Messy Through and Through
This is to James, Thank you...for it all.
NaruXSaku all the way. Please read and review I love to see it. The good, the bad..(sort of) and well...you don't really have to comment on the ugly. Its a great story slopy start but it is gonna get NaruXSakuifed. ? (dont ask) hahaha
*The only sure thing about luck is that it will change. ~Wilson Mizner*
The small glass locket on her oak drawer crashed to the floor, causing the tiny trinket to shatter upon impact sending miniature shards of glass to disperse around the tattered wooden floor. It had been a gift from team 7 the day she graduated from her Jounin exams. It was priceless to her, a gift of affection from those she loved. She however could not dwell on the loss long as her attention immediately fell to her window where a special black ops ninja awaited her along with a summons from the Hokage. She hadn't even the time to clean the mess; glancing over her slender shoulder to the colorful display on the floor. Such misfortunes foreshadowed bad luck and Sakura knew this, little did she know how truly bad things were about to get.
"Sakura, I have summoned you….for an important matter" , Lady Tsunade leaned back in her wooden chair her hands crossed allowing her fine tip nails to easily be visible.
Sakura taking note of the serious tone in her sensei's voice paid close attention to her mentor. She was not one to repeat herself.
A break from her usual tone she softened her voice looking at her well trained apprentice.
"Sakura…the life of a ninja…is very unpredictable. Sometimes we have the things most precious to us taken away, without really understanding how or why…"
Sakura stood quietly understanding there had to be a point to all of this, "Is…everything alright Hokage-Sama?", the urgency in her voice apparent. She did not like to wait, much like her sensei.
Tsunade remained silent, vague memories of her loss returning to her, she spoke quietly when she looked deep into crystal green eyes, "Sakura….it is…Sasuke…"
Her eyes widened in the sudden wake of her brain registering the horrid information.
The Hokage had not needed to finish her sentence as fresh rolls of tears swarmed down her flushed face. Strong ninja showed no emotion, but the tears fell freely, no urge or will to stop them. She understood what not needed be said in words. Her locket a distant remainder of losing things she loved.
*End Flashback*
Much had changed in the time since his death, the glow of her green bright eyes had vanished replaced by a tedious and lifeless orbs and her once vibrant pink hair, fading its once beautiful color like the petals of the Sakura tree in fall. She was a forgotten fragment, a thought long buried behind the minds of the people of the leaf. She couldn't blame them 21 months had gone by and she sulked around and behaved like a ghost.
The loss was far harder to bear that she could have imagined, it was different when Sasuke had run away full of fear and hate to Orochimaru she had hope, she had faith. She never gave up and knew he was alive and perhaps if Naruto and she fought hard enough they would bring him home, and that is what they did, together. Four years of training, loss of hope, gaining of trust and he had been brought home, with the will of fire. Team Seven was whole once again, yes issues did exist but Sakura could deal with anything as long as she had them.
Sakura swore she would not retort back to a babbling childish girl around Sasuke, and she didn't. She reaffirmed her friendship with him not letting her confusing emotions prevail in mist of their rekindling friendship, but her heart softened and she found herself feeling something new toward the magnificent bloodline heir. She became engulfed with emotions that she couldn't explain.
She now hastily stood from her dresser, where she sat immersed in memories she noticed the hint of the bright sun rising over the extensive horizon. This was habitual, her way of life for the past 20 months. She wanted to break free find the acceptance that Kurenai had when Asumi-sensei had died a unforeseen gruesome death, though Kurenai would always have a part of Asumi bonded to her, unlike Sakura who had not given her innocence of youth.
A short sarcastic snort escaped her bitter dry lips, "Wouldn't Ino be proud."
Sakura shut the light oak door behind her, the sun had been deceiving not yet allowing the warm glow of the rays to change the crisp cool in the air. She was out earlier than most, avoiding unneeded interaction with the people of her village. She did not want the gloom she brought to become wide spread gossip, not that most didn't whisper about her destructive life anyway.
She ceased in front of the dark black iron gate, not looming around to read the familiar markings etched across the top. The handle to the gate was cold as her fingers lingered a moment before she exhaled a sharp breath and pushed it open. The few that stood inside ignored her; some gave her a sympathetic look finding this scene all too common for the young kunoichi. She reached her destination quickly and applied a tiny smile to her broken face.
She used to bring flowers, but as time went on even visiting the Yamanaka flower shop ceased.
She ran her fingertips over his gravestone. She was surprised he was given one this ample at all, none the less the Uchiha were famous in this village and Sasuke would be buried with the highest of honor because of it. Though she brought nothing for him, she noticed a bunch of bright orange lilies freshly laid next to the grave. Another smile, this time much more genuine came to her face as she pondered about the eccentric blond. She let it fade as she bowed her head and said a few words to the grave.
Sakura quickly began to realize the cold breeze being replaced by a slight warmth dangling in the air. She had to make her way to the Hokage's tower before she bumped into anyone.
A few hours had passed by, and the sun was high in the bright blue sky. The dim image of the crescent moon fading as the light of the sun covered Kohona, it was a brilliant day. The birds flew high above as they danced through the breeze, doing impressive daredevil stunts to impress their mate.
Uzumaki Naruto lay still in bed however not one he was accustomed too. He had checked into an inn, near town. The sheets next to him ruffled as the covers exposed his bare chest, he playfully ruffled his hair slightly as he heard the shower turn off, trying to remember the events that took place last time. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, scanning the time flashing on the clock; he had been requested by the Hokage an hour ago and could only imagine the wrath he would have to endure for being late.
A slender long dark haired women stepped out of the bathroom dressed in her Jounin outfit. The mist that had built up in the bathroom rushed to escape the steaming room as she walked towards the bed. She didn't speak, or make any kind gestures. Though she felt love for the man lying in the bed she made no indication of her feelings toward him. It would be pointless and she knew this.
"You're late."
"If someone hadn't kept me up all night, I wouldn't be.", he beamed with a slight smirk. Raising from his current position to one where he could read her facial expression better.
She let a slight grin slip to her lips, she had to admit the bastard had a way with words. The days of the babbling and feared idiot replaced by a stern, strong young man. Twenty-four years of life and before her stood the strongest will of fire in the leaf village.
But she knew better than to dream of a life with him, she was a release for him, his escape from the dark and painful life of a ninja. Perhaps like the women before her she wanted something that he would never give. He looked so much like his father, the persona the same magnificent admired respect. Though she doubted the fourth had been quite a… womanizer, not that much of the women Naruto spent his time with ever complained. He had a gentle and kind heart and the world of hatred had not changed it. He however had changed, no longer idolizing the wild dreams of love and a happy ending, perhaps that change was brought on with the return and loss of the famed Uchiha, Sasuke.
"I have to go. I assume I'll see you around for briefings", she motioned toward the door, however not expecting a firm answer from him.
He nodded acknowledging he understood, that at least she understood he was not looking for a commitment.
Uzumaki, Naruto was known throughout the ninja world and though his attitude toward women had changed, he never found himself falling in love with any of the woman that shared his bed. He was content with life, and he wanted it to stay that way.
As he prepared to leave he closed the door to the inn swiftly. The son of the fourth Hokage was given his right and share of his father's wealth, no one would deny the heritage that rightly belonged to him. Naruto never took the women he spent his time with home. As he noticed the sun beamed high he could easily see the tower. In a flash he was toward his destination
"Afternoon Naruto…o NARUTO! You should have been here an hour ago! ?", Shizune exclaimed loudly.
"I was… er distracted.", he mumbled.
"You know, she will not be happy."
"Is she ever?", he snickered full well knowing he was probably the only one to defy her.
He walked into the mess of papers littered across the path to her desk. However, some towers of papers sat lined in neat piles, and an angry slumped Hokage visibly behind them. Before she could notice him he administered three of his Kage Bunshins to straighten up the mess, hoping to get on her good side again.
She was twirling a cup with her pinky when she caught hold of the energetic blond and his gang of look-a-likes.
"NARUTO!"
"Before we start our rant, I have a valid reason."
"Sleeping with the Amaya, the Jounin Leader for team 3, is NOT a valid reason!!!"
He stretched his hand out to protest and slid it behind his back to rub his neck. Baa-chan always knew how to raise the hair on his neck, he remained speechless after her last comment.
After a moment or two of pondering he spoke up.
"What was it you needed, baa-chan.?"
She sighed, more of Jiraiya had rubbed off on Naruto than he would take credit for, she was somewhat thankful he wasn't running around carrying a icha icha paradise book like some people she knew.
" I have a special appointed task for you. I have been thinking over this for a while. I have waited for the situation to improve and it is evident that this will not happen. It is time for an intervention, a hand from fate. "
Naruto lingered above her desk a bit taken back by her sudden emotion. He wasn't given tasks often as he usually told her the mission he wanted to accept. Her eyes softened and she rose from her seat and motioned for him to follow, he did not protest but was not sure where they were going. Tsunade stopped in front of a metal door with a small clear window above the handle, she peered to check to make sure her purpose was there and pulled back to look at Naruto.
She jolted her head toward the silver door, as Naruto took a step forward to look inside. The room was quite small with no windows or other doors present. There was a single person in a white long lab coat, from the frame he easily deduced that she was a women. She was slouched over as she was examining something through a microscope; her back was turned to them.
Naruto had a question forming on his tongue but stopped when his blue eyes caught a hold of a loose strand of pink hair that escaped the cap she wore.
He eyed Tsunade intently, "Sakura-chan…?"
Tsunade without a word looked back through the small window, "She spends most of her days in here, twelve hour shifts . She lives out of this small tiny room researching something, anything to help her forget.
Naruto's eyebrows furred as he felt his throat begin to dry, "I thought she was on a mission."
"That is what she likes most to believe, to just leave her alone. Not bother her, not to let others see how broken she is."
Naruto gulped trying hard to rid the dryness in his mouth as the past came rushing back to him, his body tensed and he walked back to the main room angrily, waiting for Tsunade to enter before slamming the door shut behind him.
"You know Tsunade…", he never used her first name, so it shocked her a bit as she sat down in her firm chair. The once cluttered room, neat and in order. The mirror images of Naruto gone.
"You know…I can't."
She inhaled a deep breath, understanding the meaning behind his words, but this was bigger than just Naruto this was about bringing Sakura back from whatever deep desolated place she had fallen to.
"As Hokage, I order you", the edge of acid in her voice.
His frame remained the same, unshaken by the roar and fury in her voice.
Her eyes soften once again, "You are the only one Naruto who can bring her back. She is lost and scared and needs her best friend. You two have…fallen apart from what you used to be. Bringing Sasuke home was bitter sweet for you, but you did it for her. Losing Sasuke was unfortunate, she however needs you now, to help her left Sasuke go."
Naruto couldn't help but let memories come flashing back, some he buried by choice others he did not. Sakura once needed him to bring Sasuke home, and now she needed him to help her let him go.
Those words went right past his mind and ears and hit him right in the heart, Sakura and he had fallen apart, with the return of Sasuke, but both had grown up. He had accepted the loss of Sasuke to some extent, but Sakura had fallen. Didn't he owe her this much to make her whole again. He had matured he didn't have that stupid crush on her anymore like he did when he was ten, it wouldn't be awkward for them anymore. He would just help her and be on his merry way again, she wouldn't have to know anything but that.
He would bring Sakura back, make her whole again.
"Fine.", was the only word he gave Tsunade to confirm his decision.
"You start tomorrow", was all she could get in before he flashed magically out of sight.
Tsanade leaned back in her chair, she was expecting much more of a fight from Naruto especially since...he blamed Sasuke's death on himself.
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It will get better! i promise! please please review love to hear comments. Let me know, Thanks guys!