Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Breathe into me

Chapter 12: Rising sun

The sun was rising over a pretty much devastated clearing somewhere near Konoha.

Sakura Haruno was sitting in the middle of the mess she had made with her training. Sweat was dripping down her pale forehead. Her once spotless black sweatpants and top were now dirty and full of dust. Her once picture perfect Barbie pink hair was now wild and restless.

And it felt good.

It felt good to be so strong. She knew she could move mountains with just her bare fists and it made her proud. The power cursing through her veins made her feel alive.

Just as she was about to close her eyes and let her mind go blank she felt something was off and feeling the danger approach at great speed she jumped out of the way.

Had she been a second too late, the explosive kunai would have surely killed her.

"I see you haven't lost your touch, Haruno."

"Are you trying to kill me, Karin?" she said looking over at the redhead who emerged from the woods with a smirk on her face.

"Oh, please. If you would have been stupid enough to get hit, I would have healed you. I don't want my idiot cousin to scream my ear off."

"Yeah, well, it's nice to see you too, Karin."

"Likewise, Sakura. I can't stay long. I just heard you were in Konoha and wanted to catch up a little." She said plopping on the ground.

"Kakashi gave you another mission?"the medic sat next to her and handed her a bottle of water.

"Yeah. I don't mind, though."

"I know. You want to see the world."

"Yeah. It's fun sometimes. What about you? Back for good?"

"I don't know. I wanted to stay because I don't know where else to go, but there's not much here for me either."

"You can always come with me."

"Thanks, but you know I can't. It's too dangerous."

"Yeah, dangerous is an understatement." The woman said looking around at the destroyed clearing.

"How are you dealing with that?"

"It's better, I guess."

"You guess?"

"Yeah. It's like the calm before the storm, you know?"

"Explain."

"As long as it's good, it's great. If something goes wrong, it's not bad, it's horrible."

"Have you asked for help?"

"I've been thinking about it, but it's not like I don't know what I have and how I must deal with it. I'm a doctor after all."

"Sweetie that means nothing when you're having these kinds of issues."

"I know that too."

"Promise me you'll at least think about getting a therapist."

"I'll think about it."

"Good. Now let's gossip."

"Let's." Sakura said returning the redhead's grin.

"I heard that Sasuke punched some guy to defend your honor."

"Oh no, not that. Please."

"Yes, that. Now spill!"

"There's nothing to tell. Why do we always end up talking about him?"

"It's because he's hot."

"You're very immature."

"Bite me."

"No, thanks. I think you're spending too much time with Suigetsu."

"You're no fun." Karin pouted and Sakura just laughed at the girl's childish behavior.

Ooo000ooO

Sasuke was racking his brain trying to cook some carbonara. Why did it have such a pompous name? It was just pasta with cheese after all.

What are you doing, Sasuke?"

"I'm making dinner." He said turning to see is girlfriend watching him with curiosity.

"You don't cook."

"I do now."

"Let me help."

"No. It's your day off so just relax."

"Ok. Thanks."

Contrary to popular belief, Sasuke was a man of honor. He wasn't going to let Niko suffer because he had conflicted feelings toward Sakura. He didn't regret punching that guy, but he wasn't about to hurt the girl that he certainly cared for just like that.

Niko watched Sasuke with interest. She loved him and she knew he was making an effort to make things work between them. It was just that it was hard for both of them. The past was just always getting in between somehow.

Also, she wasn't sure that she was doing the right thing by clinging to him. Maybe he could be happier than he was with her with someone else. Maybe he could be happier with Sakura.

Things were certainly complicated and she was very confused, but if it's one thing that Niko knew, it was that Sasuke deserved to feel at peace and loved.

If someone else could do a better job then she would back off.

Ooo000ooO

The sun had set a while ago and Kakashi was watching the peaceful village as the stars and moon illuminated it. Things were finally calming down. The paperwork was as thick as always, but at least those old bats were off his back. At least for a while.

After so many months in which he had to fight those idiots he finally had some piece of mind. Of course, the problem with that disease that Sakura had cured was still unsolved.

He knew they had luck with the girl; otherwise, things would have been much worse. He also knew that he was so busy lately that he hadn't really been paying attention to her. Maybe he had been a little harsh with her as well.

He sighed and looked at the pile of invitations to the banquette that he was supposed to host every year as Konoha's hokage, sitting on his desk.

He had written one to every clan leader, every elder and every person with influence from Konoha and Suna because the elders asked him to do that.

He also wrote one to every shinobi who had brought a contribution to Konoha's safety because he wanted to.

As he sat at his desk he knew that he had one more thing to do before going home. He pulled out a sheet of paper and picked up his pen and he started writing.

Ooo000ooO

After spending a day with Karin, Sakura felt better than she had in a long while. The girl who was once at the receiving end of Sasuke's wrath and madness was now some sort of anchor like friend for Sakura.

It was always good to catch up with old friends.

She drank the rest of her lemonade and washed the glass in the sink. When she was about to head to bed she heard her doorbell ring. Not knowing who could be looking for her at such an unholy hour, she put on a robe and went to answer it.

"Sakura Haruno?" the shinobi standing before her asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"This is from the Hokage." He said handing her a scroll.

"Thank you."

The ninja bowed and left and Sakura couldn't help but wonder what Kakashi wanted with her since she was no longer an official kunoichi.

Sakura Haruno,

You are invited to participate in the Konoha annual banquette two weeks from now at the Hokage Ballroom.

It would bring me great joy if such an outstanding kunoichi and a devoted friend would honor me with her presence.

With great respect,

Hatake Kakashi, the Roukudaime of Konoha.

Ooo000ooO

A/N: It's pretty short but I really wanted to update this story since I haven't written anything for it in such a long time.

It seems Karin knew all about Saura's problems. Who knew they'd be such good friends?

Actually, I kind of mused over this idea for a while now (in Catharsis I went deeper into the problem on their friendship) and I'm glad Kishi also made them friends in Gaiden. It's good to see the girls mature and at peace and all that.

Thank you all for your patience and great feedback. It really helps me write and see think from more points of view.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and that you review. The banquette will take place in the next chapter or in two chapters from now, I'm not really sure.

Also, I am writing another story and the first chapter will probably be updated tomorrow. It's an AU in which Sakura is a doctor who one night meets Sasuke who is…well that's a secret for now, but what I can tell you is that there will be racing in this story. It's called Make me or break me.Check it out if you're into alter universe stories.

Please review!

Marie Blubert