Sakura was walking briskly down the halls, searching for him. She had found out from Ino that the two had meet in the summer and apparently hated each other. It's a good thing too. It's hard enough with his fan girls around. But she knew Kushina was a loyal friend no matter what.

I remember that one time...

"Bros before hoes dudes."Kushina said.
"But we're girls."
"Don't take it literally Ten."
"Yeah, we should make a pact!" Ino giggled. "About what?" Sakura looked confused.
"In case any two or more of us like a certain guy." She clarified.
"T-that's unl-likely to-o happen."Hinata stuttered.
"If it does happen anyways, we'll be ready."

"How about, no matter what, no boy will change us"
"That's brilliant Ten! Anybody else?"
"No showing off?" Kushina offered.
"Yup. No show-offs."
"If the guy chooses one of the two, the other must not interfere."
"And we have Sakura in the lead."
"I'm hungry..."
"You're always hungry Kushina."
She just stuck her tounge out.

She saw Sasuke by his locker and quickly shook the thought away.

"Hey Sasuke-kun!"

"Hn."

She frowned a bit. Irresponsive as ever.

"So what class do you have next?"

But he wasn't even paying attention. Sakura followed his gazing direction and her eyes landed on a certain Uzumaki and her Hyuga best friend. They were chatting by the latter's locker, while she got out some books. They didn't stop walking even as they noticed the two.

"Sasuke-kun." she tried getting his attention again when they were out of sight.

"What?" Have to say something...

"Did you notice that Hinata doesn't stutter at all when she speaks to Kushina?"

Sakura bit her lip in anticipation. It was the best she could come up with without time on her side. He wasn't very patient.

"Hn." she sighed. At least he didn't tell her to get lost...

-
Sup Uzumaki.

She sighed. The only class they were both together and alone (as in none of their friends were here) just had to be Physics.

Can't you see I'm trying to pay attention?

But this stuff is easy.

You do know that my worst subject is Physics, right?

Sasuke looked at her and made a 'are you serious' face.

That was unexpected.

So?

...

You can't do that on paper, Uchiha!

Yes I can. Who died and made you the queen of notes?

No one had to die for it. Not yet anyway...

Are you threatening me?

No, I was about to gift you with some flowers idiot.

Don't call me that. You're the idiot.

Oh real creative Sasuke. Just turn my insult towards me.

I'm not. Just stating the obvious here.

Duck-butt.

He openly glared at her. She didn't bother. As soon as the bell rang, she bolted out of class.

"Oi, Uzumaki! Slow down!"

"What do you want now duck-butt?"

Twitch.

"Deja vu, right?"

"I'm coming over."

"Do I look like I care?"

"You should, because you're going to tell me something."

"And what pray tells is that?"

"You'll see."

And with that he walked away. She could only wonder what the Uchiha wanted from her.

He softly knocked on her bedroom door and stood back. He hasn't been here since that day he apologized. It only felt like yesterday when we refused to be in the same room as each other. Although they still insult each other and argue sometimes, they've come a long way. He knocked again; still no answer. He felt the vein on his forehead protrude. He started banging on her door.

"Geez Uchiha! Lay off my door."

He turned around and met her annoyed face. "Let's get this over with, I have places to be."

"On your laptop watching endless hours of movies." He smirked.

"For your information, I watch some series too."

"Nice way of spending a Friday night."

"It won't be counted as Friday night unless you leave, so I suggest you get in before I change my mind."

He pulled up a chair and she plopped onto her bed rather lazily. He checked his surroundings. The room was neat, other than the laptop and headphones on the floor. There was a PS connected to the tv. Better check out her games some time.

Although he may not look like it, Sasuke was a hardcore player. His only joy in life was playing for endless amounts of time.

"What did you want to know?"

He met her eyes. "Hinata never stutters when she's with you." When Sakura had brought that up, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

"..."

"Kushina?"

"It's kind of a long story."

"And I have loads of time."

"It's pretty boring too..."

"I still want to know."

"But then it's practically my childhood story. You don't want to hear about that."

"Yes I do."

"Sasuke I'm serious." She said it.

"If you think I'm going to spread this, you're wrong."

"Ugh fine!" Yes! "But you also have to share something too."

"...deal."

"Okay then," she said awkwardly, sitting up. "Where do I begin?"

I was six years old then. I was walking by myself along the playground when I noticed her sitting alone in a secluded area. I was new, and wanted to make loads of friends, so I approached her slowly; making sure she only saw me once I reached.
"Hello."
She looked up surprised. "A-are y-you speaking to-o mm-e?"
"Yes, there's nobody else here." I sat down next to her. "My name is Kushina by the way."
"H-hyuga H-Hinata."
"Why are you alone? Don't you have any friends?"
She looked down and hid her eyes with her short hair.
"Don't worry Hinata, I'll be your first."
She looked up quickly. "W-why are y-you d-doing this?"
"Because I want to."
"...thank you, Kushina."
Our friendship didn't necessarily kick off from there.
One day while I was playing on the swings, a few girls a little older than me came up to me. "Hey are you Kushina?"
I bit my lip. I didn't want any trouble.
"Uh, yes."
"We would like you to stay away from Hinata."
"What! Why?"
"That's none of your business. Stay away or else." Then they left. I was very naive back then, and kept away from her like I was told. I couldn't stand to watch her wait for me every day with a bag of chocolate and then go home disappointed. She was the one who showed me what chocolate was. I then saw her one day staring at a small blonde boy who was on one of the swings by himself. She looked really into him at that time. I watched her sadly.
A few days later I saw her getting pushed around by the same girls who threatened me not so long ago. Something in me snapped. I marched there and stood in between them. "You leave her alone!"
They all laughed together. "Didn't we say to stay away from her."
"Get a life." Hinata stared wide eyed at me.
"Kushina run! I don't want you to get hurt!" And that was when I'd had it. I was the one who abandoned her, and yet she still cared about me.
"Oh, so you do speak! You think you're better than us, don't you?"
My eyes darkened. Apparently they all noticed it since they took a step back. "YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO LEAVE THIS PLACE BEFORE I PERSONALLY SHOW YOU THE WAY OUT!" The girls ran away as fast as they could. "Thank you."
"No. I'm sorry I listened to them. I wasn't there for you."
"You're here now. Let's just start over?"
"Do we have to? I'm pretty lazy."
She laughed. I also cut my long hair that day, and promised myself three things: I would always be there for Hinata. I will always stand up for myself. And the most important, I will never be fake.

She got up and rummaged through a one of her drawers and came back with a picture. Sasuke, still a bit shocked at her story, was in deep thought. So she wasn't always like that..

Sasuke looked at the photo she passed to him. It was a younger version of her and Hinata, both with short hair, holding up papers with hand paint prints. He smiled.

"...you look constipated."

"Must you ruin the moment?"

"It's not my fault I'm terribly honest."

"Guys MnMs want us all downstairs."

MnMs is a code name we gave to the mothers, and yes, it was Kushina's 'bright' idea.

"What happened Naruto?"

"Beats me. But whatever it is, they were very excited."

"That does not sound right..."

When they all sat in the living room, MnMs together, Naruto and Sasuke on the couch and Kushina on the floor, it was the twins' mom who spoke first.

"Minami is getting married!"

Naruto and Kushina were obviously shocked. Sasuke sat there confused.

"Minami," his mother explained "is a distant relative of Mito's. She's in Okinawa now and has invited her, Naruto and Kushina to her wedding which is on Sunday."

"And she said we could get any three guests. So Mikoto and Sasuke will also be attending." MnMs squealed.

The three looked at each other.

"Oh cool! A road trip!" Naruto shared MnMs excitement.

"Hn." He smirked. Spending a weekend with her will be...interesting.

"Hell no." Sigh. Should have expected that.

"Your cousin had specifically asked for your presence, so I couldn't refuse."

"Oh god, no!" She hid her face in frustration.

"You will have to go. And wear a dress throughout our stay. And make-up. "

"Why don't you just shoot me?"

"You can bring Hinata as the third guest dear."

"...fine." she said quietly.

"When are we leaving?" Naruto asked.

"Right now!"

"Come on Sasu-chan, we got to go start packing!"

He gave one last look at Kushina before leaving with his mother. He didn't honestly think she'd be upset over the make-up. It's the cousin. I better ask her about it.