Chapter 3

Love in Spring.

The Sakura Festival was one of the largely celebrated in Konoha. Every spring mid-May, they would have a festival where they would admire the Sakura tree, for a whole week, basically han.The Cherry blossom tree around the village was said to be grown by the first Hokage himself; Hashirama Senju, co-founder of Konoha and the head of the Senju clan. They say it was a gift for his wife to show how much he loved her, thus the festival was given a romantic vibe. Couples would flood the streets and would-be couples would be confessing under a cherry blossom tree. I thought about how this was much like Valentines' day from my old life, though it was a whole week of celebration here. Many called it "the week of love," legend has it if you confessed your undying love during the week; you were guaranteed to win their heart.

I was a result of this festival, or so I was told every year from Father. Kizashi Haruno, I discovered; was a hopeless romantic and had a weird obsession with Cherry blossoms. As a family we had attended the festival every year, Father would then go into the story of how the festival was the cause of my birth. I had tried many times to run away from my father's version of "how I met your mother." I was physically a child anyway; I wouldn't even understand romance normally.

The festival was held on the street leading up to Sakura hill, a hill covered with Sakura trees.

Hashirama must have really loved his wife.

The path leading up to the hill was made of cobblestone stairs, Torii gates stood over it. I had thought the gates were made from his wood style technique, but I was so wrong. These gates unlike my old like were made for sealing, it was "Sage art" known as "Gate of the Great God;" it was used to pin a target down, rendering them immobile. "Sage mode" was a broken power-up that allowed the user to utilize "Natural Energy," a form of energy that exists in the atmosphere and the earth.

To use such a sacred technique that was nearly impossible to master; on something so trivial. the first Hokage was far too 'lax.

The streets were already filled with stalls, paper lanterns that would shin beautifully at night; were being hung up. Cherry blossoms carried in the wind littering the streets, a reminder, the festival begins tonight.

I was browsing through a jewelry shop that afternoon when I felt it. After completing my daily exercise, I met with Naruto and Hinata inviting them to attend the festival with me and my family. Naruto was all for it but Hinata would have to ask her father. Naruto and Hinata had gotten closer still, they weren't a couple – far too young – but they were friends. It was amusing to watch Hinata struggle against Naruto's aver bearing presence. She admired him greatly and wanted his acknowledgment above her own father's. Naruto for his part was enjoying the attention, I wasn't sure if he realized, but he had become protective of her. A week before he had a fight with a group of kids that teased Hinata's eyes. I had to drag him off them and run away from the angry adults. When I asked him why he did it – for fun of course – he said: "Hinata has pretty eyes; they have no right to call her a freak." Needless to say, Hinata was floored literally she fainted; Naruto too was embarrassed though not as much. As I had predicted he was his company was entertaining.

I looked up from my browsing looking around; someone interesting had entered my range. The chakra was cool, the moon glowing above, and the soft song of a koto in the distance; it was peaceful and calm.

I caught a glimpse of black hair as they ran by the store window. I gave up on shopping and gave chase, my interest peaked.

I exited the store to see them turning a corner, I quickly ran after them. When I rounded the corner I saw them standing in front of a stall their back to me. A red and white symbol of a fan was printed on their back, the clan symbol for the Uchiha.

Bring direct dependences of the Sage of Six Path – the Shinobi god – the Uchiha much like the Senjus were nobles in their own right. They also happen to be the founders of the village. Madara Uchiha, the head of the clan at the time, along with Hashirama Senju founded the first Shinobi village.

Madara had later gone on to leave the village, becoming the first and most powerful; "Rogue Ninja" or "Missing nin." With his betrayal the Uchiha clan in the village had been isolated, the villagers just waiting for one of them to snap. Things got even worse with the attack of the nine tails. Though the civilians didn't know the half of it, an Uchiha had been responsible for the attack and the clans were on edge.

I frowned knowing what befell the Uchiha clan not long from now.

To think I would become interested in one of them.

The Uchiha I found was a child around my height so I assumed our ages were close. It was a boy his hair jet black, a common trait for the Uchiha. With his back to me, I couldn't see his face but I knew he was handsome. It was rare if not impossible to find a bad looking Uchiha, even when their hearts were filled with evil, they looked like an angel.

I sighed at the loss of a potential source of entertainment; I couldn't afford to be interested in any one of them outside one. That one alone and only for a short time, he was…

"Sasuke!"

A voice deep and soft rang out from behind me. My eyes widen in shock as I had not sensed their presence at all. The young Uchiha turned at the calling of the name, his name.

Sasuke!?

His eyes were wide with innocence, as black as night, when he looked my way they brightened, a smile broke out on his face and my heart stopped. A force crashed into me and my body stilled. I couldn't move couldn't breathe, my stomach twisted uncomfortably, my face heated up as though I had a fever.

Sasuke, smiling brightly ran towards me and my heart rushed to my throat, threatening to jump out. He wasn't running to me however, for he passed me and ran to the one behind me. I chanced a glance to see another boy, with long black hair and eyes – an Uchiha – he had to be a few years older than us but he already had stress lines on his face.

Itachi! My mind rang out. He was the only one that Sasuke would smile so brightly at, at this point in time. Looking at Sasuke's smile my heart beats irregularly, it kept looking at him I just might die again. I faced forward and ran way; the further I went the cooler I felt. When Sasuke was out of my range my heart froze. I clutched my chest in pain; it felt as though I had been struck by lightning.

I grimaced

What is happening to me?

I ran straight home, I couldn't sense mother but father was inside. His drums were festive, he was always in a good mood around this time of year.

I ran through the front door, barely managing to lock it behind me, throwing off my shoe and ran into the house. As mother wasn't home I cried out desperately;

"Papa! Papa!"

At this point I knew I wasn't in my right mind, I could have easily followed his chakra and find him but instead cried out causing a panic. He appeared in a flicker in the next second, panic writing on his face.

Body flicker, a technique must ninjas used to travel short or long distances at untraceable speed. Their movement becomes so fast it appears they have teleported. I had never seen it up close shinobis did it around the village sure but never right in front of me.

I threw myself at him; he caught me mid-air and pulled me into his arms.

"What's wrong, Sakura?" he asked his voice lashed with worry.

My body began to tremble. "Papa, there is something wrong with me, I think I'm dying!" I exclaimed. His eyes widen his face paling; he held me out and looked me over.

"What happened?" he demanded when he didn't find anything obvious.

"I was shopping, and I saw a boy"

Who said boy was, didn't matter.

"He looked my way and my heart started to act weird"

The fact that he smiled also didn't matter.

"Then he ran past me and I felt like I've was struck by lightning, and now everything hurts" I summarized.

After explaining, the bare minimum, I realized how childish I was acting. I should have gone to the hospital with this, instead, I ran straight home to my parents seeking guidance. Was being reincarnated messing with my mind?

Fathers drums went silent, not a good sign he was in shock, was it that bad.

Father, very stiffly placed me on the counter-top and walked over to the Sake cupboard. It was the over the stove on purpose. The stove was slippery and near impossible to climb and so I wouldn't be able to reach it normally. I decided not to tell that I could, in fact, jump onto the sink and walk over to the cupboard.

He took out a small bottle of sake and then paused. He looked at me and I tilted my head in question, he looked pained and took out the large bottle instead. Was he planning on getting drunk?

Without a word, he began to drink with the thirst of a man lost in the desert. What kind of situation is this? I'm the one in pain you know, what gives you the right to drink alone.

With a hot gasp and the slamming of the bottle to the counter, isn't it made of glass how it not broken is? I found the glare of a war god on my small frame. What the hell was he mad about!?

"Sakura, is there something you want to tell me?" he snarled.

I looked wide-eyed at him, there was no way he figured out I left out details of the encounter. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. What was he implying?

My mind went back to the incident, the smile Sasuke wore made my cheeks heat up and my stomach steer. He ran past me and the world became cold, I fell to one knee at the pain.

My breath came out in shallow pants, I felt hot and cold all at once, did I have a fever?

Warm hands pulled me in, the smell of sake assaulted my nose. Looking up fathers face was red; he was beyond drunk wasn't he.

"It's okay Sakura I'm here," he said rubbing my back.

"What's wrong with me?" I asked my voice small and unsteady, he held me tighter. He was quiet for a moment then he spoke.

"When you think of that boy what do you feel?" he asked.

"Feel?" I didn't understand what feelings had to do with it but as the image of him smiling entered my mind again, my heart speed up and my cheeks felt hot.

"Hot," I said because that was it wasn't it? It was hot when I thought of his smile. "But the" I continued, "When he ran by me I feel cold."

There I said my piece now he was supposed to tell me what was wrong and how to get better. That is what parents are supposed to do anyway, it would be really inconvenient I'd there was a ninja sickness and I caught it.

"What do you feel when you think of the de- that kid, Naruto?"

"Naruto?" I thought about it and only one thing came to mind, "overwhelmed"

"He's like a sun you know, so bright and shiny was supposed" I smiled. "He's so warm to be around and so lively." The calming song of the koto replayed in y mind and I calmed somewhat. Naruto and Sasuke really were yin and yang; one was calm the other overwhelming.

I smiled at the thought of the two of them having another meaningless argument; they would do that a lot when they entered the academy.

"When I became a Chunin I went to the spring festival with my squad" father spoke, "there I met a beautiful girl, and she had long hair and the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. Just looking at her gave me peace, but the second she left my vision the world became cold. I couldn't think nothing had any value anymore. Once I had tasted the sweetest cake everything else paled in comparison. When I saw her my head felt light and my stomach did flips, my heartbeat so loud I was sure everyone heard it. When she was out of my sight the world turned grey and everything last there flavor."

"What you have my beautiful flower, is spring fever"

The streets were filled with life, people dressed in traditional kimono of all colors. Lanterns hang above lighting the way; the smell of cherry blossoms polluted the air. Stalls displayed many delicious food and games; they had already gathered an audience by the time we arrived.

Preparations took longer than I had hoped; mother had returned to father trying to calm me down after I had panicked.

I Sakura Haruno for the first time in either life had a crush. It was honestly ridiculous but seeing as the original Sakura had fallen for him as well I suppose it was fate. There was just one problem. There was no way I would have these feelings returned. No matter what Sakura did she never got Sasuke's affection.

Sure they – for plot convenience – ended up together in the end but that was a good 11 years from now! If I had to put up with this feeling for that long I would die for sure, and there was what father had said; "It's likely just a crush as you're too young to understand love, it will wear off in time."

"And if it doesn't," I asked.

"…" he went quite, "then you'll be in pain until you fall out of love or find someone else,"

"Sakura-chan!"

I turned to see Naruto and Hinata running towards him, Naruto waving wildly and Hinata struggling to keep up. Those two had entered the academy together lost spring and I had seen them rarer and rarer. I looked up at my parents for permission to ditch them. Father was still drunk and Mother was probably itching to continue their (fight) conversation. I was dismissed and with a wave and I ran over to them.

My kimono made it a bit difficult to run but I managed. It was pink of course, with white cherry blossom petals on the bottom and a yellow obi around my waist. I wore socks and black Okobo sandals; it was surprisingly easy to move in them and it was good for training. I used chakra to keep it from falling from my foot, Cinderella-style I'd rather not embarrass myself if Sasuke appeared.

Naruto was in an orange hoody and green shorts and sandal will Hinata wore a pale blue kimono and white obi. They looked odd standing together, one was casual the other too formal. Was that makeup on Hinata's cheeks!?

They are on a date and don't realize it aren't they.

jealousy showed its ugly head again, Hinata had found her soul mate and was getting along with him just fine while mine…

"Sakura-chan looks cute" Naruto throughout a compliment, he was really too good for this world.

"Thank you Naruto," I smiled at them, "you two look s cute together."

Ah, I said something unnecessary.

They went red at my compliment, oh so they have some awareness after all.

"I hope your father wasn't too angry about you going to the festival with us, Hinata" I changed the subject.

"Oh n-no he wasn't mad at all" she replied meekly.

"He hates me," Naruto announced. Hinata paled looking at Naruto unconcerned face in shock.

"n-no that's not t-true, Naruto-Kun" she tried.

"Ah, so you realized huh?" I interrupted her; she gave me a betrayed look, so cute! Hinata had perhaps wanted to save her father's image but it was too late you know, that man is a doting father without a doubt. But I was interested to see Naruto's reaction to meeting his soon-to-be father-in-law.

We moved off to the first stall, we had a whole week of festivity to burn through I was looking forward to it. This was the first time I was going with "friends" and not my parents. I smiled as I watched Naruto, like a smooth player, take Hinata's had with an excuse like 'it to not lose each other in the crowd. If that was true he would have to take my hand too.

As it was Hinata seems very pleased so I would let it go for now. Looking around I could see lots of couples walking around. It was to be expected as this was a lovey-dovey festival first and foremost. It was like an orchestra, everyone's heart played as one, it wasn't noisy like normal but a harmonious melody. Everyone around me was in a lovey-dovey mood it was no wonder they sound alike.

The excited tone of a koto cut through the air around me like a scythe, my body froze mid-step. He was close by, I looked around but Naruto and Hinata were nowhere to be seen. I most have been distracted to have lost sight of them. I heard the koto again louder this time; he was closing in on me.

"The feeling can get addicting over a time it will drive you mad and you'll do anything to feel it."

Father's warning rang through my head. I didn't want to become a yandere you know and I know that's what will happen. I looked around for an escape and saw it in the form of a tree between two stalls. I quickly made my escape.

Sasuke and his brother walked by moments later, Itachi and Sasuke were both dressed in loss bark blue kimono with their clan symbol on their backs. Once more my face heated looking at him. I grimaced; it felt weird because I had never felt it before. He looked wide-eyed at everything around him, was this his first festival? Or was it his brother being with him that gave him that smile.

My heart ached for him, his smile was enough to doom me yet he would lose it before long. I feeling of being watched crawled up my spine. I peeked back at Sasuke to find Itachi looking at me. I got caught.

I looked away and leaped from the tree to another. I was running away from my problems so what. The moment I couldn't feel Sasuke's chakra I missed the next branch and fell to the ground with a thud. I curled into a ball in pain; a cold feeling ran through me, it was very similar to when I became bored with the world. I gritted my teeth in frustration.

I laid on my back glaring at the night sky, it wasn't fair I just reincarnated and I was already going to die. Falling in love was supposed to be the best thing in a girl's life, so why was it, mine was so dangerous.

"If the feeling doesn't fade over time you'll have to…"

I returned to the festival reluctantly, if I was missed it would be a pain. Naruto would ruin his date to find me; I was not having that on my conscience. I nibbled on my takoyaki as I 'searched' for them. In truth, I was still in a daze and I didn't want to be around those that had their love life figured out. So why was I still at a festival for lovers? Because I'm a glutton for punishment and I might be stalking Sasuke.

His addicting smile will be gone soon so I might as well enjoy it right? Maybe if I memories every feature of his heavenly smile, I'll be able to use it to fight off the cold. I wasn't thinking clearly at this point and I was sure I was simply addicted.

"Kyaa!"

I looked up to see a group of girls hiding behind a stall watching Sasuke, and Itachi was gone. What was he thinking of leaving Sasuke alone on love day? Sasuke looked around frantically for him but he wasn't nearby. Tears appeared in the corner of his eyes and his soul played the most tear-jerking song I ever heard.

I felt sorry for him, no that's not right. I was freaking out!

He was gonna cry. He was in pain, what do I have to do to stop from crying!

Sasuke caught sight of something that made him still, even as tears streamed down his face. I followed his eyes to see the girls I noticed earlier, slithering closer to him.

They looked like hungry wolves, with hearts in their eyes. Was this what called thirstily? They were probably high on the idea of their confession having a higher success rate this week. I spotted a hint of blond that wasn't Naruto, Ino was among them.

Ino Yamanaka was a Shinobi clan heir, in the story she was Sakura's best friend turned love rival. They both liked Sasuke and it ruined their friendship. I wasn't sure when they met but it was implied to be at the academy, after all, a civilian couldn't hope to be friends with a clan heir.

Ino was the ideal strong heroine, she was good at everything and beautiful too, or at least Sakura thought so. She had often compared herself to Ino and found herself lacking, it was an unfair comparison and she couldn't hope to hold a candle to Ino. I wasn't interested in the drama being involved with her will cause, especially if I already have feelings for Sasuke.

Oh, Sasuke was looking for an exit, was he already use to girls going crazy for him?

I spotted a mask stall and made my decision; I bought one with cherry blossoms painting and dawned it. It wouldn't be good to make an enemy of everyone so soon, and I was positive I'll become a mess once I'm close enough to Sasuke.

The girls gather around him all ready to jump him and forced their feelings down his throat. I moved swiftly through the crowd, Sasuke entered my range and I became drunk on his melody. Taking out a smoke bomb, courtesy of Naruto, I threw it on the ground between them. Smoke gave me cover as I swooped in.

It was a festival and it was being held in a Shinobi village, it was probably a bad idea to through a smoke bomb down near a clan member, especially with the incident of the cloud Shinobi still in their minds. A little girl wearing a mask rushing to the smoke was also a bad idea.

The nearby Shinobi went still when they saw the explosion of smoke; they reached for their weapons when they saw me move towards it. Inner was screaming about this being a bad idea, and I agreed but my legs were moving on their own.

I entered the pink smoke and was assaulted with the smell of cherry blossoms; I was going all-in for the "Sakura style" theme. I was gonna be called the ninja of love... on second thought that was probably a bad idea.

I locked on to Sasuke's chakra as it was near impossible to see in the smoke. I reached out and grabbed his hand, my body erupted in heat and I almost stumbled. Regaining my senses and pulled Sasuke along with me as the girls were stunned with confusion.

We emerged from the smoke and everyone relaxed, they realized Sasuke was being kidnapped by anyone dangerous. They even had the nerve to 'aww' at us. They thought we were a couple, didn't they? Sasuke didn't struggle in my grip; he was still in shock I'm sure. It worked in my favor I don't know what I would do if he pulled away.

When we were far enough away, I released his hand like it was hot and took off in a sprite before he could get a word out. It was a bad idea to touch him after all, my heart thudded painfully in my chest, and my face was on fire.

I ran up the cobbled steps and past couples ascending at their ledger. The view of the Sakura tree glowing in the night was breathtaking as always. They were all scattered on the hill, under them were people drinking, celebrating or confessing. It was a sight I had seen many times before so I moved on. I moved to my secret spot, I wasn't sure if it was secret but there was very anyone there.

I moved through the bushes and emerged in a small clearing lid up by a huge Cherry blossom tree. It stood alone in the clearing and was more majestic than the others. I had theorized that Hashirama had made a practice tree here and the others out there once he was confident. If it was indeed the first tree then it was special, well hid away almost like an embarrassing secret. I had only found it when I had gotten lost in an effort to escape my parents.

I knelt underneath it pressing my forehead to the trunk; I could feel the chakra moving through the tree. The bark was cool and helped to lower my temperature. I thought back to Sasuke's face on the verge of tears and the heat returned. He was so cute; he had so much more emotions than his future counterpart. I commit it to memory for I knew I'd never see it again, this innocent Sasuke was gonna die soon and there was nothing I could do about it.

In a way it was a good thing, it would be impossible for me to remain interested in the person Sasuke would become. I was in love with his innocent unguarded smile as that would be gone soon so would my love. I never could remain interested in something for too long. Oddly enough the thought of falling out of love didn't comfort me, I made me feel cold.

The bushes rustled behind me but I paid it no mind, animals were plentiful in these forests and I was in the middle of grieving for my first love.

"Pretty"

The voice was that of a child and was filled with awe, my body went still. The lullaby of a koto sounded in the stillness. I turned very slowly to the source of my trauma. There at the edge of the clearing, dressed in a blue kimono was the young Uchiha, Sasuke.

His eyes sparkled as they stared at the cherry blossom tree, an innocent smile on his face.

Thump thump!

I gritted my teeth at the pain and lightheadedness, why was he here? How did he even find me?

His eyes locked onto me and his smile brightened, without hesitation he ran towards me. I quickly stood prepared to make another escape.

"I found you!" he said once he was close enough, I flinched closing my eyes as he rose his hand.

"You dropped this."

I peeked through the mask to see my headband in his hand. I gasped touching my hair to find that it was indeed gone.

"You dropped it when you ran off," Sasuke explained. I could die of embarrassment.

"I see, thank you" I replied as I reached for it, careful not to touch him again.

"What's up with this Sakura," he said out of the blue.

"how-" I began but found he wasn't looking at me but at the cherry blossom tree. "Oh" I was a bit embarrassed.

"It looks like it's glowing," he said. I looked at the tree as well it was glowing.

"That's because it is," I said, he looked at me eyes wide.

"Really?" he asked excitedly.

"That's right, I nodded. "It has chakra running throw it and so it is always in bloom even when all the other trees are not."

Without thinking, caught up in the moment, I took his hand and placed it on the tree trunk.

"Here you can feel the chakra flowing through it," I said holding his hand to the tree. The gasped when he felt it looking back at me with round eyes. I smiled at him.

"The first Hokage made this tree with fuinjutsu that uses the chakra in the air to maintain it. So it's basically an ever blossom tree." I rested my forehead to the tree, it did wonders for the heat in my cheeks, how was I still standing with him so close?

"Fuinjutsu?" he asked with a tilt of his head, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. It made sense he didn't know it what with him being a child of a clan we rarely used it. It wouldn't hurt to tell him and since he was a genius he could even teach me a few tricks. With that in mind, I sat down and begun my lecture. Sasuke sat next to me and lessened attentively his eyes bright with curiosity.

We must have talked for hours, about everything and nothing. We veered off fuinjutsu to the Uchiha clan and to the police force, and how Sasuke wanted to be one, a dream I was unaware of. We talked about dreams for the future something I hadn't thought of, then to his brother.

"If you came with your family what were you doing by yourself?" I asked.

"Itachi left with that woman," he pouted his cheek puffed up; he was so cute. "She was hanging around waiting for me to turn my back" he continued. "And when I looked back they were gone!"

Now wasn't that interesting, I had thought he left on Shinobi business but I guess even Itachi must make room for romance on a day like this.

I was only aware of one girl that was a love interest for Itachi, what was her name…Izumi Uchiha, right?

"She probably took him to a cherry blossom tree to confess," I thought out loud.

"Confess?" the young Uchiha asked looking at me with wide dark eyes. He really did have beautiful eyes.

"This is the 'Week of love' you know, everyone is going around confessing their undying love in hopes of getting that special person," I informed him. "In fact, I'm sure those girls wanted to tell you just how much they love you." I giggled, "you have to be the same age as me and yet you have already charmed so many girls, youngsters these days," I teased.

Sasuke blushed stuttering out a reply, "I- I didn't d-do any t-thing!"

I pinched his cheeks, "oh what's this you don't have to do anything to capture a girl's heart is it?"

He slapped my hands away and attempt to glare at me nut failed miserably, he was just too cute to pull it off. I smiled beneath the mask pleased with the atmosphere, I'm not sure when but my heart had calm down and my blush subsided.

As we sat in pleasant silence as fireworks went off in the distance.

"Wow!" Sasuke said in awe, it was a beautiful sight; both his smile and the fireworks like flowers blooming. "It's pretty isn't it?" he turned to me awaiting my agreement.

"Yes," I breath, "yes it is." I was in a trance his smile was truly addicting.

Reality hit me like cold water just then, those fireworks signaled the halfway point of the night festival; from this point onwards it was adults' party, sake, and dancing.

I stood and reached down for his hand, he looked up at me with confusion.

"Let's get you back to your family they must be worried," I said. This was no time to be selfish, no matter how much I wanted to stay like this forever.

"Ah, that's right!" he said as he took my hand and I pulled him to his feet. Not letting go I turned and walked back to the festival; at a steady pace. I was in no rush after all.

"What the hell do you mean you lost him!?"

I heard them before I saw them. We hadn't left the hill of cherry blossom when we caught sight of them. A roaring flame blazed with intense heat, a gentle breeze was both soothing and feeding the flames, and the clam of a forest in the morning, animals just going about their day. These were the chakra I felt, wanna guess who was who?

Sasuke's mother held Itachi by the color and a foot off the ground, her face red with fury. Sasuke's father lent against the cherry blossom tree a good three feet away, calm as a breeze. Itachi looked as though he had surrendered to his faith. I could do nothing but stare at the scene. Sasuke's mother was always shown as gentle but the woman that looked like she was about to kill her eldest son, looked more like Kishina Naruto's mother.

"Mom dad!" Sasuke called out getting the attention of that monster. She dropped Itachi and her face lid up her, raging flames turning into a calm campfire. I didn't want to go anywhere near that TNT but Sasuke ran to them, while still holding my hand.

He dragged me with him to them I almost stumbled as he pulled me alone.

"There you are Sasuke" his mother sighed with relief. Her dark eyes locked on me; our hands and then to my mask, I was sweating bullets. The plan was to send Sasuke off and cry in my father's arms, how I ended up meeting the parents.

"Who's this?" she asked, her head tilted and a smile on her face, I wanted to run. She seemed calm but her flames raged just a bit, damn she was a doting mother!

Sasuke made to answer but realized I hadn't told him my name ad looked back at me.

"She saved me when Itachi ditch me," he said when it was apparent I wasn't going to answer.

"Ditch you' you say," his mother's brow twitched. Throw Itachi under the bus huh, Sasuke was brutal.

"Save?" his father finally spoke, he narrowed his eyes at my mask. He was thinking I was ANBU wasn't he?

The Anbu were the Shinobi of Shinobi, they consisted of only the best Shinobi and answered only to the Hokage. They were shadow ninjas and did their work in secret and away from the public eyes. They weren't like normal Shinobis they weren't allowed to show emotions and didn't have a personality. They had no identity and so they were masks, a mask very similar to the one I was wearing. Fuck my life.

"After Itachi left with that woman I was ambushed!" Sasuke explained. "But then a smoke boom went off and he rescued me. She even helped me find you."

Sasuke praising me was the best feeling in the world, I felt as though I was being embraced by a cloud. I was once again thankful for the mask 'cause I was blushing like a mad man. Even though Sasuke was praising me his family was misunderstanding his words.

"He ambushed by love stoke maidens" I waved off their concern. They visibly relaxed though Itachi only glared at me.

"That still doesn't answer the question of who you are," he said effectively returning the tension.

Damn it Itachi.

"I" I stared before being interrupted.

"Sakura-chan!"

I looked around to see Naruto running up to me, Hinata's hand still in his. She was red as a tomato and had a cherry blossom branch in her hand. What did I miss?

He stopped in front of me catching his breath before he rudely pointed at my face.

"Where the hell did you go!?" he yelled. "One minute you were behind us the next you were gone! I was worried ya know!"

"If I remember correctly you took Hinata's hand to prevent this very problem." I cupped my chin with my free hand thinking. "Why yes, I do believe you failed to do the same with me and thus we got separated." I was teasing, of course, his face turning red was oh so satisfying.

"T-that's because S-sakura always finds us no matter what," he tried to defend himself. True words, I could always find Naruto when I wanted to. I patted his head lovingly.

"Dear dear my little Nikko" I cod, "you did a good job in finding me." He pouted, puffing his red cheeks. So cute!

"Ah!" Hinata looked behind us and hide behind Naruto, reminding me that were weren't alone.

"Ah, where are my manners?" I said turning to face the Uchihas. I gripped my masks and dramatically removed it. "My name is Sakura Haruno; it's a pleasure to meet you," I gave my most pleasant smile. Itachi's eyes lit up with recognition, he seemed to remember me from the tree.

I turned to Hinata and smiled, on clue she stepped forward and bowed.

"My name is Hinata Hyuga," she said, "nice to me you" she got out before retreating behind Naruto. I made eye contact with me and he gambled.

"The names Naruto Uzumaki ya know!" he exclaimed. Satisfied I looked back to the Uchihas.

Sasuke's father narrowed his gaze at Naruto and I released killer intent on instinct getting his attention, he raised a brow at me and I could die of embarrassment. What was I thinking threating a Shinobi, no, an Uchiha!

Sasuke's mother's eyes were wide with recognition and wasn't that interesting.

"My name is Sasuke" Sasuke introduced, "Sasuke Uchiha." He smiled brightly at me and I became light-headed, he still hadn't released my hand either.

"My name is Mikoto, this is my husband Fugaku and my son Itachi" she introduced.

Fugaku grunted and Itachi nodded such lovely people.

Naruto took notice of Sasuke and then at our joined hands, I could see the wheels turning in his head, mostly because he looked to be in pain.

"Gah!" He yelled pointing an accusing finger at me, "you ditched us to hang out with him didn't you!"

Naruto why?

My mind went blank, I could think my reputation was ruined; Sasuke would never love me now.

"That's not fair Naruto-kun" Hinata scolded him, my angel. "Sakura-chan is just lonely because we're in the academy now." And she lost my favor. "She just trying to find new friends" she had the guts to give me a thumbs up.

"Oh my, you're attending the academy already?" Mikoto asked.

"Ah, yes that's right" Hinata answered, "We are always busy so we don't have much time to play with Sakura."

What was I a child that needed the company?

"This was supposed to be a night for us to hang out" Naruto grumbled. Hinata gently elbowed him in the ribs.

"I'll be attending next semester you know," I said. Sasuke's eyes lit up at my words.

"So will I!" he announced, my heart skipped a beat, at this rate I'll need surgery.

"T-then we can all hang out together!" Hinata extended a hand of friendship. I looked sharply at her, what was she planning? It was unlike her to be so bold.

"Really!?" Sasuke asked excitedly.

"Look at that Sasuke," Mikoto said smiling. "Aren't you glad you came? You made three friends in one night." Fugaku looked sharply at her as did Itachi. She was trying to make Naruto and Sasuke become friends like she promised Kishina I realized.

Fugaku looked between us and his son who has yet to let go of my hand, I doubt he could ever hope to win against his wife. His eyes lingered on Naruto and once again I released killing intent. An amused smile played at his lips before it returned to his natural scowl.

"Friends?" Naruto perked up at the offer for new friends, he eyed Sasuke and then looked at me. Seeming to come to a decision he stepped forward. He rose a fist before Sasuke.

"If Sakura like you then so do I."

Damn it Naruto don't expose my secret!

"I look forward to our time together Sasuke," he said his signature grin in place.

Sasuke smiled brightly and touched his fist to Naruto's.

"Right!" he said.

They grinned at each other and I know right ways I were gonna get along just fine.

"Well since we're friends now…" I said reaching into my sleeve and to my storage hand band. I pulled out a small ointment and presented it to Sasuke. "Please accept this as a token of our friendship."

Sasuke took it in his hand before it was snatched by Itachi. Sasuke tried to get it back but his brother held it out of his small reach.

"What is it?" he asked, looking at me.

"Ointment," I answered easily, what? Did you think I would try to poison him?

He must have because he opened it and took some out. "Its pink was his only counter.

"Naruto hates the smell of medicine so I used cherry blossoms to mask the smell, it doesn't affect the medicine just the smell," I replied, the only reason I wasn't pissed was that Sasuke was so close and he chakra was calming me.

"Naruto always gets hurt one way or another so I carry around on just in case," I said before he asked.

"Hey!" Naruto objected.

His eyes turned red as he looked down at me and I looked right into them.

Itachi had really long eyelashes his eyes were very dreamy but otherwise paled in comparison to cute Sasuke's. Yep, I was already a yandere, wasn't I?

Mikoto snatched the jar from Itachi and smiled at us.

"There's still a while until we have to go," she said, why don't you go play with your friends, Sasuke." Itachi went silent and Sasuke quickly agreed before they changed their mind. He took my hand again and ran off pulling me with him. Hinata took Naruto's hand and gave chase.

"Wait for us," she called.

My father once said; "Love can be the most beautiful thing you ever experience and the most painful."

That night I realized that karma wasn't always bad; I was willing to give Sasuke back to his family even though it would hurt me and in the end, I became friends with him, approved by his parents.

Naruto had his eternal rival and I had my soul made a whole six years in advance. I officially loved the Spring festival!

Hello my little night walkers, Luna here. I'm late you say, while you see I'm actually on a hiatus so my upload will be inconsistent until January.

Anyway, this chapter was something else; once again I wrote something and changed it. The original wasn't set in the spring festival and happened over a week's time where the pain only increases. It wasn't supposed to be one night of romance. Well, what can you do?

Until next time, night song!