Story Title: Trading Yesterday
Chapter Title: Home
Author: Dobbygrl
Type: Continuous
Rating: M (rated for violence and language)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, though it would be nice yeah?
Summary: AU: Konoha is at war with Rain Country. Sakura is captured on a mission gone wrong. She is tortured, beaten and bloodied when she is discovered by two unlikely heroes. "Hope Begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come." Sasu/Saku.
~ Quote by Anne Lemott
The moonlight shined brightly off of the windows of little shops and kiosks as Sakura made her way down the dark streets of Konoha.
Glancing over her shoulder briefly at the rustle of movement from behind, Sakura realized she had been spooked by the wind and her extra sensitive perception. Continuing down the packed dirt road before her, she made her way towards the Hokage tower.
Time had passed quickly since her release from the med tent back at the Rain Country border. Shizune had seen to it that she was physically and mentally stable before sending her to report to her commanding officer. Instead of the reprimand she had assumed was coming, Sakura was surprised when she was instead exonerated for her courage in the face of extreme odds. She would be receiving one of the highest awards for Ninja 'in recognition of her valor, fortitude, and professionalism, despite sustaining severe injuries during active duty.'
Sakura stopped in the dark road, the street lamp light flickering as she looked at her reflection in the kiosk window. Green eyes roaming her own form, Sakura stared scrutinizing at her disheveled appearance.
Her hair had grown out to touch the back of her shoulders and her bangs parted to each side of her face reaching almost to the tip of her nose in length. Her face was gaunt with a permanent frown creasing her pale red lips, standing out in contrast with her even paler skin.
Sakura lifted one of her slender hands to run it through her hair hoping it would do something other then lay flat. She was about to see Lady Tsunade for the first time in a very long while and she didn't want the first thing she said to be about how she looked. 'But perhaps,' Sakura thought as her hand fell back down to rest at her side, 'it was unavoidable.'
Sakura's eyes raked further down her body slowly taking herself in. She hadn't bothered to look at herself in months and was now beginning to wonder how no one noticed the drastic changes in her appearance; she looked thin, really thin. She remembered caring so much about the way she looked just before she was deployed, she couldn't remember when it was that she stopped caring. Was it before or after her capture? Did it matter either way?
Her green vest dressed across her shoulders unzipped revealing the tight black long sleeve shirt that covered her from just below her neck in a round circle down to where her top met the rim of her black leggings.
Sakura slightly bent one leg leaning on the other and turned to her side to see her profile from a different angle. She wasn't impressed. Shrugging her shoulders to herself as she stared at her own green eyed reflection, Sakura turned her head away and started down the dirt road again guided by moonlight and flickering lights.
It was late and well passed midnight. Sakura had just entered through Konoha gates and reported in to the Chunin guarding the post. All ninja returning from war were to check in at the gate and would be further instructed as to their next assignment in a timely fashion. In the mean time-meaning the time it took to organize and regroup all ninja into some sort of uniformed fashion-it was suggested that one enjoy themselves as much as possible and celebrate Konoha's success.
Sakura had come in with a small team of Jonin and Chunin. The others had all dispersed as soon as they were through the gates and checked in, but Sakura had special instructions and summons to the Hokage tower as soon as she entered the village.
Sighing as she stared down at her dirty toes poking through her sandaled feet as each foot pounded against the ground, Sakura was lost in thought. The war was finally over and it was such a great relief. It had a devastating toll not just on her, but also on the morale of everyone. With every war you lost a little bit of yourself, and though this wasn't the first war she had played an active role in, it was definitely the first war she had been a lead in.
Sakura was uncertain if she liked being a leader with the great amount of responsibility that came with it, but she knew that she would never chose to go back to her previous position. Though it was painful and deaths under your own command came at a heavy cost to yourself emotionally, it was definitely worth it. Those under her looked up to her and respected her. She liked the respect, but most of all, she really liked the relationship she shared with those under her.
Sakura was at times, their babysitter and that part at least was annoying, but at other times, the times that were most worth it, she was the person they looked up to and trusted with their lives. It was a powerful and heady feeling that came with heavy responsibility, but it was definitely worth it to see every one of her comrades fighting by her side for the same-shared belief and with the same Will of Fire burning in their eyes
Sakura's hand hesitated on the knob to the door that would open to the Hokage office. Should she go in, it was extremely late or early however one wished to look at it. Sakura was also nervous and anxious to see Tsunade her mentor and head of command. It had been almost a full year since she last saw her, 'would their relationship be different,' Sakura thought nervously as she bit her lower lip.
Gathering her courage, Sakura twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Upon entering Sakura's eyes were forced to adjust from the lighted hallway of the Hokage tower to the dark office. There was no light shining except for the stream of moonlight pooling over the lone figure in the room sprawled drooling on the desk in the middle of the room.
Sakura's rigid frown slowly morphed into a light smile with the slightest upturn of her pale red lips. 'Lady Tsunade hadn't changed much,' Sakura's inner thoughts perused.
Softly shutting the door behind her, Sakura tiptoed towards her Master and lightly touched her shoulder to shake her awake.
"Shisho," Sakura's voice rang against the walls as her arm shook to wake her teacher.
"Mmmm," was Tsunade's grunt reply.
Pulling her arm back, Sakura took a step back from the Lady Tsunade's desk.
"I'll just come back later then," Sakura's voice firmly stated in the quiet dark room, "though if your going to summon me the moment I am to return, one would think you'd at least be awake to greet me." Sakura's eyes drifted from Tsunade's limp form to the walls, her lips pursed.
Tsunade's head shot up in recognition of that smart-ass tone that only one person in the world dared use with her. "Sakura!"
"Jeez Shisho, I thought you'd never wake up." Sakura smiled, her green eyes meeting gold.
Standing with hurried movement Tsunade passed around her desk and embraced the young woman standing in front of her. It had been a long time and Tsunade had greatly missed her confidant.
Holding Sakura's face in her hands Tsunade looked over her pupil hard. Her lips were downturned into a grimace as she evaluated the health of one of her most precious people.
Sakura stood awkwardly, her arms limp at her side and her own face masked with a blank frown in the surrounding darkness.
"You look terrible." Tsunade stated factually.
"I knew you would say that."
"I've heard everything." Tsunade reported.
"Is that supposed to be surprising? You're the Hokage."
Tsunade's frown hardened. "You were an idiot!" She growled. "How are you doing?" Her voice softened in the next breath.
"I've been better," Sakura's shoulders shrugged non-committal, her vest rustling lightly against her under-shirt.
There were a million things that Tsunade and Sakura both wanted to say to each other, but they were things that would never be said. 'I've missed you—I know, I've missed you too—I was worried about you—I was worried about me too.' Instead they just stared into one another's eyes and all those things that would never be said passed between them unuttered.
Stepping back and letting her arms drop to her side, Tsunade moved back behind her desk and plopped ungracefully into her large Hokage chair.
"Well…" Tsunade started unsure.
"Was there a reason I was summoned or are you just going to sit there and stare at the floor?" Sakura said petulantly to her elder.
Growling Lady Tsunade's gold eyes met green, "Is that any way to talk to the Hokage you insufferable brat? I thought I beat some respect into you?"
A soft smile graced Sakura's lips as she stared back at Lady Tsunade, "Of course, Shisho," Sakura bowed to the waist, "forgive me, I meant no disrespect." Her eye's gleamed mischievously implying the opposite.
"Humph," Tsunade's own lips turning again into another smile of her own, "I have things to discuss with you, but that can wait for another, more appropriate time." Tsunade's smile reverted back to a frown as she changed to glared at Sakura. "Do you realize what time it is? How could you interrupt the sleep of your poor old Sensei?"
The beginning of a growl was emerging in Sakura's throat and haughty words on the tip of her tongue when she was interrupted from responding by the 'tap tap' on the giant window behind Tsunade and her desk.
Two very familiar faces were standing on the roof just outside the office waiting to be let in. "Naruto…How many times have I told you to use the door? This is the kind of crap I get for letting you spend too much time with Kakashi." Tsunade grumbled openly as she slid open the window to her office.
"Thanks Granny!" Naruto cheerfully greeted as he and Sasuke gracefully stepped into the Hokage's office.
"Show some respect!" Tsunade snapped at him moving back to sit lumped in her big Hokage chair and crossing her arms under her voluptuous chest.
"Haha! You look old Granny-Tsunade!" Naruto smiled stupidly at his Hokage.
The vain in Lady Tsunade's forehead twitched, as did her left eye as she glared threateningly at Naruto.
"Good morning, Sakura." Sasuke inclined towards her, his onyx eyes greeted green.
"Uhh," was Sakura's intelligent reply as she stared back at his blank, unreadable, and very handsome face.
"Sakura!" Naruto loudly said, his focus switching from Hokage Tsunade to Sakura, "I didn't see you! How are you?"
"If you wish to exchange idle chat, my office is not the place for such trivialness." Tsunade continued to glare at the blond standing in front of her and switched it pointedly to Sasuke as well.
"Um, Shisho, I'll return at another time, it seems you have more pressing matters." Sakura said to her mentor. She was tired and had just arrived back to the village; she definitely needed some shut-eye and maybe even a very long, scorching hot bath to relax her tired body and soul.
"Yes," Tsunade confirmed, her voice professional, "I'll summon you when I have more time. For now, you are dismissed."
"Yes Ma'am." Sakura bowed and just before she was about to turn heel and exit from the doorway she had entered, a voice stopped her.
"Sakura, I will walk you home." Sasuke had not once taken his eyes off her from the time he had entered the small office and noticed she was there.
Shocked and eyes wide with Sasuke's unexpected interruption, Sakura's mouth just hung open emitting non-committal strangled noises.
Sasuke hadn't seen Sakura since that day they had both been shoved from the Medical tent again. It had been months since then and in that time both he and Naruto had been involved in several missions and engaged the enemy Rain Ninja. Their particular efforts in sabotage and information gathering had played a major role in the surrender of Rain and Konoha success. They were heroes.
"Lady Hokage, if I have your permission, I request to safely see Sakura to her home."
"That's completely unnecessary Shish.." Sakura's desperate and fearful voice argued.
With eyebrows raised well into the center of where her forehead usually sat Lady Tsunade replied, "Permission granted Uchiha. I have things to discuss anyways with Naruto alone. Report back to me as soon as your mission is complete."
With a slight tilt to his stiff neck, Sasuke responded, "Understood."
Naruto's eyes were narrowed and glancing back and forth between Granny-Tsunade, Sakura and Sasuke. He didn't think he'd missed anything, but the odd request and tension in the room could not be mistaken. He was definitely confused.
Sasuke stalked across the room, bowed to the Hokage and then marched out of the open door that Sakura had been holding open the entire time.
Sakura was in a state of shock. 'What the hell just happened?' She thought to herself in amazement.
Glancing once more to Tsunade who had already turned her attention onto Naruto, Sakura moved forward out the office and into the hallway shutting the door softly behind her.
Glancing up from the floor where she had trained her eyes, Sakura locked eyes with Sasuke who was leaning casually against the opposite wall with his arms crossed.
He gave her a look that simply communicated, 'well are you going to walk or do I have to threaten force you idiot.'
Sakura dropped her eyes back to the floor and started moving her legs 'one foot in front of the other,' she continually repeated to herself.
Sasuke pushed back against the wall and fell in step with Sakura's hurried pace. Sasuke looked at her, reveling in her appearance and judging it. "How have you been?" he mono-toned. He was pretty certain he knew the answer; she looked like hell.
"Fine," was her curt response.
Silence descended on their walk together and the tension between them thickened, at least in Sakura's mind.
"One usually returns a polite question with another, equally polite question." Sasuke deadpanned staring straight ahead focusing on something in the distance.
"How have you been, Sasuke," Sakura ground out through clenched teeth. She was annoyed. Very annoyed. He was making her uncomfortable and he was doing it on purpose! She was tired, no, she was exhausted, and a war had just ended for gods-sake! Why was he making fun of her unspoken but obviously still present attraction towards him? She knew he didn't like her, he had made that perfectly clear since they were twelve, then again when he almost killed her during his trip into psycho-ness, and then again when he returned and didn't even give her the time of day.
She remembered multiple times when she, Naruto, and Sasuke would be together and he would never even say a word. She couldn't help herself, she liked him and she always would. But that didn't mean he had to make fun of her for it! 'Why now all of the sudden? What had she done to deserve this at one of her lowest points?' She ranted inwardly.
The two ninja continued walking down the slowly lightening streets of Konoha hearing the twitter and tweeting songs of the indigenous birds.
Sasuke's onyx eyes glanced to Sakura trying to understand the grumbling in her voice, "Fine." Was his gregarious response.
Silence pursued again enveloping them as they turned down a different street towards Sakura's parents home. She still lived with them because she didn't see the point in paying for an apartment she would barely use. Better to have free rent for now and save money, than waste it on a frivolous idea of independence. She had enough independence anyways; she had been gone for so long at war, they would very excited to see her.
Coming up to the door of her home on the familiar street that she hadn't seen in so long, Sakura sighed in relief. She was home; really home.
Upon reaching the front door, Sakura turned sideways to face Sasuke and he did the same, "Well, mission complete," Sakura brashly stated, looking into his eyes, lacking much of her emotion she was so known for. She just didn't have energy after so much had happened and especially no energy for Sasuke.
"Right," was all he said as he looked back at her, no expression on his placid face.
"So…You can go report to Tsunade now." Sakura supplied for him because he didn't seem to be moving or doing much of anything she thought he should do.
"Right," was the same annoying response Sasuke gave, with the same annoying emotionless voice and serene handsome face.
Raising her eyebrows when he still hadn't moved from staring across from her, Sakura put her hands on her hip as an emotional signal of keeping her distance and barriers up from the young man standing not so far across from her.
"Well?" She asked impatiently.
Sasuke raised his hand and gently pushed a strand of hair that had fallen into Sakura's face behind her ear, his fingers gently brushing her cheek as his arms fell back to his side.
"It was good to see you again." Sasuke said. "Naruto and I were really worried about you."
Sakura didn't know what to say or do in response so all she did was stand there, her arms fell back to her side limply and her eyebrows were creased in confusion.
"You should train with us sometime now that we're all back for a while." Sasuke invited.
"I don't understand," Sakura's eyebrow crease fell and she sighed out in exhaustion.
Sasuke shrugged, "There's really nothing to understand Sakura," Sasuke replied, "We're a team, even if not legitimately right now, we'll always be a team." He stated matter-of-fact.
"But…" Sakura tried to reason.
"We'll see you later Sakura. Like you said, mission accomplished."
And with that, just as her eyes had seen him standing there one moment, the next he was no longer there. She hadn't even seen him move.
Shaking her pink haired head, Sakura opened the door to her home and to parents who she had not seen in an inordinate amount of time. She was back in Konoha. For how long she couldn't be sure, but for now at least she could relax and find a little piece of herself that had been missing during the war.
AN: Thank you so much to all of you who left reviews and all of those who have added my story to your favorites or story alert! You guys really make my day. :) And I'm glad people are enjoying the story, because like I said before, I really enjoy writing it. Shout out and thanks to: SasuSakuKawai, call me alessandra, Nightwish635, Lady Rini, and Angelndevil1. Thank you for your reviews and I really appreciate the feedback! Hope all of you have a lovely day! Now its off to bed for me; work in the morning *gags* (ps: sorry for the late update, baby nieces being born, increasing work schedule and other writing projects get in the way sometimes, but I'll try and post again by the end of next week!) ~ Dobby