"You're chickening out, aren't you?!"

"No, I'm in! What time are we leaving?"

"Eight. It will be pitch black."

Sakura swallowed and leaned back in her chair. She crossed her legs, one hand lying on her thigh. She adjusted her all red scrubs before locking eyes with her best friend. Ino gave her a smirk which the pinkette had to return. Their grins turned into smiles before Ino squealed and clapped her hands together. She leaned forward and Sakura did too, wondering what the blonde would say.

"The haunted house is will terrify a jumpy brat like you," she taunted, reaching out to tug on her friend's shoulder-length pink hair.

Sakura thumped Ino on her forehead with a manicured nail. "You got scared first last year or did you forget?!"

Ino flipped her waist-length hair over her shoulder. "I don't recall."

The two women laughed together before Ino had to return to the lab. Sakura looked at her computer screen, the patient note she was writing uninteresting. She sighed and patted her fraying bun as she sat forward. All she needed to do was to do the "assessment and plan" section and order the patient's labs and medication. It was Friday afternoon, and Sakura was counting down the minutes until four thirty hit. It was 3:52 PM. Instead of continuing to write the patient's note, Sakura slumped onto her desk and hid her face in her arms.

"Can't I get a break just once?" Sakura muttered to herself.

Just at that moment, Sakura heard someone enter her office. It was her technician Ayo. He smiled at her. His golden eyes seemed to sparkle with amusement. "Rough day?"

"You're telling me," she responded while sitting up. "What does someone want now?"

Ayo chuckled at his nurse already knowing why he was there. "Yori Yamada is requesting refills on her birth control. She takes Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. She ran out last week."

Sakura looked at Ayo in astonishment. "Why the hell does she always wait until Friday afternoon when we're about to close to do this?! She knew all damn week she needed birth control!"

Ayo sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. He gave Sakura a weary grin, his dimples showing deep in his cheeks. "Because she always wants us to bend to fit her day."

"And bend we will," Sakura murmured. "Last pap smear?"

Ayo smile grew wider. "2010."

It was evil, but Sakura was up to her neck in patients who didn't want to take responsibility over their own medical care and demanded her clinic to jump through hoops to get them what they requested. It was a constant thing. The issue with this patient is that her pap smear needed to be current, meaning one with normal results within the last three years, or else she needed a pap smear before she could receive a full prescription of birth control. She was at year four this month. That would not make her happy. Mrs. Yamada was always a demanding and rude woman. Good riddance.

"You already know what my answer is," Sakura responded, turning to focus on her computer once more. "Sorry that you'll be the epitome of her anger today. Not sorry. There are slots available next week for her to get her exam and her refills."

"That's mean," Ayo answered, leaning against the door. He stroked his shaven beard and winked at her. "I guess I'd better stop pretending like I'm begging you to give her birth control."

"Tell her to keep her legs closed for 72 hours until her pap smear," Sakura commented. "That's like asking someone to amputate a limb here."

Ayo laughed and exited Sakura's office. She liked to give people what they wanted if it was probable, but she would not break rules or skate around them for people who didn't want to follow simple instructions. They inform all their patients of how everything works before they leave, whether it was for medication, follow-ups, referral, or lab work. Sakura set to work on continuing her note, but another distraction interrupted her. her iPhone vibrated across her desk. It was a text from Hinata.

I'm going to the haunted house with you guys tonight.

Sakura smiled at her friend's text. Most people wouldn't have guessed from Hinata's soft demeanor she was not an easy scare and loved all things Halloween. Temari was going too. The rowdy dirty blonde loved haunted houses. Sakura, Temari, Ino, and Hinata had a great time together last year. Sakura texted Hinata back before returning to her boring computer. The sooner she finished this note, the closer she would be to getting out of there. Today was a "leave fifteen minutes early" type of day.

When Sakura got off, she headed straight home and relished a warm shower. The steam billowed around her body as she scrubbed the day's patients away. She looked over at the mirror on her shower back wall at her bare back. She sighed, thinking about how pale she was. It would get worse when winter hit. Even still Sakura knew no one else who could tan during winter.

After her shower, she set on getting something to eat. Padding to her fridge, Sakura heard meowing. Green orbs turned to look at the all-black feline sauntering towards her. The cat rubbed against her legs. Sakura reached down to pet her back, and she arched in response, deep purring emitting from her.

"Why hello Kiyoko," she murmured. "Have you had a busy day?"

The cat meowed and rolled on her back in response. Sakura chuckled and ran her fingers over her belly. "Did you miss me?"

At that moment, Kiyoko dug her claws into Sakura's hands. She either didn't miss her, or she had enough belly rubs. Sakura hissed and pulled her hand back. "A simple no would suffice!"

Kiyoko rolled to her feet and continued purring against Sakura's leg. Bipolar cat. Sakura returned to her initial task and opened the fridge. She had leftover sushi stashed on the bottom rack. Sushi never tasted the same after it had gotten cold, but it would suffice. She pulled out a Bacardi Silver to sip on. It had been that kind of week, and the sweet beverage made her feel like an adult even if it was only like 6% alcohol.

Sakura settled into her black leather couch and turned on the TV, intent on finishing the season of the Walking Dead she was watching. She loved Daryl and wanted to see where his character would go. He changed so much since his rowdy and out-of-control personality. He wasn't very attractive, but his persona was. Sakura pulled her legs up and started the next episode. Zombies was a nice start to a spooky evening.

(-)

It was almost eight o'clock, and Sakura was ready to go. She was pulling on her comfy black boots and grabbing her phone and wallet. She walked to her room to get her gray beanie. It was almost November, and the temperature dropped. It would be low fifties tonight. Sakura hated cold weather. The shivering, goosebumps, and numbness from loss of circulation was not enjoyable to her. She liked sun and warmth making summer was her favorite season.

Sakura stopped to look in the mirror. She pulled her shoulder-length hair into a sloppy side ponytail. She zipped up her purple jacket and headed back to her living room as knocking echoed. Kiyoko was sitting at the door waiting for her to open it. Sakura rolled her eyes and used her foot to slide the cat out of the way of the open door. Kiyoko was a known runner. Sakura opened the door, walked through it, and exited before her feline could escape. She snickered at the sound of pitiful meowing on the other side.

Sakura locked her door and turned to face her friends. "Ready guys?"

"You bet!" Temari answered. "You guys are going to get the pants scared off of you. I've heard this one is terrifying."

"We will see," Hinata answered with a smile on her face as they walked down the stairs of Sakura's apartment complex.

"Let's make a bet!" Ino exclaimed, blue orbs sparkling. She pulled her keys out of her pocket and auto started her Chevy Cruze before the girls reached the car. "The first one to scream has to buy us food after the haunted house!"

Sakura thought for a moment. Last time they had gone to a haunted house, Sakura had screamed, but she wasn't the first one. In fact, the one issuing the challenge had been the one not only to scream, but she hid in terror behind Hinata. Sakura would beat Ino in this challenge; only one person had to scream. Sakura already knew Hinata may jump, but she wouldn't scream. Temari would just laugh. Sakura didn't understand how those girls didn't lose their shit.

"You're on!" Temari shouted.

"Sure," Hinata answered while getting into the back seat. "It will be fun."

"Ditto," Sakura responded while jumping into the front seat.

The drive out to the haunted house was a short one. They had a tough time parking with the huge amount of people crowding the area. Ino almost had an accident trying to park. Ino was driving one way, and a car was coming in the opposite direction. There was a parking spot on Ino's right so she was waiting on another car to move. She needed space to turn into it. The other car did not move. They also waited to get that spot. No way.

"Move you asshole!" Temari shouted out of the window.

"We saw it first!" the driver yelled back. He had on a dark-colored hood, but his bright blonde hair still was visible underneath it.

"You did not!" Ino argued. "I already stopped and was ready to turn while you were still moving!"

The blonde guy turned to talk to someone in the passenger seat. The other man looked uninterested. He wasn't even looking at the driver talking to him. He ran his fingers through his ebony spikes and responded. Whatever he said angered the blonde more. Ino took that moment to turn into the parking spot. She was very crooked, but she would straighten out once they drove away.

"Fucking jerks!" the other driver hollered before speeding off.

Ino straightened her car then the ladies got out. Ino frowned before adjusting her jean skirt. "What a douche bag."

"You're telling me," Sakura agreed.

Sakura tightened her jacket around her and surveyed the atmosphere. The night would have been pitch black if not for the blinding lights illuminating the grassy walkway. The air was frigid, and the wind was picking up. It nipped hard at Sakura's cheeks and the shivers racked her body. She did not understand how her best friend was in a skirt. Sakura wore dark blue skinny jeans, but she could still feel the wind seeping through her pants and sinking into her bones. She placed her hands in her jacket pocket.

"Let's pay for our tickets and go in," Hinata said, raising the hood of her lime-green jacket over her head.

Her silky violet hair peeked out from underneath her hoodie and brushed her ribcage as she walked towards the ticket booth. The other girls followed, giggling the whole way. Sakura could feel her adrenaline kicking in already. She didn't like getting scared, but doing it with friends made it fun. The haunted house was a maze inside a warehouse this year. Sakura gulped. Anything could pop out at them.

Tickets bought and adrenaline high, the girls headed towards the line. Ten people entered at a time and soon they were next. Sakura bounced on the balls of her feet. This caught Ino's attention. She gave her a wicked smile.

"You will be the first to scream," she teased, pushing Sakura's shoulder.

"I will not," Sakura shot back while giving Ino a smug look. "I've never been the first to scream, unlike someone."

Ino stuck her tongue out at her friend. Temari rolled her eyes. "We'll see which one of your scary asses scream first. We already know it won't be me or Hinata."

Hinata giggled. Soon it was their turn and they got escorted through the double doors. The atmosphere got dark and chillier. Eerie music played around them as smoke billowed around their ankles. There were black lit arrows on the ground showing them which direction they should go. A scratchy and low voice echoed around them.

"I have brought all of your worst nightmares here," it whispered. "Do you have what it takes to make it out alive?"

High-pitched screams bounced off the walls. Sakura felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. They walked forward and rounded the corner. A body was lying in the middle of the floor. Ino and Temari went around it, but the body lifted its head and reached for Ino's ankle. She jumped and covered her mouth when she looked at the woman's face. Muscles and exposed bone gleamed in the dark. Blood oozed from her mouth as she whispered, "Don't go… he'll kill you…"

Sakura gulped. She'd have to persevere to win the bet. They continued walking down the hallway. She looked up to see thick spider webs hanging from the ceiling. It was then she noticed a humongous spider scurrying along the walls. How gross! Sakura hated arachnids. The way their gangly legs moved made her skin crawl, and she could never look at their eyes. She shuttered and stopped looking at it. Scrawled on the walls read the messages "turn back" and "danger" in blood with handprints smeared over the floor like they were dragged away. A deep demonic voice cackled around them.

They continued forward, looping around to the left. A hospital scene laid out in front of them. An asylum like door loomed nearby and past it a large, clear window. Sakura steeled herself for the next scare. She gripped Hinata's hand with fear as they walked next to each other. Hinata squeezed her hand and pulled Sakura forward.

"Wait!" she exclaimed. "We're walking too fast!"

Hinata didn't turn around and kept pulling Sakura until they were walking past the door. A woman screamed and slammed herself against it, clawing at her confinement. Her long grey hair was in shambles. Sakura almost jumped out of her skin. She could see her violet haired friend smiling at her. That was Hinata's way of laughing. They continued walking and over to the left toward an operating table. Shrieks echoed in her ears as the person on the table thrashed about, their stomach ripped open and intestines hanging down the sides of the table. There was a butcher towering over them wearing a thick apron, gloves, splattered jeans, and a face shield. A doctor's white coat dripping with blood covered his body.

Sakura watched in horror as he picked up an ax from the floor and swung it. There was a loud squelching sound and a more high-pitched shrill from the patient. This was hitting home too much. The whole reason she preferred to work at a clinic instead of a hospital was because of scary movies like this one. The same with hearing stories of surgeons who put their patients under enough for them to not be able to move, but still alert and able to feel pain. That was terrifying to her.

Sakura brushed past Ino and Temari who had been walking in front. She heard one of the other people in their group scream when she saw what Sakura had just gone past.

"Getting scared yet?" Ino teased, but her voice wavered.

"No!" she shot back. "But you are!"

"Who's holding Hinata's hand?"

Sakura released her friend's hand with embarrassment.

"Shut it!"

Sakura moved forward and walked past the dentist from hell who had a patient strapped to a chair, blood seeping down their shirt. The shrieks were unreal and chilled her to the bone, but she kept walking, trying not to pay attention to how they were thrashing around against their restraints. Sakura felt she was doing well; she turned the corner and froze in her tracks. Clowns… there were clowns everywhere. Sakura hated clowns. Terrified was the better word. It was all thanks to her older brother making her watch the film It when they were children and there was a clown that looked just like the one from the movie.

Sakura gulped, her palms clammy. Her breath came in shallow gasps as horrified eyes looked from predator to predator. She even took a step back, but she must have bumped into Temari because she got a soft shove forward. She stumbled then terrifying orange eyes pierced through her soul. He was staring right at her. Her heart beat hard as he smiled, sharp teeth glistening in the dim lighting.

She heard a whir of a chainsaw from her left and saw a clown whose smile was all the way to his ears, teeth black, eyes just as dark with no whiteness of sclera, and purple markings bleeding down his cheeks. He stuck out a long tongue and sprinted toward her. Sakura's heart dropped to her feet with fright. She turned around and grabbed onto whoever she could reach and shrieked.

"I win!" Ino shouted. Her victory was short-lived with another clown they didn't notice reached out to grab her ankle with long gnarled fingernails. She screeched and grasped Hinata.

"You still screamed though!" Sakura taunted.

"Do you plan on releasing me?"

Sakura turned, looked at the person whose waist she had her arms wrapped around, and locked with the most beautiful set of onyx eyes she had ever seen. A serious expression was on his face, but she didn't seem to notice. He was so handsome. His hair was spiky and as dark as his eyes. She couldn't seem to bring her gaze away from his lips. Sakura was awestruck. Such a familiar strong jaw. She realized she hadn't let him go yet and yanked herself back. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Sakura," he said in greeting.

"Sasuke?" Sakura stood there dumbfounded. "I haven't seen you since middle school."

"Many years have gone by," he responded. The corner of his mouth curved up into a small smirk. "I see you're still scared of clowns."

Sakura didn't think her face could get any redder. Sasuke used to live down the street from her when they were growing up. One Halloween, Sakura traveled with her big brother to Trick or Treat and Sasuke's house was next. As she was turning the corner, her heart beating a mile a minute at the thought of Sasuke seeing her wearing her adorable gypsy costume, his older brother Itachi's best friend Shusui jumped out in a terrifying scary clown outfit that made her almost wet herself. She screamed and swung her pumpkin of candy like a bat. It clocked him right on the side of his head so hard it knocked him off his feet, but she didn't stop there. She continued to beat him with the plastic pumpkin until it broke and after that; she had a fist raised. Her brother roared with laughter as he pulled her off.

"You're such a scaredy-cat!" her brother taunted her.

She had realized after looking closer it was Shusui. He was rubbing his face and groaning. She swelled his left eye shut. "You've got a good left pumpkin hook."

Itachi stood with Sasuke at the doorway, one hand up to his mouth as if he were trying to stifle laughter. When she locked eyes with Sasuke, Sakura almost died. He teased her many times afterward. Sakura was feeling embarrassed again, but she rolled with it and picked on herself.

"That right," she mused with a smile. "I'm still terrified of clowns. Shusui isn't in here is he?"

"There's a possibility."

Sakura laughed. "I don't need that. I already lost the bet on who would scream first and have to treat everyone to food after this."

"Where are you going?" Sasuke questioned, looking at his watch. "It's almost ten now."

"Starbucks," Ino cut in, walking over to Sasuke and Sakura. The blonde flipped her hair over her shoulders and leaned on Sakura's shoulder. "Who's your adorable friend?"

"Sasuke Uchiha," he answered.

"Sasuke, huh?" she purred. "Where's your girlfriend?"

"Don't," Sasuke replied. He turned his attention back on Sakura. Sakura melted at the sight of those deep orbs. She'd almost forgotten she was in a haunted house.

"I hope you're not going to that disgusting place."

"Are you tagging along?" Sakura probed, hoping the answer was yes. "You and your friends are welcome to join us."

"Hey!"

They turned to see the same blonde they fought with for the parking spot. His shocking blue eyes looked between Ino and Sakura. His eyebrows furrowed as he pointed a finger at Ino.

"You're the one who stole my spot!" he shouted.

Ino rolled her eyes. "No dummy, I was there first."

"You were not," he argued. "I had-"

"Shut up Naruto," Sasuke interrupted.

Temari and Hinata joined them. Temari waved her hand at the surroundings. "Did you guys forget we're on a haunted house tour? You can make friends later! Get moving!"

Sakura was much more interested in talking to Sasuke than going through a haunted house, but they moved forward with him at her side. She wasn't as afraid now, or maybe she didn't want to embarrass herself. The others were up front, and both Ino and Naruto screamed when a man who looked like Freddy Krueger jumped out, knives ready to slice and dice. Sakura looked up to see a sign that said "your classic horrors". She wondered if Samara from the Ring was in there. She survived the older scary movies, but not that one. It was just then she heard:

Jeepers Creepers, where'd you get those peepers? Jeepers Creepers, where'd you get those eyes?

He ripped them out of someone's skull!

She picked up her pace. Sakura wanted out. She slowed when Sasuke reached out and grabbed her hand. Sakura gave him a quizzical expression.

"Don't you want to get your money's worth?" he questioned as they turned down an almost pitch-black hallway.

Sakura couldn't see Sasuke because of his black hoodie and dark-colored jeans, but she moved forward. "I guess so. I paid twenty bucks to get in here."

Sasuke did not release her hand. He and Sakura never formed a romantic relationship, so his actions surprised her. She squeezed his hand tighter seconds before he released his grasp. Sakura's spirit fell. She stepped forward with false bravery when a hand rested on her waist. Sakura looked down to see his hand on her hip. He had wrapped his arm around her and guided her forward.

"I'm bored with this," he spoke. "Let's get out of here."

The rest of the haunted house was a blur. Sakura's mind couldn't stop thinking about his warm hand on her hip. When they exited, the woman shivered. Sakura pulled her jacket hood up over her ears. She picked the wrong one for the night because it must have dropped to about forty degrees. Her jacket was for "a little cold" not for a smaller version of Antarctica. Her body realized what kind of weather it was in and her fingers went numb, too.

"Damn it," she cursed. "It's so cold!"

"Oh, come on!" Temari taunted, holding up her arms. "I'm not wearing a jacket and I'm fine."

"You're also from a hometown that gets six feet of snow in November," Ino chimed in.

"That is true," Hinata spoke.

It was then that Sakura noticed that Naruto and Hinata were holding hands. That was strange; she had sworn that Hinata told them she was seeing a guy. Some blonde who…

"Wait a minute," Sakura questioned, trying to stop her teeth from chattering as she talked. "Is this the blonde you were telling us about?"

Naruto chuckled and reached his other hand behind his head. "She talks about me?!"

Hinata's face turned beet red. "You guys were mad about the parking incident. I didn't know when I should mention it."

Ino crossed her arms over her fuchsia-colored long-sleeved sweater. "Do you guys have another friend?!"

They all laughed together for a few moments. Sakura's shivering was getting worse. With the wind picking up and biting right through her jeans. Warmth spread against her back and it took a moment for her to register Sasuke behind her. His muscled chest pressed against hers, his hand linked around her waist. He leaned his head on her shoulder.

"You're cold," he stated.

"Is that the only reason you're hugging me?" Sakura questioned.

"It could be." He moved closer to her. "Or maybe not."

Sasuke was flirting with her! She couldn't believe it! He never showed interest in her when they were in middle school. Then again, she had no sense of style, and her acne was uncontrollable. He didn't want to date her, but he did at least talk to her so it made her think he wasn't just attracted to how she looked now. Maybe she was delving too deep into it. For now, they needed out of the freezing cold.

"Let's go to Taco Bell," Sakura suggested. "I'm in the mood for fake Mexican food."

"Sounds like a good idea!" Naruto chimed. "Hinata-chan loves the Crunch Wrap Supreme."

"I could go for some Doritos Locos tacos," Temari said while tapping her chin.

Ino sighed. "Why do you guys always outnumber me?!"

"I'm sick of Starbucks, Ino," Sakura deadpanned.

The group headed back to their cars, and Sakura could already feel the loss of Sasuke letting her go. She had grown accustomed to his warmth and how natural it felt to be in his arms. When they reached Ino's Cruze, Sasuke released her. She watched as Sasuke pulled his phone out of his front pocket, unlocked it, and handed it to Sakura. She put her number in her phone and handed it back to him before turning and getting in the car.

"I'll see you there."

She slammed the car door behind her and hoped to shut out the cold. Ino's car didn't have time to warm up before they got inside so she would have to suffer for the first few minutes. Ino backed out as Sakura turned to look at Hinata.

"So, Naruto is the guy you've been seeing huh?" Sakura teased. "You guys are so cute together."

Her cheeks flushed darker than they already were due to the wind. "So are you and Sasuke."

Sakura whirled around and coughed. Ino almost burned a hole in her with her stare. Sakura was trying not to meet it.

"Where has he been hiding?!"

Sakura shrugged. "We were friends back in grade school. After we graduated, I hadn't seen him much."

"Well, he sure is a cutie," Ino complemented as she turned onto the highway. "And you guys look so natural together."

"He didn't like me that way in school, but he was my friend."

Temari laughed. "Have you seen your pictures from then?! You were nerdy looking with those giant glasses and your hair sticking everywhere."

Sakura sucked in her cheeks. "Oh, shut it."

It took less than fifteen minutes for them to arrive at Taco Bell. Naruto and Sasuke already stood by the door. Sakura felt her adrenaline rush again for the hundredth time that night when she locked eyes with Sasuke. Sakura refused to seem like a lovestruck teenager like when they were children. She'd always clam up and turn into a puddle mush, not anymore. With determination building, she stepped out of the car and walked towards the door. She didn't even stop to acknowledge Sasuke.

First little victory.

Due to the time, it was empty. Sakura reached the counter first. The Crunch Wrap Supreme and the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos tacos had her torn. Those were her top favorites. She caved and chose the tacos and a cup of Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. How was it that fried potatoes, melted cheese, and sour cream were like heaven on earth? Sasuke moved next to her.

"I want the Chicken Cantina bowl."

Sakura looked at him. "You're not expecting me to pay for you, are you?"

Sasuke gave her that half smirk. "I'm paying for you."

"Why?"

"Consider it a favor," he answered. "I'll call on you for repayment when I think the time is right."

Sakura smiled. Their other friends ordered their food. Ino reminded Sakura of the bet, and she paid for her friends in annoyance. They all filled their drinks while they waited for their food. Everyone laughed together. Ino was even making plans for another get-together. Sakura filled up her cup with ginger tea and turned to sit when Sasuke stopped her.

"What is it?"

"What are your plans for next weekend?" he asked.

Sakura sipped her drink. "Since when do you want to hang out with me?"

Sasuke's expression didn't change. "Have you forgotten how often we hung out?"

Sakura realized they had, but another mutual friend coordinated it. She told him that and he leaned against the railing in front of the drink machine. All of Sakura's resolve at trying to make things difficult faded. They needed to catch up. She had missed her friend. What could spending time together hurt?

"I suppose I could move things around," she said with a smile.

The cashier called their numbers, and as they picked it up, the doorbell chimed, alerting that someone had entered the fast-food joint. Sakura glanced up, wishing she hadn't. The group of clowns from the haunted house shuffled through the door. She took a step back as the one who looked like It smiled at her. He walked up to her and Sakura shrunk away.

"Hiya!" he said in a singsong voice as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Sakura didn't hesitate to punch said clown in the face. Her expression was stony as she brushed her hands together and reached for her food while he writhed in pain on the floor, blood pooling down his costume.

"It's never a good idea to get close if you're a clown."