~Hiya, third chapter is up. Please, commend?? :3 If you like this, let me know or I might give up, if it's not worth it! Let me know what you think. I know it is boring so far but it is just the start so please bear with me as the plot unfolds! Kisses! ~

Run, Sakura, Run!

Airport of Fiumicino, Rome

Sunday, 16 of July, 12 am

''Sakuuuuraaa, hurry, you are going to miss the flight!'' Clair said in anxiety as she kept walking in a fast pace towards the airport's entrance, dragging one of Sakura's suitcases- the red one- along.

''Geee, Clair. And there I thought you were gonna miss me.'' Sakura teased as she dragged the heavy burden beside her as she made her way after the petite brunette.

''Of course, I will. But if we don't hurry now, the plane is going to part, look at the time! God Sakura, I always knew you had a problem with waking up but I never thought it was that bad.''the exasperated woman said as she eyed the people around her in a rush, making fast steps forwards.

''Sensei, it is not my fault. I had told you before that nothing can wake me up when I sleep. I never hear the clock alarm. What made you think I'd listen to the phone?''Sakura returned amused by her teacher's surprise. It was funny to see the always serious and collected woman behaving as if she was her mother hen that never grew out of taking care of her little child.

''That is why I came by your room, but I guess you didn't even hear the bell or the kicks I left on the hotel door or the yells that woke up everyone else in the building besides a certain pinkette. God, they even threatened to throw me out for your sake!''Clair said, pushing in furry some locks out of her face.

''Well, Clair…''Sakura said with a mocking familiarity ''…you should know better than do such stuff in a hotel.'' She said trying to hold back the amused grin that threatened her lips.

''You know how easily I freak out when it comes to my students…and especially to you, Sakura…cause I…'' the brunette said in a formal tone.

''..you care about us like we are your actual family, I know, sensei. And that is why we love you as we do.'' Sakura said as she finally caught up with the woman as they both pushed the wide glass doors of the entrance and made their way to the waiting hall, dragging Sakura's belongings along.

Semi relieved that they had finally reached their destination, Clair turned back to eye Sakura as she took her seat on a red chair next to some other people who were waiting for their flight.

Sakura sighed and imitated her, taking the seat to her left.

An affectionate familiar grin made its way to her teacher's lips.

''Aahh Sakura, you know how emotional I am, you don't want to say such things to me some hours before you go.'' The woman said twinkling her nose in uneasiness.

Sakura looked at her for a few moments and then giggled, nudging her softly with her elbow.

''Aww, sensei, you know that's not my intention. It is just that you are sooo awesome that I cant resist teasing you.''Sakura said smiling sweetly to the woman.

''Ooooh, ….sheesh!...now aren't you doing this on purpose?!''Clair broke in laughs along with her student as the two women were finally able to sit down and catch their breath since they had been running since 9 of the morning to catch the flight.

Sakura breaking the light atmosphere she had created on purpose, looked around her in curiosity as she rubbed her chin. She turned to look at Clair, question obvious in her eyes.

''Uh, how come it is so quiet today? We have been to airports before but usually there is a hell load of people crowding the waiting room. But today, I don't see but a few tourists? Is it a special day or something, today?''Sakura asked, leaning back in her chair.

Clair looked at her for some moments like she didnt understand her question then broke the silence.

''Oh well, today is Sunday and this company often doesn't have flights scheduled on Sundays. Don't ask why, I asked but they never told me. Guess we booked the flight on one of those ''blank'' Sundays they get lazy or something.'' The brunette said waving the tips of her fingers on the air as if it was something trivial.

Sakura looked at her for some moments, spaced out, trying to register what her teacher had just told her.

Finally, regaining her thoughts and voice, she shifted her gaze and stared in the brown eyes, in even bigger question and confusion than before.

''What do you mean blank Sundays? What no flight? Then, what are we doing here, today?''she asked, not being able to understand a single thing.

Clair looked at her as if had just found out the mystical ingredient to her grandma's infamous apple pie in Sakura's observation.

''Oh, damn me. I am so silly. I should have told you earlier but you see, you will be travelling with a jet set this time. You know those small luxurious little planes? Only this isn't as luxurious but it is made for few people non the less. And it is an emergency flight, meaning if you want to use this on a blank Sunday, you have to pay your ass off. Totally forgot to mention this to you with all our rash, sorry.'' The woman said crossing her legs as if she was narrating a casual gossip.

Sakura's face had started turning red due to her iritation for lack of understanding.

''Small plane? Pay my ass off? Wait, what do you mean? And why didnt you tell me before about all this? It is MY flight, you know. I believe I deserve to get some credit about it.'' Sakura said.

Clair eyed her apologetically.

''I know, hun. I am sorry. But it all happened so fast. Your mum called me after we returned to the hotel and begged me to book you the flight for Konoha this Sunday no matter what. And she sounded desperate, too. She told me to charge the ticket on her bank account, so it should be fine. You got to pay nothing, except for the snacks you will order during the flight. So it was all settled. You don't have to freak out about this. It is nothing really. Just needed to be done.''Clair said sitting straightly in her chair.

''Why does no one ever take ME into account? I will have to have a good talk with my mum once I get back. This is not the first time she does this kind of stuff.'' Sakura said tears of anger threatening her eyes.

''But honey, you know your mother loves you and does what she does out of interest. Why react like that to it? You aren't an angst teen anymore. You are 20, Sakura. Time to act like it, you know…''Clair said annoyed by Sakura's unexplainable hostility towards anything that had to do with her mother or even Konoha.

''Maybe, just maybe I would behave like an adult if you guys treated me like one. Just saying…''Sakura said as she crossed her hands in awe in front of her chest and shifted her gaze to the tourists around them who glanced at them bothered by their loud voices.

''Meeeh…''Clair brushed it off, not feeling in the mood to be bothered. She knew Sakura all these years, and she had grown to go along with her waters when needed. She knew Sakura wasnt a bad person deep down. But she had some weird obsessions she couldn't explain and probably never would since the pinkette didnt open up about anything personal to her teacher.

(Time skip-after 15 minutes of awaital)


Sakura glanced around her as the tourists started standing up in the sound of the voice that announced the flight's departure time was getting close through the stereos.

She cut short the casual chit chat she was having with Clair and stood up, turning to face her teacher with watery green orbs.

''I guess, it is time we said bye…''Sakura said, avoiding to look into Clair's eyes.

''Seems like it, hun.''Clair said as she closed the distance between her and Sakura and looked into the girl's eyes kindly.

''Damn you, Clair. Why am I always getting so emotional every summer? I havent changed at all, since the first day that I met you at that ballet school.'' Sakura said trying to hold back her tears as she wrapped her arms around her beloved sensei.

''Aww, honey, you know you have changed. When you came to me, you were a scared little girl that was afraid to show whom she really was. Now, you are a strong young confident woman that is working magic on her field. You are yourself, and this is admirable.'' Clair said, pushing back slightly to look into her student's eyes.

Sakura wiped the two tears that had rolled down her cheeks and broke into a childish giggle as she looked back at the brunette.

She always thought she hadnt changed much. At least, in appearance she hadnt. Sure, her features had become smoother and she had grown in her forehead but people who hadnt seen her for years recognised her when she went back to Konoha at holidays and summers.

But then again, she didnt think any less of her personality. Deep inside, it had stayed the same, minus a few changes.

She might not show it but she wasnt all what her teacher and the people who surrounded her made her out to be. At least, she never felt like she really was. Was everyone lying to her? The people from the press, the people from her field, her tutors, the contests she had won, was it all a lie that never really fitted her?

Clair left a soft kiss on her cheek as Sakura smiled to her one last time before mouthing a thank you and turning to resume her route to the ticket check, her stuff already placed into the special vehicle.

Everyone had already got in the plane and the woman to the sides of the entrance eyed her slightly annoyed, the fake smile never leaving her face.

''This way, miss.''she said extending her hand to receive the ticket.

Sakura smiled shyly, as she shoved her hands into her shoulder bag and undug a ticket which she quickly and clumsily handed to the clerk.

Confident my ass. She thought bitterly as the woman examined the ticket she had just received.

With a smile she turned to Sakura.

''You may enjoy your flight, please.''

And with that, Sakura entered the plane, without looking back to the moved Clair. She didnt feel like crying for the second time today.

Feeling the annoyed by her late entrance tourists burning holes on her sides and back, she made her way to the front, where her seat was to be, as indicated the number in her ticket.

Passing by the the middle line and while she made her way to the right one where the seat was, she accidentally pushed an old woman's plastic cup of coffee with her hips.

Gladly only a few drops stained the woman's monotone outfit but the old lady had a very sharp tongue in response.

''Watch were you're going there, missy…Sheesh, young people now days, having their head over the clouds all the time…''the woman said, trying to swipe the hot liquid away from her skirt in a fruitless attempt.

Sakura realizing what had happened with a quick glance over the old lady, she felt her cheeks blushing in awkwardness as she bowed slightly in an apologetic motion.

''Gomensai, I didn't notice. I apologize.''she said in a low tone, grinning sadly and in uneasiness as the old woman looked at her annoyed, and muttered something that didn't sound very kind before returning her attention to the dark brown spots on her skirt.

Sakura looked down embarassed as she resumed her brief route to her seat, feeling like a total wreck down due to the small episode.

Some confidence I have, letting every idiot I run onto affect me like that. She thought bitterly as she put on a calm facade and looked on the number of the seat.

Yep, that's it.

She looked around her self assuringly, not wanting to let anyone ruin her trip and with a sigh she sat down on her small but comfortable grey seat.

''So what now? Will you still keep your angry facade at me for leaving today?'' Sasuke asked tired as he laid his head back on his seat, leaving the magazine he was reading rest on his knees.

''Facade? Oh trust me, Uchiha, this is not a facade. You wish it was! And it is all your fault!'' Nao returned like a spoiled brat as she looked out of her window stubbornly.

''How is it my fault? Your father's words were exactly:'' Be back by 16 July.'' It is not my fault he has trust issues with me. Besides, what made you change like that, Nao? Yesterday, you seemed just fine just ''to be with me''. I really don't understand you, sometimes.'' Sasuke sighed, pushing black locks out of his annoyed face. That girl was too much trouble sometimes. He didnt know if she was too fierce, too immature or too bipolar above her as annoying fan girlism.

''And you had to listen to him, didnt you? My father's dog ,as usual!''she said nagging like a child.

With a sharp move, she turned to glare at him in pissed eyes, as she grabbed the magazine resting on his lap and hitting his front with it.

''Here! Read this! I am sure it is more interesting than me!''she said sarcastically.

Noticing the other passengers eyeing them frustrated by their childish quarrel, Sasuke glared back at her, trying to nod her to be quiet.

''I could care less to do as your father wishes. I only do this so he allows us to be together. Why do you act as if you don't know him or me at all, sometimes?'' he asked in a low tone, yet annoyed as ever.

''Maybe I don't know you that fine, Sasuke-kun. How's that?'' the black haired girl asked, sending silent death glares his way.

Sasuke softened up , deciding to be the mature one, as he usually did when it came to her for the sake of his own reasons.

He sighed and looked at her, trying to change the subject.

''Want me to ask the waitress to bring you something? It isn't good staying hungry.'' He said remembering as they had left their hotel in a rash this morning and neither of them had eaten breakfast.

''Whatever. Read your magazine, Sasuke, and leave me alone.'' She said looking at him in hurt pride for some moments before turning her head abruptly like a spoiled two year old to her side window.

Sasuke's glance fell on the ground, as he gave up trying to make it up with her. He sighed softly and leaned back on his chair, looking at the piece of paper on his lap uninterested.

She had only brought one magazine with her and it was about hair dyes and make up.

Snapping at the realization of what he was holding, he blushed in embarrassment, and quickly placed the leaflet under his chair to get rid of it before the people next to him started doubting his sexuality all of a sudden.

''Like I can…''he whispered in a tone only he could hear and he closed his eyes trying to push all the anxiety away. For some reason, going back to Konoha stressed him. Even with Nao at his side all the time, he had enjoyed his little escape from his every day life and he felt that he would miss that feeling of freedom their vacation had offered to him , even if briefly.

He dwelled into silence in defeated mood, thinking of ways to deal with the idea of returning back to everything that secretly corroded him, in Konoha. Looking at his lap, he took on playing with his fingers in boredom. Dreading the boring journey that awaited them, with one shift move he took his cell phone out from the little bag resting by his feet. Taking a look at the virtual clock, it felt like the right time to text his mother that he was finally aboard and on his way back to Konoha, as much as he hated the last.

He wasnt the type who liked filling his people into any little thing or not he did but his mother was always pressuring him to report to her when he was away from his hometown and by time he had grown accoustoumed to it. It bothered him less, anymore, and he did it mostly to not upset her. Cause bad things happened his mother got all upset and worried. Very bad things…he thought shrugging at the memories.

He snapped out of his thoughts, when a sudden little commotion , some seats in front of him, at the middle line, caught his attention, bored as he was.

''Sheesh, young people nowadays, having their head over the clouds all the time…''

The sound of an annoyed deep female voice had him turn his head in a 90 angle to the right,as it was the first thing that broke the deadly silence that ruled in the small plane, ever since his quarrel with his future wife had came to an end.

First thing he saw was her hips.

Nice ass. He raised an eye brow examining the female slender sillouette that was standing next to the old woman whose voice had pierced his ears some seconds ago.

Snapping out of his inappropriate thoughts, his eyes quickly wandered to the top of the back of her well shaped body.

And he spaced out for some moments, his mind unable to register anything when his eyes caught view of pink color.

Her hair…

And within seconds of this observation the girl had turned back to face the old bag, a bitter smile gracing her shy blushing face and a fake serenity ghosting her green orbs, as she muttered something barely audible, probably an apology.

The recognition spread like a lightning across his face, his eyes feeling with disbelief and strong emotion after a very long time.

Sakura

…Sakura…?

R&R?

:D