For the faithful readers who've come back to check out the long (long) awaited chapter update of P&P, I am eternally grateful. You've somehow dealt with my AWOL shit for 6 years now (WTF it's taken me that long to update) and want to know what happens next.

I also realize no one sends emails anymore but whatever.

Disclaimer: don't own.


Urghh.

Sakura stretched out her arms behind her head and leaned back in her chair, looking around the still library. There was a comforting lull of the occasional hushed conversation, but the atmosphere remained relatively quiet and undisturbed. Sakura enjoyed spending her nights at the library, as much as one can enjoy a sleepless night of memorizing human anatomy parts. There was a kind of connection she felt with the other weary, caffeine-powered students that sat at the tables around her. It was like they all shared a common purpose and goal—and all felt the same unrelenting urge to drop dead on the spot.

She glanced at her watch—2:45am—and downed the last few drops of her (2 milk no sugar) medium roast coffee. She placed the paper cup on the table beside her long-since empty iced coffee cup. She needed to stop drinking so much coffee, this was becoming an unhealthy addiction. Deciding it was time for a break, she pulled out her cellphone and waited for it to start up. Instantly, her screen was flashing with 4 unread messages, undoubtedly from a less than sober Yamanaka Ino.


Send Text Message: March 27, 11:53 PM

To: Haruno Sakura

From: Ino-Pig

Sakuraaaa. You totally should've come out! So many cute guys, it'll make you forget about jerkface Sai! It's totally not too late now, come comeee.


Send Text Message: March 27, 12:26 AM

To: Haruno Sakura

From: Ino-Pig

Oh god, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to mention his name. Forgive mee and come and drink with us!


Send Text Message: March 27, 1:42 AM

To: Haruno Sakura

From: Ino-Pig

SOo lamee, your actually mssing out on the best party evrrrrrr


Send Text Message: March 27, 2:30 AM

To: Haruno Sakura

From: Ino-Pig

Omgzz im so pissed like wtf how dare that Temari bitchh whatevrr kibas looking pretty hot tonight hehehee. BTW ilu even tho u didnt answer ur damn phone so i hope ur enjoying ur night toooo! xoxo


Sakura chuckled at the slew of misspelt texts that Ino had sent her throughout the night.

It kind of brought back a sense of nostalgia, actually. Of when she and Ino would dress up in Ino's dorm room, then follow the obnoxious loud music down the hall until they reached where the party pre-drinks were being held that particular night. It was an exhilarating lifestyle, and Sakura couldn't help missing it a little.

To be brutally honest, how much could she really enjoy being cooped up in the library everyday and spending all of her spare time working a part time job? She let out a sigh, putting her phone back into her bag. Life would seriously be so much easier if she had more money. Then she'd be able to afford school, free time, to start her own clinic...maybe even those cute heeled boots she kept drooling over on her way to school.


Chapter 2

"Ugh, why is the world so loud?" Ino groaned into the desk that her face was currently pressed against, her eyes closed. Sakura briefly shifted her attention away from Asuma-sensei's lesson to the withering blond beside her. "Why did you even bother coming this morning if you're just going to lie there dying?"

"Trust me, I wouldn't be here if I could help it." Ino answered without opening her eyes. "But I need the 10% attendance mark so I don't have to study as much for the final." Despite her barely mediocre school grades, Ino was anything but stupid. She just preferred using her brain cells for memorizing a Vogue magazine article rather than some useless math formulas. Ino studied enough to pass her classes and keep her parents satisfied, but it pretty much stopped there.

Sakura stifled a yawn. Morning classes were the works of Satan.

More so now that she's been trying to lay off the coffee - 3 hours since waking up and still coffee-free. So far so good. She'd need the full punch of caffeine tonight, so she really couldn't risk developing a tolerance for it yet. Oh god, what would she do after her 3-cups-a-day caffeine intake stops having an effect on her? Turn to crack maybe?

Obviously kidding.

Coffee was cheaper anyway, so she was hoping that fateful day wouldn't be coming anytime soon.

"Alright, 15 minute break guys." Asuma-sensei announced and stepped away from the podium, instantly surrounded by a small group of front-row keeners.

"Hallelujah." Ino voice came out muffled as she pulled her sweatshirt hood over her head.

Sakura covered her mouth as another yawn hit her. "Ok I seriously need a...a tea or something. Do you want anything?"

Ino finally cracked an eye open, staring at Sakura thoughtfully for a moment. "A Bloody Mary?"

Sakura laughed and grabbed her wallet, giving Ino a sympathetic pat on the back. "How about a coffee and a croissant."


Sakura stood near the service counter, impatiently waiting for her order to be made. Knowing nothing about tea, she had blindly ordered whatever was cheapest on the menu and hoped that it would do the trick. Tea was supposed to keep people awake, right? It better, or she would've just spent two dollars on diluted hot leaf water.

Casually surveying the food court, she spotted a newspaper lying on an empty table nearby. She wandered over and picked it up out of boredom. Apparently the barista decided that chatting up the customer in front of her was more important than doing his stupid job (patience was not really Sakura's virtue).

She leafed through the pages uninterested, until her eyes landed on the section dedicated to Senju Estates news. She was reminded of Ino's crazy obsession with the Senju Candidates, so she curiously scanned through the articles.

Hokage to Finalize Acquisition with Overseas Electronics Company. Boring. Senju University Professor wins Fire Country Literature Award. Meh what's new?

And then at the very end of the last page, she spotted a headline that made her snicker.

Charity Benefit Appearance of Brother Brings Uchiha Sasuke's Popularity Poll Results to a Standstill. Sasuke Supporters Protest in Response.

How...is this even in the news?

Though, on second thought, Ino would probably want to know the latest Sasuke update. Hopefully she wouldn't be too devastated. Sakura discreetly tore out the article and slipped it into her pocket to show her later.

She glanced anxiously at her watch - class was starting soon. Stupid slow barista, taking so fu-

"Your drinks, miss." -cking long. Oh, finally.

Hell naw he did not just wink at her.


Sakura placed Ino's coffee and croissant down on her desk and gave her friend a nudge.

"With all your partying, I would've thought that you'd be better at dealing with hangovers by now."

Ino finally lifted herself off her desk and reached for the croissant hungrily. "I know, I made a stupid mistake last night. You know what they say, beer before liquor, never been sicker."

"And liquor before beer, you're in the clear." Sakura recited back, grinning. That was the mantra of their early party days, after they discovered the consequences of mixing drinks firsthand.

"Oh by the way," Sakura reached into her pocket and pulled out the newspaper article. " Here, Mrs Future Uchiha. I thought of you when I saw this."

Ino grabbed the paper and quickly scanned the article. "Ugh, unbelievable." She absentmindedly began doodling hearts around the black and white photo of Uchiha Sasuke. "It wasn't even that big of a deal, that guy deserved it."

Sakura stopped examining her tea. "Who deserved it? What happened?"

"Here." Ino handed Sakura the article. "He punched a lieutenant during the event which the guy claimed was 'for no apparent reason' and that Sasuke has 'anger management issues and needs to seek help'."

"Ok onto part two of today's lecture." Asuma-sensei called from the front of the class, causing Sakura to hastily stuff the piece of paper into her bag and open up her laptop to take notes.


After her nth time dozing off while trying to read through a chapter of Human Biology, Sakura was beginning to doubt that there was any caffeine in tea at all. Sakura rubbed her eyes groggily before realizing she still had eyeliner on.

You know what? Screw it. Exam month was a terrible time to try to cut back on coffee, what was she thinking?

She glanced at her watch— she could still squeeze in a few hours of studying if she went home now and pumped some caffeine into her bloodstream first.

She quickly gathered up her things into her backpack, and gave the still fairly full library study room a backward glance.

Instant coffee was waiting for her at home.


Sakura walked tiredly up the creaky stairs and fumbled with her keys before finally unlocking her apartment door. She dropped her heavy bag with a thud and headed to the kitchen (which was literally 4 steps to the right- her apartment was tiny). She flicked on each light switch as she passed them.

It still felt weird to her, living alone in that apartment. She had spent most of her life there with her mom, and it felt lonely and dark with her gone.

It had been a year since her mom passed away from cancer, leaving Sakura with that empty apartment and a hefty hospital bill. If only Sakura a year and a half ago, in her glitter eyeliner and little black dress, could see herself now...

At first when her mom was diagnosed, Sakura tried to bury the fear.

Partying, drinking, a slew of short-lived flings, and one very bad relationship. She remembered sneaking down those creaky stairs holding her heels in one hand and Ino waiting outside with an opened bottle of hard liquor. They would hail a taxi and head to whatever club or frat house was holding an event that night.


Past

"Sakura."

Sakura looked up from picking at her chipped black nail polish to her mom, who was propped up on the hospital bed.

"You're not happy."

Sakura frowned and reached for her mother's hand.

"Of course not, you're sick and these doctors aren't doing anything about it."

Her mom sighed and silently stroked her daughter's hand while looking out the window.

"I'm sorry."

Sakura furrowed her brows.

"Mom, you didn't do anything wrong!"

"No, Sakura. I really am sorry. I messed up, I made a lot of mistakes, and now I'm messing up your life when I promised that I'd take good care of you."

She gazed at her daughter, who was looking back at her with concern.

"Mom, it's ok. My life is fine. We'll be fine."

Her mother shook her head.

"You can't keep living like this, Sakura. One day you have to stop this partying and skipping school. Don't look so surprised, honey. I'm your mom—I know everything. You have so much potential to do and be better. I know you don't want to hear this, but Sai and some of those friends you hang out with aren't very good for you either. I hope that you'll come to realize this before it's too late, and find yourself a good group of people that deserve and appreciate you."

"Stop, you sound like you're leaving me forever or something." Sakura fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat.

"You're so strong and smart, and you always put others before you. I need you to promise that you're going to pull yourself together when I'm not here to take care of you."

"Don't talk like that! I'll keep looking for other clinics."

The healthcare provided in the Konoha Valley was at best mediocre, and her mother wasn't getting the treatment that she needed in time. Sakura knew that across the wall in Senju Estates, the equipment was sophisticated and the treatments were accessible. The fact that her mother, a suffering Konoha Valley citizen, wasn't allowed those resources really made her resent those in Senju Estates. When Sakura had finally found a Konoha Valley clinic that offered the necessary treatment, it was so backlogged with patients that it was nearly impossible to get her mom timely appointments.

"Honey." Her mother's sudden sad tone scared her.

"Boy is it hot in here? Do you want something to drink?" Sakura stood up.

"The doctors told me this morning. I have 4 months left."

Sakura felt her heart plummet into her stomach and numbness wash over her.

"I promised that I'd protect you with my life, but all I can do now is watch you live this unhappy life—"

"Promised who, mom? You're not breaking any promises!"

"—so I want you to promise me ok? You'll find something you're passionate about, try your very best to work toward it, and take good care of yourself. Sakura, look at me. Do you promise?"

"I-I promise."


Her mother passed away 5 months later—a month more than the doctors had predicted, a fighter just as she had taught Sakura to be.

It was a small modest funeral. Her mother, although poor, was a good and hardworking woman, and the community showed their appreciation as they paid their respects for Sakura's loss.

Sakura stood quietly with her hands clasped in front of her, smiling weakly as people went up to her.

"Hey."

Sakura felt a hand on her shoulder. Ino came up from where she stood with Sai, supportingly behind Sakura, and gave her a hug.

"It's going to be ok. You're the strongest person I know, so keep that chin up, soldier."

Ever since she had promised her mother, Sakura began working harder in school while balancing part-time jobs to pay for the bills. The day that her mom lost the fight to cancer, Sakura decided there and then that she was going to help patients in the Konoha Valley get to the health care that they needed in time. Unfortunately, Sakura had to make up for her less than impressive grades.

Sakura smiled gratefully at her best friend. Ino had stuck with her through the pain of the last few months while some of her other friends had slowly drifted away. Or maybe it was Sakura who had chosen to leave them, as she poured over textbooks in the library while her friends strutted the night in their stilettos.


"Hey babe. There's a block party tonight at the Red Room."

"Ah… I'm sorry Sai but I have to study. I had work right after class…"

"Oh come on, nerd. I never see you anymore."

"You can if you wanted to, I'm at the school library almost every day!"

"Are you kidding, the library? We used to go out all the timelive a little geez."

"Sai I told you I can't party anymore and I'm trying to do better in school! Please understand."

"Fine. But just because my girlfriend decides to get down with her textbooks on a Friday night instead of with me"

"Haha good one."

"—doesn't mean that I can't go out."

"...promise you'll be good?"

"Don't you trust me babe?"

"...yeah. Sorry. Sorry for not going out, you have fun!"

"Kay cool, thanks."

"I love y"

-beep beep beep-


Present

Sakura scooped two spoonfuls of instant coffee into her mug and poured in some freshly boiled water. She gave it a quick stir and carried it carefully to her desk before sitting down.

Her fingers hovered over her keyboard for a moment before she typed into the internet search bar.

[Senju Hokage Candidates]

She was careful to skip the link with the pink glitter that Ino had blinded her with earlier.

/About Senju Kyūden

/Senju Tsunade

/Hokage Candidates.

/Uchiha Sasuke

/Hyuuga Neji

/Uzumaki Naruto

About Senju Kyūden.

Senju Kyūden, the mansion that overlooks the Senju Estates, holds an air of grandeur and mystery, much like its inhabitants. This architectural masterpiece houses the government headquarters of Senju Estates, where the Hokage Tsunade and her council are located. There is no complete information about the interior of the mansion, as it harbors a number of hidden rooms, passageways and many other secrets. Sources have reported that Senju Kyūden includes, among other things, 45 bedrooms, 20 conference rooms, 3 kitchens, 4 gyms, 2 swimming pools, and a vast outdoor training ground. The known residents of the mansion are the Hokage, her subordinates, the Senju Candidates, guards, and a handful of domestic help.

Sakura had caught a glimpse of Senju Kyuden once, in grade school during a field trip into Senju Estates. She remembered seeing the mansion behind fancy iron gates, and the shinobi walking proudly down the city streets - Konoha's heroes.

Now much older, she still respected the shinobi and their service to the city, but she harbored a strong dislike for the wall that segregated their two communities.

Hokage Candidates

The Great War was a bleak and devastating time for Konoha. Many innocent civilians and brave shinobi lost their lives, including the Hokage's family. Her daughter and son-in-law, the successors to her title as Hokage, died fighting for the freedom of Konoha. Sadly, their infant daughter was abducted and murdered during the chaos of the war, leaving the Hokage with no direct inheritance to her throne.

Sakura quickly scanned the paragraph. It was a known fact to everyone in Konoha what happened during the war. Her mother had often retold to her the fear and sorrow of those times, and the heroism of the Senju shinobi who finally brought Konoha to victory. She read on:

Perhaps to cope for the loss of her granddaughter, Hokage Tsunade chose 3 orphaned children of powerful families as candidates for her position as Hokage. Uchiha Sasuke of the Uchiha Police Force, Hyuuga Neji of Hyuuga Hospitals, and Uzumaki Naruto. It is unclear of what connection the Uzumaki family has with Tsunade.

Like all shinobi, training started at an early age. All shinobi are required to master a unique form of combat and pass an exam before they become Protectors of Konoha City. These Hokage Heirs have proven themselves to excel in all fields of training, and there is confidence in each of their abilities to lead Konoha into a new era. When the time comes, the final decision of the Hokage Heir will be made by Tsunade and the elders through a series of tests and a final...tournament...duel...

Man, her eyelids were getting heavy.

A little nap couldn't hurt…


Thud.

Huh?! Sakura jolted awake and whipped her head around, before realizing that the neighbor's fat cat had just leaped onto the fire escape outside her window.

A new text message alert flashed on her cellphone screen.


Send Text Message: March 30, 10:40 PM

To: Haruno Sakura

From: Ino-Pig

One of the top 10 stupid things Ino regrets doing this semester: not study for english. I am sooo screwed, help meee. My exam is tomorrow and I don't think I've even bought one of the books that's going to be on the exam. Please Please Please [heart heart]


Send Text Message: March 30, 11:15 PM

To: Yamanaka Ino

From: Forehead

I don't knoww, you've done quite a few stupid things this semester. Are you sure it makes your top 10?

Ok fine, I'll send you a link that summarizes a few of the course books. I think it's missing one or two so you better pray hard they aren't on the exam.


Send Text Message: March 30, 11:15 PM

To: Yamanaka Ino

From: Forehead

And don't even think about hiring a C-rank to write it for you.


CRACK BANG

Ok that was definitely not the cat. That sound was loud enough for her to guess that it had come from somewhere in her apartment. Almost like… her front door had been knocked off of its hinges…


Send Text Message: March 30, 11:17 PM

To: Yamanaka Ino

From: Forehead

Oh god INO I THINK SOMEONE JUST BROKE IN. ROBBERS MAYBE? IF I JUMP OUT NOW, MAYBE I CAN BEAT THEM UP WHILE THEY'RE CAUGHT OFF GUARD


The landlord was gonna kill her when he sees the damage! There was no way she was going to pay for that. How dare someone break her door, they better be ready for her wrath!

"She's in the room."

Shit.

Maybe she should hide.


TBC.


I was going to leave the story off with just that cliffy and be like, BAM, TIME TO WAIT.

But I'm going to ruin that effect with an A/N:

I'm debating about labeling the flashbacks, because I think it kind of messes with the flow of the paragraphs. Are you still be able to tell between the past and present if I took out the labels? I'm going to be integrating a lot of flashbacks into the story, so please let me know!