Sakura inhaled the scent of the convenience store silently. It always smells new like when you buy new clothes on the mall, she'll never stop sniffing until the scent was completely gone. Okay, moving on.

She bought her dad's beloved chilli, and bought a few snacks, like biscuits, and candy, and stuff within the budget she has. She walked over to the store clerk and handed her money. When buying things in the store, she always has a little game in her head, which she will subtract the cost to her budget mentally and then guess the change, to practice her mental endurance.

(I don't know how money works in Japan though....)

She took her correctly guessed change and headed out of the convenience store. She looked back cautiously to make sure her father wasn't stalking her, which mostly happens when she's out.

Just outside the store, she met a long haired redhead holding a bundle of grocery bags, while standing in front of the pedestrian lane. And was no other than the wife of Konoha's mayor Kushina Namikaze. Sakura's face lit up, and walked over to her.

"Goodmorning, Kushina-san." She greeted cheerfully, holding her grocery bags from behind.

She noticed Sakura and her big grin, turned bigger, if that's possible.

"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" She said, tilting her head to the left seeing the young girl carrying a plastic full of canned goods, and biscuits. "You're really amazing, Sakura-chan. It must've been hard running on errands."

Sakura shook her head. "Not at all, Kushina-san. I actually consider it as an enjoyable hobby."

Kushina chuckled at her charismatic aura. She and her mother, Mebuki Haruno had been good friends before she passed. Mebuki would always invite her to have tea and chat about their children, and the excessive responsibilities of a mother. But ever since she died, she always meets Sakura in convenience store shopping for her and her father, and it most likely seems she is knowledgeable about checking the quality of the food or vegetables she buys.

Mature. Calm. Soft. Those are the traits that fullt makes up the pinkette standing in front of her, carrying grocery bags, with a smile plastered to her face. The total opposite of her son, Naruto Namikaze. He was childish, easily gets agitated by his peers, especially Sasuke, and loud. Must've come from Kushina's personality. But though, both may have distinct personalities, both have enjoyed each other's presence.

Kushina's energetic grin, tuened to a gentle smile. "I know this is a bit sudden, but would you and your father have dinner with us tonight?" She asked out of the blue, making Sakura hesitant. Dinner? With the wife of Konoha's mayor?

"U-uh, we don't want to intrude or anything. I-it's just that-" Sakura continued to stutter, trying to come up with a reason to politely decline her offer, and Kushina fully understood why.

"Don't worry, I'll contact your father later on before dinner." Kushina reassured, seeing her statement made little effect on her posture. Sakura, scratched the back of her head sheepishly, seeing she didn't have the heart to refuse.

"Of course." She happily exclaimed. "As long as we're not intruding, we'd be happy to join you for dinner."

The redhead smiled victoriously. "Yehey! Arigotou, Sakura-chan. It's been so long since we've communicated with any of our neighbors, except for our bussiness partners, 'ttebane!"

The minute Kushina recovered from her joyous state she held her hand to Sakura's level. "I'll walk you home."

Kushina's tender smile, filled with love and care has deeply touched her heart, just like her mother's. She smiled neutrally and took her hand.

Until now, she felt like Mebuki hadn't passed. Kushina had a best friend, and Sakura had a motherly figure like Kushina.

The memories of Mebuki Haruno will be always cherished within eachother's souls.

~

"Father, I'm home."

Kushina stood behind her, tilting her head forward to the door, scanning their averagely big home. Sakura welcomed her in, and both removed their shoes and neatly placed it in the corner.

Kizashi stomped down the stairs, hearing Sakura's previous call. Once he saw their unexpected guest, he frantically arrange the cushions in the couch and gestured her to sit down.

"It's so nice to have you around these parts. What made you visit Kushina-san." Kizashi asked politely to her wife's best friend.

Kushina put on her soft gentle smile. "It's so nice to see you to Kizashi-san. I just happen to see Sakura-chan shopping again by herself. Ya'know, you should lay her off a little, Kizashi-san. She's just a kid, 'ttebane, and she's already doing such chores! How could you, Kizashi-san." Kushina said jokingly, as Kizashi scratched his head sheepishly. Sakura sweatdropped, seeing how grown ups can act so immature.

"W-well, she always insists on going by herself, and at first, I was pretty nervous sending her out in the open like that-"

"Dad, Konoha is full of security guards."

"Don't interrupt, sweetie, the grown ups are talking."

Sakura huffed and crossed her arms, and slowly sunk into the plush couch. Kushina just giggled and continued to listen to his long story. Her dad told everything that happened in the past four years in summarization, and even though their life story was shortened by Kizashi, it took pretty damn long. Heck, she doesn't even know how Kushina can comprehend.

"And now she got a scholarship for Konoha Academy." Kizashi finished, while Kushina just stood agape.

"She did? How?" Kushina asked.

"Well, it's just that the chairman of Konoha Academy offered her apprenticeship during the Aikido Tournament, and sometimes I see him during Sakura's other competitions too."

"Chairman? You mean Ibiki Morino?" Kushina was truly astounded by Sakura's achievemenr during the day, but never has she expected her to gain the attention of the chairman of Konoha Academy. She has truly underestimated Sakura. She pivoted to where Sakura was sitting, seeing her back turned from them, while not moving any muscle, except her breathing. They both heard a light snore near Sakura, and just giggled.

"Sakura must've been bored out of her mind." Kushina said, and suddenly remembered the reason why she was here. "Oh yeah, Kizashi-san."

Kizashi moved his eyes from her daughter to the redhead.

"I was thinking of inviting her to dinner tonight. Wha'daya say Kizashi-san." She said her hyper self finally took form. He just blinked a few times.

"O-of course, we would love to." He stuttered.

She grinned at him joyously and patted Sakura's sleeping head.

"Oh, and the Uchihas are also coming to to dinner. Better where something in between casual and formal attire." Kushina deadpanned.

Kizashi choked on his spit.