Something I wanted to clarify: this fanfiction is a hobby, not a job. I write and update when I can. There is no need to try to dictate how and when I should update. If there aren't as many reviews as before, so be it. It doesn't make the story, but is just something that is greatly appreciated.

As for updates, I'll try my best to keep them monthly. I'm working and going to school which has been going on since around June. So I'm a bit busy dealing with life right now and there is no guarantee, but will try my best.

Otherwise, here is the third chapter. Let me know if there are any mistakes as usual and I hope you guys enjoy it!

"Happy birthday!" Several voices shouted, startling Sakura from her rather peaceful night's rest. Immediately she had sat up, hand resting over her quickly beating heart while staring blearily at all the faces. The familiar faces of Ino and Tenten came to view, one holding out a plate with fruit filled crepes and the other with juice in hand was a bit of a shock still.

"You're old!" Kiba shouted in glee, grinning wildly as usual with hair just as wild to match.

"Kiba!" Ino gritted angrily as he shrank down immediately. Definitely not the best thing to say to someone celebrating another year gained. The man never learned it seemed or put forth the effort.

"Happy twenty forth! May youth envelop you!" Lee shouted, hand outstretched with the infamous thumb's up…And of course clad in nearly all green. Honestly not something she quite wanted to see at such a time or in a state.

"Thanks…I think." Sakura rubbed her eyes quickly, trying to rid herself of the sleepiness accompanied when woken up in such a manner. She could see there were several people within her room, all friends and amazingly gathered in one spot. That was quite a feat in itself. Really. Sakura had to admit though, that wasn't how she was expecting her birthday to start, but couldn't complain.

"Fruit crepes for you miss, do enjoy!" Tenten handed the plate to Sakura and smiled. "They're good. Honest and it won't get you in trouble for the diet I've put you on!" Tenten winked, settling herself onto the edge of Sakura's bed.

Sakura grinned, today was going to be great day, without a doubt.

-

"We're going to the beach and you're wearing that?"

The baggy shirt and little shorts Sakura wore were obviously not Ino would have deemed beach wear. Then again, Ino's beach wear considered of a barely there bikini and that wasn't what Sakura would choose. Perhaps…Perhaps in the distance future, she may wear a bikini. It would be much more than barely there though, of course. Sakura wasn't Ino and that made things pretty okay in her opinion.

"Let her wear what she wants woman! It's her birthday!" Tenten argued as she stared at Ino rather irritated. "There's nothing wrong with that! You're beautiful you know… But…the guys have already left and are waiting for us. We should go."

"Okay…" Sakura murmured. She and Ino followed Tenten as she lead them out of the home and through the back sliding door.

Since it was Sakura's birthday with the weather warm, the group had decided to go to Neji's home, steps away from the beach and several miles from the city. The section of beach behind his home wasn't at all too busy for a weekend. A family here and a family there, but nothing too loud and nothing too crowding either.

The sun was high above, shining brightly and beating on the sands, each step quite warm, if not nearly hot. The ocean itself was blue and cool, a perfect day to take a swim in the waters.

Or a perfect day for the men to decide on throwing a Frisbee and football around on the shore.

"Look out!" Kiba yelled in warning.

The three women immediately ducked, hands covering their heads as the Frisbee flew over, landing some feet behind them. One by one, each peeked from beneath their arms, Ino and Tenten scowling as Kiba rubbed the back of his head. Sakura simply shook her head in amusement, deciding it was now safe to stand up with the other two women not far behind.

"It was Shino's fault…" Give it to Kiba to quickly place the blame on someone else while he plays innocent bystander.

"I'm sorry," Shino walked toward the women, hand raised in apology. "Your timing and the Frisbee was purely by accident."

"Fine, fine." Ino waved the apology off, promptly walking away. Her feet sunk inches into the soft sand as she headed toward the other piles of towels and two large umbrellas. The towel she held was quickly unfolded and placed on the sand beneath the umbrella, of course.

"Don't worry about it, right Sakura?" Tenten glanced back at Sakura.

"Right." Sakura glanced at Shino and then back to Tenten, joining her as she made her way toward Ino. The two women repeated Ino's actions, unfolding their towels and laying it beneath the shades of the large umbrellas.

The sunscreen bottle was passed around, coating the expose skin from the beating sun and ensuring a less likely chance to burn. Sunglasses were set on the bridge of their noses, hair gathered together and tied. The day was already relaxing and that was what the three women intended.

Sakura laid in-between Ino and Tenten, the feeling of jealously slowly creeping up inside her as she glanced between the two. It was simply the fact that both women were thin, body perfectly suited for their build and personality.

Ino… Ino was built where it mattered the most it seemed. She had the hourglass body, the curves of her shoulders and hips perfectly even. Her chest was naturally a bit larger for such a small frame as hers--which was often the attention grabber--and her derrière, though not too big of any sense, was enough for whichever man she wanted anyways. She was nearly perfect, aside from her loud, sometimes rather overbearing personality, but it made her Ino.

The jealousy, Sakura concluded stemmed from the fact that Ino had it all too easy. She was a blonde woman with blue eyes and a wonderful body. With a first glance, what man didn't want her?

And Tenten…She was taller than the other women, being about 5'5 and had the athletic build. All long and lean, completely toned and yet entirely feminine. Tenten was indeed similar to Ino, hour glass shape, round derrière and a little top heavy.

She was sensing a pattern she wasn't so lucky to be involved in. A bit inferior, considering she wasn't built like the two, but the realization of their support no matter her size or how she looked conquered it all.

"Tenten you're so lucky, you have no idea…" Ino's quiet murmur reached the other women, eyes solely focused on the man slowly making way towards their recumbent positions.

Tenten sucked in her lower lip, slowly chewing on it as she watched the man she loved come even closer.

Sakura glanced between the two, understanding Ino and growing even a bit more jealous with Tenten. Hyuga Neji, was considered a god. Long brown hair flowed behind him as he took each step, skin sun-kissed and muscles rippling. The man was just under six-foot, body built long and lean with nearly all the lines that accompanied hose who kept in magnificent shape.

And then there was the fact that the two had been together since Tenten was seventeen, making it seven years and engaged for two. And still, it was so obvious the two were in love with one another, through all the arguments, big and small.

It was a life Sakura envied secretly.

Sakura sighed, hand pulling the hem of her shirt up slightly to expose herself to the sun. She still wasn't quite comfortable with her weight especially now that they were at the beach. And it was only worse with the women on either side of her.

"Hi." The man named Neji had dropped to his knees, landing in-between Tenten's legs as he leaned even further.

Sakura unfortunately for being so near, could feel the cool water dripping from the tips of his hair and onto her arm. She could see from the corner of her eye Neji leaning in even further, his lips reaching for Tenten's to capture. Her very own eyes shut as she waited for the display of affection to end.

"Why does Shino still have his shirt on?"

Sakura's eyes snapped opened, turning toward Ino in disbelief. Not only was she quick to change subject, but if a man wasn't shirtless, the world had a problem because Ino had a problem. Ridiculous.

"What?"

Ino, of course, was never wrong with her questioning it seemed. Oh how Sakura hated Ino and that ability.

"It's not like he doesn't look like he's out of shape. Even Kiba tends to run around in less clothing and he's in pretty decent shape."

"Decent?" Looking at Kiba, Sakura had no idea what Ino meant by 'decent.' Unlike Neji, Kiba was certainly built, more than Neji with more mass in his arms and chest. Kiba wasn't completely hideous either, rather actually, not hideous at all. He had a boyish charm to him, with a grin that made mothers fall for him easily. Then again, that would be most likely be the probable reasoning for Ino's opinion between Neji and Kiba.

"Well, you know he's not ugly I just mean that perhaps he could…"

Blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah. Blah. Tuning Ino out, her eyes concentrated on Shino, arm elongating, releasing the Frisbee quickly right over Lee's head and into the waving arms of a grinning Kiba. Lee appeared in front of Kiba quickly though, reaching for the Frisbee only to have Kiba pulling it behind his back with Lee in tow and then throwing it right back to Shino.

No matter how old people were, Keep Away still seemed to be the game to play.

"…And Lee, you know if he got a better haircut he'd be gorgeous! Oh and if he stopped shouting that youth shit that would be great too. I mean…"

Well, that was probably not the best idea to even listen to Ino for a second or two, even if she so happened to have a point. Sakura sighed.

Life could be so much worse.

--

Hazel eyes took in the form of the woman before her: red-pink hair and jade eyes looked down, away from her. The clothes she wore nearly swallowed her, the ends of the sleeves nearly reaching her elbows and pants barely held on, the belt must have been set on the last eyehole, if not ones she made herself. "My beautiful niece…You're looking thin." It had been without a hint of emotion attached, even though in truth she was indeed worried.

"I hope that was meant to be a compliment," Sakura murmured as she stared at the edge of the desk, refusing to make eye contact with the older, busty blonde.

"I think if someone calls you beautiful that should be taken as one…And as for you being thin? …Well, I'm just thankful your eyes and cheeks aren't sunken in. Obviously that means that you are keeping yourself well-fed and hydrated at the least."

Sakura nodded as she glanced upward, "Yes, I eat three meals a day and snack on fresh fruit in-between. Tenten has been helping me considerably and keeping me on a strict diet. I've already lost seventy pounds."

"And I'm assuming from the look in your eyes that you haven't quite reached your goal."

Sakura shook her head in response, "Only twenty more though."

And it would likely be the hardest to reach, but she wasn't going to quite mention that.

"I pray that this is for you and not some worthless boy."

Boy? Boys? "There's no 'boy' let alone a man. So really it is for me auntie. Honest."

"Indeed, men are better than boys, but I was just making sure it was for you and not another's benefit."

Sakura simply stared at Tsunade. There wasn't much else to say when it came around the subject of men, at least on her part. She hadn't had as much experience as the other women in the building, but it never quite compared to all the tales she heard otherwise.

"It is also safe to assume that Ino wants you to go shopping for a new wardrobe once you've reached the final goal then?"

Sakura simply nodded as the woman before her smiled, eyes quirking in a bit of amusement.

Every person in the building knew the two were best of friends. They lived together and came to work together. If there was a chance that Ino could benefit from something well…They knew.

"Then include me as well. I intend on getting you new everything," Tsunade sat back in her chair smoothly, "From clothes to shoes and jewelry. Consider it a late birthday present."

Jade eyes widen, mouth parting to say otherwise, was quickly dismissed with a raise of a hand. Well, there was no use in trying she supposed.

"You're dismissed," The woman said sternly, turning toward her monitor instead. Officially ending the conversation as Sakura stared in disbelief.

Quickly she closed her mouth and turned around, heading out the door. A smile was on her face as she ran the words through her mind. That was definitely going to be fun because when Aunt Tsunade said she would do something, she was going to.

And this she couldn't wait for.

--

Tenten's eyes stared at the digital numbers listed on the screen, a smile forming on her face as she glanced toward Sakura. Her back was turned, eyes more than likely squeezed tight and breathing in deeply as she waited for Tenten's answer.

Just before coming in for weigh in, Sakura had worked out with Rock Lee: a taijutsu specialist. She had gone to him two times a week starting the second month, training her in the basics of martial arts and pushing her hard while spouting about his clichés of 'youth' speeches. The speeches and his garb of being dressed in green head to toe--coincidentally reminding her of a green beast with a terrible bowl haircut-- were tiring. Coincidentally, he reminded her of a teacher in the past, but that was beside the point. Sakura enjoyed the spirit and over two-hundred percent positive attitude he had with her during training.

But this round had been extra grueling, both knowing Sakura was nearly at her goal as she worked hard. Her cheeks were red, beads of sweat rolling down her hot skin as she pushed on until she couldn't anymore. That had been nearly an hour ago and now she was with Tenten, getting her final weigh in for the three months had passed by quickly and it was that time.

"Take a look honey," Tenten murmured, eyes anticipating Sakura's reaction.

Sakura glanced back over her shoulder, eyes concentrated on the digital numbers as she gasped. Jumping off the scale in excitement, dancing in victory toward Tenten.

--

"I think there must be at least fifty bags of clothing!" Ino's voice was muffled, holding many bags piled up high to her chin with Sakura and Tsunade in the same situation.

Sakura managed to get her key into the doorknob, twisting it and stepping into the apartment. "I really don't think you guys had to buy me this much clothing…"

"Please! Your aunt bought most of it anyways! And it's hot! I'm glad I can borrow some stuff to wear!"

Sakura immediately dropped the many bags she held onto the wooden floor, hands on her hips as she stared at Ino. The blonde quickly dropped the bags she held, littering the wooden floor even more with the pastel and neon bags.

"What?" Ino's eyes held onto the innocent look as she looked over at a tired looking Sakura. It had been a long day, but she didn't look quite as tired of course.

"I knew this would benefit you somehow." Her lower lip drew forward, blowing the tendrils of hair blocking her eyesight. She imagined she looked tired, completely worn out from shopping. The three women had gone to many stores, thrown clothes at Sakura and made her try each and every article on to model for them. That had started this morning at nine with a nice breakfast, ending at about four with Tsunade treating them all to an early dinner.

"Hey, you can't wear all of it."

"And you can't fit in all of it either."

"True, but I can still fit some of it!"

Some is better than none for her… Sakura sighed, "There's sixty-three bags of clothes, two small bags full of accessories and ten pairs of shoes… I counted as we got them out of the car."

"You've got one helluva wardrobe honey!"

Sakura shook her head. It was either: clothes or men and today just so happened to be clothes. But how long would it last really?

"Oh! Shino's out on his balcony doing some pull ups!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Ino had quickly ran toward the balcony, jumping over the nearly endless amount of bags and coffee table. The sliding door was quickly open and Ino out. It was quite apparent and obvious that she was going to stare in utter bliss and later mention something rather sexual. Or perhaps both. Sakura was going to go with both in the long run.

"Well…That wasn't very long," Sakura muttered, slowly beginning to gather bags and made her way to her room. It was going to be some time to hang and organize the clothing while getting rid of all her old things. Sakura smiled, so glad things had ended like this thus far.

The piles of new clothing were lying atop her bed, sorted by casual to formal wear. Colors sorted and matched, the varying lengths short to long. Sakura was indeed quite meticulous about the matter, even doing so for the style of underwear and bras she had received new as well.

As for her old clothing?

All of that was currently thrown on the floor, separated simply by tops and bottoms. And hopefully, within the next day or two, would be donated to the used clothing store or something of the sorts. There certainly had to be others who could benefit from what she couldn't wear any longer and she certainly liked the idea of trying to help those who needed it more than she.

--

The digital numbers read '9:00 PM,' and Sakura was bored, lying on her bed.

In the dark.

Staring at the ceiling as the fan spun silently on the first speed.

Today's workout had been short. A few minutes of weight training and a ten minute sprint/walk/sprint was enough for tonight. A long, hot shower and now donning her pajamas of a t-shirt and underwear was enough for her to flop on the bed and to do nothing.

There wasn't a book she wanted to read or something to watch on the television. She was pathetically bored as is and figured-hoped rather-that she would drift off to dreamland soon enough.

Too bad though, as her phone sitting on her dresser began to vibrate and the all familiar tone played. Her hand grasped it immediately, answering the call as she put it on speaker.

"Hi Mr. Hatake," Sakura said, just loud enough for it to reach her phone which sat on her chest at the moment.

"Evening Sakura. I was just checking in on you." Kakashi's voice filled the speaker and her room easily, as he continued, "Doing alright there? Hope I hadn't interrupted anything."

Sakura scoffed, "Considering I'm not doing anything it's fine and I'm alright. How are you?" Her fingertips skimmed the hem of her shirt. It was getting warmer, but she supposed that opening her window may help.

"I'm fi-" The sounds of a window being completely opened or closed with a bit more force than necessary interrupted him. "…er, fine…"

"Sorry, it's a little hot. Air doesn't circulate with the window closed after all." Sakura had flopped backwards onto her bed once more and placed the phone back over her chest.

Ah…True. "I see…" Kakashi paused sitting on his hotel bed roughly, his free hand reaching for his tie and undoing the tight knot quickly. "Well, Genma and I come back tomorrow. Make sure those papers are sorted and are in order."

"Of course, Mr. Hatake…"

His brow scrunched at her voice. It was one of those quiet, breathy voices that he only often heard when a woman was interested in doing a little more than just talking… But he knew that really wasn't what she was intending or feeling.

"Tired?" His fingers reached the top button along his dress shirt, undoing each one until the very bottom one had become undone.

"Yeah…"

Her lazy drawl seemed to make her lack of energy even more apparent, more than likely wanting to drift of to sleep at some point.

"Ah, well…" The Blackberry was held in-between his shoulder and ear, his arms reaching behind with his left hand grasping the right sleeve to free his arm. "Don't bother coming in until three though."

"Why? Going to come in at closing time instead?"

Her tired giggle filled his ear as he removed the shirt entirely and catching the phone before falling too far. It was a nice, familiar sound.

"Right. I should arrive to the office by four. Good night."

"Night sir." Sakura tiredly ended the call, reaching over for the power cord resting on the dresser and plugged her phone in.

Thankfully, she didn't have to go in until three in the afternoon and that Mr. Hatake would be back. She missed him, just a little bit. Even his ability to be late for nearly everything.

But that was tomorrow and it was now, she would sleep it off.

--

"Just take the car. I don't have to go in until three." The hot coffee mug was brought near her lips, lips pursed together to blow away the hot, rising steam.

"Who's going to take you in at three then?" Ino's arms were crossed as she stared intently at Sakura.

"Tenten said she would be able to drop me off since she'd be on her way to work."

"Okay!" Ino nearly beamed, grabbing the keys off the kitchen table along with her purse. "You might as well dress up by that time, I'm doing casual."

Disbelieving jade eyes stared at the blonde. Casual is not possible for you…

The top Ino was currently adorning was a short sleeve hooded top. The back covered all, just past the hips, but dipped quite low in front. And by low, she meant having exposed the inner curves of her chest to nearly the undersides.

"You're wearing that damn v-bra aren't you?" There was nothing else that would hold Ino so well and look like she wasn't wearing a bra.

Ino nodded, smiling, "Of course. Anywho, see you later! Ta ta!" Ino waved good bye and was out the door in seconds, leaving Sakura all in her lonesome in the shared apartment.

"Might as well put that treadmill to use!" Sakura thought out loud, placing her coffee mug on top of the table.

She might as well be productive till she had to go in at three, right?

-

"Oh god, Sakura!" Ino nearly shouted as she ran toward Sakura who stood at the front of her desk, separating papers and files.

"What?" Sakura wondered as she turned to look at Ino who had a bit of panic in her voice and facial features. Her eyes were wide and hands frantic as she began to wave her hands wildly.

"They're back! Like in the building! Did you have those papers he asked you to get yesterday?"

"Eh?" Sakura questioned, staring at Ino as she took in the words. "Already?" She was more than surprised, turning around and hastily separating the papers. "I'm not done yet!"

"Wait, is that the dress you're wearing tonight?" Ino had tilted her head to the side, staring as Sakura was bent over her desk.

"Yes, do you like it?" Sakura added as she continued, licking the tip of her finger to get a better grasp of the papers.

"I like what I see so far… Show me the front."

"Five seconds!" Sakura quickly turned around, showing Ino the front of her dress for the five seconds she allowed, turning back around just as quickly.

Ino nodded to herself as she took in the black dress. The back of her dress crossed into an X whereas the front of the dress dipped into a V, showing the inner curving of her breasts--Sakura had manage to end up around a B when she had reached her goal weight. It wrapped tightly just under her chest, the fabric billowing outwards and around her curvaceous hips to a thick hem woven snugly just below her rounded derrière. With a pair of hoops and red stilettos she was nearly complete. Her skin was barely sun-kissed and hair perfectly curled, which pulled away from her heart shape face. She was the ugly duckling no more Ino like to think, so glad that Sakura was extremely happy with the results.

And considering the fact that she had only done it in three and a half months, working hard and persevering through the tough times when weight would be gained or pounds wouldn't be dropped. She was proud of Sakura and even more so now that she had deemed her a fair rival, even if Sakura held onto the shy woman she always had been.

"Ino!" Shizune's voice traveled quickly through the hallway and rooms, "Ino!"

"Uh oh, better go!" Ino said quickly as she turned around, heels clicking loudly as she made her way back. "See you in a bit!"

-

"Well, I'm going to see Shizune for a bit then…" Genma murmured as he turned a corner and away from a smirking Kakashi.

The trips were successful, making many deals and meeting countless women. Well, at least Kakashi was meeting countless women, considering Genma was already dedicated to one here…But, Kakashi had definitely enjoyed it nonetheless. The only thing was that he had missed home quite a bit. Nothing ever compared to having a permanent home and a familiar place. He liked repetitiveness just as he liked spontaneous moments, but repetitiveness was easier to guess, of course.

With a hand in his pocket and the other holding a infamous 'Icha Ichal,' he continued walking towards his corner office, stopping as he noticed the woman bent over at his secretary's desk. He had nearly dropped his book at first glance, but had recovered and placed it into his left, back pocket. First hour back and already he was looking at long, shapely pale legs dressed in fire red heels wrapping up past her ankles and a black dress just barely covering her lower half. Oh, how he loved the lower half of a woman… Especially ones wrapped around his waist.

However, he had to admit confusion, because that definitely couldn't be his secretary, Haruno Sakura. Tsunade hadn't mentioned he'd gotten a new secretary either, although there shouldn't really be any reason as to why he would have. Sakura, though a bit on the larger side and not quite attractive as the others, was efficient in doing her work and getting things done. She was a hard worker and definitely made his time at work easier. So the matter was just who may this tantalizing woman be that was currently before him?

"Ow! Damn it!" The last of the papers she held were thrown onto the desk, albeit haphazardly.

His head quirked. That voice was quite familiar.

TBC:Ch.4