Here you go! Another chapter for you to read.

I want to thank my beta reader iMichelle. she is a great beta reader. she has done all of this story so far and a majority of Senior Year so i have to give her credit for smoothing these chapters out!! Thanks!!

Disclaimer: I don't own naruto oh well

Enjoy!!


Chapter 3

Word of What?

A light snow was falling on Sakura as she made her way to the campus for an early afternoon class. Her class on the History of Medicine began in twenty minutes. She pulled her winter coat around her, tighter. She was trying to walk as fast as she could without slipping on the ice beneath the snow.

It had been a month since the night at the club and the girls still hadn't had their girl's day out. Ino had called her just the day before and told her they would all be going out this Sunday since Sakura didn't have to work.

Sakura loved her Sundays. The one day she didn't have work. The day she could sleep in with Sasuke. And the day she didn't have to worry about classes… just studying for them. But now her peaceful Sunday would now be busy with... shopping.

She still didn't like shopping very much. The one time she actually liked shopping was in New York with Sasuke's mom, Mikoto. She was a different kind of shopper than Ino. She would offer input, but wouldn't push clothes on her, which Sakura liked. She had loved shopping with Mikoto. But now she would be shopping with Ino. Great. Sakura checked the time on her cell phone. 1:53. Crap, she had seven minutes to get to class.

Sakura slid into a seat in the classroom just before the professor came in and shut the door.

"Cutting it close again, aren't you Sakura?" a male voice asked beside her.

"Funny, Toshi. Maybe you should mind your own business." Sakura replied back sarcastically. She didn't like Harada Toshi.

"I was just stating a fact. This is the third time in two weeks you've been cutting it close to class. Maybe you should prioritize better." Toshi snickered.

"And you're still cold about not getting the job at KMC." Sakura said. She and Toshi had both been vying for the position at KMC as a medical student. Sakura had come out above Toshi and he was still cold over it.

"I can get into a better hospital then KMC. Apparently, there's an internship being offered in Tokyo. One of the best doctors in Japan, who just recently returned to the medical field, is taking an apprentice. I doubt you could get that position. I have already sent in my application." Toshi remarked smugly.

"You think I care? I have everything that I need right here in Konoha. I don't need an internship in Tokyo. Besides I'm probably going to be moving to Tokyo anyways in a couple of years."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about your boyfriend, Uchiha Sasuke… the heir of the Uchiha Corporation." Toshi rolled his eyes.

"Hey, don't talk about my boyfriend like that. He's got nothing to do with this." Before Sakura could continue her rant, the professor started the lesson.

"The history of medicine as we know dates back to..." Sakura already knew this information and right now, she was too pissed at the person sitting next to her to really care about the lesson. Dr. Rei had already given her an overview on the history of the medicines used at the hospital and medicine in general.

Thankfully, the professor let the class out ten minutes early. Sakura had a shift at the hospital at four thirty and with the snow, she had wanted to leave a little early. She walked out of the building only to see that it had started to snow harder. It was now coming down nicely… big, thick flakes that Sakura wanted to catch with her tongue.


She pulled her jacket tighter around her body and pulled a beanie onto her head to keep her hair semi-dry. She began walking towards the hospital when a car's honk drew her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Sasuke's blue mustang pulling up beside her. The window rolled down and Sasuke leaned over.

"Get in." He ordered and she took no time in obeying. She opened the door and slid into the warm car before closing the door.

"Arigato." She said, pulling off her beanie and placing her bag on the floor.

"Hn. How was class?" Sasuke asked.

"It was boring and irritable. You know, that Harada Toshi guy, who I went against to the medical student position, decided to become an even bigger jerk than normal." Sakura sighed, shaking her hair out.

"Don't sit next to him then."

'Novel idea!' Sakura thought sarcastically.

"I was a little late and didn't have time to look for a different seat." Sasuke looked over at his girlfriend.

"Late again?"

"I was just running a little behind."

"Hn." she knew he didn't believe it.

The car stopped in front of the hospital.

"When do you get off?"

"Ten." Sakura replied.

"I'll pick you up."

"Okay. Thanks." Sakura leaned over and kissed her boyfriend and then stepped out of the car taking he bag.

"Leave it. You don't need it." Sasuke said, pointing to the bag.

"Oh, okay, thanks." Sakura put the bag on the seat and shut the door and began walking to the hospitals front doors. She walked in and saw Yumi, another receptionist.

"Hey, Sakura." Yumi greeted her. "I love your boyfriend's car. Have I told you that before?" Yumi commented.

"I believe you have." Sakura laughed and continued down the hallway to the lounge. Suri and Sayuri were in there, getting tea and coffee.

"Hey Sakura. Arigato for doing the old lady a few weeks ago. She was driving me insane." Sayuri said right off.

"No problem." Sakura said. "Just don't make me have to go into her room again." Suri and Sayuri laughed.

"I promise." Sayuri said, still laughing. Sakura removed her jacket and grabbed her lab coat.

"Hey, got to go see what Yumi has for me today."

"I think I saw a little boy again." Suri mused and Sakura groaned as she walked out of the room.

Sakura walked back towards the desk where Yumi was currently typing something.

"Hey Yumi, what's on the agenda for me today?" Sakura asked leaning on the counter.

"Oh, it's a little bit of this and that. Dr. Rei wants you to watch a surgical procedure today. He wants you to meet him at five."

"Isn't five a little late for an operation?"

"It's a smaller one, so it won't take to long. Also he wants you in maternity for at least an hour. He said no buts." Sakura groaned. She loved kids, just not the hormonal pregnant mothers. "He wants to see you do an ultrasound. The woman's file is already in the room. That's at six."

"Thanks Yumi. So who is the first patient?"

"It's a little boy again. They are your favorites." Yumi snickered, knowing Sakura didn't always like the little brats.

"I am going to disregard the last statement. Which room?"

"107." Sakura picked up the file and walked towards the designated room.


Sakura opened the door to see a little boy with tears running down his face and his mother sitting there next to him.

"Hello, I'm Haruno Sakura. What seems to be the problem?" Sakura said politely to the mother.

"Well, I got back from work and Sora here was playing with his friends. I heard him scream. So I went outside and he kept saying his arm hurt. He wouldn't let me touch it so I brought him here." Sakura nodded and looked at Sora.

"Hey Sora, can you show me which arm hurts?" Sakura said, sweetly trying to comfort the little boy. He lifted his left arm slightly with the help of his right hand.

"Your left?" he nodded.

"Okay, can you tell me where it hurts? You can point to the spot." Sakura saw him point to his lower forearm.

"Does it hurt really badly?" Sakura asked and Sora nodded. Sakura turned back to the mother.

"What was he doing when he got hurt?"

"He was playing with some friends."

"Okay, Sora." she turned back to the little boy.

"I need you to be brave. Can you do that?" the boy nodded his dark head. "I'm going to see if you could possibly have a broken wrist." The mother paled slightly. The boy's other hand clung to his mother as Sakura inspected the swollen area on the boy's arm.

"We need to take x-rays to really determine if it is a broken bone. There is too much swelling to be one hundred percent sure." Sakura informed the stressed mother.

"Okay."

"I'll be right back. I'm going to go let the other nurses to prep the x-ray room."

Sakura left the room and immediately bumped into Dr. Rei.

"Ah, Sakura the person I wanted to see. You missed the operation."

"Gomen."

"Also, I need you up in maternity. It's almost time for the ultrasound; I didn't want you to forget."

"Hai Dr. Rei, but I didn't forget. I have a little boy that needs to get some x-rays done. He has a possible broken wrist." Sakura informed the doctor.

"Okay. I'll get Suri to cover for you."

"Domo,"

"No buts. Suri will take over. I want to see you in maternity." Sakura nodded her head and left to go up to the maternity floor.


Sakura didn't have anything against the maternity area of the hospital. She had only been at the hospital for three months when Dr. Rei had her watch a delivery. It was her first time as well and seeing a baby be born, the natural way, was not what she had expected to see.

She went to the nurses' station on the second floor.

"Hey Hana." Sakura said to the light brown haired woman.

"Ah, Sakura, Are you here for the six o'clock ultrasound?" the woman asked.

"Yeah, Dr. Rei wanted to observe me."

"He does seem to be doing that a lot."

"Yes, he is. Do you know why?"

"Nope. I just know about all the pregnant women that decided to step out of that elevator." Hana smiled and Sakura laughed.

"Well, then who is my patient today?"

"Their names are Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka. She is six months pregnant with one child. It is their first child as well. So they will be pretty excited for the ultrasound."

"Arigato." Sakura smiled and headed to the second ultrasound room.

The new parents-to-be were waiting in the room when Sakura opened the door.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka. I'm Haruno Sakura. Dr. Rei will be here with us in a few moments."

"I'm here Sakura." Dr. Rei's voice said as the door opened and closed.

"This is a Haruno Sakura, as she introduced herself as, and she is a medical student studying at HLU. She will be performing your ultrasound. But don't worry. Sakura, here is a very intelligent and knowledgeable individual. I will be assisting her if she needs it." Dr. Rei explained to the couple, who both nodded okay that a medical student was doing the ultrasound.

"Okay Sakura, lets get to work." Sakura nodded and helped move the lady onto the table to receive her ultrasound.

Sakura pulled off the latex gloves and threw them in the trash.

"You are quite the medical student Sakura. You are certainly skilled in all aspects of the medical field." Dr. Rei praised her.

"Thank you, Dr. but I don't think I deserve that much credit." Sakura replied humbly. "You have taught me a lot of the things I know."

"Ah, but Sakura, I may teach but it is you who listen. You have great potential and you will go far. Also, you're here in maternity for another half hour. After that, you can go help stock up the first 10 rooms of the first floor." Dr. Rei said as he exited the room.

Sakura stayed in the maternity ward for another half hour. It wasn't as bad as they last time. This time she was to take the stats of the mothers, who had just given birth. There were three. All looked completely exhausted but happy. Sakura looked at one after taking her stats.

She was sleeping peacefully on the white hospital bed. The husband was out at the moment. She wondered if she and Sasuke would ever have kids. Well, first, he had to ask her to marry him. She still had the promise ring he had given her after their prom, but it wasn't an engagement ring. She smiled and left the room.

She dropped off the charts to Hana. Going down to the first floor, she began to prepare the first ten rooms again. She needed to find Suri and ask about the little boy. Before she knew it, it was ten o'clock. She went to the lounge. She took off her lab coat and put on her winter jacket. She walked away from the room and proceeded to go outside where she saw Sasuke's mustang waiting at the curbside. He was always punctual.


She got into the car and leaned back and gave a sigh.

"Busy day?"

"Hai. Busy, but good. Dr. Rei had me in maternity for part of the time." Sakura looked over at Sasuke to see if he had an expression on his face.

There was surprisingly nothing.

"I got to do an ultrasound on a first time mother. Her and her husband was so excited to see their child." Sakura said and still there was no expression on Sasuke's face, but then did she expect one. Lately, he had been a little less expressionless. She figured he was stressed from his classes.

They arrived back at the condo. Sasuke had already eaten, so Sakura grabbed an apple and then went to get ready for bed. Sasuke was already under the covers when Sakura got into the room. She smiled and changed in the bathroom. Lying down on the bed, she was immediately swallowed up into Sasuke's chest. Tomorrow was Saturday and she didn't have a shift.


It was Sunday morning and Sakura was making breakfast for her and Sasuke. She was still in her flannel pants and one of his t-shirts. She was finishing making the tea when an incessant pounding on the door began. Wiping her hands on a towel, she went to open the door. There stood Ino.

"Ino? What are you doing here?" Sakura asked confused.

"We're going shopping with the girls today. Remember?"

"Hai, I remember, but Sasuke and I were just about to have breakfast."

"It's ten in the morning. Go get changed and come on. We are wasting shopping time."

"But Ino, we haven't had breakfast yet and I would like to spend some time with him before I go shopping." Sakura tried to protest.

"Look, Sakura, you spend everyday with him. Now, it's a girl's day out, so get a move on. You can spend time with him later. If you don't come, it won't be the whole group of us girls, now say goodbye to Sasuke and let's go." Ino demanded.

"Fine." Sakura gave in. She walked into the bedroom to find Sasuke stepping out of the bathroom with only sweatpants on.

"Hey, Sasuke, um, well Ino is here and wants me to go with her now. I got breakfast made so just eat without me. I will be back later today and then we can do something together." Sakura said, picking out a dark red turtleneck to wear and a pair of jeans.

Sasuke didn't say anything but she could tell that he was rather upset. He was giving off an 'I'm pissed' aura. It was a good thing Ino wasn't in the bedroom or she might have been glared to death.

"I'll be back later." Sakura said, giving him a kiss on his cheek.

"Hn."

"Don't be so moody. We can do something together tonight." She waved a goodbye as she then made her way out of the bedroom and Sasuke heard the faint opening and closing of the door.

Sasuke walked out of the room and found the already made breakfast lay out on the table with his favorite tea next to his food. Sakura knew him to well. He sat down and began to eat. Now what was he going to do all day now that Sakura wasn't here. He wasn't quite sure.

At The Mall

Sakura was dragged to the corolla that Ino drove. The two got in and made their way towards Konoha Mall.

"It's been a while since the four of us have had a good shopping spree with each other. I am way excited!" Ino said giddily to an unhappy Sakura.

"Hai, it has been a while, but we have been pretty busy with everything. I mean you are starting your career and I'm busy at the hospital." Sakura said. "TenTen is busy with her classes and Hinata is married and in college. I mean, we are all very busy."

"Now look who's being pessimistic." Ino said.

"Well, I was trying to spend time with my boyfriend." Sakura shot back. The two got out of the car and walked inside the mall. They found Hinata and Tenten waiting for them.

"Hey, you two. Aren't you a little late?" Tenten asked.

"Gomen about that. I wasn't ready." Sakura admitted to the other girls. "Ino picked me up when I was about to have breakfast with Sasuke." Sakura looked at Ino, glaring slightly.

"You have breakfast with him every morning! Get over it." Ino said exasperatedly. Tenten and Hinata laughed.

"All right then. Lets get this day started." Tenten said and all the women began walking towards their first shop.

"Hey Sakura, you should get this top." Ino said, showing her a dark green halter top.

"I wouldn't wear it." Sakura said, looking at other shirts.

"Come on! All you wear are boring shirts. You always wear the shirts that everyone wears. Wear something new for a change." Ino said, still looking at the halter tops.

"No Ino. I don't want shirts like...that. It just isn't me." Sakura wished she were shopping with Mikoto, and then she wouldn't have to deal with Ino and the 'buy this shirt because it looks dangerous'.

"Here is this one." Sakura again looked over to Ino who held a strapless top that looked very, and she means very, form fitting.

"Wouldn't wear it. It looks too tight and it is way too cold for that kind of shirt."

"Dang it Sakura. Where is your fashion sense? Where are all the nice flashy tops?

"Here at the stores. I don't like wearing the fanciest shirts Ino. I like what I wear." Sakura shrugged going through a few more shirts. Ino dropped the shirt subject, but didn't give in when they reached the skirts.

After six hours of shopping, Sakura needed water and several aspirin. She practically fell onto the couch in the condo. Sasuke came out of the room known as the 'office'. It was where they both had their laptops and other technological equipment.

He wore baggy sweat pants and a loose t-shirt. He raised an eyebrow at the five; no six shopping bags surrounding Sakura.

"Did you buy all that?" He asked incredulously.

"No way. It was Ino." Sakura leaned her head back against the couches arm. "I didn't even want half the stuff, but she insisted and you know how Ino is when she wants to get something." Sasuke nodded looking at his completely exhausted girlfriend.

"How about Pizza and a movie?" he suddenly said causing Sakura to lift her head to look at him.

"Sure, that sounds great." she laid her head back down.

They ate pizza and watched a comedy, seeing as Sakura was in no mood for a scary one and Sasuke didn't like chick flicks. The movie ended and Sakura was asleep, leaning on Sasuke's shoulder. He picked her up gently and made his way towards their bedroom.

Sakura awoke the next morning with a headache. If there was such a thing as a hangover from shopping, she had one. Sakura groaned and tried to roll over, but was stopped feeling as she was trapped between strong arms and a hard chest. She had class this morning and she needed to get up and get ready.

"Sasuke." she whispered. "I need to get up." Sasuke groaned and lessened his hold on her. She was able to slip out and shower. Sasuke was still in bed when she came out towel drying her shoulder blade length locks. She smiled and quietly made her way out of the room.


A few weeks later, Sakura entered her History of Medicine class and this time, she was early. She saw Toshi give a cold glare to her.

'What is with that guy?' Sakura ignored the glare given to her and sat down a couple of rows back from the front of the class and away from Toshi. Sakura took her time to get out her notebook and go through the paper that was due that day. It was on a medical treatment and its history. The professor soon came in and the lights dimmed letting them know they were about to take some serious notes.

Sakura walked through the doors of the hospital for her evening shift. She passed Aiko, who congratulated her. Sakura said thank you and tried to not look confused. What was going on? She walked into the lounge where Suri was once again getting tea. This woman loved her tea more than hospital work it seemed. She too offered congratulations. Sakura was about to ask what it was for before Aimi, Dr. Rei's secretary, opened the door.

"There you are Sakura. Dr. Rei would like to have a word with you." Sakura nodded. Pulling on her lab coat and giving a last glance to Suri, Sakura walked out of the room and towards Dr. Rei's office.

She knocked lightly and heard a come in. Dr. Rei looked up from his paperwork when he heard the door open and close. He saw it was Sakura and took off his glasses and leaned back in his chair.

"Sakura, I wanted to talk to you about something. I received some news this morning." He motioned for Sakura to take a seat in a leather chair in front of his desk. Sakura stayed silent and let him continue.

"I'm sure you heard about the internship in Tokyo." Sakura nodded her head. "I hope you won't be mad at me, but I took the liberty to fill out the application for you. I know you have great potential and thought that the internship and apprenticeship might be good for you. I submitted the application."

Dr. Rei looked directly at Sakura. Sakura knew something big was going to happen now.

"I received word this morning."

'Word? Word of what?' Sakura thought.

"The person picked for the internship and apprenticeship...was you."

Sakura's heart stopped.


AHHHHHH!!! It's a cliff hanger. sorry about that. i needed a cliff hanger. now the story will really start getting good. This was the introductory chapter to the rest of the story. the next one will be out shortly because it is nearly written. hehe

So please review. I love reviews. its my feedback. so PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

thanks

ja

yoyo