As The Falcon Flies By
Chapter 2 - The Boxer Shorts
Enjoy!
Uo･ｪ･oU
The room was dark. And spinning. Is it supposed to spin?
Slowly, she blinked her eyes and rubbed them, trying to get rid of the blur. Nope, definitely not supposed to spin...
Her head was pounding as if it was being split into two. Her lips cracked as she yawned and her throat felt as dry as sandpaper, demanding moisture, and this time not alcohol, thank you!
Horrible, just horrible. she thought. We got wasted again, didn't we?
She felt his strong arm slung loosely around her waist. His breaths were deep and his chest expanded when he inhaled, touching her back. With a shaking hand, she reduced the pounding. It lessened, but even she couldn't cure a hangover as nasty as this one. How much did we drink? Apparently enough. She thought as she looked at Genma's sleeping -shirtless- form.
Sakura slowly sat up, Genma's hand sliding of her. He just kept on snoring slightly. Usually he woke up earlier than her and raided Sakura's kitchen to make them a decent breakfast, but he must have really drunk to much.
She realized she wasn't wearing much, as a cold chill settled over her. Rubbing her hands against her bare arms, she looked down. With an amused look she saw she was only wearing a bra, and a pair of Genma's boxer shorts. She resisted the urge to look under the covers to check if he was wearing her underwear too.
He did often sleep over, she had to admit, so he had his own drawer of clothes in her dresser. Quickly, she pulled the nearest shirt over herself and made her way to the kitchen.
Kami, this headache...
Her eyes squinted at the little light that filtered through the closed curtains, thanking herself for even thinking about closing them the evening before.
She took two headache tablets from an overhead cupboard, downing them with unusual fervour and enough water to rehydrate a giant, and went to brush her teeth.
Fearing what she would see, she looked in the mirror.
A chaotic sight stared back.
Ever so slowly, she brushed the tangled mess on top of her head.
After the hundredth time trying to make her hair smooth, she gave up and put it in a messy bun.
That'll do.
Gah! I still need a shower...
Just then, a knock came from the door, causing a groan to escape her lips. Not now. Please just not know. More knocking. Go away. GO AWAY.
This was bad. Really bad. The person behind that door would have to deal with a very grouchy Sakura.
She made her way off the cold bathroom tiles and in to the dark living room. While she walked, she tried to relieve more of the pressure her brain seemed to be under with medical chakra.
How pitiful, I feel like I'm a hundred years older...
Slowly, she opened the door, her eyes shutting when the harsh light bore into her vision.
"This better be a fucking emergency, or I'll make you pay." She hissed. When her eyes adjusted, she saw a wide-eyed Hinata with a shocked look on her face. Her hand was still balled up, ready to knock once again.
Oops... That was maybe a little too harsh.
Opening her eyes a little more, she saw a just as startled Kiba behind her.
Grumbling, she opened the door a little more.
"Please please just come in quickly. The light is giving me hell."
The two visitors cautiously stepped in.
Closing the door behind her with the softest click possible, she turned towards her two visitors, not caring enough to hide her annoyance.
"Well, what is it?"
"Uh... Are you alright, Sakura - chan?" Hinata asked politely.
An uncomfortable moment passed.
"...why?"
"Well, you really do look like hell."
Not so polite.
"Kiba! You can't say that!" Hinata turned a little bit red with embarrassment.
Never mind my appearance... Just look at this place. What must they think of me?
She hadn't noticed before but her apartment was a garbage heap. Literally.
With a groan she saw an unhealthy amount of empty bottles, and the smell of cigarettes was still very distinct.
Walking past the two intruders, she opened up the big window that doubled as a door to her balcony. She was careful to keep her eyes shut until the curtains had been closed again. The soft breeze pushed the curtains against her. It felt like it would be another hot day.
Turning back to the two she asked: "Do you have a reason for being here or is it just to annoy me?"
"We're very sorry but-" Hinata began.
"Are you wearing boxers?" Kiba interrupted.
...
Shit, I forgot about that.
"Yeah, so what?" She snapped.
"Kiba, I don't think-" Hinata tried to intervene.
"And those are men's boxer shorts?"
"Yup." Play it cool, Sakura.
"Soooo... Who's the lucky guy?"
"You really shouldn't d-" Hinata feebly tried to stop him.
"Who said anything about a guy?" she replied hotly.
He snorted. "Your apartment is littered with cigarettes and bottles, you are wearing men's boxers and-" He squinted a little. "...and a man's shirt!" An excited grin formed on his face.
"That means he's still here, right?!"
If Kiba really was a dog Sakura mused his tail would be wagging right now.
"Kiba!" Hinata squealed. "Don't be so impolite!"
"Oh, but just look at her, Hinata. You are just as curious as me to the identity of this guy. Admit it!"
"Even so, we mustn't be impolite." She said sternly.
Sakura childishly stuck her tongue out at him, which he just as childishly returned.
Oh Kami... Hinata rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, why are you here?"
"Ah, yes!" Hinata shook her head, as if to clear it of all the silliness of that morning.
"We happened to stop by the Hokage earlier for a mission report and she asked us to give you this."
From a pocket on her jonin jacket she retrieved a small scroll and handed it to her.
When she saw it, Sakura knew exactly what it was.
She just held the small thing and thanked the two shinobi.
"Aren't you going to open it?"
"The Hokage asked us to make sure you read it." Hinata added.
With a sigh she broke the seal, shoulders slumping just a little bit more.
You know me so well, shisou... I would have just done as if I had forgotten to read it. Then I would have had a fun day, but nooooo... I get to spend the day in a stuffy room with stubborn people at least thrice my age.
And her suspicions were correct.
'Honorary Haruno Sakura,
We, the Council of Konaha, have summoned you for the monthly meeting... blah blah... highest members of society... something about the wellbeing of the city... Yada yada yada... We expect you to be present at 1 pm in the Council halls.'
It was just a whole lot of fancy words for 'Listen to the annoying elders complain about something the Hokage did' or whatever.
When she had accepted this job, she had accepted a little desk work too, but not the monthly blabbering of the clan heads and the elders.
At least Tsunade was on the same page as her. If anything, she hated the meetings even more than her.
Sakura's mouth turned a little down.
"Pfffff... "
"Not good news?" Kiba inquired.
"Not good news." She confirmed.
"Do you guys know what time it is?"
Grabbing a piece of paper, she quickly scribbled something down for Genma, so he would know where she was.
"Uhh... It's quarter to one, exactly."
Hinata's words startled her. "Ack!"
Katon jutsu.
A small ball of fire burned the scroll, leaving no evidence of its existence, except for the smell of burned paper.
Couldn't let anyone read her scrolls. It was a rule she intended to keep.
"Okidoki! Thanks for coming but I'm incredibly late so..." She started pushing the teammates through her front door.
"Hey! Wait! I still want to know who that guy is!"
"Don't you dare sniff me, Kiba!"
"Sniff you? Whatever are you talking about?" His eyes were as innocent as a puppy. Again with the dog metaphor...
"You were trying to smell who he is! Just admit it." She replied.
"Al right, I admit." He sheepishly scratched his head.
Sakura had managed to push him out of her apartment. No need to push Hinata of course. She looked like she wanted to drag Kiba out herself.
"If it wasn't for the cigarette smell, I would have known, you know!" He said it as if he was protecting his manliness.
"Yeah, yeah." Sakura breathed in sharply. The time!
"Thanks for bringing the scroll guys, but I really need to get ready."
With a wave she closed the door again and rushed to the bedroom. She grabbed some real clothes, a jonin uniform, and softly closed the door behind her, as not to disturb Genma's sleep.
She then sprinted into the bathroom and showered at top speed.
It would not do to arrive later than everybody else.
Uo･ｪ･oU
What do you think so far? I would love to hear your comments! :)
Akamaruuuu out!
Next up: Chapter 3 - Coffee and a Meeting