Sakura buried her head in her pillows, trying to block out the light streaming into her room. She grunted and rolled over, expecting to stay in her bed, but she rolled right off, her left shoulder smacking the corner of her dresser painfully. 

Ouch, she thought, fingers brushing over the sore spot. That's gonna bruise.

Standing up, she untangled herself from her blanket and placed back on her bed. 10:04 AM, her alarm clock read.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, and she looked at the screen that lit up.

Sickos
Message from Hinata-Chan

So guys, what time are we gonna go the mall today?

Sakura sighed. She totally forgot that she had to meet Hinata and the girls at the mall today. She quickly typed out a message in reply and sent it.

Unlocking her phone, her heart clenched when she saw that Sasuke had left her on read. She put her phone down and left to get dressed. Hopefully, she would catch him at the cafe.

But he wasn't there. Sighing, she placed her order and sat at a random booth, staring out at the piles of endless snow outside the cozy cafe.

Angry that Sasuke didn't show up, she took a huge bite of her muffin and chewed angrily. She couldn't help but smile at her actions, brightening a bit.

She checked the time. She didn't have to go to the mall for another hour, so she decided to visit Itachi.

But when she went outside, she came across Ino and Hinata.

"Hey girls," she rushed over to the two. "What are you doing here?"

Hinata smiled. "Ino has a new boyfriend, so we were gonna spy on him. His name's Kiba," she whispered that last part loudly.

"Ooh," Sakura joined Hinata, and they linked arms. "Want to introduce us, Ino?"

The two smiled evil grins and leaned forward towards Ino earnestly. She sighed and shoved their faces away.

"Why do I hang out with you guys again?" Ino huffed at their actions, and the two laughed.

"You love us, don't lie," Hinata wrapped an arm around Ino's neck, pulling the taller girl down to her height.

"Get off me," Ino pouted childishly.

"Okay okay," Sakura laughed at her friend. "We won't try to find your boyfriend, let's just go."

The three took off down the road to their other friend's house. Karin's place wasn't far from where they were, and she had a car, so she could drive them to the mall.

Karin shut the door the second she saw it was them.

"Come on!" Ino knocked on the door again.

"Why is she so cold to us?" Hinata groaned dramatically and leaned her whole body on the door. "Dearest Karin, why do you treat me like this? I shower you with love, only to be disrespected like this-oh!" She squeaked in surprise when the door was flung open and she stumbled into the house.

"Woah there," a deeper voice that did not sound at all like Karin's said, and caught the falling girl.

All three of them looked up to see a tall man with blonde hair and deep blue eyes holding a now tomato colored Hinata in his arms.

Ino's eyes widened, and she grabbed Sakura's coat sleeve. "That's Naruto!"

"Who?" Sakura hissed back, forgetting that the guy they were gossiping about was right in front of them.

The man smiled, the whisker marks on his cheeks stretching. "My name's Naruto." He tried to extend a hand to the two girls but seemed to remember he held someone in his arms. "Sorry." He set Hinata, who was unusually quiet, on her feet and let go.

"Karin's in her room, by the way. She doesn't wake up before at least one in the afternoon on Saturdays, so you might wanna be gentle when you go in." He jerked a thumb towards the staircase.

He turned and went to the kitchen area. Once he was out of sight, Hinata let out an ear-splitting screech.

"Who was that?" She whisper-yelled.

"That's Naruto, Karin's cousin she lives with. She told us about him before, remember?" Ino informed them.

"I think I would remember if Karin introduced us to a hot guy like that! I mean, did you see his face?" Hinata let out a dreamy sigh and smiled.

Sakura sighed. "You are so lovesick. You just met him."

Hinata pouted. "Just because you don't believe in love at first sight doesn't mean it isn't real." She went up the stairs to Karin's room, Ino and Sakura following.

They found her buried in her blankets.

"Get up," Hinata tugged at the drowsy girl's foot. "It's so late how are you still asleep?"

Karin shook her off and rolled over. "I don't wanna get out of bed. Can we just stay here?"

Ino took off her jacket. "As long as you have cookies, we can chill here. Please?" She begged the other two, giving them puppy eyes.

"Fine," Hinata waved her hand in defeat and took her jacket and gloves off, joining Karin on her large bed.

"Saku, since you're still standing, mind getting us the cookies and ice cream?" Karin smiled sweetly at the girl.

"Isn't it too cold for ice cream?" Hinata asked, but Ino shushed her.

"Whatever." Sakura left to go get the snacks from the kitchen. She encountered the blonde guy, Naruto, in the kitchen.

"Can you tell me where you guys keep the cookies?" She asked, and he handed her a large pack. "Thanks." She grabbed a tub of cookie dough ice cream for their freezer and a couple spoons and went back to the room.

They were already harassing Karin by the time she got back.

"Karin, when are you gonna introduce us to your boyfriend?" Ino asked. "I won't tell him any embarrassing stories, promise! Well, maybe only the funny ones." She giggled when she saw Karin's frown.

"My love, you've arrived! Save me from these losers!" Karin reached for the food Sakura held when she sat down.

Sakura held a hand to her heart. "Wasn't I your true love?" She gasped dramatically. "How could you replace me!" She reached for Hinata's arm and pulled her closer. "Hinata is a loyal friend. Get like her Karin."

Karin stuck a finger at her and continued to stuff her face. Hinata giggled and moved over to Karin too.

"Sorry, Saku." She said when Sakura looked offended. "Food is more important."

Sakura looked to Ino but was disappointed to see her trying to stuffs their cookie in her mouth.

"Mmfnnnf," Ino mumbled. Maybe an apology, but given the look on her face, probably not.

"You guys are all fake." Sakura flopped backwards on the bed.

"Get used to it." Karin flicked her forehead.

They stayed in Karin's room the whole day, just talking and watching movies. When it began to get dark, Sakura stood up.

"Okay, guys I'm gonna have to go now. I need to get home to do some homework and I do not want to walk home in total darkness."

Hinata stood up too. "Yeah, Neji won't be home tonight, so I have to watch Hanabi. See you guys later?"

Ino only rolled herself further into the blankets. "Karin, I'm staying over cuz I don't wanna get up and go home."

Karin waved a hand at them. "Don't get kidnapped on your way back."

"Later guys!" Sakura called one last time, and the two girls walked out of the house into the cold night.

"Hey, you two need a ride?" They looked over to see Naruto inside a small red car. He waved them over. "Hop in, I'll give you a lift."

Hinata's cheeks colored, and she looked at Sakura desperately. "Omg omg omg!" She whisper-screeched. Sakura sighed. Hinata needed to fix that screeching habit of hers. She could pop anyone's eardrums with that voice.

"Ew, I can't believe you just said omg instead of oh my god." Sakura pushed her towards the small car. "I'm fine. I live close to here, but bring Hinata home for me. Thanks!"

Hinata glared at her as she opened the car door and went inside. I hate you, she mouthed, but Sakura only grinned and began walking the other way.

Sakura stared up at the sky as she walked. It was around 5:30, and the sun had set long ago. The stars were barely visible that night and she could only see the bright moon illuminating the night sky, making the snowflakes glittering down from the sky sparkle.

She passed by the hospital on her way back and saw the familiar head of black hair exiting the hospital.

"Sasuke!" She ran down the sidewalk to catch up. At her voice, Sasuke stopped walking and turned around.

She stopped a foot away from him, panting slightly. Sasuke found it odd because she hadn't run very far, but didn't say anything. He just stared at her, waiting for her to speak.

Sakura spoke after a few moments of the uncomfortable silence. "Look, I'm sorry. Can you let me explain?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Were you there for an annual physical or something? You weren't, right?" He spoke in a quiet voice, but Sakura could tell he was angry.

She didn't understand why, though. "I didn't feel like I needed to tell you because all you would do is worry about me, and I have enough people doing that already!" She told him, exasperated.

"Well as you can see, I'm clearly worried about you already!" Sasuke yelled back, equally angry.

Sakura didn't reply for a few moments, and the two stood still. The only thing moving was her scarf that fluttered in the gust of wind that blew snow in Sasuke's face.

After a couple seconds, he asked in a soft voice, "How long?"

Sakura sighed. She was too tired to deal with this conversation right now. "Can we talk about this later? I'm tired, and I have things I need to do. Besides, I don't need to stress you out any more than you already are." He looked hurt at what she was saying. "It's really nothing Sasuke, just a bug I'll get over in no time at all."

His distrustful expression didn't change. "You can tell me anything. You know that, right? I just want to help you."

Sakura shook her head, a sad smile on her face. "I'll see you later Sasuke." With that, she walked off, not looking back because the pained expression he had on made her heart clench with an unfamiliar feeling, and she didn't like it at all. 

Sasuke watched her leave. Something about how she refused to tell him made him feel sad in a way that he hadn't felt before. He watched her jacket clad figure walk away slowly, his eyes trailing her until she turned the corner. He then turned away, his heart heavy, and walked home. 

~~~ 

Written by Lea_Valdez16