THE MEET

chapter 2

It had been an hour since the incident occurred. Sakuras reaction to the situation had shocked even her. She looked at the ground, and started to walk away. She could not meet his eyes again, it would be too difficult. She could feel his eyes following her but she was too shocked to care.

All she could think about was the hot shower she so desperately needed. A day that had been nothing but ordinary had just flipped upside down. She hummed a song she heard playing at Ino's flower shop a few months back, she had not cared to ask for the name but she sang it the entire time as she made the quiet walk home.

Making dinner was a hard task today. It usually took her no less than 10 minutes, but she kept messing up the recipe. With Sasuke on her mind, food was not exactly her top priority. With two failed attempts, she finally gave up and poured herself a glass of milk, along with some plain bread.

She went to bed as if nothing happened. It was about time Uchiha Sasuke became somewhat of a regular person. After all, Sasuke never did like the attention. Sleep didn't come to her easily that night, but it wasn't something uncommon. It reminded her of the early days of when Sasuke had left for the second time. She tossed and turned until sleep came to her.

The next morning she went to her shift at the hospital. The waiting room was nearly empty. It seemed as it would be a fairly calm day. As soon as she was about to put on her gloves, one of the patients started to scream hysterically.

She rushed over there to see his leg had a huge gash down the middle of his leg that showed bone. This man did not look like a ninja. Oh gods, this was a civilian. In the hospital civilians were not often seen, mainly Ninjas who had gotten badly hurt on missions.

"Sir Haruhi over there will help you right away, I am so sorry just give us some time to get your room ready" Sakura said apologetically. She hated seeing people in such conditions.

Sakura had planned a busy day in the lab today given, she already had a lot on her mind. Sakura went to her lab to concoct medicines that might be out of stock. She also filed in what herbs needed to be restocked soon, so they could keep a working amount for all patients.

Sakuras dilemma from the day before had led her to forget about making her own lunch. She had slept in this morning since she was up late. She got to work as soon as she could. She decided to make her way down to a little shop that had soups, and dumplings.

"Hello there, what can I get for you?" A girl barely over 14 asked Sakura.

"Hi! I would like to have some miso soup, and your best selling dumplings" She replied with a smile.

"That would be our sweet dumplings, coming right up!" The girl said as she turned.

"Actually I am in the mood for something savoury, I would like some regular dumplings" Sakura said apologetically.

"Coming right up!" the girl disappeared behind the curtains.

Sakura finished her meal, and left the payment on the table. She exited the shop, and started walking towards Ino's flower shop that was two doors down.

She wanted to ask if she, and Ino were still going near the land of rice patties for a much needed break. There was a new spa that had been opened, and after her night yesterday a getaway was all she needed.

To her dismay, when she entered the Yamanaka's shop, Ino was nowhere to be found. Her break was about to end in the next 20 minutes. She made her walk back to the hospital, and out of the corner of her eye she could see Naruto walking in the distance. Just then he shouted her name.

"Oh hey Naruto" She replied in a hurried tone.

Naruto ran to catch up to Sakura.

"Sakura-chan, Kakashi sensei has requested us to meet him at his office immediately. I was just on my way to the hospital" Sakura heard while she slowly kept walking.

"Why, is it an emergency? I do have to get back to my shift at the hospital right about now."

"I dunno, but it seemed urgent. Come with me, I was just on my way to pick you up from there. Plus I think he was going to have you get off your shift anyways." Naruto said while walking with his hands behind his head.

"Uh okay then." Sakura agrees.

"So do you have any idea what this could be about?" She asked.

"No idea, he was acting weird about it though." Sakuras face twisted into an unknown expression. "Wait, do you know?" Naruto urged. Sakura was never good at lying to Naruto. She had an idea on what it was about. Might as well confess she thought.

"It might be about Sasuke." A silence carried after that sentence.

"Huh what about him?"

"He's back." she said quietly.

Narutos eyes could have just about popped out his head right about now.

"HOLD ON WHAT?"

"IS THIS WHAT THE EMERGENCY IS? I CAN'T BELIEVE THE BASTARD DIDN'T COME SEE ME FIRST" Naruto yelled.

"How do YOU know Sakura-chan?"

"I saw him last night, so I figured that's what he's calling us in for."

They stood in the Hokages office as Kakashi greeted them.

"I asked you guys here for a special reason. As you may know Sasuke has been on his atonement journey for about 4 years now. He has gathered a lot of intel around the world, and on possible threats for the hidden leaf. After almost 5 years, Uchiha Sasuke has returned to the hidden leaf."

"When did the bastard return Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asks.

"Two nights ago." Kakashi replies.

"TWO NIGHTS AGO? AND YOU"RE TELLING US NOW? WHERE IS HE I'M GOING TO BEAT HIS ASS" The blonde rants.

He keeps going for another few minutes, and Kakashi notices Sakura being awfully quiet. "Sakura, if I recall, you should be rather thrilled he's back. Is there something wrong?" The Hokage questions.

Sakura snaps out of her thoughts. "No sensei, everything is fine. I am excited just fine."

"Well I'm glad because I have a surprise for you both." as he finishes his sentence the raven haired boy, no, man enters the room.

The moment slows for Sakura. Here he is again. Many thoughts race through her head. He looks at Sakura for equally the same amount of time she spends looking at him, maybe longer. Sakura remains silent, but her face says everything.

"SAAAASUKEEE" A voice snaps.

HI GUYS! To the two people who followed/saved my story. I LOVE YOU. I'm so happy. This is the second chapter, feel free to leave feedback, and suggestions. Thanks!