A/N: Wow, you guys really love this fiction! Also, Sasuke and the rest, except for Neji and Ten-Ten, are 28-years old. I made a mistake in typing 24. Sasuke and Sakura broke up when they were 18, so after ten years, that means 28. Thanks Laverne for noticing!


Snapshot

He awoke to the smell of fried eggs and bacon, a cup of hot, steaming coffee and the sound of a toaster alarming anyone that the toasted bread was ready. He furrowed his eyebrows, though his eyes were still closed, and slowly sat up, clutching his head with one hand as he felt a cloth fall down from his body. Eyes opening and glancing at the floor, he saw the blue blanket that lay messily on the carpet, somewhat blending in with the color.

Raising a confused eyebrow as he picked it up at the same time standing, he wondered what it was doing here when he didn't even bring it with him last night. Sasuke turned to the center table to find his coffee mug gone, the papers neatly stacked and the pens arranged in a better order than before.

"Wha..?"

He heard footsteps approach him as he turned his head to his left, seeing Sakura with a tray full of bacon and eggs, toasts, and his coffee. She grinned and greeted him a good morning, handing him the tray which he took, eyes not leaving her. He also took notice that she was wearing his black apron and a matching bandana to go with it.

"…" was what he said and glanced down at the plate. "Um… thanks." He finally said and turned back to her. "What about you?" she blushed slightly and scratched her cheek. "I'm not hungry." He snorted at this and sat down, placing the tray on the table and pulling her down to sit beside him. She looked at him in a confused expression as his hand reached over her, rather, his bandana and tugged it off of her head gently, her pink bangs swaying down, back at its original position of framing her face.

"Sasuke..?"

He said nothing and took a spoon full of egg, raising it in front of her mouth as he smirked at her blushing face. She obliged and opened her mouth as he fed her, at times, taking a bite for himself. "By the way," he said, taking a sip from his coffee. She looked at him, blinking. "You still look good in my clothes."


Chapter 2: Reliving Memories

The cold water pricked her skin as she lowered her head, her long hair shielding a few parts of her skin as the water continued to drip down from her wet body, being replaced by more. She had finally rinsed every soap and shampoo she had earlier and turned off the water, grabbing the white towel that was hanging on the rack.

Naruto had finally arrived with her bags earlier, and she resorted to taking a shower after Sasuke had said that his parents and brother were coming over to visit him. Every Sunday was Itachi's day off, yet when emergencies came up, he had to leave. His parents could take a day off anytime they want; they were the boss of their own company after all.

At these things, her mind was filled with questions; how are they going to react when they see her? Will they still accept her? Would they get mad at her? Will they still treat her the same way as before? She knew she was afraid, scared that Fugaku might give her a lecture, or Mikoto might end up sending her away, that Itachi would send her a death glare. Even if Sasuke was there, it still didn't help for her fear and doubts, as well as worries to reduce.

Shaking her thoughts off, she pulled out a white top, a white skirt and a light blue cardigan jacket. She buttoned the middle one and continued to dry her hair and began fixing it in a half-pony tail style. She glanced at the necklace that Sasuke also had around his neck and put it on, checking herself at the mirror. Satisfied, she put on some socks to prevent her feet from getting cold due to the air conditioner that was open almost 24 hours unless there was nobody inside.

The aroma of food reached her nostrils as she followed the scent that was coming from the kitchen, no duh, and she put on a pair of slippers and walked inside the marbled floor of the kitchen, pass the dining table good for four-six people and stopped right behind her ex.

Sasuke was done taking a bath earlier and had worn the same style of clothing. His shirt was still white but the polo over it was blue and this time, he had a pair of beige cargo pants on and his black apron and bandana over everything. He was fixing lunch for his family, him and Sakura. Like his ex, he was thinking about how the three would react when they see her. Although he was more on the positive side that they won't treat her bad, there were still "what if" questions plaguing his head.

His thoughts were interrupted when a glomp from Sakura startled him, making him nearly jump from the surprise attack. She let go and giggled, pointing at his bewildered face. "Got 'ya!" she grinned. He still stared at her though, still feeling her arms around his body, missing the touch, craving for more of it. His widened eyes turned to half-closed ones as he turned his back on her and continued to cook the Japanese fried rice.

He took the plate of scrambled eggs he cooked earlier and mixed it with the rice. He turned the heat to low mode and added soy sauce and mixed it once more; finally, he turned the stove off and moved the rice to a platter.

Sakura watched him, wondering why he suddenly remained silent and had ignored her. She thought that maybe, he was mad or just wanted to finish everything quickly. Still, she opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off. "Could you set up the table for me?" he asked and she smiled slightly. "Sure." Walking over to the cupboards, he took out five plates, five pairs of chopsticks as well as bowls, five tea cups and some serving spoons for the food.

"What're you cooking?" she asked while setting everything down, fixing it the old traditional, Japanese way. "Chicken Terriyaki." He said. "Hey Sakura," she looked down at this, hearing him call her by her first, full name instead of the nickname. "You still know how to make that tea you made me when I was sick?"

"Yeah, you want me to make it?"

"Aa, if it's alright."

"Sure," she said, walking over to him. "Why, are you sick?"

"No, my mom also likes it, and so do dad and Itachi."

She smiled at this and prepared the items needed for the tea. "I never knew they liked it, why didn't you tell me?" he shrugged and took out a serving plate, putting the food on it. "You never asked." She stuck her tongue out at him as he turned to her and raised a brow. "I don't need to ask, you can just say."

"Since when did you learn how to give a good comeback?"

It was her turn to shrug this time as she peeled the skin of an apple and began cutting it into cubes. "Let's just say, ever since you always win against me on our nonsense arguments, I decided to learn a good retorts." She then squeaked like a mouse and looked at her index finger, seeing a cut on it as blood began to ooze out. He heard her and walked over to the girl, seizing her hand as gently as possible as he examined it.

Her cheeks flushed as she steadied her gaze on his eyes that were fixated on her cut. "Hmm… you should be careful." He said and pulled her finger into his mouth, sucking on the blood to prevent infection. She only stared at him with wide eyes as he pulled her finger out of his mouth and brought it near the kitchen sink, turning on the water and washing off the remaining blood. Nearby, he took a first aid kit from a cupboard and took out a band aid, wrapping it neatly and carefully around the cut.

What he did next made Sakura blush more as his lips touched her finger, kissing it lightly, sending a spark up her spine as he patted it lightly and grinned at her. "Just like old times as what Naruto would say if he were here." She only gave a nod as he turned back to placing the food on the table. "So, how's the tea going?" he asked as she poured the cubed apples on a juicer, adding the liquefied apples in the hot water as it continued to boil. "So far so good." She said, checking on it.

"Now all we have to do is wait." He said, heading towards the couch and plopping on it, Sakura following suit as she sat down beside him, a few inches away. "What do you want to do?" he asked and she just shrugged and then smiled, looking at him. He looked back at her, wondering what was wrong. "You could sing for me." He gave her a "what the hell" look and she just giggled. "Come on, I haven't heard you sing for years!"

"Maybe some other time…"

"Aww, but why not now?"

"Well, it's kind of… I don't know, but I promise I will, just not now."

"Oh alright," she sighed and leaned back on the couch. He watched her, amused by how she sat down instead of the proper way which her father kept nagging at her to do. "What?" she asked, raising a brow at him as he smirked and averted his gaze elsewhere "I remember you once tried to grab my camera for taking a picture of you when you tripped."

She blushed and stammered. "Y-you idiot, of course I'd get that camera from you because you- you- my skirt was- and then you-" he smirked some more. "Actually, I was just going to take a picture of you walking, but then you tripped on the school's front stairs and well, you know what happened."

"Your timing was bad."

"So was yours."

"Why would you want to take a picture of me?"

"Why? Was it a crime to take a picture of my girlfrie-" he stopped and looked away as she lowered her head a bit, silence engulfing them as they shifted uncomfortably, forcing themselves to say something. "…It was… my hobby…" he whispered as she glanced at him, he was still not looking at her. "You know that I love taking pictures of you when you're… unaware of it…" he smiled slightly. "I already told you before that you look cute when you get mad at me for taking your picture without your consent."

"I-I know… and to be honest, I didn't mind… you always did show me the pictures in the computer." She smiled a bit. "And… I lo- liked you for that…" he looked down as well, his smile not fading. "Aa," he said, looking at her as she did so as well, their eyes meeting. "I know that." She blushed lightly, feeling a spark between them as she unconsciously neared him, him mirroring her move. Both their eyes slowly closing and noses touching, their lips let out a shallow and warm breath, caressing each other's faces. "S-Suke…" she whispered when they were mere inches from each other. He smiled; his voice not trembling but calm and cool. "Sak…" and their eyes fully closed as their lips continued to near each other.

"Sasuke, what's up bro?"

Startled by the door suddenly bursting open, Sasuke had lost his balance and fell off the couch while Sakura immediately backed away and ended up lying on her back on the couch. Both adults staring at Itachi who was on the door with a happy face but a drop of seat rolled down behind his head, seeing their reactions: Wide eyes and faces red, extremely red.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that you were having an alone time with Saku-" he stopped and turned to Sakura with wide eyes. "Sa…ku…ra..?" she gave a small smile and nodded meekly as Itachi quickly entered and eyed the girl from head to toe. With an awed whistle, he turned to Sasuke and grinned. "You got back together?" he frowned though, when Sasuke had looked away, his face looking forlorn. "I guess not…" Itachi murmured and turned to Sakura, smiling his Itachi smile. "So, how has my little sister been?"

Her eyes lit up when Itachi still treated her the same. She told him that everything was fine, that her father didn't change one bit and her mother was still supporting her all the way. "And I'm about to become a model."

"A model..?"

All three turned back to the doorway to see Mikoto standing there, staring at Sakura as Fugaku came into view from behind, eyes widening when he saw Sakura. Sasuke stood up and gave a small bow to his parents. "Dad, mom, you remember Sakura right?" The two, including Itachi, flinched inwardly when Sasuke had called her by her name and not nickname. "Yes, of course," Mikoto said, smiling softly at Sakura. "How can I ever forget those emerald eyes, pink hair and beautiful, angelic face." She said, walking over to her and clasping her hands with the girl. "Hello Saku-chan, is my daughter still doing well?"

Sakura nearly cried when the older woman had said those words that she nodded enthusiastically, both hugging each other in a tight embrace for not seeing each other for years. Now, all that's left was the reaction of the father, who just entered and closed the door. Sakura looked up at him, stood up and bowed slightly to the Uchiha patriarch. Fugaku nodded and gave a small smile. "Looks like the Uchiha family's blossom has returned…"

And that only resulted to a sigh of relief from the two Uchiha brothers. Knowing their dad, he does not forgive and forget easily. Whatever Sakura had that made him treat her well will be a mystery unless their father himself tells them his reason.


"So, you're soon going to be a model?" Mikoto asked, sitting at Sakura's left side across Itachi. Sakura nodded. "Yeah, my mom knows someone here who can be my manager. I'm just waiting for her call as to where I can meet up with the person."

"I see, what made you want to become one?" she asked, glancing at Itachi and Fugaku who smirked while Sasuke remained silent and continued eating. Sakura turned pink and looked up at her ex who sat across from her who happened to have chosen that time to look at her. Their eyes met and stayed like that for a while before blushing and looked down to continue eating, their bangs shadowing their eyes yet their cheeks flushed.

Fugaku, who sat at the middle, being the head of the family, turned from his son to the girl and chuckled a bit. "No need to be shy Sakura, it's because of Sasuke now, is it?"

"A-Aa…"

"She's starting to sound like him…" commented Itachi and soon yelped, dropping his chopsticks and glaring at his younger brother who glared back, only his face was still red. "You didn't have to kick me…" He hissed. "Yes, yes I had to!" Sasuke hissed back. "Now, now, you two, behave." Mikoto scolded and turned to Sasuke. "So dear, how's your job- er- jobs?"

"Fine, same thing, nothing new." He answered bluntly, taking a sip from the tea Sakura made. "Good," his mother said, nodding and turned back to Sakura. "So, you're staying here right? For how long?"

"Well, I plan to remain here in Japan, I was never comfortable back in the US, I got homesick." Itachi coughed, muttering "Sasuke-sick" which only earned another kick from Sasuke under the table. "That's great dear!" Mikoto smiled brightly. "Do come by our house this afternoon! I'd like to catch up with you, I can even take you to the mall and we can shop till we drop!"

Sakura giggled and accepted the offer, earning the three men to groan, recalling how the Uchiha matriarch last went shopping and had their hands full of her clothes and other items purchased. "Unfortunately, I won't be going with you." Itachi said, finishing his tea. "I have to drop by the hospital later, you wanna come bro?"

Sasuke mentally thanked the heavens and nodded almost immediately. Fugaku looked at them with a death glare which they returned with a smirk. "Aww, too bad… oh well!" Mikoto clapped her hands once and grinned at her husband. "There's always your father who can accompany us, right dear?"

"Hn… right…" he muttered grudgingly.

Luckily for Fugaku though, Mikoto's phone rang and she answered it immediately. Her eyes turned to a sad look when the caller had explained his purpose and she just sighed and said she'll be right there and then hung up. "Saku-chan, I guess we'll have to do our little trip to the mall some other time, my secretary called and he said I was needed, well, me and my husband." She turned to Fugaku who mouthed a "Now?" to her and she nodded.

"Well, we'll be going then, sorry that our Sunday gathering is cut short Sasu-chan." Mikoto went to her youngest son and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you some other time then, and maybe, you could bring Saku-chan when you plan to visit us?"

"Sure." He said, nodding.

The older woman smiled and patted his head. "Great meal by the way, and Saku?" said girl looked up. "I loved the tea!" and she and Fugaku bid their goodbyes, stepping out of Sasuke's home. Itachi carried his empty plate, bowl and cup to the sink, offering to wash the dishes for them. Sasuke only raised a brow at this and Itachi grinned. "Did you deliver the photos to the studio yet?"

"Oh crap, I forgot." He said, slapping a hand on his forehead. "You don't mind if you stay here and keep Sakura company, do you?" he asked. Itachi nodded, saying it was no trouble at all. Sasuke turned to Sakura who blinked. "I just need to send those pictures to the studio and I'll take you to Neji's café for the job application."

"Okay." She said, nodding.

"Well, I'm off!" and he went to the door, putting on his shoes and grabbing the pictures from the center table and the other stack of papers. He took his house key and motorcycle key, and then picked up a random backpack. He put on his tinted helmet, went out of the house, got on the black and blue bike, started the ignition and rode off to the studio, making sure the papers were secured in the bag he had took from his living room.

"So, Sakura," Itachi said, finishing the last of the dishes and turning to her, arms crossed and back leaning against the sink. He gave her a serious look and she only wondered what was wrong. "I've been meaning to talk to you lately, but then, you were never online ever since you broke up with my brother." She fidgeted, not liking where this was going.

Itachi straightened himself up and headed out of the kitchen. "Come with me." Confused, she stood up and followed him up to Sasuke's room, only to be greeted once more by Haru. Itachi gave it a pat and scratch behind the ears and proceeded in opening Sasuke's computer. "Tell me Sakura, what is the exact reason why you came back?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

He used the swivel chair to turn his whole seated figure to her, eyes still having their serious glint. "Sasuke is my brother, and after he told me everything when he came home the day you broke up with him, I've been more overprotective and strict when it came to girls who are out to get him. But that was a bit useless, since he didn't want to get into a relationship with others except you."

"Why?"

"I think you should know that by now," he said, turning to the computer screen and clicking a certain icon. "Especially when you two were about to kiss each other before I came in." he stood up and told her to come over. "You should read his journal entries, they're mostly about you, and if you want to know how he really feels during your absence, I can tell you everything."

Her eyes read through every entry Sasuke made, her heart feeling heavy every journal she finished reading. The last and most recent one was a month ago, submitted at the twelfth of April. (See prologue) Her eyes watered when she read everything, it made her feel bad and she just looked away and closed her eyes, letting hot tears flow down from her eyes, her shoulders trembling.

Itachi guided the cursor to the "X" on the title bar and closed the window, then turned off the computer. "You're his first, and most probably, last love. Dad tried to tell him to forget about you, after what you did, but my foolish brother only defended you all the more. Mom tried to comfort him, yet nothing worked. I did my best, but it wasn't good enough. You can even ask Naruto, Neji or any of the guys he's close to, they couldn't reach him, he was… and still is… in…" he trailed off, not wanting to continue.

"That's why I need to know, why did you come back?"

She hugged herself and her sobs subsided when Itachi waited for her patiently. She opened her mouth but he barely heard her answer. "What?" he asked. "I came back because of him; I… did it for him…"

"Do you still love my brother?"

"…yes."

"Then, why did you break up with him?"

"I had to!" she yelled. "My dad forced me, I refused. He bribed, blackmailed and tempted me, and I turned it all down for him, until…"

"Until what?"

"…until he said that if I don't break up with him… he'll…" she shut her eyes tight and clenched her arms. "He'll get rid of Sasuke himself, he'll make sure he'll do something to hurt him more than me breaking up with him. I still remained strong and brave, taunting him, saying and daring him of what he could do that could hurt Sasuke…"

"And what did he say?"

"My father… he'll have me married to another guy, and he'll make sure that Sasuke would see it, he'll force me to do everything, even if it is against my will. And when I still refused and said he could never do that, he called a friend of his, who was an actress, and who had the same green eyes like mine. Her hair style was almost identical to mine, and they could just dye her hair pink, and then, have her play as me, two-timing Sasuke."

"That…" Itachi gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms. "That bastard… he'll even step so low to hurting my brother at the same time doing that to you…" Sakura still avoided his gaze and continued. "I had to break up with him, it was better than having him see or believe that someone playing as me would be cheating on him, making him think I was cheating him. My mother tried her best to help me, but we just couldn't change dad's mind. And when we were in the States, I planned to leave as soon as my father thinks that I've forgotten about Sasuke."

"And you still haven't…"

"No, how could I?" she smiled slightly. "He's always been there for me, he's given everything that I would've wanted, he's sacrificed a lot for me, that much I can tell that he is dead serious in love with me." She stood up and glanced at Itachi. "And after what you said about him not seeing other girls for this long, it only proves that he still has feelings for me."

"Have you ever tried to forget about Sasuke?"

"No, not in a million years," she answered, looking back down. "I'm only hoping that my mom could stall my dad until I can get back with Sasuke, that is, if he's still willing to give us a chance."

"You have no idea how he's determined to get you back." He said, looking outside the window to see Sasuke's bike parked and the rider getting off of it. "One more thing Sakura,"

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you tell Sasuke the real reason?"

Sakura only smiled at this. "Because he would've done something stupid, he would've marched over to my father and could've offered his own freedom just for me." She looked at the open door, hearing Sasuke announce that he had arrived. "He would've killed himself to prove it."

Itachi smiled at her answer and gave a nod. "You know him more than I think you do." He walked passed her after whispering: "You pass."

To be continued…


Next on Snapshot: Chapter 3: Ice Cream

He nodded. How could he forget? The first time she stuck her tongue out at him, he captured it in his mouth and started a French kiss with her in public, in front of the school's entrance, with many students and teachers gaping at them. She laughed and looked at the untouched, rather, "un-licked" ice cream and turned back to him. "Strawberry has been my favorite, and vanilla has been yours. When I was in the States, I learned to love the two flavors together."


A/N: Finally! The stupid site finally had me logged in! Geez!