Chapter Three

Sakura grumbled her order to the woman behind the counter and rested her chin on her hands. Naruto, despite his love of ramen, kept his attention focused on her. Sakura hated how Naruto always looked so regretful the day after. He had no right to act as if all her problems were because of him and if he cared so much he should stop drinking and get his life back together. He wouldn't though; Sakura knew it and so did he.

"Isn't this fantastic?" Sai asked them both, a smile tugging at his lips but not truly coming through. Sakura remembered that smile from when they first met. It was a fake and deceiving smile that still put Sakura on edge. Mostly, though, Sai just used it because it was how he was used to smiling and not because he was up to something dire.

"It's good," Sakura nodded and smiled. Sai still didn't know her fake smiles from her real ones; the only people who could tell them apart were Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi. Even Kakashi had difficulty telling them apart at points.

"I'm glad you like it, Sakura," Sai beamed and Sakura felt bad for the lie. The ramen was good but Sakura wasn't hungry. Naruto stayed quiet, for once, and finished his ramen quickly.

"Would you like more, Naruto?" Sai asked him; Sai's eyes grew in size as he anticipated the response.

"No, I'm full." Naruto looked down at his empty bowl, his expression blank. He looked ready to cry, his hands bawling into fists. He jumped out of his chair suddenly, "I should go, bye." Then he ran off.

"What do you think he has to do, Sakura?" Sai turned to her as the woman came and took their bowls and asked if either wanted seconds. Both declined, Sai paid the woman, and they left.

"Not sure," Sakura shrugged nonchalantly though she had a pretty good idea. He'd probably go home and throw up. Then he'd brush his teeth, possibly wash his hair. Then he'd either head over to tsunade's grave for the rest of the day or head over to the hot springs.

"Well, I should go." Sai told her after they walked in silence for awhile, "I have to go to the library."

"Mind if I join you?" Sakura asked him. She didn't feel like going home so early yet. Ino left early this morning for a mission and Kankuro went to visit Gaara-sama and Temari for a few days; and Sakura didn't want to be home alone all afternoon.

"Sure," Sai smiled a huge blinding smile that made Sakura smile as well. Sai took Sakura's hand in his, an innocent sign of his friendship towards her, and pulled her eagerly down the street.