hello?=sakura's inner's thoughts

hello?= sakura's thoughts

Back to... Denying?

Before she knew what she was doing Sakura was sprinting down the hallways of the hospital on her way to Tsunade's office. Naruto was chasing after her, apologizing to all the people she kept crashing into as she went.

"SAKURA-CHAN!!!" Naruto called out with his hands cupped around his mouth.

But Sakura was to busy with a conversation carrying out between her and her inner self to notice Naruto or anyone around her for that matter.

He's back, I can't believe he's really back.

And here I thought you didn't care about him anymore, I thought you'd moved on.

I have.

Then why are you running like there's no tomorrow and doing quite a fine job of embarrassing yourself just so you can see him again?

Because he's an old teammate and an old friend that I haven't seen in seven years.

He must be ONE good old friend for you to act like this.

He is.

Really? Because the last time I checked more than half the memories you have with him involve him telling you to shut up and stay out of it, insulting you, or walking away.

That was Sasuke's way of protecting himself.

I can't believe that after all this time, you're still protecting him.

He's still my teammate.

Fine, just promise me one thing.

What?

Don't get your hopes up.

That's not a problem. I told you, I'm over him. Way over him. End. Of. Story.

Good. I don't want him breaking your heart anymore.

... It's hard to break what's already broken.

Sakura...

Never mind, let's just go find him.

Sakura pushed past the ANBU guarding the doors to Tsunade's office before they could even register what was going on.

"TSUNADE-SAMA!" Sakura yelled as she opened the door.

Tsunade looked up to see Sakura stumbling into the premiss of the room. Tsunade knew why she was here and she felt her heart start to ache for her young protégé.

"Sakura," Tsunade murmured.

"Tsunade-sama, where is he?" By now Sakura has noticed that Sasuke was not present in the room.

Tsunade looked her student over and took in every aspect of the girl. Her hair was slightly falling out from her pony tail, she was still wearing her doctor's coat, and there was what seemed to be the remnants of someone's once standing vegetable stand on her clothes. But lastly, Tsunade looked into her eyes and that was what delivered the killing strike. They were so full of hope and joy. Like she had come back to life again after all this time. That was the worst part. Of all the people who loved and care for this girl standing in front of her, the ice cube, stick-up-my-ass, one facial expression, revenge driven Uchiha is the only one who could make her look like that. With this, Tsunade said,

"Where's who?"

Sakura stood up straight and looked Tsunade in the eye and uttered, "You know very well who, shishou, don't pretend you don't. Where's Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Ah, yes. He's about yay-high with good looks and a crappy personality?"

"Shishou."

Sakura was being deadly serious and so not in the mood for jokes. Tsunade turned her head to look out over the village.

"He's under interrogation right now. Based on what he tells us his punishment will be tailored."

Sakura slumped back on a chair, soaking in all that had happened. She placed her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. She couldn't believe she had woken up this morning thinking that she would just go to the hospital and come home. Rest. Restart. Repeat. Her entire (for the most part) existence for the past few years. Her inner decided to leave her alone for some quiet reflection.

He's back. For real this time. After all these years he just comes back on his own. He's some kind of rude. To think he thought he could just waltz back into this village, stroll in Tsunade's office like it were any other day, and say he wants to come BACK? Like we would all welcome him with open arms, make him a part of our lives again. Why did I ever think I was in love with this guy? He's just so... infuriating!

Tsunade decided to speak-up and shake Sakura of her reverie.

"Sakura, listen. I don't want you to get your hopes up. When I asked him why he came back he said to train. Nothing else. So I don't want you thinking tha..."

At this point Sakura had lifted her head up straight and interrupted.

"Shishou. I told you and everyone else that I'm over him. Actually, I'm not even sure I was ever into him. Sasuke-san and I are teammates, maybe friends at most. That's all. I'm just happy a childhood friend is back."

"Alright. If you say that's the case than I believe you."

Sakura started to stand up, "Thank you. Now I should really get back to the hospital before..."

Outside, Naruto could be heard arguing with the guards.

Sakura plopped back down on the chair as Tsunade groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Just let him in."

Naruto pushed through the doors and came to stand behind Sakura's chair.

"Where is he?"

"Sasuke-san is being interrogated right now, Naruto." Sakura stated in a somewhat monotone voice. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm heading back to the hospital."

Sakura got up and headed towards the door with her back turned to the pair. Naruto looked and Tsunade and mouthed, "-san?". Tsunade just shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Alright, well I'm off to go fit in some training. Ja-ne old lady." Naruto proclaimed as he walked out the door with one hand raised in goodbye.

With the final slam of the door Tsunade was left alone in the silence with the accompaniment of her thoughts.

That Uchiha, back in the village for less than three hours and he's managed to turn the whole place upside down and inside out. Kids these days. How long will it take that girl to realize she can't live without you. But then again, maybe the better question is how long it will take you to come to your senses and realize you can't live without her.