As the first streams of harsh sunlight glazed through the slits in her patterned curtains, she fought the urge to curse. Sakura hated being awoken. Especially when it wasn't even a living thing, like rays of sunlight. Being a light sleeper was so troublesome and infuriating she wanted to flip something, a table for example.

Trying in vain to block out the intrusion of her peaceful sleep by throwing multiple pillows at the crack in her curtains and screaming into her pillow in fits of annoyance and frustration, she finally decided to slide onto the floor and crawl to the bathroom, if she even managed that without breaking the door in anger.

She clambered lazily over to her door and swung it open with a little too much force, worrying her if the hinges were going to give way if she had exerted a little more force. The hinges on her door responded with a defined creak.

Nonetheless, she was satisfied that she did not destroy her door, but only shortened the life span of it a couple of years. She really didn't fancy the idea of trudging out of her apartment with her usual foul morning mood to get someone to fix it. Maybe what people said were true, that she was truly becoming a second Tsunade, which led to her pondering over how Shizune maintained her level-headed-ness and retained her composure at times of hysteria and frustration despite being Tsunade's apprentice for many years.

As much as she loved her master, she didn't want to turn into a complete copy of her. For one, Tsunade's temper would be rated as a 20 in terms of a scale from one to ten. Sakura was beginning to believe that she was a close 15. There was a time when the fifth Hokage was so frustrated regarding the endless flow of paperwork piling up on her desk, she threw her chair out of the window, which destroyed the "welcoming booth" near the village gates where Izumo and Kotetsu frequented, resulting in two shivering Chuunins and a panicking Shizune trying to calm them down.

Closing the bathroom door behind her, Sakura stretched out her stiff back muscles and a few images of the night before made their way into her mind.

There were images of her hooking her arms around Naruto and Sai, consisting of a goofy grin plastered on Naruto's whiskered face, another smile on Sai's face, but she still couldn't differentiate whether it was a genuine one or a fake one. But Sai appeared strangely light hearted last night, he didn't even push her arm away harshly when it was hooked into his, but let her arm remain where it was.

Combing through her rosette locks with her fingers while brushing her teeth, she found it a strange action that she even considered to maintain physical contact with the pale skinned boy she claimed she would hate for all eternity. Friendly and close physical contact such as hugging and light kisses on the forehead with Naruto was normal, considering the years they've been as teammates and the times the annoying blonde had cheered her up with his goofy faces and lame jokes. But just, not Sai.

It wasn't a bad thing, she guessed, maybe they were finally on the right track to becoming friends. Genuine friends. And maybe, just maybe, he would give her the respect he always seemed to have for Naruto. As for her self-questioning about her hooking her arm through his', it could be because it was one hell of an euphoric night filled with dizzying lights, exaggerated reactions of laughter and perhaps a slight overdose of alcohol, resulting in a very drunk Gai, who carried a protesting Kakashi to run a lap around the village. Their team leader eyes' appeared more lifeless than usual when his ordeal was completed.

Naruto and Sakura had felt bad for Kakashi and decided to walk him all the way home. Another gasp of laughter escaped her throat as she remembered how Kakashi was mumbling about turning Gai blue and burning his ugly body-clinging spandex green unitard. There were just so many times one has a chance to glimpse the other faces of their ex-sensei, and not the dead fish eyes and the disinterested mood he always had. It was a good change though, it made Kakashi seem less bizarre and more human.

Grateful that the sudden anger of being woken up dissipated as quickly as it appeared, she undressed and headed into the shower, instantly comforted by bubbles, warm water and fluffy steam all around her.

There was something nagging at her mind that gave her the impression that it would be a good day.

Since today was her day off from the hospital, she decided to head to village's Archive Library to read up on the past events of her home. It was top secret, only accessible by the Hokage's most trusted shinobi. Since she was Tsunade's apprentice, she had free access to the large collection of literary works. It would be nice spending a peaceful afternoon all by herself surrounded by books. Maybe she would consider a dip in the hot springs after her literary adventure.

Opening her closet, she was a little disappointed in what laid inside. A few pencil skirts for work, an ugly pair of shorts, and a few measly blouses and her usual ninja gear. She did not even buy any dresses since she moved into a place of her own. Running her hands through her hair again, Sakura sighed. Was she that oblivious everyday morning in her moods that her closet be turned into this saddening pile of cloth? After making a mental reminder to start buying a little more clothes to fill up her horrible excuse for a closet, she reached for a hair tie and gathered her hair up into a ponytail, heading for the door with keys in hand.

As she turned her back to lock her door behind her, she found a piece of paper stuck on it. It was a simple note scribbled in elegant handwriting. She knew only artists were able to turn defined strokes of ink into a simple piece of art. And she did happen to know an artist who was greatly talented in creating art. That person just was not an entirely nice person.

Sakura's brows furrowed as she freed the piece of paper from the tape on her door.

Hey Ugly. Kakashi wants to meet at the Training Grounds at 12 along with Yamato and Naruto. Permission from Hokage granted.

A defeated sigh escaped from her lips.

Sai really was hopeless.

This time, she didn't feel angry or upset. Instead, she felt a giggle emanating from within her.

Letting up and with a smile tugging at her lips, she went back into her apartment to change into training gear.

Well, book-scouting would have to wait.

Sai secured his sword in his holster properly as Naruto babbled on about taking everyone down while Kakashi and Yamato were looking on at him with bored expressions.

Sakura was late.

She even managed to be later than Kakashi this time round.

And she was never late.

Did something happen to her?
Was she feeling offended that he wrote ugly again? If he remembered correctly, she hated the word. He didn't get what was wrong with the word. It was just that, a word. Sakura really needed some help in the anger management department.

There was one thing he was puzzled about. Last night she seemed a little too ecstatic than she normally was, or was it the result of the bottles of sake she had been pouring down her throat along with his teammates. If he remembered correctly, one of his self help books said something about drinking too much of alcohol, which was found in sake, one could be affected so much to the extent to lose control of one's faculties or behavior. What was it called… oh yes, the action of getting drunk or tipsy.

Not to mention that he did not push her away when she linked her arm around his' when the main festivities began commencing. He did not feel the need to. He felt strangely at ease, with some strange tickly sensation in the pit of his stomach. Maybe the horrendous mixture of food he was forced to take in by his fellow teammates caused some kind of reaction that unsettled his stomach.

Maybe Sakura really wasn't coming.

Then he wouldn't waste his time here waiting around. He had better things to do.

Painting for example.

He slung his backpack over his shoulder and rose up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Kakashi called from under a tree.

"I'm wasting my time here."

"You call waiting for Sakura-chan wasting time?!" Naruto called incredulously while dangling upside down from a tree.

"Yes."

"Oh, come on! You don't have to show that you're that unwilling to train with us… It's seldom that Kakashi-sensei would actually take the liberty of opening his mouth to tell us to train!"

Sai wasn't unwilling. He just thought that he had better things to do. " Unlike a penis-less person like you, I have better things to do, Naruto."

He could see the blonde stiffen.

Then a rush of wind flew to his left.

Noticing too late, he unsheathed his sword a moment too late as Naruto was already inches in from of him, a kunai stretched out in front of him with an furious expression on his face.

Sai thought he was going to get a cut from that blade of Naruto's. But as quickly as Naruto appeared in front of him with that killing intent of his, he felt himself being heaved up and he saw Naruto was being lifted up in the same way.

Next thing he knew, he both of them were suddenly flying towards the direction of a nearby tree, head first.

Sai twisted his body to the right and tried to make contact with the ground with his feet so he could jump onto a branch.

It was a pity that he miscalculated. Unfortunately, the speed he was flung at was too fast and his shoulder collided with the tree trunk with a resounding crack.

After sliding to the ground with a wince on his face, he put a hand to his shoulder and felt a wave of relief when it wasn't dislocated. Other than scraped skin and a damaged tree trunk, he was still intact.

Naruto, on the other hand, did not take the liberty of turning his body to one side or try any means of reducing the impact. He collided straight first into the tree trunk. Maybe he really was penis-less.

While he was trying to get up, he was surprised that he stood face first with a smirking Sakura. Since when did she come?

"Nice bruise, do you need me to heal that for you?"

"It's alright."

"Are you sure? If wincing means you're okay, I'll go heal Naruto over there.

"What was the point of flinging the both of us so violently?" Sai asked while rubbing his shoulder again.

"Naruto may be a little dumb, but he definitely isn't powerless, Sai. That attack could've been fatal. Don't tell me you did not notice his killing intent."

Sai grunted in response and walked away while Sakura walked past him to heal their blonde teammate.

How troublesome. He shouldn't have came out in the first place. He should've have ignored Kakashi's message and stayed at home to paint instead. He should've enjoyed a peaceful day at home without having to interact with people, which were starting to become tiring. Interacting with Sakura, to be precise.

She was so confusing.

She wanted to impale him on sticks at first when he cracked a joke. He was so used to using the word ugly that sometimes it just slipped out.

Then she was happy when he apologized.

Sakura even made physical contact with him other than punching him. And he had read in his books that physical contact meant someone was attracted or close to one, at least that meant he was preferable company.

But one does not fling preferable company towards a tree. Even if she had claimed it was for his safety. Why would she concern herself whether he was safe or not? Maybe it was her inner medic kicking in.

Letting out a sigh, he walked over to where Sakura was busy healing the bump on Naruto's forehead while Yamato and Kakashi looked on with concern. The blonde was complaining as usual as Sai picked up snippets of the conversation.

"DID YOU HAVE TO DO THAT, SAKURA-CHAN?!"

Sakura hummed absently and continued healing his forehead.

"DID YOU KNOW THAT HURT?!"

"Then you should've took precautions when it comes to controlling your temper and you should've tried to evade the tree trunk. Or minimize the damage, like how Sai did. Right, Sai?" Sakura called over her shoulder.

Surprised that she knew he was noticed from such a distance away, especially when he moved soundlessly. He managed a hum of agreement.

Naruto pouted when he walked closer. "Don't ever do that again, Sai. I've had enough with your jokes with penises."

He ignored the blonde.

"SAI!"

"Who said it was a joke?"

A growl was reached his ears, and this time it took both Kakashi and Sakura to pin him to the ground. Naruto was struggling with all his energy and Sai could see the anger in his eyes. How reckless. Naruto needed a lot of help if he wanted to be the Hokage.

"Kakashi-sensei, I think we should train another day." Sakura grunted while she held Naruto's legs. "I don't think Naruto would be able to refrain from killing Sai."

Yamato hummed in agreement while Kakashi sighed.

"Just when I was in the mood to move around and inflict damage on the three of you…"

Three pairs of judging eyes regarded him immediately.

"I'm joking, I'm joking," Kakashi drawled. "Till next time then." He disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"See you guys." Yamato smiled as he departed the same way.

After the two seniors took their leave, Sakura finally released a calm Naruto as he heaved a heavy breath.

"I'll head home now. Won't be a problem if I leave that dick and you together will it, Sakura-chan? I can't stand another moment with him."

Sakura laughed as she placed a hand on the hyperactive blonde's shoulder. "You know you don't mean that."

Naruto grunted. After shooting a last scowl in the direction of Sai, Naruto walked towards the gates of the training ground back home, leaving Sai and Sakura alone.

They sat in silence.

It was a very long silence as they stared straight ahead at the vast expanse of green grass and dense trees.

It did not feel like an awkward silence, the type where one would take any type of petty excuse to leave the scene.

As surprised as Sakura was to admit it to herself, the long silence between her supposedly archenemy turned out to be rather comfortable.

Finally reaching a conclusion that the no matter how comfortable silences got, this one was stretching a little too long for her taste.

"Sai, you shouldn't have done that."

"Hmm."

"Sai. I'm serious. You know that teamwork is essential and I don't think we'll be able to function well if you keep on spitting insults at everyone."

Sai carried an unreadable expression on his face which looked like something between confusion and frustration.

"How am I supposed to know what people want to hear?! I'm not a mind reader, I can't see through the minds of people. What right do they have to get mad at her when I don't even know what I did wrong? I don't even know what emotions feel like! I spent many late nights reading up on emotions in the ton of self-help books that I've been purchasing and I don't understand anything!"He raised his voice in frustration at her.

Taken aback by Sai's sudden outburst, Sakura quickly forced her shock to dissipate from her features as she regained her composure. Was this ever emotionless boy feeling something? It was frustration and anger, but at least it was something.

Sakura felt a smile tug at her lips.

"Sai, you just have to say nice things. Compliment them. Would you like it better if I called you handsome, smart, someone who has great skills or an ugly menace who was horrible at being a ninja?"

A moment passed.

"The former."

"I thought so."

Ruffling a hand through his hair, he furrowed his brows as his lips parted. Then he had pressed his lips into a straight line as quickly as it opened.

But Sakura was a ninja who was trained to be as observant as ever. To scrutinize every little detail so she did not miss anything, and to never let her guard down. And that little skill has saved her lives countless times.

"You want to say something do you, Sai? Don't keep it in. Unless you want that frustration to consume you. What is it?"

Shock flickered his ebony orbs.

"Help me."

It was a very rare occasion to see Sai asking for help as she swallowed the temptation to smirk at him. He was confused, frustrated and angry at no one but himself. It was a vulnerable part of Sai that she had never seen before. And Sai was rarely vulnerable emotionally and it would be easy to take advantage of him and drive him to his knees in front of her, perfect revenge for the perfect archenemy.

She gave herself a mental slap for considering it. Here he was, her teammate practically begging for help in Sai language, and images of him at her disposal flashed through her mind. And she was the one who preached teamwork. How pathetic. How hypocritical.

Sai still looked at her with those eyes. It reminded her of a lost puppy, searching everywhere to find some solace, even the littlest bit of it.

After a silence, what looked like hope in Sai's eyes faded away. Noticing it right away, she smiled at him genuinely.

"Of course."

Sai simply stared at her once again.

"One more thing, Sai. Remember to smile when someone decides to help you."

He gave her one of his fake smiles.

"Shall we try a genuine one this time? I want to see the happiness in your eyes," Sakura smirked.

He lips twitched upwards but she could still see the confusion in his eyes.

A giggle emanated from Sakura.

"It's alright Sai. We'll get to smiling soon." She gave him a reassuring smile.

Sai stared at her.

As Sakura was going to open her mouth to protest, he astonished her.

"Thank you, Sakura. Thank you for willing to help me. I am ever grateful to you."

It was formal, but it would do. She felt herself beam at him.

"You're welcome. Let's go then. No use wasting time here, right, Sai?"

"Alright."

A jolt of pain shot through Sai's shoulder as he tried to stand up and he staggered in his steps.

Sakura ran to his side and pressed a hand to his shoulder, sending flickers of chakra into his body to search for injuries. Turned out that the injury was at the exact place she was currently touching.

"Your shoulder muscles are swollen, Sai."

"You did this to me,"

"When?!"

"You flung me at a tree with your strength, Sakura."

"Oh, that. Sorry. I'll heal that right away. Sit down." Sakura commanded as he obliged.

Placing a hand on his lap to steady him, she sent streams of energy into him to repair the wound that she had inflicted. Apart from some winces and silent cries of pain shown through his eyes, Sai remained stoic and expressionless.

A strangely pleasant ambience filled the air around them. It was a comfortable silence, except from the gentle hum or her chakra.

Thank you so much for the reviews, and thank you guys for reading. I hope you've enjoyed the chapter. Again, I would love it if you reviewed. Thank you :)