How did I get here with you, I'll never know. I'd never meant to let it get so personal… And after all I tried to do is stay away from loving you, I'm broken hearted, I can't let you know…

Song: Cry. Rihanna.

Sakura shuddered involuntarily, but he didn't stop, tracing the walls of her mouth with his soft tongue. He went further down and kissed her jawline, and slid down to her neck.

"Sasuke," she gasped and grabbed a fistful of his hair as he sucked on her neck, leaving two very visible marks on her pale skin. He moved further down, leaving a trail of hot kisses down to her cleavage. The pink-haired kunoichi arched her back as he devoured her, his hands already on her shoulders, ready to rip the article of clothing that was in the way.

Then-

DING DONG.

Sakura groaned, and started for the door, but a hand gripped her wrist gently. "Ignore it," he murmured into her ear, his lips nipping at her earlobe teasingly.

She shuddered, and it drove him insane. Did she know what she was doing to him?

He realized that he had never wanted someone so much that the desire was burning in his body, that he had to take her and hold her and never let go while kissing her senseless.

"Sasuke…" His name echoed in her mind. She wanted so much to give in to her feelings, to let him have her, let this man into her life forever, but-

Karin. The baby.

Sasuke. We can't do this. Those words came out of her mouth, betraying her body and soul. Her eyes revealed strong conflicting emotions, one of them making his heart break. It was sadness.

"It…It'll be… better. This. Way," She pushed those difficult words out, and for every word she had to utter, she felt her heart break a little.

But what made it so, so hard to bear was his reaction.

His face became cold and unreadable.

"You're right. I have to go." With that, he disappeared in a flurry of leaves in her apartment.

Sakura swore she would not cry any longer.

000000

Next day.

Sigh. "God Zizi. That's the 5th time you've sighed already!"

"I did?"

"Yes, stop making me worry!"

"What did I do?"

"SIGH!"

"…What the hell does THAT have anything to do with worrying you?"

"Just stop sighing. Everybody's worried okay."

"Alright, alright…" Sigh.

"YOU SEE! YOU JUST DID IT AGAIN!"

"THAT'S N.O.Y.F.B.!" (None of your f business!)

"IT IS WHEN I CAN HEAR IT!"

"WHY-"

"WILL YOU BOTH FREAKIN… SHUT… UP!" Ino hissed, shooting a cold glare at Tenten and Zizi.

Silence, except for Hinata continuously fumbling with her keychain. Tenten continued to stare at her Chemistry book while Zizi resumed her writing. Ino was staring into space.

The four girls were waiting at the usual spot for their much anticipated arrival of their kunoichi friend.

"Hey!" Four heads turned automatically to a girl with pink hair.

"Sa-kura…" Hinata's eyes widened as she took in the sight of her friend. She was…

Absolutely, perfectly, totally… Normal.

All four were quick to realize this weird fact. Her eyes didn't look like she had been crying. Best part was that she was smiling. It didn't look fake at all.

There was no sign of hurt on her face, no trace of it in her voice. It was as if she had never fallen in love with the Uchiha in the first place.

Tenten fell into deep thought and laughed as she figured out a logical explanation. "Oh… So you're okay with Sasuke?"

"Sasuke? No, of course not. He needs to be with Karin, by her side when she delivers, not only physically but mentally as well. And sorry guys for not coming to school yesterday. Was a little sick. I missed you all," she explained and smiled as if she was just merely describing the weather.

All four sweatdropped. Something was definitely wrong with her.

"Sakura…" Ino spoke up slowly, "Are you really fine?"

Am I really?

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Of course I am, baka," she said laughing, her eyes having a familiar spark of hers.

Because even if I'm not, I will be, because Sakura always bounces back.

Realization dawned on Ino and she smiled.

She would help her forget him. And so will the others.

"Let's go, Sakura," Ino said and extended her hand out to her as invitation.

This people… are my friends. Sakura looked around her, at Hinata, Tenten, Zizi, Ino, and she smiled in appreciation. She had real people who care about her, and at that moment Sakura realized she was a very fortunate person more ways than one.

She inhaled deeply and with a determined look in her eyes, she took Ino's hands in hers without hesitation.

000000

"The game's off." Four girls huddled in a corner at the back of the class.

"Why?"

"Because of Sakura. We can't be focusing on the plan still after what happened! Besides, don't play stupid, Tenten, I know you have really fallen for Neji. Hard." Those words stabbed Tenten right through her heart.

Because she knew it was true.

Zizi, on the other hand, had a different reaction. Her nostrils flared at Ino's declaration and she angrily opened her mouth and slammed the table.

"WHY IS THE PLAN OVER?" she hissed.

Hinata flinched at the sudden outburst while Ino and Tenten looked a little shocked at her reaction. "Why? What's wrong? Why can't it-"

"Nevermind," she snapped, her brown eyes still aflame with anger. "I'll do this myself." With that, she walked away.

What is wrong with her?

"What is wrong with her?" Tenten echoed Ino's thoughts, and all three girls were left to ponder on her weird reaction until class started.

00000

Sakura didn't even look up from her book to see the crowd streaming into the room. If he sits beside me, I won't stop him. He can sit the hell wherever he wants. I just won't care.

She was determined not to look up until Genma-sensei arrived. She realized he didn't come.

It was as if a huge burden lifted off from her shoulders. But it was also as if a tinge of hope in her heart had turned into disappointment. She successfully ignored it.

"Alright class. Today we have a special guest with us. He came all the way from Kiri. Lavi," he called and footsteps could be heard as a certain someone came in. Sakura sat up and craned her neck to see who it was.

Dressed in a simple balck shirt and torn jeans, he pretty much looked like a simple guy, except for the black pirate-like eye patch he had on one of his eyes. He was tan, ha was mysteriously muscular and pitch black eyes that never really showed expression.

He flashed a smile at the class as he walked in, although the smile never really reached his eyes. Sakura looked around and noticed the whole class was intrigued by this mysterious new student.

His black eye roved the class carefully, studying each and every one of them. She thought she saw curiosity in his eye when he looked at her.

Sakura figured him to be of similar age to them. After much anticipation, Genma sensei opened his mouth to speak. "He's a Bookman."

"Just what is that sensei?" Naruto asked curiously, his cerulean eyes focused on the newcomer. Sakura had to admit that she was plagued with curiosity as well.

This time, the new boy spoke up. His clear voice rang through the room. "I am a recorder of history. I go to places to record history before it is lost in the future. My last mission was in Kiri where I studied the culture there and penned it down on paper. Just like Kiri, I'm going to do the same for Konoha."

"Bookman?..." Sakura spoke up quietly, but he could hear it and snapped his gaze back to her. "But I thought you record wars and important events?"

Sakura looked up to meet his gaze and flushed. She swore his gaze was a little more intense than that of an average human, even if he was smiling, which he was now.

"Yes, I do. But there are currently no wars happening yet, nor there are potential important occurrences. Therefore we Bookmen have time to fulfill our other duty that is prioritized second, and that is recording the culture and way of living in different countries."

Murmurs resonated through the class and Sakura looked behind to see Ino was regarding her with amusement. A smirk was tugging at the corner of her lips and she was mouthing something Sakura felt was going to be irritating.

Damn right she was.

"He's hot!"

Oh, for the love of God!

"Any other questions class? It'd be good to ask since it IS history period now." Genma flopped back onto his chair smiling. He seemed pleased that the class was undoubtedly interested about the life of a Bookman. "Now Lavi, you can take the seat beside Miss Haruno over there," he said, gesturing to Sakura, who immediately flashed a smile as he sat beside her.

Oh wow! ChYEAH he's cute!

"Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Sakura," she said brightly and extended her hand for a handshake, ignoring Ino's burning gaze at her back and Tenten and Zizi'z amused glances, as well as Hinata's happy smile.

Oh! Since when did my inner come back?!

Since now.

…I've missed my old self.

Inwardly, Sakura felt her mood lighten as he flashed a smile back, showing two dimples on his cheeks. Again she flushed as if she had never met a hot boy before…

And she remembered…

Stop thinking about it.

You're right.

Lavi took her hand and shook it. His hand was warm and unusually soft for a male's. Sakura felt a faint familiar sensation run up her held hand and exhilaration ran in her veins. She felt hope rekindle itself in her.

I've missed you, old self.

And now I have it back…

Suddenly, Sakura realized that everything was going to be okay. She WILL be okay.

With that in mind, Sakura turned away to the window to hide her smile.

HELLO GUYS. I'm back after a looooooooong time. Stupid exams. Please forgive me for the new addition, hardcore Sasusaku fans. Um, I want to know what you think of this new … addition. Love you all! Review, and I'll give you a cookie with a piping cup of tea or refreshing coffee.