Chapter 5

Sasuke's POV

Sasuke woke up to an empty house, which was very unusual. He was used to waking up and finding Kakashi in weird vulnerable positions. He peeked into the bathroom just to be sure; last week, he found Kakashi sleeping in the bathtub wearing Guy's green leotard.

He quickly made himself some tea, got dressed, and went straight to the office. He got there to see Sakura and Kakashi hunched over the table.

"What do you think?" Sakura asked the white-haired man.

Sasuke could tell there was a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"I think it's great. I don't see why we can't open by the end of this week." Kakashi replied to her.

"Really?! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said jumping and giving him and hug.

Sasuke smiled internally. It was cute when she got excited.

"Good morning, Sasuke." Kakashi said.

"Morning." He said to both of them. "You're here early."

"It couldn't be helped. There's an urgent meeting with the elders soon, and Sakura and I had to settle some business."

He nodded.

Shikamaru walked in. "They're ready for you." He directed at Kakashi.

The man nodded and put on his hokage robe and hat. "There's not much work to be done here so you can have the day off." He said leaving the two of them.

He wondered what was so urgent that Kakashi came early.

Sasuke looked at the pinkette. "Are you headed to the hospital?"

"Actually no. For once, I'm off." She said with a grin. "If you're not busy, can you go and get Naruto and meet me in that café across the street of the hospital in like twenty minutes?"

She was basically bouncing off her feet.

"Sure. Something you wanna tell us?" He guessed.

"Yup, but not until we're all together."

He nodded. "I'll go find the dobe."

Naruto was thrilled when he showed up at this doorstep. He ran inside and quickly changed into his usual orange attire and they made their way to a small café near the hospital.

As they approached the shop, he saw Sakura conversing with a dark-haired man. Upon closer view, he realized it was Sai. A wave of uneasiness hit him. He didn't like Sai at all. In his mind, he could only see Sai as his replacement in Team 7. He knew he was the one that abandoned the team, but he never thought someone would fill that hole. Naruto and Sakura were the closest people to him; they were a three-man team. It could only be them and Sai or them and Sasuke; one person would always be an extra.

"Yay! We're all here." They walked in and found a table. "This is one of my favorite places to come during my breaks." Sakura said smiling and sitting down.

"Do they have any ramen here?" Naruto said scanning the menu.

Sakura frowned.

He rolled his eyes. "It's a café dobe."

A few minutes later they had all finished ordering when Sakura made her announcement.

"I have some exciting news I want to share with you guys." She said grinning.

"OH NO! I knew this day would come. You're dating someone aren't you?" Naruto wailed. "Who is he Sakura-chan? He has to get approved by us first. Right guys?" he said turning his head back and forth between him and Sai, looking for some assurance.

There's no way she would bring us all here to tell us she's dating someone, right? He looked at her waiting for her to deny the blond.

Sakura massaged her temples. "Naruto you baka. I'm not dating anyone. Just let me say what I need to say."

Thank goodness.

She took a deep breath. "So, I've been working on a project for about a year and a half now, and with the completion of the new building at the hospital, everything is finally finished now! Konoha is officially opening a children's hospital!"

"That's awesome Sakura-chan!" Naruto said enthusiastically.

He smiled. He felt so proud of her; She was so hardworking and passionate about healing.

"When does it open?" Sai asked.

"Well, I was talking to Kakashi this morning, and he said we can open by the end of this week! I want to have a small opening ceremony, and I want you all to be there."

The three nodded.

"Anyways, that's why I wanted to meet. I wanted you guys to be the first to know." She said smiling.

Sasuke couldn't help but feel happy inside. He had only returned a while ago, but she accepted him back immediately.

"Will having a new building to manage change your duties as director?" Sai asked.

"Well, the workload is going to increase drastically, but I've been thinking of creating a position for an assistant director." She said still unsure.

"You definitely should Sakura-chan. You're already so busy as is; If you add the work from the children's hospital, you're going to have to basically live there."

"Yeah, I'll have to talk to some people about it."

They all talked for a little bit longer and drank their tea before Sai had to leave first. Sasuke was secretly glad.

"Congrats again Ugly." He said hugging Sakura. "Bye guys." He said waving at him and Naruto.

Sasuke frowned. "He calls you ugly?"

She chuckled. "That's just a nickname he's always had for me."

Add that as another reason he hated Sai. Was he blind? Sakura was fucking beautiful. He also didn't like anyone giving her nicknames.

"What do you guys want to do now?" Naruto asked interrupting his thoughts. "Wanna spar at the training grounds?"

"No." he said immediately. "You guys are going to help me find an apartment."

"What? You don't like living with Kakashi?" Sakura teased.

He gave them a look. "You guys don't understand. Kakashi becomes a different person when he's at home. Just the other day I walked into the kitchen and he was wearing nothing but his mask and an apron! He turned around and all I saw was bare ass!" he hissed.

Naruto and Sakura looked at each other for a split second before bursting out in laughter.

"That's the funniest thing I've ever heard." Naruto said rolling on the ground.

He huffed. "Fine, don't help." he said turning around.

"Wait Sasuke. We'll help." Sakura said still clutching her side in laughter.

He gave them a second to compose themselves before they all began their search.

Sasuke quickly realized that he was quite picky when it came to choosing an apartment. He didn't want an apartment on the main streets because of all the noise. Some apartments were nice but had terrible neighbors. For example, as they were about to tour a vacant room, a couple stormed out and started screaming at each other; that was an immediate no for him.

And some apartments shouldn't have been on sale at all. Sasuke was entering the apartment but the door knob completely detached from the door. They entered to find holes in the wall and mold on the ceiling. At first, he was going to see if some of the damage could be fixed, but his plans were interrupted when Naruto shrieked loudly.

"THERE'S A WHOLE NEST OF SPIDERS!" He yelled hiding behind Sakura. They left instantly.

This is hopeless.

They took a break and found a small dango shop to stop and eat.

"I think you should just get the apartment by the tower." Naruto said while chewing.

"Naruto's right. I think that's your best option."

He frowned. "I just don't like all the noise."

"O-bachan! Can I please have some more dango?" Naruto yelled.

A petite old lady came and set down a fresh plate of dango and took their empty plates.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhearing your conversation. I do have a room available above the shop if you would like to rent it." She said kindly.

At this point, he wasn't going to decline anything. She led them upstairs to show the vacant room. "It isn't much, but it is fully furnished."

He quickly scanned the whole apartment. "I'll take it." He said right away.

"Really? I'll bring up some supplies to clean." She said joyfully and went back downstairs.

He walked around looking at his new place. The living room was not that spacious and the furniture was simple, but he didn't mind. There was a small balcony which he liked and had a good view.

"The kitchen is nice." Sakura called out. "Everything just needs some cleaning, but I think this is a great place."

"Do you want to go get your stuff from Kakashi's place?" Naruto asked.

He nodded.

"Also buy some bedsheets and towels on your way back. I'm going to stay here and clean." Sakura said pulling open all the windows.

Packing up his things wasn't hard. He only had his clothes and his chokuto with him. He made sure to clean his room and return all of Kakashi's things back to the way they were before finally leaving. By the time they finished buying everything and returning back, the sun was starting to set.

When they entered back, the dust was all gone and the floors were all mopped clean.

"Wow. Sakura-chan sure does work fast." Naruto said setting down the bags.

They found a note left on the table.

I went to get the power and water turned on. Don't mess anything up Naruto! Clean the bathroom while I'm gone.

-Sakura

Sasuke could hear her voice straight through the note. Naruto began cleaning the bathroom while he put away all his belongings and made the bed. He started rearranging the furniture when there was a knock at the door.

He wasn't even halfway to the door when Kakashi walked inside.

"I can't believe you left without a note." He said mockingly.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "How did you know I was here?"

"I saw Sakura when I was leaving the tower and she told me about your apartment." Kakashi said walking around. "It's a nice place."

The three of them sat in the dark talking for a while when the lights suddenly flickered on.

"Whoo hoo! Go Sakura-chan!" Naruto said pumping his fists. He ran to the other rooms to check if all the lights worked.

"Water's good too." Kakashi called from the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Sakura pushed the door open and walked in with a handful of bags.

"Sorry I'm late! I wanted to pick up some groceries and stuff to make dinner!"

He was shocked. "You didn't have to do that. I could've bought my own groceries and picked up some take out or something."

She looked annoyed. "We can't have the first meal in your new place be take out! That's bad luck. We have to make a nice home cooked meal." She said crossing her arms. "Now help me take all this to the kitchen."

He did as she asked. She had bought him plates, cups, and silverware as well as some basic groceries like some rice and tea. He opened the last bag and pulled out a large container of tomatoes.

"You still like tomatoes, right?" she asked. "I remember they were your favorite when we were younger."

His heart swelled. He couldn't believe she remembered that.

"Aa."

"You can go back out there. Dinner shouldn't take too long. I'll call when its ready." She said already cutting some chicken.

He couldnt't converse much with the other two; his mind was completely occupied thinking about Sakura. With every thoughtful act she did, he felt like he was falling for her more. But he had to restrain himself. She deserves someone better. You've already hurt her so much. She just did those things for you because you're her friend and that's it.

"Dinner's ready!" she called out from the kitchen.

"Yesssssss!" Naruto said gleefully. "I'm starving."

He got up to go help the pinkette in the kitchen. She was serving the food onto all the plates when he walked in. He couldn't help it. He felt like he was in a trance watching her. He could envision her as his wife cooking dinner for him in their home.

"Sasuke you perv!" Sakura said snapping him out of his daydream. "I don't know what you're fantasizing about over there, but you're blushing like crazy."

He felt his face heat up even more.

"It's like a tomato!" she said leaning over and pinching a cheek.

He scowled. "Just give me some plates."

They all sat in the living room eating, talking, and joking around for the rest of the night. Sasuke looked up at one point just taking in the moment. At that moment, he felt the happiest he'd ever felt in his whole life. The three people that cared about him the most were with him. He truly felt like he was home again.

Naruto sat back and sighed. "That was so good; I'm stuffed. You're a great cook Sakura-chan."

He and Kakashi nodded in agreement.

A thought struck him suddenly. "Hey Kakashi? What was that urgent meeting about this morning?" he asked.

Kakashi's face fell. "We've received letters about a war occurring between two small countries. Both sides have been sending letters to the five great villages asking for assistance. From what I've heard, I don't think any of the other four villages have complied, but we'll keep monitoring the situation."

"That's so stupid." Naruto slammed his fists down. "We just got out of war; why can't people have peace!"

"Do you know why they're at war?" Sakura asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. After talking with the other villages, we might send some teams to try and diffuse the situation if we can." Kakashi replied.

They were all quiet for a second.

"Don't worry guys. I seriously doubt any of the villages will pick a side. The fighting should remain within the two countries." Kakashi said reassuringly.

"But…those innocent villagers." Sakura said quietly.

"Is there any way we can send rescue teams to evacuate the villagers and leave the fighting between the shinobi?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. I'll have to talk with the elders as well as the other kages. I'm worried that the others will not want to interfere at all."

"But that's stupid! Those villagers shouldn't be involved." Naruto said angrily.

"We'll just have to wait and see. I'll be in meetings for the next few days; I'll let you guys know what all happens." Kakashi said. "Speaking of, I have to leave now. Gotta be in the office bright and early."

"Me too. Hinata's probably waiting for me at home." Naruto said getting up.

He nodded. "I'll see you guys later." They said their goodbyes and left. Sakura started stacking up plates and carrying everything to the kitchen.

"I'll help." he said joining her.

"I'll wash and you dry?"

He nodded. They didn't speak, but it was a comfortable silence. He could help but think again about how marital this felt. He liked her by his side no matter what they were doing. They finished the dishes and the kitchen was once again clean and tidy.

"Thank you for staying and helping with the dishes."

"It's no big deal." She said with a smile. "I'm gonna head out too."

"Okay, I'll walk you back." He grabbed his keys.

"You don't have to. I can take care of myself." She huffed.

"I know you can. I just want to."

She didn't argue.

Their walk was peaceful. He liked nights like this when there were no clouds in the sky and he could see the stars.

"Do you know any constellations?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I just like looking at the stars. When I was on my journey, this was one of the only bright sides."

"Hm. Sasuke Uchiha is a stargazer. Who would have thought?" she chuckled.

He scowled.

"Don't worry. It's one of the good changes in you."

He thought about what she said. "What are some other good changes?"

"You're much more expressive now. You used to never talk to us before; You always had a stick up your ass. But now you talk much more and hell, you even blush. I'd never thought I'd see the day." She giggled.

"Tch."

"But I like it. When I look at you, I feel like a big burden has been lifted off your shoulders." She added quietly.

He reflected on her words. He had been so busy thinking about how she had changed from the old Sakura, he didn't realize that others probably thought the same thing about him as well. He was glad she noticed the change in him. He didn't want to be the same guy from the past. But now it was like he was an open book and she was a complete mystery.

They reached her apartment on the third floor and she pulled out her keys.

"Thank you for walking me back." She said turning around and facing him.

"It's no big deal. Thank you for helping me out today. I really do appreciate it."

She smiled. "Have a goodnight, Sasuke." She quickly reached up and embraced him.

He was taken aback at first, but he snaked his arm around her waist and returned the grasp. "Goodnight." He said quietly.

They broke apart and she went inside. He walked back down and released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. He couldn't figure out if that was meant to be friendly or if that meant something. Whatever it was, he couldn't risk messing it up.