Chapter 4: Everything Is Fine
"So that was our Fifth Hokage?" A curious Ino asked, ignoring the exasperated look on Sakura's face. The pinkette had to accompany the blonde to her own room to make sure she didn't forget anything, and all along the way Ino had been asking questions over questions about things she sometimes didn't even understand herself. She leant onto the wall next to her and shook her head.
"Yes. She's also teaching me the way of the medic nin. And her apprentice Shizune has shown you quite a few tricks, too. Your body probably remembers it more than your brain though. And no…" she paused, glaring at Ino's open mouth, as the blonde was about to form another question. "I don't know who that Sheidan kid is."
Ino nodded and began packing. She shoved her extra clothing into her backpack, making sure it was neatly placed so as to not take too much space, but so that it wouldn't wrinkle during transportation either. Sakura observed her attentively, feeling a wave of nostalgia at the memories that seeing her like this triggered. After a moment of piling things up in the bag, Ino raised her head and shot a questioning glance at Sakura. "What are you staring at, forehead?"
Sakura sighed and gave her friend a sad look, causing her to frown in concern. "Are you okay?" She asked, leaving her things on the bed and walking up to the pink haired girl. Sakura lowered her gaze and shrugged. Ino gently grabbed her arms on both sides and held on, waiting for her to look up. "I'm fine, Ino."
The blonde girl winced at the tone of Sakura's voice. It sounded like the girl was on the edge of tears, and this literally clawed at her heart. She watched her friend's face intently for a moment, before settling on kissing Sakura's forehead gently and giving her a smile when she looked up. "I'll get my memory back, Sakura. I promise."
Sakura couldn't help but smile back as she reached up with her right hand for Ino's face, trailing her fingertips along the girls jaw line slowly. Ino instinctively leaned into the touch, closing her eyes a bit. She was anticipating a kiss – it was the logic thing her girlfriend would do in such a situation. But their lips never met, and when Ino reopened her eyes, Sakura had gotten out of her grip and was already headed for the door, her back turned to her. "I'm going to get my things, meet you at the gates!"
Ino stood where she was for a moment, her arms now hanging loosely at her sides as she gaped at the retreating form of her friend. Had she done something wrong? Had she said the wrong thing? A sense of déjà vu spread into the back of her mind, but she shook it off. She was the one who had done that this morning. Calling her friend sick in the motion. Smart move Yamanaka. Keep playing on her feelings that way… I just… need to make up for that, somehow… The blonde sighed and resumed packing up her things, flopping down on her bed when she finished, intent on staring at the ceiling until it was time to go.
vvvvvv
Sakura was scratching her forearm relentlessly, every step she made causing her skin to go more irritated and turn to a darker shade of red. Every five steps she would take notice of what she was doing and stop herself, but two steps later her right hand's fingers were up to no good once more. Exasperated by herself, she finally decided to stop by a tree, drop her backpack to the ground and lean on the wooden trunk, angrily putting her hands behind her back when she was about to start again. What in the world is making me so nervous? It's just a mission, and judging by Tsunade's expression, we're better off on that mission than staying here, in Konoha. And if that's the case, who the hell is that Sheidan kid? I've never seen him before. Argh, I wish Ike was here…
"You called?" Iketetsomaru stood against the trunk, opposite to Sakura. He didn't turn his head toward the pink haired girl, since he knew she'd recognize his presence.
Sakura wasn't even surprised by his sudden apparition. "You can't help yourself with that mind reading, can you?"
The man winced and reached up to scratch the back of his neck sheepishly, the way he always did. Sakura heard the shuffling of his arm and smiled to herself.
"I just happened to be around." Ike lied, stopping his motion and leaning his head back against the trunk. "You need to relax, Sakura-chan." He then added, concern evident in his voice. The girl sighed and imitated him.
"This is just…"
"Overwhelming. I know."
"I don't think I can deal with Ino going through all these guilt trips, day after day, for the whole duration of this mission."
There was a short silence, and then Ike started laughing softly, his gloved hand reaching back for Sakura's and giving it a light squeeze before he let go. "You'll pull through."
The medic apprentice nodded softly and brought her arm up to her chest, holding it up protectively. The urge to scratch was gone. "Thank you, Ike."
"Anytime Haruno." He pushed himself off the trunk and looked back toward the pink haired girl, a half smile hanging about his lips. "You know where to find me." He added before leaping off, not even letting her thank him. Sakura shook her head and smiled. That type of behavior was typical for the young Ematai.
vvvvvv
"That kid's hyperactive much." Ino remarked as she watched Sheidan hop on one leg, than the other while they waited for Sakura to show up. Shikamaru who was beside her huffed.
"Don't forget he's only ten." Shikamaru answered, crossing his arms over his chest.
"So what's this, a babysitting mission?" Ino asked, slightly exasperated. Shikamaru was treating her like a kid too, and she didn't really appreciate it.
"It's all in the envelope Sakura holds. And you can't open it until you're out of the country." The Nara boy answered boringly. Ino had the urge to ask why their instructions were in an envelope. But then she knew better – if anyone was spying on their conversation, they would know where they were going. And she wasn't stupid either. For her to be sent out of the village in her current state, there had to be one heck of a threat for her inside Konoha.
"I still don't understand why we're dragging this kid along." She still complained, causing her teammate to roll his eyes.
"He's lost his memory, just like you Ino." That answer caused Ino's facial expression to shift from annoyed to guilty. "And the person doing babysitting will most likely be Sakura, so I don't see why you're even complaining." That hit bulls eye, and Shikamaru knew it. He felt a little bad at having to be this cold towards Ino, but it had to be done, Otherwise Sakura would never hear the end of it. For today, anyway. He could only count on their lucky star for the days – weeks to come.
The group fell in a semi-comfortable silence as both Ino and Shikamaru got carried away by their thoughts, and Sheidan decided to stand still for a bit. They were also waiting for Sakura who was getting late. Being last minute was a habit of hers, but time had already gone past her usual lateness frame. Then someone came racing at them and for a moment they thought it would be Sakura finally getting there, only to be greeted by the sweaty and jumpy frame of Hanmaru.
"'S'any of ya'll seen 'dat caped man around?" The man let out in a breathe, his eyes darting from one side to the other as if he was followed, when in fact, he was the one trying to follow someone.
"Err, Han. Don't tell me you've lost him." Shikamaru asked darkly, frowning.
"Me? I didn't lose no one. The fella managed to break free and they sent me 'fter him."
"Han, you're just too loud to go on a chase…" Iketetsomaru's calm voice came from the other side of the gate, and a second later the Ematai was on the their side rolling his eyes. He grabbed his friend by the collar of his vest and dragged him off, smiling sheepishly at the trio that eyed him curiously. "Don't worry, we'll get him." He shot at Ino's intention.
Ino was caught up in staring at that man. He was yet another one of these faces she knew but couldn't place. And somehow his presence felt… threatening to her. Although why, she couldn't really tell. It was not the kind of physically threatening, either. If anything, she'd be thinking she was jealous as she watched him head off with the tall Hanmaru in tow. And then she had a flashback of Naruto and Sasuke and the dull feeling was replaced by a light laughter.
Just at that moment, Sakura came from the direction the two boys were heading to, casting them a curious glance, and then directing her gaze at the laughing Ino. The sight made her smile. After all, they were still friends, and they were just going on a simple mission. There was nothing to be worried about.
"So what's so funny?" Sakura asked, not even bothering to excuse her lateness. Shikamaru rolled his eyes before answering.
"Ino's just had the Sasu-Naru impression when seeing Hanmaru and Iketetsomaru hobble by."
"Ah, yeah I still get that myself from time to time." Sakura admitted, glancing around. "What were they up to this time?"
Shikamaru winced, but managed to keep his composure beyond that, offering a nervous smile to Sakura. "You three should be on your way." Sakura didn't protest, but eyed the shadow manipulator suspiciously, who in turn gave her an apologetic glance. He couldn't say anything, and although Sakura found it frustrating, she still nodded and let it go.
"Alright, Sheidan, Ino. Follow me!"
"Good luck." Shikamaru said. Ino and Sakura acknowledged with a thank you, Sheidan gave a nod, and in a matter of a second, the three nins were off into the forest.
vvvvvv
"So, Sheidan…" Sakura began as they were walking at a steady pace, looking for a place to take a small break and get organized. The kid shot Sakura a questioning glance and the pinkette hesitated before continuing. "What do you remember?"
The kid halted his course and this time gave Sakura a mean glare, freezing her in her tracks. Ino noticed they weren't moving anymore and stopped as well, watching the scene intently. After a moment of silence, Sheidan's eyes fell to the ground. "Nothing…"
Sakura's mouth hung open slightly at that revelation. Ino's eyes grew wide, and she started shaking despite herself. "Nothing, as in, you don't know who you are?" She asked, fearfully. Sheidan rubbed his face with his hand and sighed.
"I don't know. Things are familiar but not. I'm not even sure that name is really mine. And… I feel like this is my first day ever. I remember words, I know how to fight. Everything! But I don't know why, or how I came to know all these things!"
Ino shot a worried glance at Sakura, her shaking a little more intense. Sakura caught it and felt like a kunai had just been ran through her heart. She had the urge to leap onto Ino and hug her with all her might, but something held her back from doing so – probably consideration for the poor Sheidan. So instead, she kept quiet, occasionally glancing over to both of them, but mostly focusing into the deep nothingness right in front of her. Her mind was unfocused, and she didn't even notice the heavy silence until Ino broke it.
"Do you know how long… You've been under the jutsu's effect?" She asked fearfully. The kid shrugged. "I think we should focus on our mission." He stated, quite apparently uncomfortable with the discussion. Sakura reached out for the blonde's arm and gave it a light squeeze, and although she was unsatisfied, Ino nodded and turned back towards the trail, swallowing the lump in her throat.
He just ignored Ino's question. Kick the kid's ass!
Oh shut up, I never asked you to come and help me now.
You're not denying you want to hit him!
I'm not listening to you.
Ino feels bad for this morning. She thinks she's failed you as a friend because she didn't believe you.
I know that.
I thought you weren't listening?
Whatever.
Aren't you going to show her you're not mad?
"Huh, Sakura? Are you alright? You've kinda just… spaced out on us." Ino asked, her brows furrowed in a worried frown. Sakura snapped out of her inner ramble and instinctively wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist, while still keeping up with the walking. Ino blinked once, then a second time, before returning the embrace hesitantly.
"Okay, I'll… take that for a yes?" Ino pushed on, attempting to smile at her friend. Sakura returned the smile eagerly.
"Yep. Fine, because I still got you despite everything." Ino's smile faltered at that statement. Sure she was here now. But what about tomorrow, and the day after? Would she even remain herself once all her memory of events was gone?
"I'm sorry for causing you so much worry…" She said sadly, earning herself a tighter squeeze.
"Don't say that. It's in no way your fault."
"Yeah it is!" Ino countered, her voice carrying anger towards herself. "If I wasn't such an idiot… I might not have been caught in that jutsu to begin with. And I would've trusted my best friend of ever."
Sakura sighed and shook her head, halting her steps and effectively stopping the girl she was holding as well. Their gazes met and the pink haired girl made sure she had her friend's full attention. "You remembered we were rivals. You couldn't have known. And yes, you're an idiot." She paused for emphasis. "Because you're thinking so low of yourself. Pull it together Yamanaka. If I hadn't been prepared for this, I wouldn't have come all this way with you two. I wouldn't have accepted to take care of you. "
"I thought the Hokage didn't give you a choice…" Ino defended herself, softly. Sakura shook her head and cupped the blonde's cheek tenderly.
"I love you too much to leave you, no matter if you love me back or not." Sakura retorted, a faint smile curling her lips. "I'll never let you go." She added, intently staring into the depth of Ino's eyes. After a second or two, the blonde practically crumpled into Sakura's arms.
"I love you too." She said between sobs, failing at controlling herself. Sakura fought with her own tears for a bit, gently stroking her friend's hair. "You don't have to say it…"
Ino sniffed and looked up, a pang of hurt visible on her features. "I mean it, Sakura."
"Oh please, get a room…" Sheidan interrupted, before Sakura could say anything back. Both girls shot a glance at the kid and reluctantly let go of each other. Ino dried her tears and Sakura adjusted her backpack nervously. Sheidan sighed and rolled his eyes. He then took upon himself to lead the team the rest of the way up to the frontier, picking up a faster pace then they'd been using earlier. He certainly didn't want to stop anywhere before they were out of the country. Not wanting to lose sight of him, both girls went after him quickly, not even looking at each other – they knew what was on their mind without asking, anyway.
vvvvvv
"Ah, Haruno-san!" A controlled female voice called at the pink haired girl from somewhere behind a tree. They were pretty close to the border and Sakura was positive that no one working there would know her name. She stopped in her tracks and waited for the other two members of her team to join her on top of a tree before she answered.
"Who are you?" Sakura asked the voice, trying to pin down the number and faces of people who would call her by her last name. Ino had caution written all over her face, as well as a bit of a worried tilt to her lips. Sheidan was already off into another tree, ready to strike whatever, or whoever it was if it threatened them the least little bit – he blamed that on ninja reflexes, because he'd thought only after being positioned.
The girl hopped on the tree opposite theirs near the trail and smiled sweetly as she noticed the rest of the team. "Yamanaka-san, Hitsugaya-chan!" She added in a cheery voice, despite it being kept low so that it wouldn't alert anyone's suspicions. Sakura let out a breath she didn't know she was holding when she recognized Dasane Yuhika, Hanmaru's little sister. The strawberry blonde was wearing an ANBU suit, complete with pads, vest, gloves. Everything in her screamed 'Special Forces. You never saw me' But the absence of her mask, which she was holding in her left hand.
Ino blinked. Yet another face that reminded her of so many things, but nothing concrete. This was getting old. Sheidan on his side blushed at the mention of his name – and the addition of chan to it. Sakura raised an eyebrow before leaping off to join Yuhika on her branch.
"Didn't know you joined the ANBU…" She muttered when she saw the scroll in the girl's hands.
"Least I can do to repay the village, Haruno-san." Yuhika answered politely, ignoring the tone in Sakura's voice. The pink haired girl cringed. "No need for formalities between us anymore Yuhika. You don't have to make up for your bro's lack of."
The girl giggled and motioned for the other two nins to join her, which they did in silence. "I was assigned to your team for the duration of this mission." She simply stated, letting go of the bottom part of the scroll she was holding, showing the clear orders that were, without a doubt, issued by Tsunade.
"That dates from yesterday." Sakura noted, somewhat suspicious. The Dasane woman scratched underneath her chin nervously before answering. "No offense, but everyone knew you'd be leaving today, save for you two."
An annoyed scowl formed on Sakura's face as she crossed her arms over her chest. She cast a glance at Sheidan and her eye twitched. "We weren't even told he's from the Hitsugaya clan…" Ino frowned at Sakura's sudden seriousness and instantly reached out for the girls arms, only to have it patted away.
"It's all in the envelope, actually." Yuhika defended herself, her smile faltering at the coldness Sakura was directing towards her. She could understand how the pink haired girl was suspicious of her. "I'm sorry for not finding you guys sooner." She added, hoping to lift a bit of the tension that had fallen over them. But the silence remained intact as Sakura reached for the envelope in her backpack and opened it slowly.
After a thorough reading, and a second, and even a third, skipping over words this time, Sakura finally looked up to Yuhika, now wishing she hadn't squatted Ino's hand away. She glared, stared, scowled, and then laughed almost hysterically.
"This… is bullshit!"
Yuhika gulped and shot a glance to both Sheidan and Ino before she answered to Sakura. The pink haired girl was so lost in her inner ranting at these orders she didn't notice the motion. The two gave her shrugs and confused looks, definitely wanting to know what was going on now. "I'm sorry, Haruno-san…"
"I think I need to sit down… now." Sakura said, suddenly turning really serious. She plopped down ungracefully on the nearest unoccupied branch that could support her weight and sat against the trunk. Ino followed, unsure what she was supposed to say or do. She finally settled with sitting on a branch close by, just a little lower than Sakura's. Her position allowed her to put a gentle kiss on her friend's cheek, who closed her eyes thankfully at the gesture.
Sheidan shifted uncomfortably nearby, making the tree crack slightly under his travelling weight. "What's the matter?" He finally asked, curious about what would come next. Sakura's eyes popped open, as if she'd just waken up from a nightmare.
She stated her answer absentedly, still in disbelief. "We've been assigned to work in a day care center until things settle down in Konoha."
Ino's eyes went wide as she stared at Sakura, the same disbelief written over her own face.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
AN: Oi. I did not expect to get an update ready before I moved, seriously. I can't say I'm all too happy with this one, either. It looks a bit more like my usual writing style than the previous 3 chapters, for some reason. But I'm still not... satisfied with the way I'm carrying out this story. But, I read so much these past two days and it's given me an urge to write. Ah well... I don't think it's all that bad, anyway. Kinda short compared to what I'm used to write, but this is a filler/turning point chapter, so I wasn't expecting much out of it either. I guess I may jsut be too hard on myself.
Oh yea, err, rating change. I'm not going to go in anything Mature. I just know it now. I removed the only tiny part that wasn't all that appropriate (nobody would really realize it, I believe). So... I'd like to thank every single one of my readers that have been with me from the beginning Your reviews mean a lot to me, too! And I'd like to give special thanks to Alchemist PAC who's answered my profile poll about this story in a very thorough explanation of what he/she (It's not stated anywhere!) thought I could be doing with this story. All the rambling helped me figure out a couple things I needed to fix (and which i believe I did either in my head, but mostly in this chapter) about this fic, and hopefully it gets better from here on.
Ah yeah. I wanted to put a Saku/Ino kiss so bad... I think I'm a sucker for fluff today. But meh, it didn't fit. So... I'll fix one later on, I guess.