By the Clock

Setting: Night with fewer stars in the sky than usual.

"Naruto, are you sure its her. This is very beyond and belief. The possibilities of just finding her in front of our gates is out of the ordinary," said Tsunade sipping her cup of green tea. She and Naruto were both kneeling down on soft, green carpet. They were both facing each other, with the tea table in between them.

"Yes, I'm sure its her. Even in that loathsome attire where I met her, I knew it was, Sakura. It was a feeling that something I lost reentered my soul.

But her ways have changed somehow," replied Naruto staring into his tea.

"Changed?"

"I just found her today, and her personality is somehow less predictable. She's quiet, and only talks when you ask her a question. The glow in her eyes has somehow dimmed…"

"I see," answered Tsunade taking a strand her to the back of her ear, "so you don't who she is, now. The question is where did she come from."

"…"

"I want you to take Sakura out tomorrow. Let her get familiar with the village and get her some new clothes. Then bring her to me so I can examine her."

"…You know what? Sakura really has changed because with that kunai facing her at death, she didn't dodge it. Usually, Sakura would scream and do something, or Kakashi sensei, Sasuke, or me would save her. I think she stood in front of it, intentionally. The kunai was going to her neck and no movement came from her body. She had no fear…"

"Questions are coming about."

"…Where's Kakashi sensei and Sasuke anyway? I want to tell them about Sakura, being found…"

"Kakashi and Sasuke are currently on a mission together. They won't be back in weeks. But, even if they were here, I don't think it's best to let them know about her. She might affect them, as she did to you."

"So are you trying to hide that feeling from them?!!" yelled Naruto who was about to slam the tea cup on the table, but at a quarter inch away, he sat it peacefully down.

"No, it's not that. It just might not be our, Sakura. If she's not her, it would cause more pain," answered back Tsunade chewing softly on a rice cake.

'I know, it's her," thought Naruto who was staring furiously into Tsunade's eyes.

"Naruto, if you sure its her, do as I asked before. Now go to your house and have a nice rest. And please don't look at me that way. Stress causes a lot of damage to your face, later on as you age. I am a doctor, you know."

Naruto didn't say anything, but left smiling a little bit, knowing she peace with him. When came home he found Sakura on the couch. She was curled up, but there were no signs of wrinkles on her clothes. It appeared she took the doll from the coffee table, and had it tightened between her arms. Naruto had a calm face when he saw her and was relieved she smelt better. She really did look like a ninja.

Naruto soon took a white sheet and placed it on her body. He tucked her in carefully: as a mother would do for her child. As he was kneeling down making sure no coldness would reach her body, he saw the slash on her headband. He was about to touch it, but Sakura turned her face and neck to the cushion. Naruto just smiled and went to bed.

……………

Setting: Morning still has the mysterious mist.

"Its still misty," said Naruto who was staring out the kitchenwindow.

Both he and Sakura were awake. Raman was being served for breakfast and they were both at the table.

Naruto was slurping his miso noodles and noticed Sakura wasn't eating.

"Sakura, you're very pretty in that outfit," said Naruto trying to make conversation. But, it was true she was very pretty. "As soon as you finish eating your noodles, make a list of things you need, ok."

'I can't taste.'

"You can have it, "she replied shoving the cup of noodles in front of his face.

"Oh, okay, then make a list of things you need then," answered Naruto who was concerned she wasn't eating, "Here's a piece of paper, you can write on."

Naruto started eating the noodle Sakura gave him.

'Let's see what should I get.

1. A new Makimono pouch

2. Shuriken Holster

3. New blouses

4. More shorts

5. Underwear

6. New weao…

Sakura stopped writing, sensing Naruto was watching her. She lifted up her head and made eye contact with him. She gave him a deep smile and he smiled back.

'Naruto…'

"I think you're done," said Naruto grabbing the list, " lets get to the market before it gets crowded.

………………..

"Okay, lets see the last thing with need to get is… underwear," said Naruto who was blushing.

He led Sakura to the store and pushed her in.

"You go in and get your…. I'll be waiting in the nodule bar."

'Baka. Naruto is embarrassed to just to go in this store. Oh, I see if he purchased it, women would think it was for him…' thought Sakura who giggled a little bit watching Naruto leave.

………………..

Naruto was sitting on the noodle bar's stool, slurping more noodles.

"Oye, Naruto," yelled a voice.

Naruto fell backwards, startled by the force of it.

"Nani! Don't scare me like that," said Naruto turning around showing his fists. He was about to punch someone, but recognized the person.

"Sasuke?! What are you doing here?! I thought you were on a mission."

"As always making trouble… Let's say the mission was cut short. I thought I'd find you here," he said sitting on a stool. Naruto got up and regained his seat.

"Cut short..?"

"Nt…"said Sasuke snapping his tongue against his upper jaw, "I don't know, mind your own business, Naruto.

"Well, nothing has been happening here," replied Naruto forgetting about Sakura.

"That's not new news."

………………..

Sakura's POV

'I'm right now at the noodle bar and I see Naruto's back pointing out at the street. But, I see another back, I recognized. I see a seal, I know it, but I can't place it in my mind. I'm walking slowly toward the bar, scared, and nervous. My footsteps are silent; at least I think it is, since I can't hear. I'm closer to Naruto and that other person. They both seem… happy. I try to be quiet, but I know Naruto will sense me any moment.'

………………..

Naruto stopped opening his big mouth and turned around. He grunted and Sasuke turned around also, to see what Naruto was looking at…

His eyes widened as he saw the figure. She started walking towards Naruto and said, "I'm, hungry."

She sat right next to Sasuke, dropping her bags on the ground.

"…uhh..I knew you would be hungry, so I ordered a head of time," said Naruto in a nervous voice looking at Sasuke's face.

"Thank you, Naruto, hello, Sasuke."

"Ugh…"said a stunned Sasuke.

………………..

Don't' worry guys, the relationship with the love triangle, will vary later on.

It's supposed to be mostly drama after all. And I didn't check my grammar!