So the next chapter is being updated relatively quickly in penance for my lack of updates lately... So lucky you! Haha.
Hopefully, the Sai/Sakura-ness didn't upset you too much in the last chapter... And well, there is more in this chapter, but I promise that this is where it ends!
Anyway, I am proud to say that this is where things will finally start to get interesting. (About time right?) So onward!
Chapter Five: When Your Best Friend Moves
Sakura unhappily received the news that her best friend Tenten was moving. She was sad that Tenten to Fumikata city, but excited that it was the same town as her cousin Neji lived in and that Tenten had been offered a relatively good job there. It also had a great school that Tenten could finish her education at while making plenty of money to support herself.
In other events however, Sakura had been spending a lot of free time getting to know Sai, and had decided that she really enjoyed spending time with the guy. He seemed really laid back and genuine.
Sakura tied her hair up in a pony tail when her thoughts suddenly drifted off thinking about the Uchiha she had seen only a week ago. Apparently, he had come into town to take care of some of the Uzumaki affairs since the family was busy. Even with his crappy attitude, people seemed to at least recognize his loyalty to them. Some people even went as far as to speculate that it might be that he owed them something, but it wasn`t like anyone knew the real story.
He had been so cold that day. Sakura was already generally infuriated with his constant `you are beneath me and my time` kind of attitude, but he had treated her extremely rude that day when he saw her with Sai. He seemed especially irritated. She wasn't sure if it was because of Sai, or if it had been something else.
As much as Sakura hated to think about the guy, she gave up trying to make her mind forget about him. It was like an annoying itch that never went away.
She quickly threw on some sweats and a comfy t shirt. Tenten was moving today, and she wasn'lt going to miss out on helping her friend and seeing her off. Running downstairs, she quickly yelled a goodbye to her father, and bolted out the door.
Luckily her friend Tenten didn't live very far away. Sakura always liked walking far better than taking a car anyway. She found her outside loading one of many boxes onto the moving truck.
"Tenten!" Sakura called out to her friend. Tenten's head whipped around.
"Sakura! There you are! I'm just getting started!" Tenten called back, as she finished putting her box on the truck. Sakura stood at the bottom of the truck wating for Tenten to hop out.
"I still can't believe that you are moving! Leaving me here all alone." Sakura joked. Tenten smiled.
"Eh, I don't think you will be too lonely. You have your new man friend" Tenten teased back. Sakura could feel her face go red.
"Hey we are just friends, nothing more." Sakura replied hotly.
"Keep telling yourself that honey." Tenten replied as she went to grab another box. Sakura was ready to change the topic.
"Anyway, you know that my cousin Neji lives in Fumikata right?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah! I've met him a few times remember?" Tenten reminded. Sakura swore that she saw a slight blush rise to her friend's cheek, and raised an eyebrow. "We've been in contact so he knows I'm coming. He's offered to help me out if I ever need it."
"I didn't know that you guys talked." Sakura replied. "He's pretty cool that way."
"Isn't Hinata staying with him right now?" Tenten asked. Sakura nodded.
"Yeah, the two of them get along extremely well, and Hinata loves his parents. Plus, like you said, she's by the beach. I bet Hinata is really enjoying that."
The girls continued to chat as they continued to load Tenten's belongings onto the truck. Tenten mostly just teased Sakura about her new guy friend. The sun was beginning to set by the time everything was packed up. Tenten planned to drive most the night so she could have tomorrow to unpack and have a little time to settle in. She was to start her new job in three days.
Sakura hugged her best friend goodbye.
"Once I'm settled, I will let you know. You will have to come visit me!" Tenten said decidedly.
"You know I wouldn't miss it! Besides, Fumikata is right near the beach. As if I would miss that!" Sakura joked. Tenten laughed.
"Good! We will definitely go!" Tenten said excitedly. With that, she hopped in the truck, shut the door and poked her head out to wave goodbye. Sakura waved back as she watched the truck drive away with her best friend.
Time seemed to slip by slowly since Tenten moved. It had only been a week since Tenten was gone and Sakura found herself focusing on running and spending a lot of time just wandering the town streets trying to find anything to entertain herself. Hinata was still gone, but Sakura looked forward to seeing her when she came to visit Tenten.
Sakura spent as much time as she could with Sai when he was free. Like Tenten, he was pretty busy, but when they did spend time together, Sakura found herself enjoying things. Sai had the day off today and had invited her to go to the town carnival with him that afternoon. It had been a couple years since she had been, especially since she didn't usually come home from school over the summer. In some ways, she was kinda regretting it. If she had stayed at school, maybe even taken summer classes like she usually did, the recent craziness in her life might not have transpired.
Though, she did meet Sai. That would have never happened if she had stayed home.
Sakura heard the doorbell ring and knew that it was Sai here to pick her up. She could hear their maid open the door and let him in. She wasn't even dressed yet, so in a hurry, she threw on a pair of dark wash short shorts, a mint green high low shirt, and some strappy white sandals. She threw on some silver earrings, and a silver chain with feathers on it. At least she had pulled her hair up and had her make up done. She grabbed her purse and bolted out the bedroom door.
She walked downstairs to find Sai conversing with Hiashi. He seemed a little nervous. Sakura chucked to herself. It didn't matter how old her or Hinata got. Their father was still protective. Sai was dressed in some darkwash jeans and grey top with black stripes.
"Alright. Well, then," Hiashi said, wrapping his conversation with Sai up as he saw his daughter approach them. "You guys have fun." He then turned and left to go back to his study. Sai gave Sakura a smile.
"You ready to go?" He asked. Sakura gave him a smile.
"Yes!" She replied excitedly.
Sakura was having a great time. They had ridden all the rides at least twice, and stopped to grab something to eat. They decided on a burger and fries, and sat down. It was then that Sakura recieved a call from Tenten. She picked it up excitedly since she hadn't heard from her since Tenten let her know that she had replied safely and that both Neji and Hinata helped her settle in.
"Tenten! How is it going?" she said excitedly into the phone. She heard her friend's excited voice on the other side of the line.
"Things are going great! Hinata and Neji have been a huge help. Hinata seems to be doing really well. Anyway, I have a few days off work, so I was wondering if you wanted to come into town. You can stay with me. I think Hinata and Neji would love to see you." Sakura sighed. Neji would. His parents not so much. They were kinda pricks and didn't consider Sakura part of the family since Hiashi adopted her.
"I'd love to come Tenten. When were you thinking?" She replied.
"Can you come in two days? I don't assume you are busy other than spending time with your new boy toy." Tenten giggled. Sakura went red, especially since the said boy toy was sitting next to her, with a raised eyebrow.
"Tenten! That's not funny! We are just friends!" Sakura replied heatedly.
"Well anyway, are you in or out?" Tenten asked.
"Of course I'll come. We can talk about it later... I'm kinda on a date."
"Oooooooh. Well have fun! Bye!" and with that, Tenten hung up. Sakura put away her phone.
"So, boy toy huh?" Sai said with a chuckle. Sakura's face went red all over again.
"Uh yeah, sorry about that!" Sakura replied nervously. "Don't mind Tenten."
After lunch, the two continued to play games and ride the rides. It was now dark out and the carnival was lit by lights. Every night, they did fireworks. Sakura was excited for that part.
"The two decided to find a spot on the grass to watch them. Sakura had a stick of cotton candy. She sat, knees bent and legs together, leaning her weight on her left arm. Sai sat heside her, one knee up with an arm resting on it.
"So," Sai began. "Have you had fun today?" Sakura nodded as she popped a piece of cotton candy she pulled off the stick into her mouth.
"It was a lot of fun. Thanks for taking me. It's been a long time since I've done anything like this."
"Well, I'm glad you said yes." Sai replied with a pause. He then leaned over and kissed Sakura on the cheek. Sakura's face went beet red.
Two days had passed since Sai had kissed her on the cheek. She was packing up some clothes for her visit with Tenten. She was so excited to go. It would give her time to think about the kiss and calm down.
All she has been able to think about is that kiss, but oddly, it was also accompanied with the scowl on Sasuke's face that he had given Sai that one day they ran into him. It was frustrating. Why she even cared about it, she didn't know. She just couldn't seem to escape that stupid Uchiha.
Little did she know, she wasn't about to catch a break either.
Packing up the last of her things, she brought her suitcase downstairs, and went to say goodbye to her father.
"Hey dad, I'm leaving." She said as she walked into the study. Her father was busy writing business affairs when he saw his daughter.
"Okay. Sakura?" he said, looking up.
"Yes dad?" Sakura replied.
"If your aunt and uncle give you any sort of trouble, you tell me. You might be my adopted daughter, but I don't consider you any less of my daughter than Hinata." He said with a serious tone. Sakura nodded.
"I know. Thanks dad." Sakura smiled and went to give her dad a hug goodbye.
Six hours later, and Sakura had finally arrived at Tenten's house. She stepped out of the cab and gawked. The place Tenten was staying in was huge! She grabbed her luggage, paid the cab driver, and walked up to the front door. She didn't even have to ring the doorbell for the door to fly open to see an excited Tenten.
"Sakura!" She screamed excitedly, embracing her friend in a tight hug.
"Hey Tenten." Sakura replied happily, hugging her friend back.
"I'm glad you are here! We are going to have so much fun! Hinata and Neji are in the living room watching a movie." Tenten said, leading her friend in. "But first, let me show you to your room."
"Tenten, this place is huge! Your employer just lets you stay here?" Sakura asked, as she looked around amazed.
"Yeah, but it's kinda huge and empty for my taste." Tenten replied. "But my boss is super generous. She invited me to dinner tomorrow night, but I told her I would have company. She invited you to come as well."
"Oh. Okay. Sounds good to me." Tenten stopped.
"Here, stay in this room." She said as she opened the door. It was huge. There was a king sized bed, with joining private bathroom. The room was decorated in a deep blue and silver color.
"Wow, this room is gorgeous." Sakura commented, as she put her luggage down.
"Yeah, you should see the one I stay in. Anyway, come on, I know Neji and Hinata want to see you." Tenten said, dragging her friend.
The two entered the living room to Thor on the bigscreen. Hinata was the first the realize the two had walked in, and the look on her face was ecstatic upon seeing Sakura.
"Sakura! I missed you!" She exclaimed, jumping off the couch and hugging her sister.
"You look like you are doing great Hinata." Sakura replied. "Dad has been a little sulky since you have been gone, and things at home have been kinda boring."
"Except for your boy toy." Tenten teased. Hinata looked at her sister.
"You have a boyfriend?" Hinata asked, astounded. Sakura shook her head and glared at Tenten.
"No! He's just a friend. We have just been hanging out is all. You know I don't do relationships. School takes up most my time." Sakura justified.
"Sorry that I couldn't invite you to stay with us. My dad and mom are well..." Neji began as he got off the couch to greet his cousin. He didn't mind Sakura at all, and considered her his cousin.
"It's okay Neji, I'm happy to see you. How have you been?" Sakura asked.
"Just working. My parents are running me into the ground as always." Neji replied.
"What are you guys watching?" Sakura asked as she looked at the TV.
"Thor." Hinata replied. "Have you seen it before?" Sakura shook her head.
"Well, we just started it, so we could probably start it over if you want to watch it." Hinata suggested.
"Sure, sounds good to me." Sakura replied.
And... cut. Mwahahaha. So yes, this chapter might be boring, BUT, it is setting up for the next chapter that is about to get interesting.
As a reward to everyone who makes it through this chapter, Sasuke is reappearing in the chapter to come. Now things are going to get good. Also, there will be no more Sai/Sakura.
Lucky for you, I am going to write the next chapter now, and probably post it sometime tonight.
As always, reviews are GREATLY appreciated. I like to hear feedback, good for bad. Also, if you guys have any ideas of what you would like to see in the story, let me know. I'd like to hear them.