Chapter 4: A Busy Thursday

Well, it's here finally. Been a busy and a not so great month, but at least October is finally here.

Enjoy.

"Stupid papers…" Sakura murmured, standing up straight as she stared at the cut she had acquired on her index finger. Droplets of blood were beginning to appear and quickly she placed her finger into her mouth as she turned around and jumped back, hitting the edge of her desk in surprise and her glasses to slip to the tip of her nose.

Kakashi stared with wide eyes, taking in the form of the woman: behind, she had curled locks of red-pink hair and pale skin hidden by the braided cloth formed into an X on her upper back…but then she had turned and he immediately noticed her green eyes. The familiarity had only grown more as he linked the two together along with the rectangular shaped reading glasses perched on her petite nose. He only knew of one person with those features and he wasn't sure if the very woman before him was indeed her. It couldn't be.

Quickly she pulled her finger out of her mouth, "Mr. Hatake! Did you just get back?" Her glasses were quickly pulled off, held between petite fingers as she refocused on the form of her CEO before her. Eek! She hadn't been expecting him to be behind her. Oh how she despised his ability to walk so quietly anywhere and every where!

"Sakura?" Kakashi instantly questioned as he stared at her confused eyes. When he had left, he remembered her being larger… Not hideous, yet not for him, but just a woman who did her job. And certainly not the woman who was before him, not at all large and not at all unattractive. Oh was he confused. Very, very, very confused.

"Yes, sir?" Sakura answered, noting how wide his eyes looked. Oi. It was too bad Ino hadn't stated that they were in the office building itself. She may have been a tad bit more prepared if she had known.

"But I…Wait, what the? Am I..?" Kakashi muttered, shaking his head. The woman before him was named Sakura, with the same pink-red hair and green eyes…Jade as he often like to think. But she! She was stunning! What the hell happened in the three and a half months he had gone?

"Sakura!" Ino shouted as she reappeared, halting immediately as she came beside Kakashi who now had covered his eyes with a hand. "Uh," Ino paused as she stared at a confused Sakura who shrugged immediately. "Mr. Hatake! How was your trip?" She grew nervous when he didn't reply right away, waving her hands dramatically at Sakura who shook her head still, unable to be of any help. "Uh, well…"

"Wow, Shizune was right…You look absolutely amazing Sakura…" Genma nodded in approval as he appeared, stopping on the other side of Kakashi, hand still covering his eyes. He stared at him in momentary confusion before switching to Sakura once more, "Can I ask how much?"

"Ninety pounds," Sakura smiled genuinely, proud of her accomplishment. "I'm at one-hundred and thirty pounds."

"I thought women didn't reveal their weight…" Genma's sly, playful smile appeared as Sakura laughed.

"Only when they're not comfortable," Sakura smiled and nodded. It was true, at least for her, she never felt comfortable before revealing her weight, but now she felt great. Amazing at that. Damn proud to say she was only a hundred and thirty pounds and not the same woman she once had been at some time before.

Kakashi had to admit he was stunned. Stunned by the fact that the woman before him was Sakura, the same secretary he has had for nearly a year. And to think, she had changed her physical being within the months he and Genma were out of the city. Oh man, how things could change so quickly! So much for the president failing to hiring an attractive secretary. The one he had had become an absolutely gorgeous one at that! Oh why did these things just have to happen for Kakashi? He couldn't fathom the idea.

"Ah, Hatake Kakashi…" The voice of Tsunade caused everyone to do a one-eighty, facing the older woman, with long blonde, nearly white hair with warm smiles. Whether the smiles were real or not, were left to each their own. "Just the man I wanted to see… I expect you in my office within the next ten minutes."

Kakashi nodded in reply as Tsunade's hazel eyes focused intensely his way. The stare down seemed to illicit a type of fear in him…His hands slipped back into his pockets as he turned away slightly, the uneasy feeling growing greater with each passing second.

"And Sakura?"

"Yes?" Sakura replied calmly as she in turn met Tsunade's eyes, filled with the usual familiar warmth only ever directed her way.

"Work hard and stay strong. You're absolutely stunning." Tsunade added turning around and walking away, leaving a blushing Sakura with the others.

"She's right…Take it from an old geezer like me, if I was around your age and single, I'd be going after ya," Genma winked, pulling a toothpick seemingly out of nowhere and stuck it in his mouth. "But don't tell Shizune, she'll have my ass."

"Technically… I have your 'ass' anyways." Shizune had seemingly arrived out of thin air, surprising everyone as she laughed. "But you are a beauty Sakura. Listen to Tsunade and this old geezer." She stood next to Genma who threw an arm around her, kissing her on the forehead. Cheeks quickly reddened by the sweet gesture, her hand rested on his chest as she composed herself, "Now you…" Her eyes were directed at Genma, cheeks having returned to normalcy, "We didn't get to finish talking because you walked out after I said-"

"Ah, well!" Genma interrupted, swiftly turning Shizune and himself around toward her office, "We'll finish talking about it now then, how about that beautiful?"

Shizune sighed loudly as she was being led away. Men.

Sakura and Ino giggled as Genma walked away with Shizune, more than likely to keep himself out of the dog house. Unfortunately, the two had been left with the non-responsive CEO some feet away.

Said CEO had quickly concluded three things--One: his secretary wasn't new. Two: she was Sakura. And three: he may have just well been damned.

"What the fuck?" Kakashi hissed, surprising the girls who were currently huddle in front of Sakura's desk. In all honesty, it would have been much better if he had a new secretary. Too bad that wasn't the case as he turned to look at the women staring at him oddly. One of his arms raised up, shouting 'Why!' as he stared at the ceiling. Oh how he wish he could go after the very being who had decided to bring this 'curse' upon him.

Both Sakura and Ino's eyebrow rose at the CEO's action, both staring at one another before turning back to Kakashi. His hand had rose back to his forehead, fingers splayed across as he murmured unintelligible words.

"Shit," Kakashi muttered as he glanced at his watch. It read '4:45.' He better get to Tsunade's office within the next ninety seconds at best if he didn't want to suffer her wrath. "You," His finger pointed toward Ino, eyes widening substantially as he began, "I expect you elsewhere when I return. And you," His arm shifted to the right, landing on an equally eye widened Sakura, "I expect my papers are sorted, yes?" He watched as her head nodded frantically before he continued, "And I also would like a few minutes of your time before you leave for the evening."

Sakura and Ino nodded in unison, watching Kakashi disappear quickly from view. More than likely to please Tsunade and arrive at the impromptu meeting on time. Honestly, the woman was never pretty to deal with when angered. And she was certainly one to easily anger some days!

"Well, I'll meet you in the lobby when Kakashi is done talking with you." Ino rolled her eyes as she walked away, leaving Sakura alone for the time being.

Settled into her chair, she promptly placed her reading glasses in its case, thoughts jumping to everyone's words that had come her way. It only had been a couple days since she had attained her weight goal, and all in all, it was completely successful. She had gone down several sizes and was curvaceous in all the places she had hoped. Her chest was a nearly full B, small waist and hips just wider than her shoulders…It was just what she had wanted, minus the lot of attention she was getting.

To her, getting so much attention was quite abnormal and already now, being a little shy as is that didn't help at all. Definitely needed to work on taking the attention in stride along with being and feeling pretty. She still had work to make her emotional well being match up with her physical well being.

-

"Kakashi…" Tsunade murmured, reclining slightly on her large office chair. Hazel eyes stared intensely once more at the man. He looked awfully distracted, she noted as she hadn't caught his dark eyes quite yet.

"Yes, Tsunade?" Kakashi replied rather lazily as his eyes wandered her large, immaculate office. The window was wide open and curtains pulled aside, allowing the fresh spring air to permeate the office filtered air. The two doors behind her were slightly ajar, hiding the walk-in closet and personal bathroom. Several wooden shelves lined her wall, filled with books and binders surrounding the large wooden desk Tsunade currently sat at. Nothing was out of place it seemed, at least in Kakashi's eyes.

"Now perhaps you have an idea as to why I had gone to look for you after yours and Genma's arrival back…" Tsunade began, leaning forward on her desk, elbows planted on the surface.

"Not quite." Weight shifted from one leg to the other as he anticipated a likely lecture. Perhaps it may have been because he had decided to go with Genma last moment? Certainly he was CEO and not CMO, but he was one to never refuse a trip when Tsunade allowed him-and more than often times she did. The job was always done along with a few more intended extracurricular activities.

"You and I are not blind and there isn't any way you could have missed Sakura… I also know she has just somehow become your 'type." Open hands landed on the table, causing a noticeable 'slap' to ring throughout the room.

Kakashi's eyes immediately met Tsunade's, his questioning becoming more apparent with each passing second as he understood where she was indeed going with this conversation. "Of course I'm not blind…But I hardly believe I'd go and sleep with your grand niece of all people…" Even if she just happened to become a gorgeous woman while I was gone…Hn.

"Really?" Tsunade laughed lightly as Kakashi groaned in displeasure, remembering a moment of the past.

"I was twenty-four…And I didn't know she was related to you until after I got the job here." Kakashi added in defense.

Tsunade quickly waved a hand in dismissal. "Don't bother. She was an in-law…But," Her tone grew serious as she leaned further, "Touch her and you're dead. She's my blood and I care more than deeply about her. I had always known she was beautiful. And I know you too well. You've been forewarned. Dismissed," Tsunade said in all seriousness, shooing him away instantly and out her door.

Kakashi sighed as he closed the door tight behind him, eyes meeting a smirking Genma standing some feet away.

"You are fucked." Genma nodded as Kakashi stepped slowly toward him, shaking his head in disagreement.

"Ridiculous. I'll be fine. She's still Sakura," Kakashi was at least trying to convince himself of such a fact but wasn't sure if it would be successful. Beautiful woman flocked to him.

Or perhaps he flocked to beautiful woman. He wasn't so sure now that he took a moment to contemplate such. Too bad there wasn't enough time for that, though.

"Isn't that the problem itself? She isn't like the others…Nowhere anywhere near Ino from what I hear… She's just so… What's the word they use these days?"

"Hn."

"Not quite, but she's an exceptional woman with a good head…You know, aside from the anger. But! How much you want to bet?" Genma smiled slyly. There was no way Kakashi would be able to hold back for long, he knew better than that. A man was only as strong as his head… And sometimes, the other head spoke quite strongly compared to the logical one. It would become a difficult battle indeed.

"No," Kakashi said firmly as he walked passed a smirking Genma and toward the elevator. The hurried footsteps behind him merely stated that Genma wasn't quite finish yet and when the two got into the elevator, it was quite true.

"Cause you'll lose," Genma stated matter of factly, "And we both know this because you know she's coming to the wedding we set in July."

"I don't see what that has to do with anything you bastard." Kakashi growled.

"Think about it Kakashi, my wedding is on the beach," Genma waved his hand in the air, exaggerating the thoughts about the landscape as usual. "And we're going to be there for a good week and a half… It looks like she did it just in time for Summer…Sakura is bound to go swimming in the vast ocean sea at some point! Possibly in a bikini at that!" His arm had wrapped around Kakashi's shoulders by this point, shaking him all the while.

Damn him, Kakashi immediately thought, shrugging Genma's arm off quickly. He had a point again. Really, all Kakashi could hope was that his will to fight against this would win. Thankfully the elevator ride was short, thank the two story difference! He hurried toward his office, leaving Genma behind.

"You'll lose Kakashi! Only a matter of time!"

Ignoring Genma's words, he continued on his way, finding Sakura sitting quietly at her desk. At least she's still here, he figured. "Come with me," Kakashi demanded as he stepped into his office.

The echo of heels followed him as he sat in his office chair behind his desk. He settled into it, having not sat in it for so long, not quite realizing he missed the largely cushioned chair. "Close the door." Dark eyes settled on the rather petite looking woman before him as she shut the door and turned back toward him.

She seemed instantly occupied, her hands fiddling with one another, lip caught between her teeth. Nervous. Sakura was nervous and that itself struck Kakashi as odd. Definitely not the type of woman he would ever find nervous around him.

"Sakura…" Her name was little more than a whisper, enough to capture her attention and all her instantaneous nervous ticks to immediately stop.

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm…not quite sure what to say other than, why?" He stared at Sakura, his expression quite blank as he took in the very sight of her.

"Why what…Sir?" Her hand rose to her neck, long slender fingers running down the exposed, pale skin stopping only as her fingers ghosted against the fabric's neckline.

It wasn't intentional, he knew that, but oh how difficult she was making this whole 'talk' even more difficult. The closer view had granted him a lovely view of her form; thinner and curvaceous. The beauty that was always truly Sakura perhaps. Something he had assumed she had somewhere within her.

"It's as if you've become like every other woman in the office…"

"Oh…" Sakura nearly laughed, but held it in. Originally she had thought she may have gotten in trouble by not sorting the papers out in a timely matter…Like before he had arrived, but that obviously wasn't the case. "We're talking about my physical appearance I see…"

Kakashi simply nodded, "Unless you have something else to say?"

"No, no. I-" She paused, "I just wanted to do something for myself. Is that so bad sir?"

Well…Hn… Kakashi shook his head. "No. It's not a bad thing. I'm just…surprised. We talked a couple times a week and yet you never mentioned a single thing. And to think, you've done this all in the time that I was doing business elsewhere. You look…stunning."

A perfectly plucked eyebrow arched high, "I think that if I were a typical woman of your preference, I would have fallen for that."

"Oh? I didn't realize I had such a preference…You see I am a man who likes-"

"Save it."

"Ah." He was starting to realize not much got by his assistant. "That must be why I keep you around." Kakashi smiled as Sakura rolled her eyes. Too bad he had indeed meant what he had said, but she was never the girl to let compliments be accepted…Or be foolish enough to hear his silly excuses.

"Making up excuses just so you get your cup of coffee and bagel every morning before you arrive."

"I beg to differ."

"Who are you kidding?"

Obviously no one… Kakashi shrugged. "I'll see you in the morning Sakura, you're dismissed."

"See you, Mr. Hatake." Sakura waved as she made her way out of his office. Quickly she grasped her bag and headed for the elevator. Slightly awkward.

On a good note, tonight was a friend's party and tomorrow was Friday. Free!

"Well, helloooo there beaut-er…beau…"

Sakura cringed. Yet again there was another, man trying to talk to her. Their breaths reeked of alcohol and she was surprised one hadn't toppled over with each step. This was always Ino's thing and not hers, and needless to say, was not at all enjoying this.

Honestly she was indeed tired of the random men and their drunken slurs that had appeared at Inuzuka Kiba's party. Friends or perhaps even co-workers, she wasn't sure. Where was Ino to take this fool away? Or someone to take her away?

So she simply acted as she often now did since the first man had attempted to chat her up and turned her nose the other way. She was here for Kiba and not for silly, drunken men trying to hit on her. Especially ones who thought they had to yell at the top of their lungs just to hear themselves over the music.

"Sakura," The deep, serious tone voice caused her to turn her head the previous way, back toward the drunken man. She was surprised to find instead steely, blue-grey eyes concentrated on her and the drunken man slurring behind him in utter confusion.

"H-hey I wa-" The man had quickly been interrupted by the other, merely raising his hand and silencing him.

"Neji," Sakura smiled as she felt his hand land softly on the small of her back, leading her away from the fool. "Thank you," Sakura whispered.

Neji smiled, nodding in reply as the two took the few steps needed to join the group of familiar faces. His hand had slowly shifted from her back as they arrived, instead now slipping around the waist of a slightly pink faced Tenten.

"Thank you, you're the best," Tenten smiled as she stood taller, placing a kiss on Neji's cheek.

A small amount of colored crept up Neji's cheeks, still embarrassed by the slightest affection from his fiancée still.

"Yeah, thank you again Neji." Sakura smiled as Neji nodded once more.

"It's not a problem. You're a friend and we always help…Even if it means saving you from the grasps of drunken men." Neji laughed lightly as the others joined.

"Yeah…" The man standing to the right of Tenten--Sakura's left--rubbed the back of his neck not so innocently, "These guys are from work and are not the best to be around when drunk. I'm sorry, Sakura…But you are pretty hot."

Sakura smiled, although a bit embarrassed and wanting to resist laughing at the very way Kiba had used his words. Kiba was Kiba still, ever a man of twenty-four more than often, nearly always, acting younger than that. Scraggly brown hair stood atop his head, sticking in nearly every direction possible and only would it add to his incredibly handsome, boyish charm.

"Thank you…Kiba." Sakura smiled as Kiba in turned grinned quite happily.

"Ohmygosh!" Ino exclaimed, stumbling into Sakura roughly who in turn had to grab onto Neji to balance out the unexpected added person. "Didjaa kno-Ooh, Sakura tha-that gu-"

Sakura sighed, "I'm sorry Neji."

Neji simply shook his head as he pulled Sakura into a better position…One where Ino no longer clung to Sakura and she was able to stand on her own two feet. Ino had let go, instead standing in the very spot Sakura had previously stood, staring with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"Ino?" Kiba snapped his fingers several times in front of her dull looking eyes, receiving only a slight eye adjustment fixing his way instead.

The man beside Kiba clicked his tongue in annoyance, "How troublesome."

"Shut it Shikamaru!" Ino yelled in response, shoving the man who held no resistance. He simply took a few steps back and sighed as Ino seemed to grasp the front of his shirt tightly to keep herself from falling. She let go quickly though, turning around and walked away.

Lazily, Shikamaru shuffled back toward the others, groaning in a bit of displeasure at the recent event. With the circle closed off once more, every single person looked around and shook their head.

"So she'll pass out in ten minutes, who wants to take her home for me?" Sakura grimaced. This was a normal event, needless to say. Ino never knew when to stop and thankfully, generally ended up in one of the guys carrying Ino to the car and driving her back to their shared apartment.

"I did it last time," Shikamaru nodded. "So I'm not doing it this round."

"I was with you," Choji added, stuffing his face with the bag of chips he held.

"I did it the time before!" Kiba nearly shouted.

"I the time before…It would be Lee's turn if he were here tonight…" Neji murmured, glancing around the large living room of Kiba's home.

"I suppose it's my turn tonight…" The man standing on Sakura's left said in a bit of disdain. He tugged at the upturn collar of his polo, exposing the smooth, pale white skin of his neck and readjusted his sunglasses resting atop his bushy brown hair.

"She'll probably wonder why she's over six feet about the ground once you throw her on your shoulder though. Maybe she'll freak out!" Kiba added.

"Kiba…I-" Sakura paused, quite unsure what Kiba was trying to get at by saying such. Instead, she turned to her left only to come to face with an arm, well aware that the man beside her was a foot taller than her naturally, if it weren't for her two inch heels. Nonetheless, she had to look up at the man and smiled. "Never mind… but thank you, Shino. I appreciate it."

"You are quite welcome Sakura." Shino smiled lightly, "Wouldn't be very good friends if one were to leave her in such a defenseless state."

"Yeah…" Sakura sighed, ever thankful that her friends were so amazing after all these years. "It just sucks we have to work tomorrow…"

"Oh!" Tenten exclaimed as Ino's shrill, drunken laughter rang throughout the room before stopping just as quickly. Her nose scrunched up as her hand rose, pointing behind Sakura and Shino. "She just passed out, you better go get her."

"Ah…" Shino had turned quickly, heading for the blonde beauty currently passed out on a chair nearby.

"Let me help!" Kiba shouted, following Shino in the process.

"Oh jeez… So I'll see you guys later then," Sakura waved quickly nearly running toward the men.

Shino had reached her quickly, bending low to pick her up as Kiba helped place her comfortably over his shoulder.

The three able bodies plus one held over the tallest one's shoulders had made it outside quickly, heading toward the navy blue Civic Si sedan. Sakura clicked the unlock button, opening the passenger side door immediately as Shino bent down and brought Ino car level while Kiba carefully help ease her in.

"I'll meet you at the complex." Shino nodded as he stood up.

"Too bad it's not Friday, otherwise we'd throw her in the spare bedroom." Kiba shrugged as he closed the passenger side door.

Sakura braced herself on the driver's car seat as she buckled Ino in place. She crawled backwards, standing up and looked over the roof of the car, "Seriously I'd just stay with her here like before…But it's not Friday," Sakura grimaced.

"Yeah…" Kiba shrugged once more. "Well, I should get back in there, I'll see you two later." Kiba waved as he took a few steps backwards, before turning around entirely and headed back toward his home.

"Are you sure this won't be too much trouble Shino?" It just seemed such a bother to have someone carry her up the building. If only Sakura and Ino had lived in the first few floors instead of the twelfth floor would she had been more willing to attempt such a trek. Sure, thank the elevators, but she wasn't sure she'd make it all the way in the end.

"No, it's no problem. Your complex is across the street from mine, remember?" Shino smiled, his dimples making a rare appearance.

Sakura blushed lightly. The man was certainly handsome and even more so when he graced the world with a smile and dimples. "Right, thank you so much. I'll see you there then?"

"Absolutely."

Sakura dropped herself back into the driver's seat, watching as Shino turned around and headed for the parked black motorcycle. She had nearly forgotten his choice of transportation just so happened to be a motorcycle… A Kawasaki Ninja ZX. As to what any of it meant, Sakura had no clue, but quickly understood as to why he wore a black and white jacket. A leather motorbike jacket, she guessed. Sakura quickly shook her head, reminding herself she was suppose to be going home. She buckled herself in and turned the motor on, driving off as she heard the roar of Shino's motorcycle coming to life.

The apartment building came into view fifteen minutes later, as well as an open parking spot in front of it. Lucky! Immediately, she slid into said spot and parked with relative ease. She could see Shino standing on the sidewalk, waving as she put the car in park and turned the engine off.

Shino opened the passenger side door as Sakura got out of the driver's side, unbuckling Ino and talking softly. "Ino…Ino, are you aware?"

Ino's head lolled side to side, murmuring unintelligible words as Shino and Sakura looked at each other oddly and shrugged.

"She's far gone…" Sakura whispered causing Shino to chuckle. She watched as he slipped an arm beneath Ino's legs and the other behind her neck, pulling her slowly out of the car and stood up slowly as he adjusted to the extra weight. "Doing ok?"

"Yeah, I think we're fine." With Ino in his arms, he turned around and took a few steps, allowing Sakura to shut the door and place the alarm on. "I'm sorry, do you mind getting the door?"

"Are you kidding?" Sakura rambled out loud, heading for the door. Who would mind such a gentleman willing to carry up her drunk best friend to their apartment? Sakura certainly didn't!

"Drunk?" The security guard asked, watching the two plus one unconscious blonde make their way past the desk.

"Indeed," Sakura replied, slightly annoyed as they made their way toward the elevator. A delicate finger pushed a button on the wall, requesting the elevator to come to lobby level. The elevator 'dinged,' doors opening allowing them entrance. She quickly pressed the button labeled '12' and waited for the doors to close and the elevator to move.

A groan escaped the blonde woman as the elevator doors closed, feet beginning to kick as Ino murmured words angrily. She began to flail more violently within seconds, Shino quickly letting his arm slip from beneath her legs and allowing her to wobble on two feet.

"Ino…" Sakura's hand rose to her cheek as she stared at the woman, eyelids fighting to stay open. It was clearly a losing battle as she passed out once more, nearly falling to the floor in a heap if it hadn't been for Shino holding on. Quickly he had thrown Ino over his shoulder instead; typical fireman's carry, just as the elevator doors dinged once more and opened.

"Ladies first."

Sakura smiled, amused that even in such a predicament, Shino was ever a gentleman as he always had been. Upon exiting the elevator, Sakura made a left with Shino's heavier footsteps following behind her. "Here we are," Sakura murmured, sticking her key into the doorknob of '1205.' It was quickly unlocked and closed, with the three inside the large apartment of Ino and Sakura.

"Bedroom?"

"This way." Sakura wasted little time as she walked through the living room into the hallway, opening the door on the right. "Just put her on her bed. Hopefully she'll be all right."

"Pssssh! I'l-I'll be mo-more than alllllllllllllriiii--Ni…ce ass." Ino drunkenly muttered, before sloppily slapping the 'nice ass."

Shino stilled, head cocked. Honestly, quite perplexed by the unexpected slap to his now dubbed 'nice ass,' but decided just not to bother. Some people are pleasant drunks. Others not so much.

"Did she just…?"

He cleared his throat as he replied, "Yes…" He sat Ino down, rump first before rolling the rest of her body off his shoulder, hand bracing her head and neck as he laid her down.

"I've got it." Sakura quickly took Shino's spot, removing Ino's heels and throwing her feet onto the mattress, covering her with a thin blanket. She shooed Shino and herself out, closing the door and made way for the living room. "Thank you Shino. Honestly, I don't think I would have made it trying to get her here."

"It's not a problem Sakura, really. I should get going though, we both have early mornings…Although mine won't be as troubling as yours is I assume." Shino smiled sympathetically.

Sakura nodded in despair. Indeed it was true, she was likely to have one hell of a morning with an irritable, hung over blonde. "Well, thank you again Shino," Sakura said once more as the two moved toward the front door.

Shino had opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. "It's no problem, have a good night Sakura…By the way, you are quite beautiful, you know. " He waved a goodbye, making his way back toward the elevator.

The apples of her cheeks turned a deep red, "Good night Shino!" Sakura nearly shouted as she stuck her head out the doorway and waved. Shino glanced over his shoulder, hand raised and a smile in place, turning back around just as quickly.

The front door was shut and locked with Sakura sighing in relief. Time to get ready to sleep. And with that thought in mind, Sakura headed for the bathroom to shower for the night.

TBC: Ch.5