Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of that. If I did I wouldn't be writing this story, now would I?
Seven years, that's how long he'd been gone. Seven long, miserable years. Seven years of waiting. Seven years of crying. Seven years of searching. She never gave up on the hope that he'd return to Konoha – to her, one day.
Sakura walked down the streets of Konoha reminiscing on her chuunin years. Reminiscing on Naruto, Kakashi...and Sasuke. She remembered the first day she laid eyes on the Uchiha prodigy. God, she was pathetic.
She was all grown up now, though. No longer was she the weak fangirl she used to be. She was strong, both physically and mentally. Training under Tsunade does that to a person. Now she didn't depend on her teammates to save her during a mission – she could hold her own. No more being left behind or fussed over if she got a wound.
She passed by the Ichiraku Ramen place.
"Sakura-chan!" She gazed over to a blonde haired boy in a black and orange jumpsuit devouring a bowl of ramen as if he hadn't eaten in a week.
Naruto. He hadn't changed much. He matured, very little. He grew taller and his clothing style had changed, except for the orange. She wasn't sure what his attraction to the vibrant color was. One thing she was sure of was how strong he had become. Maybe he would become the next Hokage...she had faith in her old friend.
Naruto choked on a ramen noodle he had just sucked down his throat and began flailing his arms and legs around. She sighed. 'Some things would never change.'
"Hey there Naruto." He stopped choking and caught his breath.
"Ne...Sakura-chan, good to see you." He gave a toothy grin.
She smiled lightly at him. "You too, Naruto. I'll see you later alright?"
Naruto frowned and poked his bottom lip forward, whining, "But...Sakura-chan..."
"I have to be at the hospital in fifteen minutes." She was a medic-nin now. A pretty damn good one at that.
He nodded. "Hai. I forget. Later then, Sakura!" She waved and walked away from the ramen obsessed ninja.
She sighed and looked up. The sky was a dark navy blue filled with tiny little specks of light. The stars were always pretty in Konoha and they calmed her slightly. She loved nights like this. Not too cold, but warm enough that she didn't need a jacket.
As she walked into the hospital a nurse ran up and handed her a patient chart.
"Seems like he was poisoned. We drained as much as we could but something is still wrong."
Sakura gave a quick pop to the bottom of the glove she had just put on. "Let's do this."
He was about to go completely insane if he didn't get away from these people. He could handle Juugo and Suigetsu, but Karin was pushing his patience. He saw the way she looked at him. Lust. It was sickening. And the way she talked to him. Pathetic. He had just about enough of team Hebi.
Sasuke sat up and waved his team off, signaling he was leaving and they were not to follow. He caught the pouting expression on Karin's face. He could care less.
He walked for hours it seemed like. Listening to the sounds around him. The crickets, night birds, a flowing stream, and the occasional howling of an owl. He felt the crisp breeze of the midnight air on his face. Why did the wind bother? He was cold enough as it is...
He stopped abruptly and his sharingan activated. He titled his head down and to the left side so that he could glance slightly over his shoulder. He heard them. He was being followed and he knew it. He noticed them about a half an hour ago when he'd entered familiar territory.
He waited for them to come to him first and they did. Seven anbu rushed at him from all sides but he stood his ground. The immediately threw kunai with paper bombs attached to the ends at him. He didn't budge. The anbu jumped back and waited for the smoke to clear as they went off. When the smoke was gone the had their swords ready and waiting – but he was gone. Sasuke appeared behind them and knocked two out with the hilt of his sword. The other swiftly turned around and launched their blades at him. He jumped back and skid around one to slice across his abdomen. He glared at the others with his sharingan. But then he dropped his sword and slacked off his stance. The anbu stiffened, waiting for him to attack. Sasuke closed his eyes and stood there. When he didn't move, they quickly knocked him out and tied him up. Then began toting him to Konoha.
Two dislocated joints, three cases of poisoning, one broken collarbone, about five cuts, bruises, and scrapes, and two or more people treated for head injuries. Lee had come in several times throughout the day – just to see her.
She was actually glad. She usually had way more work than this, but since there hadn't been any recent missions no one was really injured unless they were training.
She glanced up at the clock on the wall. It read 12 A.M. Her shift was over, finally. She cleaned up her work area and took off her nurse coat before placing it on a coat rack. She checked herself out and waved good-bye to the two ladies at the front desk as she walked out.
The chilly midnight air hit her as soon as the hospital doors opened and she stepped out. She brought her hands up to her arms and rubbed them a couple times as she looked towards the gate to see what all the commotion was about.
Naruto came waltzing up and stood beside her. "What's going on?"
"I dunno but I see anbu..." Sai walked up and stood beside Sakura. She nodded, "Yes, I see them too. Wonder what's up?" Naruto snorted. "Who knows, probably some weirdo-spy trying to steal some weapons or something."
Sai and Sakura shrugged. Lady Tsunade was standing at the entrance about seven feet from the gate with her assistant. She had a serious look on her face. They appeared to be dragging someone in. 'Maybe it is a spy.' Sakura thought. The anbu dumped the body several inches from Tsunade's feet and crouched down, bowing.
"We found him wandering through the forest. He resisted arrest at first but he calmed down before we knocked him out." The head anbu stated, looking back at the boy. Tsunade nodded and dismissed them. The jumped behind the boy. Tsunade stepped forward. Right when her foot touched the ground the boy's eyes flashed opened, revealing red.
Naruto sucked in a breath through his teeth and his eyes widened. Sai's eyes held an interested glint in them but he showed no emotion. Sakura gasped and her facial expression turned into that of confusion and hurt.
"Sasuke..." She whispered.
I am so excited. The first chapter to my first story -smiles as a tear runs down cheek- R&R! Flames are welcome but please use constructive criticism. Second chapter will be up sometime next week.
Take care!
- UchihaAddict
