A sweet tune escaped the pinkette's lips as she carefully brushed her bright pink hair in front of the bathroom mirror. She was in a very good mood today, but she had yet to figure out why. For now though, she would just enjoy it. Her outfit today consisted of a bright yellow sleeveless blouse with a black belt tied tightly around her middle and black jeans, making her look a little bit like a honey bee. Her blouse had pale yellow frills at the top, above the belt. On her left wrist was a bright orange rubber band and a black bracelet. She put her hair up in a messy bun, a few of the pink strands randomly sticking out with a few strands left to frame her face. She only put on a small bit of peach lipgloss. She didn't feel like coating her pink lashes in mascara today.
She grabbed her heavy school bag off of the edge of her unmade bed and slung it over her shoulder before making her way down stairs. Her mother had the day off today and had made breakfast today. Sakura smiled as she entered the kitchen and took a seat at the table, the smell of eggs and bacon drifting to her nose. Her stomach rumbled, causing a small blush to spread over usually pale cheeks as her mother placed a plate of food on the table in front of her. Sakura dug in immediately after thanking her mother for it. The food tasted amazing and Sakura sighed contentedly as she realized that both her parents were sitting down to eat with her. Her mother almost immediately started chatting with her, asking about school and making other small talk. Sakura couldn't even help it - she grinned brightly at her mother as they continued their conversation with her father giving his input every here and there.
"Do you want a ride to school, sweetie?" her father asked kindly as he put his dirty plate in the sink after they were finished eating. He then leaned over to give his wife a peck on the cheek. She smiled back at him before continuing with the dishes. Sakura looked out the window. The weather was nice, the sun was out. "I think I'll walk today." she replied before finishing off the last bite of her food.
Sakura smiled as the bright sunlight hit her skin. There was just something about today that made her feel happy. She walked at a slow, leisurely pace as she savored the fresh, crisp smell of morning. There was dew on the grass that sparkled brilliantly in the sun's rays. Birds were chirping, dogs were barking and Sakura couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her lips. This was what she missed about Konoha - the sounds of the animals mixing with the purring of car engines and the honking of horns. These sounds were home to her and it greatly upset her when she realized that there were barely any animals in Suna. The only real animals there were lizzards and scorpions - not the typical housepets.
A flash of blonde caught her eye and Sakura had to fight to keep down the disappointed groan. Further down the road was Ino, who seemed to be waiting for someone. Sakura nearly grimaced as she realized that she had to pass Ino to get to school. Sakura walked forward with long confident strides, holding her head high. Ino wasn't her boss and she had no reason to fear the blonde.
Ino's head snapped towards the sound of approaching footsteps. Ino stared at the pink-haired girl. Sakura was too different for her liking, too cold. Like she had been replaced with someone else. The only time that she wasn't like that was around Karin and Hinata. Ino wondered what happened.
Sure, Sakura had asked her for help all those years ago, but she never said WHY she needed help. She still remembered the desperate and frantic sound of her friend's voice over the phone - begging and pleading for Ino to come over and help. To help her. But Ino had heard voices and screams in the background and had assumed that it was just a prank call. She had hung up instantly, not even waiting for an explanation, before heading back inside to rejoin all her friends at the party.
Ino smirked as Sakura approached. "Good morning, Sakura." she said smugly as the pinkette looked at her blankly. Ino thought she saw a bit of recognition and irritation in those green orbs, but it was gone so quickly that she was almost completely convinced it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.
Sakura fought the urge to sigh at the blonde. Ino was trying to get her to respond, but she was determined to keep up her act. Hearing Ino greet her so smugly brought back memories of their childhood rivalry over Sasuke. Sakura kept her voice monotone as she replied. "Good morning, Ino." Sakura walked straight past Ino, completely ignoring the blonde as she calmly continued on her way to school.
Ino stared angrily at her old friend's back. This new Sakura was annoying. She missed the old Sakura. The one who raced her to school everyday and argued with her about the stupidest things. Sakura was too different now - she never smiled or grinned at anyone except Hinata and Karin. Obviously that phone call from four years ago wasn't a prank like she had thought, but what was the real problem then? Maybe Shikamaru could help her out. He was a genius after all.
Sakura sighed in relief as she finally reached her class. The small 'meeting' with Ino had really dampened her mood quite a bit. And there goes her good mood, straight out the window.
She entered the classroom and immediately went to sit with Hinata and Karin, who were both already there. It seemed like they were discussing something, or Karin was talking about something while Hinata just sat there and listened. Hinata's milky white eyes connected with Sakura's emerald ones. Karin craned her neck to look back at her friend. "Morning!" Karin greeted cheerfully as Sakura reached them and took a seat next to Hinata. "G-Good morning, Sakura-chan." Hinata said softly. Sakura smiled kindly at both of them. "A very good morning indeed." she told Hinata before grinning at Karin. "And why exactly are you so happy, Karin-chan? I thought you hated Wednesdays, you know, with our double history periods today." Sakura said, sounding suspicious. Karin laughed sheepishly whiled rubbing her neck with one hand. "Well...I'm in a good mood... Because...I have...a...crush..." she admitted with a small blush. Both Sakura and Hinata's eyes widened. "WHO?!" the both yelled at the same time, even shy little Hinata. Karin was about to ask Hinata about the loud exclamation until Sakura grabbed her by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes, as if searching her soul... Next thing she knew she was being shaken around by the curious rosette, who was demanding to know about her crush.
"Ah! Okay, okay! I'll tell you!" she yelled and Sakura instantly stopped shaking her around like a rag doll. Karin blinked a few times, feeling just a bit dizzy. "Okay well...the guy I like...um...weeeell..." Karin tried to think of some way to explain. Sakura narrowed her eyes at the redhead. "Okay, the person I like is-" "SHUT UP, TEME!" a voice that sounded suspiciously a lot like Naruto boomed from outside the classroom. The door opened and Sasuke(or Teme) entered calmly. All three of the girls felt a little disappointed when Naruto didn't enter the class. "Aww man, I was hoping Naru-nii would beat up the Uchiha today." Karin sighed dramatically.
Sakura felt his eyes on her. She turned her head and met Sasuke's gaze evenly. Sasuke's onyx eyes seemed to be looking into her heart and mind, looking straight through her and trying to find something. Well, he would have a tough time getting anything out of her. Sasuke smirked at her and Sakura had to restrain herself from punching him yet again. She glared at the cocky Uchiha bastard, as if she was hoping he would spontaneously combust. A few more people entered the class but the two of them continued their staring/glaring competition.
"Sasuke-kun!" a high-pitched voice screeched practically out of nowhere. Sasuke groaned inwardly as one of his fangirls latched onto his arm. Sakura snorted in amusement as the bell rang. Kakashi was probably going to be late again. No need to rush back to her seat.
... ... ... ... ... ...
Sakura sighed as the history teacher droned on and on and on and on and on. It was hot in the classroom. Extremely hot. Sakura was sure that the classroom was actually an oven and that she was melting. Karin was lying down on her arms, fast asleep out of boredom. History often had tat effect on her. Ino was fanning herself with a piece of paper while Shikamaru was off in dreamland as well.
Sasuke seemed to be completely unaffected by the extreme heat. His gaze was focused on the shy Hyuuga heiress who was busily taking notes, completely unaware that he was looking at her. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. Why was he even looking at Hinata? Maybe he wanted to try and ask her about the secret? But, no. Hinata wouldn't betray her, would she? Sakura glanced at Hinata, feeling slightly doubtful, before violently shaking her head and glancing back down at her completely blank paper. She could trust Hinata, she knew she could, it was just Sasuke she couldn't trust. Hinata was shy, not weak. She could have, WOULD have, faith in Hinata.
"Hey, Shika." Ino whispered quietly as the teacher turned around to write something on the blackboard. Shikamaru twitched but didn't move, much to Ino's annoyance. She poked him. "I know you're awake." she hissed at him. Shikamaru sighed and lifted his head to give the blonde a lazy glare. Ino smiled victoriously. "Shika, what do you think...of Sakura?" she asked quietly so as not to attract the teacher's attention. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at her before sighing. "Troublesome...What do you mean with that question, Ino?" he asked her while stretching his arms above his head. Ino pursed her lips, unsure of how to explain. "Well...the new Sakura. The mean one." Ino fumbled, trying to find the right words. Shika yawned. "I think...we made a mistake back then. We should've helped." he replied, sounding a bit bored but Ino could hear the faintest trace of guilt. Choji, who had been busy munching on chips, turned to face them. "I kinda agree...we shouldn't have...abandoned her that night." he told them between bites. Ino glared slightly at the two. "But it was her fault! She should have-" "Should have what, Ino?" Shikamaru cut her off. "Said "this isn't a joke"? Like you would've believed that." he said with a snort.
Ino clenched her fists. "It WAS Sakura's fault! She made it SOUND like a joke!" she hissed at the two boys. 'But you could've helped her.' a voice echoed in her head. Shikamaru scoffed. "Ino, she asked us for help and we didn't give it. How is that her fault? I think...your just feeling guilty, so now you want to find something or someone else to blame it on." he smirked slightly at her. Ino ground her teeth. "I do NOT feel guilty, Shikamaru, she's just being ridiculous about all of this. I mean, she won't even tell us what happened!" she whispered harshly. Shikamaru rolled his eyes at her antics. INO was the one that was being ridiculous, in his opinion. Not that he'd ever tell her that though - then he'd never hear the end of it. 'Just too troublesome.' he thought as he laid his head back down on the desk.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Please drop a review, I'd really like to know what you guys think!
