Theme # 28 – Wada Calcium CD3

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

---Sasuke-kun likes taller girls?---

"I can get around perfectly well by myself!"

The bell tinkled as the door to Konoha's apothecary swung open.

"Irasshai mase!" Sakuno scrambled up to greet the incoming customers, but it was clear to the old woman that they did not hear her.

The pink-haired medic-nin stormed in, obviously agitated. Her companion, on the other hand, was the complete opposite – stoic and composed – exactly what was expected from an Uchiha.

"I'm capable of running these errands. You don't need to follow me around!"

"Hn."

"Are you listening to me, Sasuke-kun?"

"… Just hurry up."

A scowl appeared on Sakura's face. "Why?"

"Hn."

"Sasuke…"

The Uchiha recognized that dangerous tone. It was the same one he heard right before she punched him and sent him flying into the wall of Orochimaru's lair two years ago. He hastily replied, "It's getting dark."

Sakura's countenance brightened as she laughed and pointed to the sun shining brightly outside. "Sure, Sasuke-kun." She grasped his hand and pulled him over to the counter.

"Uchiha-sama," said Sakuno politely, giving a little bow. Turning to Sakura, she exclaimed, "Ah! Sakura-chan! I haven't seen you in here for ages!"

Smilingly, Sakura handed over a list of medicines and drugs, neatly written in her delicate handwriting. "Yes. It has been too long."

Sakuno set to work gathering the necessary items, but continued to chat with her customers. "I remember the last time I saw you in my shop." She grinned at Sakura, who blushed and mumbled out something unintelligible.

"What did you say, dear?"

"Could we not talk about this… Especially since the cause of that is standing right here?"

That caught his attention. "What does this have to do with me?"

Bundling up everything into a brown paper bag, Sakuno smiled as Sakura unsuccessfully tried to convince Sasuke that it was just some silly story and he certainly didn't want to waste his time listening to nonsense.

Obviously, Sasuke didn't take that for an answer.

It was surprising to see the lone survivor of the Uchiha clan behave this way. Though it had been two years since he came back to Konoha, his personality had remained unchanged. He was still cold and indifferent to the people around him, with the exception of his former teammates. He rarely talked in public and when he did, his words were short and few.

But now, he was engaged in a 'Tell me.' 'No.' 'Tell me.' 'No!' battle with the Godaime's apprentice.

"Tell me."

"No."

"Fine. I'll ask Sakuno-san."

"Don't you dare!"

"Watch me. Sakuno-san, can you – "

"Don't tell him!" Frantically, Sakura grabbed hold of Sasuke's hand and had to summon her superhuman strength to drag him out. She called apologetically to Sakuno, "Bye, Sakuno-san! Thank you!" before disappearing from view with the Uchiha in tow.

---

:: flashback ::

"Hey, forehead girl."

The blonde crouched low next to eight year old Sakura, who was carefully picking wildflowers in the meadow near the school. Sakura was so absorbed in deciding which flower to add to her bouquet that she didn't even hear Ino.

"Forehead girl?"

Shove.

"Owww… Ino, why did you do that?"

"You weren't listening to me. Here, I want to show you something!"

Sakura watched curiously as Ino pulled a little bottle out of her pocket and thrust it triumphantly into the air.

"What's this?"

"Forehead girl, can't you read? These are calcium pills."

"…"

"…"

"What about them?"

Sigh. "Sakura, haven't you heard the news?"

Silence.

"About Sasuke-kun?"

"Huh? What about Sasuke-kun?"

Ino grinned. "I knew you would start listening more carefully after that. I heard from very reliable sources that Sasuke-kun…" She let her voice trail off and looked Sakura in the eye to make sure she was listening.

Sakura gestured for her to continue.

The blonde leaned even closer as if she was about to disclose the biggest secret in the world. "… That Sasuke-kun likes taller girls." Ino happily waved the bottle around.

---

The bell tinkled as the door to Konoha's apothecary swung open.

"Irasshai mase!" Sakuno peered down at her and smiled warmly. "Well, if it isn't little Sakura-chan. What can I do for you, my dear?"

Sakura bit her lip nervously. In ten years, no one would have suspected that the beautiful and confident cherry blossom who practically ran Konoha's hospital was once this shy and timid girl.

"Ano… Do… D-do you have any calcium pills?"

Sakuno swore that she saw this coming. Sakura was the eighth little girl today who came in, asking for calcium pills. What's going on? Has a wave of osteoporosis suddenly swept Konoha?

Pushing away her thoughts for a second, she kindly asked, "How many would you like?"

---

The setting sun saw Sakura out of the apothecary. Sakuno watched, bemused, at the startling contrast between the skinny girl and the two bulky bags that sandwiched her in the middle. I'm willing to bet that that was all of her allowance.

Letting out a little sigh, she turned and walked to the storage room in the back After spending a good ten minutes searching through and pushing away different boxes, Sakuno frowned. I guess she really did buy all of them…

:: end flashback ::

---

Sasuke leaned over and pressed his lips against the side of his girlfriend's head, surprising both himself and Sakura. He wasn't the openly affectionate type, but somehow, he found her story incredibly endearing. To think that she would actually waste all of her money to buy those calcium pills…

"Baka…"

"Mou…" Sakura pouted, as she turned her head to look up at him. "You told me you weren't going to say anything!"

"How could I not? That was rather foolish of you."

She halted, and Sasuke had no choice but to stop walking as well. "I was little! I didn't know better."

Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "Oh? But surely you would have known better than to listen to Ino." He tugged on her hand, and once again, the two shinobi fell into a leisurely gait down the road.

"She's my friend. Of course I would listen to her."

"… Hn. Ino's usually wrong though."

Sakura gave him a light shove. "Hey. Watch it, buster. This is Ino we're talking about."

Slipping his hands into his pockets, he replied, "I'm just speaking from past experience. Wasn't Ino the one who suggested that I only wanted to date you, because I needed a 'baby-making machine'?"

"…"

"And I also recall Ino being the one who told you that I liked girls with long hair." He gently stroked her short pink locks, before letting his hand drop. "That turned out to be false as well."

Sakura blushed prettily from his touch, however brief it was.

"Besides, why would you ever think that I liked tall girls?"

They stopped in front of the Uchiha complex. Shrugging slightly, Sakura pushed open the gate and walked in. "I don't know. I guess I was kind of foolish back then, ne?"

"Absolutely."

"Hey!"

Sasuke winced as she punched him on the arm, none too gently. He smirked as she fumbled with the keys, before taking them out of her hand and opening the door himself. Sakura tore off her shoes and tossed them carelessly onto the ground. Frowning, he picked them up and carefully placed them on the shoe rack that would have remained unused if not for Sasuke's meticulous ways of living.

The Uchiha prodigy leaned against the counter of the kitchen as Sakura sorted out the day's purchases. "Honestly, what were you thinking, taking so many at once?"

Sakura scowled at him. "Quiet, you."

"I'm surprised you didn't get kidney stones from all that calcium."

"I'm trying to work!… I just wanted to grow taller, so you'd notice me." Sakura looked down suddenly, reminding Sasuke of the little girl she was when Team 7 first formed.

Giving a little sigh, Sasuke slid into the seat next to her. "Baka. Taking calcium pills won't make you taller. For the Godaime's apprentice, you sure aren't very bright."

The meek look disappeared from her face, and her eye twitched. "I was eight!"

He loved it when she looked like this, all fired up. It was so easy to tease her. Sliding his arm around her waist, he leaned close to her. "Hai, hai. But surely you know by now that I'm not interested in tall women at all."

Sakura bit her lip. She recognized that look in his eyes. It was the same look he gave her right before he… Focus, Sakura! You have work to do. Can't. Let. Him. Distract. You.

Stroking her cheek lightly, he let his hand drop down to a certain part of her body and whispered in her ear. "I don't like my women taller than me."

Inwardly groaning, Sakura knew she had better wake up extra early tomorrow, because no way was any work going to be done tonight. Her voice went up a notch as he nibbled on her earlobe. "That's… because you're a control freak."

Pulling back and looking at her with darkened eyes, he let a lecherous smirk cross his face. "You weren't complaining about that last night."

Sakura blushed red.

"In fact, I distinctly remember you moaning – "

"Sasuke!"

---owari---

AN: So sorry for the late update! I'm staying up pretty late to finish this. I apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes. I didn't edit this very thoroughly. I'll do that tomorrow.

Not sure if I liked the way this turned out… Oh well.

I'm really into Prince of Tennis (Tennis no Ohjiisama) right now. Do you guys think I should start writing stuff for that too?