D i s c l a i m e r ; Blah I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto owns everything but the story and plot line of this.

W a r n i n g s ; Later chapters contain lemon and there is some language.

D e s c r i p t i o n ; Sasuke returns and everything starts to spin. Sakura finds her self-going between the life she had without him and the new life he wishes to have with her. Naruto gains the courage to try and starts a relationship between him and Hinata while Shikamaru and Temari finally confess to one another and let lose all they have kept contained for each other.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Three

S w i m m i n g I n W i n t e r

A set of finger swiped over the snow-covered bench. Sweeping off the snowflakes that had accumulated on the bench Hinata cleared a spot to sit on. Hinata had reached the pond before Sakura and she decided to take a seat as she waited for her friend to show up. She was always dressed warmly. Her purple hoodie and pants matched her newly long grown out hair violet hair. It was a change from the short hair she had 5 years ago, and she decided to she liked her longer hair better. Crossing her arms she sat there trying to stay warm until her Sakura came.

S a k u r a soon enough appeared and she called out to Hinata. "Hey Hinata." Hinata turned her head to look and she saw her pink haired friend approaching. Hinata gave a warm grin as she greeted her friend. Sakura stood at the side of the bench shivering momentarily. 'Damn the cold it still has an affect on us that you would think we'd be used to by now' She couldn't help but agree as her inner self let that out. Reaching into the pockets of her jacket she brought out some gloves and slipped them on. As usual the gloves were colored a pink to match the rest of her outfit and hair. Watching as her friend tried to get warm Hinata decided to scoot over and leave her friend an empty space to sit down next to her at.

"T h a n k you Hinata." Sakura said as she took her seat next to her. Emerald green eyes looked out to the lake they were sitting next to. Sakura had no clue why she had picked the lake for them to meet at especially in winter. There was no reason to it. Sakura kept gazing out to the lake and was a bit puzzled it wasn't frozen over. At least Konha's winter wasn't too severe then, but still it was the worst winter they had ever received and Sakura was not enjoying it. "So, S-sakura-chan, what w-was it y-you wanted to t-talk about?" Hinata looked over to her friend with a questioning look. Sakura looked back at her friend and thought how to say what she wanted to without making it look odd. She thought weather it would be smart to start it off with Sai and Sasuke or the fact that she thought she could help get Hinata together with Naruto. It was a hard decision but she went ahead with telling her she could probably get her and Naruto together.

"Y o u like Naruto, don't you?" Sakura asked keeping a grin on her face that did not seem to cocky and depicting as if she already knew the answer to her question.

H i n a t a ' s gaze was fixed down and starring the snowflakes falling into her lap until Sakura said the name Naruto. Jerking her head up she gawked at her friend and was speechless for a few moments. A blush rushed over Hinata's face and she began to fidget with the ends of her jacket. She was surprised Sakura would ask a question like that, but with how she acted around Naruto how could Sakura not know she did like him. "Yes, I-I do like N-Naruto."

' C h a ! Knew it now all we need to do is tell her the rest of it!' Smiling Sakura leaned back on the bench and thought of how to say exactly what she wanted to. Seconds passed by and Sakura finally sorted out how she would say what she wanted to. Putting an elbow out she gently nudged her friend in the side and laughed. "I knew it! I just needed to make sure first. I think I may be able to get you and Naruto together. Since he is my teammate and takes most of my advice and comments seriously if I told him about you and that you like him Naruto would be glad to ask you out." After Sakura was done talking she tilted her head to the side, closed, her eyes and gave an almost Naruto type grin. Hinata had no clue what to say and just stared at her friend. She never thought anyone would do such a thing for her but obviously she was wrong.

H i n a t a was about to speak and say a thank you to Sakura for the help she would give her and she heard a loud voice behind her. A loud voice she knew and loved. In fact it belonged to the person she did love and saw so much in. Turning her head around she saw Naruto walking with Sai down the road and away from Itchiraku Ramen. Another blush spread across her face and she looked at Naruto. Sakura catching sight of this turned around and saw Naruto approaching with Sai. 'Ah crud it's Sai...' Exactly what she needed right now to see the person she kissed less then an hour ago coming her direction again. But she needed to stay clam and get a hold of her self to not make a scene between them while Hinata was around.

"S o Sasuke is back and he already saw you and Sakura?! I can't believe it, wonder when that dobe was going to come and see me!" Naruto screeched a whole lot louder then he needed to as he was talking to Sai and he was only a few feet away. Sai began to feel his ears ring and throb after listening to Naruto's yelling for as long as he did. The thing that bothered him most was he would not fucking get that Sasuke was here as he said time and time again. Sai felt like Naruto was repeating him but in a question format rather then a statement. Right now Sai was beginning to get a clue of why Sasuke did not go and visit Naruto yet. "Once more, yes Sasuke is back in Konoha and Sakura and me saw him less than an hour ago. I'm sure he will come and see you soon. Just please stop yelling and acting so dramatic about it all!" Sai felt a headache now coming on but he decided to just let it go.

"Y o u ' r e no fun, and I can't believe Sakura was being as nice as she was to you earlier. Should have been me who was holding her." Naruto flicked his gaze away from Sai being annoyed about the topic they were talking about. Stopping in his tracks Naruto looked out at the pond they were by and spotted Sakura and Hinata. A grin appeared on Naruto's features. "Looks like Sakura didn't stay home after you took her home." He said to Sai in a teasing voice and he went off in a faster pace then his walk before was.

S a i knew exactly why Sakura was probably out here, and with Hinata. Though he wouldn't say anything to Naruto. As he wasn't one to carry on about his emotions and events to other's Sai was one just to simply state the facts. Once again Sai followed behind Naruto not too eager or anxious to catch up to his friend. Sakura slumped down in the bench and turned to face the other way as the two boys started walking towards the bench her and Hinata were sitting at. Sure this may be a good opportunity to get Hinata and Naruto together but Sai was right there. This was all getting too her faster and harsher then she thought it would. If only Sasuke would have never showed up right then and there everything would be fine!

S i t t i n g back up straight in the bench Sakura decided cowering behind the bench wasn't going to make her look to good and make the feelings she had for Sai too obvious. Sakura faked perking up and once more turned around to see the boys with in feet of them. Sai grinned to Sakura with his smile that was usually on his face and that made Sakura want to melt and turn back around on the bench but she didn't, and couldn't. "Sakura-Chan! Hinata-chan!" Naruto's loud voice carried over to them and soon enough they were right at Sakura and Hinata's side. Great...both girl's had a guy they liked her now and she wasn't up to seeing how hinata was going to deal with Naruto being here. But Sakura her self did not think she would have enough courage to grab at the words hanging on the edge of her mouth either to help Hinata with Naruto.

I f this was going to get done Sakura needed to get a hold of her self. Ok maybe she kissed Sai earlier but it was just a thank you kiss for walking her home. 'A thank you kiss? Girl you added your tongue and everything! I don't think that's a thank you kiss! But please get a hold of your self and get what you came here to do done!' For once she couldn't deny what her inner self said to be wrong. It was true and she had to live with it. Sakura took in a deep breath of the chilly air and breathed out a few time watching the oxygen she released from her lungs out into the atmosphere turn into frosty mist out in front of her eyes.

"W h y are you two out here...by a lake...in winter?" Naruto seemed a little confused as he asked the two girls why they were out where they were. He wasn't wrong they were by a lake in winter, by freezing water. "Perhaps there out for late night swim." Sai couldn't help but add in with a tint of sarcasm in his voice. Naruto cringed and slowly forced his head around while his eyes looked at Sai with a piercing stare. "Honestly I may be stupid and obnoxious at times, but cut out with the sarcasm. I know they aren't out here to swim. It's god damn winter baka."

S a k u r a looked at Hinata who was still blushing and looking at Naruto. 'It's now or never. Maybe if you get Naruto and Hinata away you and Sai can talk about earlier privately.' That did seem very appealing, but truthfully she didn't want to talk to Sai at all it had only been an hour and she was still feeling utterly awkward about the whole situation. Then Sasuke was still out there probably and what if he came looking for her again and once more saw her with Sai.

L e t t i n g out a low muted sigh again Sakura got up off of the bench. "Naruto you've said and done enough." Grabbing his arm Sakura dragged Naruto a few feet away before she said anymore. Hinata blinked and watched as Sakura took Naruto away. Hinata had a good feeling about what Sakura was going to say to him, but she didn't know if she was ready for it all. Leaving the bench Hinata got up and began to walk away. Sai watched as she proceeded to do so and he said nothing or did nothing.

O u t of the corner of her eye Sakura saw Hinata taking off and at that moment she could do nothing more but spit out what she was going to say. Leaning into Naruto she made sure her voice was only quiet enough for him to hear since Sai was also there. "Naruto…Hinata-chan likes you, and I think it would be real kind of you if you asked her to do something with you sometime. And when I say she likes you, I mean she likes you." With that Sakura stood up straight and watched as Hinata continued to walk away. 'Well so much for talking to her about Sai and Sasuke!' That did disappoint her but maybe if she could make Hinata happy being with Naruto it would brighten up all that went wrong this evening for her.

N a r u t o stood there with his mouth in the shape of an 'o'. He was shocked to be told Hinata likes him. Sakura was always the girl Naruto liked but he knew he would never have a chance with her. Sakura was happier and better off with a different guy besides him. If not being with him or even around him made Sakura happy he would do it just out of his love for her. "Awww Hinata-chan likes me!? How sweet!" Naruto couldn't hold it in. it made him feel happy and appreciated for once knowing someone liked him. Sakura rolled her eyes and where her gaze ended she found her self-looking directly at Sai who still had the same smug grin on as usual.

'N a r u t o you can be so damn clueless!' Inner Sakura yelped that inside and took over Sakura. Raising a fist above Naruto's head Sakura gave him a good hard thwack across the head. Shoving Naruto down towards the ground he bent over at the waist. Whimpering Naruto looked up at Sakura, "Sakura-chan! Don't hit me!" Sakura scowled and gave a low irritated growl. "Baka! You're so annoying!" Hearing those words made Naruto frown once more. He turned his gaze away from Sakura and watched Hinata who was walking off. Naruto's eyes and face light up as he remembered Sakura telling him to ask her to do something with him sometime.

O n e last whine came from Naruto and he grunted getting up and trying to cope with the new throbbing sensation Sakura gave him on his head. At that moment Naruto took off almost running after Hinata. Skidding to a halt by her side Naruto put a hand behind his neck. His hand rubbed the nape of his neck as a way to clam down his nerves of asking Hinata if she wanted to do something tomorrow. He did always take Sakura's advice and listened to her carefully taking all she said to be true and worthwhile, so he would give this a shot. Sakura did say after all Hinata liked him.

H i n a t a didn't bother to look at Naruto who was standing beside her she felt too out of place knowing the guy she liked and loved was standing by her side, and after Sakura talking to him about what Sakura told her earlier she could get a good guess of what was coming. "Hinata-chan, I was wondering…if you would like to do anything tomorrow together?" Naruto finished his statement with a satisfied look towards Hinata. "W-well of course N-naruto. Just l-let me k-know what you w-want to d-do." What else could she say or do? Right now she was overwhelmed. All she could say was yes she couldn't do anymore she was too stunned if anything. Naruto scrunched his face together and lowered his eyebrows. He hadn't thought of what they could do together.

F o r moments if not minutes at the most there was complete silence as Naruto thought, and then something dawned on him. "Lets meet at Itchiraku Ramen tomorrow and have lunch together." Naruto waited for her answer eagerly and Hinata replied, "Hai." That's all Hinata said before walking off and looking over her shoulder to look back at Sakura with eyes saying thank you. Embarrassment took over Hinata as she continued to walk away. This was the happiest moment of her life.

S a k u r a smiled and felt accomplished. She got one thing done that she had been longing to get done, and had made her friend happier then ever. Naruto twirled back around and looked at Sai and Sakura. "Well that's that I'll be heading home now….OH! Wait, Sakura Sai was telling me you two already saw Sasuke?!" Sakura snapped out of her state of be happy for Hinata and looked over at Naruto. A furious scowl once more covering her facial features.

S a i walked over to Naruto and grabbed the bastard's arm and started to drag him away. "Eh! What did I do wrong Sai!? I'm just getting dragged around by everyone today!" Sakura folded her hands together and walked back over to the bench to take a seat. Stopping there she let her self-collapse down onto the wood with a silent thud. 'Looks like Sai already told Naruto about Sasuke-kun being back!' Sakura didn't really exactly know what to think. She was happy Sai told Naruto but at the same time she felt regretful he told Naruto.

S t a r i n g down at her hands she still felt distant. Almost light headed when she thought about Sai and Sasuke. It still loomed in her mind and she didn't get to tell any of it to Hinata. Stress why was such a thing created. She let her head fall down and rest in the palms of her hand. Snowflakes were falling and clinging to her pink toned hair. Sakura was once more alone and out in the cold. What worried her the most was same as usual Sai showed no interest or interaction with Sakura when he appeared.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S h e told him to leave, and he had followed her orders. Sasuke still couldn't get over the sight he saw of the girl he thought held all the love in the world only for him, kissing Sai. It hurt Sasuke enough to know and think that he had been replaced in team seven with Sai, but Sakura kissing him? Today was the first day Sasuke had been officially back in Konoha and it hadn't been the best. He was beginning to over look and regret coming back. Nothing was the same as it had been when he left. 5 years of being gone…and so many things could change in time.

H a n d s were still shoved down into his pockets, as they were when he left Sakura's house. Moving indolently down the streets on Konoha it also baffled Sasuke to have come back during winter and to a winter that was the heaviest winter Konoha had seen yet. The snow he left behind as he walked held footsteps printed into the snow. The snow was ivory, a color that contrasted with his own swarthy colors. It was going to take some time for Sasuke to get used to being back in Konoha. He felt out of place and like the new ugly duckling. He used to be hung over by all the girls and envied by all the guys but that had all vanished. One of the things he was worried about most though was how the Hokage would accept him back, if at all. If worst came to worst Sasuke would have to face death or retreat once more from Konoha.

I t was getting late and the roads had no one on them, they were barren except for the odd person coming along now and then. Sasuke was always one to be intently focusing on his surroundings but somehow managed to block out noises he didn't wish to hear and people's nonsense babbling but one noise still managed to intervene with his hearing. Sasuke's detached eyes wandered around the context scenery and right away noticed the voice. It was as loud as ever as usual and was also obnoxious. Naruto. Sasuke hadn't gone to visit him yet, as he wasn't up to talking with an old 'friend' his first day back. "I can't believe Sasuke came to visit Sakura before me! And then Sai you grab me away when I wanted to talk to Sakura about seeing Sasuke!" Naruto's moan was almost as loud as his voice and Sai just kept his hand hanging onto Naruto's arm as he continued to drag him away and back over to his house.

'W e l l doesn't seem like Naruto has changed any. Sakura also must be near by if Sai was dragging Naruto away from her.' The name Sai made Sasuke want to puke. That name was going to be on his bad list for sometime. Took almost everything away from Sasuke, if not everything. Took his spot in Team Seven, and Sakura's love by the looks of it. Sasuke scoffed and focused his attention on walking on. His curiosity and still wanting to visit Sakura though got the best of him. As Sai and Naruto passed without seeing him Sasuke went down the path they came from.

T o his amazement there on the bench by the lake Sakura sat. Her head down and cupped in her hands. This made Sasuke perk up a little and wonder what was exactly going on or running through her head. Looking out to the pong he saw the frosty water reflecting the sun's final rays as it settled in for the night. He wasn't the type of person to stay out after sunset but he still wished to visit with Sakura.

S a k u r a ' s ears while she was in deep thought caught the noise of snow crunching behind her as someone took steps closer to her. She lifted her head out of her hands and let her attention turn behind her. Emerald green eyes widened as she saw who it was. Hurriedly she got up off of the bench and started to walk over the edge of the pond and bent over at the knees as she stared off into the water. Picking up a rock that was lucky to not be all the way covered with snow yet she tossed it into the water and watched the ripples that followed after it sunk under the water.

S a s u k e continued to walk over to her and he stopped a few feet behind her and he heard Sakura murmuring nonsense to her self. "Hn, are you really that frustrated about me coming back?" the words were stern and firm. Sakura felt like she had been shot in the chest. She frantically replied to him wanting to shut his mouth up and hoping he would back off and just leave her alone, like he always did. "No! I'm happy to have you back! You just came by at the wrong time earlier and I feel bad for you having to see that." 'She still cares for me? Probably cares for me and is still one of those annoying obsessive fangirls. They always have too be so caring.' Sasuke had a lot running through his thoughts and head at the moment. He did talk a lot more in his thoughts then he did out loud. Always the way it worked he was just a quiet and to the point type of guy.

H e started to walk again and ended up directly beside Sakura. He bent over almost mocking her and he let his gaze stare at her with piercing eyes that showed no emotion. Sakura turned her head the other way and her pink tendrils flowed with the elegant but hasty movement. She wasn't up to looking at Sasuke. 'What an ass hole, and to believe I still love him.' With that said and done her inner self was not too pleased with her words and had to fire its own opinion back. 'Sasuke is sexy! What do you expect we have to love him! And being an ass hole makes him even more attractive.' Closing her eyes she bit her lip and did her best to ignore what her inner self said.

"F e e l bad about kissing Sai because you still love me? Is that it…Sakura?" Sasuke was not one to tease or try to get on anyone's nerves but the knew attitude of one of his old fangirls and teammates was starting to get on his nerves. He reached out a hand to swipe away a good amount of her pink tendrils on her shoulder. 'Her hair has started to get longer again.' He thought as it was now able to touch her shoulder near the front of a little longer then her shoulder when it neared the back.

T h a t was it. Sasuke was a bastard and she wasn't up to dealing or understanding why he talked the shit he did. Her hand darted up to grab his arm and she flung her head back around to give a smirk. She probably would regret this later on but the cold always got to her and made her think better then she normally would. And that was just the cold, she never really thought or had experienced how cold water…in winter made anyone think of feel but she was about to.

W i t h the strength she had learned from training with Tsunade-Sama over the years she twisted Sasuke's arm around and had a firm grip that even Sasuke found him self not being able to escape. "Good thing you know how to swim, and I'm sure the cold water will match and get along just fine with that smart ass attitude of yours. Enjoy your self…" She leaned in and over to her side and said his sweet name in his ear before she went and hurled him into the water. "Sasuke."

A loud splash was carried through the airwaves and Sasuke found him self in shock and in the water faster then he could comprehend what Sakura had said. Wadding in the water Sasuke felt his skin and nerves going numb from the extreme cold. Looking along the shoreline his gaze mingled along looking for Sakura and when she did find her Sakura was still sitting squatted down but waving to him with her eyes shut and a smug smile plastered on her face.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AC - Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I had fun writing it. Awww poor Sasuke-kun at the end gets to go for a little winter swim:3 Bet he is enjoying that! Please read and review! As always. xD Chapter 4 should be up in the next few days. I think I'm coming across writers block from writing so much in the last few days. -kicks self- Ah well i'l just hope for the best. Toodles everyone!