Konoha High School: Junior Year (A Naruto Fan Fiction)

Part IV

Part IV

~Sakura~

It really is weird not having Sai around.

Ino was a mess the first week he was gone. She didn't want to do anything. She didn't want to eat anything. All she wanted was for Sai to come back. she came to school with hollow eyes and messy hair, and we were all honestly worried about her. It seemed like she couldn't even function without him.

We all underestimated her, because Ino is not one to just sit around and wallow in self pity forever. It's still very obvious that she misses him a lot, but she's strong enough not to depend on anyone for her own happiness. It's been nearly a month since he left, and she seems fine. If she's hurting, she's doing her best not to show it. He writes her letters a lot and calls her twice a week, so that must help.

You'd never think Sai is good with words, but I've read some of the letters, and wow, they're really heartfelt. As far as I can tell, he seems to really like it there and is excelling in his studies but can't wait to come back and see us all again, especially her. Whenever Ino reads a letter from him, she gets quiet for a while.

She's been spending a lot of time with Shikamaru lately, and I can't say I blame her. Misery loves company, and Shikamaru is the most understanding of her situation. It reminds me of how I'm freshman year I spoke a lot with Sai. It's not like any of us mind Shikamaru tagging along anyway. He's really an awesome guy.

There are times when I can tell how his absence is making her sad, though. I wish there was something any of us could do to make her smile the way she smiled around him.

Sasuke's lips against my forehead break me out of my train of thought. My head's resting beneath his chin as I lay on top of him. Friday's are reserved for movies with Sasuke at his house. We're sprawled out on his couch, watching as actors speak behind a screen.

"What are you thinking about?" He mumbles, looking down at me.

I lift my head so that my chin is on his chest and I'm looking right at him. He's laying on his back on the couch, and I'm laying on my stomach on his body. His arm is resting across the small of my back. "Nothing much." I say.

He chuckles, causing my body to rise and fall with his. "You seemed so lost in thought, there's no way that was nothing."

I giggled and looked into his onyx eyes. Wow. I don't know how Ino could deal with losing someone she loves for such long periods of time. If I lost Sasuke, I don't know what I'd do.

"I was wondering about how Sai's doing," I tell him.

"I see," he says, bringing his hand up and running them through my short rose-colored hair. "I hope he's doing alright."

"Me, too."

He sits up a little on the couch, raising both our bodies. "I'm a little shocked at how well Ino's handling things."

"She's always been one to bounce right back after being hit down," I say. "Besides, even if she was hurting, she wouldn't show us. I bet Sai's doing fine at school, though," I comment.

"I'm sure he is," Sasuke says, looking at me. His gaze holds on me, making my cheeks become rosy.

"What are you looking at me for?" I asked bashfully.

"I'm just looking at you. Is that so wrong?" He says with a sly grin. I look back at him, this time returning a stare. His eyes hold mine, as our gazes interlock in a staring contest. I narrow my eyes, giving him my most determined scowl. He, in turn, raises an eyebrow. Water begins to fill my lids as my eyes burn, and eventually my body gives in to it's human instincts and blinks.