Serena- Back to school soon… oh, well…. Anyways, here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer- I own nothing except my Original Characters, but even then- they have a mind of their own. I also own the poem thing-y so you can't have that unless you ask.

A/N- Sasuke will most likely be OOC in this chapter… Sorry in advance!

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Boundless

By: Serena

Chapter 12

Into the Working World

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April 30th

Could life get any better? Sasuke and Ino had no relationship above the object of affection and the rabid fan girl. Then, to top it all off, if my other half was being truthful (not something that happens too often) then Sasuke kissed me!

So life had just about reached its peek. The only thing that could have made it better would be if Kirinonai was there to enjoy it with me.

No. I thought, pushing the thoughts from my mind. I have accepted the fact that she is gone and dead and is never coming back!

Yet, even as I silently spoke the words, I knew I didn't believe them. Leaving Orochimaru's was the first step in getting over her death, now it was time to let her go. And yet, I didn't want to. I had always been weak, and she had always been strong. I saw her as my strength… no wonder after her death I would return to my weak state.

It turns out, Konoha has a greenhouse that supplies the town with herbs and poisons. I had gone to Tsunade's office to ask her about it and she had seemed greatly surprised.

"You work with plants?" She had asked.

I had nodded. "That's what I did for Orochimaru. Making deadly hybrids was my last project."

It had been her turn to nod. "I'm sure they have a position open. It pays rather well… and they could always use an extra hand. Most ninjas don't want to work in the greenhouse, so it would be perfect for you." She had looked down at a piece of paper and sighed. Taking a large stamp she had hammered it down on the paper. "Do you want me to put in a good word for you?"

I had blushed and looked down, embarrassed that she would want to help me. "N-no, that's okay!"

When I returned home that afternoon, I asked Sasuke about his thoughts on me getting a job. His exact words were, "It's about time you finally added some money to the fund."

My gaze rested on the wooden floor. "I-I'm sorry… I didn't know I was being a burden…"

He gave his trademark "hmph" and walked out the door- most likely to train. I've noticed it was his favorite past time.

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The job itself was easy and my boss was a lovely old lady by the name of Yuri. She had me do exactly what I had done for Orochimaru- keep the plants of her choosing in stock. Now however, I was not alone in the greenhouse. Three other people worked there, though I didn't talk to them much.

Being in a place filled with green life was refreshing compared to the last time I had been surrounded by flowers- the day at Yamanaka's Flowers. I no longer referred to Ino-ikeike as Yamanaka-chan anymore.

Purely Tenten's suggestion. I had told both her and Hinata what had happened- swearing them to secrecy beforehand. I purposely discluded Sakura, not wanting to hurt her hopes by telling her that Sasuke had most likely kissed me.

After getting my first paycheck, I stopped at the main street. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, however I somehow found myself at the door of Yamanaka's Flowers. The thought of talking to Ino-ikeike was the only thing that stopped me from opening the door. I was about to turn around and leave when I heard,

"- Sasuke-kun - flowers?" I stopped at Sasukes name and placed my back against the wall. People gave me strange looks as I slid to the window, wanting to hear more.

"None of your business." I recognized the annoyance in Sasuke's voice after experiencing it many a times.

"So you're just randomly getting flowers for yourself?" Sasuke was getting flowers? The mere mental picture of him holding a bouquet of multi-colored flowers made me stifle a giggle.

"They are for someone special to me." Someone special to Sasuke? "Other than that, it's none of your business."

"You can tell me? Can't you?" I could just picture Ino-ikeike leaning over the counter, chest protruded, flirting shamelessly with my Sasuke.

Whoa. My Sasuke. Where did that come from? I was pushed from my turmoiled thoughts as Sasuke-not my Sasuke- replied in an emotionless voice, "Do you really want to know?"

Oh gosh. Discluding his tone and based solely on his words... it sounded like Sasuke was flirting back. Ino-ikeike gave no verbal reply so I assumed she nodded.

"The flowers are for Rui-chan."

My emotions were caught between surprise and embarrassment. However, either way, I felt my face light up like a candle. There was something very strange going on... especially since Sasuke referred to me as 'Rui-chan'... something he had never done...

Deciding I had overstayed my welcome, I slinked away. Walking home, I couldn't keep the smile from my face. Everything was unbelievable. I was still trying to wrap my mind around all the events of this past week as I turned the corner to Sasuke's house.

Upon entering the house, I snatched a book of various healing herbs and stretched out on the couch, nonchalantly. Not two minutes later Sasuke walked through the door - empty handed. I was surprised- to say the least.

Where were the flowers meant for me? He made his way to the connecting kitchen without a word towards me. As though noticing my look of confusion at the back of his head, Sasuke poured himself a cup of tea, saying, "Stop gawking."

I shut my mouth and looked back at my book, dejected. I had actually finished the book when I was ten years old, but I had recently decided to focus on memorizing it all-just incase the I needed the information. With my new job, I refused to be a burden to all the other workers- thats just what they needed, a child that got in their way.

After a few moments, Sasuke came to sit next to me. The couch bounced slightly under the new weight, and while I noticed it, I didn't acknowledge him in the least bit. "What's so important that your entire face is screwed up in concentration?"

I looked up in surprise. "Huh?" Oh, the wonderous vocabulary of I!

"You looked so determinded. Why?" His face was still neutral, deadpanned if I must elaborate. Still same old Sasuke... minus some flowers...

I turned the book so that the cover was facing Sasuke. His eyes skimmed over it as I said, "I'm trying to memorize this, but my memory isn't very good, so it takes a lot of effort." That in itself was an understatement.

Sometimes after Shatto Umou, if I have a really bad attack, I lose some of my memories. Not big chunks, but enough where I'd be confused about certain details. Three years had passed since I had finished the book and I couldn't remember half of the information... I could still name all the herbs featured in the book, but that was about it.

He nodded and left for his room.