Broken Youth
(Life of Konoha Academy Teens)
CH1.4:Remember

The children did meet again in that very park. They also made some new friends, but that didn't weaken their friendship it only made it stronger. The days seemed to fly by when they were together. All of them stuck together until the late summer, when there was a sudden turning point. The boys and the girls started to realize that they were completely different creatures. Their bonds were still intact yet they were slowly drifting away from each other because of their differences.
The time came when they didn't want to play with each other anymore, instead the boys wanted to play with action figures while the girls wanted dolls. The change didn't stop there, as they got older they grew even further apart, the girls were more interested in fashion and makeup and the boys in video games and comic books; now added to that is what they seem to be stuck on now, which is adrenaline and sports for the guys and gossip and love for the girls. Even if it did not seem like it the two genders were slowly starting to regain that connection which they had lost with the passage of time.

'Sometimes I wish I could go back to that simpler time called childhood. When we thought of each other as equals, had a strong connection and almost everybody got along. Friends were made as easy as saying hello. Yet at the same time I don't want to go back, because living in past paradise would be pointless. I know that in life you have to overcome obstacles in order for it to have a real purpose. Life is not meant to go back or stay constant. Change is an inevitable part of life, even if you don't like the way things turnout because of it, it's just the way things are meant to be. No matter how hard you try you can't alter your past, you have to stay with your present and make a better future. One thing I know is that you can't necessarily control your life but you can choose how to live it.' Sakura thought.
Her breath growing fainter and her eyelids becoming heavier. She had almost fallen asleep when all of a sudden *Tonk* some one flicked her forehead saying: "Wake up, forehead girl!"
Sakura immediately sat up and said "You didn't have to flick me Ino pig! A simple shake would have sufficed, and besides I wasn't sleeping." Sakura thought 'But I was about to be.'
"Yeah, yeah whatever forehead, I still think you were out like a log." Ino said as Sakura glared at her.
"I can truthful say I wasn't sleeping, I was thinking," Sakura said.
"About what? Sleeping beauty," teased Ino.
"I was thinking about how the three of us met in this very meadow, all those years ago." replied Sakura.
"Don't say it like that you make it sound as if we're really old," said Ino.
"Well, Sakura-Chan's right, it was a long time ago, almost ten years to be precise," said Hinata who was standing next to Ino.
"Yes, ten years this spring, doesn't time seem to fly?" said Sakura as she stood up. Cherry blossom petals fell out of her hair.
"Ten years," repeat Ino. There was a brief silence.
"So why did you interrupt my meditation?" asked Sakura.
Ino shook her head. "Oh, well I been trying to contact you forever! Why haven't you picked up or replied?" asked Ino.
"I guess I forgot my phone at home," said Sakura.
"Well, you had me worried. So, I went over to Hinata's to see if she could help me find you. We've been all over town looking for you. Right Hinata?" said Ino.
"Right," said Hinata nodding her head.
"That still doesn't tell me why you came," said Sakura.
"Well, to go shopping, duh!" replied Ino.
"That's all? Shopping?" said Sakura.
"Yeah, it's a whole lot better than staying here doing nothing. Beside you need a new wardrobe," said Ino.
"What's wrong with my old clothes?" asked Sakura as she looked at what she was wearing.
"Nothing, I just think you need something new. You know to catch a certain someone's attention," said Ino.
"Ino!" said Sakura.
"Sorry, it was only a suggestion, don't get mad," replied Ino.
Sakura sighed "I guess I do need some new clothes. I also need to get my dress for the upcoming dance," said Sakura.
"Dress? The dance isn't 'til well over a month," said Ino.
"Yeah, I know, but I don't want a repeat of last year. When we decided to get our dresses a week before and we literally had to fight to get one," said Sakura.
"Ha! I forgot about that. Well, at least your finally taking an interest in shopping," said Ino.
"Come on, let's go already," said Sakura walking away.
"Isn't your house the other way?"point Ino.
"Yes, and why do you ask?" said Sakura.
"Don't you need to go home and get money first?" asked Ino.
"No, I have my money right here,"said Sakura as she patted her pocket, and kept on walking.
"Wait, so you're telling me you're carrying money but not your phone!" said Ino.
"Ino, money is essential my phone isn't," said Sakura.
"How can you say something like that? Of course a phone is essential. I couldn't live without mine," stated Ino.
"I can believe that," said Sakura.
"What did you just say billboard brow? Hey don't you ignore me!" said Ino. Hinata only giggled. And with that the three girls left the meadow.

bMeanwhile by the cherry trees in the park./b
"That was a nice little nap, if you can call it that," said Sasuke with one eye opened. "I finally managed remembered how I became acquainted with the two morons I call my best friends."
Sasuke closed his eye again. "I finally got some peace and quiet. With no annoying Naruto, no nagging brother, and thankfully no stupid screaming fan girls. Let's see how long this break lasts. I really wish that Dobe doesn't come looking for me anytime soon." said Sasuke to himself.
He sat leaning his head against his favorite cherry tree with his eyes tightly closed. His favorite tree had bloomed late that year. The petals from it's remaining flowers were being carried by the wind and blown towards the meadow. Sasuke just sat there resting his eyes and breathing softly. He felt something fall in his opened hand, he opened his eyes and looked at it. It was a still intact fully bloomed cherry blossom. He smiled and said "Oh, cherry blossom, oh my little cherry blossom," he took a deep breath. "You are more beautiful than the real one. You are not like the rest that bloom and wither away. You are the late blooming bud that stays intact when the others fall apart. Your beauty exceeds that of the rest of the flowers on the tree of life. You are no longer just a simple blossom that is only attached to the tree, you have developed and extended your roots and made yourself a new rare flower. A flower that never dies, only buds and blooms each time more exquisite than before. You are the flower which carries the favored traits of all others and makes everybody lust and envy them." Sasuke recited from the top of his head. "You are like the rose with your beauty protected by thorns, if someone acts carelessly around you than they might just get pricked. You resemble a daisy a simple yet elegant flower. You are also like a daffodil with different and unique traits which make you stand out from the others..."
"Found you, Teme!" shouted Naruto next to Sasuke. Sasuke didn't notice Naruto coming so it startled him to hear Naruto's loud voice in his ear.
'How long has he been there?' thought Sasuke. "Great, your here," Sasuke said in a sarcastic tone.
"Hey, what was that you were saying about the flowers?" asked Naruto sitting next to Sasuke.
"Nothing, I was just reciting poetry," said Sasuke.
"Oh...By who?" asked Naruto curiously.
"By anonymous," said Sasuke.
"Anon E. Mouse, never heard of him." said Naruto.
Sasuke hit himself in the head with his palm. "Anonymous you moron, which means the authors name is not mentioned." explained Sasuke.
"Oh, that makes more sense."said Naruto.
"You know your stupidity never ceases to amaze me,"said Sasuke.
"Why were you reciting poetry? Could it be that little Sasuke is in love and is planning to tell her thru poetry," said Naruto.
"Do you even think about what you say before you blurt it out. I was reciting poetry because I think it's philosophical," said Sasuke.
"Huh?" said Naruto confused.
"I am not even gonna try to explain that, it would only end up exploding you brain, which I really wouldn't mind seeing that is assuming that you have a brain. I'm still stunned how you managed to pass kindergarten. So before my tantrum goes any further what is it that you want now? Did Sai come with you?" asked Sasuke.
"Relax Sasuke, I just came to hang out with you, my best friend, and Sai's over there by the slide," Naruto pointed out.
"What do you want to do?" asked Sasuke in an exhausted tone.
"Why don't we go to your house?" suggested Naruto.
"How about we don't. Let's go to...the comic book shop instead," said Sasuke.
"That sound great I'll go tell Sai,"said Naruto.
Sasuke exhaled a big long breath and thought:'It's a good thing it was Naruto instead of Sai that overheard me or else it wouldn't have been so easy to cover up. This is a time when I like Naruto being so gullible.'
Sasuke looked at blossom which was still in his hand and gently placed it in his pocket as he stood up.
"Come on Sasuke, let's go already!" shouted Naruto. Sasuke slowly walked towards them with his hand in his pockets.
"Hey, Sasuke after the comic book shop can we go get some Ramen?"asked Naruto.
"Um, let me think, No!" said Sasuke.
"But why?" whined Naruto.
"Maybe, just maybe, because every time we go you stuff your face and I always end up paying the bill," said Sasuke.
"I said I'll pay you back," complained Naruto.
"Yeah, just like the last billion times since we met," said Sasuke.
"I swear I'll pay you back! How much do I owe you?"said Naruto taking out his wallet.
"Well, let's multiply ten years by an average of 30 bowls a month and at $3.50 a bowl plus the annual interest, you owe me..."Sasuke got interrupted.
"I'll buy you some Ramen, Naruto," said Sai.
"Really! You're the best Sai! Lets go!" said Naruto lifting him up shaking him then putting him back down.
"I still want my money," said Sasuke glaring with his arms crossed.
"You'll get your money eventually, Believe it!" said Naruto.
'Poor Sai, he doesn't know what he is getting himself into. Maybe I should warn him that when people offer to pay Naruto's food, he doesn't hold back and empty's out there wallet. But then if I do he'll never learn anything, and beside he kept me from obtaining my money. So I won't say anything.' thought Sasuke.
"Hurry up guys, walk quicker the faster we get to the comic book shop the sooner I get to eat," Naruto said as his stomach grumbled. "Man, I'm starving!"
That was just the beginning of the rest of their Sunday evening and the end of the of their weekend. Soon they would all be in school for a long 5 days yet a lot can happen it only one especially in high school.

End of part 1.4 & Chapter 1