THANKS FOR WAITING PEOPLE! I AM SO HAPPY I AM FINALLY DONE WITH THIS CHAPTER! THANK GOD I GOT THINGS FIGURED OUT! I HAVE AN IDEA HOW THIS STORY WILL GO! THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE RISING ACTION! YAY! OMG! RISING ACTION? SOMEBODY SHUT ME UP! ITS NOT ENGLISH CLASS ANYMORE! OH YEA! I FINISHED MY EXAMS! AND THEY ARE GRADED ALREADY! I HAD 3 A'S! AND THE REST ARE B'S! YAY! IT'S FAIRLY GOOD! MAN! TENTH GRADE BOTH SUCKS AND RULES!


Sasuke stared outside from the window in his room. The sun was rising in the horizon and people, like the baker and some ninja were waking up to tend to their duties. Of course, time didn't matter to ninja. Whether its night or day, it doesn't matter at all.

Speaking or rather thinking of day, memories of yesterday's events hit Sasuke like a typhoon. A tightness settled in his stomach as the memories sank in.

'Hell, I cried! And in front of her no less! Her! Of all the people on earth it had to be her! Her! That pink-haired, big foreheaded, hotheaded, nuisance! How could I even cry? I thought I locked away all of my emotions…how am I going to face her now? She is going to mock me and consider me a weakling! I can't have that no matter what!' He ran his hand through his hair in agitation until he came to a complete stop. 'Wait…she cried too…'

His mood lightened. They cried together yesterday and he swore he will become stronger for both of their sakes. 'And I will!' He promised again and changed into clothes better suited for training. He got out of his house. Although his face is emotionless and bored, deep down he is feeling eager to meet the dobe and Forehead-chan.

He was walking towards the training grounds in the forest. He expected to find both of his team mates there. He was wrong. Only Naruto was there. Forehead-chan was nowhere to be found.

"Where is she?" he asked Naruto coldly.

"Good morning Sasuke-Bastard!" Naruto said sarcastically he knew better than what appears of Sasuke's emotions that surface. He already started training.

"Where is Big Forehead?" he asked again.

"If I knew I would already have dragged her."

"If you tried to drag her here you would be laying somewhere in the forest with a bruise as big as your fat head and unconscious." Sasuke stated.

"Are you making fun of me, you Bastard?" Naruto turned to Sasuke angrily.

"No, I am stating a fact."

Just before Naruto could reply and a fight would erupt a rustling sound was heard behind the bushes. They both turned to see a glimpse of red.

"What was that!" whispered Naruto.

Sasuke immediately adopted a fighting stance as he swiftly approached the bushes without a sound. Naruto followed but slowly. They stopped right before the bush where they heard the sound. Sasuke nodded to Naruto as a sign that they would attack the intruder together. Naruto nodded back.
Sasuke quietly counted so only Naruto would hear. "1…2…3!"

Both boys jumped at the intruder. Naruto missed and hit the ground but Sasuke was lucky as to jump right on the intruder and pin them to the ground. He grabbed a kunai and pointed it on the intruder's neck without as much as a glance at the intruders face.

"Sakura-chan! There you are! Why did you sneak on us like that?" Naruto called out.

"Big Forehead?" Sasuke looked at Naruto unbelievingly. "Big Forehead doesn't wear bright colors."

"Did you even look at the person you are pointing a kunai at?" Naruto told Sasuke like a teacher instructing a slow student. Sasuke slowly and dumbly shook his head.

"Now take a look." Naruto instructed.

Sasuke didn't want to. He could already feel the fire hot glare boring holes at the back of his head. 'Man, this woman sure knows how to make a guy feel uneasy! I could feel her glare and I still didn't see her!'

He slowly turned his head. Dreading what will happen soon. His cold eyes met her seething ones. And all hell broke loose.

"JERK-SAMA! GET OFF ME YOU SICK PERVERT SO I CAN BEAT THAT SICK QUACKED UP BRAIN OF YOURS ALL THE WAY TO THE GATES OF HELL! GET OFF OF ME! GET OFF NOW!" her roared threat was heard all over the village. People froze then continued their daily routines. Everyone knew better than to get involved with a rampaging girl.

Sasuke resisted the urge to cover his ears and run away as if a stampede is after him. But he did flinch. And who wouldn't? Naruto backed away.

"Now listen Big Forehead. It was an accident we thought you were an intruder." he managed to explain to the seething and struggling girl under him.

"GET OFF ME NOW! SO I CAN "ACCIDENTLY" SCREW YOUR PRETTY GIRLY FACE UP!" she bellowed angrily.

That's it! That's the last straw, nobody called anything about him girly and got away with it! Now it was his turn to snap!

"NOW LISTEN UP YOU DOUBLE XTRA LARGE FOREHEAD WITH A MOUTH TO MATCH GIRL! NOBODY CALLS ANYTHING ABOUT ME GIRLY AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!" he seethed.

"OOH STRUCK A NERVE EH? OOOH I AM LIKE SOOOOOOOOOO SCARED! HELP! NOT! " she shouted sarcastically while her mouth curved slightly and menacingly in an amused smirk.

"Ah guys! Chill! Relax! We are supposed to train our bodies not our voices! Eh heheheh!" he received hot, wild glares from two pair of fuming eyes. He sweat dropped. "I think I better shut up…heh"

"THAT'S IT! GIRL OR NOT YOU'RE HISTORY! YOU ANNOYING, HOTHEADED, IDIOTIC, STUPID, PAIN IN THE BUTT!" he got off of her and jumped into a fighting stance.

"YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS HISTORY YOU STRUTTING PEACOCK! HISTORY OF THE DAMNED HUMAN ICE BLOCKHEADS!" she shot back angrily. She charged towards him.

He frowned and charged towards her.

"AAAHHH! DIE YOU DAMN MUSHED UP BRAIN STRUTTING GIRLY FACED-!" as she said the taboo word she tripped on a long, fat tree root that was standing out and a slight dull cracking sound was heard. She gasped and screamed an ear deafening scream.

"MY ANKLE! OWWWWWWWW! NOOOO ITS MY RIGHT ONE TOO! SHIT! THAT'S MY STRONG ANKLE! SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT! MY ANKLE! IF MY ANKLE IS BROKEN OR DAMAGED ITS YOUR FAULT AND YOU WILL DIE! YOU UNDERSTAND! DEAD! I WILL KILL YOU!" she was yelling threats at him while she was sprawled on the ground her ankle swelling.

Sasuke was kind of feeling guilty. Although she deserved it for calling him girly, he felt guilty. But his guilt vanished when she started with her weird
naming insults again.

"I AM GOING TO PUNCH YOUR FACE YOU CHICK PEA BRAIN ANCIENT PEACOCK WITH AN ANCIENT MOLDY BREATH! I AM GOING TO KICK YOU SO BAD UNTIL YOUR BODY LOOKS LIKE A CRAPPY LOOKING PIECE OF CLAY MADE BY A THREE YEAR OLD! I AM GOING TO-" she was cut of by the guy she was threatening.

"Yea, yea, I get it! You are going to kill me, punch my face, and kick me until I am so messed that I become absolutely unidentifiable. Right? And then you will kick and punch me again till you make my already mashed pea brain into a more mashed up pea. Making me absolutely retarded and deformed.
Right! You sure are stressed out Big Forehead! Too much violence for a little girl!" he walked up to her and ignored her glare, his face unemotional, actually more like downright bored. He gave her his back and bent down.

"What are you doing? Jerk-sama!" she seethed in a low whisper.

He rolled his eyes. "Isn't it obvious? I am giving you a piggy ride to the hospital so they can see your ankle. Get on!"

"I don't want to be near you! Let alone touch you and let you give me a piggy ride! I don't need your sympathy!"

"Geez! You're stubborn! Naruto get her on my back!"

"Don't you dare Naruto!"

Naruto was thoroughly confused by this turn of events. One moment they are about to murder each other and calling each other weird names and the next Sasuke is offering Sakura a piggy ride because she injured her ankle! They were a strange pair alright.

Naruto looked at Sakura's ankle. It was swelling pretty badly. "Sakura," He started sternly yet concernedly. "Your ankle isn't getting better so how are
you going to train with us?"

He walked over to her. She started to reply but she didn't know what to say. She began to stutter. Then a sharp pain suddenly shot through her leg. She
gasped and her hands settled into a firm grip until her knuckles were paper white.

"F-fine! But I am not going to take a piggy ride with him!" she said haughtily.

"Alright!" he bent in front of her in an attempt to take her on a piggy ride. "You ride with me!"

She accepted. She was about to move but when she did a sharp pain shot through her foot. "Ow! It hurts! I cant move Naruto! It hurts too much!"

Sasuke groaned and rolled his eyes. He went to her and carried her as if she was nothing but a rag doll. He ignored her puny struggles and settled her on Naruto's back. They started walking. Sakura on Naruto's back and Sasuke walking beside them with his hands in his pockets.

"I told you not to touch me!" she told Sasuke.

"We had to get you moving but you are too stubborn." He replied nonchalantly. "so there is no way but for me to carry you and put you on Naruto's back since you don't want mine."

"I don't want a pervert like you touching me and giving me a piggy ride."

"You give yourself too much importance and besides there is nothing special about you to make any guy want you." He told her coldly.

"Hey! Bastard you are being mean to Sakura-chan! That's unfair since you were the reason she tripped!" Naruto remarked hotly at Sasuke.

"No, I am not being mean, I am telling the truth. Haven't you heard? The truth hurts." responded Sasuke coldly as Naruto remarked hotly. Two opposite
forces but a same strong passion.

His words pained her. It stung her like a needle. She tried to ignore it but she remembered how she was always considered inferior and unspecial. Then she met her best friend, Ino, who boosted her confidence and told her if she believed if she was someone strong then people will also see her that way. It was clear she was still considered inferior in Jerk-sama's mind.

She stiffened against Naruto. If he didn't know better, Naruto could have swore that he was carrying a log. He frowned at Sakura's stiffness. He didn't like to know that his pretty, little team mate and friend is upset. The silence that followed was deafening, absolutely deafening. One way or the other he had to break the silence.

"Sakura-chan..."

"Hmm." She replied tiredly and distractedly.

"Why are you wearing your pajamas in the middle of the forest? Especially in the morning of our training!" he asked. That question got the attention of both Sasuke and Sakura. Finally something to break the silence!

Sakura blushed. "You see, um, well…"

"Oh ho! So the Sakura-chan is actually going to answer and not shut me up!" Naruto chuckled. Sakura blushed harder. Sasuke smirked.

"Ohh shut up! I am NOT going to tell you now!" she scolded half heartedly with a slight smile gracing her lips.

"Oh I am soooooo SORRY Sakura-chan! I really, REALLY, truly want to know why you are walking in the middle of the forest looking so cute in a red pajama! With white polka dots pants!" said Naruto playfully. He slightly turned to see Sakura ducking her head from embarrassment and was vastly amused. He chuckled.

"Oohh! Sakura-chan! You are BLUSHING!" Naruto exclaimed. Sakura was beet red. She started to hit Naruto's back with her fist lightly from embarrassment. Naruto just chuckled.

"Oi! Watch it or I might just hand you over to gloomy Bastard over here!" he said slyly while laughing.

Sakura huffed and raised her nose in the air. "Hmph, I'd rather eat slug!"

Naruto laughed. "Are you sure? Its Mister-high-and-mighty-super-dead-gorgeous-Sasuke Bastard! Any girl would die for being with Bastard, let alone a piggy ride!" he exclaimed.

"UGH! I'LD RATHER EAT LIVE SLUG AND WORM!"

"Hear that Bastard? This girl would rather eat LIVE SLUG AND WORM instead of touching you!" Naruto cracked up.

Sasuke was watching the two while they had their fun. Joking so freely with nothing to hold them back. Being so natural…smiling without holding back. He envied their freedom. He couldn't believe that this was the girl he cried with yesterday.

'How does she do it? How can she be so free with people when she is seeking revenge? How can she laugh while she lost her parents and was betrayed by my brother? How does she do it? And how can she be able to….?'

He turned to Sakura and Naruto with an expressionless face. "I would rather eat rotting rats then touch her." He stated calmly.

Sakura scowled at him. "The feeling's mutual!"

Sasuke smirked. She is too easy to anger. Like breathing. See how easy it is? Just like that! Easy as breathing.

"So, Sakura-chan! Why are you in your pajamas?" asked Naruto to break the deafening silence that befell upon them again but he also really wanted to know.

"Oh, you see I snuck away yesterday at night and I didn't bother to change. I went to this place which I used to go. I am not sure of the exact area but I just know how to get there by instinct. My feet just took me there. As if they know exactly where they are going. Oh Naruto, it's a beautiful place…I want you to see it! Just you! Only special people go there! And you are a special friend Naruto so I want to take you there!"

She was rubbing it in and they all knew it. All three of them. She stole a glance at Sasuke to see if he reacted at all. He was absolutely expressionless. She scowled and glared and turned to see Naruto's back and glared at it. Naruto began to sweat. He could actually feel the heat of her glare.

"S-Sakura-chan, you used to go there before?"

"Oh! Y-yes with someone. I saw that person too. We sang tog- !" she shut her mouth quickly.

"You sing Sakura-chan!" Naruto asked excitedly. "You must have a beautiful voice! Sing! Sing! Sing!"

"NO WAY! NEVER! This song I used to hum to everyone while my friend sang. I get shy you see…" she confessed.

"Woah! Sakura-chan gets shy!"

Sasuke was not showing any signs of interest but in truth he was very curious to know more. And to know that special-someone-friend of Sakura.

"SHUT UP NARUTO!"

"HAHAHA! SAKURA-CHAN GETS SHY!"

"Shut up!" then she spoke again in a dreamy voice. "I used to sing with her a lot in privacy. I have to make sure that no one is around to hear. We sang and laughed together and had fun. Basically we did everything together."

"Why didn't you want someone to hear you? I don't think you have an awful voice." Naruto asked.

"I told you already, I get…shy." She frowned at the confession. She didn't like to openly tell that to anyone but she can trust Naruto. Sakura forgot all about Sasuke as she continued to talk with Naruto. Hell! She forgot he even existed, let alone that he was walking next to her!

"I see. So is this friend of yours still here?"

"As a matter of fact she is here and I met her by coincidence last night!" she exclaimed. "And to be frank, I forgot her name when we met. Actually, I forgot who she is until we began to sing together the last verse of our song. It's then I remembered her name. You know, she appeared before me like a dream. So beautiful and fragile looking yet clear eyes that held all the wisdom and kindness there is." She started off hyper but ended with a dreamy tone.

"You sang together? Wow, I wish I was there to hear you both. That must have been a sight. Beautiful Sakura-chan and friend singing under the moonlight!" he said dreamily, trying to imagine how they looked like. "So what's her name? Your friend?"

Just before Sakura answered a loud high-pitched voice was heard, calling out to Sakura. "SAKURA! SAKURA-CHAN!"

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke; although slightly, Sasuke did turn his head, slightly!; turned their heads to the voice. They saw a girl with long, yellow hair that is tied into a ponytail with light blue eyes bright with happiness.

"Ino!" Sakura gasped. Then smiled and waved.

Ino reached them and she held flowers but all three were oblivious to them. Ino smiled at them all but blushed slightly when she caught Sasuke looking at her. Although he had a bored and uninterested expression and he only did so briefly take a look at her, her heart began to race.

"Hi Sakura, Naruto,…Sasuke-kun." She shyly said Sasuke's name. Then she realized that Naruto was carrying Sakura. "Sakura what's wrong? Why is Naruto carrying you? Naruto did you do something to Sakura? I will kill you!"

"Hey! I didn't do anything! It was Bastard's fault." Naruto defended himself. Ino looked disbelievingly at Naruto.

"Blame it on Sasuke-kun! You coward!" she glared at Naruto and was about to land a punch on his face.

"Ino! Naruto didn't do anything! He's right! It was Jerk-sama's fault! Please don't hit Naruto! Hit Jerk-sama!" Sakura quickly defended Naruto.

"Jerk-sama? How could you call Sasuke-kun Jerk-sama? I could believe that Naruto would say something like that but not you Sakura!" Ino scolded
Sakura.

"So what! He calls me Big Forehead! And besides, I have every right to call him that excluding the fact that he calls me Big Forehead!"

"And why is that so?" she asked with an eyebrow raised at her in disbelief.

"Because we are enemies." Sakura stated simply. Ino gaped then laughed.

"Sakura you were always got things all backwards! He is your teammate for goodness sake! As always you never get things trough that thick head of
yours!"

Sakura huffed. Ino smirked but then a worried expression replaced the smirk. "So what is exactly wrong that you cannot walk?"

"My ankle." Sakura told Ino, another simple answer.

"So what's wrong with it?" Ino was getting rather impatient with Sakura's simple, undetailed answers.

"I don't know what's exactly wrong but I heard a crack when I tripped." She told Ino.

"We are going to the hospital right now, Ino. Don't worry." Naruto reassured the worried friend. Ino smiled at Naruto.

"Hey Ino! Are those the flowers you picked yesterday for the person you-!" she didn't continue as she saw a blush make its way to the surface of Ino's cheeks. "Ino?"

" Sakura why are you wearing the pyjamas you wore last night? Didn't you go home?" Ino asked innocently although knowing the answer but she had to avert her friend's attention.

"I would have went home if a certain someone didn't let me sleep till the morning and left me alone!" she accused.

Ino fluttered her eyelashes innocently. "But Sakura, you looked so peaceful and so cute! I just couldn't wake you up."

"Wait! Sakura, is she the friend you met last night and sang with?" Naruto asked confused.

All three stared in disbelief at Naruto. Sakura, Ino, and even Sasuke.

"I knew you were an idiot Naruto but not that idiotic! Geez!" Sasuke ran his hand over his eyes in frustration.

"Naruto! Your brain is slower than a sleeping slug! Can't your slowpoke brain be any slower!" Sakura yelled.

Ino laughed. "Oh my god Sakura! I so pity you with being stuck with Naruto!"

Naruto glared but then he decided he wanted some payback. "Sakura I didn't know you were talking about Ino! How should I know? You told me she was wise, kind, and beautiful." He emphasized each quality and stared innocently at the seething Ino but inside he was burning.

Ino was just about to snap but Sakura cut her off. "You know, I got to go because my ankle isn't getting any better!"

"Oh, do you want me to go with you Sakura?" Ino was concerned again almost immediately. Sasuke and Naruto were surprised at the sudden transform and apparent concern from Ino that didn't change over the years. They were best of friends immediately, Sakura and Ino, as if no time has passed.

"No its okay Ino. See you later! Let's go Naruto!" Sakura said.

"Yes ma'am! Bye oh beautiful, kind, wise Ino!" he hightailed it as soon as he saw Ino's eyes flare. His laughter could be heard in the distance. "C'mon Bastard! Get moving!"

Sasuke started to follow his team mates who were looking back at him and Naruto who was waving at him to come. Sasuke smirked at how childish Naruto could get. He was stopped by a light tap at his shoulders and he turned to see who it is. It was Ino. She was acting very timid which isn't her usual self. He didn't bother saying a word he just looked uninterestedly down at her small body. He soon got bored at looking at her timid self and began to turn away.

"W-wait Sasuke-kun! Um, here!" she was blushing furiously. She handed him the flowers that Sakura had asked about earlier. He just stared at them and looked at her coldly yet questioningly.

"I like you a lot Sasuke-kun! They are for you!" she looked at him square in the eye as she gave her declaration.

Sakura and Naruto, who weren't very far away, saw and heard every single thing that was uttered. And every movement that was made and each emotion that was expressed. Their reaction was nothing more than a thoroughly shocked gape.

"I-Ino…" Sakura now knew who the person ion loved. And he turns out to be a cold jerk. He would end up hurting her.

Sasuke brushed the eager girl in front of him off. He left without a word except for a mocking grunt.

Sakura became angry on her friends behalf. "JERK-SAMA! YOU HURT INO AND I WILL KILL-!" she was cut off by Ino's expression. It was full of absolute determination.

"Sakura I don't need you to help me with this! I will deal with it on my own!" she turned to Sasuke with eyes full of fire. Sasuke was taken back by the intensity of them. "Sasuke-kun, I will make you know how I truly feel and then I hope you will also feel the same about me too." She smiled then, proudly too, at her little speech and then waved goodbye and left.

Sasuke looked completely shocked by the announcement but hid it as quickly as it appeared. Naruto was still gaping. Sakura on the other hand was struck by Ino's love to the bastard and was even more struck by the fact that she will keep on pursuing her goal. To make Sasuke return her feelings. She admired her friend who never gave up, as always.

"Come one lets go." Sakura said quietly. Sasuke joined the pair and they all walked silently to the hospital, with the exception of Sakura who was still riding on Naruto's back.


IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL…2:30 PM

It was an hour's walk from the forest and to the hospital. Of course it would have been faster if they weren't stopped by Ino and a few friends here and there.

"Finally! We are here!" Sakura exclaimed.

Naruto was huffing and puffing and sweating. "Sakura-chan, you are heavy!"

"Shut up! You were the one who offered to carry me! And I am not heavy! You are weak!" she gave a little punch at the back of his head.

"Ow! Hey! I am not weak! Try carrying a girl on your back for an hour under a hot sun!" he whined.

"You are pathetic! C'mon! Get me inside so they can see what's wrong wit my ankle! And the sooner I get better the sooner I can kick Jerk-sama's butt!" she said with fire in her eyes.

"In that case! Let's go!" Naruto ran up to the door and dashed into the hospital. Sakura was squealing with joy from the ride. Sasuke just stared at his simpleminded teammates then groaned. 'And I am stuck with those idiots for the next two weeks! They are a blasphemy to our society! A pair of idiotic, childish demons who are going to make a bundle of trouble and I have to set them straight!' He smirked slightly and briefly as he followed his idiotic teammates inside.


INSIDE THE HOSPITAL ROOM…WAITING ROOM….THEY WAITED FOR 1 HOUR AND 3O MINUTES (4:00 PM)… STATUS: RESTLESS AND BORED

"Naarruuuttooo! See if it's my turn!" whined Sakura. "Tell them it's an emergency!"

Naruto stopped moving in his chair and looked at Sakura. "Sakura-chan! I just went three times during the last minute!"

"Now it's another minute! Go and see if it's my turn!" she snapped. Naruto groaned and went to see the nurse in the reception area if it was Sakura's turn.

He came back looking like he is in pain. "Sakura-chan! My ears are going to bleed! The nurse screamed "NO IT ISNT SAKURA-CHAN'S TURN!" right in my ear! She also told me to sit and not move or else!" he whined while fiddling with his ear.

Sakura sighed. "Naruto, you are such a crybaby if you really wanted me to get better then you demand the doctor see me!"

"I can't do that! It isn't fair! Look at the people who are also injured and sick!" he waved his hand in their general direction.

Sakura frowned and crossed her arms. She just sat there for the rest of their wait. She hated to admit it but Naruto is right.

Sasuke was used to waiting and being in silence. He just used the time on reflecting on how to get stronger and more powerful in a short time. 'If Forehead-chan got this strong in only a couple of years of training by Itachi, I can't imagine how strong that bastard is. And he also did leave her; he most likely got involved with some badass people and gotten stronger. This is a hell of a mess. That bastard is a fast learner and he mastered the Sharingan. I, I don't want to go…through that torture again…' he involuntarily flinched. Sakura took notice but didn't say anything. 'What is wrong with him? Why is he so quiet and…colder? Is he the same person I met a few days ago?'

Naruto and Sakura were getting bored and restless. Just when they thought that they couldn't handle sitting any longer, a nurse came in the waiting room and called for Haruno Sakura.

Naruto jumped up and shouted "FINALLY!" and helped Sakura up.

"Ow, ow, ow! Naruto my ankle hurts!" she whined and pouted.

"Aw Sakura-chan! C'mon! I'll carry you!" he ignored her protests and swiped her into his arms. She was blushing and punching his chest shouting "idiot let me down!" and he, was grinning like a fool. By the time he set her on the patient's bed she was red as a tomato.

"Idiot…" she muttered while dark red stained her cheeks.

"Sakura-chan you look so cute when you blush!" Naruto exclaimed ignoring her muttering. She just blushed harder.

Naruto kept on pouring a compliment after the other and she wasn't comfortable even though they are good, she doesn't feel comfortable with all that attention she was getting from Naruto. They were just so detailed. How can a guy see so much in just so little time anyway? He is a weird one alright. Just when she was about to retort the door slammed open and in dashed a yellow haired woman. It was Tsunade. She looked worried. Very worried.

"Bastard-sama?" Sakura stared at the frantic woman.

"There you are! I heard from Ino-chan that you are injured so I came to see you right away! I won't let anyone see to your injury except me!" she said in a very worried tone. Sakura was taken back by Tsunade's worrying. She smiled softly at the older woman and nodded. Tsunade was glad to see Sakura fine. She went over to her.

"So what is wrong exactly? I didn't ask Ino-chan because I was so worried that I rushed here."

"I was running really fast and I tripped hard. I heard a cracking sound and felt a surge of sharp pain shooting through my legs to my thighs. It hurts when I move. It really does!" Sakura explained.

"I see. Let me see your ankle." She bent over on Sakura's laying form and examined her ankle. "It's a serious ankle sprain. The ligament is torn and it isn't joining the bones together as it should. I believe that was the cracking sound was. But don't worry; it's nothing an experienced and advanced medic-nin also the current Hokage can't fix! With a bit of therapy with chakra and treatment your ankle will be as good as new! After I am done with you today you must rest for at least four days to a week. Or when there is no more pain at all. You must also rest a lot, I know it's hard for you but please bear with it! You want your ankle better so you can train right?"

That announcement hit Sakura right on target. Her weak spot. If she cant train, then how she will defeat the snake-eyed freak who killed her parents and then kick Jerk-sama's butt? So she reluctantly agreed. Tsunade was ecstatic. She loved it when Sakura actually agrees with her for a change.

"Okay, so lots of rest and don't step on your ankle. Lucky for you, you have two strong handsome boys to carry you around." Naruto beamed and Sasuke ignored them. "Yikes! I forgot! Naruto! Iruka-kun is looking for you!"

"Oh? Where?" Naruto asked.

"At Ichiruka's" Tsunade told him.

Naruto beamed. "Sorry Sakura-chan! I got to go! Sorry I have to leave you with Bastard!" he ran away with only one though in his head. ‎‎‎ 'yum! Ramen!'

Sakura groaned. Sasuke rolled his eyes. And Tsunade sighed. She could feel the intense tension in the air between those two. She could already guess what happened and what will happen with those two. They are so predictable! They piss each other off. Mainly Sakura. They fight. Something happens due to Sakura's clumsiness and that pisses her off more. Sasuke feels guilty and with his coolness he gets things settled except the anger that is boiling inside Sakura. Nothing could settle her anger, just time, and he knows that. Then somehow they will end up talking and they form a bond together and an understanding. Then they become friends but they won't admit it. Then the whole thing repeats itself. Each day they piss each other more and then get closer than before! So predictable!

"Okay Sakura, I will start treating you right away. This will take time though. Sasuke-kun, you don't have to stay the whole time. Come back after an hour. I believe by that time I will get her ligaments attached and partially healed. Okay Sasuke-kun?" she smiled and Sasuke left so Sakura can be treated.

He wanted to stay he really did, but he knew he will be just in the way so he left.


SOMEWHERE IN THE STREETS OF KONOHA…FAR AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL…5:00PM…SASUKE POV

He was walking down the streets, the sun was setting and the hour was almost up but why does he feel so trapped! Trapped like a hamster in a cage. So many things, all of them contradict the other. A swirl of emotions coursing through him and he can't grasp one and see to it. See that it's either accomplished such as satisfaction or get rid of it such as confusion.

He reflected on the days events. How he was eager to meet a certain pink haired girl. 'Since when did I feel eager to meet anyone except my brother? The brother I want to kill! Since when did I talked and teased people? Since when do I explode and show it? I am supposed to be cold and distant but ever since I saw her, I can't seem to feel a bit of admiration for her. But now, playtime is over! No more of all that teasing anymore! Power! I need to get power so I can be the Avenger I really am and was meant to be. I need to hold on to the pain, hate, spite, and run away to cling desperately to life so I can learn to survive. And when I do, I can get stronger and more powerful, just like he told me. But time isn't waiting for me; I need to get strong faster because there is no telling how strong he has become. I need to get stronger. To…crap! I am late! How the hell would I become an Avenger if I get beaten to death by that clumsy idiot!'

He ran towards the hospital feeling the same eagerness earlier in the day. No matter how many times he won't admit it, he can't deny the gentle, light, foreign yet not so foreign feeling he has when he knows he will meet her. The same feeling he has when he leaves school to go home five years ago. The same feeling.


IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL…5:15 PM…

"I am late…" he panted. It was a fifteen minute run to the hospital. "Maybe she isn't done yet…hopefully…"

The heavens decided to be nice to poor and tired Sasuke. She still isn't done. He used the time to regain his cool composure. After all he had a reputation to live up to. He can't have the cold Sasuke look like a frenzied chicken that lost her eggs.

He sat at one of the chairs. The hospital was near empty and people were leaving. Only nurses and doctors were around and the occasional maids to clean up.

"Ahem…" a throaty sound came out of nowhere.

Sasuke looked up only to see her. Forehead-chan. "you're late."

"No I am not! You can't rush a doctor while he or she is treating a patient!" she was getting all riled up by just looking at him. She was sitting in a wheelchair. Sasuke glanced behind her.

"So where is Hokage-sama? I thought she would be with you?" he asked.

"I told her to leave me alone and I am fine. I thanked her though."

"C'mon lets go." He got up and walked to the door.

"You don't have to take me home!"

"It's my duty."

"I don't want you to take me home."

"Your problem, deal with it." He was cold as ever.

"What's your problem today? Acting all high and mighty! And so cold! It's not like you!"

He turned around to face her. "You don't know me. So don't pretend you know everything about me!" he told her icily.

She didn't say a word. She just followed him silently in shock. They were about to pass the door until a man stopped them. It was the security. "Sorry miss but you can't take the wheel chair outside the hospital. I am sorry."

"I will give it to you tomorrow! I promise!" she whined. If she didn't have a wheelchair then that means she has to let Jerk-sama carry her! And she didn't want that.

"I can't. I have to follow my orders."

"I see, but do you know who I am! I am the Hokage's god daughter!" she announced.

"I am sorry but I have to be fair. I know Hokage-sama will understand." He was a bit taken back but then he decided she was kidding him so he played along.

"What you don't believe me? Ask her yourself!"

"Even if you are her god daughter I can't, I am sorry!"

"I understand. C'mon lets go." Sasuke cut in and took helped Sakura up. As soon as the security left he earned a bit of whining.

"Quit your pathetic whining." He said it in a low whisper but it felt like an angry shout. That pissed Sakura off.

"Now listen. Ever since this morning you have been cold and such a pain in the neck! You can be that way for all I care but you don't keep on pouring out your anger on someone else! And you picked the wrong person too!"

He just stared at her in shock. She continued scolding him while still holding on to him. She kept on flapping her mouth and more words of scolding came out. His mouth broke out into a grin.

"Yes mother, I understand."

It was Sakura's turn to be shocked. Mother?

"What a way to thank someone who is helping you, you know!"

"Helping me! What a way to help someone! People are better off without this kind of help!" she stammered.

He laughed. It was a small laugh but nevertheless a laugh. She looked at him startled then smiled.

"Come on. Get on my back and I'll properly help you this time." He said.

"I told you I don't want to touch you." She said cheekily.

"Alright alright. I am sorry for jumping on you."

"And…" she persisted.

"Damn you're stubborn! Okay and for making you trip although it was partly your fault too! You don't call me girly and get away with it!"

"It is true! You have a girly face!" she said innocently.

"Shut up!" he said lightheartedly.

Sakura snickered. "Okay okay! I am sorry too!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

They smiled at each other. And she climbed onto his back. It was already 7 pm and the stars and moon were bright in the sky.

She climbed into his back. "I guess I will tolerate you for now!" she said then yawned.

"And so will I. sleepyhead."

She just let out a small hmm and yawned again. After a while of walking she began to warn him about Ino. "Jerk-sama, you better not hurt Ino! She is my bestest friend!"

"Big Forehead, you don't control my emotions and I don't have time for girlfriends and love. I have to get revenge."

"Then I have to stay by your side."

He was shocked. "Why?"

"To prevent you from hurting her of course!" she said it as if it was obvious.

"I am sorry I might hurt her without meaning too but I told you I don't have time for love!"

She began to yawn again. After a while he got lost. "Big Forehead, where is your house?" he felt stupid for not asking earlier. There was no reply. "Big Forehead?"

He turned to see her face so up close. She looked angelic. So different when she was awake. She was sleeping and the light snoring was proof. He smiled slightly. "I guess I have to take you to my home…"

He walked the other way and took her to his own dwelling.

"Forehead-chan…thank you…for giving me something to look forward to once again…" he whispered.


a/n: so I didn't get to 100 reviews, but still thanks for everyone for reviewing! I know I am taking a lot of time updating and I am thankful for your patience and your wonderful reviews that make me feel appreciated! Thank you all very much! I really feel my hard work is worth it after I read all your wonderful reviews! Thanks again! I hope with this chap I will reach 100! Hell! I will dedicate the next chapter to my 100th reviewer! And to all of you too! Actually, every time I write it's dedicated to you! So yea. Anyway, here is a brief summary of the upcoming events. Read it if you want. It's vague and not detailed just basically what everything will be about:

Sasuke realizes he is wasting time and Sakura softens towards her teammates and everyone around here. Sasuke needs power and he needs to get it fast because he knows that soon he will meet with Itachi. He trains more. Sakura will find out about her parents murderer. Her resolve for revenge grows and becomes absolutely serious. And I do mean absolute! Ino and Sakura's relationship grows and Sakura will help Ino in getting Sasuke into returning her feelings. In the process Sakura begins to develop feelings.

Okay. I think I made it a bit detailed but oh well. Here are my thank yous from chapter 16:

heart-broken.kunoichi: thanks for reviewing! I think you mean "plz update" not "plz review" right:D anyway here is your update and hope you like it! And keep reviewing always!

Miz alchemiz: thanks for reviewing! Oh wow! You think my fic is good! That makes me soooo happy! that last chap was pretty cute, wasn't it! I thought so too. I like the idea of being friends till the end and when there are meetings there will be parting right? but I like it when there are meetings after the partings! Don't you:D ! I am glad you like my other fic too! I have sooo many plans for it and I went through them with a friend and she said they are awesome! So I hope I can just write it out well! Anyway, I know I talk too much so I better shut up. I don't know if you like long thank yous but I know I love long reviews! ;p !

Flames of Sadness Hurt and Betrayel: thanks for reviewing! You heard that song? I downloaded it and thought it was pretty cute in a cheesy way! Although I wrote it without knowing how it goes! I just went to anime lyrics . com and wrote friends forever and amoing many songs I got this! I thought it was good for the fic and wrote it! Simple as that:D ! but when I heard it, it wasn't like how I had it in mind at all! And I do mean at all! Anyway I hope this chap answers your questions and Sakura remembers Ino in the end. Her memory was triggered finally! Yay! Friendship rocks! Go friendship! Yay:P:D ! (my smile really looks like this :D)! lol! Yup! Childish realy but that's how I am! Oh well! And here is your update! And keep reviwing always!

els1231: you haven't reviewd in a while and I haven't updated in a while so we're equal now:D ! I know! Exams suck bt I just finished from them and I passed them! Yay! Although biology was the hardest! But I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up! My dream! And I want to accomplish it! Yup! going on trips on the sea! And sailing and fishing! Yup! my favorite pastime too! Sailing and fishing! Popular in my country! After all, it's a gulf country! Anyway, I hope you passed your exams with flying like colors! Thanks for saying you love my story:D

keep reviwing always!

SaB cHan: thanks for reviewing! I love your reviews! They are long and tell me what you liked so I know how to improve and all! And I love it when people discuss things with me:D ! thanks a lot! You know, friendships are important! I am aiming to bring out true friemdship in this fic! There will be fights, sure, but that's natural! And I want to keep things natural! Yup! wow, you learned things about friendship in the last chap! To tell you the truth, most things in the fic happened to me! I lead a pretty hectic and busy life! So many things, I wonder how I could have wrote a story! I had a friend for 10 years and our mothers became friends, but we seprated and now we are the best of friends again. And when I say seprated I a meant I left the school to go to another! So yea, many things in the fic happened to me! even the ankle part, now that was painful! Ouch! And here is your update!

sasukerox: the song went well with the chap, didn't it? I liked it! I don't mean to sound vain or pompous but I really liked it! Don't worry, Ino wont become rival rivals with Sakura! Because I believe in the power of friendship! Go friendship! Yay:D

Krista: thanks for reviewing! I am not a dude! Dudette! A girl! Well if you know I am a girl than that's another matter! Just to let you know! I don't like the sound of dudette though! It sounds like something emaberrsing in my language! A body part in a woman! That's all I am gonna say! Anyway, you think it was sad? If its to sad then tell me so I can change things! Any advice is appreciated!

AznIllusion: Ino and Sakura wont be rivals because I like friendship more! There will be fights though! That's normal, isn't it! Right! I know I always argue with my friends because I have to have things my way! ;p! I am really stubborn! I really wonder how my friends put up with me for all those years! You don't like Ino? I don't know, I hated her at first but then I am starting to see she isn't so bad. I saw the Chunnin exams again and thought she isn't so bad! She cares! So in the end there is more to Ino than how she looks like!

Shinobi Darkbeak: thanks for saying my other chap was cool:D ! wow! You really are like an information center! Ichiruka and now info on Puffy Amiyumi! I downloaded the song! Didn't sound one bit like how I imagined it! I thought it will be sweet and cute and slow and a bit childish! But it turned out to be the complete opposite! Anyway! Here is your new update! Hope you like it and review always!

Uchiha Sakura blossoms: thanks for reviewing! Here is your update! I know! Isn't it cute how Sakura and Ino found each other again? I don't know how I thought of that idea! I just did! I always sing with my friends and cousins about anything and we always make up songs in every situation! Wait that's me:D ! in every situation my mind quickly makes a song! Lol! Drives people crazy! Anyway, keep revieing always!

Oh yea, I am thinking of writing a new fic but not now! definitely not now! I have too much to write right now! so you will have to wait but I am just going to briefly tell you what I though about:

Sasuke is a leader of one of the roughest Japanese yakuza (gang) ! he beats anyone in almost everything! his only rival is another yakuza! A strong leader who currently lost no fight! he has feelings for a little girl he sits next to in school! She is a shy little thing and very kind! Her name is just like her! Sakura! She has feelings for Sasuke but wont admit it! and what happens if this little girl has a split personality? And by accident Sasuke stumbles on her biggest secret! She is the leader of his rival yakuza! And what's worst! His crush's other personality loves another man! Deeply and madly! He needs to protect his Sakura now without exposing his secret that he likes Sakura! He needs to get her other bold, outgoing, and courageous personality out of every single problem that she got into! Join us in our mixed up world of "title still unknown!"

But you get the idea now! its better than the summary and I though of it when I was taking a shower! Its orginal and I haven't based it on anything! Although my friend says its like a manga I read Othello! It isn't! I had that story in mind before I read that manga! So tell me what you think and keep reviewing!