Author's Note:
Suddenly, I find myself so immature and hopeful while updating this.
After writing for quite some time, a part of me truthfully wanted something to happen in my life, to spice it all up. Guess I'm just in a delusion?

Remember?

Smiling suits you best after all.

There were two types of people in the school Sakura had been studying for months.

First, the ones who don't give a shit about your existence and never bothered to give you a second glance afterwards.

Second, the ones who just wanted your life to go through a living hell before they were ever satisfied.

At first, everyone didn't dare to get involved with Sakura since she looked kind of badass and no one understood her well. But ever since someone accidentally tripped her over during break time, everyone knew that she was someone who could be easily bullied when she didn't fight or argue back with the one that made her fall flat in the face.

Since then, her life was disastrous.

And today was no exception.

It was now physical education period which Sakura should be enjoying instead of staying in class and being stuffed, but the teacher was not feeling well so she had assigned her students to roam around the school to play the sports they wanted. Being alone with a useless badminton racket, she wandered around the school alone due to boredom to hear some shoe friction sounds not far away from her. Curious, she trudged towards the door of the court to find a group of boys playing basketball.

Sakura went to take closer look and stood just behind the entrance door, slightly poking her head into the hall. She had heard that a basketball tournament was coming soon and the players were practicing during their breaks and P.E lessons. Sakura wasn't really a big fan of basketball, but she was still interested in who was playing for the school.

"Good shot Itachi!"

Sakura blinked, her attention went back immediately to the couple of guys surrounding a rather tall man with a loose pony tail at his back. Slowly, he turned around to face Sakura's direction and everything went clear in her mind.

"Uchiha Itachi." Sakura softly sighed, reminiscing about one of her friend, Sasuke back in Konoha.

As they began the second round of training, the Uchiha smirked and easily grabbed the ball from his friend and began dribbling the ball, heading to the hoop to score another time. After a few minutes passed, the rest of the player seemed to got serious and started chasing after Itachi to get the ball.

Unintentionally, Sakura smiled when Itachi scored again, but her thoughts drifted sooner than she thought. If I remembered clearly enough, Sasuke's parents had divorced. Sakura pondered for a moment, resting her chin on the tip of the racket.

Sasuke had gone with his father, staying in Konoha while his older brother went with his mother and moved town. The pinkette nodded confidently, being positive that she wasn't wrong.

She could tell that the two brothers were not actually brotherly close. When Naruto accidentally mentioned about Itachi, Sasuke stopped talking to the innocent blonde for a whole month.

They looked almost the same. Sakura tilted her head slightly, a worried frown etched on her features. Those cold and distant looking eyes…

"What the hell are you doing here?" A girl suddenly called out and surprised the pinkette who had spun around just like a ballerina.

It was the group of girl students who had the same P.E period as Sakura. They were all holding onto a floor ball stick, seeming to be going to the court right beside the one Sakura was standing at.

One of the girls took a peek into the hall, coincidentally witnessing a guy shooting the ball successfully into the hoop.

"Are you trying to flirt with them after they had finished their training?" She gritted her teeth, turning to glare at Sakura while her other friends went to see what Sakura was looking at.

"We'll settle this somewhere." The one that had the most make up on her face grabbed onto Sakura's arm as the pinkette yelled defiantly at them to let go.

After pulling Sakura a few meters away from the players, they slammed Sakura into a nearby tree, hurting Sakura when the rough bark scratched across her back.

"How dare you spy on our husband!" One growled.

"I'm not." Sakura argued.

"You bitch. Are you planning to get Takeshi? Let me tell you, he's mine!"

What the hell, she doesn't even know who the heck was Takeshi at all. So how on earth was she going to even get him for God's sake?

"Apologize now!"

No answer.

"Then instead of having short hair, why don't we make you bald?" A girl suggested.

Bald? That's absolutely not a good idea. But Sakura remained silent, not willing to ask for forgiveness. Even if her hair had to be sacrificed, she would rather stood firm and held her pride high. When Sakura had done something wrong, she would not even think twice about apologizing, but the thing was she didn't even do anything yet they demanded for an apology. Freaking no, bitches.

"Acting tough, aren't you?" One of them sneered, eyes narrowing as she brought her face closer to Sakura who was trying her best not to slap her bully right at that moment.

"Take this!" The one that claimed her love for who-knows Takeshi stormed forward and raised her hand, preparing to attack as Sakura shut her eyes, ready for the blow.

But even after seconds of waiting, she still didn't feel any pain at all, but all she heard was a few continuous sound of gasping. Sakura slowly opened her eyes out of curiousity, to find another two person appearing out of nowhere.

A redhead who was just a little taller than her was clutching tightly to the attacker's wrist, a disapproving glare directed to all of the girls.

"I wish I could see some awesome cat fights. But it wouldn't be fun if one doesn't attack back yeah." Another blonde guy spoke, pulling Sakura away from the tree and hid her behind his broad back.

"Sasori-kun… Deidara-kun!" The girls yelped in unison.

Aren't they… Sakura was screaming loudly in her mind, recalling a few times seeing them walking past her along the school corridors as if she was invisible. Sakura's eyes was still goggling at the blonde's back for a few more seconds before turning slightly to the other man who had already released the tight grip around the student's wrist.

Why on earth are they helping me?

"We have to go!" The shortest schoolgirl nudged the rest, pointing awkwardly at the school's yard.

"Yeah." The Takeshi-lover gave a quick glare at Sakura before signaling the rest. "We have other important things to do." And they were gone in a sooner than Sakura could blink.

When Deidara had loosened the grip around Sakura's wrist, it was then she knew he had been holding onto her breathe for the past one minute, which was surprising for her to miss that out because she wasn't too fond at male and female physical contact at all. Sakura was just too shock to even know that she had also stopped breathing for about five seconds previously.

But what Sakura needed the most, was them to stop bugging into her business.

The rosette doesn't need a bunch of idiotic guys to take pity on her. She's perfectly fine at retaining her temper in the first place, so getting slapped after like a hundredth of time doesn't matter to her anymore.

But if the most popular guys actually stood up to help her, all the girls would hate her even more, calling her a whore when she doesn't even talk to any guys in school.

Sakura bent down and took her racket. She glared at it for a few seconds without looking up and stomped away in silence, not turning back for once to thank them at all.

"What the heck?" Deidara gave a scoff, turning to watch the pinkette walking away. "We were just helping yeah." The blonde raised his volume, wanting Sakura to hear on purpose

"Stupid pinky." He added after his friend remained silent without responding to his displeasure.

"If you are really helping her, you shouldn't be giving her nicknames like that." Sasori chided.

"Whatever." Deidara whirled back to his friend and hung his arm over his shoulder. "Anyway, are you hanging out at the arcade later?"

"I'll pass." Sasori calmly said, taking Deidara's arm over his shoulder. "I have a job to do."

Deidara made a face. "Are you in need of money or what?"

"No, just to spent time."

"Arcade is the best way to spent time yeah."

"And to also the spent your money."

The blonde gave a defeated sigh, attempting to hang his arm over Sasori's shoulder again as they proceeded to the hall where Itachi was.

"What kind of job are you working as anyway? You never even told me or the rest of us yeah." Deidara questioned, easily resting his arm over Sasori's shoulder since the redhead was a little shorter than him.

"You don't have to know." Sasori halted his movement, making Deidara stopped as well since a part of him was hanging over his neck.

"And can you stop doing that before I tear your arm apart?"

0o0

Sakura continued jabbing the tissue onto her shirt, recollecting the moment when a group of art students accidentally ran into her and splashed paint onto her blouse. She had ended up spending almost an hour to scrub the color off and luckily the paint was not permanent so it was easier to remove than she thought it would.

Although Sakura was feeling very uncomfortable at the fact that her skin was getting a little itchy due to the paint that coated her body when it fell on her, she still does not want to return home so early. Really, facing the four walls and a ceiling was suffocating when she doesn't have anyone to talk to. Furthermore, it hurts even more when she had to stare at all those memorable photos that she had carefully framed up and place by her bedside table.

As Sakura quietly stared down at her clothing while walking down the pavement without noticing her surrounding, she was still able to stop herself in time before knocking her chest into a thick, brownish and squashy-looking arm that was stuck out towards her.

"Hello, please take a flyer."

"A sausage?" Sakura spoke in surprise, startled at the fact that a living hotdog spoke to her. She inspected the outfit for a few seconds before daring herself to take the piece of flyer that was given to her.

"This is to promote the hotdog restaurant that is going to be open soon." Sakura could make out the voice of the person who was wearing the costume was a man.

Sakura started scrutinizing at the renovating building behind the costume before looking back at the huge block letters in the flyer that represent the name for the restaurant. "The Youthful Passion of John's Hot Dog…"

She raised an amused eyebrow, not knowing why does the name reminded her of Lee and Gai-sensei.

"I know this isn't right to say, but…" Sakura stared up at the hotdog and gave an apologetic smile. "That's a fun-"

"Funny name? I agree."

Sakura managed a smile and added a light giggle behind. After her small laughter died down, she went back gazing at the sausage, a small smile still etched on her face even after the laugh she gave.

"You should smile more, you look beautiful like that."

Her smile soon faltered, replacing it with a confused expression. She had received countless praises when she was living in her old home, so whenever they told her how pretty her clothes, hair, or manicure was, she would brush them off and gave a thank you as a reply because it doesn't mean much to her at all. Now when she heard just a simple compliment like how beautiful her smile is, Sakura felt like she was flying to heaven.

"T-Thank you." Sakura meant her words. A light blush quickly tinted her smooth cheeks.

"What happened to your shirt?" The Sausage asked, noticing the pale-colored stains on Sakura's blouse.

The said girl looked down, almost forgetting that her clothes were still in a mess.

"I've knocked into a group of art students and the paint fell on me." Sakura attempted to give a small snicker, but all she gave was a hoarse crackle. She softly sighed before proceeding with drying her shirt with the only tissue she had when the costume never replied.

Sakura only realized how awkward it was when she was just standing in the middle of the street, in front of a hog dog costume just to dry her clothes.

"Anyway, what was this place before the hotdog restaurant took over?" Sakura asked, looking up and stare at the two small beady eyes of the costume and attempted to continue the small conversation before she lost the only chance she had to talk to someone, even if it was all about sausages and buns.

"I guess you wouldn't know since the building started renovating before you came to town."

"How did you—?" Sakura blinked in surprise.

"Pink is a bright colour to dye your hair, I would suggest."

"It's natural." Sakura forced a smile as her eyelid started twitching unhealthily.

"Previously, this place was a bookstore." He went back replying Sakura's question. "It's actually my favorite place, quiet and all."

"When is this opening anyway?" Sakura hastily questioned when she doesn't know what to respond back. It's been a while since she had a proper conversation that even lasted three minutes and she doesn't want it to end so soon.

"Actually I'm not too sure." He replied. Sakura tried to imagine an embarrassed look on a man's face, but all she could visualize in her head was a hotdog.

"They had hired me to give out flyers even when the renovation wasn't complete. But that means I have more money to spent than crashing night parties every time." He continued.

Sakura really loved parties, she missed those prank-calling and gossiping times with Ino and the rest of the gang. But it had been several months since she had left Konoha so she was starting to get used to it instead of waking up in the middle of Friday night and demanding Ino to get her hot chocolate and pizza for supper.

So this guy behind the hotdog costume is a nerd who dislikes parties and like reading and quiet places? Sakura gave a small pout, hoping that the man didn't notice her displeasure. But then again, she doesn't have any friends in this town to speak with, so why should she be judging anyone at all?

"Anyway, what are those flowers for?"

Sakura stared at the costume dumbfounded before turning to the flowers in her hand. "Oh." Her face fell lax before giving a soft smile back to the sausage.

"These are for my father, today is his 2nd death anniversary." Sakura afforded a weak smile.

From the corner of her eye, the grasp around the flyers loosened a bit but there was just silence.

"My dad died in an accident, four days before my birthday." Sakura tugged onto the petals of the flower, patting them neatly. "He was planning to teach me how to drive on my birthday." She gave a careless shrug, gaining back her lively state.

Knowing how awkward and silent the conversation had became, she gave a cheerful beam, deciding it was the time to introduce herself instead. "I'm Haruno Sakura. What is yours?"

"You can call me Sausage."

Sakura gave a surprised look, only able to calm herself down in two seconds. "I meant by your real name." The pinkette hesitantly said.

"It's not necessary to know."

"But I've given mine. It basic courtesy to let me know yours."

"It's not necessary."

Sakura gave a cautious look. "Then, Mr. Sausage, are you a pedophile?"

"Do I sound like one?" The costume spoke in disbelief.

Sakura shook her head, a tiny smirk forming on her lips.

"I'm actually about the same age as you." The sausage argued.

"Not until you show your face, I can never trust you about your age." Sakura gave a unconvinced shrug, urging the man to reveal himself already.

"Alright, carry on believing that I'm a pedophile."

It was a wonder. By talking to a man in a hotdog costume for just fifteen minutes, she was able to trust him with one of her deepest secret which she wasn't willing to speak about to anyone else. And to think that the sausage was willing to listen even though they probably hadn't even met before.

Maybe, chatting with a person with a hidden identity was much more easier than talking to anyone else in this unfamiliar town.

"Okay, Mr. Sausage." Sakura gave a defeated sigh after repressing a laugh at the name that had escaped her lips. She waved the flyer in her hands. "I'll drop by if it has finished renovating."

Knowing that this meant a farewell, the hotdog gave a slight wave back.

"Thanks for talking to me for the past fifteen minutes. I have to go now." Sakura added, although truthfully wanting to chat more. But she had to go back home before her mum does since she doesn't want to hear any questions regarding her blouse.

Mr. Sausage just watched Sakura skipping rather happily down the street, since her mood had lifted quite a bit. He never realized he was staring in space even after the pinktte was not in view anymore until his name was called for the third time.

"Sasori!" The hotdog finally turned and clumsily trudged towards the renovation site with the bulky costume he was wearing, wondering what does the workers wanted from him.

"Would it be a bother if you buy some mayo sauce from a nearby convenience shop for my hotdog?" The worker scratched his hungry stomach. "As in, now?"

0o0

"… Pink is my favorite color. Yes, my natural hair color somehow influence which color I like…"

"… I dislike the attentions I'm receiving because of my hair color, but I have to keep it like this or the name given by my parents would hold no meaning anymore…"

"… I'm always interested in origami. They signifies hope, and I believe in them…"

"… My secret hiding place is the school roof. Whenever I'm upset, I would always hang out at the roof alone. Not many students go there often…"

"… I have sweet tooth. I like sweets and cakes but I often tried my best to keep my body fit and slim…"

"… Sandwich is the only thing I like to eat in the canteen. No offence, but I dislike almost all the food sold in the cafeteria…"

A few days passed quicker than Sakura had thought she could manage.

Her life wasn't as dull and boring like the other months she had been in town. Whenever she passed by the construction site when she was going back home from school, she was always welcomed by the hotdog costume and they would talk about their day. Often it was Sakura who did the most talking since she was just being her old self; the talkative chap, but the sausage also replied equally with the same amount of enthusiasm as she had.

Even if the sausage doesn't regarded her as one, Sakura secretly treated him as her first friend in town. He was the only one who she could talk with more than ten minutes without getting slapped and teased every two seconds or having milk poured all over your body and being laughed about it.

By the time Sakura realized, her birthday finally came. It was nothing special actually, her mum gave a happy birthday kiss on the cheeks and prepared a scrumptious breakfast for her before both her husband and herself left for work. Then Sakura would head to school by herself and passed the renovating building of the opening hotdog restaurant.

Sakura didn't expect any birthday surprises in school since probably no one bothered to know or remembered when her birthday was, but there was something in her that made her excited today even though she doesn't know why at all.

Tugging onto her bag tightly, Sakura skipped cheerfully to school, hoping that the lessons would end soon so she could have another chat with her sausage friend.

0o0

Happy birthday.

That was what it stated in the card.

Sakura blinked, still not believing that someone had put a birthday card in her locker. She remained staring at the card for the third time after glancing panicky around, making sure it wasn't a sort of evil prank. But after convincing herself that it shouldn't be one, her eyes finally glanced across another sheet of bigger paper behind the birthday card she was holding.

As Sakura unfolded the bigger piece of paper, it was a colored sketch of herself. She was portrayed with a bright yellow daisy in a short hair, wearing a long white casual summer dress and sitting on a long swing that was tied onto a tall tree, smiling very happily.

"This is beautiful..." Sakura whispered to herself, caressing the sketch as she stared at it for the whole minute. She remembered there were more text in the birthday card so she went back to read it again.

During break, approached to one of the school cafeteria worker and say 'Sakura special'.

Sausage

"Mr. Sausage?" Sakura spoke out loud, staring in disbelief before biting her lips in excitement again. Now she doesn't have to worry about getting pranked by her schoolmates since it was stated that the gift was from her hotdog companion. Trusting her only friend, she carefully slotted the sketch in to her plastic file and closed her locker, before proceeding back to her class.

After a few boring lessons, lunch period came. Sakura made her way to the cafeteria quietly after putting the books she was not using into the locker.

The queue in the canteen was long, but she easily endured the long wait by reading the note in the card for the ninth time.

"Sakura special." She gave a squeak to the workers when it was her turn, clutching the note even tighter with embarrassment.

"Ah, so you're the one." The lady took Sakura's tray from her hand before producing another one, now filled with food.

"Happy Birthday, enjoy your meal."

"Thank you." Sakura gasped in surprise, holding the heavy tray nearer to her chest. After going in circles, she finally found a nice seat right at the corner without being shoved or tripped.

After settling her things on the table, she took the time to look at the food on her tray. There on her tray was a regular-sized cupcake with pink icing that spelt out Happy Birthday on the white cream of her cake. And next was naturally her favorite sandwich that she always ate during break, also with a packet of drink that was what she always had along with her bread.

Her eyes finally lay on the card next to the packet of drink.

Happy Birthday.

Again, she had smiled just because of these two words. She had always took them for granted when her friends wished her a happy birthday. Now when she thought back, she was never as happy and enthusiastic for any glamorous birthday parties than this small occasion like treasure hunting for presents and surprises.

After having your food, head up to the rooftop where you once told me it was your secret place. Make sure you had time left before break ends

Sausage.

Sakura was filled with excitement that she couldn't sit still on her seat. Although she wanted to head up to the roof as fast as she could, she made sure her food was totally cleared and no crumbs were left before disposing the wrappers.

Since Sakura was always eating alone and never talked and chat while having her food like how she did last time, she always finished before half of the period ended. After clearing her tray, she head up briskly to where the note instructed her to go.

In a minute, she had reached the venue where she was supposed to go. Looking around for a moment, her eyes were drawn to a box at the other end of where she was standing. Swiftly, she walked towards the box and squatted in front of it, eying on the pink box before her.

Slowly, she lifted up the lid. It was revealed to be a box full of origami folded with all sorts of colored papers. Sakura couldn't help but gasped out loud at the different cute origami inside, such as crane, flowers, and even animals like rabbit.

A small card was also in the pile of folded colored papers. Happily, she shoved her hand inside and fished out the note to see.

Happy Birthday.

I'm sorry but this would be the last of your Birthday adventure. I'm not a very creative person so I'm lacked of ideas on what to do for you next.

Sakura bit her lips, a huge smile started appearing before she could even control herself.

You told me this was the secret place where you hide yourself from everyone when you are upset. This should be your first time coming here with a smile on your face, so you should remembered that the next time you come here. Smiling suits you best after all.

And at the end of the card, there was small tiny sketch of a hotdog costume, which Sakura had been talking for almost the past one week.

"Mr. Sausage…" Sakura cupped her hands over her mouth, hugging the box even tighter to the chest. Soon, minutes passed and the bell rang, almost scaring Sakura the out of the wits since she was daydreaming all the while.

"The bell!" Sakura stood up quickly and headed to the exit with her present in her hand, making sure to get back to class before the teacher came.

That day was really, the most special day Sakura had been in school. School soon ended and Sakura was more enthusiastic in meeting with her unknown friend. Packing her stuff quickly, she stepped out from her class and with some effort of avoiding as many people as possible. Sakura even managed to get out of school in less than two minutes without having to stop to listen to bitches' teasing and cursing, which was actually a record broken.

Actually, it wasn't because she was lucky that she didn't meet any of her bullies. Apparently, no one had gone up to tease her or made her life miserable like other times. Today, everyone seemed to be more obedient and often avoided her. No one vandalized or split fermented milk on her locker nor did anyone knocked over her tray of food or snatched her seat, demanding her to sit other places. She didn't get locked up in the gym room when she was in charge of today's P.E equipment too.

Although she often received glares from random girls, all the students seriously didn't do anything else, which somehow made Sakura thought she had some sort of bodyguard or angel by her side.

0o0

"Happy Birthday." The sausage handed her the red floating balloon.

"Thank you..." Sakura accepted the balloon and stared at it for a moment before turning to the quiet hotdog.

"I-I don't know how to thank you for all of these…" She gasped softly, blinking rapidly to make sure her tears wouldn't fall.

"Just keep up with those smiles everyday. That's all I can ask for return."

"Actually, why can't I know your name?" Sakura furrowed her eyebrow after giving a smile at the hotdog.

"It isn't important."

"It is to me. I can't be calling you Sausage all the time."

"I don't see why you can't."

"I find it rather rude." Sakura debated, tapping her chin thoughtfully as she shyly added. "I shouldn't be calling you Sausage all the time since you're my friend."

"Friend?" The sausage sounded shocked.

Sakura made an embarrassed look, glancing everywhere except for the costume before her. "Yeah, you're my first friend in town."

"Hn." Mr. Sausage gave a snort, a soft laughter followed afterwards.

"What's so funny?" Sakura scoffed, a light blush tinted her cheek. Back in her old home, never before does she had to make the effort to make friends with anyone. Everyone always wanted to be her friend, so usually it was them who approached her and not the other way round.

"You're interesting."

"W-What?" Sakura blinked.

The sausage never reply.

"Anyway, I'm g-going home." Sakura stated, knowing that it was unusually earlier than other meeting time she had with the sausage. But she had to go back to get ready since her parents had asked her out for dinner.

"See you then."

"Bye!"

As Sakura skipped back quickly home, she silently hoped that her embarrassment would go away already. She had just admitted that Mr. Sausage was his friend yet the answer she received was a small laugh and then saying that she's interesting. Sakura wasn't angry at him, but she's just really embarrassed and she don't know why either.

Soon, she had reached home quicker than she thought to find no one at home yet. Sakura gave a light shrug, not really expecting her parents to come back home yet. Swiftly, the pinkette then headed to her room to settle her stuff.

Sakura slowly released the red balloon form her hand, letting it to reach till her bedroom ceiling as it floated comfortably in its position. Smiling and watching it for several seconds, she took her bag and approached her bed to rest, only to find a note lying open on the bedside table. Sakura took the card and noticed the same two words that she had seen for the whole day.

Happy Birthday Sakura!

The birthday girl smiled, continuing reading onwards. Remember our dinner plan? Get ready by 5.30 since we are eating out tonight, to celebrate how much you have grown.

Sakura nodded, grinning to herself as she placed the card back on the table, noting that she had about an hour left before her parents comes back home. But not knowing what struck her, she suddenly remembered her gifts and little notes she found in school during her little adventure. Unpacking her bag, she took out the small pink box and lifted the cover, revealing the sketch, birthday notes, and all sorts of different origami inside.

Rereading her cards a few times again, her eyes were then drawn to the balloon that was still floating up in her ceiling. Gazing for a moment, an image of the hotdog costume holding onto the balloon flashed across her mind.

"Wait." Sakura's smile slowly turned into a frown. She placed the things onto the table with the lid closed, her eyes not taken off the red floating object.

"If all these surprises actually happened in school, and Mr. Sausage was the one behind these…" Sakura slapped her forehead, finding out how slow and stupid she was.

"Then he must be from my school!"