Sakura sighed as she looked down at her charts. Already she could tell it was going to be a slow day. Although she had been gone for two weeks there weren't that many patients to look after so there wasn't a lot of work for her to catch up on, but that didn't mean she still didn't have work to do. Sighing once again, she made her way down the quiet, white hall, her footsteps echoing with every step. It was definitely going to be a slow day.

---

"So he's settling in well enough?"

"So it would seem."

"Hmmm."

"Is there something wrong?"

"You're holding something from me." A well-formed smirk showed through the dark mask.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's true." Shrugging Kakashi smiled shaking his head.

"Well if that's the case it must be so."

"Kakashi." The hokage said sternly. Dropping his act the silver haired jounin grew serious.

"He's falling into place, but not perfectly."

"That's to be expected."

"True."

"Then what's the problem?"

"It takes me than just outer appearances." The hokage's head tilted to the side slightly, not understanding what he meant. "Mentally he hasn't settled yet, far from it actually." Folding her hands before her, the hokage waited for him to continue before adding her input. "The villagers and many of the other shinobi have yet to accept him. It'll most likely take a quite a while for them to trust him, some may never." He paused, thinking about his former student, his one eye gazing out the window. "Even if he denies it, that rejection among other things is slowly building up on him psychologically."

"So what are you saying?" Closing his visible eye, he voiced his prediction.

"He'll most likely leave, for good." The two remained silent assessing the situation in their minds. The hokage's eyes closing slightly as her thoughts ran through her mind. With everything, he had been through the likelihood of that taking even would be more than likely.

"I see." She paused taking a deep breath. "We'll just have to wait and see what he does then."

"So it would seem."

---

Stretching her stiff arms, Sakura groaned. Near the end of her shift three heavily injured shinobi had been brought in. Although their mission had been a success, they were all pushed to their limits. Rubbing her shoulder, she continued towards her home, already planning to take a long bath. The sun had long set, a cold breeze roaming through the calm village. It felt peacefu8l, but at the same time lonely. Her thoughts drifted back, trailing to the lone Uchiha. It had been well over a month now but things remained the same. The villagers were no closer to accepting him and he was no closer to opening up to anyone. She knew it was futile to even hope he'd come to her. She knew he was well aware of her feelings for him, but that didn't matter. His feelings were not the same, they never were. Times had changed, and no matter how things would have ended up, those feelings would never be returned in the way she would want. She knew this, but she couldn't change what was already etched deep within her heart. The only thing she could do is help him in any way she could. Sighing, she gazed up at the sky, the stars shining brightly above her. But it'll be ok...somehow.

Sounds of what seemed to be of someone training broke her thoughts not having realized how far she had walked or what path she had taken, she found herself at the training grounds. Looking over she could somewhat make out a figure intensely training. Standing still, she squinted to try to make out whom it was that was out training at such an hour. Is that Lee-san? No those movements, they don't look like his. Watching the figure closely she waited for the clouds over head to move, so the light would help her to reveal the mysterious shinobi. It wasn't long when the lazily drifting clouds made their way across the darkened sky; it's light illuminating what had been in shadow moments before. "Sasuke." She gasped softly quite surprised to find the Uchiha there so late. Tempted to call out to him, she stood unable to move from that spot full of indecision; unsure whether or not she should bother him. If he was out at this hour, it was probably because he wanted to be left alone. Watching him for a few minutes more, she managed to pull herself away, resuming her walk home. If that were the case, she would let him be. Taking a last look behind her, she could still see him training intensely not once stopping to take a break.

---

Hearing the footsteps growing fainter, the pale-skinned boy lowered his hand, the shuriken pressed firmly between two fingers. Turning around he watched as his nightly visitor walked away, her pink hair still visible under the light of the half-shadowed moon.

---

Calmly walking down the street, arms behind his golden hair, Naruto caught sight of light blonde hair. Making his way over he greeted her. "Oh hey Naruto." She replied making short eye contact with him. Lowering his arms he noticed her rather edgy.

"You ok Ino?"

"Huh yeah, why do you ask?" She asked him finally looking over at him.

"You seem, how should I put it, um jumpy."

"Oh, sorry I was looking for Sasuke-kun."

"Sasuke?"

"Yeah I heard he sometimes comes here in the morning. I was hoping to get to talk to him. I haven't seen much of him."

"Oh, well," He looked around, "It doesn't seem like he's here." Rolling her eyes, Ino refrained from yelling at him.

"I can see that." Sighing she shrugged deciding to just give up, when she spotted Sakura quickly making her way down. "Oh Sakura!" She called out waving at the girl. Spotting them, she slowed down.

"Morning." She greeted out of breath.

"You ok?" Naruto asked her, noticing her panting rather heavily.

"Yeah, I'm a little late."

"Overslept again didn't you forehead girl?" Scowling Sakura held her tongue, deciding to ignore Ino's comment, though she was screaming many things in her head to the girl.

"Did you need me for something because I really need to go?"

"Oh right have you seen Sasuke-kun today?"

"Sasuke? No, I haven't actually. He might be training though; you should try looking around the training grounds. Well I have to go now. See you later." Excusing herself Sakura quickly made her way to the hospital. Figuring he might as well go too, Naruto started when Ino stopped him.

"Say Naruto."

"Yeah." He looked back at her wondering what was on her mind now.

"Since when has Sakura been so close to Sasuke-kun?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Realizing he hadn't picked up on it quite yet she shook her head.

"Never mind, I'll see you later."

"Uh, okay." A little puzzled he shrugged it off as he left Ino behind in thought.

I wonder.