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Chapter Two: Old Times

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Uneasiness.

Sakura felt very uneasy throughout the day, so much so, that she ended up taking the day off. Well, more like she was sent home.

Ino made her uneasy. It wasn't just that. She was still curious about Naruto and Ino.

She received her answers yesterday, yet, she still had a sinking feeling.

Maybe it was because she felt her two best friends were being all friendly to each other without her involvement at all. Maybe it was because she felt she was losing both of them to the other. She wasn't particularly sure about this, but she just knew she didn't like it at all.

She was too lost in thought to realize a nurse was right next to her.

"Haruno-san?" she asked. Sakura's gaze moved towards her. "Tsunade-sama wanted to speak with you before you went home. I mentioned to her that you seemed very ill, but she insisted."

"It's fine. Thank you," she said, appreciating her concern. Sakura's brain raced, wondering what Tsunade could possibly want.

When she knocked on the Hokage's door, she was not surprised to see her with forms in one hand, and sake in the other.

"Tsunade-sama," she greeted, bowing. Tsunade kept her eyes on the form, but nodded.

"Yes, hello, Sakura. I'm glad you could make it. I heard you got sent home." Sakura's face heated, wondering if everyone knew she wasn't feeling herself lately.

"Yes, but don't worry, I'll be fine. I should be good to go by tomorrow."

"Ah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I noticed you haven't taken your week-paid vacation yet, even though the work year is almost over," she began, and Sakura chuckled, nervousness ringing through her. "You know, when you said you wanted to work full-time at the hospital, that you'd be relieved of being a medical ninja. That means you get vacation time, just like all the other doctors and nurses."

"Sorry, Tsunade-sama. I guess I just got carried away. I'm not used to paid vacation time."

"That's because I trained you to be a medical ninja," she offered. Sakura sighed. "Either way, Sakura, I suggest you take your paid vacation time now. It looks like you need it." Tsunade looked calm. Sakura, although taken aback, nodded and bowed.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama. If that's all you wanted to discuss with me, then I'll be taking my leave now," she said, smiling at her sensei and leaving. When she did, Tsunade sighed, not entirely sure what to do with her. She just knew she needed more sake to get through the paperwork.

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Sakura gulped, definitely feeling the tension speaking with her sensei. She could tell that she was disappointed in her, but she was happy that she still respected her wishes and didn't interfere. One less thing she had to worry about, she figured.

She still wasn't sure what to do with her time, but she hoped Naruto wasn't away on any missions, because her curiosity would definitely kill her if she had to wait so long to hear from him.

Sakura also realized, that she just wanted to see him, too. She definitely missed speaking with that hyperactive knucklehead, and she'd be damned if she didn't get a chance to catch up.

She found herself at the training grounds, surprised that it was so quiet. She looked at the wooden post, smiling with nostalgia at the times when she would train with her team. She did have a lot of fun.

Her ears perked, hearing something miles away. There was something in that noise, that gave her a feeling of familiarity. Yes, she recognized that screech anywhere.

"It seems like Naruto and Sai are playing tag," she giggled, covering her mouth and concealing her chakra as she jumped into a tree, hoping she could be a little unpredictable, too.

"Sai, you bastard! You better take that back!" Naruto childishly shouted to the man whose smile never faltered, enjoying the fact that he could piss off Naruto so much, so easily.

"Naruto-san, you should control your temper, you know. I've read-"

"I don't give a fuck what you read, you bastard! You're going to get it now!"

Sakura tried so hard to remain quiet, but her team's antics made fits of giggles release, blowing her cover immediately.

"Eeeeh? Sakura-chan? Did you come to train with us too?" Her eyes widened, surprise evident. Sakura smiled.

"Me? No, I was just looking for you! I mean, I just wanted to see you guys again. It's been a while since I've seen either of you."

"Then why are you up there in the trees, old hag? Were you stalking us?" Sakura's eyebrow twitched.

"As if! Like I'd ever do something like that, and I told you I was going to kick your ass the next time you called me that, dumbass!" Sakura yelled, jumping down, and punching Sai in the face. Naruto giggled, happy Sai got what he deserved. Sai got up, unknowingly pouting as he rubbed his cheek.

"I told you, you were going to get it, bastard," Naruto snickered more as he stuck his tongue out immaturely.

"Naruto," she called out, a glower forming. This caused Naruto to turn stiff, his lips pursed and a bit scared at the way she said his name. She can be pretty scary when she wants to be, he always knew. "I have some questions for you, and I want some answers." His brows furrowed, confused as to what she could possibly ask him.

"Um, sure, Sakura-chan," he answered, scratching the back of his head and laughing nervously. He wasn't sure what he did to get on Sakura's bad side, but he knew whatever it was, it couldn't be good. "But you have to play tag with us first!" he grinned mischievously.

"Fine, but you're it," Sakura smirked, jumping up to the air, her foot extended, ready to 'tag' him. His eyes widened, moving away with a back flip. He looked down, and saw the crater that formed with the blow, his confidence weaning.

"I feel like this was Sakura-chan's plan all along. She might want to kill me, for whatever I did," he thought, preparing to run. All three team members, of course, were used to this type of game. It was Naruto's idea initially, when he suggested they play tag one day, and turn it into training. They all agreed, that it was a rather effective way to train, using many of the techniques and skills to not only conceal themselves well enough, but for the other members who are trying to locate the person, to track them down.

Sakura scowled. He's definitely gotten better at hiding. Or maybe her skills were simply fleeting. She shook her head, knowing she couldn't have gotten that bad. It was time to go by what she knew. She knew Naruto usually didn't stick to hiding. He was more of an offensive type of guy, than defensive. Then again, he did look a little frightened by her last attack. She smirked, feeling a bit of pride that she could still make the savior of the village, the most powerful ninja she knows, quiver in his shoes.

It was definitely one point towards her self-esteem.

"Naruto-kun usually likes to hide in bushes. If you'd like some advice, he gets quite impatient, so he tends to move a lot after a while," Sai chided in, and Naruto inwardly cursed, being able to hear what they were saying. Naruto huffed out air, knowing he had to be clever here.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he called, making the appropriate hand sign and using his clones to deceive both of them.

Sakura looked calculated, attempting to decipher where would the real Naruto be. Sai simply smiled.

"It's times like this, I wish Naruto-kun would use a different jutsu," he said, taking his scroll off his back and painting with such speed and accuracy. What came to life were over a dozen rats.

"Eeeeeep, Sai!?" Sakura jumped a bit, glad they were focused on Naruto and his clones.

"Eh? Sai, you bastard!" a Naruto clone insulted before a rat bit his toe and he puffed away. In a matter of seconds, there was quite a bit of smoke from the clones that disappeared. Sakura couldn't help but giggle at Naruto's foolish antics of trying but not succeeding of getting the ink rat off his toe and other body parts.

"Nice one, Sai" she applauded in between snickers. It was then that a member from root appeared. Sakura looked over, and already knew Sai had to go. Sai knew this as well, both members from root exchanging nods.

"You have been summoned," he proclaimed, and Sai nodded again.

"Thank you," he said, and the member from root disappeared in a poof. He turned to Sakura.

"Sorry, but I cannot stay longer. Danzou-sama would like to see me. It was very nice training with you two, I'll see you both later," he said, and made his departure rather quick. Sakura waved goodbye, but soon turned to the trees at hand, knowing Naruto had to be somewhere there. She supposed she'd just have to get him to lure him out somehow.

She smirked, bringing her fist up, and lowering it to the ground, knowing the whole training grounds would begin to shake.

"T-this is-"

This is my chance! She thought as she quickly jumped towards the blond, grabbing a hold of his wrist, and pinning him to the ground.

"Got you!"

"I should have expected something like that from you!"

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"Sakura-chan, you're still as strong as ever. That strength of yours…" he trailed off, chuckling nervously. "I'm beat."

"Yes, you are," she smirked, continuing to hold the blond ninja down. She noticed his face heated, turning away from her. "You alright?"

"It's just, usually when you win, you wouldn't keep holding me down like this," he observed, making Sakura jump up, a bit flustered.

"Sorry," she coughed. "Anyways, I'd like to ask you some things, if that's alright."

"Of course, Sakura-chan, anything you want. Although, could we walk and talk? I have to get ready for a mission tonight." Sakura nodded in agreement, dusting herself off and giving Naruto a hand in getting off his back. She smiled, seeing his smile reminded her of old times. She could sense something was off, though. There was something in his eyes that she didn't recognize, a tone in his voice that she'd never heard from him before.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" she started, gauging his reaction. She observed a rather poignant expression. His eyes were down casted when she brought that up, and he seemed quieter and less cheerful. His lips formed a small crest, forming a rather melancholy smile.

"Yeah," was all he added to the conversation.

"You know, I was really sad after you stopped walking me home from the hospital. That was the only time we got to really talk anymore. I really missed that, well, this, actually," she corrected, enjoying the fact that they were in each other's presence and were somewhat having a conversation. He stared at her, his eyes widening at her words.

"To be honest, Sakura-chan, I never expected you to say something like that." His face heated, giving her a big toothy grin.

"Why not? You're my friend, and I don't see you anymore. Of course I'm going to miss you," she quickly countered.

"Right, sorry," he apologized. "I didn't think… well I didn't want to bother you too much. You seemed like your mind was in another place sometimes, like you still had other thoughts on your mind. After a while, I kinda felt bad." She frowned at this, remembering times where she would brush him off, thinking of patients she had to leave in the hands of others because her shifts were too long, even for her. Naruto was taken back by her expression, the way she looked at him… She seemed so hurt. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He knew she was looking for more.

"I've also been busy," he added. "I've been pretty tired, too. I have been training extra hard, recently. I get really worn-out, but I'm still giving it my all. I have to give it everything I got, you know. You can't be the only one who's working so hard, Sakura-chan. I still have unfinished business I need to take care of, and so I've been trying to keep at it." He looked at her, shooting her another toothy grin, but the atmosphere changed. Sakura didn't look hurt anymore, but determined, maybe upset, too. "S-Sakura-chan?"

"I've heard you've been spending a lot of time with Ino, though," she said backhandedly, and Naruto was struck speechless, wondering how she knew about that. "You've been with her a lot, haven't you?" He nodded.

"I have, but she's just been helping me. What I said before was all true, though. I really am training harder, and getting stronger, too. You'll see, Sakura-chan." Sakura took a step back, he was so animated, so committed, his eyes showed truth in his words. She gazed into his eyes, her lips pursed. She knew he wouldn't give up on his dream. She knew that more than anyone. She believed him, but that scared her, too. Because she knew why he was working so hard. She shook her head, brushing those thoughts off, and hoping to get to the issue at hand.

"I already know, Idiot. I know you work harder than anyone else," she began.

"Not as hard working as you, Sakura-chan," he added, making her smile.

"Flattery with me, Naruto, will get you nowhere. It almost seems like you're trying to change the subject. What I wanted to ask was how Ino was helping you," she said, cutting straight to the point. She definitely took notice that his demeanor changed, his ears heating to the color red, and the heavy inhale he took was evidence enough.

"It's not all that important. You shouldn't worry about it." He looked over to her, and he couldn't believe she was actually pouting. This was the first time he saw her act child-like. He wasn't used to it, but he felt it suited her.

"Sakura-chan, when you make faces like that, you make it really hard for me," he confessed. She looked at him curiously, not sure what he meant by that.

"What do you mean by that?" she inquired, truly not understanding him.

"It's just, you look extra cute when you pout like that, Sakura-chan."

"I already told you, flattery with me will get you nowhere. You need to stop changing the subject again." She crossed her arms and looked away, trying to hide the fact that blood was gushing to her cheeks. Naruto didn't notice this, but he smiled either way, knowing she would take it like that.

"I know, but I really do have to go now. Whatever you've been worried about, you really shouldn't be all that worried about. It's none of your concern, and it really isn't all that important. I mean it. Bye, Sakura-chan!"

That did not make her feel any more relieved than before. His attempt to reassure her went in vain, for she still had a myriad of questions left unanswered.

"Naruto," she seethed. "You can't run away from me that easily."

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AN: Hope you like it!