I pulled it from the stack. Her eyes widened and the smile grew larger.

"I'll try this on but you have to go wait outside with Naruto. Give me a few then a sneak peak."

There was no way in hell that I would ever, I mean EVER wear this in front of Sasuke Uchiha. Yes, maybe I would wear it just to make myself feel better, but never to seduce anyone. I took off my clothes and replaced them with the black corset with a matching thong. Four hooks dangled and I reached for a pair of thigh high stockings. Honestly Hinata would fucking kill me and Naruto if I showed him this, but I really did need a guy's opinion. The woman in the mirror looks amazing and confident but I had my doubts.

Taking a breath, I walked out to see Ino's eyes pop open and Naruto's jaw completely drop. My face heated up and I wanted to run back. Ino jumped up and walked circles around me looking up and down nodding to whatever she was thinking.

"Sakura you look absolutely, positively, fucking amazing. You better buy this! I swear if the emotional confused, static Uchiha saw you in this the clan would instantly be revived."

"Thanks…I guess. Naruto what do you think?" His blue eyes ripped away from me and looked back at the ground laughing at what Ino had just said.

"It looks great Sakura but can you please put some clothes on? Hinata is going to kill me if she ever finds out."

"Oh yeah, let me change."

Returning to the small room, I ripped the fabric off and redressed in my normal clothes. Exiting, I see Ino and Naruto whispering to each other and once I get close enough to them they break apart and look at me. Ino takes the items from my hand and pays for them, I know that this is just the beginning of today. We leave the shop and a creepy feeling washes over me and I look behind me. My feet stop moving as I scan the street, I knew that someone was watching me but yet there is no one here.

"What are you doing Sakura? We have to go to the next store."

"Oh yeah, sorry I'm coming."

I ran over to my friends and couldn't help but smile at them. Over the past few years they have really been there for me and I'm beyond blessed to have them. We reached another clothing store and Ino started to fling items towards me. Naruto was looking at dresses and I walked to him.

"Something for Hinata?" His blue eyes widened and a smile crept along his face. Naruto's practically my brother and I know when he's plotting something.

"Yeah. I was thinking that this would look nice on Hinata. What do you think?"

He held up a light purple dress, around the bodice is a cream lace. It was about knee length and formfitting around the top then it flowed out. Hinata would look wonderful in this, completely her style. I gave Naruto a big smile and he returned the gesture.

"She would. Hinata is so lucky to have you."

My heart ached for a slight second, every one of my friends had someone but me. I'm jealous of them but I wouldn't want anything to change, if my loneliness meant that my friends were happy than I would accept it.

"Sakura where are you? I have so much for you to try on!"

Rolling my eyes, I trudged over to my other annoying blonde friend. Hopefully this day would end sooner rather than later.

Ino and I just entered my apartment after a day of shopping. She convinced me to buy almost a whole new wardrobe, I don't know why. Ino took a seat on the couch and gasped at the scroll.

"The seal is gone." My jaw dropped to the floor and I joined her on the couch. Finally, after waiting all day, actually scratch that two years, I get to read something from our Uchiha. My hands shakily reached for it and I held it in front of my face.

"Do you want me to leave Sakura?"

"No. Please stay here. Just let me read it first."

An arm wrapped around my shoulder and I carefully opened the paper. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in, sighing I glanced at the paper and read.

Sakura,

Tomorrow I will be returning back to the village so I can restock and rest. I would like for you to give me an exam at the hospital, Naruto will come for you. I know that the past few years have been difficult and when I left the second time I told you that I would see you soon. Soon wasn't as soon as I believed. I'm sorry for that. Naruto told me about how you started a clinic for the children after the war and I also heard that you are the head of the hospital. We certainly aren't 12 anymore are we. I will see you tomorrow.

Sasuke

I gave the scroll to Ino and I just stared down at the floor. Did he really have to write me that? He actually knew what I had been doing while he was gone. My mind was trying to wrap around a few things that were in the letter. He didn't expect to be gone this long and what did he mean by we aren't 12 anymore. Ino set the paper down, sighed and laid back on the couch. You could tell that her mind was going a mile a minute trying to figure out exactly what he meant.

"There has to be another meaning to his message. We both know that Sasuke can be cryptic about every fucking thing. Maybe Naruto could help you figure this one out."

"Maybe your right or most likely there is no message. Sasuke is also straight forward, if he wanted to say something to me then he would."

She sprung forward and pulled out her cellphone. Before I could stop her she was telling Naruto to come over along with Hinata. Great another get-together in less than 24 hours. Ino's face was covered in a smile, there was something else completely going on here and I know it. Getting up from the couch, the open bottle of sake is calling my name. Normally I wouldn't drink this much but I've been stressed out since I got this damn piece of paper.

Taking the bottle, I chugged down a few gulps until I heard my door open. Hinata pulled me out of my own little world and back into reality. Naruto was looking over the paper like there was a mystery door to open while Hinata looked it over using her Byakugan. There was nothing else in the scroll, no secret meaning and no confession of anything. Retreating to my room I kicked off my shoes and changed into an oversized shirt and some black leggings.

"Sakura! Get in here!"

Naruto was yelling from the living room and I didn't want to go back. Letting out a loud groan I sluggishly walked back to the others were they were examining the scroll like it was something of amazement.

"What is it Naruto?"

"Pour your chakra into the scroll. Hurry up, hurry up!"

I touched it slightly with my chakra glowing green on the page. Then the words shifted a little and the entire messaged changed.

"There now you can read. So we are leaving, have fun. See you in the morning Sakura and try to get some sleep."

All three of my friends exited my house quickly, my eyes stared down at the page.

Sakura I knew that you would eventually figure it out. I am proud of you for following your dream and opening the children's clinic. When I get home tomorrow we need to discuss a few things. See you soon.

Well okay…leave it to Sasuke to actually leave a secret message in a secret message.