LOST

By: Lila Paige Rose

"Master Hokage!" Sakura exclaimed, and seeing the person behind her, she greeted the person as well. "Kazekage."

Kazekage (the real one, may I add) nodded and said, "Ah, Sakura. So you did finally return. Such great thing to see you again. And I believe that you old friend, Gaara thinks so too." At this, Gaara nodded.

Finally Kazekage said, "We must be going, Tsunade, and thank you for your hospitality. I will be at the Village of Sand, if you ever need me, and I believe Gaara and his siblings will be visiting." After a wave, they were gone.

"Ah, Sakura." Tsunade said, breaking her out of her reverie. "Come inside, I wish to talk to you."

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Chapter 5: Reminiscing the Past

As Sakura settled into a chair with the Hokage facing out the window, Tsunade glanced at the locked door before starting. "So you have come back."

"Yes."

"Where are you staying?"

"At an apartment."

"I see your children learned well."

"Yes."

Tsunade turned her eyes on Sakura as she sat down behind her desk. "Sakura, how did your children learn the Sharingan when you yourself does not possess the bloodline limit?"

Sakura smiled. "Actually, Natsuke stumbled upon it. When they were three, the three of us went to a picnic beside a brook. He wandered away, and then he saw a trio of older children sparring. He was watching it when somebody from the group noticed him. They thought he was a spy from the opposing group and was about to beat him up when Natsuke used their own technique against them."

"Quite impressive."

"I know. Even Itachi Uchiha learned his Sharingan at four."

Suddenly, Tsunade's faint smile vanished, to be replaced by a frown. "Sakura, I've been wondering, why are your children named Haruno?"

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Meanwhile, Nagisa and Natsuke met up at the edge of the forest and were wandering in the town, waiting for noon to come, which is about an hour and a half away. They were sharing each other's experiences to one another as they walked.

Suddenly, Nagisa saw a light purple flower in a certain flower shop. She approached it and picked up the flower daintily.

"You like it?"

Nagisa whipped around and saw the girl she just fought smiling behind her, grinning.

"Nagisa."

Natsuke approached the two, his eyes curious but alert. It is such a wonder why Natsuke is quiet around others but is more outspoken when with his mother and sister.

Ika smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not fighting. I know when to admit defeat. Anyway," she turned to Nagisa and asked, "Do you like it?"

The girl nodded.

"That is the wisteria flower, symbolizing harmony, peace and tranquility. It suits you, actually."

"Thank you. I'll buy some." Nagisa replied, slightly smiling.

Ika shook her head as she grabbed a large bunch. "No need. It's my way to apologize to you."

"But-"

"No need. My parents will agree with me, so no buts, okay?"

Nagisa just smiled and nodded, Natsuke beside her.

Then, Ika turned to him and said, "You're cute, by the way." After this, she hurried away.

Natsuke merely raised an eyebrow as Nagisa giggled beside him.

Ah, like father like son. Some things just don't change.

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Almost noon, Sakura thought. The children will be waiting. She was strolling towards the apartment, silently thinking about her answer to the Hokage's question.

Flashback

Suddenly, Tsunade's faint smile vanished, to be replaced by a frown. "Sakura, I've been wondering, why are your children named Haruno?"

Sakura slightly fidgeted and looked down at the floor. Finally, she faced the Hokage and replied, "I don't want my children to live the name of a man living happily without us. I didn't trust myself to act accordingly when the children or I am called Uchiha. Memories will flood back and I just can't handle them yet."

Tsunade has a look of concern etched in her face. "But Sakura, Sasuke was in a depression when you left! He even tried suicide and is taking the most difficult of all missions! Don't you think it's time to let go?"

Sakura sighed sharply. As expected, the 5th Hokage didn't understand. "Tsunade-sama, imagine living your present life, overcoming past sorrows and hardships, then waking up and facing the world with the name of the very person who caused your grief and to whom you wasted your happiness and freedom to used to you in your face!"

"Sakura! Sit down!" Tsunade cried. Sakura didn't notice that she stood up and raised her voice. Finally, she returned to her sitting position. "Forgive me. But whatever you say, I am not yet ready to face Sasuke."

End Flashback

She sighed. I hope the Hokage doesn't take what I said personally. She did raise me up after my parents died.

As she rounded a corner, she saw three women her age talking in furious tones.

"Who does she think she is, coming back and taking away Sasuke-kun's attention just like that!" The brunette said, snapping her fingers to express her point.

"Yeah!" The girl with short blond hair replied. "I just got my hair done to impress him, and then she waltzes along to destroy our chance! The bitch!"

The girl with curly black hair nodded. "And to add to that, she brought in two brats just to prove her relationship! For all I know, she might have become a whore and those are her children from some unknown guy and she went back here to burden Sasuke!"

At this, Sakura could no longer pacify herself and marched to the women. But before she could even get there, Sasuke came from above and stood before her.

SLAP!

Sasuke was shaking with fury and his voice was laced with venom. "Try talking about them like that again and that won't be the only thing you'll get."

The black-haired girl who was slapped replied, sobbing, "But Sasuke-kun, we're just worried-"

Sasuke was now raising a fist. "One more word and the best ninja's will be after your head. GO!" At this, the three women rooted to the spot ran away.

Sakura, who was standing behind Sasuke, finally got out of her shocked state and tentatively touched his shoulder. The Uchiha whirled around, thinking it was another woman, visibly released his breath when he saw it was Sakura.

SAKURA?!

Sasuke was stunned. Actually, rooted to the spot as if a wave of electricity passed his body. He was so angry that his vision was a blur when he heard the woman that nothing else mattered to him but his fury. Finally, he got out of his shocked state and asked, "Sakura?"

Sakura gave him puzzled look before smiling slightly. "Thank you." She seemed uncomfortable for some reason, before adding, "Would you like to eat lunch with us?"

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Authoress' notes:

1. Yes, it is short. But I always have to leave with a cliffhanger.

2. Thank you for all those who support me! Please review this chapter! And please read my other stories as well and review!

3. School will be starting so I will be updating in a weekly basis. My schedule is more hectic you see. I wake up at 4:30 am since my classes start at 6. And my teachers are very strict and we always have assignments because well... lets just put it this way. I study at Paranaque Science High School.

Please wait for my next chapter! Sorry for the long wait! Tiffany, Ayame- chan, here it is!