I had a greater view of things after the talk I had with Kabuto. Never thought his a refined person. However, it still creeps me out how I was able to talk to him in the most normal sense. Never have I imagined in my entire existence that I'd approached Kabuto about personal problems I'll have but that was before, before the war, before when everything was in chaos … before when Sasuke was still down at the edge of the path of redemption. But his changed already, he's a hero, the one who defeated Madara and the evil Kaguya. But … is he really changed that much?

I shoved the thoughts away my mind and focused on my hot chocolate at hand, it was a beautiful evening and the moon shines so bring on the night sky. The village was already asleep but still some drunk men can be heard somewhere. Suddenly my neck hurt, it's like something is sipping it. I tried to gaze at it then some dim light is glowing from it, Sasuke's mark, I remember that this was the exact place where he placed me that kiss mark or whatever you call it.

That mark on your neck. That mark means something. Orochimaru's words flashed inside my mind.

"Sasuke, why do you confuse me." I mouthed the words softly. I know I have a better perspective now but still I need to understand things more. I don't wanna be that dumb crybaby anymore. I was supposed to retreat back inside of my room when I noticed someone. Then a veiling chakra was slowly revealed. A shadow slowly walking towards me, I already know who he was.

"Sasuke" Was the only words I was able to say.

"Hnnnn" A confident and relaxed emotion can be seen from his face.

"So you're the reason why this mark is activating." I tried making my voice firm even with my heart beating so fast seeing him standing here infront of me.

"It could be said that way I suppose." He said naturally.

"What did you do to me? And why are you here at my house?" Honestly, it seems pretty creepy for Sasuke always showing up in the shadows of my veranda. He is like a scary handsome stalker.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? That's weird. Shouldn't you be doing your mission with Naruto?"

"We ought to deliver something with Tsunade. And I came here to get something." He said with a smirk.

"Okay. Goodbye." I tried not letting my guard down. Then he slowly he walked towards me and the next thing I knew he was leaning into me and whispered.

"See you tomorrow Sakura … chan."

That took me a lot to process. Sakura-chan. When did he ever called me with 'chan' ? Is he toying again with me? After what happened at Orochimaru's place I thought he'd avoid me already. Arggh! This is really annoying. I'll just sleep it off tonight.

In the morning when I wake up, Mom and Dad were fighting over the food Mom had cooked.

"I told you not to place sugar in it." Dad was saying.

"I did not place any sugar in it!" Mom yelled at him.

"Then why does this taste so sweet? This is supposed to be a soup and not some sweet cookie or cake!"

Oh God! It's early in the morning. Argh!

"I don't know all I placed in it was that spice I got from our trip."

"Mom & Dad it's still so early. What are you fighting about?"

"Your mom made the soup too sweet."

"Gosh! Can't you guys try to talk about it quietly? Anyway I'm gonna take a bath I need to be early at the hospital today." I headed to the bathroom and then after I changed into my regular uniform for the hospital.

"I'm gonna go now Mom & Dad!" I shouted as I was about to go.

"Nee Sakura-chan take this bento." Mom handed it to me, she realized my scared facial expression. This might be a mess. "Don't worry I cooked it perfectly fine, it's specially for you darling."

"Thanks mom." I walked towards the door but then I saw the calendar that was hanging on it. July 23.

"Mom is today the 23rd of July?" I turned around to her.

"Yeah Sakura, it is. Why?" She said confused.

Oh my Gosh! "No nothing." I gave her an idiotic smile and then went out. It's Sasuke's birthday, I almost forgot it. And this will be the first time that he'll be spending it here in Konoha after how many years.

"Sakura-chaaaaaaaaaaaan!" A voice was calling me out from behind. A familiar one that where ever I may go, I'll always know who is it from.

"Naruto-kun!" I turned around and hugged him. "I missed you."

"Ehhh, it was just a few weeks that had passed since we last saw each other." He said while scratching his head.

"But still it's awfully quiet here with your loud annoying mouth."

"Aw that's so sweet of you Sakura –chan. But wait, do you have any plans for the party?"

"What?"

"Sasuke's surprise birthday party!"

"Oh! Uhm, I really would like to help but I guess he doesn't want to celebrate." He is not the type to celebrate his birthday.

"That's why it's a surprise Sakura-chan."

"I would like to help on preparing but I Shizune informed me that there is an important stuff we need to do today."

"Oh. Okay, well just go to the bar near Kazuma's Grocery this evening and bring some foods. I'll take care of the rest, Hinata will help me though." Naruto was wearing his I'm the hero of the day aura.

"Okay. I will go now."

"Oh wait Sakura-chan, please tell Sasuke to come at the bar by 9, by that time everything is all set up. Just say it naturally and act normal like you don't know it's his birthday, okay? Ja!"

"Matte! His at th-" Then he puff into nothingness and went jumping roof by roof.

I just went my way to the hospital and then went on my morning rounds with my patients there. Then I did some paper works and then before my noon break there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I said and I saw Shizune with Sasuke behind her. I was shocked to see him at my office.

"Konnichiwa Sakura-chan!" Shizune said as she entered my office.

"Konnichiwa Shizune-san & Sasuke-kun." I said formally. "Is there a problem?"

"Ano Sakura… He is the important stuff we need to deal today."

"Eh? What happened to you?" I was directing the question to Sasuke.

"My eyes-" He was halted by Shizune.

"He might have over used them on the war and it seems that there are slight problems that occur most of the time." She explained.

"Oh." Was all I could say. I never realized he had problems with it. Actually, I do not realize many things about him.

"So I supposed you know what to do ne Sakura-chan?"

"Yeah, we could start now." I said as I walked towards them.

"ANo, Shizune can you get something for me from Kabuto?" Sasuke gave her a paper. "It's a medicine he is very good at making."

"But Tsunade-sama told me to-" She said with a little troubled face.

"It's fine Shizune, I already know all about what Tsunade doesn't want to happen." I said to her calmly even if there was a slow forming tense inside me.

"Oh. Okay. I'll be back after I get it." She retreated and went outside. There was an awkward silence that fell between me and Sasuke. This is weird.

"So? Will I just stand here Sakura?" He said with a kind of annoyed face.

"Sorry, lay over there." I pointed to him at my corner check-up bed. He followed to my instruction and laid there still. I checked into the surface part of his eyes, nothing's really a problem. Then I tried to checked some nerves in the deeper parts. I could feel his breathing into my face. A sense of shiver came into me. Then slowly when I figured which part was hurting I held it tried focusing my chakra on it. Sasuke's eyes were closed and he seemed to be at ease with the chakra flow. I looked at his face, his perfect firm jaw, his dark eyes, his thick eyebrow and his long perfect nose, everything seemed so perfect in his face. Suddenly he opens his eyes.

"Sakura." I just realized that our faces were inches away from each other. I blushed and then he caught me off gaurded when he placed his hands on my face. I freezed on the spot.

"I think I'm fine now." He says as his lips moved inches far from mine. I regained my composture back and then turned towards my desk.

"That'd be fine a few months from now, just make sure you see a doctor and allow chakra to heal that never every month." I said sounding professional to him.

"Hnnn. Arigatou." He said with a blank tone. "I'll go now."

"Ano, Sasuke...?"

"Hnnn?"

"I would like to tell you something later."

"Why not now?"

"Because someone my hear, it's something private. Can you meet me at a bar at the west end of the town near Kazuma grocery?"

"I'll try .."

"Promise it wont take too long. Meet me there at 9 cause i'll be on duty till 8."

"okay. Ja'" And he left my office. Gosh, good that I had thought about that excuse cause he might wonder if I just say it casually. Ja ne Sasuke-kun :)