A/N: I do not own Naruto.
Times of peace feel like a death sentence to a shinobi. It isn't that they aren't grateful that they are not out fighting and taking the risk of watching comrades die; peace brings a sense of boredom, that stir crazy feeling that gives you a sense of claustrophobia. This is especially true of a jade eyed and rosette haired young woman. The days have begun to blur together; wake up, train, shower, work at the hospital and return to bed. The cycle has gone on for many years now and a change would be appreciated. Little does the heroine know, but her change is coming. It is coming in the form of an adventure of finding herself and learning more about the others around her. This tale starts like many others, when jade eyes open to an alarm clock blaring, informing her it is time to wake up and start another routine day. It's funny how sometimes change comes when we least expect it.
Fumbling around to reach the alarm clock, the mound of blankets gives off a grunt of disapproval. Slowly, the rosette hits the snooze button and sits up, knocking the blankets to her waist while rubbing her eyes.
"Ugh, let's see I'm supposed to meet Kakashi for training, quick lunch with Ino-pig, then work. Looks like its going to be a long day" Sakura whispered to herself.
Allowing herself to sit in a daze while she wakes up, she jumps when the alarm goes off again. 'Some ninja I am,' she chastised herself. Reaching over to turn off the alarm, she slowly dragged herself out of bed and started to dress for the day. Half an hour later she was seen walking out her front door toward the training ground.
"Sakura! Would you like to join me and Guy-sensei in our morning run?!" cried the jogging and much too awake Lee.
"Lee, we go over this every Saturday morning. Today is the only day Kakashi-sempai and I am able to meet and train. Besides, as much as I would love to join you both, I'm not sure I'm youthful enough to keep up," Sakura finished with a chuckle.
"Very well," a downcast Lee said. "Maybe next Saturday you can join us!" he finished excitedly.
"Maybe, but I better be off or I might actually be later than Kakashi-sempai to the training field!" Turning and waving her hand behind her, she walked off.
Running her hand across the railing of the bridge, Sakura watched a genin run towards her while waving her hand in the air. "Sakura-sama! I have a message for you from Kakashi-san!"
Smiling gently, Sakura scoffed and waited to hear what excuse he had come up with today. This would mark the third week in a row she had been blown off by that lazy bastard. "Well, what is his excuse this week? Let me guess, he happened to see a kitty stuck on a pole and just had to stop and help it down?" she asked. "More like had to help some random woman climb down his pole," she grumbled to herself.
"No ma'am," the genin said confused. "He was just assigned a mission and wanted me to tell you to sleep in today. Sorry, I tried going to your apartment but you had already left" replied the genin with her head bowed. "He also wanted me to tell you that he should be back some time tomorrow and is still on for your dinner date" she finished while blushing.
"Thank you for getting me the message; guess I'll head on home and relax before my shift." Rolling her eyes and turning back towards her home, Sakura dragged her feet and wondered why she wasn't asked to go with him on his mission; after all, they had become somewhat partners after she turned twenty a couple of years ago.
After running home to shower, Sakura lazily made her way to the tea house for lunch. 'Hopefully Ino-pig got a table near the back. There is a lot for us to catch up on since she's been on a mission the past couple weeks'. With a sigh, she entered the establishment and looked for her partner in crime. Since she's been gone, Sakura has avoided the bars; it's just not as fun without a drunken best friend to laugh and drink with.
Making eye contact, Sakura thanked her lucky stars her telepathy was working today and made her way to the back table. Sitting down, she took in Ino's appearance. Today the blonde had decided to go with her usual off duty attire consisting of a sundress. Huffing, Sakura said, "I thought we agreed we would be going casual today. You look like you're about to go out and get some. Have a hot date with Shikamaru later?"
"Of course not! That lazy idiot still hasn't figured out I have the hots for him. Stupid bastard," Ino responded. "It's not like I haven't tried to show him. For being a genius he is stupid. I don't know what else to do! I've done everything short of knocking him out, tying him up, and jumping his bones. Ugh, I don't think he'll ever catch on."
"Sounds like you might have planned that out already, Pig. I don't know if I should worry for Shika's safety or help you so you'll stop bitching about it," Sakura said laughing. "I honestly don't understand how he can be a strategist and not catch the signs you want to fuck him. I mean honestly, I don't even think Naruto was that dense," she finished with a slight frown.
Lost in her own thoughts, Sakura didn't see her best friend watch her with a frown. "Sakura, have you heard any word on his whereabouts? It's been three years since he left, shouldn't he have come home by now?"
Eyes glistening, she responded, "Should have are the key words there, Ino. I talked to Shishou about it while she was drinking so I would get a straight answer, only for her to admit they haven't received word from him in almost a year. I'm worried about him. I want him to come home." Taking a deep breath, Sakura looked her friend in the eye, "I pray to Kami all the time he comes home safe. Every day I wake up hoping to hear his loud voice demanding we go get ramen together, and every day I wake up and go about my day without a single sign he is even still alive." Looking down to and biting her lip so she doesn't cry, she continued, "That is why I am grateful Kakashi and I have gotten so close. He's all I really have left of Team 7."
"Speaking of Kakashi," Ino said to change the subject, "where is he? I haven't seen him around in a while. Did you two get in a fight again?" Seeing the fire in her friend's eyes, Ino waiting with a smirk, knowing she got her friend's mind off her lost teammate.
"He blew me off again this morning! That makes three weeks in a row! I swear I'm going to kill him when I see him next. Either that or I'll burn all of his precious books. Damn jerk sent a genin to me after I had waited for an hour already just to tell me he left for a mission. He could have at least stopped by and told me himself," she said, finishing her rant.
"Now that I think about it, why didn't you go with him? Aren't you his partner, Sakura?"
"Here's your order, miss!" chirped the waitress. "Is there anything else I can get you two?"
"No, we're fine, thanks," Ino replied. Seeing Sakura's, confusion she chuckled, "I knew what you would order. It's the same thing you've ordered every time we come here. I thought it best so we weren't interrupted as much."
"I was wondering why we hadn't been helped yet. I should have known," Sakura finished with a laugh. "Don't think this distracted me from Kakashi, though. If I had the time I'd go ask Shishou why she didn't send me. Honestly, I can handle anything he can."
"I'm sure she had her reasons. Just take her some nice sake and she'll spill her reasons. Speaking of saké, I'm in dire need of a night out! When is your next day off?"
Smiling, Sakura responded, "You're in luck Pig. It just so happens I have Monday off. Want to come to my place tomorrow night to get ready? We can order some dinner while we get ready then head out."
"Sounds amazing! I'm so excited!" Ino squealed. "Now I just have to make sure Shika can make it out! He won't know what hit him! I'm working on a plan to get him drunk, make him offer to walk me home…"
"Then drag him in your apartment and take advantage of him," Sakura interrupted. "That's the same plan you've tried to use the past several times we have gone out and it has yet to work. What you need to do is slip him some aphrodisiac. Then maybe you'll find out if he is as lazy in the bedroom as he is in all other aspects of his life," Sakura said conspiringly. "Let's eat before the food gets cold. Besides, I have to finish and head to the hospital for my shift soon."
Taking their time eating, with some more conspiring on how to get Ino and Shikamaru in bed together, the rest of lunch passed quickly for Sakura. Waving bye to her friend, she made her way to the hospital. Hopefully it was an easy night for her, for although she didn't spar this morning, she still felt exhausted, even if it was only emotionally.
Dragging herself out the hospital doors, Sakura made her way home. After reaching her apartment, she couldn't help but be thankful she lived close to the hospital. It was a pain to leave early to go to training, but with Kakashi as a partner she never really had to worry about being late. Dropping her medic clothing on the bedroom floor, she pulled back the covers and slipped into her sheets in a tank top and a small, old pair of shorts. Tomorrow night she could interrogate Kakashi about why she wasn't involved in his mission, until then she was going to get some much-needed sleep; after all, tomorrow will be another day just like today.