Ch. Title: His Hope

Theme: Girl literally forgets boy, boy had to prove himself to girl etc etc etc.

Genre: Angst/Romance/Comedy

Word Count: 2,655

Pairing: Sasuke and Sakura

Ch. Summary: Ino's operation to help Sakura regain her memory loss part 2 have been commenced and our dark-haired avenger was losing hope? This isn't like you, Sasuke.

A/N: This chapter is inspired by Leona Lewis' song, Yesterday.

Disclaimer: The song was not mine.

"They can take the future that we'll never know
They can take the places that we said we would go
All the broken dreams take everything
Just take it away

But they can never have yesterday"

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That afternoon…

When the Yamanaka kunoichi gathered her 'actors' for the skit that she's planning to show Sakura, immediately her fellow rookies went to her house that very afternoon.

Apparently she was planning to make the Forest of Death – Chuunin exams scene. In which her Team members accidentally stumbled upon Team seven's sudden encounter with the enemy village and her team members defended the very battered and exhausted Sakura from the Sound ninjas.

She then hastily prepared their scripts and when the last actors knocked on the door, she hurriedly opened it and saw the former kyuubi container with a grumpy face while alongside him is the pale-faced anbu agent, Sai.

Upon seeing the duo, the cerulean-eyed blonde just exclaimed, "You guys are late!"

Naruto heavily sighed and just responded, "We showed up, didn't we?"

Upon hearing Naruto's sarcastic comment, she rolled her eyes at him and gestured the two to come inside her house. The Uzumaki ninja saw that Ino even converted their living room area into an improvised set, complete with a forest backdrop and lightings. The former kyuubi host just heavily sighed at the sight of it.

The Yamanaka kunoichi then happily clapped her hands and announced, "Alright, since all the cast are all here, let's begin, shall we?"

It seems like not only Naruto and Sai that she convinced to star on her silly play, but the former kyuubi host also noticed that his former classmates were also there, primarily Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino and Nara Shikamaru starring as the sound trio.

Akimichi Choji as their cameraman and Rock Lee as Rock Lee. He then also saw the silly set and backdrop that resembles a forest and a video camera across.

Upon seeing their fabulous set, Naruto gaped at it while inwardly mused, 'She really outdid it this time.'

The Yamanaka kunoichi then cleared her throat and went to get the attention of the crowd from her living room and happily stated,

"Ehem! I'm really thankful for all of you who were going to take part on my Operation: Help Forehead to Remember Her Lost Memories aka. Operation: HFRHLM. As all you know, our dear Sakura had lost some part of her memory and we're here to help her regain it again. So this time, we'll videotaping this skit and let her watch it and see if she can remember those missing memory in her life."

She then continued, "Anyway, now that you're all dressed as your supposed characters and I know you've already rehearsed your lines…Scene one—action!"

Uzumaki Naruto lazily dragged his feet on the center with his co-teammate alongside him, it seems like this scene will be the one where Sakura was just attacked by the sound ninjas and Sasuke just woke up from his curse seal.

He then widened his eyes when he realized that he'll be playing the former avenger and the pale-faced anbu will be playing Sakura. He then exclaimed, "Hold on! Why is it that Sai will be playing Sakura-chan? He's a guy!"

The Yamanaka kunoichi just rolled her eyes from Naruto's whinny attitude and retorted, "Because I'm the director/producer and writer and I said so."

Upon hearing her diabolical reply, the Uzumaki blonde just sighed dejectedly and went along with the rest of her plan. After all this is for his teammate, Sakura.

The Yamanaka kunoichi loudly announced, "Alright, let's do it one more time and action!"

Naruto then quickly proceeded to his spot, while Sai who is now dressed as the battered Sakura seated across him. This is the scene where Uchiha Sasuke woke up from Orochimaru's curse seal.

The former kyuubi host stood up slowly and recited the lines, "Sakura…who did that to you?"

He was looking across Sai who is now Sakura. The former root agent then realized it was his turn to act and he remembered from the script that he'll be just staring at Naruto's change form and acting plainly shock.

Upon not hearing from the "Sakura" actor across the set, Naruto continued his line with, "Who did it?" while glaring at the sound trio.

Then Naruto heard the former root agent whispering shockingly the words, "Sasuke-kun, your body?"

Upon hearing those words, Naruto decided to announce his next lines and thought if this really happened back then. He didn't know what happened at forest of death when Sasuke woke up because he was unconscious, He then replied, "Don't worry, not only that I feel power overflowing from me, I feel great."

After doing that scene, it was the time for other 'sound ninja' to announce his line. It seems like it was Kiba who was casted as Zaku.

Kiba then momentarily announced, "We did it!"

When the former kyuubi host heard those words, Naruto instantly glared at him and announced, "Now, It was you guys, right?"

Then Shikamaru Nara who was playing Dosu the second sound ninja entered the scene and Kiba as Zaku exclaimed, "Dosu! No need to be afraid of this half dead freak."

"No, Zaku, don't you realize—?!"

Kiba as Zaku then shouted, ignoring Shikamaru's character's protest, "Ultimate Zankuuha! Heh. I've blown him away!"

Naruto immediately teleported at Kiba's back and growled, "Blown away who?"

After hearing those words, Kiba's character Zaku was literally blown away by Naruto's character, Sasuke.

The Yamanaka kunoichi saw how good they're acting this scene and she was proudly satisfied by it. She then happily clapped at the other side of the room.

While Shikamaru who was shaking his head and watching the scene still mused, 'Naruto and Kiba…They're really getting on it. They're too intense to watch.'

It is the turn of the former kyuubi host to announce his line, "Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu!" Upon hearing Naruto's jutsu, the Inuzuka ninja shouted, "So what? I'll blast them away!"

Then Uzumaki Naruto teleported behind Kiba and grabbed his arms backwards. He then acted as being possessed by an evil energy and devilishy grinned at the 'sound ninja'.

Naruto announced his next line, "Hehe. So, you're really proud of these arms of yours?"

While Kiba acted that he was in pain and screamed in agony. Upon seeing this, Sai as Sakura hurriedly stood up from his place and ran towards Naruto and Kiba. The former root agent suddenly hugged the backside of Naruto and screamed, "Stop!"

Sai with her high-pitched girl voice murmured, "Please stop, Sasuke-kun!"

Uzumaki Naruto widened his eyes when he saw Sai holding him back and he realized that his teammate was hugging him tightly and he slowly wiggled from his arms and gritted his teeth, "Sai, not too close! What the hell are you doing?!"

The former root agent protested back, "But the script says Ugly hugged Sasuke-kun's back tightly, like it was a scene from one of those romance movies."

Naruto deliberately shook his body away from Sai's grasp and pointed at him angrily blushing at the emotionless former root agent, "But it's too uncomfortable—I'm not g—I don't swing that way!"

Upon watching the bantering between the two idiots who ruined the great scene, Ino shouted angrily, "Cut! What the heck was that?!"

The former kyuubi host exclaimed angrily, "Sai's hugging me too close and Ugh! D-Did that really happened?"

The Yamanaka kunoichi rolled her eyes at his statement and "Yes, Naruto. She did and I was there, in fact…Shikamaru and Choji and the unconscious Lee was also there except for Kiba who was with his team and you who was lying unconsciously on the floor, remember?"

When Naruto heard those words, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Alright but, I'm not doing that again and can some other actors act that part? Preferably a girl not a man? I don't think Sakura-chan will be glad that Sai was acting her part. No offense, Sai."

Ino just sighed at Naruto's ramblings and screeched, "Alright, alright…You win, but we already captured the action part of it anyway. We just needed to re-do the "Hug scene". I'll just find another actor who could do that part later."

It seems like they're already finished for the day and Inuzuka Kiba exclaimed, "So are we guys finished? Make sure you've captured my awesome action scenes!"

The Nara ninja face palmed when he heard the commotion and said, "Yeah…yeah…This is too troublesome. I need to go home now."

The Yamanaka kunoichi clapped her hands in the air and announcing that they were finish for today, "Alright that's it for today, thank you guys for coming. We'll do the "hug scene" tomorrow and Naruto make sure you'll be here and I promise I will find someone who can act that part."

Naruto then turned towards Ino and said, "Okay just let me know if you've found someone who could act that part. Let's go now, Sai."

After thanking and saying goodbye to her former classmates, Ino smiled at their retreating backs and finally they have made progress for today. She can't wait for the film to be finished and show it to her best friend.

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The next day at Haruno's residence…

Uchiha Sasuke decided to visit her pink-haired teammate at her own house. He went to Naruto's apartment yesterday afternoon after his physical examination, but it seems like he was outside. He then decided to check up on her on his own.

He remembered their encounter yesterday at the hospital and he still smirked inwardly when he touched her hand and he saw her blushing and avoiding immediately his stare.

Before going to her house, he decided to bring some daffodil bouquet. He then knocked thrice at her front door. After the third knock, his expression turned to dismay when a familiar individual opened the door.

It was the Kumogakure ninja who suddenly opened the door and it seems like this idiot was already been before Sakura's house. He then inwardly thought, 'What is he doing here?'

The Kumogakure Ninja greeted the former avenger, "Uchiha-san! I never thought I'll be seeing you here. Welcome!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at his "heart-warming" welcome and inwardly mused, 'Welcome?'

The Kumogakure ninja continued, "Oh…before that, remember what I told you the other day, it seems like I've making a progress, but she hardly seems like she can't still remember you. Pardon me for asking this, but are you and Sakura-san are…?"

Upon realizing his question, Sasuke's expression darkened and he quickly replied,

"No."

The annoying blonde ninja's face lightened up upon hearing his response and croaked, "So that's it, maybe that's why she can't still remember that memory. Anyway, I'm glad that she seems opening up at me every day and I just want you to know that I'm making a progress."

The former avenger nodded slowly at his explanation and hurriedly told him, "Hn. I see. I forgot I had something to do, can you give this to her."

Sasuke proceeded to give his bouquet on the Kumogakure man and hurriedly turned his heel away from the door.

The Kumo ninja just grinned at him and bellowed, "Oh…I thought you'll be staying, don't worry. I'll tell her you'd stopped by today."

After hearing the click of the front door. Uchiha Sasuke saw the skies darkened and it seems like it was about to rain. He then put his hands inside his pockets and walked away from the scene.

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That night…At the Ichiraku…

Uzumaki Naruto slurped the last bowl of his ramen and upon hearing those words from his best friend, he exclaimed shockingly, "What?! You're not going to visit her anymore?"

The dark-haired ninja just grunted, "I've had enough."

But Naruto insisted on asking and narrowed his eyes, looking at his newly finished ramen bowl asking his best friend, "You think that Kumogakure guy is serious about Sakura-chan?"

Uchiha Sasuke shrugged and sighed and avoiding the stares of Naruto and the Yamanaka kunoichi and honestly replied, "I don't know."

The Yamanaka kunoichi then interjected and told her fair share of opinion, "But that's awful, Sasuke-kun! I can't believe he was making a move towards her."

Upon hearing those words, the former kyuubi container as temperamental as he is, quickly stood up from the ramen stand and made a gesture that he's cracking his knuckles and announced loudly, "We'll go over there and I'll pound his face!"

The dark-haired ninja just smirked at his annoying friend and bellowed, "Hn. You don't need to do that, Dobe." Sasuke grabbed Naruto's arm and gestured him to sit down from the chair.

Naruto then calmed down and went back to his seat, "But what?! Are we just going to stand here doing nothing?"

The dark-haired ninja then realized that if he can't compete directly with this Kumogakure ninja without tearing up his silly face, he then thought that he would fight fairly, given that Sakura just lost her memory of him, not her feelings towards him.

So after thinking about it and after the hospital incident, he was sure that in no time, she'll be remembering those lost memories and feelings for him.

He then glared at Naruto and growled, "Don't worry. This isn't about that Kumogakure ninja, I'm betting even with her memory loss, and her having to start a new life, that she would still remember her feelings for me and she chooses me again."

Naruto just sighed, "But Sasuke…"

The dark-haired ninja continued, "I'm not comfortable saying this, but I had a weird idea that Sakura will choose me after her memory loss, but I was wrong. I guess I was too confident and conceited."

The Uchiha survivor quickly stood up from the ramen stand and immediately paid his dinner, leaving Sakura's two best friend's wondering if he really did give up on the pink-haired kunoichi.

After Uzumaki Naruto left the ramen stand, the Yamanaka kunoichi was left alone at Ichiraku, she thought she needs to do her part to help her best friend regain her memory as soon as possible, now that it seems that Sasuke was already losing his hope, but when she saw the Hyuuga Heiress on the other side of the street.

She quickly left the Ichiraku and called the Lavender-eyed kunoichi's attention.

The Yamanaka kunoichi quickly dashed at the Hyuuga's side and exclaimed, "Hinata!"

The dark-haired heiress slowly titlted her head and saw the blonde kunoichi approaching her and she asked, "I-Ino-san, how are you?"

Ino quickly went on asking her, "Hinata, are you free tomorrow?"

Hinata is baffled by the Yamanaka's inquiry, she just replied, "Uh-uhm. I-I have a mission in the m-morning, b-but I-I'm good to go anywhere after that."

Then she continued, "W-what's g-going o-on?"

The Yamanaka kunoichi gritted her teeth upon hearing those words, "That's it! Come to my house tomorrow afternoon and we'll do something awesome. Naruto's coming too."

But the Hyuuga heiress stammered, "W-what? B-but I—…"

Ino then turned her heel the other way and after receiving that Hinata's free tomorrow, she quickly had an idea for her play and yelled, "Just be there, alright? Don't worry, it's just a small get together with the other rookies. Hope you could come."

The Yamanaka kunoichi suddenly left the confused and bewildered Hyuuga Heiress on the other side of the street, while the Yamanaka kunoichi was waving away from her.

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tbc

A/N: Don't worry folks…If you know Sasuke's personality by now and Sakura's feelings for our Uchiha avenger, he won't lost that easily towards the other guy. Just wait and see. ;)

For the reviewers: WhatChuuKnowBoutMe , Guest, erzams, Matthew Uchiha and sasusakufan2357. Thank you thank you for your kind words and thoughts. I really appreciated it. :)