Curiosity. Curiosity clearly explained why Sakura used all her stealth to hide in this bush at 2 in the afternoon in front of a light grey coffeeshop. She watched with eyes so sharp she could cut a fly. There! Saskue hastened towards the brown door, chest puffed out and arms stretched out like crescent moons. So this is where Saskue rushes off after our practice training with Kakashi-Sensei. Why here though? Sakura watched him sit at a table across from a girl with dark blue hair in a hime cut and hair strands falling towards her chin, framing her face. Sakura vaguely remembered her as Neji's cousin, who fought in the Chunin exams- oh Hinata was her name. Sakura gasped silently. Why was Saskue with her? Sure enough, Hinata sat twiddling her fingers and blushing furiously as Saskue talked with his arm against the back of the chair. Sakura's fingers and jaw clenched. Her mind whirled with questions like a tornado. Are they dating? When did this happen? Why her? As these questions raced through her head, she subconsciously rose. Saskue glanced her way. Sakura ducked back into the bush.

"What are you doing?"

Sakura's shoulders hitched up as she jumped, turning to face Ino. She stood with one arched brow and hands on her hips. She glanced at the coffeeshop, and a knowing look dawned on her face. She grabbed Sakura's hand and hauled her off to Yamanaka's Flower Shop. Ino set one elbow on the counter near the cash register. She cradled her cheek with her hand while stroking the petals of a red windflower. "I see you've found out, huh?"

"But when did this happen? What's happening?"

Ino shrugged. "I don't know, but it's happening."

"Aren't you mad?"

Ino bent to sniff the windflower. "No, Sakura. It's clear he's not interested in any of us."

"That's not true! We just need to spend some time together. I mean so much has happened-"

"What do you even like about him?" Ino interjected without shifting her gaze. "Why not spend your free time doing something you like besides pinning for some guy who doesn't care anything about you? Didn't you say something about wanting Tsunade-sama to train you or something? Have you asked her yet?"

A long silence fell. Sakura opened her mouth, but nothing came to mind. She frowned and looked away. Then, she shook her head if snapping herself out of a train of thought in which she did not like the destination. "I'm going to talk to her."

Ino placed a hand on the door before Sakura could storm out. She poked her forehead and exclaimed in a huff, "Move on, Forehead Girl!"

"I'm not giving up, Ino Pig!" Sakura and Ino glared at each other, a familiar spark electrifying between them. Sakura shoved past Ino and stormed off. Move on? Move on? Sakura loved Saskue since she was a little girl. If Ino thought Sakura was going to buy into this ruse tactic to give in so she could win, she had another thing coming. What did Ino mean by what she liked about him. He's handsome and calm and...Hmmm...what else did she like about him?

Later that night, Sakura tossed and turned, trying desperately to get a good night's rest. Finally, she sat up in defeat. She considered making tea or masturbating. Instead, she decided to go for a walk. She threw on some sweats and a light jacket. She stepped out into the quiet night with a loud mind, busy thinking about Ino's comments. What did Sakura like about Saskue that couldn't be said about a poster board? When did Sakura even start to like him? She told the story to herself that she was in love with Saskue Uchiha, but how can that be true if Sakura didn't even know what she liked about him. She tried to conjure up any positive memories with him, and the only thing that came to mind was that one time he slapped food in her face while she sat by his bedside. Sakura tugged at the edges of her jacket as a slight breeze past her. The rumble of a river nearby allowed her to escape her thoughts for a moment. She traced the rumble to a riverbank and followed the trail to the clearing of a waterfall. SPLASH. She hid behind a tree. A curtain of rushing water embraced the figure of a girl. The bright, full moon shone opposite of her in the sky like a stage light. The girl waved her arms and twirled, light and water dancing together against her form. Lines of chakra circled around her body. The outline of her hair kindled something in her memory. Sakura couldn't stop watching, enthralled by the girl's movements. Something about her was...beautiful. Sakura's cheeks grew hot. She needed to leave and give this person some privacy. Hinata! Sakura's eyes widened. That's the same hairstyle! Sakura stepped back and crushed a leaf. Sakura ran all the way back home. Once she got home, she leaned against the front door, heart racing and trying to catch her breath. Sakura decided not to address what just happened. She showered, and finally, she got some rest.

The next day, curiosity had Sakura in the same bush again, watching and waiting. She clutched the edge of her Qipao dress as she saw Hinata place her hand on his. He abruptly stood and walked away. Now! Now was Sakura's chance. She bolted into the shop and approached Hinata's table. "Hello, my name is Sakura Haruno, it is an honor to meet you, might I join you for a minute?"

"S-s-sure, Haruno-San."

Sakura plopped down. She had ment to open her mouth and tell her about her feelings for Saskue, or tell her that they've got a rivalry now or anything along those lines. Instead, her bright, green eyes found an interest in a yellow scarf tied around her wrist, and she said, "I like your scarf, where did you get it?"

"Oh, I sewed it myself. For me." Hinata's lavender eyes lit up as she spoke. So, Sakura pressed as she placed her hands beneath her chin. "Oh yeah? Tell me more."

Hinata stroked the yellow cloth like stroking a rose. "I sewed it as a reminder to myself to never give up. One day, I want to be strong like my father and kind like my mother." The stutter disappeared in her voice as she proclaimed her resolve. Hinata's brows slanted slightly with the rise of her chin. "I-I-I'm not sure why I told you all of that." Sakura chuckled, amused by the blush in Hinata's cheeks and the stammer that returned. Hinata gave a shy smile and stopped rubbing her thumbs together. Sakura thought Hinata was cute and shook her head as if trying to rid herself of the thought. But Sakura liked talking to Hinata, so she continued the conversation. They sat in the coffeeshop talking about everything and nothing. "D-d-do you want to g-g-o to Ramen Ichiraku with me tomorrow night?" The words spilled out like a train headed to a destination Sakura was unsure about.

"Um- uh- sure."

"Great! See you then!" Sakura said speedily and ran all the way home. Once at home, she stood behind her bedroom door, heart racing and trying to catch her breath. Why did she do that? Curiosity! That's it! She just wanted to know more about why Saskue liked her. She wanted to see more for herself.

The next night, Sakura shampooed her hair, put on her best jeans with a yellow blouse, and sprayed on a little perfume. "Ooooh, someone is going the extra mile for a friendly hangout," said Inner Sakura with crossed arms and a grin.

"Whatever, listen, it's simple. I just want to see what Saskue-kun sees in her. Besides, if I am friendly enough maybe I can calmly explain to her about my feelings for him."

"You mean, your infatuation?"

"Hmph." Sakura grabbed her purse, slipped on her best sandals and stomped off.

"Go get her tiger-cha!"

Sakura blushed and yelled, "It's not like that!" She stopped and realized she was talking to her front door closing. She groaned and marched off to Ramen Ichiraku.

Once Sakura arrived at the shop, she greeted Teuchi. He gave her a warm smile. "Sakura-chan! Finally gave Naruto a shot huh?"

Sakura sat down. "No, I'll be here with someone else."

"Saskue?" He asked incredulously.

Sakura pursed her lips to the side with furrrowed brows. "Haruno-San."

A train of thought was going to a destination she liked just fine. Sakura stammered to her feet, and she blushed. Hinata approached her in jeans, a dark blue blouse, and light purple cardiagan. "I love your outfit, Hyuuga-San."

"Thank you; please call me Hinata," she said as she sat.

"Right. Just as well, call me Sakura." They ordered. "Anything new since we last talked?"

"Well, I'm making some breakthroughs in developing my new jutsu. I practice every night near this waterfall." Sakura turned scarlet. So that was her that night in the forest. The memory of her movements came to mind. "I am working hard to be stronger." Syncing together Hinata's determination and seeing that in the way she moved that night made her more...interesting.

"You mean hot," said Inner Sakura.

"Shut up!" said Sakura in her head to Inner Sakura. She subconsciously raised a fist. Hinata looked at her curiously. Sakura scratched the back of her head, feeling slightly embarrassed. She searched for a way to continue the conversation or start a new topic. She noticed an orange scarf around Hinata's wrist this time. "Oh, another one?"

"Oh yeah, you pointing out my yellow scarf reminded me how much I liked sewing. I've been working so hard to change myself so I can be helpful to my teammates and not be a burden."

"I get that! I've been trying to summon the courage to ask Tsunade-sama to train me for the very same reason." Hinata and Sakura shared a smile. "Kakashi-Sensei spends most of his time with Saskue-kun. I've got skills; I just need help fleshing them out."

Hinata nodded. "That's why I train with Neji-chan. My battle with him in the Chunin Exams showed me I can face my fears." Hinata slurped her last noodle, drank the broth, and asked for her 3rd bowl. They talked about everything and nothing until almost closing time for the shop.

"I can see why Saskue-kun likes you!" Sakura blurted after a laughing conversation about Naruto.

Hinata's eyes widened and Sakura covered her mouth. "Can I- can I walk you home, Sakura-chan?"

"S-s-sure," Sakura responded.

"Ah, I see what's going on here," said Teuchi quietly to Sakura.

Sakura frowned. "I"m not sure what you mean."

Teuchi gave a thumbs up and a big smile. Sakura rolled her eyes, paid, and went to join Hinata to begin their walk to her home.

They walked in a comfortable silence under a starry, new moon sky. The sound of crunching, fall leaves sprinkled into the silence. "So are you two really dating?"

Hinata released a hearty giggle. "I cut my hair because I heard he liked girls with long hair."

"So...?"

"I turned him down, Sakura-chan." Hinata placed her scarfed wrist hand over her heart. "My heart belonged to someone else."

Sakura waited for relief to rain on her, but instead a soft sadness panged her heart. "What do you mean by belonged?"

"Well, there was someone who taught me how to never give up. I watched him for a long time pick himself up after being knocked down so many times. I thought I might love him, but loving someone up close and loving someone from far away are different."

"Hmmm..." Saskue's face popped into Sakura's mind. Had she ever loved him up close? Had she ever loved him at all?

"But, I am grateful for the courage he inspired in me." Hinata released a big sigh. Sakura nodded. "What about you?" Hinata asked. "Who does your heart belong to?"

"I'm actually not sure anymore." Sakura admitted. "But here's my place."

"Well, thank you for a lovely night. I would like to do it again sometime," said Hinata without a single stutter.

Sakura offered a small smile. "I would like that too."

"Good night, Sakura-chan."

"Good night, Hinata-chan."

The next day, Sakura marched into the Yamanaka Flowers. "Well, i it isn't Miss Billboard Brow."

Sakura reached out and rested her hand on Ino's arm. They met eyes for a moment. "Hey, I'm sorry about the other day."

"Is this a trick, Forehead Girl?"

"I mean it."

Ino saw that Sakura was serious. She saw in Sakura's eyes the same determination she had when they faced each other in the Chunin exams. "Apology accepted. What's going on with you. You seem different."

"A voice of connection made me think a little."

"Huh?"

"I asked Tsunade-sama to train me and she said yes. I'm going to spend my free time working on myself."

"Well, I wonder who knocked some sense into that big old head of yours." Ino teased happily. "What are you going to do now?"

Sakura walked towards the front door, glanced back with a knowing smile. "Isn't it obvious? I'm going to take your advice."