A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter. Have a lot going on. This is for my newest story favorites: Ne0nAngel and SageRune. Enjoy! ^.^
"Tsunade, Naruto has summoned us. I already told Ino to help Shizune out while we're in the meeting." My motherly figure looked up at me from her desk. She had been working all night and was about to head home for the day, so I'm sure being summoned to the Hokage's tower wasn't what she wanted to hear.
"Alright, let me just leave a note for Shizune to get this done in her spare time. I'm not coming back after our meeting."
"Sure, I'll be waiting for you outside." As I walked out of her office and headed towards the entrance of the hospital, I couldn't help but wonder why Naruto would want to see the both of us. He has never asked to see us both before. Maybe it's something to do with the hospital, that' the only thing that could make since.
"Hey, I'm sure they're fine. Don't worry."
"Huh, what do you mean?"
"Well, you look like you're thinking about something. I doubt Kakashi's team got into any trouble while they were gone." I stopped walking. I that thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Ever since they had left for their mission I hadn't worried about them once. And all because Kakashi and Kiba told me that it would all be ok, and that I had nothing to worry about. It was after all, just a tracking mission. Combat wasn't even supposed to be a possibility.
"Tsunade, you don't think..?" I couldn't finish the thought, I ran as fast as I could, jumped as many roof tops as was necessary and made it to Naruto's office in record time. All the while I could faintly hear Tsunade telling me to slow down, and that nothing was wrong. But I couldn't believe it this time, the only thing that would calm me down at this point is hearing what Naruto called us in for. All I could think as I opened the door to the Hokage's office was that my best friend and my almost boyfriend better both be safe.
Once I set foot into the office, I heard the door shut. I looked behind me and saw that Tsunade had caught up to me after all. "Sakura what's wrong?" I turned and looked over at my former team mate, my current Hokage.
"Naruto, what's going on, why do you need Tsunade and I here? Please tell me tha" I was cut off by a familiar voice. I turned and looked to the side of Naruto's desk, noticing for the first time, that the three of us aren't alone.
Pakkun looked at me and spoke up for the first time,"Sakura, Kakashi sent me to give Naruto their report. Don't worry they are fine. Now, please listen to what Naruto has to say." Tsunade playfully punched me in my arm and gave me her, 'I told you so' look. I couldn't help but smile back at her.
"What a relief, I was so worried. You never call Tsunade and I into your office together. What's up?"
"According to Kakashi's report they will be back tonight. Since Kakashi has already sent in his report, they will all be free. As you know, Kiba has about two weeks left of his vacation time after he gets back. So, with that being said, I want you to go on vacation for a week. Kakashi included in his report that he is tired of hearing Kiba whine about wanting to see you. I figure this will be the most effective way to solve this problem. Now, Granny Tsunade, I called you here so that you could make the proper arrangements for her vacation. I don't want Sakura in the hospital at all during the next week."
"Naruto, I agree that Sakura needs time off, he's one of the hardest workers I know. But, I'm going to get some sleep. When the team gets back, just have Shizune get me from my office apartment. I'll see you later." And with that she was out the door.
"Sakura, they finished their mission yesterday, so today is just travel." Pakkun looked at me like he was deep in thought about something before continuing, "Kakashi said that Kiba wants to take you out tonight when he gets home. Kakashi is expecting to see you tomorrow morning for training. Same spot and time as last time. He also said that he had some information on the problem you were trying to solve."
"Problem, what problem? Sakura, what's going on?"
"Oh, it's nothing Naruto, don't worry about it." My blonde friend seemed hurt that he didn't seem to know what was going on, but after a while gave me his trademark grin. All was forgiven. He trusted that if it was a real problem I would let him in on it.
"Anyway, that's all he told me to tell. So, I'll be heading home now."
"Right, thanks Pakkun."
"Thanks."
"Sure, no problem. See you both next time." And with that he was gone. So, Kiba was coming home tonight, and Kakashi was too. Kakashi had a clue about who the flowers came from, I wonder if this meant that Kiba had sent them after all. I mean, they were on the mission together this past month, so it is possible that Kiba told him something.
"Sakura, go ahead and head home for some rest before they get home. I know how you've missed Kiba." Naruto smiled up at me from his desk. He was no longer the annoying little boy that drove me nuts. Now he was a hero of the village, no, the hero of the village. He was the youngest Hokage, the only other young one being his own father. I was proud to call him my friend.
"Yeah, thanks for this Naruto." I made my way to the window and jumped out, after all, roof tops were the quickest way home.
I made it home in record time, and when I got there I jumped straight into the shower to ready myself for the night. I want to look pretty, but not like I knew he wanted to take me out. So, once I hopped out, I towel dried my hair and put it up into a messy bun while it was still damp. Random strands hung down from the bun, I liked it. I made sure to leave a little hair around my face down too, even though I because a beautiful woman, I was still a little subconscious about my forehead. I opted out of make-up, because I never really wore it anyway. Once I had my hair looking perfect, I headed over to my closet. It was hot outside, not nearly as hot as Suna, but still hot nonetheless. So I opted for a flowy tank top with a floral pattern on it, along with some jean shorts and a pair of flip flops. Comfort, I was going for something I could be seen relaxing in the house in, or out doing things in town. This outfit was perfect. Once I decided that I was ready for the day, I decided to check around the apartment for any cleaning that my need to be done. Of course there was none. I went ahead and hopped on the couch and flipped on the t.v. I don't remember what I was watching, all I remember is hoping that Kiba would be coming by soon.
I felt my phone go off and pulled it out of my pocket.
Sakura, just letting you know we made it back. Kiba is headed your way. See you tomorrow.
I was thrilled to hear from Kakashi and so glad that they made it home safely. I texted him my thanks, and see you tomorrow, and right as I hit send there was a knock on my door. I got off the couch and skipped over to my door, the built up nervousness became giddiness. As soon as I opened the door we were on each other. His hands were in my hair, angling my head up toward him as my hands were pulling him in closer as I balanced on my toes. When we were in I kicked the door shut from behind. He backed up a couple inches and gave me a single rose.
"I know it's not much, but this is for you. I wanted to get you something but I wanted to see you more. So I picked this on the way home." He kissed me again.
After a short while we separated and I backed up from him, still holding his hand of course. "I love it, it's beautiful." I let go of his hand and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water for my newest flower. It reminded me that the sakura blossoms were still alive in my room. I thought about asking him if he got those too, but thought better of it. If he said no, that would be awkward. As I set the flower into its new home, a thought occurred to me. "Actually, I think I want this in my room."
Kiba followed me into my room and stood in the doorway. He watched as I took the rose out of its cup and added to the vase of sakura blossoms. I looked over at him and smiled. But I wasn't expecting what came next; there was anger in his eyes and in his voice. I wondered what I did wrong.
"Where did the other flowers come from?" Good thing I decided not to ask if he got them. Time to use my excuse for having them.
"I bought them, Ino's store just got them in and they were mid bloom at the time. Her mom gave me a discount." Almost immediately after I said it he melted and looked really sorry.
"Oh, they're pretty. Sorry for over reacting, it just that the whole time I was gone, I wanted to see you. And well, I just got carried away I guess. Forgive me?"
I walked up and hugged him, "Don't worry about it, you've been gone you didn't know. And, I've been waiting to see you too."
"Good, I'm glad. Let's go ahead and grab some dinner then. I want to hear all about what happened while I was gone and how much you missed me. Judging by the way you jumped me at the door, I'm guessing you couldn't stand to be without me."
I gave him a playful push and just laughed. "Yeah yeah, well from what Pakkun said, you couldn't shut up about my awesomeness and you kept whining like a dog about wanting to be with me instead of on the stupid mission." I stuck out my tongue and surprised me my picking me up and putting me against the wall before kissing me.
"Remind me by never telling Pakkun anything again."
"Will do."
Not long after that we were out of the house and out in the village. Before I knew it we were at the training grounds, and Akamaru was there lying on a blanket. Kiba told me that before he came by, he had set up this little picnic for me.
We spent the rest of the day cloud watching and part of the night gazing at the stars. At one point we both fell asleep. Akamaru woke us up a short while later though. But I don't really remember much of what happened after that. All I know is that before I knew it we were at my doorstep, we kissed goodbye and then I was in bed.
