Sakura sighed. A return to normality, if it could call her life during war normal. But at least she was doing what she loved and kept her mind off that man. Speaking of him, she had a slight sense of being watched. Last night she had felt a presence while returning late at night from the hospital to home, it wasn't something strange, Lee or Naruto used to accompany at such times.
Even Gaara had company one day when the two met, apparently he had insomnia problems and used to walk the night. Sakura had suggested he go to her office and she would prepare something for him to sleep, the sandman had given a faint smile, grateful for the kindness and said that it wasn't necessary. Sakura knew that he was now part of the leaf village friends, and even had a sympathy for him and everything he had done to help during the ninja war. But being very honest, the man still gave her shivers. She avoided thinking about everything that had happened when they met years ago when he acted like a bloodthirsty killer.
In any case, the presence she'd felt was nothing like what she'd been accustomed to. The signature of the chakra didn't belong to any of the friends who used to accompany him around the night. It was different, and at the same time familiar. And the only "different" and "familiar" person in the village was Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura couldn't help but wonder why the man was following her. She wasn't a silly kunoichi, it had been years ago, but it wasn't anymore. She wouldn't be fooled into thinking he was hanging around with any intention of getting back in touch with her.
He hadn't said a single word to her after the brief conversation when the war over. And that was an indication that Sasuke wasn't worried about resuming lost ties. She knew that anything that might have happened between them was in the very distant past where they were both foolish and innocent. Still, she hoped that at least he would like to resume a friendship, as he had with Naruto. But apparently Sakura was not that important in his life, and if that was the case she wouldn't crawl after him begging his attention as she had done years ago. Then why would he be following her? If that was indeed him.
"Sakura." The pink-haired woman lifted her face. Ino looked at her slightly worried. "I'm done with this, you should go home and sleep. You've been here since 5am and you didn't even have lunch." Sakura sighed. She knew there was no point in arguing with Ino, especially when the kunoichi was right.
It didn't take her long to gather your things, say goodbye to everyone, and make sure everything was under control. A few minutes later Sakura was walking out the hospital doors toward her house. As soon as she became the hospital's chief medical officer she had decided to move out of her parents' home and move somewhere closer to the Medical Center. So, something would happen, she would be fast.
It was clear to everyone that this had greater implications than just the convenience of being able to be on the lookout when something happened. Being in their parents' home was like entering a parallel world. She looked at her things, at her room, and everything seemed to belong to a very distant past, to a very distant person. A person who had not spent years of her life searching for Sasuke, who had not seen and felt in the skin the horrors of a war, who had not buried her friends, who had not risked her life countless times, in short, a another Sakura. So having your own space made her feel more comfortable and fit better.
Sakura also enjoyed the walks at night. Watching the village rebuild after all the lost was comforting and at the same time a reminder that she needed to work harder and continue to help. She heard a slight rustling of the trees, and then a slight, almost imperceptible movement of a twig moving with weight. The noise had been audible to her, so it wasn't a simple bird. She kept walking normally, and then subtly slipped one of her arms into the cool cloak she carried, she thanked them for being cold at this time of year, it would help her keep discretion.
She kept her light movements as she unlocked her belt and held the kunai. She kept it hidden and tried to map the location of the person by the intensity of the chakra. It was somewhere on her left, there was no way to look without moving the head and to demonstrate that she knew he was being watched, and this might not be a good idea. She mentally replayed if Naruto had sent someone to escort her recently.
No, he hadn't. Soon, there was no explanation other than that a curious ninja or an enemy was following her. If it was the first case, she had to admit the expertise. It had taken a long time before she realized it, however, whoever was, she was going to have a good talk about atoning people. If it was the second case, she would make sure that the movements weren't fatal and could have a conversation and extract information. She held her breath and pressed the kunai more firmly on her fingers, she was about to turn and launch directly into the shadows among the trees when she heard a voice.
"Sakura, are you okay?" She immediately turned surprise to Kakashi sensei.
"Kakashi!" She exclaimed in a slight shock and quickly composed herself. Where had he left? She hadn't even noticed his presence, was so focused on whoever was following her. Or maybe it was him and she was so tired that she had confused? Yet it was very strange. She would recognize it was Kakashi who was following her.
"Some problem?" He asked her innocently as if he hadn't noticed her confusion. Sakura stared at him. Kakashi would tell her if she was in danger, right? Then maybe Ino was right and the doctor was more tired than she'd imagined.
"No, it's all right with you?"
"Going on," he replied with a shrug and began to walk, ignoring the look of confusion and mistrust stamped on his ex-student's face. "Come on, I'll walk with you to home. How's the hospital?"
No further question was asked, Sakura started talking about the routine at the hospital and how the job of healing all the wounded was exhausting, but despite that they were doing well. Although there were not many ninjas with well-developed medical skills the attendances and trainings were going well. Ino was being of great value as her assistant and right-hand. It didn't take long to get to her house and the conversation made the way faster. Kakashi watched her from the outside with his hands in his pockets as she said goodbye and closed the door. Jonin waited until she was in the house and turned quietly into a shadow in the dark a few feet away.
"She knows," he remarked peering with interest. The shadow didn't respond to him, Kakashi let out a slight laugh. He was definitely interested in that.
