A couple of days had passed since her guitar was destroyed. Mrs. Haruno came to pick her up from work. Sakura looked completely exhausted, both physically and emotionally. She sighed.

This is just awful. How could someone do that? She tightened her grip on her steering wheel at the thought of someone going out of her way to hurt her daughter.

Sakura didn't say a thing. She just stared out the window without a word. However, she didn't notice her mother smiling, like she knew something. Oh, well. At least this depression will be over soon.

When they got home, Sakura was ready to fling herself on her bed and stay there. She didn't notice her mom calling out to her; she just dragged herself up the stairs to her room…

And what she saw almost made her heart stop. Was she in the right room? Sitting neatly on her bed was an acoustic guitar, the exact same one she had been looking at in the shop! But that was so expensive! How…

She was so shocked she couldn't form words in her head! Her mom stood in her doorway.

"Someone delivered this for you. I don't know who. The package didn't have a name…"

Sakura just stood frozen. Mrs. Haruno was behind her, so she couldn't see her expression. She sighed. "I know it's not the one your father gave you, but…"

She cut herself off as Sakura slowly reached out to it, as though she had to test to be sure it was real. It was.

Filled with pure joy, she flung herself on her mother. "I LOVE IT!"

Surprised at first by the sudden embrace, Mrs. Haruno almost tumbled backwards! She caught herself, and she slowly wrapped her arms around her daughter.

"I know. It's like a miracle, isn't it? Any clue who could've done this?"

Sakura froze. She slowly pulled away from her mother as she tried to wrap her mind around it.

"… Honestly, I have no idea."


"So, it wasn't you?"

Ino shrugged. "Nope. Sorry, hun. I'm not made of money, you know."

Tenten rolled her eyes. "Yet you could easily replace your wardrobe on a daily basis…"

Ino spluttered, "That's not true!"

Sakura turned to Hinata. "Any ideas?"

The girl simply shook her head. "None."


Sakura sat alone on the roof of the school building. It was free period, and she needed some air. Besides, it was a good chance to think over what happened.

Sakura couldn't tell Lady Tsunade about her guitar; she had no proof to connect anyone to it. But still, someone randomly delivered a new guitar to her doorstep…

And it was the one I wanted… Was it a lucky coincidence? Because I never told anyone…

"For someone who's tired of being alone, you really like your privacy."

Sakura turned to the side to see Sasuke standing there. She didn't know whether he was sweet or creepy… She went with creepy.

She glared at him. "Is stalking me like a hobby of yours now?"

Sasuke shrugged. "I wanted to talk to you."

Now there's a surprise. Sasuke never sought out anyone. People always came to him.

"Okay… what about?"

He sat down next to her. "I saw you in the music room a while ago."

Sakura paled. Oh, no, don't tell me he saw…

Sasuke kept going. "You were freaking out over a broken guitar. I… heard that it meant a lot to you."

So he didn't hear me sing. Though part of her was relieved, Sakura looked down and pulled her knees to her chest.

"…Yeah. It was from my dad. He was a musician at heart. He was never famous or anything, but to me, he was a superstar. He played his guitar all the time, and when he wasn't playing guitar, he was riding his motorcycle."

Sasuke stared at her. That explains her reaction to my bike

"He bought me that guitar so I could play, too. I was so excited! I couldn't stop thanking him. I wanted to be as good as him, so I practiced all the time. But then…"

She trailed off. Sasuke's eyes softened. "The accident."

Sakura gasped. How did he know about it? She pulled her legs a little closer, burying the bottom half of her head. "Yeah."

They sat there in awkward silence, both not sure what to say. Sakura knew she had been rambling, but she wasn't sure what else to do; she couldn't stand it. She was about to open her mouth again, but Sasuke beat her to it.

"I know what it's like… to lose a parent. Actually, I lost both…"

Startled, Sakura's head shot up and turned to him. She had no idea! She recalled Sasuke's reaction when she mentioned his parents. So that's it.

Her heart constricted a little; so they both understood pain. She knew it was hard for him to tell her that much; heck, she was surprised he said anything at all. She worked up an understanding smile.

"You don't have to go into details. But, thanks. For comforting me, I mean."

"Hn."

"And Sasuke?"

He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"Thanks for the guitar."

No normal person would notice his sharp intake of breath, but Sakura caught it. She put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll pay you back. It might take a while, but I promise I will."

"Forget it." He gently reached for her hand and brushed it off of him.

Sasuke wasn't about to let her double her workload over this. Besides, he wasn't short on money: he's an Uchiha. It was at a discount, anyway. The owner was an old friend of the family, so she had been willing to cut him a deal.

"This isn't really your style, Sasuke. A gift, I presume?"

Sasuke remained silent as she continued. "The design is more suitable for a female." She gave the boy a knowing look.

Sasuke looked away. "Hn. It's for a friend."

Sasuke was brought from his thoughts when Sakura countered. She had shifted and was in his face now. She almost looked angry.

"There's no way I can forget something like this! You have no idea how much this means to me! You've done so much for me already, and I can't stand being in debt! Just let me make it up to you!"

Sasuke observed her. She was serious and stubborn; she wouldn't back down. He sighed. "Fine. I'll think of something."

Sakura relaxed, leaned back a little, and smiled. "Thank you."

As she watched Sasuke try to ignore her, it was like a piece had fallen in to place. Ino was right; Mom was right. She did like Sasuke Uchiha.


At the end of the day, Sasuke walked down the hall with the list Naruto had given him. He didn't really like any of these songs, but that dobe insisted that he picked one. He sighed; he just couldn't win today.

Then something occurred to him. If I can find that mystery singer, then we don't have to use a new song. We'll just have a guest singer. Maybe that would finally satisfy him.

The problem was he didn't know how to find her. She always made sure no one could see her, though he didn't understand why. She was talented; why was she trying so hard to hide it?

He needed someone who knew just about everyone. Maybe not personally, but knows enough about people from observing at the very least. But who could he turn to?

He thought back to Sakura. She wasn't exactly the most popular girl in school; actually, some thought she was the exact opposite. But she's friends with Yamanaka, a gossip girl if he ever saw one. Plus, she's a musician herself, so maybe she knows other people who play. The question was how to convince her to help him. As he tried to come up with a reason, something clicked in his mind.

Sakura wants to pay me back somehow, and I haven't thought of anything else I really want from her… So I can just tell her to repay me with information.

It was the perfect plan. Now all he had to do was find her.


Ino was trying her best not to sprint out of her final class. Her art teacher had assigned a group project, and her partner was none other than her crush. They had agreed to meet in the commons after school. Mentally, she was squealing.

On her way, she noticed Sakura carrying her guitar case. "Sakura, where're you headed?"

Sakura stopped, looked at her case, then back at Ino with a raised brow. "Isn't it obvious? I want to try this thing out."

"Random question: if you were so beat up over your old guitar, why are you fine with this one?"

Sakura sighed. "I was more upset about not being able to play anymore. That was a beginner guitar; I was looking for a nicer one anyway."

Ino nodded, but Sakura could tell by her expression that she was excited about something. She looked like she wanted to jump up and down, squealing like a schoolgirl.

She raised an eyebrow and smirked. "And where are you off to?"

Ino blushed. "Oh, I'm just meeting someone for homework. As a matter of fact, I'm supposed to be there already. Have fun with the new toy!"

She dashed off as Sakura hollered, "It's NOT a toy!"


When Ino got close enough to the commons, she stopped to quickly check her appearance. She had to look perfect for him, after all! She composed herself and walked over to Sai with a fabulous air around her.

Too bad he wasn't paying attention. He was busy sketching in his book again. Ino sighed. Her looks had no affect on him; this was a first for her.

"Ummm… Sai?"

He glanced up with his dark eyes. Ino thought they looked so intense compared to his pale skin. "Oh. Hello, Ino."

She sat down next to him. "So? How do you want to do this?"

Sai held his chin as he thought. Ino swooned at his seriousness. He's so deep in thought it's almost dreamy!

Sai didn't notice. "Well, the project is for each of us to do a portrait of our partner. I think the first thing to do is pick a location, then how we want to portray the model. Like what pose to use or emotion they show."

Ino quickly nodded her head, though she wasn't sure she understood. She'd just do whatever Sai said.

Sai looked at her, trying to decide how to portray her. Ino was trying with all her might not to blush. Why were his eyes always so intense? Can't he relax a little?

Sai smiled when he thought of his plan. "Well, happiness fits you best. That's for sure… And being outside may give your long hair more flow… Yes, I think you'd look beautiful."

Sai probably didn't realize what he was saying, but Ino could feel her face getting hotter. This time, Sai noticed.

"Umm… Ino, are you feeling alright?"

"Huh? Oh! Y-yeah! No problem! I'm good!"

Sai wasn't sure about that; her facial expression didn't match what she was saying. He was about to speak, but he saw the Uchiha approach them. What could he want?

But Sasuke wasn't there for Sai. "Yamanaka."

Ino turned around with a confused look. There was still a little bit of blush. Sasuke rolled his eyes. (If only he had known the blush wasn't for him.)

"Y-yes?" she squeaked.

"Do you know where Haruno is?"

"Huh? Oh, I think she's still in the music room. She's trying out that new guitar some mystery person gave her."

So she hasn't told anyone? Sasuke had predicted that she'd at least tell her friends about it.

He brushed off the thought as he nodded and walked away. Ino turned back to Sai. "So, where were we?"

Sai blinked. "Ino… who's Haruno?"

"Hm? Oh, she's a close friend of mine."

"Oh, then you know what he wanted with her?"

Ino thought for a second. "Umm… no, not really."

"Then, was it really a good idea to send him after her?"

Now Ino blinked. She tried to connect what had just happened. She hadn't been sure what she was doing because she was around Sai.

She sent Sasuke after Sakura? While she was in the music room? Ino's eyes widened in horror as she realized what she had just done. "Crap! I'm so dead!"

She quickly got up from her seat. "I'll be right back, Sai! Don't go anywhere!"

She hurried to the music room, hoping she wasn't too late. Sai was a bit bewildered. This girl was so energetic, and she was loyal to her friends. You wouldn't think that by looking at her. Slowly, he began to smile.


Sakura stared at her guitar. She was almost afraid to play it. But, the thought of Sasuke giving this to her gave her this strange feeling. She was pretty sure she knew what it was. But there's no way I can tell him.

She thought of something her dad used to say.

"Music is a magical thing, Sak. It has the power to bring people together. They can share pain, happiness, and even love. I mean, if it weren't for music, I don't think we'd be here right now!"

She hadn't known what he meant at the time, but now she knows he was talking about Mom. Music had brought them together.

She looked down on her guitar. She strummed the first chord; the sound was gorgeous! This was definitely nicer than her beginner guitar! After that, she couldn't help it. She kept going, oblivious to her surroundings. She just focused on the music.

Take time to realize that your warmth is

Crashing down on in

Take time to realize that I am on your side

Didn't I? Didn't I tell you?

But I can't spell it out for you

You know it's never gonna be that simple

No, I can't spell it out for you.

If you'd just realize what I just realized,

Then we'd be perfect for each other and we'd never find another

Just realize what I just realized,

we'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other, now.

If only she would realize that she left the door wide open.


I hope I did alright with the SaiIno moment. Even before it was official, I pictured them together, though I have trouble writing about Sai for some odd reason.

Music: Realize by Colbie Caillat (there's nothing wrong with using the same singer twice!)