5 Months Earlier

Friday, May 13th

6:24 AM

Sakura pulled out of the parking lot, switching on the music and driving fast to Konoha University Hospital. She had been texted late last night about a new case brought in via ambulance. They would be waiting for her in room 115; the trauma unit. Sakura deliberately loosened her grip on the steering wheel, mentally preparing herself for the day ahead.

Deep breath in, slow breath out. She was familiar with the aftermath of violence; physical, emotional. It was her job to help the survivors to find safety, support and housing, and Sakura was getting to be damn good at it.

Twenty minutes later, she was pulling into her usual spot and speed walking into the tremendous building that was always bustling with movement. She passed through the sliding doors into the familiar well lit lobby with modern furniture and gray-blue walls. She snagged the pass from her purse and flashed it to one of the familiar receptionists as she approached the expansive, rounded white desk that housed each of their windows.

Moegi, one of the new assistants recognized Sakura and waved her over. "Tsunade call you in?"

"Shizune, actually."

Moegi didn't acknowledge her response, having turned her attention to the computer where she was typing speedily. "Your patient was moved to room 425."

Inwardly, Sakura sighed in relief at her client's move to a noncritical floor.

"Thank you, Moegi." Sakura said by way of parting. She turned to climb the three flights of stairs, slowing her pace and preparing herself for the potential rejection. Domestic violence was not an easy cycle to break for either party. No matter how many studies she read, or cases she'd seen, the resistance wasn't something she could understand.

But it wasn't her job to understand; it was her job to help.

When she pushed open the door to the fourth floor, she caught sight of long, blond hair walking towards her from Nurse Station 1. A rush of warmth filled her stomach and she felt her breath start to slow. Ino Yamanaka waved from down the hall, pleased to see her.

Sakura made to say hello, but before she could Shizune's voice came from behind her.

"Sakura."

Sakura watched Ino send her an apologetic smile and knock to enter a patient's room. She masked her disappointment and turned to where the doctor was standing by the Med B pod.

"Ayame has the chart for your patient, come find me when you're finished."

She accepted the paperwork Ayame handed over. Patient's damage was severe;

History of Present Illness: Pt presented to the Emergency Department by ambulance at 10:34pm, 5/12 following a domestic violence incident for which police became involved. Pt has been diagnosed with a broken nose and multiple fractured ribs to the left side, one of which caused a punctured lung. Chest tube has been placed on the left and lung has been re-inflated before being admitted to the floor for further observation.

Objective Findings:

General: Alert and orientated, well developed, well nourished.

HEENT: Head- 3cm raised area of bruising noted to left temple, tender when touched, bruising noted over bridge of nose, and under eyes bilaterally. Significant swelling around left eye-upper lid swollen to point of vision obstruction. Eyes-PEARL, EOM intact, small conjunctival hemorrhage noted to left eye at 7 o'clock position. Ears-with in normal limits, small 1cm superficial laceration noted to right pinna. Mouth/Throat-right upper lip swollen and shallow laceration about ½ cm in length noted-in good stages of healing with 1 suture placed.

Cardiac: Regular rate and rhythm, no rubs, murmurs, or gallops noted

Lungs/Chest: Chest appears to be rising/falling symmetrically...

A serious assault; that was more than she needed. She thanked Ayame and went to room 425.

Sakura relaxed her posture and put on a soft, welcoming smile as she knocked once on the door before gently opening it.

"Kira?"

The woman lying on the bed jerked slightly at her name. "Yes?"

Sakura entered the room and coming to sit beside the other woman. She was heavily bandaged and her face was purple, red and swollen. "Hello, Kira. I'm Sakura Haruno, and I'm a social worker here with the hospital. How are you feeling now?"

Sakura shut the door behind her with a soft sigh. It had gone well; the patient showed little reluctance to help. Sakura walked down the hall to break room with a small smile on her face. It was open, so Sakura leaned on the entrance.

"Knock, knock."

Shizune looked up from her laptop. "Ah, Sakura. Here, let me finish this chart."

Sakura nodded and waited for the sound of typing to cease before she continued. "It went well. She seemed shaken, but very alert and receptive to her options. She expressed anger towards the perpetrator, I think there is a chance she will testify should we get her the right support. I have a few phone calls to make, but she's very promising."

"Excellent work, Haruno."

Sakura smiled at the praise. "Thank you, Shizune, but let's not count any chickens."

Shizune turned back to her laptop. "You seem to have a good read of these situations. I am not worried."

"When do you expect she can be released? Should I call the emergency shelter or the Sanders House?"

Shizune scrolled through her notes on the screen. "Hmm. I think she'll be ready to go in a few days. How long do you need?"

Sakura shrugged. "I could take her tomorrow, but I'd prefer another day or two to get everything set up."

Shizune nodded before her eyes shifted to look behind Sakura, and she called to the woman who was walking past. "Tsunade-sama?"

The blonde stopped and returned to the entrance that Sakura was blocking. "Hello, Sakura. What is it, Shizune?"

"Sakura needs to know when to set up housing for the patient in 425."

"Ah," she turned to Sakura. "You need time? You've got time. She can be released on Monday, should be healed enough by then."

Sakura nodded with a smile. "I'll make it work."

Tsunade's face suddenly switched from her professional default to what could only be described as a leer. "Eh, what's this?"

Sakura blanched a little as the doctor reached out and plucked a long, unfamiliar red hair from her grey sweater.

"Did someone finally get some action?" The older woman teased.

Shizune snickered and Sakura rolled her eyes, batting away the hand that was dangling the hair in front of her face. "Hardly. That must have come from the patient."

"Nah ah, the patient in room 425's hair is much lighter than this. Shorter, too." Tsunade puffed out her ample chest as she said this, as though it were proof she had discovered something about one of her favorite, though somewhat reserved colleagues.

"Hmm, well it certainly didn't come from my lack of a sex life. I'm not even done unpacking, and you think I found time for a girlfriend?"

Shizune piped up from where she was still seated at the break table. "How is your new place?"

She couldn't suppress a grin. "It's great. Right along the creek, just as promised. It's just a few blocks away from busy streets, but the property is surrounded by so many trees you can't even tell. It's beautiful. And the kitchen is new, I guess it was just renovated after the last tenant left."

"How are your neighbors?" Shizune asked, a bit cheekily. Shitty neighbors had been the impotence for the move in the first place.

"Much better! Even the layout is great; it's a big complex but there are only four units to a building. So far I've heard my upstairs neighbors a few times, that's all. Except.." She stopped, not wanting to complain about a much nicer place.

"Except what?" Shizune's pressed, her eyes evaluating.

"There's, um. A weird smell?"

"Like mold?" Tsunade asked.

"No, like..rotting? But it's only in the kitchen, and I've only gotten a whiff a few times. It's nothing serious, I was thinking the upstairs neighbors might compost or something; their deck has a bunch of tomato plants."

"Well, it still sounds far better than your last place. Let me know if they have a vacancy. It would be a delight to live closer to my godson." Tsunade winked at her.

Sakura smiled at her boss, imagining her roommate's horror at Tsunade living on their complex.

When Sakura became a social worker, she hadn't anticipated to spend this much time at the hospital. However, her ability to network and comfortably operate in the fast paced medical environment made her an ideal liaison. Unfortunately, many of her cases came from children and adults brought in for battery or neglect. Assisting them with empathy while maintaining the professional emotional boundary was exhausting, and sometimes difficult to leave at work. But with her frequent visits came a familiarity with the hospital staff, as well as all of the other departments that would come and go (some far more pleasant than others). She was often able to leave a client and visit briefly with a provider, an incredibly welcome reprieve from the emotional intensity of clients.

She had grown close with Tsunade there, Godmother to her childhood friend and current roommate, as well as met Sasuke and Kakashi, officer and police chief of Konoha respectively (and two of the only officers on the force Sakura could stand working with). But by far, the person she was most grateful to have met and looked forward to seeing was Ino Yamanaka. She was an assertive, bossy, hysterically funny physician's assistant who was doing her final rotations through the clinic. She had ways of getting patients to open up like no one else Sakura had ever met. Where Tsunade was talent, Ino was touch. Clients Sakura received from Ino's care were calm, comfortable and cooperative.

In fact, Sakura admired her so much that it was nearly impossible to speak to her properly. It was not uncommon for Sakura's brain function to halt completely during their conversations. Or for her pulse to speed up when a chart read 'Patient Provider; Ino Yamanaka'. Or to see that signature hair dusting over a lab coat.

Sighing at the hopelessness of her crush, Sakura proceeded through the automatic exit of Konoha University Hospital and out into the misty afternoon, where she passed by a familiar pair of faces.

"Sasuke, Itachi, good morning." She greeted to the two tall, dark haired brothers.

Sasuke nodded his greeting while Itachi smiled at her. "Good morning, Sakura."

"What are you doing here?" She inquired, noting that Sasuke was in full uniform, and Itachi in a suit that probably cost more than her entire move did.

"I'm here to pick up a perp. Some drunk idiot got himself arrested last night for a B&E. Cut himself up falling onto the glass he'd broken, lost a lot of blood before the ride over here. He's patched up enough to take to jail." Sasuke replied.

"Ino, Sasuke tells me this happened in your neighborhood. Please be careful." Itachi informed her.

Sasuke snorted at his older brother. "Sakura moved last month, genius."

"Much better neighborhood," Sakura chimed in.

Itachi just smiled at her again. "I am glad to hear. Sasuke, Sakura, I'm sorry to excuse myself so soon but I have a meeting with Tsunade."

"Before you go, we're planning a housewarming party a few Saturdays from now, on the 4th. Think you can make it?"

Itachi nodded. "Of course, I'll put it on my calendar."

She grinned, "Thanks, Itach. What about you Sasuke?"

"Do you still live with that idiot?"

Sakura caught the twitch of Itachi's lip in the corner, the one that signified unholy pleasure at someone else's expense.

"As a matter of fact I do," She said with no small amount of cheek. "But come on, you know you want to see my new place. I'm sure Naruto will be better behaved. Think you can control yourself?"

The last time Sasuke had visited her for a dinner party, he and Naruto had completely absorbed the evening by engaging in passionate arguments about anything that came up in conversation. They were stopped before it came to blows, but Sakura has still never seen her longtime friend's composure crack in such a way. It was why she liked Sasuke; unlike many of the other officers on the force, beneath Sasuke's occasionally grouchy attitude, he had a wealth of compassion and emotional intelligence. He attended de-escalation tactic trainings, never hesitated to step in if his colleagues were out of line, and was never guilty of roughing anyone up. He was good and he knew it, which could make him impatient and smug, but Sakura had rarely seen him drop his stoic professionalism. It brought her endless delight to tease him about his one discretion at any opportunity. [fix this]

"Come, Sasuke. It wouldn't do to be rude." Itachi placed a patronizing hand on his brother's shoulder.

Sasuke quickly shoved it off. "Whatever, Sakura. Just keep him on a leash this time."

Sakura smirked. "I had planned on giving you the pleasure. But if you'd rather watch, I wouldn't mind."

Although the glare Sasuke leveled at her used to make her chest feel tight, Sakura couldn't stifle her snicker. She stepped close to lean up and give him a quick, one-armed hug goodbye. [fix this too]

"Only joking. But I would love to have you there."

Sasuke looked down at her, his stony face softening the slightest bit.

"Hn."

When she left work at 5, Sakura was exhausted from a long week of stressful cases and moving to their new location. Despite the mind-numbing fatigue, she felt herself perk up somewhat when she arrived in her parking spot and looked up at her new home. She got her bags together and walked up the wide, pebbled pathway to their stoop. When she opened the door, Naruto was preparing dinner.

"Hey, I'm home," Sakura called into the apartment. She kicked off her comfortable ankle boots and walked through the living room toward the rich aroma coming from the kitchen. She passed the couch that had been pushed against a wall of boxes and their tv (which rested atop another tower of boxes). The apartment was sparse, but it felt clean and fresh. They had unpacked the necessities and left the decorations, spare blankets, and non-essentials to be sorted out over the weekend. They had been on a bit of a time crunch: Naruto was employed as a firefighter, and his work schedule of two weeks on, one week off meant there was a finite of time he could help. He made good money and even though she loved her childhood friend dearly, she relished the balance between being a roommate and living alone.

"Hey, you're home on time!"

Naruto was standing at the stove, grinning over what was undoubtedly another pot of homemade ramen. She dropped her work bag and coat onto a chair and went into the kitchen to fetch down a glass for wine.

"Rough day?"

Sakura sat down at the table and nodded. She reached a hand behind her shoulder and rubbed at a knot there. "If you really want to know, I had a client tell me that she was tired of 'choosing to commit suicide' by staying with her partner."

Naruto let out a murmur of support and came to bat her hand away, rubbing at her tense shoulders. He could be an absolute handful sometimes, with his childish enthusiasm and irrepressible energy, but he was also one of the sweetest people she knew. He was an unyieldingly loyal friend to those he cared for.

"That's tough."

Sakura sighed. "At least she wants help."

Naruto gave her shoulders a squeeze. "She's in the right place then, if she's working with you."

She smiled up at him, feeling thankful he was home this week. "Thanks, Naruto."

He rubbed at the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah, well, I knew something was wrong when you didn't give me any shit for cooking ramen again."

"At this point, I'm too hungry to care."

Suddenly, he reached down, startling her to pick a hair off her shoulder. It looked just like the one Shizune had pulled of her this morning, and she realized it was identical to the one on her pillow the night before.

"Again, huh? Didn't know you had such a thing for gingers."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Why am I surrounded by perverts? Shut up and bring me dinner."

"Huh? who else is a perv?" He asked as he made his way back to the kitchen.

"Your godmother."

He grimaced slightly as he placed a bowl in front of her, nodding at her thanks. "Ah, yeah that sounds right. You know I'm kiddin' though. I think whoever lived here last must have had hair like this."

"Oh, yeah?" Sakura prompted between mouthfuls of vegetable.

"Yeah I took a shower this morning and the drain clogged. I fished out a clump of hairs like those. It was pretty gnarly."

She snorted, and finished her meal while she listened to Naruto's adventures from the day in the new neighborhood.

"So anyway, I got some of the stuff up on the walls. I figure we can do the rest together tomorrow and we can get it all done before I'm back to work."

Sakura stretched her arms up over her head. "Sounds good. I'm beat for tonight though, I think I'm just gonna grab a shower and go to bed. Thanks for dinner."

"'Course." Naruto answered, checking his phone. "You're gettin old, Sakura. It's not even 8."

She smiled ruefully at him. "Asshole. I was gonna offer to do the dishes in the morning, but now you're on your own."

"But Saaaaakuraaaaa~" Naruto whined.

"Nope, sorry." Sakura waved dismissively to him as she headed down the hallway to her room.

Sakura passed the mirror Naruto had hung by just a few paces before her blood ran cold, and a gasp escaped her lips. She turned sharply back to the mirror, where instead of her own reflection, she had seen a woman with long, red hair staring at her.

"Sakura? Are you okay?" Naruto was up and beside her in a second.

She stared at her own reflection, feeling the rush of adrenaline push through her body. She touched her short, pink hair as she tried to process what had just happened.

She turned to Naruto, and laughed a tense, nervous laugh. "This week must have been worse than I thought. I thought I just saw…" She trailed off, not sure how to answer. "Not my reflection."

Naruto's face was a mix of concern and amusement. He ruffled her hair with affection.

"Go get some sleep, Sakura."

A/N: I am a sucker for full cast fics and adult friendships. And sasunaru.

Please drop a review or a comment to tell me what worked!