Title: Riddles in Reverse.

Summary: Sakura's been yearning for her ex-sensei for weeks now and wrote page after page about him in her diary. She returns home one night with a stranger after getting herself drunk, waking up, her diary's gone, and so is the stranger.

Genre(s): Romance

Rated: M

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

--

Stats:

Alerts: 33

Favs: 9

Reviews: 24

Sakura opened her eyes, a soft-sweet smell lingered in the room. Her apartment was rather small: One kitchen, one living room, one bedroom and a bathroom. Just enough for someone like her.

She lay in her bed staring at the ceiling before turning her head to look at the time- 6:00am. Kakashi hadn't told her when to show, or if she even was supposed to. She wondered how she was going to last.

Ino was gone, she'd slept on the floor and much to Sakura's distaste she hadn't bothered to fold the sheets she'd slept on. Though she'd left Sakuras bedroom from the obvious humming she hadn't left her apartment.

Sakura pushed the covers off of herself and rolled off her bed, kicking the pj's Ino had worn out of the way. She'd worn a pair of Sakura's pjs while complaining about how tight the top was.

Sakura didn't bother to change as she made her way out of her bedroom, right into the living room. She hadn't slept very well, the green-eyed stranger had captivated her thoughts all night.

"Nice outfit."

That wasn't Ino...

Sakura turned around, fast. Almost stumbling. Her gaze met the Uchiha's. This explained Ino's cheerfullness. She blinked. "Sasuke. What are you doing here?" she asked, then caught herself. "Sorry."

He was sitting at the small table, a bowl of rice in front of him. Chopsticks held in his hand. His eyebrow raised at her. Ino sat just opposite of him, wearing an apron and looking very very cute. Her face in her hands as she watched Sasuke dreamily. Sakura was feeling very aware of her ruffled hair and wrinkled clothes.

"Sasuke came to see if you were okay." she said sweetly, but Sakura caught the hint of jealousy in her voice. She rolled her eyes. Ino wasn't as blindly in love with Sasuke as she had been, in fact Sakura knew she had feelings for Shikamaru but the SakuraIno fued over Sasuke had gone on for so long that it seemed stuck inside her, even though Sakura doubted she was aware of it.

"That's very nice of him." she said, her eyes on the Uchiha. "I'll wash up-"

"No. I wanted a quick word." he said, surprising both girls.

"Oh, uhm. Sure." Sakura eyed him suspiciously. He turned his head, staring at Ino. "The Kazekage's bimbo sister's outside Ichiraku. Shikamaru's treating her."

Ino's eyes widened to the size of the bowl's in front of her. "H-he's... He's what?" The shocked, disbelieving look evaporated and a fire seemed to fill her eyes.

Sakura took a step backwards and even Sasuke leaned away from the girl.

"I could go for some ramen myself." she hissed through gritted teeth, getting up and stomping out. Sakura wondered if she dared stop the girl to remind her she hadn't taken off her apron but decided against it. It seemed suicidal.

Neither of them watched her leave, but the loud "bang" as the door was shut closed gave off the impression that Ino had left the premisise.

"Is Temari really here?" Sakura asked.

"No." said Sasuke, pointing at the now empty chair Ino had earlier occupied. Sakura quietly made her way there. It wasn't everyday Sasuke popped round to see her, so she got the feeling it was important.

"What's wrong?" she asked quietly.

Sasuke closed his eyes. "Yesterday Dobe and I were training and something happened..."

Sakura stared, cursing the raven haired-boy for closing his eyes. Though even if they were open she doubted they'd give much away. "You're always training with Dobe- I mean, Naruto."

Sasuke opened his eyes and met her gaze, the look in his eyes didn't explain everything. But it explained enough.

"Oh." she said stupidly, her face warming. "Well. I'm happy for you." In all honesty she had been expecting them to get together months ago. It was so obvious to her, it was why she'd backed off of Sasuke in the first place. As she had watched him with Naruto, she knew she didn't stand much chance- if any and she could see that Naruto... Well. Naruto loved Sasuke much more then she did. Whether he was willing to accept it or not. But why was Sasuke telling her this? She'd always expecting Naruto to be the first one to tell her.

"I pushed him away." he said quietly, his eyes still on hers.

Sakura stared. "Why on earth did you do that?" she almost yelled, standing up.

"I made a mistake." he closed his eyes. "Atleast, I thnk I did."

Sakura suddenly felt a smile tug at her lips. Sasuke wanted advice. From her! It meant that... That he did care for her atleast. She felt a tugging feeling at her heart and curled her hands into fists as to fight back the urge to hug the Uchiha.

"Was it the first time you'd ever actually thought about... It?" she asked, sitting back down.

"No.I've thought about... 'It' a few times. I replayed it over and over in my head." She could see the scowl on his lips. "How I'd say it or do it. How he'd respond." His jaw clenched for a moment. "I ruined everything. The whole reality seemed to hit me full force. How could I revive my clan if I was... With him?"

"You need to talk to him. Besides, maybe you don't have to revive your clan." said Sakura. "Maybe Itachi'll find a girl and settle down."

Her words sent Sasuke reeling backwards. As though she'd pushed him. He almost fell off his chair. "You're insane." he said, but she could hear the smirk in his voice.

Sakura grinned a Naruto grin. "It's why you love me." she said in a naggy tone of voice.

"Kakashi asked about you last night."

The words came so out of nowhere and were so unexpected that Sakura felt like someone had just punched her stomach. "O-oh? Why?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Don't hide it. Not from me anyway." he grunted.

"You know about it?" she asked, staring at him.

"You knew about Dobe."

"I can tell things about you. And about him."

"What makes you think we can't tell them about you?"

At this Sakura sighed. "Does Naruto know?"

"No. He wasn't looking."

Sakura didn't really understand this.

"Couldn't you find someone better?" Sasuke asked after a minute.

Sakura smiled. "Couldn't you find a girl?"

Sasuke smirked. "We're both sunk."

"Well if it doesn't work out we could always marry each other." Sakura said thoughtfully. Sasuke stared at her, his eyebrow arched. She felt her face get warm again. "You know. That's what friends do sometimes. If things don't work out with your special someone then they marry the next best person."

"You need talk to Kakashi." Sasuke said, ignoring her comment. Sakura didn't blame him, but she didn't regret saying it.

"I don't."

Grunt. He wasn't even looking at her. He was staring outside the window behind her.

"Really. I'll just sit here and wait for myself to get over him." she stared at Sasuke thoughtfully. Should she tell him... About the green-eyed guy?

Cha! No way! You want Sasuke to think you're some kind of whore? DON'T DO IT. DON'T TELL HIM.

"Get over who?"

A soft calm voice that couldn't be mistaken.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura stood up, horrified, she took a few steps backwards. Almost tripping. "What- How much did you hear?"

Kakashi made his way in. Carefully avoidung the dishes in the sink, which was directly under the window. "Hello Sasuke." he greeted the Uchiha first, completely ignoring Sakura.

Sakura felt as though a few hands had suddenly grown in her stomach and were all reaching for her heart.. Pulling it down. Her Sensei. Did he hear? He looked so damn good! One hand in his pocket, the other in his pouch, presumably holding his Icha Icha Paradise Makeout Explosion WhateverJiraiyasTitledItThisTime.

Oh gosh. Just look at his and his sexy-ness. How did I survive not looking at him for so long? I wonder where he just came from. It owuld be so great if he made Sasuke leave then made mad love to me on my bed- No that's too far away. Right here, on the table. Oh yes, oh yes, oh yesss-

"Sakura?"

Sakura blinked and looked up at Kakashi. "Yes Sensei? Oh. Where's Sasuke gone?" Yes, yes, yes. This is SO perfect!

Kakashi stared at her worriedly. "You seem to be spacing out a lot. That's not good for someone your age."

My age? MY age? What's he trying to say?

"Let's go Sakura."

"Let's go where?" she blinked again.

He sighed and shook his head. "To see the Hokage. To recieve the details on our mission?"

"Oh. Yeah. Sure." she looked down. "Let me just change."

OH MY GOD. I HAVEN'T CHANGED. I'M A MESS.

"Uh. Well. We're already over two hours so late, so why don't I just skip on ahead and you can follow when you're done?" he asked, leaving Sakura wide-eyed.

"Wait. What? Two hours? Sensei, Tsunade'll kill me!" Sakura yelled, gripping her hair but it was too late. The silver haired nin had already poofed out.

CAT: Yeah I did rush the ending. I hope no one's too disappointed with the no action in this chapter. But hey, I'm back and ready to write!

Alex: -Coughs- And it only took you a year...

CAT: -Rolls eyes.- Yeahhhh, well. I've been busy with stuff. And GaiaOnline. If anyone's got a Gaia, you guys shoud drop me a comment or a PM. I'm CRISPS.

Alex: Well, if anyone does decide to give you a second of their time and do so, I really hope they give you a good nagging. Oh. btw; 'Drown in my Despair' ought to have another chapter up by next week.

CAT: And if it doesn't?

Alex: Then you'll have to face more angry reviewers?

CAT: Uh. I'v already started! Ahahah. Ahah. Ha...

Alex: Reviews please!