The next few days went by so fast for the young cherry blossom that before she knew it she was back in Fire Country arriving at the gates. She showed the gaurds her report then headed for the Hokage tower.

"C-Come-in!" Tsunade stutters drunkenly.

"Hi, Tsunade-sama. I have captured and killed the missing-nin the way you wanted me to." she states factly.

"Th-Thank-you... Just leave... your report... on the desk... and take the day off... hell take the whole damn week off. NOW GET OUT OF MY OFFICE SO I CAN DRINK MY SAKE... I MEAN FINISH THE paperwork..." she mumbles the last part.

Sakura took that as her cue to leave and not come back till the following week. So she walked through the village aimlessly wondering back to her and his so-called "home". She entered the living room and noticed it was the same as before she left... Except that there were flowers on the coffee table. Curiously she walks over and picks them up.

'18 roses... how odd. And only with a card that says my name. I wonder who left the roses.'

She puts them in a vase with water then walks to her bedroom and sets them on her nightstand by her bed, then also shuts the door. Sakura decides that she needs a nice hot shower. Fifteen minutes later, she emerges in only clad in a red towel. Walking over to her dresser to pick out some clothes, she hears Sai enter the apartment. Quickly dressing in a red tank top and tan short-shorts, leaving her shoulder-length hair down and brushed, the kunoichi walks to the living room to meet Sai. Sai and Sakura have become brother and sister.. unofficially.

"Hey Sai"

"Hey Sa--kura... What did you do to your hair?? It's... It's..."

"It's snow white. Yes, I know. Do you like it?" spinning slowly around for him to see.

"It's different. I'll give you that. Though it makes you look a little darker, I think it suits just as well as your pink hair did."

"Thanks!"

"Did you change your eye color too?" his curiosity rising.

"Well, they are actually color-contacts. Since I still liked my natural color, I got these. You like?"

" Sakura, anything you wear, whether it be torn rags or evening kimonos, you make it look great." Sai smiles, a real smile.

"Thanks, brother. By the way nice smile. Its a real one." she winks at him.

"Since you are back a day early, you should know that there is a New Years Eve Party at 8 o' clock outside at the park.

"Mm.." thought Sakura "Are you going?"

"Sure, now that you are back." he smiles a fake smile..

"Sai, that smile is fake." she states.

Later that day...

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ino!"

"Hey Forehead! What's up?"

"Can you help me pick out, or shop with me for a dress for the New Year's Eve party?"

"Sure. I'll be right over."

"Okay. Byee!"

Click.

Sukura lays back across her bed and stares at the ceiling. Knock. Knock.Knock. That must be her, but brother is down there so i will just stay here.

"Hey Miss Beautiful." Sai says with a fake smile.

"Hey, yourself. Where's Forehead?" said Ino as she pushed her way through the door and into the living room.

"Her room." Sai resumes painting again. Deciding not to tell Ino the change. He smirks.

"Thanks!" Ino rushes upstairs to Sakura's bedroom and lets herself in. She walks straight over to her closet and begins to rage through the clothes. After several moments of throwing clothes out of the closet, she realizes her best friend isn't there with her too.

"Sakura.." Ino says walking over to the bed. "...Sakura... What have you done with your hair... It's wh-white..." stammering as Sakura sits up.

"Ino-pig, I needed a change."

"I understand, Forehead... Oh you changed you eyes too!"

"Yes, but the are just contacts..." Sakura takes one out and shows Ino.

"Wow.. thats so cool. Well, let's go shopping then. I know the perfect dress!" exclaims Ino.

"Okay." Sakura puts her contact back in, grabs her purse, and heads toward the door.

"Byee Sai!" they shout in unison.

After severals hours of shopping and dining, both girls finally made back to the apartment. Each carrying five to six bags. Sai opened the door for them then went back to reading a book he checked out of the library... Going upstairs to the bedroom, they dropped the bags on the floor.

"What time is the party again, Ino?"

"Eight o'clock. I wonder who is going.."

"I don't know, but I can bet Kakashi will be late...if he shows up at all.."

"Probably." Laughed Ino "besides let's get ready. It is 7:15pm already"

"Yeah."

Sakura takes a qiuck shower to freshen up a bit. When Sakura comes out, Ino does the same. Both girls then go through all the clothes trying different looks. At 7:40, Sakura finally decides to wear an Icey Blue strapless dress that stops at the knees, and it flows freely at the bottom with matching heels. Ino chooses a deep purple spaghetti strap dress that hugs her curves gracefully... not slutty and black pumps.

"Ino, please help me with my hair. I just want to pull a little back and clip it, but I keep losing it.."

"Here...almost got it... and..there it is. Beautiful!" exclaims Ino.

"Thanks! Oh I love your hair twisted back like that!" says Sakura.

"Okay, let me go ask Sai if he is ready."

Down the hall, just as she raises her hand to knock, the door swings open.

"Hey, bro. Wow! You look nice." Sakura say astonished.

"Ready, sis?"

"Yes, Ino and I are ready." smiles Sakura.

"Okay then lets go."

All three walk out at 7:55. Locking the door behind him, they head off for the park.

Can anyone guess the color of Sakura's color-contacts??

I am really sorry, readers. I had semester exams, then i became ill. This chaper was also re-written several different times... So I hope you enjoy.

I will updated when I can, since me and my sister are preparing for cheer nationals with a new routine. I will do my best, I promise!!