Happy Accidents

Chapter 48: Worries

Sakura woke up early the next morning at the same time as Ino, groggy and heavy-headed from her late-night drinking. Ino seemed worse for wear; she'd probably had a lot more to drink than Sakura had.

Checking her phone, she saw nothing. Not a word from him. No messages, no phone calls, nothing. Perhaps she would have to be the one to make the first step. Staring at her phone, she drafted a message, clearing it and restarting it at least three times. After the third time, she just gave up. She didn't know what to say or where to start. 

Well... There was one way she could start. Getting up from her bed and getting dressed, she washed her face and put on the smallest bit of makeup before Sai swept into the room to speak with the both of them.

"Since it is the both of you that are here, we will be addressing a game plan. We will leave here early, and we will grab breakfast just outside the city together. After that, I will take Dr. Haruno back to your place to retrieve her vehicle, and she can take care of her daily duties that way. You and I will then head to the office. Does that work for everyone?"

Sakura contemplated Sai's suggestion. She could go to the apartment on her own; that wouldn't be a problem. She'd managed to pick up some decent furniture that she'd be able to use; she could sell her old furniture with the house, perhaps managing to increase her sale changes with it. Realizing Sai was waiting for her answer, she nodded at him and went back to thinking as he swept out of the room.

She was startled when Ino put a hand on her shoulder, drawing her out of her thoughts. "Sakura? What's wrong?" The blonde girl asked with a worried look on her features.

"I... I think I'm going to just give Sasuke some space," she said, making her way over to her purse and pulling out an envelope, handing it to Ino. "Can... can you give this to him for me? And tell him... tell him I still trust him and that I want him to have it. Maybe it'll convince him to come over and talk to me." It seemed like the easiest method. She would open the door to him, and he could come to visit. 

"Of course, sweetie. If that's what you want, then that's what we'll do." Ino's nod affirmed what she would do, and Sakura felt relieved. Hopefully, Ino wouldn't lay into him too badly. She knew how her friend could get.

She returned to getting ready for the day, packing her things so they could leave for breakfast soon.

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The next morning Sasuke was up bright and early, getting his things ready to go and heading to the office. He had one goal in mind: he would talk to Sakura. He would apologize, and he would explain himself. There were no excuses to be made for his behaviour; he'd treated her terribly, even if there were important reasons behind it, or rather, explanations as to why he was in the mood he was.

He knew what those reasons were. She deserved to know what he was going through, too. He'd promised not to shut her out, and then he'd done exactly that. He'd done exactly what he promised her he wouldn't do. 

He dressed casually, just in dark jeans and a black t-shirt instead of his usual business outfit. Just because he was on administrative leave didn't mean he was completely banned from the office; he could very well be coming in just to grab something from his office or drop something off. He was still on duty. 

Reaching the office after a short drive, he made his way down to the autopsy area, finding the lights were turned off, and the place appeared empty. He knew where Sakura's office was, and the lights were off in her office. He checked the door; it was locked. He couldn't see anything through the windows, either. Maybe she'd be coming in later? That was a possibility. She often worked varying hours.