Sakura walked into the house, and was immediately greeted by a woman with shoulder-length blue hair.

"Good evening, Sakura," the woman said, smiling.

"Hello, Konan," the pink-haired student replied. "I hope I'm not disturbing. Have they finished dinner?"

"Yes, they are already in the playing room and are eagerly awaiting you."

Sakura smiled. Konan and her husband Pain were very rich, but couldn't have children. They had therefore decided to open a school-orphanage. They loved children and took care of their needs, raising and protecting them with real affection. They couldn't wipe out those children's tragic past, but they could help them by giving them a family. A caring and warm family.

And Sakura loved helping them. She had found out about the existence of the orphanage when one of the children had gotten ill and had been cured by Tsunade, many years before. Since then, she had made a point of visiting the children as often as she could. In the last year or so, her classes had become harder, and so she had ended up visiting the children only once a week. Nonetheless, they were still very excited every time she visited them, because she sometimes brought candies, told them stories, but especially because she obviously loved them.

That evening, Pain had to go to a business meeting, therefore Sakura came to help with the children. There were five at the moment, with ages that stretched from six to ten. The emerald-eyed woman felt her heart full of happiness as she watched them running towards her with huge grins. She helped them learning a new poem by heart, told them some stories she remembered from Tsunade and then put them to bed. Konan was there the entire time, smiling fondly at both Sakura and her family.

As soon as the children were in bed, Konan asked Sakura to stay for a cup of tea. Konan cared about her and usually asked her to speak about her life. Sakura accepted the offer and, as the blue-haired woman poured the tea, they sat in companionable silence.

Then Konan asked, "How is it going at university, Sakura?"

"Fine, I suppose. I passed all the anatomy tests. My nurse classes are almost over, the exams are in two days."

"I wish you luck, of course," Konan replied, "but I know you, and I'm sure you won't need it. You'll pass with flying colours."

Sakura blushed and didn't respond. Konan continued, "Besides your exams, something else?"

"Well, work is going fine, I think. My friend Naruto has decided to study food engineering. He's going to attend Namikaze University, which is almost outside Konoha. He seems to like it. My friend Hinata managed to pass her tests about the eye-retina; she is specializing in eye-sight diseases."

"But what about your life, Sakura?" Konan interrupted her. "Something new?"

"No, actually," Sakura said, almost apologetically. "Ah, no, wait, I forgot!" Her face suddenly became excited. "There is going to be the official university ball next week!"

Konan narrowed her eyes. "This is the first time I see you excited about an outdoor event, my dear," she said.

Sakura fidgeted a bit. Konan knew her too well. "I just wish to go. It's going to be a huge masquerade-event. Everyone can dress with normal party-dresses, but we will all have to wear a full-facial mask. Only eyes can be revealed. I think it's going to be great."

Konan asked, "When is it going to take place?"

"This Saturday night," Sakura answered.

Konan regarded her carefully. "But isn't Saturday one of the evenings in which you have to work the night shift at the restaurant?"

"Yes, it is; but I asked to do the evening shift instead. I never asked for anything before, so they told me it was okay. And, besides… We are allowed to bring guests of our age, so Naruto and Sai are going to be there, too. And it will probably be the only occasion to spend a night in a more carefree-way."

"Do you already have a dress, Sakura?"

Her face fell. "Actually, I don't… But I was thinking about the second-hand shop near my apartment. Maybe they have something there…"

Konan didn't say anything. She was thinking. After a few minutes, she got up, signalling that their conversation was over. She embraced Sakura, thanking her for her help, and guided her to the door.

When the pink-haired student had gone home, Konan took her mobile, searched through her personal notebook and dialled a number.

"Hello, I'm Yahiko Konan," she said as someone picked up on the other side. "I'd like to speak to you about Haruno Sakura."

...

Sakura walked home after that. She took out all her notes about her nurse-classes and began reading them. When she was halfway through them, she went to sleep. She would finish them the next day, because she had only afternoon lessons.

The next day, she finished reading her notes and took out the books. After studying diligently, she went to class. She would have lessons the next day as well, then the day after there would be the nurse exams, and then it would already be Saturday. The problem of finding a dress was still on her mind, but she had other things to worry about. She wanted to pass her nurse exams so she wouldn't be in the same class as Ino anymore.

And she still had to invite her friends to the ball. Now, that ball was probably one of the most famous events of the region. All students of university were invited. And Sakura wanted to go SO badly. She never went out because she studied too much. She now wanted to live a little. She was twenty, for heaven's sake. She thought she deserved a short break from her studies.

She picked up her phone and called Naruto. He immediately said he would come and, at her suspicions, sheepishly admitted that Hinata had already asked him to accompany her. Sakura exclaimed that it was about time, and told him not to mess up. Before she could hang up, however, Naruto added, "Hey Sakura, even if I'm going to accompany Hinata, you are going to be with us the whole night. I'm not going to neglect my best friend, now, am I?"

Sakura was touched by his kindness, but insisted he took care of Hinata for that night. Naruto, however, wouldn't budge. Only when Sakura heard Hinata's voice as well – because she was with Naruto in that moment… –, who told her she would like to go together with both her and Naruto, did Sakura accept. She thanked them and hung up.

Lessons that day weren't particularly difficult, so Sakura went through them easily. She then went to work, where she was relieved not to see Sasuke anywhere. She was able to complete her shift without problems, and then went home.

The next day, she received a phone call from the university, which informed her that the nurse exams had been anticipated to that afternoon. Sakura had already studied and was re-reading her notes in that exact moment, so she had no problem with it.

So that afternoon, she was able to answer all the question and she felt relieved when it was finally over. She went to work feeling lighter.

But she couldn't imagine what was going to happen.

A/N:

Don't worry… Konan isn't a villain. And Hinata and Naruto are just on a date. I don't hate that couple, but I don't like it either. I'm not in favour or against any particular couple of the Naruto world.