Chapter 2

Sakura's in the kitchen supervising the food for Sasuke's welcome party. He came back from the United States with his parents after living there for a few years. She is helping Hisana – Itachi's wife- in the kitchen. "Why are you here?" Hisana asked when she came in to refill an empty tray of chicken balls.

"Because I'm not there," she sighed. This was the fifth time someone asked her why she's not outside in the garden enjoying the party. Why should she anyway? Because Sasuke's back? Pfft!

"I rephrase; Why are you in here? Go out and mingle in the party." Hisana took the sauce out the fridge and tasted it. "Perfect. Have you seen the thyme?" She walked over to the cupboard and started searching.

"I don't like crowded places," Sakura opened a drawer in front of her and found what t the other woman is looking for. "Here. Oh, for the pot roast right?"

Hisana nodded. "Just a little sprinkle. No. That's enough. Perfect." The pot roast smelled perfect. "You're mother called. She asked me to tell you that she would be here soon. Just a little late with you father. The only reason why she came here because her beloved mother asked her to. Since she hates crowded places, she insisted on helping out in the kitchen. After all, she does get along with Itachi and his wife.

"You don't like crowded places? Is that really the reason? You just don't want to see my brother-in-law. You didn't even bother to welcome him back and it's his 'welcome home' party! At least say 'hi'" Hisana suggested with a hopeful tone in her chirpy voice.

Sakura rolled her eyes and took a barbeque and started eating the meat. "Say 'hi' to him then what? Become best friends forever? Unicorns and sunshine forever? I hate him and you know that."

"Just go and say 'hi'. It can't be that hard; it's just a two-lettered word after all."

"If I do that, can I stay here and not go out?"

Hisana squinted her eyes. "You are so stubborn! Just help me carry the trays outside. At least get a fresh air and breath." The party is being held outside the garden.

She followed with a frown plastered on her face. Looking around, she can see that everybody around seems so busy having fun that nobody noticed her bringing out food. Even Hisana is absorbed into a conversation with one of the guests.

She placed the tray on the buffet table and grabbed another barbeque stick. 'Damn! This stuff is good!' she thought. She finished it in a jiffy and went straight into the house. She was walking so fast that she bumped into someone by accident.

"Sorry, dear," the lady whom she bumped to apologized. She is wearing very loose clothing with purple shades and lots of gold bracelets and some necklaces around her chubby neck. She looked like a purple Christmas tree. "Haruno?" the weird woman stared at Sakura's confused face. "Haruno Nobu's daughter? Niece? Haruno, right?"

"Not niece. I am his daughter. Do I know you?" Hopefully not.

"Yes, I'm your daddy's former classmate. You have his eyes," she said in a dreamy voice. ".. and forehead."

This woman is getting on Sakura's nerves. What is with people and her forehead? "Sorry, I still don't know your name."

"Oh! How rude of me!" the woman giggled. "Call me Chekai. Madame Chekai. I believe we have met before. You're school faire, I think." She giggled with her high-pitched voice again.

Sakura tilted her head thinking. Has she met this Madame Chekai before? Suddenly, she remembered a dreaded memory. "That's right. You were that fortune teller. No offense ma'ams but you're a fake."

Chekai chuckled at her blunt statement. A weird reaction for someone who has been just burned. "So you do remember. Of course you do, dear! With this unforgettable face of mine." She sighed while cupping her rosy red cheeks. "Don't worry, sweet. I'm a professional now."

"Good for you." Sakura did not know what to answer.

"I see you're not outside. You hate crowded places correct?"

Sakura nodded.

"Same here." Chekai said and sat down the sofa motioning for Sakura to sit somewhere, too. She spotted an open photo album and decided to take a look. "How look! How delightful! Isn't it lovely to take a glance at the past? It's ironic, but I don't see why people put so much effort to see their future so much and just forget about the past. Ironic for me to say, no? Oh my!"

Sakura decided to see what picture had caused the lady to stop her ranting. Her head felt like exploding when she saw her picture with Sasuke. It was taken at her seventh birthday party. She a princess and he a prince. The picture shows her gnawing his hand with a twisted look and his face twisted in pain.

She has a copy of that picture, too. It was captured by Itachi as a souvenir of the most interesting party he attended… ever! That was the picture she tried to keep from the world. No one is supposed to see it. She didn't even bother to show it to her mom!

Sakura looked at the picture again. Below there is a caption written by Sasuke: Sasuke the Handsome and Piranha Princess in Action! Sakura got so annoyed that she ripped the album. Why hadn't she seen that before? Maybe because she has now interest looking at pictures where she could see that bastard's eerie face. Handsome? As if!

Madame Chekai gasped. "What did you do?"

Her mind came back to reality. "H-huh? Because… I-uh…I want to chat with you. So, How's life?" Nice save.

"Hihihiihi! I'm a famous psychic now!" Chekai said with pride. "Don't you read the horoscope section in the newspaper?"

Sakura Haruno reads the newspaper because she reads the news not because she reads the read-about-your-future-hoo-ha-crap-what-does-this-mean?-crap. Who would want to read those? It's all written in riddles, anyway. "No but did all of your predictions come true, though?"

"Not all of them, of course. What am I Sybil? However, most of them did." She answered proudly. "Do you want me to read your palm?" Chekai offered.

"No thank you." Sakura refused politely. The memory of that certain school festival is has opened. That time, Chekai told her that she is never going to get married. She had a trauma even if the prediction was not true.

"Are you thinking about what happened then?" Chekai somehow read her mind. "This time, it is for real. Come on it's for free. No charge for you. Free no fee."

Sakura sighed in defeat. She gave her palm to the woman. Chekai studied her palm lines with a thoughtful expression on her face. After a few 'oooh's and 'hmmm's and 'aaaahh's, Chekai finally spoke. "Your fortune line is long. Hmm..you don't have financial problems."

What happened before did not stop Sakura from being impressed. She doesn't have financial problems because she has a well- paying job. Sometimes she even gets bonuses. Damn, she has a good career! "Money is not a problem for me. I'm not interested in that area. Do you see anything else? What about my love life? Am I getting married soon?" She got carried away again. Despite the fact that she does not believe in horoscopes or fortune telling, she could not help but take advantage of this opportunity.

Chekai looked at her eyes from her palm. "When is your birthday?"

"March 28th. Why?"

Chekai did not answer the question. From her large coat, she took out a deck of cards and began spreading them across the coffee table in front of them. "Your life is almost changing. Getting married is all up to you; if you let it go, or keep it. It's a chance for you to have what you've always wanted. You can get this through a certain man."

Sakura felt excited. "A man? My life is changing through a certain man. My life as single is almost over. I'm getting married! Who is this man, Chekai? Who?"

"I ca-"

Their conversation is interrupted by an…interruption.

"You still believe in those, Sakura?"

They turned their heads to the voice's owner only to see Sasuke smirking. Her excitement suddenly slipped only to be replaced with irritation when she saw the one-and-only Sasuke. He grew taller; his long-sleeved polo and slacks can't hide the fact that he's well built. He was still the same Sasuke with the onyx eyes, patrician nose, and teasing lips. A more mature yet a more dangerous Sasuke.

"Oh! Hello, Sasuke!" Madame Chekai giggled madly when she saw him. She giggled the 'fan-girl giggle' that has always followed Sasuke wherever he goes. This one made him grimace. He has no interest in old ladies twice his age flirting with him. "Would you like me to read your palm, too?"

"No thank you," he settled himself in front of the ladies. "I am, however, more interested on your predictions about her. Did you tell her the truth that she is going to be an old maid?"

Sakura smiled sweetly to show him that he can't irritate him as much as he used to anymore. "Actually Sasuke, according to her I am almost getting married."

He laughed, "and you actually believe her?" he stood up and sat beside Sakura and grabbed her palm. "I'll show you your real future and open your eyes to reality."

Her body went stuff when he touched her hand. She can't move even though she wants to. She just wanted to snatch her hand away from him but she can't. Sakura has gone speechless. She just stared at Sasuke's face which turned serious while observing her palm.

"Your love line isn't clear. That's bad," he stated while tracing her palm lines with his index finger. It is as if there is a static flowing from her fingers. The prediction about her lice life is gone from her thoughts. The sensation that she feels are the only ones remaining.

He looked up only to see her emerald eyes staring back with confusion. "You will never get married. You are bound to be alone and be single," he said in an eerie voice, followed by a chuckle. "You're going to be loveless forever."

Sakura finally grabbed her hand back and held it to her chest. She tried hard not to slap Sasuke's face. She just turned to Madame Chekai who is watching them the whole time with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Madame, didn't you tell me that I am getting married? Soon? Tell him." Sakura literally demanded. She hates it when people joke around about her growing old alone. She's sensitive on that topic since it is her greatest fear to be an old maid.

"It depends. You have to grasp you chance. Don't let it go since it will be the only chance you will have." Chekai replied in another dreamy voice to create an effect.

Sakura stood up and smiled. She marched back too the kitchen with her mind filled with happiness. She's almost going to tie the knot. Her parents are going to stop nagging her about having grandchildren anymore because soon, they are going to have a son-in-law.

"Dream on!" Sasuke yelled.

She ignored him.

"Perfect!" Sakura exclaimed after she perfected the arrangement of her salad. She also got the food ready for Hinata's visit. She invited her over so they can celebrate together about the fact that Hinata got engaged to Naruto. Although, she hates to admit that she is a little jealous, she is happy for her friend. Hinata deserves it. All the years that Hinata spent waiting for Naruto has paid off because two nights ago, he proposed. And it took a lot of courage for him to do so.

Sakura was just making herself presentable when the phone rang. She looked at the caller I.D. and it read, 'Nara S.'. It must be Ino since Shikamaru does not call. Why should he? They were not even close. "Ino?" she answered.

"No, it's Shikamaru. Do you have that telephone name thing?" a male voice answered the other line. He called her, why?

"Hello, Shikamaru. I have do have the telephone name thing, a.k.a. caller I.D. I just thought it's Ino calling because you don't have any reason to call me. Anyway, even if it would be Ino who would be calling me or someone else in your household, the I.D. would still show Nara S because the phone bill is applied to your name."

"Damn you talk a lot."

"Why are you calling anyway?"

"Ino, my dearest diva of a wife, wanted me to dial for her because she does not want to ruin her new nails." Sakura can hear Ino yelling at him on the other line. "Here. Talk to her." she can now hear shuffling. "Hey Sakura! UMPH! Wait. Shikamaru! Hold the phone close to my ear! Ok here. Hello, Sakura. Hold the phone properly, Shika!"

"Ino, hold the phone yourself." Sakura suggested.

"I don't want to," Ino refused. "I just called because I want to know if you have heard."

"What? Your loudness?" Ino is loud, Naruto is loud. Is this a blue-eyes, blond thing? (A.N. No offense to those who have blue eyes and blondes. This is just an observation of Naruto and Ino.)

"No, sweetie. He's coming back from Europe. Ichigo, I mean."

Sakura does not know if she would leap for joy or get angry and throw a tantrum. Her ex is back. The one who just disappeared and sends news that he's in Paris. Then she thought of Chekai's words: Grasp the chance. This is the chance! Ichigo is going to rescue her of the singleness land! "When?"

"A week from today, I think. I'll call you when I know the exact date, m'kay? I have to go, I'm doing my toe nails next." She can hear Shikamaru muttering something. "Okay, bye bye! Say hi to Hinata-chan for me, k? Shikamaru, you can put that down now. Yes hun, I love you too." Then there was a click.

Chekai really is genuine. Her predictions are accurate! All Ichigo has to do is apologize, explain, and propose then she would not refuse him.

The doorbell rang. Hinata is here! She has to know the news. Sakura almost tripped from running to the door. She is very excited. If there is somebody she wants to share her joy and excitement with, it would be Hinata. Now, they celebrate for two things. Joy!

As soon as she opened the door, she immediately gave the person a bear hug. "He's back! Ichigo is coming back!" Sakura closed her eyes as she inhaled the cologne: Armani Attitude. The person also has broad chest. She felt it as she leaned closer. She could just do that all day.

Then it all came to her. Armani Attitude? That's men's fragrance. Broad chest? Hinata has a petite frame. She opened her eyes and looked to see who she cuddled. Blood drained from her face when she saw it wasn't Hinata. Instead, the face that is staring back at her belongs to Uchiha Sasuke.

Sakura's face turned deep crimson when she realized what she just did. She pulled back from him hastily that it's as if he has lepers. What if he's thinking that she's so desperate that she just embraces any random gut she sees? So desperate that she even hugged him?

Her eyes scanned for Hinata. She is actually standing behind Sasuke with a stunned look on her face. Sakura can't blame her though. Sakura approached her not minding that she just shoved the man aside looking at her weirdly. "Come in. I have something to tell you, Hinata-chan." She pulled Hinata in leaving Sasuke outside. "Oh. You can come in, too. Just keep your paws to your self." Sasuke just shrugged and went in.

"Sasuke was the one who drove me here, Sakura-chan," Hinata explained. "Naruto-kun got a call about a sudden meeting so he asked Sasuke to drive me here instead."

Sakura was just glad that she forgot about the incident. Even when they were still young kids, Sasuke somehow sees Hinata as a sister, like Neji. Maybe Sasuke got that trait from him since they are buddies and all.

"Sakura, what were you saying about Ichigo?" Hinata asked remembering what Sakura was screaming when she gave Sasuke a bear hug.

"Right! Ino called a little while ago," she said excitedly. "Ichigo is coming home probably next week! There is no definite date, though."

"That's nice. Maybe you two can pick up where you left off, then." Hinata said.

"And your keeping your hopes up? That when he comes back he would marry you?" Sasuke interrupted their conversation. Sakura's dreamy day came to an end when she heard the wretched man's voice. "How do you know he's coming back for you, Sakura?"

Sakura was about to hit him with the China vase beside her but only to be stopped with Hinata's voice, "Uuhm… may I be excused. I'm going to the washroom."

"Sure. There's one near the kitchen. Be careful, though. Floor's a bit slippery." Hinata hurriedly went.

Now that leave's the two of them in the room. Sakura and Sasuke alone in the living room. The tension is high.

"Say something irritating and I'll bite your hand off," she threatened before Sasuke could even say a word. She would definitely show him how much a piranha she really is.

"Oooh! I am now witnessing the symptoms of being an old maid," he teased.

"Go get a hobby. Not the one where you pester people's lives!" she almost screamed. "I am not an old maid! I will get married one day! GO TO HELL!"

Sasuke stood up from the couch, "Calm down, woman! Why are you so sensitive?"

"Because I am not insensitive! Why don't you eve want me to be happy?! Did I do something wrong to you? What did I ever do to you that you pester me so much?!"

Sasuke sat back down, "Why is it that when you talk, it's kike I'm ruining your life?" he asked. "I'm just giving you an advice."

"Advice?!" she crossed her arms. "All you are giving me is trauma! You don't give me advice!"

"I am," he answered. "I am giving you a good good advice. I'm telling you that Ichigo isn't coming back for you. If he really does love you, as he says, why would he come back now that you're desperate to get married?"

She hugged herself and looked up to the ceiling, "Isn't that romantic? He comes back at the time when I need him the most. My knight in shinning armor."

Sasuke clapped his hands in front of Sakura's face to startle her. "Don't keep your hopes up. Knight in shinning armor? More like a wannabe in tin foil."

"You're like that because you're jealous of me, who has a live life. You envy people who are in love and happy," she mocked.

"HELL!" he threw his arms up in the air. "DO what ever you want. And for you information, its better not to have a 'love life' than wasting time waiting for something that doesn't even come," he sighed. "Whatever. I'm leaving."

"Where are you going?"

"My office. Tell Hinata the dobe's picking her up this afternoon after work. And for your fantasies, don't regret it when you realize that I was right all along."

"Gee, thanks," she said with sarcasm. The tone of her voice hinted that the conversation is over and he leave. And that he did.

Sakura kept playing with her hands due to all the anxiety and excitement at the same time. She's not in the restaurant where she and Ichigo are supposed to meet. Being so enthusiastic, she came extra early.

She didn't go to his welcome party because it is better for them to meet alone. Perfect time, too. The next day is her birthday. So, this would be the first time for them to see each other eye to eye in years.

The setting of the restaurant is romantic. The only light source is the lanterns hanging on the wall. Most of the people who are dinning here are couples on a date. Everything has to be perfect for today.

Ino volunteered to give her a makeover, claiming that she is a fashion expert. She's wearing a dark green dress that shows her porcelain skin. Ino's makeover made her beauty show more. Her eyes were emphasized especially her long lashes. From this night on, she is going to be a new Sakura.

Ino made sure that but the time Ichigo sees her, he'll immediately ask for her hand in marriage. He's gay if he can't be taken back by her beauty.

"Excuse me, miss?" a lady tapped her shoulder.

"Yes?" Sakura answered politely.

The word beautiful wouldn't be enough to describe this lady in front of her. her silky chestnut hair; her flawless skin, her gorgeous nose. She has kind, gentle eyes and a beautiful smile. "Sakura? Haruno Sakura?" she asked.

Sakura smiled and nodded. "That's me. And you are?"

"Ichigo."

Behind Sakura's smile, she can feel her heart beating so fast. IS this Ichigo's wife? Girlfriend? Please don't be. She calmed herself down. She shouldn't be thinking of negative thoughts. Maybe she's just his friend. "Please take a seat. I am also waiting for Ichigo. He never mentioned that he would be bringing a friend over."

Sakura tried so hard not to mind her insecurities because if this woman's appearance. What is this lady anyway? A coordinator or planner of their wedding? He's so sweet!

Finaly, she can show Sasuke that she'll get married. She's just wondering why the lady still hasn't sat down yet. She spoke, "You don't understand, Sakura."

"What is it that I don't understand? Did I say something wrong? Sit down, I won't bite."

The only reply that Sakura got was a tight embrace, "I am Ichigo."

Chapter 2: The Welcome Back, end

Author's Note:

Hey pipz! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I tried to make it longer so there! Please do review and tell me what you think! Critisisms are appreciated. I promise I would update sooner if I get atleast 5 reviews for this chapter! Sooner! Anyway, thank you for reading!

To: Lazygirl123 and Loveless Kunoichi

Thank YOU!

Kimbie

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