Colliding Paths: AU SasuSaku

Chapter 1: A Day in the Life

Sakura's Morning

Sakura Haruno woke up to the soft chime of her alarm. Her penthouse apartment was bathed in the golden hues of early morning sunlight, casting a warm glow over the sleek, modern furnishings. She stretched lazily in her bed, enjoying a rare moment of peace before the day began in earnest. As the head doctor at Konoha General Hospital, her days were often filled with back-to-back appointments and emergencies.

After a refreshing shower, Sakura padded barefoot into her expansive kitchen and brewed a strong cup of coffee. She leaned against the counter, gazing out at the panoramic view of the city skyline. Her phone chimed with a text from Hinata: Lunch today? Sakura smiled and quickly replied, Sure, see you at noon.

With a sigh, she glanced at the clock and realized it was time to get ready for work. She slipped into a professional yet stylish outfit befitting her role, choosing comfort without sacrificing elegance. As she grabbed her bag and stethoscope, her mind raced with the day's responsibilities and the upcoming lunch with Hinata.

Sasuke's Morning

In another part of the city, Sasuke Uchiha rose with the first light filtering through the windows of his modern house by the beach. It was a place gifted to him by his parents, a sanctuary of privacy away from the expectations of their prestigious lineage. His older brother Itachi had played a crucial role in setting up the house to reflect Sasuke's tastes.

Sasuke moved through his morning routine with practiced efficiency, the quiet solitude of his house a stark contrast to the bustling police station where he worked as a detective. He dressed in a crisp suit, a nod to his professional demeanor, and checked his phone for any updates from his partner Naruto.

Naruto's message greeted him: Got a new case today. Should be an easy one. Meet you at the station. Sasuke replied with a brief On my way, grabbed his keys, and headed out, locking the door behind him with a sense of quiet satisfaction at having his own space.

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At the bustling police station, Naruto Uzumaki bounded into the bullpen with his usual enthusiasm. He greeted his fellow officers with a wave and a grin, the embodiment of youthful energy among the seasoned detectives. Sasuke watched him from his desk with a hint of amusement, knowing that beneath Naruto's carefree exterior lay a sharp mind and unwavering dedication to their work.

"Naruto," Sasuke called out as Naruto approached their shared workspace. "What's the case today?"

Naruto flashed a wide grin as he tossed a file onto Sasuke's desk. "A cat burglary. Literally. Some sneaky cat's been stealing random stuff from a neighbor's house."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, flipping open the file to review the details. "You've got to be kidding."

Naruto shook his head, laughter bubbling up. "I wish I was. The neighbor thinks it's her neighbor's cat, so we've got to go sort this out."

Sasuke sighed, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Alright, let's go catch a cat burglar."

They drove to the quaint residential neighborhood where the alleged cat burglary had taken place. The elderly homeowner greeted them with a mix of frustration and amusement as she recounted the antics of the mischievous feline.

After a thorough investigation—consisting mostly of Naruto trying to coax the cat down from a tree while Sasuke took witness statements—they managed to resolve the case amicably. As they returned to the station, Naruto's phone buzzed with a text from Hinata. He showed it to Sasuke with a grin.

"Looks like Hinata's keeping you busy," Sasuke remarked dryly.

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, she's great. You've got to meet her friend Sakura sometime. I think you'd really get along."

Sasuke shrugged noncommittally. "Maybe."

Naruto leaned against the desk, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You know, Sakura and I have been friends for years. She's like a sister to me. It's surprising neither of you have dated anyone."

Sasuke arched an eyebrow, mildly intrigued. "Is that so?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I think you two would really hit it off. You're both focused on your careers, but there's more to life than just work, you know?"

Sasuke didn't respond immediately, but the notion lingered in his mind as they finished up for the day. Maybe meeting Sakura wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

Lunch with Hinata

At Konoha General Hospital, Sakura joined Hinata for lunch in the bustling cafeteria. They found a quiet corner and settled in, trays of food before them as they caught up on each other's lives."It's good to see you, Sakura," Hinata said warmly, sipping her tea. "How have you been holding up?"

Sakura sighed, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Busy as ever. Sometimes I feel like I live at this hospital."Hinata nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean. But you have to take time for yourself too."

Sakura smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Hinata. So, how are things with you and Naruto?"Hinata blushed faintly, a smile lighting up her face. "He's been busy with work, but we're doing well. Actually, he mentioned you might meet his partner soon."

Sakura raised an eyebrow curiously. "Oh? What's he like?"

Hinata's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Naruto says he's very serious but a good person. I think you might like him."

Sakura chuckled softly. "You and Naruto are always trying to set me up. I'm perfectly fine on my own."

Hinata reached across the table, squeezing Sakura's hand affectionately. "I just want you to be happy, Sakura."

Sakura smiled warmly. "I know, Hinata. And I appreciate it."

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After wrapping up their lunch, Sakura returned to her office, while Sasuke and Naruto finished their paperwork at the police station.

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As he drove home, the city lights shimmered around him, a backdrop to his thoughts. Meeting Sakura—Naruto's longtime friend who had never dated anyone—struck a chord within him. Perhaps it was time to explore something beyond the confines of his career.

Later that evening, Sasuke arrived at the Uchiha family home for dinner. The house stood as a testament to the Uchiha legacy, its imposing presence softened by the warmth of family within. Mikoto greeted him with a hug, her smile bright.

"It's good to see you, Sasuke," she said warmly. "How was your day?"

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, considering his response. "Interesting," he finally replied vaguely, catching his father's eye across the room. Fugaku nodded approvingly. "I'm sure you'll handle it well. Have you given any more thought to your future with the department?"

Sasuke tensed. "I'm still considering my options."

Itachi, ever perceptive, intervened smoothly. "There's no rush, Father. Sasuke will decide what's best for him in due time."

Sasuke appreciated Itachi's support, yet the uncertainty gnawed at him. Dinner passed in a blend of familial chatter and unspoken pressure, leaving Sasuke to ponder his next steps amid the backdrop of his family's expectations.

As he retired to his house later that night, Sasuke's thoughts drifted back to the day's events. The cat burglary, Naruto's enthusiasm, and the unexpected notion of meeting Sakura—all were pieces of a puzzle that seemed to beckon him toward new possibilities.