a/n: hi :)

The group was at their usual place for lunch, the picnic table in the courtyard underneath the Sakura tree. Unfortunately, Kiba and Shino promised their moms they would go home for lunch, but they didn't leave without some torture from the boys of the group. Despite the missing characters, the day was beautifully sunny, clear, and slightly windy. However, it was the warm kind of wind that made you tingle as it slowly passes by. Plus, the Sakura tree was blooming very well, and added loveliness to the already beautiful day.

"N-naruto-kun, do you want my left over sushi? I can't finish it." Hinata told Naruto as she pushed it over to him across the table. She still had the biggest crush on him, but only stuttered when saying his name.

"Sure! Thanks Hinata-Chan!" Naruto gave a toothy grin and wolfed down the sushi. He didn't notice Hinata's bright red blush flush across her cheeks although, everybody else did.

"He's clueless, STILL!" Sakura whispered in Ino's ear.

"I know. He needs a brain. Scratch that, it doesn't even take a brain to realize she likes him! And he even calls her Hinata-Chan!" Ino replied.

Sakura sighed for the third time today. This time it was because she had forgotten to pack a drink with her lunch. "Hey guys, I'll be right back. Drink." She explained as she got up from the table.

As she walked down the halls to the vending machine, she could hear Ino screaming, "CHOJI!!! I WANTED THAT!! GIVE IT BACK!! I AM NEVER FREAKIN' TAKING YOU OUT TO BARBEQUE AGAIN!!- HEY, HEY NO- DON'T TAKE THAT!! I'LL TAKE YOUR CHIPS!! YEA, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!!" and Sakura chuckled a bit. She loved her friends. They could be so funny sometimes.

She reached the drink machine, put in her yen, and pressed the button for water.

Then she waited.

And waited.

She hit the button one more time, but with a lot more force.

And she waited some more.

Waited.

Five minutes had passed and there was still no sign of the drink machine giving what Sakura had paid for.

"That was all the yen I had!" She complained audibly as she leaned with her back against the machine.

"I can help you."

She turned and saw Sai with his expressionless still painted on. "Really? How? The stupid thing's broken." Sakura stated as she kicked the machine so hard it made a dent.

"Hold on." Sai commanded as he took out a scroll and began to paint. The determination and focus in his eyes was admirable. With a final swish of his brush he muttered a jutsu. A long, skinny dragon crawled out of the scroll, and flew into the machine.

Sakura looked at him in amazement. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was slightly open.

"You might want to close your mouth. You could get bugs in there." Sai said as Sakura immediately shut her mouth with a clank sound of her teeth.

A moment or two later, the dragon came out, but this time he had his tiny body wrapped around a cylindrical object. He flew to Sakura and dropped the bottle in her hands as it vanished. "Wow, you didn't have to do all that…" Sakura said as she looked guiltily at the water bottle," I could have just gone to the water fountain or something."

"No, it's okay. But, you better hurry and get back. Your friends are waiting for you. Especially Uchiha." Sai stated as he turned around and started to walk away, "He will probably be the most worried of all."

"Ha! Like that sack of ice cares where I go, and what I do." Sakura laughed.

"Just watch him." Muttered Sai as he continued on his way.

"Umm… okay." Sakura said as she turned to go her way. "Oh, thank you for the water!" She said as she turned and smiled at him.

Sai didn't see the smile, instead held up his hand as a sign that he heard her.

Sakura carried her smile all the way back to the courtyard. When she approached her table, everyone stared at her.

"What took you?" Ino asked as Sakura took her place beside her.

Sakura giggled as she told the entire story to Ino, and her face lit up.

"OH MY GOSH! Do you think he likes you?"

Sakura whispered the story to an excited Hinata, and she replied "Aww! That is SO sweet!!"

"Who?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"Someone!" Sakura replied as all the girls giggled a bit. The boys looked dumbfounded.

"Who, Sakura?" the raven haired boy asked.

"OOO!! Is Uchiha interested in Sakura's love-life?" Ino tortured.

"Hn. I wasn't really expecting an answer-"

"SAI!" Sakura screamed with a genuine wide smile.

As soon as the name was uttered Sasuke slammed his fists on the table so hard that the table shook, stood up, leaned over the table, and stared directly into Sakura's frightened eyes with his sharingan. "Never mention him. He doesn't like anyone, especially you. He is nothing but a jerk and a pervert." Uchiha said firmly looking at no one else but Sakura, and keeping his face emotionless. He then sat down, and deactivated the sharingan.

Wow, I really lost control. That's the first time in a long while. He quickly changed thoughts. Hn. Not like I care. It's the truth. Sasuke thought.

Sakura looked quite taken back, and all she could do was stare at him with frightened eyes like everyone else. The rest of the lunch period would have been in silence if it weren't for Ino yelling at Shikamaru for countless and pointless things. However, an awkward cloud still hung between Sakura and Sasuke.


a/n: i was just testing the waters with 3 of the chapters, but it seems that people somewhat like it :P so i think i'll continue posting them :)