Crimson cherry bloosm

Chapter 22

"Sasuke-kun, dinner is ready!" Sakura called. Hell, it sounded like they were married or something. She sighed and placed the plates on the table when Sasuke came in.

"Smells good." He said.

"It's not much, just rice and sushi."

They sat down and started to eat. It tasted really good. Sasuke had never known she was such a great cook.

"Why did they kidnap you?" He suddenly asked, out of nothing. Sakura almost chocked in her rice. "Wh- What?" "Well, why did they kidnap you?" He repeated, looking up to her. "... They... went out to fight... and I had to heal the wounded...." She said slowly, careful not to say something she couldn't say. "Who were wounded?" Sasuke asked, while still eating. Sakura looked at the floor. Lie? Or not? 'LIIIIIEEEEE!' Screamed Inner Sakura. 'I can hear you, you know? You don't have to scream...' 'Do I need to spell it, Sakura!? L - I - E! He will HATE you if you say you healed his brother!'

"It- It was Itachi..." She said slowly. Inner Sakura slapped her own forehead. "Uchiha Itachi?" Asked Sasuke, with narrowed eyes. 'Yeah, well do we know any other Itachi's?' Thought Sakura. "Yes... I'm sorry, I had no choice, I-"

To Sakura's big surprise, Sasuke was grinning. "What?" She asked confused. "What's so funny?"

"If they can wound him, then so can I." He said quietly, staring down at the food, still with a broad grin on his face. "I know it. I know I can do it." "...Sasuke-kun... Please... They were with a huge number of people... Besides, Deidara-san told me he was distracted."

"Deidara-san?" Sasuke echoed. 'Crap.' "Eh, yeah... Deidara is one of the Akatsuki..." "I know that." He played a little with the little wooden sticks between his fingers he was supposed to eat with. "It's just- ... Never mind."

They ate in silence, both far away in their own thoughts.

'Does she like the Deidara dude?' Sasuke wondered. 'I thought I saw a picture once from him... He looked like a female... You cant like someone like that as in like liking... Friends couldn't be really possible either, he was one of her kidnappers wasn't he?...'

'Shit, shit shit shit, let him not think about it anymore.' Begged Sakura in mind. 'He'll rather stick those eating sticks through my eye then letting me have friends with people who work with his brother... Itachi... I wonder how you're doing... You're missing me already? ... A couple more days before we meet again... I cant wait, I have to tell... Hey, Inner me, what are you doing?' 'Nuthing.' Said Inner Sakura quickly, pushing her block note behind her back. 'You were writing down what I was saying weren't you?' 'Nooooooo.' 'Geez, you idiot...'

"Sakura-san?" "Hm?" She looked up. Sasuke looked at her in concern. "I asked you something three times. Still here with me?" "Oh, yeah, I'm sorry Sasuke-kun." Sakura gave him a quick smile and noticed he had finished eating. "I'll clean up alright?"

Sasuke nodded and stood up. "I'll be right back, just have to go to the Hokage. She needed me for something." "Oh, sure."

Sakura watched him leave. He had changed. He had changed too much. He was even more handsome.

She washed the dishes real quickly and took a pen and a piece of paper. Dear Sasuke-kun. I'm at Ino's place. Be back in a hour or two. Love, Sakura.</i> She laid it on the table and left.

Konoha was still bright and peaceful, even at an evening like this. The getting darker blue sky had already a few clear stars. Sakura could remember the way to Ino's house easily and rang the bell.

Ino opened the door and smiled. "Forehead Girl!" "Hi Ugly, can I come in?" "Sure!" Ino stepped back so Sakura could enter. They immediately went to her room and sat down on Ino's bed.