Fated
Chapter 7: Lullaby for the New World
The early afternoon sun was beaming through the light panes of plastic around the sterile medical area, casting rippled sunshine on the wooden floor. Sakura turned to see who was approaching her, although it was easy to tell. His heavy walk was enough of a giveaway.
"You look bad. Why don't you go back to bed?" Ibiki's voice rumbled through the now empty med tent as he looked at the dark lines around the kunoichi's eyes. Her hair was messy and unkempt, yanked back into a half tight ponytail and her clothes looked like they were slept in. She yawned as she returned his gaze.
"I'm fine. I'm just cleaning up." Her tone was groggy and half-hearted.
Ibiki watched her moving slowly around the med tent, her eyelids heavy as she picked up things and cleaned the areas of the dried blood and bandages from the day before. He shook his head. "I can't have a sick head medic. I don't need martyrs, Sakura, I need healthy ninja."
"I'm fine. Why are you here?" she grumbled. She heard his heavy footfalls and the sound of his long coat rustling as he walked around the tent. She turned to see his piercing eyes roving over the supplies and beds, almost surveying the area.
"I wanted to let you know that we don't think any more injuries will come in. It seems that they have everything under control at the outlying areas. The ANBU squads are replenished and we haven't lost anyone. Please make sure your medics know that and tell them how much I appreciate how they took care of everyone."
"Yes, of course." She tried to smile but in her present state even a half-smile was impossible.
"Get to bed, Uchiha. You look like shit," Ibiki said off-handedly as he turned and walked out, his long trench coat catching the wooden edge of the light canvas door behind him.
He was right. She knew he was. If she had to figure out how much sleep she had the night before she would have to say none. Heeding his unofficial orders, she dragged herself back to bed. It only took minutes before she managed to fall asleep for the afternoon, missing the waning of the sunshine and the slow crossover to another evening at the Fire Country border.
"Shit, Kakashi, I think I'm too tired to even have sex," Genma laughed as he slipped into his tent, shrugging off his dirty clothes before straightening in realization. "What am I saying?" he chuckled, "Can't deprive the ladies. Oh and it's pub night too."
"I'm going to grab a shower," Kakashi half-smirked inside his own tent before walking out and standing in front of Genma's open door flap. "Try not to be too loud tonight."
"Are you saying I'm too loud or they are?" he retorted calmly as if Kakashi had posed a serious question.
"Take your pick."
"Gotcha." Genma winked as he pulled out a fresh shirt. "Yeah, a shower first, then the pub. Blood isn't much of an aphrodisiac unless you're after Anko."
The two men enjoyed light conversation as they made their way to the shower tent and into the empty area filled with dripping showerheads and the cloying, thick scent of wet wood. Kakashi lingered under the temperate spray feeling some warmth soaking into his skin from the hot water. It was a welcome change from the cold showers he usually got by the time he was able to drag himself up in the mornings. He would stay there all night if he didn't loathe the wrinkled texture of pruney fingers.
He kept his sharingan closed and could feel the sting beginning to come back into it. Three days and two nights without having it treated was beginning to take its toll on the tired ninja.
Sakura managed to sleep most of the afternoon but had woken up more than an hour before to just lie and watch the shadows of passers-by on the canvas walls. She was still tired, and from experience she knew that it would be a day or two before she felt relatively normal again.
Finally forcing her uncooperative body out of her bed, she grabbed up a towel and pressed out through the camp towards the shower tent to try to liven up. Sleeping or not sleeping, lying in a bed for an entire night and day made even getting out into the fresh air necessary to gain any type of energy back at all. As she approached the dark shower area, she heard the water going, and before she stepped into the light at the doorway, she saw Genma slip out towards his tent in a jovial hurry, his feet and chest bare.
Her heart leapt slightly as she moved nearer to the open doorway that led into the expansive pipe-filled tent. Seeing the flirtatious Jounin slink out, she knew that Kakashi must be there too, or at least back in the camp. The continued running water made her sure she'd find him here. She moved silently closer to the tent and without realizing it, she held her breath.
He was there. He was home. Her quivering hand grabbed the canvas tent opening to brace herself as relief washed in to make her face hot. Without control, she began crying again, the hot tears racing down her cheeks. The lack of sleep the night before and the rough day before that had begun to take its toll on her and as much as she tried, the control over her emotions dissipated.
It was a long two days and finally it was over. Her friend had returned. Her eyes squinted from the light but she couldn't turn away. It was wrong to stand there and take away his privacy as it was a standing rule for the shower area, but for some reason she couldn't stop herself. She slowly began to understand the connection she had with him and that no one else had made her feel better in a long time. It seemed that his presence was the only thing that consoled her in this world.
So she watched him.
The water trickled over him, through his silver hair and down over his tight skin. He was slim and pale, but still looked strong. She'd always admired that about him, his strength. Even when he was down and injured, he would always come through. He made her feel safe with just his presence.
He wrapped his fingers over the top of the stall and stood with his head hung down, letting the spray run over the back of his neck and down his sinewy physique. Allowing her gaze to follow the trails of water on him, Sakura noted he wasn't injured and found her eyes now fixed on the intricate ANBU tattoo that stuck out against his naked body. As he turned towards her, his eyes shut and head tipped back getting his hair wet, she could see the jagged scar down his chest. That scar was haunting, but she believed she loved it and all it represented. When she stood in front of him that first day. she couldn't even stop herself from touching it.
As he reached to turn off the water, Sakura worried he would see her there shaking and crying, and it would be more difficult for them both. She slipped away quietly, wiping the tears from her face with the towel until she reached the med tent. Instead of a shower, she decided a quick wash in the med area would be enough for tonight.
Kakashi was safe and she felt infinitely better. As if at the end of a long journey, Sakura slowly stripped her black jounin shirt, shoes and wrappings from her body leaving her only in a white tank top and her standard black pants. She dipped the towel under the tap and washed away the emotion from her cheeks. The clear water was cool and refreshing, and so she wiped at her arms and body, lifting her shirt up to run over her tight stomach. It was enough.
Finally lying back down on her rumpled white duvet, she watched the dance of the lights from the camp filter through the heavy layer of canvas above. The shadows crept across her skin as the light played tricks around the med tent before cascading onto her blanket.
What ever made her think it would be possible to sleep now?
Making his way back to his tent, Kakashi revelled in the fresh feeling of clean clothes and a clean body. Unfortunately, the cold was still in his bones deep down. It seemed impossible to rid himself of that ache, but if he tried, he could dismiss it occasionally. The warm shower had helped greatly to bring some warmth to his tired thin body, but the dampness of his hair gave him a chill.
"Hey, Hatake, grab your stuff and let's get a drink. Trust me, it will be nothing but briefings and reports tomorrow." Genma rubbed a towel through his hair as he caught the wiry frame of his friend cross in front of his tent.
"All right Genma, just give me a minute."
The interest in going to a social gathering was not really in him tonight, but a shot of something strong might be worth the effort. He craved anything to warm him and a little something to help make things numb.
As the two men strode along, Kakashi could see so many of the ninja who were off duty heading in the same direction. The social gathering usually took place in the mess tent, and as Genma had said, there was occasional drinking and music to help blow off steam from the intensity that built up at the border.
There were several groups already out around campfires, a number of which were situated near the mess tent as well as a few people inside.
"Hey, there's room where Anko is," Genma said half-heartedly.
"Anko?" Kakashi looked sideways at Genma.
"Ah, ha, ha, Kakashi, no way. There are three women I never mess with here. One is your little medic, the second is the kitchen woman with the chin mole, and the third is Anko." Genma shivered exaggeratedly.
Kakashi couldn't stifle the chuckle. He was really enjoying being with Genma. The man never failed to entertain him at a moments notice. He was a rare kind of ninja. Nothing bothered him and he seemed to take everything in stride. The women flocked to him like bees to honey, but he was always willing to turn one down if a friend needed him more. He was the best of men and Kakashi believed that had it not been for Genma, he might still be mired in the deep depression he felt when he had first arrived. Things were easier now - somewhat.
"What are you drinking?" Genma looked around for the table with the alcohol on it.
"Anything straight." Kakashi looked around also and tugged his mask down under his chin. As quickly as it was said, Genma turned on his heel and headed away to find their libations.
Kakashi moved closer to one of the groups around the fire, which included another face from the past.
"Anko," he said with no enthusiasm as he watched the busty mesh clad woman flip her purple toned hair and narrow her eyes at him.
"Well, well, Kakashi. It's nice to see you again. Come sit and tell me what you've been up to." She patted the stump next to her as he reluctantly moved to it.
"You've been here for two weeks, right?" She eyed him with a cocky smirk.
"About that," Kakashi turned gratefully to see Genma approach with a couple of mugs in his hands almost as quickly as he had left.
"Sorry buddy, looks like no alcohol tonight. Got you straight green tea instead. Be careful it doesn't go to your head," he said out of the side of his mouth, the senbon bouncing happily.
Kakashi took the cup and cradled it between his hands, enjoying the feel of the hot porcelain under his gloved fingers. He sat quietly, listening to the banter from the group of ten or so men and women as Genma sat on the other side of him and tried not to encourage Anko's attention.
"So Kakashi, I've been meaning to ask you what happened the night Gai was killed?" Anko's tactless question seared the air and everyone stopped talking and turned to look at the stare between the two.
"Anko, shut up." Genma hissed, pulling the senbon out of his mouth in disgust.
After a pause, and a shift in Anko's position from bitch to interrogator, Kakashi let his eye rest on hers for a moment. "It's all right, Genma. I would want to know too if I wasn't there." He took a deep breath and his gaze fell awkwardly to the reflection of the moon in the warm liquid cupped in his hands.
"Undoubtedly you heard what type of mission it was as there were thirty elites sent out, Anko. When we first arrived in the area to recover the item, we were taken by an ambush. So many came at us so fast, it was difficult to fight our way out. I was in a squad with Gai, Asuma and Kurenai among others. The retreat was quickly called when we sensed we were outnumbered. We'd lost Raidou and Ebisu before the retreat so there was only four of us left in our squad. More enemies came upon us as we backtracked and…" He took a deep breath. It was the first time he'd had to talk about it. Even Tsunade had not pressed him on details, and he found it more difficult than he thought he would.
As the memories rushed back, Kakashi could hear the voices, smell the cloying scent of blood, feel the sweat on his skin. The dark memory was so vivid, so tangible. All his pain and anguish was remembered in that moment and it took him a second to collect himself before he could continue.
He took a deep breath.
"Gai stayed behind to fight, giving us a chance to get away." He looked up at her to see the regretful look on Anko's face as the group stayed silent, her mouth in a perfect O. "We heard him…"
"It's okay, forget I asked." Anko cut in quietly, her eyes showed that her unreasonable joy of making other people uncomfortable had waned and she was embarrassed. Had she really thought he'd tell? Her gaze dropped to her feet in an unusual display of self recrimination.
Kakashi nodded. Relief gripped his insides. He didn't really want to talk or think about it for that matter. Anko was tactless. Everyone knew that, and her sense of social appropriateness stopped short of 'don't bare your breasts to everyone.' She loved other's discomfort and didn't feel the need to hide that little tidbit either. Sadly, she had been close with Gai and so Kakashi figured it was important on some level for her to know for her own closure.
Taking another deep breath, he sat up from his slumped position to watch people mulling around and forgiving the tense discussion in the minutes earlier. He was getting used to life there. He was grateful for life there. Social appropriateness or not, no one cared.
"Genma," a smooth female voice cut through the crowd's renewed banter as it's owner pushed through the moving bodies nearby.
Kakashi recognized the new guest as a competent field ANBU with some training in medical Jutsu. A nice woman, all in all, but for the life of him he couldn't recall her name. As much as he tried to mind his own business, he couldn't help but watch her slender hips as she slowly sidled over to where Genma sat on his stump near the blazing fire.
"Hello." Genma's intonation gave indication of his interest as his eyebrows rose quickly in a pleasantly surprised sort of way. "How's things? Haven't seen you in a while."
"It seems like forever since I saw you last, Genma." Her voice was soft. Her long dark hair matched her eyes and contrasted with her pale skin. She pushed in between his legs as he sat up and tilted his head back to look up at her, resting his chin on her stomach. They were so close, and Kakashi noticed that neither they nor anyone else seemed to really care.
The woman wasn't really smiling. Her eyes were almost desperate as she made her desire obvious. Her fingers played lightly in the long caramel hair sticking out from under Genma's backwards headband, before stroking lightly on his neck.
"Just get back?" he whispered as his chestnut eyes fixed on hers.
"Our squad leader took a bad hit last night and we were stuck in the forest until dawn."
"You've had a bad time then." Genma's voice was tender, his fingers stroked lightly over her tight thigh and squeezed her hip showing that he understood what she wanted. He was being subtle and gentle, just what she seemed to need.
"Yeah," she whispered back as she slowly dragged her leg over one of his. Straddling his thigh now, she moving her body close to him and slipped her hand into his open vest. Their faces were close, their lips almost touching, "I've missed you, Genma."
"Well, let's take care of that then," he breathed onto her mouth right before their lips met.
Kakashi turned just after he saw them lock in an embrace, their deep kisses making her emanate soft sounds of eagerness. Kakashi didn't like to be close to something so private and it seemed to be putting a cap on his shitty night.
"Why don't we head to my tent," Genma suggested quietly against her neck as his lips kissed light lines over her skin. Her head tipped back and her reply seemed to be directed at the blanket of stars overhead.
"Mine's closer."
With those two words, Genma stood up and grabbed the kunoichi off his lap. He hoisted her over his shoulder, prompting her excited squeal as he bid everyone a quick good night.
Kakashi huffed a laugh. Typical Genma. He supposed there weren't many women who could resist his charms and it seemed to be demonstrated often. Moths to the flame, Kakashi thought each time a woman gave his friend one of those lingering come-hither looks. Lifting his gaze cautiously now to look around, Kakashi decided that without his friend's company he'd be better off somewhere else before Anko opened her mouth again.
Calmly waving, the tired lieutenant stood up and vacated the ring of fires as quickly and nonchalantly as possible. Even more quickly, he found himself standing at the edge of his row of tents when the idea struck him that he hadn't seen Sakura yet. Two days he'd been away with Genma, and even Neji was off back in Konoha. For all he knew, she'd been alone for the anniversary of her husband's death, and he felt more than a little guilty that he hadn't been there for her.
Before he realized it, his heavy feet were carrying him towards the Med Tent, and to his surprise, the lights were on but a little dimmer than normal. He stood and admired the shade of the gold casting against the canvas as the dewy grass cooled his exposed toes. It looked almost like soft candlelight against the flexible plastic windows of the back living area.
"Sakura?" he called quietly through the hanging canvas door as he stepped inside.
"Kakashi?" she answered back. "I'm in the back. You can come through."
As he pushed through the curtain, he could see he was mistaken about the light source. Her desk lamp was on and cast a warm light over the top of her workspace. She sat up from where she was lying on her double futon before she swung her bare feet out of her blankets. With a light rub of her pale eyes, she managed to focus through the half-light at her visitor.
"I'm sorry. You were sleeping. I'll come back tomorrow." Kakashi turned to leave.
"No, no. Please stay. I wasn't sleeping. I've slept all day, actually." She smiled a little, "Just get back?"
She knew he had, but she'd never let on that she stood and watched him showering earlier. Even now she had to contain her happiness that he was finally in the same room with her.
"Yeah, a couple of hours ago. It was messy at the border. Hope we didn't cause you too much work." He slid the chair out from the desk and sat on it backwards, leaning on the back of it and peering down at her.
"It was good to be busy. I'm happy no one was killed."
"I'm sorry I wasn't here," he mumbled with his chin on his hands over the back of the creaky wooden chair. Their eyes locked in familiarity.
Sakura waved her hand dismissively, but inside she wanted to cry. It might have been easier with him there to have someone to share her pain with and to hold her while she cried. It had been so long since she'd felt comforted. Even Neji didn't provide it as much as she'd hoped he could. Seeing Kakashi sitting there made her want to reach out to him. Her need was to the point where she could almost demand it from him.
"How's your eye?" she asked pushing her way up from her bed and trying to force down her desperation.
"I'm not here about that." Kakashi straightened up as she approached him, her curvy frame obvious under only a white tank top and form hugging black pants. Her bare feet moved silently across the rough wooden floor.
"Is it bothering you?" Her fingers slipped under his headband only to be caught by his hands.
"I'm not here about that. We've known each other too long to have a polite conversation tonight." His tone was foreceful and his face was serious. It was getting harder and harder for the medic to keep her composure under his knowing gaze.
"What, Kakashi?" she began quietly, "Did you want to know if it was difficult? Yes, it's always difficult. But I've been alone for 3 years now and I'm getting used to it. Do I miss him? Yes. Do I feel lonely?" Her face softened with his empathetic look. "Not so much now."
It only took a second for Kakashi to stand up and pull her into a tight embrace, placing his chin on her head and wrapping his arms tightly around her. He could hear the small sniffs against his vest as she fought the tears. As much as he wanted to tell her not to cry, she probably needed it and he was tired, too tired to try to stop her.
Sakura tried to push away the sobs that threatened to come back upon her again. It had been three years now, so why was it still so hard? Was it Sasuke or her loneliness that made it so? Why couldn't she let anyone in? Posing the questions to herself never seemed to help. She was lost for the answers but being in his arms made it better. It struck her again as it had before, he was all she had left and she was thankful that he was there.
"You should lie down and try to get some sleep. We can catch up in the morning." Kakashi led her over to her futon. "I'm tired myself and I'm looking forward to warming up a bit under my blankets."
Sakura looked into the handsome face that seemed to always manage a smile for her and then to her bed. He was going to leave, go back to his tent, and she immediately felt the heavy brick in her stomach. She didn't want to be alone - not when he was finally back. Maybe she was relying on him too much but it was beyond her control now.
"Stay here tonight. I'll keep you warm," she whispered as her fingers began to lift his shirt.
"Sakura…" he warned, his brow creased.
"It's not like that, Kakashi," she whispered, as she continued to aid him in shrugging off the garment.
He wasn't sure how to handle this, but her eyes told him that she just didn't want to be alone. It was hard to say no when she looked like that, as if her world was crumbling and he was the only thing holding it up. Sadly, he wasn't sure if he could support his own world anymore, let alone hers.
Pulling him to the double futon on the floor, Sakura led him to lie down while moving in beside him. She could see the small measure of shock in his face as she tugged off his headband and placed it by the bed. Her slender arms pulled him close and she pressed her soft body against his. He felt cold and tense but she didn't care.
Kakashi was somewhat stunned when she urged him to her bed, but slowly changed his mind as her intoxicating heat drew him closer to her body. Her warmth enveloped him and the heavy soft blanket cocooned them. He allowed the contact, wanted the contact.
Placing her hand over his sharingan, she held him tightly as she let her chakra flow through it, taking away his pain just as he was helping to take hers away.
After a few moments, Kakashi's sigh of relief preceded the slackening of his body. Sakura believed he had utterly given in to what she wanted. She pressed her face against his throat as she lay her cheek on his collarbone. In that moment, she felt his hand slide up her back, cradling her while the other moved above her, stroking her hair lightly and making her sleepy.
As morning finally broke, Sakura stretched out languidly and made a noise of satisfaction, thankful for the full night's sleep she had enjoyed. It only took a second after for her to register that her companion from the night prior was gone.
She wondered if it was all right to make him stay and worried vaguely if it had changed things or if he would avoid her now. Kakashi was the type of person to keep to himself. She never saw him as a nurturer or comforting, but yet his presence soothed her in every way. Sadly, Sakura began to think she had come across as needy the night before, and was now questioning her decision to have him sleep in her bed.
As she snuggled back down under the white duvet, wrapping herself in the still warm blankets, she told herself that if he didn't really want to stay, he wouldn't have. If it was one thing she knew about Kakashi, he never felt persuaded to do anything he didn't want to do. The only thing that bothered her was whether he felt obligated to be there? So many questions asked from one innocent night. Time would tell though, she figured, time would tell.
One thing she couldn't say she was sorry about though was that it had been so nice to be in a man's arms again.
Dear Sakura-Chan,
Hope you are well. I'm glad to hear you are less worried about Kakashi now. That makes us all feel better. Tsunade sends her good regards and is happy also.
Hinata thanks you for your well wishes and Sasuke sends his love to his Aunty Sakura whom he wishes would come to see him. Sorry, had to throw that in.
I think Neji enjoyed his time here and took to little Sasuke like his own. They were quite funny together and to watch a grown ANBU argue with a four year old just made my day. They had a discussion on the benefits of the byakugan during test time at the academy. I wish you could have been here for it.
Neji actually stayed with us the entire three weeks he was here, and he and Hinata drew up plans to merge the families. As of now the Head and Branch families are no more. It is only Hyuuga as it should have always been. I won't elaborate. I'll let Neji tell you about it.
We had heard that there was some tension and injuries at the border two weeks ago, and Neji was chomping at the bit to get back. I hope everyone is all right and you didn't wear yourself out.
I thought about you on the twenty-third of last month and Neji came with us to Sasuke's grave. Three years is a long time, Sakura. Come home. We miss you and there is nothing for you there at the border. Come back and start over.
I'm sorry, I know my letters all tend to be like this but it can't be helped. You should know me by now. I love you, Sakura. Send my good wishes to Kakashi and tell him we miss him too.
Take Care,
Love Naruto.
"Thanks Neji." She smiled as she folded the single-page letter and tucked it in her pocket.
Neji watched her for a moment, and felt a small shock that she had managed to smile an actual smile at him. It had been two weeks since the anniversary of Sasuke's death and to the best of his memory he remembered it usually took weeks for her to climb out of her stupor. She seemed better, even better than she had before he left.
"Is something wrong?" She creased her brow.
"No." He creased his brow suspiciously in return.
"Are you settled back in? Three weeks away can make it hard to come back." She scoffed, "Or so I've heard."
"Yes, I'm settled." He rubbed at the back of his neck in wonder. "How are you doing? You seem - good."
"What?" She raised her eyebrows in confusion. "I'm fine."
At that moment Neji caught Kakashi enter the mess tent from the corner of his eye, and then when he focused back on Sakura, he could see her eyes glued to the other man.
His curiosity was getting the better of him suddenly as her interest in their conversation drifted. "Um, sorry Neji. I was planning on meeting Kakashi for lunch. I'll catch up with you soon," she mumbled absently as she stood up from their table, and with a light wave, moved over near Kakashi who had taken a seat with Genma.
Neji's mind began to turn. Why was she better? Obviously having her old team-leader there had helped, but he didn't imagine after the twenty-third she would be even able to drag herself out of bed for days.
His white eyes watched them for a few moments, observing Sakura sitting directly beside the silver haired man and the comfort they had with each other. He wanted that with her but, after seeing her behave so comfortably with another man, he knew that she had never even considered him.
Strangely enough, he never thought an older Jounin like Kakashi would be that man for her either.
"We've got another two days back at the outlying areas. We're leaving right after lunch," Kakashi said as Sakura shuffled onto the bench beside the ANBU lieutenant.
"Again? Who's going?" she asked while watching Genma decide whether he wanted to chew on his stir stick or the senbon.
"There's a squad of six going this time. I'm taking one of your medics with me. Yumi, I think. She worked on me that first time in the Med Tent." Kakashi slipped his mask down and hitched at his ANBU vest; it was getting tighter on him. He looked up to see Genma's smirk.
"Looks like you're getting fat, Hatake. Better quit eating all that ramen. You aren't hanging around with that chin mole kitchen chick so she'll feed you, are you?" Genma chuckled as he turned to the medic. "Hey Sakura, Super ninja here has disappeared a few nights in the past two weeks. Think it's a woman or that he's sneaking off to eat?"
"Well, I think he does look healthier." She smiled knowingly. "And I think you're right, it's the cook." To Sakura he didn't look much bigger than he did when he arrived a month before, but his vest did fit him more snuggly as opposed to the loose fit before. He certainly appeared healthier, and she did indeed watch him closely.
"Busted, Hatake. Even the recluse medic knows. Well, listen, I'll catch up with you at thirteen hundred hours near the Shed. Got someone to say goodbye to before we head off." Genma pushed himself up from the table.
"Genma? Saying goodbye to a woman? You must be in love," Sakura teased.
Genma spun back around, finally deciding on the senbon as he winked at Sakura, "No one falls in love out here, sweetheart."
For some reason Sakura didn't like that answer and Genma didn't get the laugh he'd expected. Calmly, he shrugged and headed off, waving a little as he went and dodging some oncoming kunoichi looking for a quick chat.
Kakashi turned back to Sakura and could see her still absorbing Genma's comment. "He's not the type," he said quietly before taking another sip of his tea.
"I suppose. So he doesn't know you've been at the med tent with me?"
"He doesn't need to know. It's between us." Kakashi grinned a bit as he pushed up from his bench. "I'll catch up with you when I get back, okay?"
"Sure." Again she sounded disappointed and Kakashi didn't get the smile he'd wanted from her before leaving. He decided it might be better to leave her there and not pursue what was making her look like that. He really didn't have the time or desire for it.
"Okay, see you in two days," he said before shuffling around the people sitting and enjoying their lunches before making his way out into the sunshine. As he walked towards the Shed for pre-mission briefing, his mind couldn't stop turning.
He felt a little bad about everything that had been happening between them lately. It was innocent enough, but he didn't think people would believe that. At least three nights that week he had stayed with her again - for her or for himself, he couldn't say. Two of the overnight visits he'd found himself wandering to the med tent just looking for a quick fix for the sharingan to end up staying and bathing in her heat among her soft blankets. But in the early hours, the guilt of being seen there got him moving before the morning light hit the canvas.
He was as much to blame as she was. He really didn't have to wait until nighttime to go there but something in him wanted it also. They found a kinship in their pain and loneliness - both followed by loss, both reassured by the other's presence.
However innocent and comforting it was for them, he couldn't let others cheapen their closeness by assuming they were involved in something torrid. She was his warmth and comfort, the peace that let him sleep well at night. He was her strength, and finally she had something to lean on. Already she seemed much better for it, and he'd only been there a month.
"Sakura." Ibiki slid over to her table, a mug of coffee in his hands and a cigarette perched between his lips, "I've got a group heading to the third camp tomorrow morning to trade reinforcements and to see to wounds. I've just heard the assigned medic is sick. You'll probably hear when you get back to the med area. I need someone assigned to that. Can you check and see who's available for me?"
Sakura took a deep breath. "ANBU squad?" She tapped her chin lightly, mentally going over her roster of medics and where each was. "I'll have to do it. I've only got two available and I won't send them with ANBU. They're only Chunnin."
"Right then, ten o'clock at the shed. It's full ANBU uniform, six-man team. Report to Hyuuga Neji." Ibiki nodded briefly as she nodded back, sharing the understanding that she was now recruited for a mission.
Neji?
It had been a while since they were in a squad together. She supposed it could definitely be worse as they would now have a chance to catch up. She supposed it could have been worse. It could have been Anko.
re-edited Jan 09
