AN: YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm so HAPPY! People actually cared to give me a review! Thanks so much! I sure did get that heart all feathery-light feeling! lol. Okay, okay. Enough blabber, and on with the story then!

Chapter 2

Are you still believing, Sakura?

Twenty three year old Uchiha Sasuke starred up into the dark night sky full of shining stars accompanied by the glowing full moon. He sighed as he thought about the girl no other than Sakura. It's been three years since they were on this mission. Three damn years without seeing her. He missed her warm smile that always seemed to fill his heart. He missed her charming laugh and her pink hair blowing in the wind. He missed her too much. It was another night with him still pondering deep into the night. He wondered if she forgot about him, or maybe stopped believing. Perhaps she also forgot and gave up with everyone else in the village. He wondered if she still looked up into the same might sky as he did, and if she still wore the ring that he gave her three years ago on her birthday. . . . . .

"Sasuke. . .What are you still doing up?" Asked a very sleepy Naruto. He had come to check up on his friend since he knew that he was up thinking again.

"Nothing. Just doing the usual again." Said Sasuke starring deep into the fire. Naruto sat down beside him.

Naruto sighed. "You're thinking about Sakura-chan again, aren't you."

"Yeah."

"It's been three years, hasn't it? Three years since we left Konoha. . . . .For all we know, they probably think we're all dead!" Said Naruto trying to lighten up his best friend's feelings. "Ahh, Sasuke. Don't worry. I'm sure the rest of Konoha probably gave up on us, but I know Sakura-chan wouldn't. She's not like that. After all, you promised her you would come back and marry her, right? So she's just waiting for us to come back. Don't think so much about it."

"How can you be so sure if she still believes we're alive? I don't want this mission to last any longer!"

"We're almost there. We're close now. It's going to end soon. Don't worry. We've been on this for three years now, and we're finally almost there. In no time, we're going to be back home. Don't worry buddy." Said Naruto as he gave his friend a pat on his back as he got up. He went back in his tent. Sasuke still couldn't sleep no matter how true Naruto's words were.

"Ahh, Sakura. . . . .Are you still wearing that ring? Are you still looking up in the same night sky believing? Just a little while longer, Sakura. . . . ." Sasuke said as he looked up into the night sky.

The next morning back in Konoha, light was leaking in from the windows of Sakura's room. She yawned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. She was tired since she didn't really have a good night's sleep. She sat on the edge of her bed as she slid on her slippers and walked to the bathroom. She would already hear Ino clanging pots together trying to make breakfast. Shikamaru was over since she could hear Ino yelling at him like always. Sakura laughed to herself. Boy, was Shikamaru and Ino meant for each other. Ino had told Sakura that when their first child was born, Sakura would become, "Aunt Sakura", since Ino had no sisters. Sakura looked in the mirror. She had bags under her eyes that made her eyes look like she had left on mascara and eyeliner over night. She sighed as she washed her face with cold water, waking her up. She brushed her teeth and spat, finishing her daily morning routine. She walked back in her room and got dressed her usual shinobi outfit. Sakura had to go and meet Tsunde-sama today. Again, she would ask if Sasuke had returned, or if they had any news. The answer was always nothing. She sighed as she made sure her forehead protector was secure and went out to the kitchen.

"Ohio!" she said cheerfully with a smile. Sure enough, Shikamaru was seated at the table with Ino in the kitchen.

"Ohio Sakura." Said Shikamaru. "Are you going to meet Tsunde-sama today?"

"Hai." Said Sakura taking a seat at the table. "What's Ino doing?"

"Oh her." Said Shikamaru rolling his eyes again. "She's in the kitchen doing something."

Sakura smiled and got up. She headed towards the kitchen. "I'll go and check on her." Said Sakura as Shikamaru nodded. Sure enough, Ino was in the kitchen, and trying to cook up a storm or something! Smoke was all over, you could hear the water running in the sink, and the sound of Ino coughing.

"My god Ino! What are you thinking?" Said Sakura as she turned off the running water and put on an apron.

"Oh! Ohio Sakura! I'm just-"

"Ahhh, Ino! Give it up would you! It's not as if we have all day! We gotta go!" Said Shikamaru leaning on the doorframe.

"Shikamaru!" Shouted Ino angrily. "Hold on! Ahh. Who's gonna clean it up now? Do we really have to go right now?"

"Yes we have to go right now."

"Don't worry Ino. I'll clean it up! Go on now!" Said Sakura herding Ino and Shikamaru out of the kitchen.

"Oy, Sakura! But-but!" Said Ino trying to stop her, but Shikamaru grabbed her hand and tried to get her out of the apartment.

"Don't worry Ino! Have a nice day!" Shouted Sakura. She smiled at the couple. They were truly meant to be. She closed the front door and went inside. Boy could Ino make a mess! But in no time, Sakura had cleaned up the mess, and was ready to go. She put on her sandals, locked the front door, and started walking towards the middle of the village. She kicked a few rocks on the dirt road as her mind wandered to where Sasuke was.

Finally, she arrived at Tsunde-sama's office. She knocked on the door three times to hear to annoyed voice of her sensai.

"Come in." Said Tsunde annoyed. Sakura opened the door and slid in.

"Ohio Tsunde-sama." Said Sakura giving a slight bow.

"Oh, Sakura! Ohio!"

"What can I do for you this morning?" She asked politely as she stepped up to her desk.

"Nothing much, really. You can go and work on whatever you need to work on for now. I think I'm good. Is there anything you need?"

"Well actually. . ."

"Is it about Sasuke, Naruto, and Rock Lee?"

"Yes, Tsunde-sama."

Tsunde sighed. She got up from her chair and looked out the window over the village with her hands on her hips. She drew in a breath. "No news so far, I'm afraid. Sakura, it's been three years. We have not been able to find them yet so far no matter how many journins I send. There is no trace of them. . . . .I'm afraid you might need to move on."

"Thank you Tsunde-sama. But I'm sorry that I can't simply just give up. Thank you for all you did." Said Sakura sadly. Everyone has been saying these words to her. She quietly left Tsunde's office and went down to see Emi.

"Ahh, Sakura." Said Tsunde frustrated. "You're heart is just so stubborn. . . . .What am I going to do with you?"

Sakura walked and walked until she stopped at a familiar place. It was the bridge. She walked to the middle of it, and leaned on the rail. She looked at her reflection. She had grown and matured, obviously. She remembered this was the same place where she thought about the same person. Sasuke. The time where he went to seek Orichimaru, Sakura stood here on the same bridge and cried. Just thinking about it, a tear leaked out of her eye and fell down to the water sending ripples throughout. She sighed and wiped her face dry.

"When are you coming back, Sasuke?"

End for now!

AN: Reviews are greatly appreciated!