(IMPORTANT AUTHOR RANT)

I'd apologize for this being so much later than part 1, but then I'd be lying. Because quite frankly, I am too frustrated.

On one hand, I am grateful to have favorites because it's a great way to network, and I should be grateful for what I get.

On other hand, with the exception of a few days ago (Two months after my last update) Guess how many reviews I've had on the last chapter? None.

Reviews aren't only good because it lets a writer know how things are going, but it makes the person feel appreciated. And yeah, I write for funzies and I shouldn't let reviews dictate whether or not I write, but let's face it, most of us feed on praises, feedback, and recognition. I am no different. Due to the lack of reviews, I've especially had a difficult time finding the umph to write.

So, no. I'm not sorry for the time between updates.

On that note: Thank you XiaoJieMeijin for taking the time to review! ^_^

Forget me not
Chapter five: Sakura Haruno (Part 2)

Team 7

#

"So Haruno Sakura is pretty emotional?" The interviewer.

Without much hesitation, the pale boy nods once, his black hair shaking with the sudden movement. "But then," He muses slowly, "Everyone is pretty emotional in comparison."

A congested cough is heard.

#

"So she's pretty emotional." The voice behind the camera confirms.

The Uchiha's onyx eyes narrow slightly, while his lips press together a little tighter. The hands that rest in his crossed arms twitch. It appears that he does not appreciate the statement.

"Ah," The inquisitor fumbles about, seemingly aware of the unamused ninja before him. The camera shakes, momentarily distorting the image. When the camera is able to regain its focus, Sasuke comes back into view. He still hasn't moved an inch. "Right, well," There is a rough and congested sniff "what do you think of how she is physically? I mean she's got exotic hair but…"

The Uchiha's look becomes darker, the glower a little more intense. One corner of his lips lifts up, revealing pearly white teeth. The camera is able to catch the slight reddening on the tips of his ears that poke out from his hair.

It was raining that night. The rain came down in straight,, harsh lines. Soaking anything that wasn't covered. From his position under an awning, Sasuke watched the occasional person without an umbrella dash from one cover to another, trying to stay as dry as possible.

His lips, normally set at a perpetual frown, were turned down more than usual. He glared up at the rain, as though blaming all of his woes on the falling water. In response, the downpour became even thicket, splashing against the already soaked ground and consequently dampening Sasuke's toes.

The scowl deepened. His body leaned as far back into the wall as he could. As soon as it stopped raining, he was going to go to find Naruto and show him what happened when you ditched a Uchiha. The idiot was at least 20 minutes late. Why bother telling someone to wait at a spot when you weren't even going to show up?

Angrily, Sasuke shoved himself off of the wall. Screw waiting for the rain to let up. He would go kill him now.

"Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke paused, only a step away from exiting the protection of the restaurant's overhead. He was vaguely aware of the soggy mess his pants were becoming by mere second hand splashing, but that was not his main focus.

"Sasuke-kun! You're getting all wet."

Sakura leaned in slightly, offering part of her umbrella to block the splashing as well as a nice view further into clevage. This was not a normal occurance. Instead of her usual more reserved doctor or training outfit, Sakura adorned a red tanktop, a black half-jacket, a mini skirt, and tall rainboots. When she blinked curiously at him, Sasuke also noted the presence of dark lines around her eyes and a pink tinge to her eyelids.

The scowl on his face deepened.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura tried again. She took a step closer to him, her umbrella now halfway under the cover and closer to Sasuke. She was looking him up and down, her red, moist lips pressing together.

Sasuke whipped his head to the side, affectively moving her away from his view. "What are you doing here?" his voice was rougher than usual. His hands fisted in an effort to calm himself.

He heard feet shifting in the mud. There was a moment of silence where the only sound was the steady rythmn of the rain pounding against the restaurant's extra cover. "It's not really important." Sakura finally answered.

Sasuke turned back to her sharply, letting her know that he was quite aware of her avoidance of the answer, but also unwilling to push it further. So instead, he turned, carefully stepping on the ground with the least resistance and shifting himself so he was leaning against the wall. His head tilted back when it hit the wooden paneling behind him. Coal eyes blinked up at the ceiling, his brain tossing around various torture tactics he was going to use on nature.

"Ah, Sasuke-kun…" Sakura ventured. He heard a squish as her boots came closer to him. Sasuke lowered his gaze, but not his head. She was completely under the safety of the awning now, her green umbrella tilted backwards so as to not drip on him. Sakura's green eyes looked this way and that – anywhere but him. Just when Sasuke was about to offer a reminder that he was still there, her eyes closed and she took a deep breathe. When they opened again, she was staring straight into his lided eyes and her breath came out with these words: "I'm sorry."

Onyx eyes widened before he caught himself. Unable to take her intensity for a change (in which the accented eyes were not helping), his head straightened while he let his gaze wander to the side. A couple exited the restaurant, huddling close to each other and trying to fit under the umbrella. The girl wrapped her arms around the man's arm the held the shield up, her head leaning on his shoulder.

Sasuke turned back to Sakura. She was watching him carefully, waiting for something. Sasuke obliged, "For what?"

"For…?" Sakura's face dropped, surprise written on her face before her expression softened. "Of course." She smiled at him, her voice a gentle whisper nearly drowned in the rain.

"For what?" Sasuke grunted. He didn't like repeating himself.

"You don't remember?" The smile deepened. It was a simple, elagant smile. Sasuke could not look away from her lips. "It was a few days ago. You ran into me training and tried to help me and instead, I snapped at you."

Sasuke's memory wheels turned and clinked together. Yes, something about it rang a bell. He shrugged. He was frustrated that night and had kept an eye out for her for the next few days, but when she began to perk up, he had simply forgotten about it.

"You were right." She offered.

Sasuke nodded. Of course he was right. About what, he wasn't sure – but he didn't doubt that he was correct.

"I shouldn't worry about other people. I only care about what you and my team thinks, and I brushed your own thoughts aside that night. So, I'm sorry." She took a step closer, nearly toe to toe. Sasuke watched her like a hawk, unsure of her intentions preparing for anything.

What he didn't prepare for was for her to lean in and give him a quick peck on the cheek. She pulled away quick enough and whispered, "Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke looked away, trying to hide the burning ears. What could he say? You're welcome. It wasn't a big deal. It's about time you listened to me. There's no way I wouldn't forgive you. Don't be stupid again. Only care about my opinion. Instead, he settled with the multi-purpose: "Ah." Really, he figured the rest did not need to be said. He knew that Sakura understood him – and that was all that mattered.

"Anyway, I'm glad I caught you. I'd been meaning to talk to you for a while." Sakura stepped back from him and the precious moment was gone. He was pleased to note her already rosy cheeks were even redder now.

"Where are you going?" He asked again, intending to walk her there.

Sakura stuck her umbrella out from under the awning. "Oh, didn't Naruto tell you?" She carefully stepped in the mud, testing it out for squishiness. She took another step, fully making a gap between herself and the safe cover. "I have a date tonight."

She waved to him and his brain worked enough through the red hazeto tell him to nod goodbye. However, most of his brain was focused on one thought:

Naruto was going to die.

The redness extends slightly from the tips of his ears to cover more ground. However, the glare is also less controlled. According to the time recorder on the camera, the tense silence lasts for twenty seconds before the voice from behind the camera speaks,

"We-We can put this on hold…" The interviewer stutters.

The camera's mic picks up a low growl. "Just finish your damn interview and stop asking stupid questions."

#

"She's pretty loyal to her old team, right?"

"Yes. Ugly's bonds are strong." Sai's arms are crossed over his chest. His is face a mask of neutrality.

"So wouldn't she make you feel left out? With how attached she is?"

Sai does not answer immediately. His lips dip downward slightly and his head tilts to the side. When he has gathered the information and words in his head, he speaks, "Ugly shows her bonds in different ways. With Dickless, she has told me that her violence is called 'tough love'. With the Traitor, she becomes red in the face and shows him much more forgiveness and kindness than he deserves. She is attached to the Pervert like one his attached to a father. For me…" Sai pauses, his eyebrows creasing slightly. He is reaching for the correct words.

It always amazed him how well they seemed to fit together despite the differences and trials they went through. Less than a year ago, they were a broken team – one teammate doing his best to keep the team together, another doing HIS best to keep away, and the other caught in the middle and far less naive than her excigted partner.

Yet here they were, together again. Sure, there were tensions and some rough patches, but looking at them now, laughing to together, all that seemed so far away.

It was the annual Konoha festival – the first festival held since the war. Naruto was holding a cotton candy dangerously close to Sasuke's face. He was getting closer and closer, his usually boisterous voice was lost in the crowd of citizens. Sakura was across from Naruto, scolding him with a wagging finger. She was leaning in, getting into whatever silly argument they were getting into. Sasuke was standing in the middle. His face was impassive, but the twitch of his fingers and the slight downward tilt of his eyebrow and lips suggested otherwise. They were standing off to the side of the road, all three clad in festive yukatas. Sasuke had twitched and was about to run out of his short supply of patience when Sakura leaned in and wrapped her lips around the cotton candy, effectively stopping Naruto from shoving the candy cloud up Sasuke's nose. Sakura pulled at the stick and it easily slipped from Naruto's hand. Sakura grinned, triumphant and proud for a moment, gloating in the strange shocked silence that and fell upon the blonde. The moment disappeared quickly enough, and Naruto was pointing an accusing finger at Sakura while she munched happily and innocently on the cotton candy.

It was a typical grand scene of Team 7.

When Sai finished his last stroke, he held it up and admired the painting with a clinical eye. Yes, he seemed to capture their essence; their bonds that had survived against all odds. He was… happy for them. Yet, there was this odd pang inside his chest that grew the longer he looked at the picture.

Odd.

Perhaps these new paints that Sakura had given him for his birthday were poisoned.

Sai lowered the painting back onto his lap. He looked for his subjects again. Naruto was slapping Sasuke's back and in turn was receiving a particularly angry scowl. Sai waited for the inevitable fight. The pang in his chest hit him again. His hand rose to clutch at the ache. The black shirt bunched slightly in his fist.

"Sai."

Sai didn't turn around, but he dropped his hand. "Ugly." He looked down from his position on the cliff overlook. Naruto and Sasuke were out of site, lost in the crowd. Perhaps the traitor ran away again.

"What are you doing up here by yourself?"

Sai didn't answer in words. He did a sweeping gesture across his lap with his hand. Footsteps came to a stop directly behind him. A shadow came over him. The body behind him paused, then shifted to the side, the shadow moving so the moon could light up the picture. "It's good, Sai!" She complimented.

Sai nodded. It was, he supposed. So why did he hate it so much?

"But…" Sakura shuffled and sat down next to Sai. She pulled her knees up to her chest and looked over at the picture on his lap. Her face screwed up, "Something is missing."

Sai quickly looked down at the picture again. Was that why he hated it? His gaze lifted over the picture to the scene below and back again. It was hard to judge because people were moving about, but he thought he had gotten everything. His lips twitched. "I think you are mistaken, Ugly. Perhaps the cotton candy got to your head?"

"No." She had that restraint in her voice – the one tone she used when she was trying to teach him something important. She must be serious. What had he missed? "You aren't in there."

Sai felt his eyebrows draw together. "No, I am not." He affirmed. "I was here drawing the picture."

He heard a very familiar sigh, "Sai, I'm not just talking about the picture."

"Then, please, enlighten me." He was not particularly in the mood to figure things out tonight. It was an odd feeling for him – a waste of a good opportunity to learn when she seemed eager to help him tonight.

"You didn't come to the festival with us." There was a low quality to her voice. She was definitely not happy.

"No." Sai answered simply.

"Why not?" Sakura fired back.

Why not? Why didn't he go? "I was content watching the antics of Team 7 from here. It's…" He paused to swallow down the bad feelings, "… interesting."

He expected something from her, some retort about he needed to be more social or even how he was being a 'stalker.' When he heard none of these, he turned his gaze to the pink haired girl beside him. She squinting and blinking slowly at him, studying him like she did with her medical files.

"I got it!" She said suddenly. She moved to sit on her knees and leaned in closer. "You're jealous."

"I'm what?"

"Jealous, Sai! Jealous!"

Jealousy. Jealousy. The word rolled around in his head. He shuffled through multiple books and memories, sorting through definitions until one matched.

Jealousy: the quality or state of being jealous – feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements, state, or advantages.

"I think you really did eat too much cotton candy, ugly." Sai grabbed his ink bottle and cap and began to screw the top on. "It rotted your brain."

"No, it totally makes sense!" Sakura insisted. She scooted closer on her knees, "That's why you're brooding up here all alone."

"I do not brood." Sai shoved the ink in his bag and turned to Sakura. His eyesbrows were drawn together and his head lowered. He was quite offended. "The traitor is the one who broods." He ignored her ugly grin and wiped off his brush on the spare paper before placing his brush in its holder and back in his bag. When he finished and saw her stupid grin still on her face, he decided to indulge her, "Why would I be jealous?"

"I don't know." Her voice was softer this time, prodding, "Why would you be?"

Sai raised an eyebrow at the question. She was the one who accused him of being jealous – shouldn't she know before she accused him of such a feeling? Perhaps this was one of her strange teaching methods. He rolled the textbook definition around in his brain again, trying to fit pieces together. Wanting something someone else has… "If I was jealous, it would probably be because I do not fully understand the bonds that have held your team together despite the traitor's clear transgressions. I…" Sai paused, struggling with the words to express his feelings, "Those bonds that do not involve me."

"Sai…" Sakura's green eyes were sad, her expression one of understanding "…you know you're part of Team 7, right?"

"Team 7 was made –"

"And changed." Sakura corrected. "You were added to it. Yeah, we have history with Sasuke – but what about the time that Sasuke wasn't here with us? He might feel left out too. Or what about when Naruto went off to train the second time with Killer Bee? You and I were here, do you think that makes Naruto less part of the team? Or even when you and Naruto and Sasuke have been going on more missions lately and I've been stuck here, or how they didn't put me in that newspaper interview. Am I not part of the team?"

"You are part of Team 7." Sai affirmed with little hesitation and thought.

"Then so are you." Sakura paused, letting him soak up the new information. The horizon held his steady gaze. "We're a team Sai – a family. No matter who is physically there or for how long they have been there." Sakura continued. "And a family can get new members and have others move out – but they are always family."

The struggle for words is over when Sai finally looks past the camera and at the interviewer with a confidence and surety that radiated from his being, "Ugly is family."

#

The room is silent. A page turns.

"Heehee!" Abruptly, the gray-haird ninja's bored expression lights up with flaming red cheeks, smiling eyes, and wide crinkles in his mask. "Heehee!" He giggles again and pulls his feet up onto the chair so that he can rest the book on the back of his legs.

Another page turns. His gleeful expressions dims slightly, but some giggles occasionally escape.

#

"Sakura-chan is really great too, don't forget about that!" Naruto Uzumaki's voice is heard from behind the image of a wagging finger. The acute details of the finger are obscured only by the flurry of the movement.

"Uzumaki-san…"

"Ah!" The finger is pulled back and the hand it is attached to disappears behind his blond head. "Sorry about that."

"You said she was great?" The voice behind the camera sounds tired as he tries to steer the conversation back on track.

"Yeah!" The hand drops to supports himself as he begins to bounce slightly in his chair. "She's really nice to her patients, even when they are total jerks. Plus, you better believe she's an awesome boss and doctor!"

"Hey, what's this?" Naruto picked up a glass tube, bringing it close to his face. The red contents splashed up against the sides, tainting the clarity.

The tube was snatched from his grasp and was followed by a quick smack to his head.

"It's blood. Now stop touching things."

Naruto pouted and rubbed his head.

"Don't give me that look." Sakura shook a finger at Naruto before she put her attention back into the clipboard in her hands. After a few seconds, she turned on her heel and began walking down the second floor hall of the hospital. Naruto followed her heels.

They made it a few hundred feet down before Sakura stopped abruptly. Naruto's face smashed into her back. "Hey! You should warn someone." He stepped away, his hand covering his injured nose.

"Naruto," Sakura turned, one hand on her hip and the other gripping the clipboard in front of her. Her voice was quick and strained. She was trying very hard to remain patient and professional in her hospital. "Why are you following me? I'm working!"

"I'm bored!" Naruto whined. Part of him was aware that he was sounding childish. But he hadn't seen her in a while and it seemed like everyone was on a mission for the day. And he was bored, damnit! "I miss you, Sakura-chan!" He added for good measure.

Sakura's shoulders dropped. Her green eyes softened a bit, though she wore a withered look upon her face. "Naruto, I miss you too, but that's not really –"

"You're the boss aren't you?"

"Well, yeah, but –"

"And I don't see anyone else around."

Sakura hesitated, her eyes glancing about the hall, confirming his observation. Naruto took his as a good sign and he continued, "Why are you the only one working so much?"

Sakura sighed, her head shaking to and fro. She turned on her heel and walked straight, returning to her previous mission. With her back turned, Naruto let a victorious grin spread on his face. Sure, she didn't agree, but she didn't say no either, and that was good enough for the both of them. He resumed his shadowing – though not as closely this time.

"I gave most of the other nurses some time off."

Naruto was surprised to hear her speak a minutes later. "Eh?" His head tilted to the side while he replayed their previous conversation. "Why?"

They stopped in front of an elevator. Sakura pushed the up arrow and stepped back. Her gaze was focused on the glowing numbers above the doors. "They had to deal with me and my nasty mood last week. It wasn't fair that they had to be yelled at all the time just because some jerk ignored me, so I'm taking some extra shifts as an apology."

"Ah!" Naruto's face lit up with wonderment and appreciation. "Sakura-chan! You're really nice!"

A ding was heard and the doors opened, waiting for new occupants. Sakura obliged, Naruto following close behind.

"Not really." Sakura responded once the doors closed. She leaned in to press a number, "If I was such a nice person, I wouldn't have to do this in the first place."

"Eh." Naruto shrugged and leaned against the back wall as the elevator took them up a few floors. "Everyone makes mistakes. I think that since you're trying to learn from yours and make up for them is really awesome!"

Sakura smiled at him – that smile that would always make him melt a little inside. His heart belonged to Hinata, but Sakura still had a special place.

The fourth floor was nearly complete – at least Naruto assumed so as they had hit every door but this last one. And Naruto was definitely sure. He had been kicked out over shoved in a corner for all of the appointments. Something about some stupid patient condolence… or something. He was eagerly counting down as Sakura told him this was her last floor.

Naruto jumped up from his seated position on the floor and started bouncing around. "We're almost done, right, Sakura-chan? Then we can go get ramen?"

"Yeah, yeah." She waved her hand in his direction, but her smile spoke wonders. Thus, it stood out even more when her lips dropped and a heavy sigh nearly blew the paper off of her clipboard.

Naruto stood at attention immediately. "Sakura-chan! What's wrong? Is something wrong with ramen? I promise, I won't chew with my mouth open this time!"

She glared at him from the corner of her eye, "You won't either way." Before returning her gaze to the sheet in front of her. "It's not you. It's this patient."

"Eh? Do I know him?" Naruto tried to peer over the tilted clipboard.

Sakura hugged the item tightly to her chest. "Naruto!" She scolded and took a step back, turning a shoulder away. "Does Patient Doctor Confidentiality mean nothing to you?!"

Naruto blinked at her, letting the words jumbling around in his brain. When they came back empty, he tried: "…No?"

A snort came from the pink-haired doctor. "Right. Anyway, just wait out here while I finish this up." Sakura took the few steps towards the door and twisted, "It will be fast and then we can go get ramen."

"No way!" Naruto jumped closer to her, pushing on the door, "I want to see who this person is!"

"Naruto!"

Before she could stop him, the door burst open. Both bodies stumbled into the room at the same time, startling the occupant. Naruto got a hold of himself first and snapped his head up to catch a glimpse of this troublesome person before he was sent to a new world of pain. The person was…

…So very average.

Naruto stood straight and cocked his head to the side, unabashedly studying the forgettable person.

"Who the hell are you?"

Naruto looked down and brought a hand to his throat. He had thought the question – meant to ask it – but that wasn't his voice. He looked back at the person in front of him. He was returning the questioning look but with far more disdain.

"Yamamoto-san," Sakura stepped in next to Naruto. She raised a hand. Naruto visibly flinched, curling in on himself as protection. A weight landed on his head and stayed there. Her hand was warm, assuring, and heavy. "This is my friend, Naruto-kun."

The average idiot frowned. His boring, stupid eyes looked watery. "Naruto-kun?" He repeated with a voice completely different from how he'd just addressed Naruto.

Wait… Naruto-kun?

Naruto whips the head that was still under Sakura's hand to stare in awe at the doctor. Naruto-kun?

"Yes." Sakura confirmed. "Naruto-kun and I are meeting to have lunch after your check up," Sakura clamps her hand down onto Naruto's head and forces him to turn towards the door. "So we should get started." She shoves Naruto out the door where he lands oh-so-gracefully onto the floor.

As the door closes, he hears, "Oh, is that nasty cut acting up again? Let's get you more cream."

"Ah, Sakura-chan, that stuff really-"

The door closed and the voices become muffled. Only the pained screeching of a forgettable voice is heard a few minutes later.

As promised, the check up didn't take long. The door opened and a grinning Sakura emerged. She cleared the entrance and stepped to the side so that her patient could escape. He came out with his arm held tightly to his chest. He stopped beside her. "Ah, thanks, Sakura-chan."

"It's no problem. Please let me know if you have to come back again for the scratch and I'll apply more cream."

"Oh," He flinched. "No, that won't be necessary."

"Oh, that's good to hear." Her grin dimmed down to a smile that was far less subtle. "Then," Her voice is pleasant enough, but there is also a warning imbued in it. "I hope I don't need to see you again."

The person that Naruto already forgot the name of opened his mouth once, before he thought better of it. Sakura swiftly turned away, jotting a few notes onto the clipboard in her hands. By the time they turned to go back to Sakura's office, they caught only a glimpse of the idiot's back before he slinked around the corner. Naruto couldn't help but feel sorry for what's-his-name.

"Sakura-chan, you're scary." Naruto followed behind Sakura as she began her brisk walk down the hall.

"Don't worry about it." Sakura shrugged. She turned at the nurse's counter, dropping off the patient's file as she passed. "He keeps coming in with stupid problems and tries to ask for dates."

"Hey! That's right!" Naruto jumped a bit, stepped up to walk beside her, "What happened with your date the other night?"

Sakura sighed. They reached the elevators. She pushed the down arrow and stepped back. "I think I'm done with dates for a while."

"Why? What happened?"

"It doesn't matter." Sakura waved her hand and the matter away. The elevator door 'dinged' and they stepped in.

"Of course it does!" Naruto pressed. His arms spread out around him in an uncocnious effort to show just how much it mattered.

"Really-" Sakura's shoulders dropped. She looked weary. He almost had her.

"Sakura!" Naruto leaned in.

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled. She leaned in, a finger pointed in one hand a fist forming in the other. The elevator doors opened. The sudden silence of the group surrounding their exit and the blinking eyes caused the two occupants to pause their arguments. Sakura chuckled nervously, quickly stepping out and stepping through the hole provided for them. Naruto followed quickly behind, much more used to the stares his usual antic resulted in.

Her office was close. Naruto closed the office door behind him and stood in front of it with his arms crossed and legs parted. His head lowered, focusing his piercing gaze on her.

"It's not a big deal, Naruto." The doctor's coat was pulled off and hung on the hook near the desk. Naruto pressed his lips together and stood his ground. Sakura eyed him warily before letting out a resigned sigh. "You have to promise you wont make it a big deal either, got it?"

Immediately, Naruto lit up, "Yeah, yeah."

Sakura leaned against the desk, "He just kept trying to feel me up and wanted to play 'doctor' with me," She shrugged her shoulders, "So punched him in the eye and the balls."

"Oh, that's too bad."

"Don't sound too sad." Sakura pushed off her desk and nabbed the wallet on her desk, "Either way, I'm done dating for a while."

"I'm sure you'll fine some stoic, tomato-loving jackass out there who will ask you out for a date one of these days. Come on." Naruto grapped her arm and pulled her towards the exit, "I'll let you treat me to ramen. It'll make you feel better!"

"Well, you know," Naruto's exited bouncing stills, and the smile on his face lessens in intensity. "Sometimes she's too nice." The whiskers on his face flare up just slightly "But that's what we're here for. And ramen." Naruto blinks, and the brief moment of intensity is replaced with a different kind of passion, "Have you ever eaten at Ichiraku?"

#

"From what I understand, she's also pretty stubbo -"

Sasuke's voice interrupts the nasally voice of the interviewer "Is that a bad thing?"

"W-Wha-"

Sasuke's nose crinkles. His eyes trail up and down. He finishes his observation with a snort. "You have a camera." He states. A smug, almost feral grin graces his lips, "I don't need to repeat myself."

His knuckles rapt on her door once before he stepped away, his back hitting the railing of the hallway to Sakura's apartment. He shifted the paper bag in his hands. The setting sun was in a wonderful position to blind him, so he tilted his head downwards and studied the contents of the bag. It was simply some tomatoes, strawberries, and tea. The last time they were over, he noticed that her supply was running out and since he had happened to be at the market buying tomatoes and he happened to a see sale on tea, he thought he would drop it off. He studied the contents a bit more before shifting the bag for the second time.

Sasuke is many things. Patient is not one of them. So when Sakura didn't answer her door, Sasuke went straight for the knob. It turned easily in his grip. A frown tugged at his lips.

He stepped into the apartment, closing the door behind him. It was mostly dark, save for the soft glow coming from the direction of her living room on the right. He didn't bother announcing himself; instead he carefully slipped of his shoes, deftly straightening them with one hand while keeping the bag in the other hand steady, and made his way to where he knew Sakura would be.

The living room dimly illuminated by a tall lamp that cast light over Sakura's hunched shoulders. Her curled form seemed to be trying to disappear into the dark green chair. Only ruffled pink hair could be seen over the book, while the book itself was mostly covered by her bent knees. Sasuke didn't bother trying to read the title.

"Your door isn't locked." This was his greeting. A part of him was aware that he could be more polite and nice – asking about her day and what she was doing, the other part of him decided that it wasn't worth it and this was important. She knew he was there anyway.

"Hello to you too." He heard. Her voice was slightly muffled, from the book and probably from lack of sleep.

"You need to lock your door." Apparently, she wasn't understanding the situation.

"If someone really wanted to get in," She paused, lowering the books slightly to turn the page, before it was lifted to cover her face again. "They wouldn't use the door."

Sasuke scowled at her logic and turned his head away, only offering a displeased sound from between his teeth. With his head turned away, his eyes still studied her curled form. She was absorbed in her book, not once looking up at him.

An odd feeling crept into his chest. He felt out of place, like he was intruding on her special time. His shoulders stiffened and his back straightened. Well, he didn't have to stay. Sasuke cleared his throat, "I just came to drop off some items I saw while I was buying tomatoes." He hesitated only for a moment – it was still a moment too long in his book because he knew he was waiting for her to respond. "We used most of your tea last time. You should keep yourself stalked, especially since it's getting cold."

As he turned away towards the kitchen, he heard a soft sigh and the thump of a book closing. The chair made a few squeaking noises and her joints crack as she stretched. "No, it's okay." She called from her spot.

Sasuke continued towards the kitchen, knowing she would follow when she was ready. He set the bag on the counter and pulled out the strawberries and tea. Opening a cupboard, he pulled out a dish and set to work opening the fruit container.

The strawberries were in a bowl on the table when she came into the kitchen after him. "It's good that you came." She stood next to him as he finished adjusting the strawberries to be aesthetically pleasing. When he straightened, he eyed her warily. She had that tone of voice. That, 'I'm going to be nice so you will do something for me' tone.

When he didn't take the bait, she continued, "I've been reading a lot."

He bit back a sarcastic, 'I've noticed'

"Don't give me that look."

Sasuke allowed the corner of his lips to curl up slightly. He reached into the bag to pull out the tea he had purchased and set them onto the counter. "You've been busy again." He commented, trying to carefully approach the subject, "You aren't still angry about that stupid article, are you?"

"What?" There was a pause and Sasuke looked over. She looked genuinely confused before remembrance dawned on her face. She waved her hand in front of her nose. "No. I've forgotten all about that." Assured, Sasuke returned to his task while she continued, "I've been reading up on some really interesting things."

Now that the tea was out, Sauske began placing them in their rightful place on the shelf above him. He didn't have to ask where they went, and neither questioned his domesticated actions in Sakura's home.

As he situated the tea, he regarded Sakura from the corner of his eye. She was staring at him expectantly. He was quite aware that she had stopped at an odd spot and was waiting for him to ask about it. He wished she would just say it.

His wish was granted as his hand descended from organizing the tea.

"Like the sharingan."

Sasuke faltered. He stood facing the counter for only a moment, collecting himself, before he turned to lean his back against the marble. His arms crossed and his eyebrows rose expectantly.

Sakura obliged, "Specifically, on how I might be able to stop the degeneration."

The words went in his brain and he understood them, but he still had to toss them around in his head to comprehend the full extent of what she was saying.

Sakura took a tentative step towards him, not wanting to disturb his consideration. "I think I can." She whispered.

She was afraid, he noted. Afraid of failure and his reaction, afraid of disturbing things or making it worse, but most of all, she was hopeful to the prospect and determined.

Sasuke found that he was having similar feelings.

Contrary to popular belief, Sasuke is not socially inept. He knew he should react in someway. Something to express his gratitude, hope, and trust. Something to assure Sakura that her determination and dedication to him was more than enough. Unfortunately, while he knew all these things, he just didn't know what to say – a predicament he often finds himself in.

But bless Sakura, she was studying him, watching for the subtle changes in him and she was learning how to read him. When the largest, most assuring smile broke out of her face and all of the nervousness evaporated, he knew she had read him correctly. She took another tentative step foreword – the grin still present on her face. "It's all in theory." She said as she stepped foreword again – only a foot away from him. The excitement and determination poured from her in waves. "I can't promise it will work."

Despite her closeness, Sasuke didn't move. He looked down at her, feeding off of her energy. "I trust you." He stated. The words tumbled out, surprising himself and pleasing the woman in front of him. Two more important words escaped his lips and out of his control – but it did not make the meaning any less true.

"Thank you."

#

His orange book is still out. The pages are loud in the microphone against the silence of the room. The gray haired man still does not look up from his book, but his gleeful look has disappeared.

Another page turns. The interviewer's voice is the first to break the silence this time.

"Does the fact that she works at a hospital excuse the fact that she's a workaholic and perfectionist?" The voice sounds agitated.

"No," Kakashi's eyes gaze over one page before turning it. His one eye moves from the book his hand to something beyond the camera. Despite the gaze not being directly on the machine, the lens is still able to pick up the harsh stare hidden in the calm face, "But it does lend itself to her other positive characteristics like selflessness and dedication that you could should mention."

Senses and familiarity told him that the village gate was close. He was a bit beyond relying on sight. One hand reached out to his right. It fumbled for a bit before it connected with a rough material. Bark. A tree – there was never really one far from reach in Konoha outskirts. He let himself lean against the sturdy rest, his breath and body so very heavy. One bleary eye opened, trying to focus – the other sealed tightly by dried blood.

With a sigh, Kakashi pushed himself from his resting place and willed his feet to move. He was tired and he was late for his report time – not that this was anything new – but he was late even for him.

Another step.

He wasn't dying – not yet anyway, but god he was tired. He had to use his eye for this mission and all he wanted right now was to close the other and sleep. Unfortunately, with chakra low, cool nights, much needed rest, and home being so close – sleep was not the best option.

His palm met another tree. Fingers curled into the bark as he pushed himself onward.

He stopped again at the next tree. He could hear a voice and the footsteps accompanying the body. It was a soothing and familiar call. Part of him was relieved while the other part frantically trying to pull himself together so as to not worry her. Unsurprisingly, the later voice was the louder of the two and easily won out.

Kakashi lead heavily against the hand braced against the wood and slowly lowered his body to meet the tree until his shoulder was holding his weight. His arm, now free, met his other across his chest while one leg crossed the other. His lips curled at the ends while his good eye scrunched up in a smile. "Yo." He raised an arm in greeting.

Through his blurry eyes he was able to see shades of pink against the brown and green of the forest. Sakura stopped a few feet in front of him. He could feel her studying gaze on him. "You're late." She responded.

"Ah, yes. I met this lovely old lady on the road and I stopped to help her."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." He could hear the quiet sigh in her voice. She was silent for a moment before continuing; "Well then, I guess since you can help an old lady, you can help yourself back home, right?" The pink blur stepped off to the side, away from Kakashi's line of hazy vision and out of his way.

The smile on his face twitched only a little. Either she was still angry at him, or he was busted. "Of course." He assured her. "I'll be along in a bit. I have more of my book I wanted to catch up on before I have to report… unless you want to read it with me?"

"Sure."

Kakashi's eye widened and focused momentarily. She still stood off to the side and her hand was stretched out – just out of his reach. "Give it here."

Ah, yes, he was definitely busted. "On second thought, Sakura, I don't think it's very appropriate."

The blur shifted on her feet. "Please. How old do you think I am?"

"I really don't want to have this conversation with you." Kakashi winced. Teasing her about it was one thing, but she would always be his innocent student and he didn't want to think – "Dare I ask why you're out here?"

"I told you," she said, "you're late."

"Ah."

Sakura finally stepped closer to him. "Welcome back, Kakashi-senesei." He felt a strong arm wrap around his back as she moved his arm around her shoulders. "Let's get you home."

They hobbled back together, Sakura never once questioning or commenting on anything other than what the village had been up to since his month long absence. Their pace was slow and steady and while he was tense at first, he slowly got used to having her help him along; especially once he was able to admit how much easier it was to move with her help. Truthfully, Kakashi only remembered bits of the short journey. He remembered her soothing voice and doing his very best to not stumble and look incredibly uncool; what stood out the most was when they had finally reached the hospital. Even without his site, he knew where they were and when they got there. The smell, the sounds, the general ambience. He was well acquainted with the hospital – no matter how much he hated it. He heard a voice, "Dr. Haruno! I thought you were sent home from your shift two hours ago! You should be resting!"

"Ah, it's no problem!" He watched her from the corner of his eye. She did seem tired. It hadn't even occurred to him why she hadn't healed him right then. "I'm just here to drop this idiot off, then I'll go home and rest." She promised.

"I'll take him." Kakashi heard the Hokages's voice and took the cue. Gently, he pulled away from Sakura and made an effort to stand on his own. He turned to her, as stable as he could make himself, and smiled.

"Thank you, Sakura. It's good to be home."

"Ah," The voice behind the camera falters a bit. "Yes. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you Hatake-san for the interview. You're free to go now."

Finally, now that the interview is done, the book is slammed shut with one hand. While the microphone picks up the ruffling of papers and the slight scraping of a chair, the lens catches something different. Instead of getting up, the grey haired man leans back in the chair and crosses his arms. "By the way." He says, "Did you know Sakura's family is gone?"

The sound of shuffling papers stops and it is silent for five seconds.

"So keep in mind that the people who are interviewing are her family. A pretty protective family at that." The camera is able to pick up a dangerous gleam in his one visible eye.

"Okay?"

The dangerous glint disappears behind a smiling, closed eyelid. The mask scrunches just so where his lips should be. "Just a friendly warning."

#

"…Tomato ramen is okay. The bastard likes it, but it's not nearly as good as the Ichiraku special. The old man won't tell me what's in it. He says it's a family secret. Hey, did you know-"

"Ah, Uzumaki-san?" A voice interrupts Naruto.

Naruto stops and looks around himself. For a moment, he looks lost. He blinks and a hand lifts to his face. His thumb wipes the corner of his mouth. "Whoops." He grins and uses the same hand to reach behind his head and rub. "I forgot where I was." A self conscious chuckle escapes his lips and he leans foreword in the chair with his hands supported his weight in front of him. "You should try it sometime."

"Of course."

Naruto is satisfied with the answer and leans back in the seat. A rare moment of silence passes in which Naruto eyes the camera. He tilts his head back slightly, the dips it down again, his eyes never leaving the lens. A fingers lifts and inserts its tip into his nose. It turns around.

"Ah, Uzumaki-san, I want to remind you that other people will be watching this."

Naruto pulls out his finger and exams it. He says nothing.

"Well, I don't have any further questions…"

Naruto perks up. His hand drops and his head immediately jerks up to smile at the person beyond the camera. "Really?"

"Yes, so –"

"Hey," Naruto rests an elbow on the armsrest and supports his chin in the palm of his hand. He is still smiling, but it is less vibrant and childlike. "You have a black eye." He says this fact as though it's the most interesting fact in the world. The camera picks up an unusual dark, sadistic shine to Naruto's eyes.

#

"Okay." The microphone picks up a low slap – something dense is closed. "Thank you for answering all of my questions."

Sai nods. His eyes follow the movements of something beyond the camera. After a moment, he speaks. "By the way, what happened to your nose and eye?"

"I… got into a fight."

"Oh?" Sai cocks his head to the side, "Did Naruto hit you for trying to feel up Sakua?"

The view is distorted for a moment. A loud congested sniff is heard near the microphone. "Does everyone know?"

The view is clear again. Sai's eyes are on the camera for a moment before they return to the less than confident voice behind the lens. "I do not believe everyone does. That would be very difficult."

There is a moment of silence before a shaky voice asks, "Are you going to hit me?"

"While I do feel the urge to, I will control myself because I want you to have the ability to write this article so Ugly will stop being depressed about it. However, while I do know plenty of ways to injure you that will not impede your ability to write, I imagine they will be used by your next interview."

#

"Well, you've been very helpful." Papers are shuffled and the sound of a chair scraping against wood floor is heard. "Thank you for your time, Uchiha-san." A light cough is heard.

Sasuke Uchiha let's his hard stare move from the unseen voice. He glances once at the camera before pushing himself off of the chair. "Get it right this time." The microphone barely picks up his grumble as he is already up and behind the chair.

Before he exits the view, he pauses. There is a faraway banging sound.

"Hey, ass! You're done, right?"

From behind the camera, a choking sound is heard. Visibility is shaken for a moment. Scuffling noises last only for a moment and then it's quiet.

The Uchiha turns his head at the movement. He raises an eyebrow before scoffing and turning away. His arms cross over his broad chest, addressing the newcomer. "What is it, dobe? You've had your turn."

"I know." Despite being farther away, the microphone is able to pick up the boisterous voice. It's smug, and a bit pleased. "I thought you'd like to know some information."

Sasuke's form shifts slightly. "What do you want, dobe?"

"Remember that bad date I said Sakura had?"

The one visible body stiffens, muscles tense. His eyes visibly narrow with downward arching eyebrows; lips tighten into a thin line while knuckles turn white as they grasp his arms.

The narrowed eyes study something in front of him. The dark orbs move quickly, digesting information.

The camera timer registers a few seconds on the clock before his head swiftly turns towards the lens. With one blink, black is replaced with red.

"Try not to kill him, jerk." The instigator's voice is heard. An instant later, too many things happen for the camera to catch. A frightened – and very girly – scream is heard from somewhere beyond the camera and a slight blur is just barely seen. There may have been some laughter and the sound of something being scraped against the floor, but the color red with endless black swirls is the last thing the camera is able to catch before it topples over and ends its tape.

#

Behind the Scenes – An article on the woman behind the men of Team 7

Two months ago, we interviewed the infamous Team 7 and the men behind the driving force of the war. Now this paper would like to focus on the sole woman of the team – Sakura Haruno.

Sakura Haruno with her pink hair and green eyes is many things. She's an apprentice to the Hokage as well as a ninja. According to her teammates, she is violent and frightening (as judged by their reactions). She is a perfectionist and a workaholic. For a doctor, she often times has difficulty taking care of herself. She is very emotional – often going to extremes and stubborn to a fault. Not to mention, she can be lacking in certain areas.

However, from what she lacks, she makes up for in other areas. She is selfless, intelligent, good with management, dedicated, loyal, and understanding. All of her teammates expressed their admiration and dedication to their female teammate.

From my own experiences, what stands out most is her patience and ability to handle and deal with the frightening and out of control male counter partners of her team. This alone is a significant feat. So, hats off to you, Sakura Haruno. You are proof that behind every great team, there is a great woman.

/END

On a writing stand point, I'm a little iffy on this chapter. There were some points I'm proud of, and others I was just like, "Meh. I need to get some more stuff here." Did you feel that? Could you tell?

Did you like the way it was done overall? Was it horrible confusing?

I was proud of how I interspersed all the stories together into one timeline. I was rather proud of myself on that. - On that note, if you didn't get it, the guy interviewing her was her failed date and he was trying to get the guys to say bad things about her since he was angry. So yes, he was a bit biased - but then, he was more on her side after dealing with her teammates. But... I'm sure you are all smart enough to get that, right?

Hokays. So. If you didn't get the memo from my earlier rant. Please do be so kind as to review.

ALSO - Tumblr. Joy-girl-sama. Look me up. I need friends.