Sakura walked up to the Uchiha compound. Electricity still hadn't been run to the structure, though it was no surprise; Sasuke and his companions were not high on the priority list for reconstruction. Candle's flickered through the hallways. She walked into the quiet entrance, unsure where to go. It didn't take her long to run across Karin and Suigetsu. They were sitting in a small common area, mocking each other in jest.
"Hey." Karin shot up off the small black sofa, moving to meet Sakura. "What are you doing here so late?"
"I know Hinata's here." Sakura scanned the room, looking for any hint where she might be. "I have important information for her." Tsunade had made her decision in regards to Sasuke and his team. Sakura had been tasked with informing the group of misfits about the meeting where the verdict would be delivered.
"Now's not a great time." Suigetsu stepped in, his tone more relaxed than Karin.
"It's important." Sakura urged. "Trust me, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't."
"It really is a bad time." He reiterated. Karin rolled her eyes.
"If she happens upon the fifth door on the left, we can't be held responsible." The redhead shrugged, gesturing towards a hallway off to her right.
"Karin, seriously." Suigetsu frowned. Sakura turned on her heels heading through the doorway which Karin had getsured to. "He is going to be pissed."
"No…wait…stop." Karin smirked, watching the pink-haired girl disappear. "I'm just taking his advice and being less difficult."
"I doubt he will agree." Suigetsu remarked. Sakura left the two behind as she went in search of Hinata and Sasuke. Surely the Hyuga clan wouldn't allow Hinata to spend the night, so the girls could walk back together. It didn't take long for Sakura to find the room in question, and once she did, she wished she'd taken Suigetsu more seriously. He wasn't trying to hender her, he was trying to protect Sasuke's privacy…something she should have understood. There was no door, only a black cloth hung as a barrier. Sakura pulled the cloth back and peered inside. A bed sat against one wall, clearly new and bare. Four candles rested on the bedside table, used to light the room. Sasuke was sitting in the open window, his back braced against the frame and his left leg bent in the windowsill and his right leg dangling. His arms wrapped around Hinata as she leaned against his bare chest. The couple was looking up at the sky, speaking in hushed voices. It would have been less painful to catch them having sex. It stung to see him with her like this, vulnerable and affectionate. Sakura knocked on the doorframe, announcing her presence. Hinata slid gracefully away from Sasuke, her attention shifting to Sakura.
"Sorry to stop by so late." The pink-haired girl apologized.
"Has she decided?" Sasuke asked, shifting in the windowsill to face the doorway. Sakura nodded.
"Lady fifth requires your presence tomorrow, 10am, for the announcement of her determination." She stated. "All five of you." Hinata pressed her lips into a hardline. She was beginning to feel more like a member of team Taka than a valued Leaf Shinobi; constantly being associated with Sasuke.
"Understood." Sasuke nodded. "Is there something else?" He asked, when she didn't make any moves to leave.
"No, that's it." Sakura nodded her goodbye before disappearing into the hallway. Hinata crossed the room looking out into the hallway.
"She's gone." Sasuke muttered, his gaze shifting back to the full moon. "I wonder what my future holds."
"You'll be pardoned." The young girl sighed. "It's me who cannot be forgiven."
"You don't owe her an apology." He stated. "She clings to childhood fantasies, refusing to accept that we aren't children anymore. What was true for us then is different now."
…
The sign on the door was flipped to say closed, but the lights of the Yamanaka flower shop were still on. Sakura pushed open the door, glad to find it unlocked, and walked inside. Her cheeks were flushed and she was clearly winded. She had run from the Uchiha compound, trying desperately to escape her thoughts; her heartache.
"Sorry, we're closed." Ino called out from behind the counter where she was knelt down. Sakura moved quickly and silently towards the register. The lack of response made Ino nervous, causing her to stand up to face the intruder. Sakura held Ino's face between her palms, their heights almost an exact match. Ino stared at her through wide blue eyes, confused. Her confusion escalated when Sakura pressed her lips to hers, gently at first. Ino stood perfectly still for what seemed like an eternity before returning the kiss. Her hands rested awkwardly around Sakura's waist, her eyes slowly closed, and her mouth responded. Ino's cheeks burned red as she leaned into the pink-haired girl, excited by the contact, her heart thumping erratically. Sakura broke the kiss. Her body had reacted similarly to Ino's, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and bright red cheeks.
"What the hell?" Ino asked, her tone low and breathy.
"That's how I'd do it." Sakura nodded, turning away from the blond. She started towards the front door. Ino pressed her fingertips against her tingling lips, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. She had always been into boys…one boy at least… and now she wanted Sakura to kiss her again. A knot formed in her stomach as she watched Sakura walk out of the flower shop without another word.