Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter Two: Topsy-turvy

The light of the new day woke her before her alarm did. Sakura felt worse than she did after a long, grueling mission. Her emotions felt raw and exposed after the night's torment. Nightmares haunted her whilst she slept, and she woke often through the night, sweat drenched, shaking, with tears stinging her eyes and trailing down her face. She didn't want to wake up but neither did she want to sleep, not if their faces were going to haunt her. Not if closing her eyes meant seeing theirs. Eventually her alarm did go off and she did not have it in her to turn it off for some time. It droned out the pain, filled the hollow void in her heart with at least something other than taunting memories. Her head pounded, her throat was raw, her lips cracked and her nose bright red. Yet, she let that screaming, mechanical beep continue to play. That was, until, a long mewl interrupted the wail. Sakura closed her eyes and a bleak smile tried to pull at her lips.

"I'm sorry, Kinshou," she croaked out, and a moment later a large, fat cat jumped up onto the bed with her. It cried again in protest to the harsh song bombarding his ears. Sakura wheezed out a laugh as the feline pawed at her face, his plea for her to turn that infernal racket off. Obliging the cat's sensitive ears she finally pulled herself over and reached with a heavy arm, switching off the alarm. She had let it go for a solid seventeen minutes; no wonder he came inside. Kinshou mewled again, this time in relief, and proceeded to pester her for attention.

"Now you're here," she chastised him, "I could have used your company last night." The grey and black tabby only purred as she clumsily scratched at his ears, green eyes peeking open to catch her own jade ones for a brief moment. "Fat cat," she chuckled. It always amused her at how large the animal had grown to be. She called him Kinshou, Little, because when she found him behind the clinic a year and a half ago, he was a tiny thing in desperate need of care. Now he weighed a hefty thirteen pounds. Often times he'd go out for the night and wouldn't come back. It never worried her much. Despite his girth he was surprisingly agile and was smart enough to hide from trouble. It seemed like he understood his mistake for he was being extremely affectionate. Perhaps the scent of salty tears or being able to sense her troubled aura made him come back home. "You're here now; I guess that's what's important, hmm?" The cat only continued to purr.

After a long, hot shower, Sakura sat once more at her table outside her front door, drinking her coffee and enjoying the sunrise. Just as yesterday the sky was beautiful and the town magical in the glow. Kinshou laid in her lap and she stroked his plush fur absently as her eyes wandered the waking village. She had contemplated the idea of calling Yanagi and asking for the day off, but she knew staying home would only give her time to think. Sakura liked to imagine that she could preoccupy herself somehow, but she knew well she wouldn't. Even though she felt like a train wreck the clinic would be the best place for her. She also didn't want to worry the old man. She knew he cared for her like she was his granddaughter. Also, she hated not being there to help, to accomplish things in mere seconds with her ninjutsu that traditional methods would take hours, days or even weeks to finish. Prying her cat from the tops of her thighs, she got herself a second cup of coffee as she began to get ready to work.


"Good morning, Sakura-sama," Yanagi greeted her when she entered the clinic. This morning he was sorting through fresh herbs to prepare to dry. Sakura made a mental note to check his wrist sometime again during her shift.

"Hello, Yanagi-sama." Sakura tried to make herself sound as pleasant as she could. The dark circles that were just present under her eyes contrasted her bright tones, though, and when he turned to acknowledge her the old doctor didn't fail to notice them. Her posture was also much poorer, her usual gusto subdued, and he couldn't help but think back to the day before.

"Poor sleep?" The woman cursed his perception and not for the first time.

"Yeah," she admitted, the word coming out like a sigh. She approached the table that was her desk. "I couldn't fall asleep until really late for some reason," she lied, and he hummed his acknowledgement. At the desk, she noted something that was not there the previous day: flowers. They were beautiful pink lilies, almost the same hue as her hair, and they were planted in a green glazed, ceramic pot thrown locally in Hougyoku. She recognized the style. "Yanagi…" she turned to face him to find him smiling at her.

"I saw them and they made me think of you," he admitted.

"They're gorgeous… but why?" Yanagi shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and turned back to his herbs, not answering her right away. Sakura waited, knowing it would eventually come.

"…I don't know much about your past, Sakura… it's not my business. I know you've suffered greatly, and for that I am sorry. I'm not blind; I see the pain on your face when I mention certain things. I sense it on your person some days so strongly that it almost feels tangible, and I wish I could reach out and take it away as if it were a shroud you cannot remove yourself." He sighed but did not look back to her just yet. She silently approached him step by step until she was mere inches from his backside. "I'm not telling you to open up to me, or anyone else. That will come in good time. I just want to let you know that there are people here in Hougyoku who care about you, who are concerned about you, and who want you to be happy… I guess I just-" He stopped when he felt arms snake about him and firm but gentle weight on his back.

"Thank you… Yanagi-sama." The doctor placed a hand upon her arm and she tightened her embrace. "Thank you, for everything." He could hear the tears on her voice, and when he turned himself about, he saw her eyes were glistening. Placing his hands on both her shoulders he looked her in the eye, his own dark gaze intense with emotion.

"If you ever want to talk, or simply need someone to listen, I'm always here for you, Dear." She nodded her head, unable to speak, so overwhelmed with emotion she was. A few tears finally fell over her eyelids and streaked down her face. He had no idea how much his generosity meant to her. Such a simple action blew her away. "Now wipe away those tears and let's hustle! You're about to make this old man cry!" Sakura laughed and shook her head, noticing his own eyes beginning to become wet.

"Right. I'm sorry," she chuckled, and he wiped away some of her tears with his thumb. The scent of fresh sage and lavender filled her nose, the crushed oils having lingered on his digit. It helped to sooth her frayed ends and she couldn't help but take in another deep breath. "Thank you, so much. You have no idea how much this all means to me." Yanagi smiled broadly and reached up beneath his glasses to wipe at an eye.

"No thanks are needed. Now go, get to work! It's already seven!" Sakura huffed in humor, but her spirits were lifted and she felt much better than when she woke this morning.

Just as Sakura had anticipated clinic work preoccupied her mind and the day was bustling with activity and patients. Rather than slip into a wreck she was calm and content and busy. It was exactly what she needed. Whenever there was a lull the sight of her lilies sitting happy on her desk put a smile on her face. Rather than dwell on her unfortunate past she filled her mind with thoughts of her new life, her new friends and family. She was sick of feeling torn and tattered by the ghosts of her past. Sakura forced herself to only think on the present. To think on happy things only. To be happy. True her loved ones were gone, her old home surely a far cry from its former glory, but she had a new home, and new loved ones to fill that void. She was able to start anew here in this lovely city and she was too blind to see it sometimes.

I'm not some pathetic, sniveling girl. I'm a strong woman. A kunoichi. A Leaf. Tsunade's legacy! I don't have time to feel sorry for myself when other people need me.

By the end of her shift Sakura felt like she could take on the world. Yes, the thoughts of her friends and family, now gone, were not completely erased from her thoughts - they could never be. But their faces were now bright and happy and not lifeless and cold as they entered into her mind. Yanagi noticed her change in behavior and continually smiled at her, encouraging her in his own way to live, and be happy! To see the joy in life and not the misery. By the end of her shift, though tired, her aura was bright and her eyes twinkling again.

"Thank you so much for the lilies, Yanagi-sama," Sakura told him once more as she gathered her things to go. Yanagi was washing his hands at a small sink and he smiled her way.

"Stop thanking me, woman. You're more than welcome." She grinned sheepishly. "If you'd like, you should stop by for dinner tonight. My wife said she wanted more company again at the dinner table since the kids have all moved to the city." Sakura couldn't tell if that was all truth, for she did know his children had all moved away for schooling or work and their home was empty, or if he was extending his courtesy once more, seeking to keep her in a good mood and to keep her from the monsters he knew often haunted her. Sakura lived alone and she had no one to go home to. No one to talk about her day with, to eat with, or even watch tv with – except the cat he knew she rescued. Sakura didn't want to impede upon Yanagi and his wife, but the look he gave her was so heartfelt she couldn't say no to him. Despite her earlier resignation to start being herself again and not dwell on her past it wasn't to say she would slip and sob herself to sleep once more. Company would probably be a good thing.

"Great!" Yanagi exclaimed when she accepted.

"I'd come now, but Hana-chan threw up on my feet today," she admitted, pursing her lips. "I still feel like I smell like vomit. I'd like to shower and change."

"Of course, of course! Come by once you're ready."


True to her word, Sakura rushed home and showered off the lingering stench of bile from her skin. It was probably a mental thing, for she scrubbed her feet off at the clinic, but the wash was welcome to reinvigorate her senses. Wanting to appear well dressed, but not too formal, Sakura had an excuse to pull out a pretty yukata she purchased last year and rarely wore. It was only linen and nothing as opulent as silk, but the craftsmanship of article was apparent once viewed. The fabric was a soft mint green with a simple, white cherry blossom pattern weaved onto the skirt. A plain, white yukata peeked out at her collar beneath it. A nice pair of sandals adorned her feet. The long, pink locks of hairs she usually kept up for practicality's sake she let flow down her back and about her shoulders. A quick shimmer of pearly eyeshadow, mascara and pale pink lipstain competed the look.

Observing herself in her mirror, Sakura chuckled, trying to remember the last time she actually put on makeup, even if it wasn't much. She felt good, though; carefree. It would be nice to go to dinner and make small talk. She hadn't seen Yanagi's wife in some time, too.

"Whaddya think, Kinshou?" she asked to the fat tabby who watched her from his perch on her bed. He made a soft mew at her and she grinned. "Yes, I think so, too."

As she made her way towards Yanagi's house she met a few people along the road. They all greeted her, complimenting her yukata and asking where she was headed.

"Do you have a date, Sakura-san?!" some of the women asked mischievously. Then men would ask, "Who's the lucky guy?"

"No, I'm just going to go have dinner with Yanagi-sama and his wife." Though not as interesting as a date, the women would 'aww' and the men smile. All of Hougyoku respected Yanagi, and they all told her to tell the couple they said 'hello'.

It's like they all want me to date, she laughed to herself. Luckily, Sakura was only twenty one and not a middle aged woman whose biological alarm clock was ticking away. She had many years, she felt, before she would settle down.

Yanagi and his wife, Ajisai, greeted her like she was their own flesh and blood. Yanagi made no mention of that morning, nor did his wife lead on to think anything had been amiss with Sakura. Since she and the old doctor saw each other regularly, Ajisai and Sakura did most of the talking that evening as they ate. Though it wasn't much, it was like a gourmet dinner compared to what Sakura typically cooked for herself. Although a successful ninja and medic, cooking wasn't in her repertoire. She wasn't particularly terrible, but eating Ajisai's food made her cooking seem like slop. After dinner Yanagi showed the progress his bonsai were making to her. Ajisai revealed small projects of her own to Sakural, such as items she was knitting and sewing and painting. The older woman was an excellent chef and artist.

The night was fun and relaxing. It was normal. It was happy. No tears filled her eyes. No rage or guilt while she was a guest at the home. The couple didn't bombard her with questions about her past. Didn't try and make her relive her life five years ago. That was what she was most grateful for. When she finally said her farewells and made her way back home that good mood remained. Kinshou greeted her when she returned. Changing and brewing some tea, they watched some television together until she eventually dozed off. Waking again and realizing her location, she shuffled to her bed, fat cat in her arms, and fell into blissful, dreamless sleep once more.


She woke feeling great, and the rest of her week went smoothly. Work was busy, her flowers remained on her desk, and each night someone invited her to come and eat dinner with them. Sakura didn't know if that was Yanagi's doing, but she accepted each offer with a grateful smile and a please and thank you. If it was the old man's doing she had no means to stop him, for she knew the company to be helping. The anniversary of her home's destruction had passed, and with it her emotional state was returning to normal. By the time Friday was there Sakura was back to her old self and she could periodically think upon her lost friends with a smile, not tears.

Saturday had plans to keep her busy all day with a trip into the outlying countryside beckoning her. There was need to replenish certain wild herbs and flowers at the clinic for Yanagi. She expected to be ready and leave by noon after finishing some chores at home. What she didn't expect was urgent knocking on her front door as she was preparing her pack for the trip. She paused in her task, wondering who it could be and if she had somehow forgotten she had made ulterior plans with someone. The knock came again, even more forceful, and she thought she heard someone calling out her name. Worried now as whoever it was knocked a third time, the repeated rap of knuckles against wood almost frantic, Sakura made haste for the door.

"Sakura-san!" It was a young man just a few years her younger, out of breath and looking worried. "Please come quick! You're needed at the clinic!"

"Sanouske-kun! Yes, of course I'll go." Slipping her sandals on, she shut the door behind her.

"Go, quickly! Don't wait for me!" With a swift nod, she powered chakra into her feet and she flew like an arrow from a bow towards the clinic. The journey that typically took her half an hour to walk to from her home only took five minutes. Gasps followed in her wake as she streaked past citizens in a blur of pink hair. Even before she entered the building her senses could feel something was off. Her nose could detect that cloying stench of blood and there was a particular presence on the air that stood out like a sore thumb. She knew this presence. Or did she? It felt familiar, and yet, she couldn't be sure at the same time. Pushing away those thoughts, she tried not to ponder on such things. If Sasnouske had come for her in such a panicked state the person was obviously critical and her ninjutsu was in much need.

"I'm here!" She called out more loudly than she intended as she rushed into the clinic, mouth agape as she breathed a little heavy. Adrenaline surged within her and her toes tingled from the chakra use that hastened her arrival. She hadn't used chakra to run like that in quite some time. She hadn't used chakra for anything but medical ninjutsu these days it seemed, the thought briskly occurred to her. A handful of people were crowded towards one side of the room about a bed, blocking whoever needed her help from view. Yanagi was there, his white frock coated in blood and his gloved hands crimson, also.

"Sakura! Thank goodness!" He dropped the usual honorary suffix when greeting her for the day in his haste. "Quickly!" She approached, and that nagging feeling that something was off was even stronger than before. Sanouske never told her who had been hurt. The village wasn't small, but neither too big. He would have given her a name, wouldn't he? So why not? Who was laying on that bed, then? Her heart raced as they came into view as she rushed to the bed. While she expected it to be someone from the village, or at least someone from nearby, she never would have expected to see the man that was lying on the bed before her. His typically pale skin was even more drained of color. Those long, raven tresses were matted with blood. And those eyes, dark like onyx tinged deep blue, were half-mast and unfocused. As always, those lines of what she could only think to be insomnia marked his handsome face, but those eyes above them were certainly not the beautifully dangerous red and tomoe marked weapons she had always seen him sport before. If she had not seen her former teammate and crush killed herself that fateful day she might have thought it to be him at first glance. It was certainly a close match.

There was no denying that the man, bleeding out before her very eyes, was the infamous, and who she thought to be long since dead, Uchiha Itachi.


Author's Notes:

This chapter was a little boring, but I felt it was necessary and not without its merit or bringing in Itachi! Just a taste ;P chapter three will be far more interesting, Hope you guys are enjoying nevertheless!~

I, by the way, know little about Japanese culture and the language, so forgive me for any mistakes.