Sakura drew Kakashi to the highest place in Konoha- just above the figures of the four Hokages. "Sorry if I pulled you a little bit, but we had to hurry- the timing has to be just right." She sat down on a little spot of grass and motioned for him to sit next to her. Not knowing what was going on, he sat down and waited for an explanation.
"This one time, my parents and I got into this huge argument over my becoming a ninja. Like any kid, I wanted to run away. I climbed up here, not knowing where to go, when I noticed the sun setting. I know it's kind of lame, but at the time I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. And sitting up here, I felt like I was on top of the world." Grabbing his hand excitedly, she began pointing at the horizon. "Look! Here it comes… three… two…" she smiled a little at glowing atmosphere which lingered for only a few minutes, displaying a cascade of brilliant colors.
Kakashi silently watched this manifestation of nature, speculating on what it meant. This isn't the first time I've seen a sunset. And although it's a good view… it's not that much different from other times. So why is it that this time I feel different?
"Well…" Sakura softly said. "What do you think?" As the sun was disappearing, it caressed both of their faces with the last few rays of sunshine.
Kakashi then realized why this sunset was so different. Sunsets to him before were just a sign that darkness was coming. Now he saw it in a new light. Sharing the sunset with someone else, a friend, made it unique; a moment where he could let his guard down, and actually enjoy the view.
"Kakashi? Are you alright?" Sakura slid over and looked up into his face, curious to see what was inside his mind.
In response, Kakashi moved his finger to his lips in a "shh". He pulled her over, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry about me. I'm just fine." I have you here…my special friend.
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The next day, Tsunade came over to Sakura's apartment. Knocking harshly on the door, she called for Sakura. "Sakura, you have to wake up- we need you back at the hospital. There are some serious cases, and-"
Sakura rolled over in her bed. Is someone talking to me? Recognizing Tsunade's voice, Sakura jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and rushed outside. "Tsunade-sama! My most sincere apologies. What's going on??" Must be important- it's only 4:03 in the morning!
Tsunade spent the time walking to the hospital in debriefing Sakura. "We sent some of our ANBU agents on a mission- which I can't tell you about- and they have severe injuries from some of the Sound ninja. They have several minor injuries which are being handled by other medical ninja. However, there are a couple of cases with severe injuries that only a few could treat. This is why I need you at this early hour. I have other duties to attend to, which are more pressing and relate to the mission." Upon arriving at the hospital, Tsunade left Sakura to go and speak with ANBU agents who were reporting about the mission.
Sakura walked into the intense care section, mentally bracing herself for what injuries there might be. But no one is ever really prepared. As she walked past each bed, she couldn't help but be stunned by the extent of the injuries that she saw. There are at least 12 ANBU agents here… what on earth could have resulted in so much damage? Not only physically injured, at least half showed severe damage to their natural chakra, as well as their mindset. These are ANBU agents, and this is what happened? Sakura rolled up her sleeves and moved a medical ninja to the side. "It's my turn now."
"Shujutsushitsu no Jutsu!"
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Kakashi ambled into the new training site, looking around for Naruto and Sakura. To his surprise, only Naruto was there.
"Kakashi-sensei, why does Sakura always get days off? It's not fair!" He put his hands on his hips and began to pout.
"I see hanging around the Hyuuga girl has made you… more feminine." Kakashi secretly laughed at seeing Naruto's look of shock as he realized how he was standing. Then he realized what Naruto just said. "What do you mean? Sakura is supposed to be training today."
"Well, she's not here! Eh, maybe that old hag has her up at the hospital." Seeing that Kakashi was about to leave, Naruto quickly leapt in front of him. "Hey! No more training with Fuzzy Eyebrows. You're still supposed to train with me, after all! Anyway, Sakura-chan is probably busy doing important stuff. We shouldn't bug her."
Seeing that Naruto was right, Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. Sighing, he said, "Alright, Naruto. Just don't lose again."
With that, the two began to fight.
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Five hours later and extremely exhausted, Sakura slumped down into a chair outside of the intense care section. 12 ANBU agents… each with a different form of injury. Several displayed disembodied limbs; others had lost hearing, sight, etc. That was a lot of chakra I had to use… Her eyelids began to droop, and she was almost out when Tsunade walked up to her and called her name.
"Sakura, you've done an excellent job. But now is not the time for resting. Come with me." Pulling her to her feet, Tsunade dragged Sakura to her office and sat her down. "We've lost enough agents that I have become gravely concerned. What's worse is that there was a special team of medical ninja who were completely wiped out. However, this mission is one of crucial importance to Konoha. You are talented, strong, and have excellent control under harsh conditions. This is why I am asking you to fulfill your duty to Konoha as a ninja, and lead the medical unit for the mission."
Sakura, who was already tired, felt overwhelmed by what Tsunade was asking her to do. However, she sat up straight and nodded her head. "You can count on me, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade nodded her head slightly in approval. "Good. Now, what I am about to tell you is in strict confidence- you are to tell no one. This is to stay between you, the other ANBU agents who are going, and me."
Sakura sat, silently taking notes in her head about what she was supposed to do, for two hours straight. Seeing her increased exhaustion, Tsunade sighed and said, "That's enough. You have until tomorrow to get rest and pack whatever you feel you might need. Now go."
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Sakura stumbled into her apartment, looking at the time. It's only 12:13? It feels like a lifetime… Her immediate wish was to crawl into bed and sleep forever. No… I have to get ready first. Denying her body's demands, she began to get ready for one of the most difficult missions of her life.
That should do it. She looked at the clock and smiled. 4:21? Perfect. Plenty of time for me to rest…
"Sakura-chan? Hello? Is anybody here?"
Crap! "Naruto, I'm exhausted. What is it?!"
"Man… there's no need for you to act all crabby."
You wouldn't say that if you knew how my day had gone… "What do you want??"
"Oh. Um… I was just worried about you, that's all. Kakashi-sensei almost went to the hospital to see what was up. Weird, huh? Oh well. I'll tell him that you were… Wait. What were you doing?"
Of course you would be the one to ask for secret information. "There were a couple of severe cases, and Tsunade-sama was busy with more important things. Tell Kakashi that I'm sorry. Oh, and, Naruto…" She walked over and opened the door.
Man… Sakura-chan looks pretty bad. She wasn't kidding! "Yeah?"
"I've been assigned on a mission… it'll take a week and a half or so. Tell Kakashi that I'm sorry, but duty calls."
"Um… okay then. Good luck on your mission, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura closed the door and sighed. I sure need it.
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Kakashi stood outside his apartment, wondering why Sakura hadn't come yet. She's usually dragging me to some random place by now. He heard a rustle in the trees nearby, and turned, wondering if it was her.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei!"
Nope.
"Don't look so down to see your favorite student! Well, not student anymore, but… Oh! Hey! I went over to see Sakura-chan. She's pretty beat, that's for sure. Didn't look at all like herself. She told me she was on a mission, and that it'd take around a week or so. You know what that means don't you?"
Oh dear…
"It's time for some good old fashioned male bonding! Yeah!!!!"