Thank you so much to all of my readers and followers as well as everyone who voted for me :) You guys are awesome!

I'm sorry this chapters so short, but there's a reason behind it: I'm writing a 1400 word essay for my college English class and it sucks. BUT the next chapter will be longer and I promise the SasuSaku will be starting shortly, it just takes time.

Now I'll stop talking and let you guys read. Enjoy, boos! :)

Thanks again, though!

~Kei-chan 🎀

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Chapter Three

Old Times

The screeching alarm clock rudely awakened me with its dull green numbers giving me a glare. Once my brain was able to even process what was going on I realized it was six thirty, giving me just enough time to take a shower and eat some breakfast. I groaned and stumbled to the bathroom, still tired.

The warm water loosened my neck muscles and made my legs come to life.

That's when I heard a loud pounding from the front door.

"What the hell is that!?" I could hear my dad yell from his room."Do people not know what a day off is anymore!?"

I mumbled profound words under my breath as I unwilling got out of the warm embrace of the shower and slid a towel around me then grabbed my robe as I headed out of the bathroom.

"Sakura!"Dad yelled."It's your friends."

"Who?" I said, unconsciously.

"Humph,"Dad said, as I came around the corner."Your teammates."

I raised my eyes as I came around the corner and saw Sai, Naruto, and Sasuke standing in my living room.

"Oh, hey,"I said, pulling my wet hair over my shoulder."What's up?"

"Nothing, just thought we could all have breakfast together before we leave, but I see you're not dressed yet so we'll just wait if you want, Ugly,"Sai informed me."And don't forget, we're going to the Land of Winter so bring lots of warm clothes."

"I know,"I grumbled, turning back to my room."Just make yourselves comfortable until I'm done."

"No prob."Naruto said, stifling a yawn and slinging himself down in the couch.

"I'm going back to bed,"Dad said, as Sai set down on the love seat an Sasuke leaned against the door frame."Don't break anything . . . Naruto."

I shut the door to my room and assembled my gear. It consisted of red shirt with a fishnet undershirt along with a black vest that laces up in the back, fitting me like a corset almost. I pulled on my black ANBU pants with my white circle embellished on the hip. I pulled in my usual black boots and gloves then clasped my star necklace around my neck. My hair was longer now so I just put my headband in like regularly. I finished by putting my kunias in their correct places and pulling out a red jackets with the circles on the back and black fur around the hood. It wasn't too thick nor thin and I was still able to move comfortably, but for now I just carried it on my arm. I grabbed my light pink duffle bag as I hurried out of my room.

"Ready?"I asked, rounding the corner and discovering Naruto asleep, Sai sketching in his book, and Sasuke flipping through a picture album.

"I am, but I'm not so sure about him, Ugly," Sai nodded his head in Naruto's direction.

"Naruto,"I pushed his leg."NARUTO! Wake up!"

"I swear I'm awake, Sakura-chan,"He jumped up, bumping his head into mine.

"Ow!"I exclaimed."Be careful."

"Sorry, Sakura,"He smiled, sheepishly, rubbing his forehead."You look nice. I like your hair, reminds me of the old days."

"Thanks."I mumbled, walking towards my dad's room."Daddy, I'm leaving now."

"Okay,"Dad replied, opening the door."Be careful and safe, don't forget to stay warm. Especially if you get wet remember to always keep your head warm and not lay down. Also, -"

"Dad,"I stopped him, smiling. I could hear Naruto chuckle from the other room."it's fine, don't worry; I remember everything you and mom taught me."

"Alright,"He laughed then kissed my forehead."Now I need to tell the boys something."

"What?"I asked, as he walked pass me towards the living room.

"Hey,"He said to Naruto."You better protect her with your life, young man. I don't care how many villages you saved, my daughter is more important, got it?"

"Yes, sir,"Naruto nodded."We'll take good care of her, I promise."

Dad looked at Sai who nodded and smiled then towards Sasuke who just nodded.

"Alright,"He laughed."Same to you all, be careful and safe. I'll see you all in a month."

"Thank you, sir."Said bowed and headed for the door.

"Same to you."Naruto smiled then followed Sai.

Sasuke slowly walked towards my father then stopped.

"I think this is actually the first time we have ever met,"My dad said."My names Kizashi and you must be Sasuke."

"Yes, sir,"Sasuke nodded.

"Well, be careful,"My dad told him."Don't freeze death either."

My dad laughed heartily, filling the strange atmosphere. Sasuke nodded and walked to the door.

"Please take care of yourself while I'm gone and just eat take out every night," I laughed, touching his cheek."I love you and be safe."

"I love you, too,"He kissed my forehead."See you soon."

"Yeah,"I hugged him."See ya."

The walk to the cafe was basically normal with Sasuke flanking on Naruto's side and Sai trailing silently beside me. Naruto was going on and on about how Hinata had successfully retrieved the perfect imitation recipe for Ichiraku's ramen while Sasuke stared straight ahead of him and Sai looked around him at all if the venders and familiar faces. Some people even waved at him which he smiled to in return. I just took on my normal stature of walking behind Naruto quietly. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so different from the past. Maybe.

"Welcome, welcome,"The store patron greeted us with a large smile."Good morning to you all."

"Good morning,"I smiled at the familiar shop owner.

"Dr. Haruno, it's always a pleasure to see you,"He ushered us to the booth at the front window of the cafe."You look as lovely as ever."

"Oh, thank you,"I slid into the seat next to Sai. What is his name? I asked myself. I should know it, I said guiltily. I came here for years with mom.

"What can I get for you all?"He pulled out a pen and pad.

We placed our orders then he disappeared only returning once to give us our drinks. The cafe was empty, most people already at work or in bed still.

"People really know your name now, Ugly,"Sai commented, twirling his green straw around in his orange juice."I guess being a doctor really gets you perks."

"I would hardly call it perks,"I scoffed."More or less its just having a multitude if patients that recognize you, that's all."

"Hmm,"He pondered."Dr. Sai. . .what do you think? Too formal?"

"You're weird,"I laughed."Being a doctor is never of form of just formality, but rather a sort of justified titled, ya know?"

"I have no clue what you just said,"Naruto admitted.

"Nothing, Naruto,"I sighed, drinking my peach tea.

Sai laughed,"You're already annoying, Ugly."

"Why do you call her Ugly?" Sasuke asked, calmly.

"Because it is what she is on the inside,"Sai nodded.

"Or so he thinks," I mumbled.

"Well, you're not ugly anymore,"Sai admitted, sheepishly."You're quiet fascinating actually."

"So are you gonna start calling me Fascinating?"I raised my eyebrow.

"No, Ugly is much more catchy,"He laughed."Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"Sure,"Naruto and I laughed.

The man brought us our food then vanished to the back room. We all ate quickly then paid. It was fifteen minutes til when we finally made it out if the cafe.

"Where is Kakashi?"Sai asked, leaning against the bridge railing."He's late."

"Kakashi is never late, we are merely on time,"I answered with a laugh."You'll get use it the more missions you go on with him."

"But don't ever be late,"Naruto added, tossing a leaf into the underlying stream."Or you'll have hell to pay."

"Okay,"Sai nodded."But isn't it kind of hypocritical for him to be late all the time and for us to always be on time yet if we are we get in trouble?"

"That's just life,"Kakashi stated, plopping his feet silently down in front of us."And that is also why I am late."

"Why are you late?"Naruto asked.

"Because I got lost,"Kakashi smiled underneath his mask."On the path of life."

Just like old times, I rolled my eyes. Naruto immediately started fussing, Sasuke looked across the are boredly, and I just told Naruto to shut up already. Sai, however, let his eyes linger over Naruto and Kakashi's bickering. It was almost like he was confused.

"Let's just get this started already,"I groaned, letting Naruto out of a headlock.

"Hn,"Sasuke commented.

"Alright, team 7,"Kakashi said."Here we go."