And Then There Was One
Chapter Four
Sakura stared at her brother, her mouth open in shock. Had he really just named who she thought he had named? Her former teacher, her friend, and her former teammate's older brother? Sakura was, for once in her life, at a loss for words. She continued to stare at Daisuke, who looked quite amused at her reaction.
"Why would you choose those three?" Sakura finally managed to get out before quickly downing the last of her drink. She could already feel the buzz of the alcohol, and she was too distracted to think about staving it off with her medical ninjutsu skills. Plus at this point she really welcomed the drowsy nonchalant attitude the alcohol gave her.
"I evaluated potential suitors based on my personal criteria. I only chose those suitors who would match you well in strength, intelligence, and genetics. I also chose only males who are not currently involved in a relationship with another person, and I eliminated any potential suitors who have ever caused you injury, be it physical or emotional." At the last sentence Daisuke gave Sakura a hard look, and she knew he was talking about Sasuke.
"If that is your criteria, why would you choose Kiba? He's definitely not the smartest of the bunch. And I don't think Itachi even knows I exist, let alone the fact that he is an Uchiha and they are never allowed to marry outside their clan. The only viable one in your group is Kakashi, but he is several years older than I am and also my former sensei. So why those three? And who did you exclude?" Sakura was very thankful for the numbness that the alcohol gave her. It allowed her to process all of this information without feeling the need to pummel Daisuke into the ground.
"While I have never met these people, I based my decisions solely off of the initial data that I gathered from my sources. I eliminated Uzumaki Naruto, as there is talk he is involved with Hyuuga Hinata. Nara Shikamaru is apparently involved with a woman from Sand, and Akimichi Chouji is engaged to a woman from Cloud. Rock Lee does not match well to you genetics-wise, plus you seem quite annoyed with him, and Aburame Shino deals with bugs, which I know you hate. Sai is engaged to Yamanaka Ino. Hyuuga Neji is married to TenTen, and Shiranui Genma is a playboy. Your former sensei Yamato was also a contender, but I felt he was too…gentle for your wrath." Daisuke winced and ever-so-slightly edged away from Sakura when he saw her eye twitch. He cleared his throat and continued, aware of the danger he was putting himself in.
"Your sources? How long have you been in Konoha? Have you been watching all of us?" The alcohol was fueling Sakura's anger and she was upset that her brother would rather "gather data" on her suitors first than visit the sister he hadn't seen in so long. Daisuke quickly held up his hands to placate Sakura, shaking his head no.
"I only arrived in Konoha last night. I already told you my job involves lots of information gathering. I have sources all over the world, including Konoha and its village alliances. Your village is quite well-known, you know. Particularly that Uzumaki kid and the Uchiha clan. All of my initial information came from the sources and helped me weed out any suitors who had no chance with you, for whatever reason. While I have known who Kakashi and the elder Uchiha were from their fame, today was the first time I met the Inuzuka. All three obviously meet my expectations on genetics, at least for the moment. After meeting them in person I think we have a lot of work to do…" Daisuke began mulling over his decisions as he absentmindedly sipped his rapidly cooling tea.
"What work? I haven't agreed to any of this. And what about their thoughts? You can't force them to date me. Hell, I don't even think Itachi-san knows I exist and no way will Kakashi let you force him to do anything. Kiba may be interested but he's a pervert and I doubt a relationship is on his mind, only one night stands." Sakura huffed as she glared at her older brother, her emerald eyes burning a hole through his head.
Daisuke was silent for a moment as he finished his tea. He looked up at Sakura, his mood completely different. There was now a cool, confident air about the man. His previous childlike demeanor was nowhere to be found and all that stared back at Sakura from his eyes was a fierce intensity that gave her shivers. She briefly wondered if she should start to worry about this familiar but incredibly strange man that sat before her.
"Sakura, please understand that I am not forcing you to do anything. But I am your brother and I care deeply about you. It is obvious even from looking at you that you are stressed beyond words and it is taking a toll on you physically and emotionally. I had heard rumors that you were the Hokage's number one apprentice and one of the most sought after medic nins in the country. But I have also heard rumors as of late that you are losing your touch. People are saying that you have become emotionless and abrasive in your techniques. Even looking at you now I can tell that you are exhausted. Even looking at your habits around the house." Daisuke gestured towards the large amount of empty alcohol bottles and half-drunk mugs of coffee around the kitchen. Sakura flushed in embarrassment, her eyes becoming downcast as she guiltily held her empty Sakè cup.
"When was the last time you had a good meal, Sakura? A good sleep? Tsunade-sama told me that you work almost sixty hours a week at the hospital and often cover the graveyard shift. She says that Ino and Naruto frequently bother her with giving you time off. But she said she has offered it to you but that you never accept it. Why, Sakura? Your friends are desperate to see you. If you don't act soon, you may lose them." Daisuke gently took his sister's hand in his. He was amazed at how quickly her mood had gone from anger to guilt and finally to an overwhelming sadness. He squeezed her small hand in his as he noticed tears prick at her eyes.
"I don't know, Daisuke. I don't know why I can't take time off. I don't know what I fear by dating or even by going out with friends. I want to, I really do, but I just feel that my work is more important. So many people need my help and sometimes…most of the time, I'm the only one that can help. I think that's why Tsunade-shishou hasn't sent me on any missions, either. She knows the stress and exhaustion are taking their toll and I think now she would only give me some low class Genin mission." Sakura gave a dry laugh at her unhappy predicament, the reality of what her brother was telling her nearly crushing her under its weight. The alcohol, the sleepless nights where she survived only on coffee, the emotionless sex she had with strangers at the hospital…all of it was being brought before her now and she was being forced to face it.
Daisuke sighed and scooted around the breakfast nook to Sakura's side. He gently put his arm around her shoulders and felt her stiffen before slowly leaning into his side, the tears now flowing from her beautiful green eyes.
"Sakura, the most important thing to you should be your own health and happiness. I know your work is important and a lot of people rely on you and look up to you, but if you can't function at the level you know you can, you are not helping anyone, especially yourself. It's not about missions or the hospital or even what other people think of you. It's about taking time in life to enjoy it. Enjoy the world and the people around you. You are too young to be sucked into the corporate world." Daisuke tried his best to sooth Sakura. She gave a small sniffle and looked up at him. She blushed slightly at the intense concern his eyes held. It had been so long since someone had shown her such regard, especially when she felt so weak. Sakura began to realize that maybe, just maybe, she was starting to enjoy having her brother back.
The two sat in silence for a few moments as Sakura collected herself. Daisuke continued to soothingly rub her back and began to doze off slightly, his eyelids gradually closing. Suddenly Sakura shifted beside him and thumped her fist on the table, snapping Daisuke out of his daze.
"Alright, Daisuke. I am going to ask Tsunade-shishou for some time off tomorrow. At least a few weeks. Maybe I will even go on a small vacation to one of the hot springs. I'll invite Ino, Hinata, and maybe even TenTen. We'll have a girl's weekend. And then I'll ask Tsunade to switch me from hospital duty to active duty and availability for missions." Sakura nodded her head in affirmation as she spoke, the tears now dry on her cheeks. Daisuke clapped his hands together, his childlike exuberance back.
"Excellent! So that means you'll go along with my matchmaking plan, then?" He chirped happily.
"Not a chance."
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END OF CHAPTER