Was That a Confession?

"Sakura, you need a man."

"I have a man, his name is Mr Dumpling."

"Food cannot be your man!"

"Who says?"

"Konoha Women's Weekly Column, section two."

"...Shit."

Sakura uncrossed her legs, then crossed them again. She changed her mind again so settled on curling her legs under her and leaning her elbows on the table before her. Ino had been engaged for a week and already she had jumped on Sakura's back demanding an improvement in her love life.

There was no need for improvement in Sakura's opinion...okay there was some improvements needed. But she was too busy, she had too much work at the hospital and she had another mission coming up, besides, there wasn't really anywhere you could meet the one. It just happens to the luckiest of people.

"I think we should go out partying, like an early bachelorette party! Ohmygod, I need to phone Hinata and the others, this is going to be amazing!" Ino dug around in her bag frantically for her phone while Sakura gaped at her.

"Ino, you've been engaged for a week, don't you think it's a little too early-"

"Nonsense! I'm the bride so I'll decide on when things are and how they are. The wedding isn't until next year so we don't have to tell any of the guys this and we can have another one closer to the wedding."

"That's...actually quite smart." Sakura smiled, but then frowned, "I can't go though, I've signed up for night shifts at the hospital."

Ino waved her hand dismissively, "Tell them you're sick or something, they've got plenty other newbies that want to take on your position."

Sakura sighed, "You're right, when are you planning the party then?"

"Tonight."

"...I'm sorry, what?"

"Tonight!" Ino flipped her phone open and searched for - what Sakura assumed - was Hinata and Tenten's number.

"But you haven't planned anything in advance!"

"Don't need to, we just go to that club we usually go to. It'll be like last time, dancing, flirting, bit of grinding..." Ino looked away as a blush formed on her cheeks.

Sakura snapped her fingers inches from Ino's face, "You're engaged, that means no grinding with other men!"

Ino scoffed, "I know that! I learned my lesson last time," then she smirked, "Ne, Sak-u-ra, remember last time?"

Sakura did. All to well. Ino had no intention of leaving anyone sober at a club, and because Sakura was Ino's primary target, she was forced to endure abuse until she got drunk. Sakura was weak to Ino's peer pressure, and the pig knew it.

That was why last time they ventured into a club, Ino was twirling atop a table while Sakura had been spotted by Grabbers (filthy men who grab then sell women off to rich bastards). It had been a whole blurry nightmare and Naruto never forgot to bring it up at their monthly dinners.

"Sakura-chan! Can I get some more ramen?"

"No! Get it your damn self!"

"REMEMBER THAT TIME I SAVED YOU FROM GRABBERS?"

"..."

Sakura shivered, turning around in the suspicioun that she was being watched. After a quick glance at the passers by, Sakura turned around and sipped her soft drink as Ino began chattering away to Hinata on her phone.

::XxX::

Sasuke listened with keen ears to the birds up in the tree to his left and wondered if he'd be fast enough to pounce on one in his cat form. Probably not. He spared another glance in Sakura's direction and found her standing up to leave the small coffee shop.

She wasn't aware he was following her, and he liked it that way. Since she had plans they could not go to the library again until tomorrow evening, so Sasuke was left with nothing to do the whole day. Hence his stalking Sakura's every move to learn what consisted of her normal day routine. So far she had visited Ino at her house then the blonde had dragged her out for coffee. Her life was fairly simple when she wasn't on duty, that wasn't to say she looked simple.

With her pink hair that Sasuke still questioned since his Genin years and her big lime eyes, she stood out on the streets like a sore thumb. Which was another reason Sasuke was following her. But he won't admit that.

"Sasuke, how nice to see you again."

Whipping his head around and surprised that someone had managed to sneak up on him, Sasuke hissed at the tall figure behind him. The masked man lifted a hand that wasn't holding his book and said, "Yo."

In answer, Sasuke's head pulled low to the ground as his fur rose upon his back in a threatening manner, to which Kakashi replied by dumping water from his container over Sasuke's head. Sasuke's eyes went wide as his body shifted and transformed into human, with his normal feet he wasn't able to grip the thin fence so his leg slipped off abruptly then his body followed, landing right in a bush.

Kakashi chuckled, "I think it's time we talked."

Sasuke sank into the soft seats of Ichiraku and tugged the hood further down to reach his nose. The familiar smell of ramen attacked his senses and nostalgia had him feeling dizzy. The last time he'd sat here, in the very seat he was sitting in now, he'd been with Sakura and Naruto. They were Chunin's – excluding Naruto obviously – and his team mates had been unaware of his intentions to leave.

All except Sakura. Somehow, she'd known. She'd known exactly what was going through his head. How? He'd kept his emotions to himself for the majority of his life, but she had predicted his leaving the village and known the exact words to say to halt him. He'd been balancing on a wall at that point, to leave the village and go after Itachi or stay and embrace the love that was clearly offered to him. Now, here he was to show how his choice had affected him, he was a cat stuck in a village that wanted him dead and housed with the very person who tried to convince him to stay.

"You either pay attention to me or I wait for you to stop day dreaming by reading my new book." The hard, no-nonsense voice said next to him.

Sasuke scowled and glared at his knees, "What do you want?"

Kakashi let out a long sigh and said, "Tsunade has informed me you're staying with Sakura."

"Hn." What point was he trying to make?

"And I'm not happy with that."

Sasuke's head snapped up like he'd done when he was a cat, which caused his hood to whip back off his head.

"I'm not leaving." Sasuke said, steel punctuating every word.

"I know," He let out another sigh and Sasuke remarked that Kakashi hadn't changed much since he'd last seen him, the crow's feet were more evident at the corner of his eyes but that was it. The ageing Junin studied Sasuke out of the corner of his eye which Sasuke noted.

"But I'm wondering, why do you refuse to leave now when you were so bent on leaving before?"

"I need to stay here to fix whatever is wrong with me." Sasuke explained.

"Wrong. The Uchiha's had many hideouts and people who worked for them. You could've went to any of them."

"Hn." Sasuke wouldn't explain himself any more to Kakashi, it was none of his business.

"Even though I fear for Sakura's life, I fear for her heart."

This caused Sasuke's hard features to relax and his stiff shoulders to slump an inch when he understood what Kakashi was saying.

"Sakura has lead a good life up until now, she's had no trouble with any one or anything concerning where her heart lies. She hides her emotions well, but I know when she's lying - she'll tuck her hair behind her ear – and if you hurt her again, Uchiha, I will kill you."

Kakashi didn't elaborate on what he'd do, he didn't have to. Sasuke saw it clearly in his eyes, he would kill him without blinking. Sasuke nodded but didn't say anything.

"Hello gentlemen, what can I getcha?" An older Ayame appeared before the two shinobi.

"Ah, just in time." Kakashi said, motioning for Sasuke to order.

Sasuke had tracked Sakura down in mere minutes, as usual, she was at the hospital. Curiosity got the better of him since he knew she wasn't working today, so he tugged his hood down and made his way into the hospital. Just before he reached the entrance, Sakura burst through the doors and crashed right into him. Sasuke didn't fall or even sway but he brought his hands up to catch Sakura before she fell backwards.

She blinked rapidly for about a minute then straightened herself abruptly and brushed his hands off her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry...Sa-Sasuke!" Her eyes went wide in shock, but a shout from inside the hospital had her look near fainting.

"Haruno! You better not run from me, I may be an old woman but I can very well catch up with you and that murderous cat!"

It was an old woman who had shouted, her strained voice and gasping shouts gave that away. Sakura twirled around to face the doors, then back to him, then to the doors, then back to him.

"Sakura." He said just before she twirled again.

"What are you doing? Are you insane?" She whispered harshly.

Sasuke shrugged then cocked his head to the doors behind her, "Who's that?"

"Oh, no one. Just a very pissed of grandmother who has come to personally shout at me for bringing harm to her beloved grandson." She gave a pointed glare at his face which was half covered.

Sasuke paid the direct accusation no mind and instead turned around.

"Where are you going?" Sakura shouted, then winced at the volume of her voice.

"Come on." Sasuke said, instead of giving her an answer.

Sakura hesitated for a moment but soon he felt the brush of air to his right as she joined him.

::XxX::

"Sakura." Sasuke called out.

She kept walking.

Sasuke sighed but followed her nonetheless, "Where are you going?"

"Hm? Are you coming with me?" She asked him.

Sasuke said nothing.

"Well, I have to get food for dinner tonight. I thought you'd have went back to the apartment." She explained.

"...I have nothing else to do."

"Oh...you can help me if you want?" She shied a glance in his direction. Again he said nothing but continued to walk with her in the direction to the supermarket. She smiled in what he assumed was gratitude.

"Um, could you get me those grapes up there?"

Sasuke followed the direction of her pointing finger when his gaze landed on the grapes, he stretched his arm up and produced the fruit in front of her.

"Thank you."

Sasuke thought it was very surreal, shopping with Sakura. Helping her with the food on high shelves that she couldn't reach herself. Shoppers would pass by them and smile when Sasuke got the food Sakura requested, it made him uncomfortable to be under their scrutiny. Since him and Sakura would have been considered a couple under other gazes.

Sasuke stared at the shiny tomatoes in front of him, wondering if Sakura would mind. But then, a slim hand reached around him and grabbed three tomatoes. He turned and was surprised to see Sakura placing them in a clear bag then gently putting them with the other fruits.

"You just have to ask, Sasuke." She said softly then carried on down the food aisle.

A while later, Sakura had her index finger and thumb on her chin, she glared fiercely at the two foods in front of her. Sasuke had been standing behind her for five minutes, peering over her head now and again to see what got her so undecided. It was between the 'less fat' option, and the 'tastier' option.

She'd reach her hand out to grab one of them, but pull it back suddenly and go for the other. If Sasuke was any other man, he would have left her to her shopping and saw her again when she came home. However, Sasuke had always been patient and he'd already decided on helping her to carry the food home.

Finally Sakura turned to him, "Which one do you want?"

Sasuke raised his eyebrows, "What I want?"

"Yeah, for dinner. I mean I've never got this type of food but I thought for a change I'd get it and I can't pick which one. So?"

Sasuke didn't care about which one she got, so he lifted the 'tastier' one and dropped it in the basket she had tucked over her elbow.

"Okay, that's us done. Do you want anything else?" Sakura turned in a circle to eye all the aisles as if searching for one she'd missed.

Sasuke shook his head lightly so she made her way to the checkout, her pink hair brushing his shoulder.

::XxX::

"Thank you, Sasuke, for helping me with these." Sakura said, placing the only bag she held on her kitchen counter. Sasuke lifted the other four bags and sat them next to hers.

Once Sakura had bagged the food at the supermarket, Sasuke had grabbed four of them and walked away from her, leaving her with one. She had tried to convince him to give her one, but he said nothing and ignored her the whole way home. She was really appreciative for his help, he'd reached for the food that she would never be able to get and kept her company, she was so used to shopping on her own it felt comforting that someone was helping her.

"When do you think you'll be hungry?" Sakura asked, emptying the bags and putting the food away into cupboards and her fridge.

He shrugged so Sakura eye balled him until he looked at her.

"I'm going to go to the library for a few hours."

"But what if-"

"They weren't suspicious this afternoon, I'll keep my hood down."

Sakura was worried he'd be figured out, but if she treated him like a child he'd most likely fall out with her and still go to the library anyway.

"I'll have dinner ready for when you come back then." She said with a smile.

His covered face turned towards her slightly, Sakura didn't know if she'd saw him smile in return or she'd imagined it but Sasuke left the apartment quickly before she could ask him.

Alone once again, Sakura pondered why Sasuke had shown up at the hospital. Also why he'd been willing to help her with shopping. His behaviour was nothing like before he'd left the village, even if she'd pleaded he help her with shopping he would have called her annoying. So what brought about the change? Sakura shook her head, she didn't care how it happened, she was thankful for his help.

The more she thought about it, the more she kicked herself. How she hadn't know it was Sasuke that had scared Hitoshi was a wonder, she should have sensed that Uchiha pride from a mile away. Even with the hooded jumper covering his eyes, his nose and mouth was visible. Both of them were straight, non-moving and utterly Sasuke-like.

As Sakura lounged on her sofa watching TV, she heard a brief commotion outside before her front door was thrown open to reveal what looked like a flesh fiasco. Sakura gawked at the revealing outfit Ino wore, but her jaw hit the ground when Hinata peeked out from behind her.

"You've ruined Hinata!" Sakura shouted.

Ino gasped and brought her hand to her chest, "I've made her glamorous!"

Tenten pushed Ino and Hinata and shut the door behind her, "Now it's your turn Sakura."

"Tenten, why are you wearing trainers...with a little black dress?"

The girl glanced down at her trainers, "The heels were uncomfortable."

Ino plopped down in the sofa next to Sakura, "You should have seen her trying to walk in them, hilarious. We have to get you ready!"

Sakura stood up and set her hands on her hips, "I'm not going anywhere, I have to make dinner-"

"You can have something to eat at the club." Ino reasoned.

Sakura couldn't leave, but she couldn't tell them the real reason why...so she said, "I have cramp."

"You are such a faker! You did that hair thing again, liar. Come on, you don't come with us you're not invited to my wedding." Ino crossed her arms in front of her.

Sakura narrowed her eyes, "You wouldn't."

Ino mimicked her expression, "I would."

Sakura sighed, besides, Sasuke could make his own dinner. Also, she could be back before he was-

"Enough waiting!" Ino bellowed, "Let's get you ready."

The music bombarding Sakura's small ears was deafening, but it felt good. She could feel the vibrations of the club floor as people danced like no one was watching. Tenten had been snatched by a very handsome man as soon as she walked into the club. Hinata was next to go, a guy had insisted on flirting with her until his date appeared behind him and punched him in the face. Hinata was now consoling a heartbroken woman at the bar.

Ino and Sakura had hit the dance floor after a few drinks since both of them required the buzz to keep up with the all night dancing...and to ignore the pain of their heels. Sakura's dress wasn't like Ino's, Sakura's was all leg and no chest, Ino's was all chest and all leg. Sakura barely had a chest to speak of so she couldn't really complain about how nearly all the lustful gazed were for Ino.

"I think that guy is watching you!" Ino shouted in her ear over the music as she pushed a glass against Sakura's stomach.

Sakura took the glass from the half-drunk blonde and sipped it, then screwed her face up.

"Ino, what is in this thing?"

Ino smiled brightly and her eyes twinkled, "Just a mixture."

Ino produced a few more of these 'mixtures', which was why Sakura was now waltzing in a zig-zag line towards the guy that had been apparently watching her.

::XxX::

Sasuke had been sitting at the kitchen table for two hours, with his hands clasped under his chin and staring at the discarded apron absently thrown over the chair across from him.

Sakura hadn't said anything about going out, he assumed she'd forgot something at the store, so Sasuke had waited. And waited. Until eventually, he stood up and charged from the apartment.

It had been easy to find her before but this time, Sakura was eluding him. He searched the streets she usually walked and didn't see any lights on in Ino's house. He checked the hospital but they told him she hadn't checked in. He travelled back to the supermarket which was the furthest from the apartment but she wasn't there either.

As Sasuke walked back, he heard her. It was about half a mile away but he could pick her voice out from a crowd. He raced through alleys and jumped over fences to arrive at the night life scene, people staggered outside clubs and some danced in the middle of the street, Sasuke cast a scowl in their direction until he spotted Sakura shoving Ino away from a club entrance.

"I-Ino, Shika's gonna be angry if...if we go into any more."

Sasuke headed straight for her, she didn't see him nor did she hear him because of the music blasting from every angle. When he grabbed her elbow and pulled her in between two buildings to drown out the sound, she snatched her elbow away from him then took a step back.

"Sasuke? Sasukeeeeeeee, I've-I've been looking for you for...for..." Sakura held her hand shakily in front of her face and counted her fingers, as if reaching a magnificent conclusion she burst out, "Six years! Where did you go? I-I missssssssed you."

Sasuke's left eyebrow rose as he watched Sakura wobble towards him, when she reached him she clutched his biceps and hung on.

"You shouldn't...shouldn't have left me on that-that bench!" She craned her neck back to look up at him and the stench of alcohol filled his nostrils. "I got a cold that night." Sakura's voice cracked as tears gathered at the corners of her doe eyes.

"How...how could you do that to me?" She bellowed, then Sasuke was flung back like he'd been kicked by a horse.

As bricks showered over his head from the building he'd been pushed into, Sakura spoke again, "Why did you come back? I don't want you here."

Sasuke glared.

::XxX::

Sakura wasn't aware of what was happening, her head was spinning like she'd done a thousand somersaults and her stomach churned with each move she made. In a conscious part of her mind, she concluded that she was well and truly drunk. It had only happened a hand full of times but when Sakura got drunk, she went all the way. If you don't do it often, then you might as well go for it full on. She couldn't still her moving limbs no matter how hard she tried so she couldn't bring her fingers up to her head and softly focus her mind.

As she looked at Sasuke – she didn't know if it was her swaying, or Sasuke had gotten drunk too – she realised he was picking himself up off the ground. A large crater on the brick wall behind him was crumbling into tiny bricks, ready to give way at any moment.

Did I do that?

Sakura tried to form the words in her mouth to ask no one in particular if she did in fact 'do that', but she struggled and gave up. Although, in one last ditch effort, she mumbled, "Sasukeeee-kun," her eyes started to shut, "You know I love you, right?"

::XxX::

I know, I'm late...again, for the millionth time. But it's up, right? RIGHT? Anyway, I have finally figured out where this story is going since I had no clue up until last week. I really have to plan stories and not write them on a whim, it's becoming a stressful habit.

I did enjoy my holiday, thank you to all that wished me well! I HEART YOU. Obviously, me being from a country with stupid weather and visiting the sunny Italy, I ended up with a cold. Do not ask me how the hell it happened, because I have no clue -_-

Review and tune in for next chapter (which may or may not be a thousand years from now)