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Standard Disclaimer applied

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Blood.

That's what I see whenever I go on a mission. If it's on our side or on the opposition, I can always see it.

There, staring at me.

I remember my first assassination mission fairly clearly.

Naruto, Shikamaru and I had been sent to get rid of an Akatsuki informant; he was getting in Konoha's way. And like all other obstacles,

He had to be crushed.

The mission itself wasn't too hard. Just kill the fat blubbering man and leave.

If only we had known he had an endless supply of henchman.

That night, the whole courtyard was bathed in crimson, a rushing river of red sweeping through the corridors of the house, flooding the rooms…

Oh Kami…

….. suffocating me, spreading through my torso and reaching into my clothes.

Please…

We left, alive, leaping through the woods drenched in our targets blood.

On our return to Konoha we delivered our reports (I've never seen the Hokage sober up so quickly in my whole life) and all three of us wordlessly returned to our houses to relax in a hot shower.

Make it stop…

Naruto wanted to talk about it.

I can't…

He said he could still see the blood on his hands.

Blood… everywhere…

He said he was having nightmares.

On my hands…

I said he could stay with me for a while, if it stopped the nightmares.

That night we lay together in my bed, with the window open and Naruto's peaceful snores brushing my ear every few minutes.

Seeping through my clothes…

I didn't tell him I also had nightmares.

Falling from my eyes…

I didn't express my fear to him every time I tried to wash the blood off my hands.

Blocking my sight…

Naruto didn't have anymore nightmares after that.

I can't close my eyes…

But sometimes, when the moon is full and the night is clear.

I remember.

I remember……

And it all comes back in one swift flash.

-

Chapter 8

Dance with Destiny

By Windy days and daisy chains

-

Off she went.

He knew he couldn't follow too close. She would immediately realise he was following her and the fact that his car was bright green didn't help matters.

A678

Ivy Green

Even before he saw the sign, he had already figured out that she was heading to the city centre. It appeared luck was on his side. After dealing with a few stop signs and the merging traffic when another busy freeway linked up with their own he was only a few cars behind. Had he been driving anywhere else but this certain road he knew he would have lost her within seconds.

He was familiar with this part of the city, having worked here on many occasions, dealing with a range of people. It was mainly filled with the working class and a small subtle hint of the higher part of the hierarchy as well… You either had money, or you worked for it.

Shiny metallic lamp posts dotted the main road, among tall commercial buildings and the occasional undersized shop or small-time café. Office workers shared the sidewalk with the youngsters wandering aimlessly in baggy jeans and sneakers. Cars streaked the sidewalk, occasionally a few pulling out from the large two-spaced side streets.

Again, he thought he's lost her.

He sighed with relief when he caught a glimpse of her silver Peugeot making a right turn up ahead. By the time he had followed, she was already parked and stepping on to the curb.

Slowly he drove by. Sure enough, there was the large sign and assortment of vans and brightly painted vehicles driving in and out of the staff only car park. North City Hospital, it read.

Well that's good. Nothing too outlandish.

He drove round the block once and parked across the hospital building in one of the side streets, not far from the entrance. So far, so good. She seemed to be who he thought she was. But his employer wouldn't be satisfied with that. He had told him when he was assigned with this job to keep a close watch, looks can be deceiving, he'd said.

He settled in for the wait, staring at the tall-story building with large glass windows mirroring the busy city which it was surrounded by. He sent a quick message to his employer, giving him a short update on what had come to pass. In short–nothing much.

The wait lasted till early evening. According to his watch at exactly 5:18 she was walking out of the building and back to her car. He straightened up in his seat and waited for her to pull away from the curb.

-

I shifted gears as the light changed green, accelerating some more I soon slowed to a crawl as I saw the lights up ahead halt red. Taking a quick look through the rear-mirror I picked up the phone and dialled the eleven digit number I had revised by heart.

"Did he follow you?" The man on the other line asked right away.

"All day long," I said.

"Did he see you go inside the hospital?"

"Yes."

"Is he still behind you?"

As careful as I could be I stretched my neck, peering through the mirror hung from the ceiling of the car, I sneaked a peek.

"………ah," I mumbled.

"What is it?"

He wasn't that far behind, just turned off the traffic light, a perfect right turn.

"Yep, he's still stalking," I said, slumping back low in my seat.

"Good. He believes you."

"How long do you think he's going to follow me?" I asked having some random stranger tailing me wasn't something I really needed in my life right now–actually something I never really needed no matter where I was in life.

There was a short pause from the other end of the line, "only today."

I took the second left, slowing down and moving again as a taxi allowed me space to squeeze into the next lane.

"And what if he follows me tomorrow? And the day after that? I can't keep watching my back you know."

"Is it just me or is someone whining?"

I shrugged, even though he wouldn't see me, "it's more like stating the obvious."

"You don't understand. This way he thinks he's got you figured out. You're a doctor, working shifts at the North City Hospital. Make him think there's nothing wrong." I could just picture him smiling that crooked smile, "come on Sakura you're a ninja. Acting is like your second language."

I sighed, taking this as an opening to voice my deepest concern. "Am I?"

"Are you what?"

"A ninja!"

He answered almost straight away, "of course you are. Why would you think otherwise?"

The distance between me and my apartment was closing I glanced once more through the rear-mirror seeing the flicker of bright green and so our conversation was coming to a close as well.

"I can't feel my chakra," I finally admitted.

He seemed to have taken a brief hiatus, finally speaking in a much softer tone which didn't suit him at all. I could see he was trying to calm me down, "that doesn't mean you can't be a ninja anymore Sakura. You haven't used your chakra in a long time; you're bound to not feel it now. Just wait, once you get practising again it will come back. It just needs a bit of coaxing."

I signalled to make a right turn, pulling over on to the curb I looked into the side mirror to see the green car do the same.

"I'll talk to you later."

"Oh," his voice stopped me from hanging up, bending over to the other seat as though picking up my handbag I waited for him to carry on, "there's a surprise waiting for you in your apartment."

"What?"

The crisp click told me he was already gone.

I sighed again and picked up my bag, pocketing the phone and pushing the door open I slipped out of the car. Walking round I opened the trunk, bringing out two large lever-arch files, filled to the brim with the oh-so-glorious paperwork which had been waiting for me as punishment for my absence. Balancing one hand with the files and hauling the handbag onto my other elbow I rammed the trunk shut, locking it behind me.

All the way up to my apartment I pondered over Asuma's words. A surprise? I wrinkled at the thought of it. What did he mean by it? The elevator door slid opened and I quickly walked out on to the twelfth floor. The number seventy three was coming closer; the numbers become larger and larger until I was right there. Staring straight at the two shiny plated numerals.

Snap out of it.

With my free hand I pull out the keys and push them in to the knob. Everything seemed to be going slower, as though someone had just pressed the slow button on the remote. But it wasn't just the way everything somehow decreased in speed, but how everything seemed louder as well. The echoes from the neighbouring apartment seemed to extend, releasing more prominent sounds yet I couldn't comprehend the words. It all seemed so surreal that in a moment I was afraid.

Fumbling with the keys I pushed open the door and stumbled in. Shutting it right after me.

Wait a minute.

I re-opened my eyes, trying to regain my sense of respiration.

I vaguely remember shutting off the lights the last time I was here.

There's a surprise waiting for you in your apartment.

Turning round slowly I blinked twice, the two heavy files colliding with the floor, but I ignored them and stared straight ahead.

A surprise.

I opened my mouth, running my tongue over my chapped lips.

Waiting for you.

I tried to speak, tried to make a noise, something to prove my existence.

In your apartment.

There was someone sitting on my couch, a woman with brown hair. Her back was to me.

A surprise.

She turned around, a smile lighting her pretty features.

"You've got a nice little pad here Sakura-chan, better then mine anyway."

My bag slid to the floor and I pounced on her.

"Ten-Ten!"

For you.

-

-

-

I found the stone exactly where I had seen it earlier that day, beneath the drooping branches of the old moss covered chestnut tree far away from the other gravestones. I shut off the flashlight. The full moon had enough light for both of us; it was midnight, only a few clouds hovered above. A dark mist hung around me, I wasn't afraid though.

Kneeling down I sunk my fingers into the wet soft earth digging them deeper into the cool soil, until I couldn't see my fingers anymore. Releasing my hold I pried the earth away, clawing against the dark softness. Soon I was breathing hard, my cold hands resting in my lap.

I relieved the first few hours of the day. Waking up, getting ready, and reporting to the hospital, working my usual shifts and coming back home.

I blinked my eyes, furiously wiping away the wetness building up.

They were waiting for me when I arrived. All seated at the table, Naruto wide-eyed and unsure as to what to say, Sai and Sasuke as inexpressive as ever however I caught a glimpse of concern in the latter's unshielded eyes and Kakashi, his trademark novel gone with a crease in his mask.

He was smiling.

I smiled back at him and dumped my bag on to the table. That was when I noticed the miserable cloud floating over them. I raised an eyebrow, directing my gaze to Kakashi.

"What's wrong with you guys?"

"Sakura-chan…"

"Did someone die or something?" I snorted to myself at the sarcastic comment.

Naruto and Kakashi visibly flinched, then, the alarm bells started to ring.

I stared at them all, "what's wrong?"

"Someone didn't really …?" My voice died away, "did they?"

I realised Kakashi was smiling. A sad smile.

"Come with me Sakura," Kakashi took my hand, leading me to the door, "there's something you should see."

"What?" I frowned, trying to escape from his grasp, looking back to the other three, "what's going on?"

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sai," Kakashi called out their names and to my astonishment they all stood up and followed.

I decided to follow silently; we walked through the streets of Konoha, in muffled stillness I tried to pick something up from my team-mates, anything. Their stony faces gave nothing away. I turned to Naruto, never wavering my eyes from him, finally he turned to look at me but my victory was short-lived as he hurriedly averted his blue eyes from mine.

When we stopped Kakashi let go of my hand but there was no need. I wasn't going anywhere.

"Why have you taken me here for? This is my parent's house?"

And lo behold they had dragged me to my parents house.

My old home.

I raised an eyebrow in question not bothering to blanket the increasing bubble of confusion rising up. "Answer me!" I demanded, becoming more frustrated by the minute.

Naruto moved to speak, "Sakura-chan I–"

"Oh Sakura-chan my baby!"

I was suddenly nearly tackled to the floor. I blinked my eyes trying to steady myself as my mind tried to comprehend what had just happened. I noticed something pink clinging to me, loud sobs and wailing emitting off it as it continued to shake and shiver.

Lifting its head up I gasped as I recognised the indistinguishable emerald eyes under the mask of tears.

"Kaa-san what's wrong!?" I cried, becoming just as hysterical as she was.

"Oh Sakura-chan, my dear Sakura-chan…."she hiccupped before wrapping me in one of her comforting whole hugs and bursting into more tears.

I could only hold the older woman, my body racked with distress and fear, over her head I desperately sent messages to my team-mates, trying to mouth silent messages to them, trying to ask them what was going on. What had sent my mother in such a state that she had broken down in the street?

Then it hit me like a sledge-hammer. Why Kakashi had dragged me to my parents house. The unanswered questions. My mother's behaviour.

"Where's Otou-san?"

My mother tightened her grip around me, dampening my shirt even more as her wails increased, ringing harshly through the streets.

I had my answer.

Encasing my mothers frail hands in my own I pried her off me, being only a few inches taller I ducked my head cupping her face with my hands like the many times she had comforted me when I was upset.

"Kaa-san please. Tell me what's wrong." I whispered dreading what was going to come.

"It's your father," she hiccupped through the tears, "oh Sakura-chan he-he-he's g-gone!"

I felt the blood in my veins run cold. My grip slackened falling to my sides I stared blankly at her, not clearly understanding what she had just said.

He's gone

He's gone

He's gone!

Shaking my head I mumbled incoherently, "what? What do you mean…? He's… gone? I don't-can't…." my whole throat seemed to have dried up, I couldn't speak even if I wanted to. Something blocked off my airway making it more difficult to breath. With one last look at my mother's crouched form I sprinted inside the house.

"Otou-san! Otou-san! Where are you?!" I came to a halt as I sprinted into the living room.

"Otou-san?"

Wherever I looked, wherever I searched all I could see was white.

The colour of mourning.

Heads turned as I entered, my whole body shaking and ready to collapse, I ignored the light headedness and continued moving. Past the sobbing people, ignoring the faces of my relatives, blocking out their sympathetic voices as some moved to comfort me.

I stood there for a moment, not doing anything, not thinking a thing. Then the true meaning of my mother's words sunk in.

And I lost it.

Because my mother was right. My father was gone. I could deny it as much as I wanted, but this was it. He was gone, lying right in front of me dressed from head to toe in a white blanket, and there was nothing, nothing I could do for him. I could already guess what the cause was, his health wasn't the best and he had been having heart problems lately. I was always telling him to slow down on the cream cakes, chastising him while he continued to eat and smile sheepishly interrupting my rant every few minutes.

"Oh Sakura dear what's life without a few treats!"

"It's not a lot of cream…. Okay, don't look at me like that!"

"Only one more Sakura-hime, I promise."

I knew it was my fault. My fault that he was leaving us. And maybe I could comfort myself with the thought that he was in a better place by now, better then the life he'd led with us.

But that didn't ease the pain any less.

My body couldn't hold itself any longer resulting to my legs giving in. Crashing to the ground I tore away from the hands trying to pull me back, feeling the heat as their touches burnt my skin. I couldn't see, I was crying so hard. Hard heavy sobs running through my body releasing through my limbs and fingertips. What I really wanted, I realized, was my mother.

No.

Not my mother. But my father. Because I knew exactly what he would have done. Gather me up in his arm and engulf his whole self around me, sharing his warmness and deathly calmness with me as I released my frustration and pent up feelings. He was good at that, my father; he had that knack of knowing when something was wrong with me–probably an attribute held by most parents- and knowing exactly how to deal with it.

I thought about the cemetery. How the grave stones all seemed to line up in endless rows of grey palettes standing out against the green lush vegetation surrounding it. I had often visited the cemetery, paying my respects to those patients I could not save, leaving white lilies as I passed by.

Another grave stone would be added now, followed by an extra white lily.

Not long now. Yes, not long.

I reached for the white sheet covering his face, lifting myself up my hands tightened as with a hard yank I pulled away the sheets.

I didn't realise I was screaming until two hands grabbed me from behind, wrapping themselves around me, but I didn't stop screaming. The loud noises coming from my mouth felt alien and feral, for a brief moment they seemed animalistic and raw scraping away the flesh in my throat but I ignored the searing pain. I couldn't stop the screaming.

My screams turned into loud sobs, tear-filled watery cries as I kept on staring straight at his face.

They say that when someone dies their face changes, it may only be subtle but the change is visible. And I realised it was no different now.

His facial features looked more angled, his chin more prominent and lips together in one thin line. The crook on his nose was still there followed by closed brown eyes with dark hazel locks shadowing his brow. But I knew, even though to any normal person he didn't look any different something had happened. A transformation, subtle yet prominent glazed his pale cheeks. A new light filled his whole face smoothing over the curves and lines previously etched on his face making me see him in a new manner.

It was then, when my sobs died down that I realised something, or rather someone was holding me. Great. Someone was there. Actually as previous images flashed in my mind the whole family was here, untied together in mourning for my father. They had all watched me cry and scream my voice horse like a little girl, seen me break down after I had pulled away my fathers coverings disrespecting the tradition in my grieving. Nice. Why couldn't they allow me to cry in peace?

"What!" I snapped turning around, "can't you leave me alone to grieve? Is it so hard!?"

Dark onyx eyes stared down unblinkingly, it was too late to re-wind my mistake so I did the only best thing; carry on.

"Why can't you leave me alone for once huh? Is that so hard? Can't I have my turn to cry?" I blinked away the tears, brushing them away with my sleeve pushing on with my anger. "I'm sick of it! If being strong means allowing no emotions whatsoever then I don't want it! You hear me I don't want any of it!"

"Sakura," his hands covered my fists as I continuously pounded his chest, choking back a sob I spat out a glare followed by an incomprehensible 'what!?'

He looked at me long and hard before releasing my hands and stepping back, unaware of the eyes trained on the two of us for a fleeting moment I saw something pass through his eyes. A flash of pity perhaps? Or maybe a hint of understanding, but it was gone before I could de-code its meaning.

He said my name again but for some reason even though I should be distraught I felt happy. The uprising sensation flooded through my system, overcoming the dark grievance and loss my body couldn't help but shiver at the proximity between us.

And then it hit me, I wanted him to say my name. Repeat it in his spine chilling velvet voice, I wanted him to look me in the eye, I wanted to see the array of messages only exchanged between us under the silence, I wanted to just sit beside him and enjoy his presence. I wanted to be with him.

And no matter how many times I told myself the love for Sasuke had morphed into a mutual friendship something deep down told me it was so much more.

I was in love with him.

-

-

-

"Have you and Neji got together yet?"

I watched Ten-Ten splutter her shake over her suit in amusement. Passing her a tissue she sent me a glare with a mutter of 'thanks' before I finally asked again.

Putting the glass of alcohol down with a strong 'thunk' the brunette leaned back, gazing at my ceiling for such a long time I had to give it a peek as well just to see if there was something interesting I hadn't noticed before stuck up there.

"We've kissed," she admitted after a long time.

Nearly dropping the glass I shouted, "What! No way! How? When? Was he good?"

Holding her hands in mock surrender Ten-Ten laughed, "slow down girl! It was a while ago, we had just escaped a group of Jin-Rou–narrowly might I add–and just out of the blue he pushed me against the wall and…" she trailed off, a red hue spreading across her cheeks. She met my eyes, her cheeks pinking and her features turning into a nasty scowl.

"Stop laughing!"

I smothered my giggles with my mouth, trying to stop the laughter rising up within me.

"I'm sorry, it's just…. Hyuuga Neji trapping you against the wall sounds rather-well… kinky…"

Brown eyes bulged out and for a second I realised how oddly close her face resembled a tomato.

"Kinky! God Sakura it was only a kiss! Not-not..." she stammered over her words, smiling I moved to her aid.

"Sex," I supplied.

The brunette nodded, taking another sip of sake, "yeah… that."

I waited for her to calm down, reaching for my own glass of sake, an inherited habit I had picked up from Tsunade which had stuck with me for years. Sipping the alcohol I stared blankly into the swishing contents, where was Tsunade right now? Why had nobody told me where she was? In my mind another face appeared, and what about Kakashi?

"So how about you Sakura?"

I looked up startled, "w-what?"

Ten-Ten merely looked at me, "met anyone yet?"

"Oh," I looked back down at my glass, "I've dated a few guys but I've still got to meet Mr. Perfect yet."

Ten-Ten's eyes glimmered, "don't worry, he's around here somewhere."

I nodded, half listening to her words, "yeah…"

Silence settled between us, I took this time to let my mind wander into those dark creeping shadows of my mind. There were still aspects in time which were still clouded, the moments reaching back to the formation of the resistance falling to fleeing from the Jin Rou still appeared unreal and muted. A mere whisper and gentle comfort of the wind then–nothing.

"So does that mean you and Neji are–as the term is…'going out'?"

Chocolate eyes blinked dumbly, a pale pink mouth opening and closing, "err….. dunno really," she finally responded.

Rolling my eyes I muttered, "dim-witted bun-head" and reached for the sake bottle.

"So," I started, leaning back down with a full glass, "how's the sex?"

I just about managed to escape my beheading, but just the look on her face and the mirth of tainting that ridiculously clean suit with sake was worth it.

"NANI!?"

-

-

-

"Well done Sakura," Tsunade praised, helping me up from the ground, "you've finally perfected the jutsu in such a short amount of time." She winked, "you'll soon be better then me."

"Iie Shishou," I shook my head, "I'll never be good as you."

She reached over and ruffled my hair affectionately," have courage in yourself Sakura."

"So," looking up from the path I waited for Tsunade to continue, "I heard Team 7 didn't take your decision too well."

I frowned, turning away, "honestly Shishou you'd think I'd told them I was going to die or something not try for the ANBU exam!" I kicked a pebble, using a bit more force then attended as it flew past a tree, "sometimes….. sometimes I just wish I wasn't even on Team 7, sometimes I just feel I'm being held back and protected from so many things I could achieve!"

"Don't say that Sakura," a voice said beside me in a quiet tone.

Meeting her honey glazed eyes I sighed, "that's' how it feels sometimes."

Tsunade shook her head and put her hand on my shoulder, "sometimes I wonder why we put the Genin teams in a way in which we have two males and a female. Do you know what one of the main things we stress about your teams is Sakura?"

I thought for a moment, the answer was obvious.

"Teamwork."

The blond haired woman shook her finger, "not quiet. Over the years as you get older you experience many lessons in life. Some good and some bad, your team act like a safety net for you, catching you when you fall and pulling you back up again" She explained. "Because that's what they're there for, over the years no matter who you are you grow a bond with the people you spend so much time with. And you may go on to do different things but that bond still remains."

"Even for Team 7?"

Tsunade caught my eye, "even with Team 7. You'll find it with all teams which have been together since their Genin days."

"But out team fell apart," I looked back down, "Sasuke left to go search for power, Naruto disappeared to go train and I began my training with you."

"Naruto came back didn't he?" The blond Hokage asked.

I nodded, "yes he did."

"And the Uchiha returned right?"

I raised and eyebrow at her question, "After me and Naruto dragged his ass back."

"But he did come back," she persisted.

I sighed but nonetheless nodded, "he did."

Tsunade clapped her eyes "see and because of these bonds your team-mates express concern for you because they care for you. And sometimes, although you may not realise it at the time, they're only worried about your welfare."

I lowered my head, "I guess so," I responded inaudibly.

"And sometimes because of their concern you want to beat them black and blue."

I jerked my head up, "definitely!"

My mentor smirked, "but at the end of it all you're still family."

The way she said it I knew there was no way I could argue. I stopped in my footsteps, staring blankly at her retreating back. Because she was right, about everything she had said. And even though I didn't want to admit it I knew Sasuke, Naruto and I did hold that bond of a team.

Team 7

Gradually I joined my mentor at a leisurely walk, neither of us acknowledging each other but merely walking next to each. Tsunade was a stern teacher, she was tough and ruthless but that was okay. Because I knew she was only doing it for my benefit, using her free time to train me and teach me new jutsus and I was thankful.

"You did well today Sakura," Tsunade began, "I'll treat you to lunch at that new restaurant that just opened, Shizune told me their fish to die for."

I laughed. "Fish to die for hmm?"

The blond Hokage flicked one of her pig-tails behind her, "apparently they have good sake as well."

"Shishou!"

"What!"

I rolled my eyes, giving her a pointed look, "is that the only reason you wanted to go?"

"No, I'm treating you to lunch because of your hard work."

"Right," I stopped walking as I suddenly remembered something.

"Shishou..." I spoke slowly.

She stopped as well, a few steps ahead and blinked at me, "what is it Sakura?"

I paused, "don't you have paperwork to do?"

-

-

-

My phone rang the minute I stepped out of the hospital.

Dumping my bag on the floor and unloading the large folders in my arms onto the floor I rustled through the heaving bag. Muttering a few colourful words and ignoring strange looks from passers-by as I finally found the vibrating object.

"Hello?"

"Is he still there?"

I sighed, eyes darting from the traffic on the main road in front of the hospital, rolling my gaze from the sidewalks, finally catching a glimmer of dazzling green before it was blocked by a bus.

"Yep."

"Good, you'll be meeting Naruto in front of Botony Café; he'll be playing a close friend."

"Hai."

"You know where the café is right?"

I leaned the phone against my shoulder as I bent down to pick up the files. "Sort of."

"Good he'll be meeting you at half past six."

And then he was gone.

Slipping the phone back into my bag I glanced at my watch.

5:58

Nearly six o'clock. It took about 15 minutes to get to the café (if I remembered the route to actually get there) but first I had to drop off my folders and freshen up.

Walking across the staff car park I fumbled with my keys, balancing the slowly slipping folders on my hip I managed to unlock the car only to loose my grasp on the folders.

"Fuck!"

Kneeling down I began collecting the escaped paper work, muttering under my breath I nearly lost my balance as a pair of tanned hands joined me in my task.

"Oh," peering up through the curtain of hair fallen over my face I could make out the hands belonged to a man, "thanks."

"What? No hello?"

"Excuse me?" I brushed my tresses back from my eyes, "do I know … oh its you! The taxi driver!"

Under his shaggy brown hair dark brown eyes scrunched, "taxi driver? I prefer my name."

"Sorry," I said apologetically, racking my brain for a name. Touya? Taro? Teruo?

"Toshio," he supplied.

I clicked my fingers, "yes! That's the one," I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly, "sorry I'm really bad with names."

Collecting the folders back into my arms I leaned against the door of my car, "what are you doing here anyway?"

"Oh," the boy lifted a bandaged hand.

"Kami what happened to you!?"

He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, "I was fixing my moms roof with a few friends. I heard Shishi barking so I went to see what was wrong, probably wasn't watching where I was going, slipped and fell, my hand caught on a saw and now I'm here," he finished, ending with raising his injured hand in the air.

"Was it bad?" I asked, holding back from grabbing his hand and checking for myself. A bad habit I knew but I could never sit still when someone was injured.

"Not too bad, hurt like hell when they cleaned it though," he said shuddering.

"Its so the wound doesn't get infected."

He gave a throaty chuckle, "yes ma'am."

Flushing I turned away, "anyway I've got to go. I'm running late as it is…."

Toshio raised his hands, "s'okay, I'd better get going as well, my moms probably worrying like crazy."

I laughed, opening the car door and releasing my hold on the heavy files, turning the engine on I rolled the window down.

"I'll see you later."

He smirked, "probably."

Rolling my eyes I pulled out of the parking lot, giving one last wave I turned onto the main road and immersed myself in the loud horns and choking fumes. There was something about him, something about that brunette taxi driver which sent a sense of deja vu down my back. He looked so familiar yet he was a stranger to me? Could it be we had met before? Perhaps he was a trapped memory deep inside my head?

Stopping at the red light I took this time to wander through my mind. Slipping through small spaces and looking under every crevice, wondering why his face seemed so familiar.

Shifting gears and releasing the break I turned right past through the green lights and racing past an amber light. Driving through the mass of cars I couldn't help but think about Toshio. What was it that made me feel so…. Uncomfortable?

His dog is cute though.

I smiled, true; Shishi was one of the most adorable dogs I had seen in the city. With his cute button nose and shaking tail.

I braked suddenly at the red light. Eyes wide I though for a moment my breathing had stopped.

Oh. My. God.

I was so stupid.

How couldn't I have realised it.

So damn stupid!

It's him.

I should have recognised that face and that messy brown hair. The dog was a big clue as well, one which I had missed.

Apart from the red face paint there was nothing else that had changed.

Twice I had met Inuzuka Kiba and on both occasions I had treated him like a stranger.

That meant he was alive (obviously) and judging by his actions he didn't remember me.

Two times and both incidents I hadn't recognised him.

But it was too late now; he was probably long gone, somewhere in this big city. Kami knew where I could find him.

Slowing the car to a crawl I was in too much of a daze to realise I was outside my apartment building.

Well shit.

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Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does- except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place.

- Abigail Van Buren

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I know it's been a while but exams have held me back so windy is very sorry!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, not much happened and to be honest it was rushed.

Review and tell me what you think.

W.D.D.C