Chapter6 Recall:

Sakura got a little deep and personal with Gaara, asked Kabuto for a favour, Team Forest paid the Yonder Forest a visit, Sasuke had a memory trip down the lane which ended with him getting into a wet situation.

Chapter7 – You Make Me Hot & Cold

"Sasuke-kun, are you alright?

"Sasuke, doing fine?"

"Sasuke-kun, what are you doing in school? Shouldn't you be at home resting?" Sasuke felt his nerve ticking, patience waning, but years of cultivated self-control and logic held him from grabbing their collars, demanding them to mind their own business. He merely returned their comments with an icy stare, pissed at whomever who spread the news of his… Incident. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Sasuke, you don't look good- Whoa chill yo, I meant no harm," Shikamaru recoiled slightly as he raised two hands in mock surrender. Sasuke gave him a murderous look before he soundlessly strode off ahead towards their classroom.

"Quite a touchy fellow, wonder what those girls see in him…"

"Shikamaru, who are you talking to?" Ino asked behind him, causing him to jump. Realising it was his group mate, he released a loud sigh.

"Geez, can you not sneak up from behind me? I also wasn't talking to anyone…" Shikamaru complained before he carried on walking. Ino frowned and followed behind him, baffled by his jittery behaviour. Maybe today was just not his day.

When they entered the classroom, there was a palpable tension suspended within the four walls - a hushed argument was brewing at the front desk between Naruto and Sasuke.

As Ino slipped into her seat, she joined the rest of the girls gathered at the back of the classroom with their own cliques, observing as their argument unfolded. Despite the negativity emitted from the two guys, the girls were visibly excited and were busy whispering. Ino leaned toward and tapped on Sakura's shoulder, causing her to jump.

"Geez, Ino! Can you not sneak up on me like that? You scared me…" It was Ino's turn to shoot both her arms up in incredulity. Shouldn't everyone be less uptight on Fridays? She did not recall any tests today and could not make sense of all these pend up tension of her usually well-composed classmates, minus Naruto.

"Sorry… I just wanted to add in my two cents. Look at those two! They are already going at it, and classes have not even begun!" Ino remarked incredulously, though secretly she was curious to the cause of Sasuke's wrath. Her careless comment caused two girls to stare at her.

"Ino, when you put it that way…" Hinata added beside her, a furious blush rushing onto her cheeks.

"Damn it Sasuke, I already said I'm sorry! Can't you just let it go already? It's not like drowning is anything to be ashamed about!" Naruto slammed the table and stood up, followed by a chorus of horrified gasp by the girls. Sasuke remained quiescent, the only sign giving him away were the tightly clenched fists rested on his desk.

"What? Sasuke-kun drowned?!"

"I heard he was hurt, but I didn't know…" Stirred by the mummers courtesy of Naruto's loud mouth, Sasuke felt his anger reaching its acme. Instead of settling it with his fist, he took a deep breath and smirked at a puzzled Naruto.

"You Naruto, are a loser. Why not just mind your own business so that you won't be forever falling behind me?" Falling for his provocation, Naruto's frown deepened into a snarl and he reached for Sasuke's collar. In his haste he tripped on a piece of paper on the floor and fell towards Sasuke, and together they collapsed onto the tiled floor, the brunt of the fall drowned out by the collective appalled gasps. Sakura stood up with so much force that Ino's desk nearly tumbled from her chair's impact.

"Sasuke-kun! Naruto! Are you alr-" Sakura's eyes widen and went still, along with the people watching. Naruto's lips were planted neatly on Sasuke's, and they remained that way for three agonising seconds before Sasuke shoved Naruto away from him, gasping for air. Naruto's face turned slightly green and he clutched his throat, looking ready to throw up. Sasuke was busy wiping his somewhat swollen lips furiously with his hand, still seated on the floor and gagging openly. Simultaneously, they turned towards each other.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" They shouted with the kind of unison that would put the cheerleaders' practiced cheers to shame. It was all out thunderstorm in Class 3A-01, in stark contrast to the blazing sunshine filtering through the window.

"Sa…" There goes my first kiss with Sasuke-kun… Sakura's disappointment was instantly overshadowed by her bellicose mood as she stormed towards Naruto, her turn to grab his collar.

"Naruto… What was that all about?" She managed with an ill-contained hiss.

"Sakura-chan… "Before Naruto could begin to defend himself, there came a chortle from the doorway. Sakura slowly loosened her grip on Naruto, already feeling her anger slipping and replaced by dread. This was definitely not how she envisioned her day to turn out.

"Good morning class! I'm delighted by your burning energy and enthusiasm – that's what youth is all about, isn't it? Five minutes to change and assemble at parade square, we're taking full advantage of the sunlight!" The class descended into grunts and head shakings, the kissing incident forgotten. This was one class not to be messed with. Sakura could feel her back starting to perspire just thinking about P.E.

"Today is going to be a great day, I just know!" Maito Gai affirmed with a sprightly thrust of his thumbs-up.

"There's been something I've wanting to ask you, but I just can't quite remember what…" Sakura delivered a sideward glance at Ino while doing her overarm stretch, suddenly wary. Ino seemed lost in her own thoughts, and Sakura immediately felt silly. Ino was not a forgetful person in nature, so if it was something important, there was no way she would not have broached the topic by now. Assured, she offered Ino a comforting smile.

"If you can't recall, then I'm sure it's nothing important, ne?"

"I-I guess so…" Ino replied tentatively as she retracted her body back from toe reach, certain that it was something significant to leave a nagging doubt. When the individual warm-ups were settled, Gai signalled the class to form a line behind him, and they began jogging away from the parade square, towards the outer perimeter of the school. Knowing Gai, it was expected to be at least three rounds around the high school and the University, and the scorching weather was no excuse. This would explain the perplexed look across everyone when they slowed to a stop outside Kizuna Swimming Complex. Was there a chance Gai was beaten by the heat?

"Dear class, I know you all are burning with passion along with this beautiful burning weather…"

"More like burnt out…" Ino muttered under her breath, and Naruto was who jogging alongside Sakura and trying to pacify her, nodded his head in fierce agreement.

"… I was once your age too, so I understand what you guys really want to do during this weather…" Gai carried on his excessive speech.

"Could he just get to the point already?" Kiba chided without moving his mouth.

"… So we're hitting the waters today! Come on let's go!" Gai announced triumphantly, and the crowd gratefully went with the flow, thankful to be off the hook of the torturous run to complain.

"Ooo that's more like Friday!" Ino cheered and disappeared through the entrance. Sakura was one of the last in queue, and she noticed Sasuke sulking and lingering by the bicycle stand. She was about to ask him what was wrong before realisation dawned upon her like a wet blanket. Of course he would be apprehensive; he just had a near death experience with water and the last thing he wanted now would be to approach it, supervised or not.

Sasuke directed his leave-me-alone glare at whoever was standing in front of him, and realising it was Sakura, he heaved a defeated sigh. The whole morning had given him sufficient time to prepare and to patronise her with an I-am-fine speech.

"Look, Sakura, I'm-"

"Wanna ditch PE and go somewhere?" Sakura interrupted, her jade eyes scintillating under the late morning sun. Though Sasuke appeared nonplussed, he was taken aback by her words. She might be the first person today who did not enquire about his well-being. He gazed sceptically at her.

"Where do you want to go?" Sakura did not expect him to play along with her idea, and failed to plan ahead of the possible places to crash. She settled on the first suggestion that came to mind.

"I don't know, maybe out of this school?"

"Alright." Sweet! Sakura's smile could not go any wider.

Taking the chance when the guards switched for the afternoon shift, they sneaked out of the compound and scurried along the axis of the walkway. When the gate went out of sight, they reduced their panicky pace and released the breath they were unaware they were holding. Sakura stole a peek at the boy beside her and had to smother the rising giggle before it escaped and risked Sasuke changing his mind. She could not believe her luck; she just scored a date with Kanae Sasuke, and it was during school curriculum! It was the kind of intrepidity that she only dreamt of and witnessed in dramas. Any moment the delicate bubble could shatter and returned her to reality.

"Are you sure about this, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked as the adrenaline dissipated, unconvinced of this impromptu date.

"We're already out, aren't we? So let's just keep walking," Sasuke answered, and Sakura knew she was not dreaming then. For the first few minutes, they dawdled along the deserted walkway, cooling down from the earlier jog underneath the generous shade of the trees. Sakura felt something vibrating in her pocket and flashed out the source – five missed calls from Ino, another three demanding her whereabouts, and one from Hinata informing her that her absence had been reported as 'woman troubles,' and telling her to reply soon.

Sakura had no idea Hinata brought her phone to P.E.; she was under the impression that she had no interest in meddling with gadgets since she grew up under a stringent traditional household which discouraged its frequent use.

With the speed of a seasoned hand (despite her infrequent usage), she thanked Hinata and told her she would explain everything later, and a vague reply to Ino that she was not feeling well. Ino responded in less than ten seconds.

"NOT BUYING. BETTA XPLAIN LTR OR ELSE." Sakura snorted at the virtual threat, despite the smile snaking across her face. Slipping her phone back, she found Sasuke's eyes on hers.

"Sorry, the girls were quite worried that I just MIA on them," Sakura offered apologetically, hoping he was not under the impression that she was lacking interest in his company.

"Where are we going?" Sasuke replied instead. He had on an unreadable expression, and Sakura was wobbling between anxiety and hesitation. She skimmed their surroundings for inspirations. Locking eye to eye, she flashed an enigmatic grin.

"Follow me." Picking up speed, she manoeuvred them towards the woods beside their school and traced an uphill path familiar to only a few. Soon the landscape segued into rolling green hills, overlooking the city and located a few hundred meters away from Kizuna University. They could only make out the roofs of their high school from the hilltop.

"How did you find this place?" Sasuke asked as he surveyed their surroundings, clearly impressed. Sakura puffed her chest and without answering him, tugged him towards a massing of trees to the side of the hill. Squatting down, she groped around in the gap between the buttress roots and pulled out a blue and white checked picnic mat, then spread it out beside the aging tree.

Next, she felt around the hole again and fished out two packets of white chrysanthemum drink, tossing them at a mildly surprised Sasuke, who had been regarding her with masked fascination. She trotted towards the mat and sat down, patting invitingly next to her while smiling at Sasuke. Obligingly, he sank down, astounded by the coolness from the shade. Pulling his hand back to use as support, he breathed in the salubrious air, and felt his mood improving by tenfold.

"You seemed so stressed this morning, I was worried." Sasuke pried open his eyes and cocked his head towards Sakura, who was sipping her tea with demure.

"I'm just pissed off by Naruto," Sasuke grumbled, and Sakura took delight in his candidness.

"Sasuke-kun, do you remember, what happened yesterday?" At the reminder of the incident, his body stiffened, and Sakura cringed internally at breaking the peaceful spell. She started to apologise as he let loosed a stream of air.

"I… I was losing my consciousness, and there was nothing around for me to grip on to," He began. "There was this stubborn force dragging me down and… I have never felt so lost, so helpless since…" Since what? After momentarily losing himself in his thoughts, he quickly picked up where he left off.

"Before I passed out, I saw- I felt a grip on my wrist. Until now I have no idea whether it was just my imagination or if it really happened. All I remember is the emptiness in my chest and… It sucks," Sasuke finished, and Sakura could not escape detecting the shaking of his clenched fists. She swallowed back her empathy and rested her palm on his knuckles.

She said nothing, and gently stroked his hand with the tip of her smooth thumb, knowing no words could undo the traumatic experience. She recalled the flashback of his still body, redolent of a corpse, wet and pale. Thanks to her training at Konoha Hospital, she was able to retain a miniscule amount of sangfroid and performed CPU on him. It was too close.

She wondered, like Sasuke speculated, if someone really rescued him.

They decided to ditch the rest of the class in favour of a new Italian pasta café a few streets down. On the way they made small talks about his recent expedition to the Sand, bitched a little about the classes and subjects that would not even be relevant when they eventually entered the working life.

Sakura found herself talking in a slightly higher pitch and laughing louder than usual, the typical signs of carrying a torch for someone. Since high school began, the only times she had a one on one time with Sasuke was during one of those rare lunch breaks where Naruto invited her to dine with them, and Naruto leaving to order or visit the Men's. Even then, there was nothing much to talk about and Sasuke was obviously not one for small talks. The only stunning thing she managed to find out about him (much shout out to Naruto) was his predilection to cats. It went something like this:

"So… Sasuke-kun, what do you like?" Sakura prodded, squealing internally at the long awaited one-to-one moment with her crush. Who knew, the planets might align in her favour and "I like you" might just pop out from his mouth.

"…"

"I like you!" Naruto chimed in as he slotted in opposite them, declaring an end to her intimate session. Sakura rolled her eyes at his bad timing and bad line, but her heart pounded in impatience and anticipation.

"There's really nothing much that I like… Let's just say there are more things to dislike in this world…" Sasuke responded as a matter-of-factly, feeling the potential confession dissolving along with the wide grin on her face. Naruto scowled through mouthfuls of his bento.

"Fu are fou fooling! Wakura-chwan, I know what he likes! It's-"Naruto's revelation was cut short by Sasuke's uncharacteristic show of violence – he shoved his palm at his face, with grains of rice falling on his hands. Now Sakura was even curious.

"Who told you to stick your ass in other people's business? Just eat your food!" Sasuke rebuked, not escaping Sakura's eyes that he was shielding his face from her. Finally, Naruto pried off his hands from him.

"Bah! Sasuke likes cats! He loooooooves cats! He gets so soft with cats that he would rather get hit by a car than leave one on the road!" Naruto announced victoriously, while the defeated Sasuke settled down with his trademark "Hnn." Since he did not deny, Sakura decided to take Naruto's word for it. She also noticed tints of pink on his cheeks; was he blushing?

No, Sasuke did not do blush; it must be from the heat, Sakura concluded as she shook her head off the silly notion.

She beamed at the memory.

"What's so funny?" Sasuke in the present asked, startling her.

"Just… I'm having a great time with you and I'm feeling happy?" Sakura answered smoothly, gauging his reaction through her peripheral vision. He nodded and glanced ahead, his expression undecipherable. Sasuke-kun is so hard to read. They reached a small road lined with shop-houses, and headed towards the new café. Since it was still early, there were only a few people in the vicinity, to the liking of Sakura. The planets are definitely aligned for me! Shannaro!

"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Sakura froze at the strangely familiar voice, slowly turning to the direction of the source. By the road ensconced on one of the steel chairs, was a scarlet baby-doll guy, with unblinking feline eyes staring at her inquisitively.

"Oh! Sasori-san? What are you doing here?" Recognising it was her beloved senior, she loosened up her tensed shoulders and smiled warmly at him.

"Tsk, ignoring me and throwing back my question, asking for a death warrant, Sakura?" Sasori replied with malice, but his eyes were sparkling.

"Hai hai, my bad, Sasori-san. I… I er, came here for lunch?" Even though she was not lying, she felt sweat forming on her palms, and she self-consciously wiped them against her P.E. shorts. Sasori's sharp eyes caught her fidgety movement and took in her attire. He diverted his eyes to his watch, before raising an eye brow at her.

"Sakura, let's go," Sasuke, who had been lurking by the side spoke up suddenly, and dragged her away from the now smirking Sasori, into the café before she could vindicate herself of skipping classes with a guy.

After they ordered from the menu which they could understand nothing, Sasuke lowered his body and leaned in slightly towards Sakura.

"Who's that guy?" He enquired in a low voice.

"He's Sasori, a third year student from Kizuna University," Sakura answered automatically.

"I mean, how did you know him?" Is he jealous?

"I… He… He kind of saved me when I needed help, but we aren't really that close or anything," Sakura clarified quickly. Sasuke knew there was more than she was letting on, but kept his doubts sealed, his suspicious eyes trained on Sasori outside the café.

"Can't pin him as a benevolent type; those eyes give me the creeps," Sasuke confessed, frowning at the bottle of beer in his hand. Sakura spiralled around to look at him, and sensing multiple eyes on him, Sasori's eyes darted up, delivering a curt wave at them.

"He's not that bad, just reserved and slightly anti-social," Kind of like you, Sakura wanted to add, but resisted at the last moment.

"Hnn, don't get too close to him, Sakura," Sasuke advised, and Sakura felt her insides melting.

"Anything you say, Sasuke-kun." Somehow, the more she talked to Sasuke, the less she could figure him out. One moment he was all cold and detached, and the next he was acting the protective boyfriend. Was he honestly concerned about her or was it simply a passing remark?

When they were done with their satisfying meal and got up to leave, Sasori was already gone. It was then that Sakura realised that he himself skipped class, yet only she was getting the third degree. She was going to confront him about today in the future (without Sasuke knowing, of course).

"So, what do we do now?" Sakura asked.

"It would be too obvious if we head back to class now, and anyway the last class is Biology so we probably wouldn't miss much…" Sasuke analysed, and Sakura had to agree with him – knowing Jiraya-sensei, the lesson would either be scraped off as a self-reading session or a lecture with lots of inappropriate anatomy references, ending with a class of fidgeting students.

"You're right. Then I guess let's go home. I want to change out of this attire; it's sticking to my body," Sakura professed, astounded by how ingenuous she was behaving around Sasuke, despite his unreadable nature. This was the first time they really talked, and it was evident that Sasuke was capable of emotion beyond sulking, though she was still uncertain of his feelings towards her. Sasuke nodded his approval.

"Let me send you home." Send me home? I wouldn't mind if it was just for the length to the café's entrance!

"Shit…" At his expletive, Sakura got a jolt from her musing, before realisation sank in like a sack of rice.

"Sasuke-kun! We didn't…"

"Bring any cash, how careless of us." Disgruntled but yet to be disheartened, Sasuke took out his phone and sped dialled.

"Nii-san, it's me. I'm at San Atonio's Café and I didn't bring any cash with me, can you come down and settle the bill for me?" There was a heart-stopping pause, before he continued.

"Someone mistook my bag for his or hers and this someone's wallet is missing, so… Yes, yes, alright see you." Snapping his phone shut, he gestured for them to sit down.

"It- Your aniki is coming to pick up the bill?" At his nod of confirmation, Sakura felt her heartbeat escalating, and she swallowed in presentiment. She glanced down at her gruesome and unflattering attire, instantly overcome with trepidation.

"O-oh yea, w-what about our bags? They're still in the classroom…" Sakura pointed out weakly, in an attempt to distract herself from Itachi's pending arrival.

"I'll give that bum a ring." After a laconic and frustrating phone call with Naruto, which involved Sasuke reporting "I'll tell you next time" on a loop, their bag issue was settled with Naruto and Ino becoming the caretaker of their respective bags for the day. Since there was no homework, the arrangement was feasible.

Sakura's phone vibrated five minutes after Sasuke ended his phone call.

UR SO DEAD IF U DON GIV M A GD XPLANATION.

MEET ME MY GRANDMA'S HOUSE 7.

LATE N U CAN SAY GD BYE 2 UR BAG, LUV YA.

The ride home was uneventful, and it felt strange to see the brothers behaving so distant after their passionate display of affection the other day at the school gate. She surmised it might be the presence of an outsider. However, this did not dismiss Sakura's titillation of invariably checking out the convertible's rear-view mirror to ascertain that the driver was indeed, Kanae Itachi. When Sasuke suggested sending her home, and Itachi agreeing to drive her, she wanted to hug the brothers so badly, but exercised her filthy self-control and overrated dignity to a trembling grin of gratitude, in disbelief of her inconceivable luck.

To preserve her image in front of Sasuke, and to leave a good impression to her idol, she refrained from showing any signs of idolisation towards Itachi on the entire trip home. The autograph and selfie would have to wait.

When they skidded to a halt in front of Haruna Residence's guard house, Sakura relayed her succinct thank-you speech to Kanae Itachi, unwilling to start and to end their first conversation with a measly 'Thanks.' Itachi did not disappoint her, greeting her with his decorous conduct and humble farewell, elevating her admiration for him at least ten notches. Sasuke followed her down.

"T-Thank you for sending me home, Sasuke-kun, you didn't have to," Sakura started, suddenly coy at ending their day together.

"It wasn't me, it's my brother who's doing the deed," Sasuke replied begrudgingly, and Sakura could not control the giggle at his sulky expression. So he was upstaged by his impressive Brother.

"Hey, you accompanied me throughout the day, surely that counts for something?" Sakura wheedled, not wanting them to sour their relationship because of her.

"Right, take care, Sakura." Without a wave, he swivelled around, hopped onto Itachi's car and it whizzed off around the bend of the fairly deserted road. She felt slightly chest-fallen at his sudden cold treatment, but remembered her words to Sasuke earlier and bucked up.

"Surely this afternoon meant something to you, right, Sasuke-kun?" She pondered out loud.

"Sakura, where's your bag?" She flinched, but quickly recovered as an excuse struck her.

"It's with Ino; she offered to fix the faulty zip of the main compartment." She flashed a smile at him before going into her room to prepare for her shower.

"I see." Itachi was standing by the door of her bedroom, and they began a staring contest. Sakura was the first to break the eye contact.

"Oh right! I forgot to buy your lunch! Let me go get-"

"It's okay Sakura, I have already eaten," Itachi cut in, startling Sakura, "And I assumed you have too?"

"Oh, yes, I did, with my classmate," Sakura added, amazed by her ability to lie without batting her eyelashes. Needless to say, it did not escape Itachi's attention that she said 'classmate' instead of 'the girls'.

After her shower, she decided to have a high tea session with Itachi, and unwrapped a premium box of Japanese green tea that Itachi brought home just now.

"You said the shop lady gave it to you, for free?" Sakura did not mean to sound cynical, but when something seemed too good to be true… Did he even know the price of this particular green tea brand?

"Yes, is there a problem?" Itachi was under the impression that it was just an advertising gimmick, a tactic where they tricked consumers to buy something unnecessary or over-priced with free gifts.

"You only ordered a plate of cha soba, are you sure she didn't give the wrong person?" Sakura pressed on, as she poured the heated flask of water into the ceramic cups holding the teabags in question.

"Yes, Sakura…" The last instance he had been bombarded with questions was during his final battle with Sasuke, and even then he was trying his best to maintain his patience and conveyed everything to his feisty brother.

Sakura was positive that the green tea was a token of appreciation of Itachi's allure; not that he would buy her reasoning, as picking up signs was just not in him. Handing him the superior tea, she sat down opposite him and watched him sipped delicately at the beverage.

Sakura was unable to hold her curiosity any longer, and decided to pop the question.

"So what do you do when you're alone, other than reading those books?" Itachi paused and flicked his eyes towards her. He could not exactly admit that he had been tailing her and Sasuke, or the other time when he found them entering Yonder Forest with Naruto. He figured to settle for a compromised truth.

"I would be training, either in the forest or on the roof top." Her eyes widened at the unexpected information.

"What? How did you even get an access to the roof top? And are you sure it's safe to liberally use… Chakra here?" Sakura could not curt her fear of someone discovering his otherworldly abilities.

"I would be able to detect anyone coming within a fifty meter radius of my location, and that would grant me enough time to mask my presence and any evidence of recent activity," Itachi assured her, and Sakura felt silly that she had just doubted the most tactful person she might have met in her life.

"You're right, I'm sorry for my accusatory tone, I-Itachi." Sakura's stammer did not escape Itachi's advertent eyes, and his eye brows curved into a slight frown.

"Is anything wrong, Sakura?" He asked as she lowered her head and gingerly sipped at her tea.

"I just felt bad for leaving you alone at home… I mean, I can't imagine myself in your shoes – being thrown into a world with no one who knew you!" Sakura admitted, and continued, "I can't say that I gladly took you in, because trust me, I wasn't given much choice…" She detected a slight wince on Itachi's face at the mention of their initial meeting, and felt oddly pleased.

"But! You know what, Itachi? I am glad to have met you, to keep you company till you found your way home. Till then, my house is your house, remember that," Sakura concluded, gripped by blithe realising that she meant everything she said. Itachi returned with one of his scarce minuscule smile, his eyes speaking of gratitude and a lingering despondence that Sakura could not figure out.

"Oh yes, I have already got someone to prepare the necessary documents for your admission to the University? So soon we would be able to go to school together!" Sakura side-tracked, hating the brooding look on him of being reminded that he did not belong here.

"Is that so? Thank you, Sakura, it must have been troublesome for you," Itachi remarked, though part of him suddenly had reservations of his decision to begin a life here. However, with the knowledge that someone who resembled Sasuke existed in this timeline, and even coming into contact with him, he was piqued with interest by the future version of his brother. For instance, did he also have an older brother; perhaps someone much more qualified than himself?

"… As a repayment, I will have to cover for his shifts for the following week on top of my own shifts, so I would be away most of the time, is that okay, Itachi?" Sakura confessed, and Itachi duly nodded, despite missing out on her earlier words.

"To your new life!" Sakura raised her cup and cheered as their cups clinked.

"To my new life," Itachi added, meaningfully.

Knocking lightly on the door, Sakura braced herself as the approaching footsteps grew louder before it turned into sound of the door unlocking, revealing a smiling Ino.

"Hey! You're here, come on in, dinner is just ready. Mas, Sakura's here!" Ino shouted into house, using their favourite moniker for her grandmother, before pulling Sakura into the apartment. It has the same layout as hers, but unlike her minimalist approach, over here it challenged her resolve of a clean and conservative concept.

The two sides of the wall were painted absinthe green, and within it were an assortment of couches and armchairs, along with an array of wooden cabinets and glass coffee tables with distinctive prints. On top of each of them held lavish pieces of relics.

"The green helps my eyesight," Ino's grandma elaborated once when she enquired about her choice of wall colour. Befittingly, the house smelt of musk and burning scent, and despite the cosy interior, it would always feel like she just entered a fortune teller's room, with answers to her future revealed in seconds. Her Grandmother was once an antique collector, travelling all over the world to bag and snag Asian furniture and ornaments.

Sailing passed a matching green sofa, they sank down onto the cushioned chairs by the white kitchen island, where three steaming plates of carbonara with a sunny side-up sat. Sakura blinked, puzzled by the Western dish. As far as her hobby went, her Grandma favoured local over "rubbish foods outside."

"Good Evening, Mas! So you've finally come to terms with Western food?" Sakura joked while restraining herself from diving into the tantalising pasta. 'Elders first,' was the unspoken rule in the household.

"Aye, Sakura-chan. Our Ino baby begged and cried that she wanted to eat this, and since she offered to help with the chores and prepare this dish, I can't say no, eh?" Mas explained and beamed at Ino, but she was making some weird faces back to her.

"Ino, something got into your eye?" Sakura leaned forward for a better view, before she brusquely cut her off with a wave and an awkward smile.

"I'm sure you'll find this dish to your liking, ne Sakura?"

"Well, of course! Nothing beats Mas' cooking. Though it's funny why you had a sudden craving today… And did you seriously play a part in preparing this?"

"Why? Did you just eat pasta recently?" Ino asked sweetly while evading her question. She only managed to get the penne out of the packaging, transferred it onto the pan before she grew blasé and went to fiddle with her phone in the living room. Sakura's fork suspended mid-way to her mouth, before she carried on.

"This is good stuff! You should make this more often Mas." Mas grunted a non-committal reply, and anyone could tell she had taken a fancy to the "rubbish foods" she wholeheartedly claimed to detest. When Ino's words went unnoticed, she thought to herself, two can play the game.

"So Sakura, did you know that this afternoon, Sasuke-kun also went MIA? Had Shikamaru not jump in in time with a lame fib about stomach ache, Gai-sensei would be on the brink to summoning a search party!" Ino apprised Sakura, causing her to choke on her bacon.

"Careful, girl, come take some of this barley, it'll help." Nodding her thanks amidst the burning sensation from the coughing, she gulped down the warm home-made barley, feeling fleetingly better.

"I-Is it? That's so not him, t-to skip class that is." Sakura kept her eye away from Ino's penetrating stare, iffy of what to say next.

"Where do you think he went, Sakura? The last time Shikamaru checked, he's definitely not in the Sick bay," Ino drawled on, her keen eye never once leaving her face. Mas casted a slanted eye at the girls, wondering what all the debate was all about. Back in her prime, she used to be the topic of discussion, and not necessarily for the wrong instances. It was one of the reasons why she insisted on dinner with them at least once a week – to not just spend quality time with her granddaughter but also to relish in her fading past, before it all reduced into a hazy blur.

"Is this Sasuke dude someone you like, Sakura-chan? Can I see a picture, Ino baby?" This time, she managed to swallow her food before she made a spectacle of herself again.

"H-He's just a classmate, Mas! Besides, we hardly talk, not even sure if he sees me as his friend…" Sakura asserted, despising the wild guesses she had to fill in to complete the Sasuke crossword.

"Mas, it's this, last row, second one from the left." Ino never failed to boggle Sakura's mind as she passed the last year's yearbook to Mas. Who kept a spare of yearbook at your Grandma's house, and when did she dug that out?

"Hmmm, quite a feast for the eye eh, Sakura-chan?" Sakura blushed, before Mas continued, "He has troubled eyes, looks like he's more than what meets the eye," Mas concluded with Ino nodding away.

"Mas, since when are you a fortune-teller?"

"Let's just say I'm a tad sensitive when it comes to reading boys," Mas winked seductively at the girls. While Ino feigned a throwing up motion, Sakura cackled away, grateful for the limelight timeout. She did not want to gabble on about someone who might not even end up in contact a year from now. She was that pessimistic, especially after how Sasuke blew a hot and cold at her just now.

"Go dig out more, you'll be surprised by what you're going to learn, Sakura-chan," Mas pushed on when Sakura remained silent. She ate in wonderment at what could be shocking news about Sasuke that she had yet to uncover.

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"Rubbish! You know I always give the best ideas," Ino boasted.

"But… Don't you want to accompany Mas? I mean, that's the whole point of this gathering yea?" Sakura reasoned, hoping to instil some last minute guilt for abandoning Mas.

"What's the problem, Sakura? Don't tell me you are hiding some hot guy in your house and you don't want to let me see!" Ino bantered while elbowing her, and she felt like an amateur thief caught pickpocketing. Stranded, she needed to give him a warning before they covered the last stretch along the looming corridor.

"W-What? What are you talking about? How I wish!" Sakura's voice rang like a shrill, leaving a resounding echo along the forlorn path. She noted how Ino was giving her the 'look' but chose to ignore it in favour of retrieving her house keys, emphasising the jiggles and clinking of metal against metal for a good five seconds, before feeling satisfied and proceeded to unlock the door.

"Do you do that every time before you open your door?" Ino asked disbelievingly, and Sakura could picture her raised eyebrows without turning around.

"I was looking for the right key. I'm home!" She announced into the darkness, both out of habit and precaution. Tentatively flicking on the lights, she executed a sweeping glance across the spic and span living room, noting the missing pair of sandals next to her red flip-flops.

"I see your house is as clean as ever; come on let's get into your bedroom!" Ino suggested and manoeuvred her way passed Sakura as though it was her territory before she could stop her.

"Wait-"

"Ahhh, cosy…" Sakura nervously scanned her room. The conspicuous sleeping bag by the bed was out of sight, as were the stack of books Itachi borrowed. The room appeared just the way it was before he came, except for a subtle balmy woody scent which he seemed to have left before leaving. That was the reassuring smell of Itachi, an indication of his presence, even though he was not around now.

Wait, he can't be hiding under the bed, right? Winded with uneasiness, she squatted down and was greeted with a piece of note.

Sakura

I have a sneaking suspicion that you would look under the bed, but in all honesty, did you really think I was planning to hide here? I will find a place to camp out for the night. Have fun.

I.

"What you doing lying on the floor?" Discreetly tucking his note into her skirt's front pocket, she hastily stood up and dusted herself.

"Oh, you know, just making sure Sasuke's super-secret candid photo album is well-hidden," Sakura replied in a jocular manner, sneaking a roguish smile.

"Right, like you would ever hide it under your bed, or did you really?" Ino's voice hit an octave as she frantically bended down to peek underneath.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Sakura folded her arms as she slouched against her desk, her mind wondered on about Itachi's speedy escape and his whereabouts. Where could one flee to in a moment's notice?

"Sure, can I check out your fridge?" Together they made headway for the kitchen. As Ino pried open the door, she gasped as she grabbed and thrust a bottle of ginjo into Sakura's face.

"Sakura? You drink?"

"It wasn't for me- I mean I bought it for, for Mas but I kept forgetting to pass it to her…" In truth, while she was shopping for groceries the other day, she thought that Itachi was the type into sake (being adult and man and all) and intended the half dozen bottles as a surprise for her tenant.

"Ooo, better not, wouldn't want Mas getting drunk and vomiting all over herself…" Ino mumbled, all the while eyeing avidly at the green bottles in her fridge.

Regrettably, Itachi was not an alcohol person.

"You just want them for yourself, Ino." At the blatant tone, Ino pouted pleadingly as she swiped out all the bottles onto the dining table.

"Wait, you can't be serious."

"Relax, despite how I look, I can hold my liquor almost as well as Shikamaru's Dad!" Sakura marvelled at how Shikamaru's Dad got into the picture, but her moment of wonderment was cut off by a 'pop' sound. Pausing after a big gulp, Ino pointed the bottle at her.

"Sit down, you and I have a lot to talk about." Dropping onto the chair opposite Ino, Ino promptly slide a bottle towards her. As she watched Ino soaking in the world of sake, she could not help but to take an involuntary gulp.

"Who were you out with this afternoon?" The interrogation began.

"It wasn't planned, I swear-"

"Who. Were. You. Out. With." Sakura recoiled as she floundered for the best answer.

"I wasn't- I, I was out with Sasuke-kun," She came clean, knowing Ino would see through any attempt of her weak façade.

"Tell me what happened, even parts you think aren't worth mentioning." Taking a generous swig of the fragrant and sweet drink, she duly relayed her unofficial date with Sasuke, and also giving her a verbatim of what he said, hoping Ino could catch on to his muffled thoughts on Sakura.

"I reckon he's interested, even if it's just a slightest bit, but it's there." Sakura's heart soared, but quickly faltered to minimise the fatality in events of her wishful thinking. They continued to mull over where Sasuke's heart laid, and after reaching several roadblocks, the topic shifted to Ino's beau.

"Recently, I talked to him. He misses you too, you know."

"What do you mean, 'too?' What makes you think that I even think about that jerk?" Ino fired back and Sakura sighed – this denying game was starting to turn trite.

"He must have a valid reason for his choice-"

"HE DUMPED ME. Yes, not I but HE, dumped ME! Since when do I become the dumped, huh? Who does he think he is, ending things when everything was going so well… I even thought of marrying that sick ass, how silly of me, huh?" Uncapping the third bottle, she slurped the ginjo hungrily, and Sakura got the impression that ginjo was not the only thing she was swallowing.

She casted a wistful look towards the murky mass of forest outside the window and contemplated over Deidara's perfidy. The only thing stopping her from storming to his slovenly apartment was the inappropriateness of the situation – both were her bosom buddies, and it was impolite to intrude on other's relationship issues, good friend or not.

Taking a causal sip of the sake, she nodded away as Ino rattled on a list of cons of the breakout.

Summoning a strength she did not know she was capable of, she half-carried and half-dragged Ino into her bedroom and hurled her onto her bed. After clearing up the empty bottles into the recyclables bag, she started towards her room, before remembering to bring along a bucket lined with plastic bag. She wanted to be prepared for the impending day care work tomorrow.

"Dei…" Stroking Ino's hair, she gently spread her freshly laundered blanket over her still heartbroken friend, before retrieving the sleeping bag in the cardboard which Itachi had deposited before he left.

"Good night, Itachi," She said into the darkness and half-hoping that he heard her.

This chapter is not only intended as filler but also to shed more light and meaning for later parts of the story, as I needed everyone to see Sakura's relationship and stand with the supporting characters of the story too. I'll take this chance to thank Mustsleep for the beautiful motivational words and constructive reviews for each of my chapters; yours words meant worlds to me and once again, let me thank you for your time and thoughts given. I'm working on the upcoming chapters, so faithful readers, do stay by and a big thank you for your relentless support!