Hey Everyone,

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone that has read my other stories, it means the world to me!

I'll ty to update the story as much as possible.

As always, lots of love to you all XxxxxX

Sakura leaned back in her chair and sighed deeply, her eyes closing on their own accord. She'd been busy with patient after patient this week, barely able to catch a break. She massaged at her temples, trying to alleviate some of the tension that was building up; a tension that never seemed to want to go.

Sakura opened her eyes staring at the white ceiling. She pushed the chair away from the desk and stood up and made her way to the window. She opened it wider and sighed contently as a gentle breeze greeted her. The sound of children laughing and playing began to fill her office, making her smile. She watched as several of the children played below, some throwing a ball between them, others skipping together, and a few that looked like they were playing a game of tag.

She chuckled slightly as memories of her childhood filled her mind. She could remember when her, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Naruto and the others would play together, back when there was nothing to stress about, and each day was filled with another adventure and a new game to play. Days when they would be out from dawn to dusk playing and having fun. How she wished that she could relive those days, to enjoy having no responsibilities and stress.

Sakura leaned against the wall and sighed, her eyes falling onto the clock, she had at least twenty minutes free, before she was due to check on the next patient. She pushed away from the wall and walked out of her office and made her way towards the cafeteria.

On her way, she spoke to a few of the nurses and doctors, some joining her in the queue to place their orders.

"Tea break?" one asked.

Sakura smiled and nodded, "I'm hoping I'll be able to drink my hot chocolate in peace for once and not have to either rush it and burn my mouth, or leave it for it to get too cold," Sakura chuckled slightly.

"I know what you mean," one doctor sympathised, with a small smile.

"Enjoy it, you deserve it," one of the doctors winked at her, as he walked away.

Sakura reached the counter, "hi, can I have a large, actually, make it a medium hot chocolate, with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, please," Sakura placed her order, smiling at the young assistant. As much as she wanted a large drink, she was worried that she wouldn't have the chance to finish it, savour it before it went to waste.

"Coming right up Dr. Haruno," the young lady smiled in return.

Sakura paid for her drink and stood at a table, waiting for her name to be called. She grabbed her phone out of her pocket and checked through her messages. Finding a few from Ino, complaining about something Sai had done. Naruto sending her cat pictures, making her laugh out loud.

"Dr. Haruno, your drink is ready."

Sakura put away her phone and walked to the counter, thanking the assistant. She took a sip of the chocolate beverage and moaned inwardly as her mouth was filled with the taste of chocolate. She sat down at one of the empty tables and took out her phone, and texted Ino back, asking her what had happened this time.

"Sakura? Sakura is that you?"

Sakura froze at the voice. A voice she had not heard in the last five years, a voice that she never thought she'd hear anytime soon. She had thought about how she'd respond to him, how she would give him a piece of her mind, tell him exactly what she thought of him if he ever showed up, but now that he was stood there, she couldn't think of a single thing to say.

Slowly, she took in the sight before her. Black shiny shoes, black trousers that sat on narrow hips, probably made of the finest and most expensive wool, a white pressed button up shirt, that hid a defined chest. The ensemble finished with a thick red silk tie. One hand resting on his hip, the other holding his blazer over his shoulder. A chiselled and defined jawline, lips kicked to the side in a smirk, a smirk that she used to go crazy over, and onyx eyes staring down at her. Sasuke.

Sakura blinked several times, trying to clear the image, sure that she's imaging him standing in front of her.

Sasuke walked to her table and pulled out the chair, setting his blazer on the back of the chair and sat down, still smirking at her. "You look well."

'Why is he here? What does he want from me?' Sakura thought to herself, her eyes scrutinizing his face, trying to understand his motive. "Why are you here?" She pocketed her phone. Sakura straightened herself in the chair, and pulled her drink between both hands, keeping them busy, to either stop her from hitting him or worse, throwing herself at him.

Sasuke chuckled slightly, "that wasn't the kind of greeting I thought I'd get from you." He had hoped that when she saw him, she'd be happy, welcome him home with open arms, and if he was lucky, a warm bed. But he was not expecting her to be so cold and closed off.

Sakura cocked an eyebrow at him, "no, you were hoping that I'd throw myself at you," she replied sarcastically. Even though a part of her, a very stupid, small part of her wanted to jump in his arms and lavish him with kisses, but she squashed that part down, she wasn't stupid enough to want to get back with someone who didn't care about anyone but himself. She checked the time on her watch and stood up, drink in hand, and turned away from him, but before she could walk away, he grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Wait, don't go. I need to talk to you," Sasuke pleaded. He really had hoped that she'd be more excited to see him, not turn away from him.

Sakura looked over her shoulder at where he was holding her hand. "Let go of my hand," her tone cold, she pulled her hand out of his grasp.

Sasuke stood up and moved his hand up her arm, gently caressing it, "please wait Sakura, I really need to talk to you," his tone soft, and his eyes pleading for her to hear him out.

Sakura shrugged out of his grasp, refusing to let him talk his way back into her life. She turned to face him and narrowed her eyes, "you need to talk to me now? Don't you think it's five years too late for that?" Her tone turning slightly shrill.

Sasuke dropped his arm to his side and gave her a small smile, "I'm sorry for the way I left. I needed to go and deal with some family stuff…" he trailed off.

"So?" Sakura placed her drink on the table and crossed her arms across her chest, "you could have called me, text me. I sent you several messages, called you god knows how many times, left you countless voicemails, begging you to call me, to let me know you're okay," she seethed. Her temper rising. She thought back to the day he left, how heartbroken she was, how worried. How she was unable to go through a day without the help of her friends and family. 'And he has the nerve to show up here, at my work, and expect me to talk to him?'

Sasuke opened and closed his mouth, trying to come up with something to say, but Sakura put her hand up, stopping him from talking.

"I don't care what you have to say to me. I have a job to do and people to look after." She turned away from him and was about to walk away when she called after her.

"Sakura, please wait," he grabbed his blazer and ran up to her, standing in front of her, "I'm sorry okay, what more do you want me to say?"

"What I want?" Sakura huffed out, "what is wrong with you Sasuke? You left without saying a word to me and you think I want to talk to you now? I have nothing I want to say to you, and I don't want to hear anything you have to say to me." She tried to walk past him, but he held her arm, his fingers pressing into her flesh slightly.

"Sakura please give me a chance to explain myself. I've missed you so much, and I hoped that maybe we could carry on from where we left off." Sasuke gently tucked her hair behind her ear, gently caressing her cheek.

Sakura pulled away from him. Her insides burning, she wanted to throw her drink over his expensive clothes, that probably cost more than what she made in a week. She also wanted to lash out, hit him, punch some sense into that dense head of his, but she refrained herself, not wanting to cause a scene at her workplace. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself, calm her murderous thoughts, "I'm only going to say this once, I. Don't. Want. To. Get. Back. With. You." She pulled her arm away from him and walked away, "don't even think of trying to stop me or I will end up hurting you, and you're in the right place to need medical attention after." She called over her shoulder.

Sakura walked to her office and slammed the door shut and sat down in her chair angrily, her drink sloshing out and staining her top, "great, just what I needed," she grumbled and set the cup down and grabbed a few tissues, wiping away furiously at her top. "Who does he think he is coming here and asking me to get back with him?"

She thought about him and balled up the tissue tightly in her fist. She threw the tissue in the bin and grabbed her drink and downed it, too angry to enjoy her drink anymore. She threw the empty cup in the bin and forced her attention on her work, reading chart after chart.

By the time she had finished work, she was too wound up, the conversation with Sasuke playing through her mind over and over. She wanted to find him and beat him up, make him feel half the pain he had put her through when he left her. She thought back to when he left, how for weeks and months she waited for any contact from him, how she would have jumped into his arms had he returned, how she wouldn't ask him where he went or why, she'd just be happy that he was back with her. 'God I really was stupid and so very blinded by him.'

She grabbed her phone and send a message to Naruto, "meet me at the gym in 20 minutes, and don't be late!" Sakura shrugged out of her lab coat and hung it up on the coat rack and grabbed her purse and jacket and made her way to her car. She drove home quickly, not taking the time to enjoy the scenery.

Once home, she changed into her gym clothes and grabbed her bag, throwing in her towel and a set of clean clothes. She grabbed the bag and walked back to her car and made her way to the gym and parked in an empty bay, and waited for Naruto to show up, counting as the minutes passed by.

25 minutes later, Naruto pulled up next to Sakura and got out of the car. He walked to her side and opened the door, smiling wide at her, "hey Sakura, how are you doing?"

Sakura scowled at him, "what took you so long?" She grabbed her bag and pushed past him, grabbing the door, and slamming it shut. She locked her car and stormed off towards the gym, Naruto running after her.

"Hey, wait up Sakura," he caught up with her, "what's up? You're more grouchy than usual."

"Shut up Naruto, before I end up hitting you," Sakura scolded, her hands balled into fists at her sides.

He held up his hands in surrender, "hey, hey, calm down," he placed his hand on her shoulder, and turned her to face him, "talk to me, what's happened?" He noticed how her green eyes were filled with anger, and under the anger was sadness, sadness he hadn't seen for a long time.

Sakura looked into her best friend's blue eyes. Eyes that always seemed to radiate warmth and kindness. She felt bad for the way she had snapped at him, hating that she let Sasuke affect her like this. "I saw Sasuke today," she sighed out and closed her eyes.

Naruto's eyes widened, "S-S-Sasuke?" he stammered out. The last time he had seen the raven haired Uchiha, was five years ago, just before he disappeared, and no one knew where he was or whether he was okay. He looked down at Sakura and understood why she was so wound up, so angry. He pulled her into a hug, gently rubbing her back.

"What did he want?" he asked quietly, wondering what Sasuke was up to, what he was playing at. years ago, Naruto would have made any and every excuse under the sun for his best friend, but after he had seen what state Sakura was in, Naruto had stopped with the excuses, he couldn't, wouldn't forgive Sasuke for how he left, leaving Sakura so broken hearted.

"He wants us to get back together," Sakura balled her hands tightly, she could still see him standing there, acting all cool and collected, expecting her to throw herself at him and tell him that she'd welcome him back into her life. She pushed away from Naruto, "he came into the hospital and expected me to just take him back, who the hell does he think he is?"

Naruto tried to come up with an answer, but Sakura cut him off, jabbing a hard finger in his chest.

"You knew that he was back, didn't you? And you didn't think of telling me about it?" She yelled. A few sets of eyes landing on them, several giving Naruto a dirty look. "You're meant to be my best friend and you didn't think of telling me?"

"Sakura, stop it," Naruto raised his voice, getting her attention. His eyes hardening at the accusations. "In case you forgot, Sasuke had ghosted everyone, not just you. And do you really think that if I had known that I wouldn't tell you, warn you?" Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, his anger dissipating as quick as it came, "I know you're hurting, and you know I would never hurt you," he gave her a small smile.

Sakura sighed out and looked at the floor, feeling guilty once again, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you like that," she looked up at him and smiled slightly, "let's get our sweat on."

They put their bags away in the locker rooms and walked into the gym, they started with light stretches before going in for a full strenuous work out. After an hour and a half, they were done. Sweat dripping off their faces, their clothes damp.

"You really went all out, didn't you?" Naruto took a several gulps of his water, and wiped at his brow, "are you feeling better?"

Sakura nodded, breathing deeply. She had to admit, working out with Naruto always seemed to get her in a better mood. She grabbed her towel and wiped at her face, before placing it around her shoulders.

They walked towards the lockers, grabbing their bags. Naruto leaned against his, facing Sakura. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Why? Are you going to take me out for ramen?" Sakura shouldered her bag.

Naruto chuckled lightly, "no, not this time. If you're not doing anything, why don't you come out with me and Hinata?"

Sakura looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "I don't want to be a third wheel on your date."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, a nervous gesture he was never able to shake off, "no, we're not going on a date."

Sakura scrutinized him, folding her arms, "what is it Naruto?" She knew him well enough to know that he was either in trouble or needed her to help him out.

"We've been invited to a party by her father, and I just thought that you'd like to join us. That way you won't be home alone with your thoughts. Also, there is a free bar," he gave her a wide grin, his eyes closing.

Sakura wanted to tell him she'd be fine, but the prospect of being home alone tonight didn't sit well. And free alcohol, who was she to say no. "Fine, I'll join you. Time and place?"

Naruto grinned wider at her, "I'll come and pick you up. Be ready by 8.30."

Sakura checked her watch and groaned, she didn't have enough time to get dressed, she barely had over an hour. "You should have told me about this earlier," she whined. "What am I even meant to wear?"

"Whatever you want to," Naruto guessed.

Sakura shook her head at him, he really was obtuse when it came to women and parties. "Fine, I'll be ready." She walked to her car and unlocked it, throwing her bag in the passenger seat. She drove home fast and started the shower, not waiting for it to heat up before jumping into it. She showered quickly, and turned off the water, wrapping a towel around her body and walking to her room.

She rummaged through her wardrobe and pulled out a red summer dress that reached just above her knees and placed it on the bed, she matched it with a pair of white flats. She dried her long hair quickly and tied it up in a low ponytail.

Once she was dressed she applied a little bit of makeup, black eyeliner, and nude lip gloss. She looked at her reflection and smiled slightly, 'this'll have to do.'

At 8.30 pm on the dot, Naruto rang her doorbell. Sakura grabbed her purse and chucked in her phone, credit card and keys and walked out, smiling at the blonde, before her jaw fell open wide. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a navy blazer, paired with beige boots. He looked both cool and rugged, something only Naruto could pull off. "What kind of party is it?" Sakura asked, panic evident in her tone.

"It's at the Hyuga Hotel, didn't I tell you?" Naruto questioned; his brow furrowed.

Sakura balled her hand, the need to punch him in his head burning through her. "If you had told me, I would have made more of an effort," she seethed, "whose party is it?" Sakura turned to face the door, and was about to open it, when Naruto grabbed her hand.

"It's Hanabi's 21st birthday," Naruto smiled at her apologetically, "I'm sorry I forgot to mention it, but we haven't got the time. We have to go now."

Sakura groaned and stamped her foot, had she had known it was Hanabi's birthday, she would have gotten her a present, now not only was she underdressed, she also didn't have a present to take with her. She was about to tell him to go on without her, when he grabbed her arm, "please Sakura, we need to go now. We're already late," he pleaded.

"But I feel so underdressed compared to you." Sakura looked down at herself, before eyeing Naruto up again.

"I don't see what the big fuss is all about," Naruto complained, "you look fine." He checked his watch, "we need to go now, or we're going to be late, and we really don't want to be late," Naruto urged.

Sakura grumbled and walked towards his car and opened the passenger door and sat down, pulling it shut. She looked in the backseat and found a large bag brimming with presents. Sakura clenched her teeth tight and groaned inwardly hard. She thought about taking one of the presents and giving it to Hanabi, pretend that she knew it was her birthday and had gotten her something. Before she could act on her wishes, Naruto opened his door and got in the car.

"Let's go have some fun," he smiled wide at her.

She faced forward and clicked the seatbelt into place. The drive to the hotel took just under half an hour, and the whole time, Sakura tried to calm herself, that she wouldn't be the only one dressed so casually.

By the time they reached the hotel, Sakura's nerves were on edge. She rubbed her clammy hands on the skirt of her dress, but it barely seemed to help. She got out of the car and looked up at the imposing building. The building had sharp and clean lines, and tinted glass reflecting the lights around it.

The Hyugas were a one of the wealthiest families in Konoha, who had their fingers in almost everything, from banking to hotels. This hotel was their oldest hotel built a few decades ago. It was a well-known hotel, especially amongst the rich.

"Are you coming in Sakura?" Naruto asked, pulling her out of her thoughts. He was holding the large gift bag in one hand and the other tucked inside his pocket.

Sakura visibly swallowed and she followed Naruto into the hotel. She was even more amazed by the inside of the building. The floor was a shiny polished black marble with small floor lights dotted around, giving the illusion of stars in a night sky. The walls a glossy white, with several paintings adorning them in intervals. Modern sofas and coffee tables were scattered around fashionably, and the people who occupied them, looking just as fashionable.

The women wearing long evening dresses, the men in suits. Sakura watched as several of the people looked at her with distaste, making her wish that the floor would open and swallow her whole. She made sure to stay next to Naruto, she watched as he looked around, as if searching for someone. "I thought you said you and Hinata were meant to be here."

"She came here earlier. The party started hours earlier," he grinned at her.

Sakura was about to say something when she saw Hinata walk towards them, her lips pulled up in a smile. Sakura eyed the bluenette, she looked utterly gorgeous in a deep purple maxi dress that hugged her very developed figure, accentuating her narrow waist and wide hips. She had long dangly silver earrings that shone against the light, making them twinkle like the stars above.

Her eyes were lined with black eyeliner, winged at the end and her lips were painted in a deep prune lipstick, making her lips look plump.

"Hi Sakura," Hinata smiled at her, "I'm so glad that you were able to come too," she hugged Sakura.

"Thanks for the invite," Sakura smiled back, hugging her. "You look lovely by the way."

Hinata blushed slightly, "thank you."

"Lovely? Damn, woman you look H-O-T, hot," Naruto winked at her, pulling her into his arms. "I can't wait to peel this dress off you later."

Sakura whacked Naruto, "do you need to be so repulsive? Just because you live with Jiraya doesn't mean that you need to act like a perv like him."

Naruto grinned wide, "well I can't help it if my girlfriend looks so damn fine."

Sakura rolled her eyes at him, she followed behind Naruto and Hinata, smiling at a few people as she walked by. She noticed how some of them looked at her with narrowed gazes.

Naruto turned to face her, "I'm going to go see Hanabi, make your way to the bar and we'll join you."

Sakura wasn't one to be told twice, she made her way to the bar and sat down at one of the empty stools. She tried to get the attention of the bartenders but none of them gave her a second glace. Sakura sighed inwardly, she set her bag on the table and crossed her legs, and waited, and waited and waited, until one of the bartenders made her way towards her.

Sakura smiled at her, "hi, can I have a pink gin and lemonade please?"

The bartender raised a pointed eyebrow at her, and gave her a once over, looking at her with disdain, "are you meant to be here?"

Sakura clenched her jaw tightly, stopping her retort in its tracks. She forced the smile to stay on her face, "I'm friends with Hinata, and she invited me."

"Uh huh, I'm sure you are," the bartender smiled small, "the exit is behind you."

Sakura was about to lose her temper, and this woman was going to get the brunt of it, until Naruto and Hinata made their way to her.

Naruto could feel the tension radiating off Sakura in waves, and the look in her eyes towards the bartender added to it. He quickly spoke, hoping to diffuse some of the tension, "hey, can I have a beer and please get whatever these two fine ladies would like," he smiled wide at her, flashing his teeth.

The bartender raised both eyebrows, "c-certainly Mr. Uzumaki." She took Hinata's order and walked off, getting their drinks ready.

Sakura turned to look at Naruto, "how are you Mr. Uzumaki, and I'm being given the dirty look?"

Naruto laughed lightly, "it's because I'm Hinata's sexy boyfriend."

Sakura rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the small smile spreading across her face.

When the bartender placed Sakura's drink in front of her, Sakura smirked at her, "next time, make sure to get the drinks when asked," she smiled sweetly, her tone belying the emotion.

Sakura grabbed her drink and took a large sip, enjoying the sweetness of the drink and the tartness from the berries. She took several larger sips, draining her glass before setting it down and asking for another. "Keep 'em coming," she smiled at the bartender.

Sakura watched as several of the guests walked by, several giving her dirty looks, others whispering as the passed her by.

"I can't believe they let just anyone walk into this place."

"I thought the party was for the only a select few."

Sakura picked up her drink and knocked it back, slamming the empty glass on the table and eyeing the bartender, silently demanding another drink.

"Hey Sakura, slow down. I don't want you to end up being sick." Naruto placed a hand on her balled hand.

Sakura pulled her back and smiled at him, "I'm fine." She turned her attention to the bartender and ordered herself another drink.

By her fourth drink, Sakura was starting to feel lightheaded, she had barely eaten much all day and she knew that drinking on an empty stomach always ended in a bad way, but she couldn't stop, didn't stop.

She turned to Naruto, "I'm going to the toilets," she slurred. Sakura stood up, drink in hand and slightly stumbled away from the bar, bumping into someone.

"Watch it," the voice reprimanded, pushing her away.

"S-s-s-sorry," she slurred, blinking away at the blurriness. She started to walk towards where she thought the toilets were. Stumbling again, this time her drink sloshed out of the glass, and she fell into a hard chest. Strong arms steadying her.

"T-t-thank you, a-a-and s-s-sorry," she slurred, smiling slightly. She stood up and looked up into grey eyes that were filled with annoyance, lips pulled down in a scowl and eyebrows pinched together.