In Sasori's mind waiting around and doing nothing while two of his students and their sensei was stuck in the hospital two of the aforementioned unconscious and the last off to bring back Tsunade Senju did nothing for his usual temperament.
And it also didn't help that he was dreading the moment Sakura woke up and realized he was there considering she knew what he formerly was and because he'd abandoned her, Sasori sighed in frustration hating that he couldn't do anything.
"Patience not your strong suit I take it" Kakashi chuckled from across the room seeing as he and Sasuke had gotten in the same hospital room as Sakura and by extension Sasori who had barely moved since he'd sat down three weeks ago.
His lip curled in response "No, never has been, I'm a very impatient man I hate to be kept waiting and I hate to keep others waiting at the same time, makes me wonder how I ever remained even tempered while teaching them" Sasori hissed quietly.
Kakashi grimaced in response "They didn't make it easy for me that's for sure, little brats actually tricked me into thinking they didn't know teamwork" the Copy Ninja scowled in remembrance, it was probably his most humiliating moment actually.
Sasori snorted "Probably my influence, sorry about that" the redhead apologized in an off-handed tone then refocused his attention on Sakura who like three weeks before hand, hadn't had any changes in her condition and so he went right back to sighing in utter frustration.
Just as Kakashi was contemplating, attempting to continue the conversation so he didn't have to sit in silence Sasuke came awake from his two week coma with a groan, "Sakura's going to kill me" Sasuke groaned.
"That'll be the least of your worries Sasuke, especially when your mother gets her hands on you for you're stupid reckless stunt" Sasori snapped harshly making Sasuke flinch as he realized how idiotic it had been of him to run off like that.
Off to the side of him was his genin sensei who nodded unsympathetically "And when we're out of the hospital expect D Ranks as punishment" Kakashi informed, glad that Sasori was there to stick around otherwise he'd probably go insane dealing with his students.
Sasuke let his shoulders droop "I understand Akasuna-sensei, Kakashi-sensei" the current Uchiha heir intoned sadly, calling his two sensei by their proper title to make them understand he was serious about repenting for his actions.
"Good, just be lucky I don't have much say over what kind of punishment you'll be taking on because if it were me you would be doing something much worse than D ranks" the crimson haired rogue scowled.
And Kakashi raised a silver brow in response then shrugged "Perhaps we can come up with a suitable punishment together" the Copy Ninja suggested but Sasori shook his head and once again set his gaze on Sakura.
With that another three weeks passed them by "How is she Sasori-san" Mikoto dropped by the morning a month and a half had gone with Naruto and Jiraiya gone trying to find Tsunade and bring her back to be Hokage.
"No change whatsoever and I swear if I ever get my hands on Kabuto I'll kill him, Orochimaru to" Sasori informed stiffly, Mikoto winced in sympathy and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder before going to visit with her youngest son.
Who looked more guilty as the days passed, there was no telling what Sasuke was thinking "Mother do you think she'll ever forgive me" Sasuke asked, not able to remain strong any longer as tears pricked at his eyes.
Mikoto felt her heart breaking "Sakura-chan will always forgive you Sasuke-chan, she always has now dry those eyes I brought your favorite tomato soup" the Uchiha Matriarch declared because she knew there was no way Sakura could hate her son in any capacity.
Sasuke sighed feeling lighter than he had in days "Thank you Mother" the ebony haired teen bowed his head in thanks, now thirteen like Sakura, and then he gratefully dug into the soup, making sure to drink every last drop so none of it was wasted.
A few minutes later Mikoto collected the empty bowl, nodded her head at Sasori and left, intent on heading home now that she'd conducted her visit with no results, Sakura was still unconscious which was very worrisome.
Then the day they were all awaiting for arrived, Jiraiya, Naruto with Tsunade in tow finally returned to the village after being absent for two whole months "Come on Granny Tsunade, Sakura-chan really needs you to heal her" Naruto urged the moment they were signed in.
Having thought of nothing else but getting Sakura the healer she needed with a few spare thoughts geared towards Sasuke the entire time he was gone on the mission "Alright just calm down brat I'll heal your little girlfriend" Tsunade scowled.
Letting herself be ushered down the streets of the Leaf Village to the hospital but Naruto had one thing to say "Sakura-chan's not my girlfriend she's like my sister" the blonde huffed unashamed to admit that much as they finally reached the building he was desperate to get to.
Tsunade let herself be pushed in and then rushed down to the room Sakura was still occupying "Dobe" Sasuke perked up when the door slid open to reveal his absentee teammate with a much older woman who could only be Tsunade.
Naruto waved but nudged the woman over to Sakura "Congratulations Naruto on a mission well accomplished" Sasori sidled up to the younger blonde, equally parts relieved and dreading the moment when Sakura woke up as Tsunade leaned over the girl.
Hands glowing a bright green as she placed them on Sakura's head, Naruto nodded silently in response "We saw Kabuto, he was there with that bastard Orochimaru, I wanted to take revenge for Sakura-chan but he nearly killed me if not for Granny Tsunade" the blonde said after moment.
When Tsunade straightened shooting him a glare for calling her a granny yet again after multiple attempts at getting him to stop "There I reversed the damage caused by Yakushi, give her an hour or so and she should be awake now I'm heading to the Tower and Uchiha your free to leave as well" Tsunade snapped.
Stalking from the hospital and Sasori promptly sat back down in the chair he'd occupied for two straight months "Right I'm going to go see my Dad" Naruto declared knowing that it would be better if it was just Sasori when Sakura woke up.
Considering Kakashi had been released already with that he was gone with Sasuke on his heels, leaving Sasori to sit there an extra hour until finally at long last Sakura opened her eyes, it was obvious she hadn't noticed him yet.
As she looked around slowly, probably trying to figure out where she was as her forehead creased then understanding dawned in her eyes before she finally caught sight of him and the anger he was expecting to see never came.
Instead those bright vibrant eyes of hers flooded with tears, her breathing picked up as her emotions bubbled over and he got to hear her voice for the first time in over nine months "Sasori-sensei" Sakura croaked in a whisper.
"Hey brat" he whispered back a little choked up himself from damnable emotions, Sakura gave him a hesitant smile then tried to sit up only to be unable to do so, so he helped her and just as he was pulling away she threw her arms around his neck.
Crying harder now "I missed you so much" the rosette sobbed quietly face buried in his shirt and he rubbed her back soothingly, whispering assurances that he would never again leave her because he was there to stay for good.
She pulled away a little at that looking him in the eyes to ascertain herself "Believe me, when have you known me to lie after all" Sasori snorted lightly swiping what suspiciously looked like a tear out of his eye.
Though he wanted to take that question back a second later when her expression turned "Maybe when you said that you would never be back from your mission, or how about the fact you let me think you were some great man who could do no wrong" Sakura whispered angrily.
Voice cracking here and there from two months of disuse "Sakura I never claimed I could do no wrong and I'm sorry you found out about what I am the way you did" the redhead winced, apologizing even if it did little good.
Emerald eyes glared at him in response proving his point then to his surprise her glare softened "Can you really promise me something like that Sasori-sensei" the pinkette asked switching her mood at the drop of a coin.
And he knew he had to answer honestly "No, my past has already caught up with me Sakura and I know I'll have to face it eventually" Sasori grimaced and she nodded in understanding, having grown much like her teammates.
"Then face it until then I'm angry at you" Sakura whispered decisively not displaying outright hatred like he thought she would and then a medic shooed him out of the room so that she could be changed and when he peeked back in she was laying down asleep.
So he decided to go back to the house "Did Sakura wake up" Sasuke met him in the foyer of Team Seven's shared house, it was extremely amusing to him that somehow all three of them, plus their sensei and sensei's sensei were sharing a place together.
"Mm and while she's not absolutely furious with me, she's angry and I fear she wants me to go face my former village in order to gain her forgiveness" the crimson haired rogue cringed and he'd do it to which didn't say a lot for his willpower when it came to Sakura.
Sasuke shuddered "Just wait until she finds out what I did" the current Uchiha heir laughed, leading the way into the living room where everyone else was at that current moment in time though upon spotting him Kakashi stood but Sasori shook his head.
Kakashi sighed and sat back down "Fell back to sleep did she, did the medics say when she could leave or anything" Minato asked when instead of going back Sasori sat on the couch himself, the first he'd seen the man leave Sakura's side for any extended period of time since he'd arrived.
This time Sasori nodded but shook his head at the second part of the question "She'll probably have to do something to regain the muscle mass she's lost during her two month stay in the hospital" Naruto commented.
Plopping down next to Sasuke with a notebook and scribbling something in it before showing it to Sasuke who crinkled his nose, took the pencil, scratched out what had been written, scribbled something himself and handed it back.
"We're going to the market" both boys informed in perfect unrehearsed sync before disappearing in a swirl of leaves that faded once they were gone, twenty minutes Naruto and Sasuke were back but they headed into the kitchen.
Where they didn't come out until lunch "It's our turn to see Sakura, plus lunch is ready" Sasuke declared hoping that Sakura was awake and that the medics hadn't brought the afternoon meal yet as he and Naruto scurried off to the hospital.
It was their lucky day it seemed because the medics hadn't even made the rounds yet since lunch at the hospital was running a little behind "Leave giving Sakura-chan something to eat up to Sasuke and I seeing as we're also medics here" the blonde said.
Grinning as he realized he and Sasuke were finally having their chance to take care of Sakura who always took care of them "Alright then and if you could get her to take this medicine that will help her build up her immune system that would be great" the medic in charge of Sakura requested.
Sasuke took the bottle of pills "Right lets go" the ebony haired teen sighed leading the way to the room he'd occupied with Sakura and Kakashi up until two weeks ago, to their relief Sakura was awake and sitting up via a mountain of pillows to support her.
And her face lit up at the sight of them "Naruto, Sasuke" Sakura whispered unable to speak louder than that currently since she hadn't spoken for two months, tears also happened to flood her eyes as they came forward.
Hugging her gently like she was something extremely fragile "Here Sakura-chan we brought you lunch, in fact me and Sasuke are going to be in charge of your meals from now until your released" Naruto informed.
Drying her eyes for her "Though we expect you to take your medicine as well" Sasuke said, holding up the pill bottle earning a scowl that was more a pout than anything really, making them both smile as Naruto unsealed the meal they'd made.
Sakura was in awe of it "Did you really make this just for me Naruto, Sasuke" the fuscia haired teen asked voice cracking yet again but they got the gist of it even as more tears sprung into her already swollen eyes.
"Yep, yep just for you, you know" the blonde Uzumaki nodded pulling over the tray so that he could place the food down and Sakura was more than happy to dig in, while inwardly taking note of everything that had been made.
Which if she wasn't wrong was geared to helping her regain her muscle mass and build up her immune system "I'm sure you already know Sakura but that's to help build up your muscles since you haven't moved around for two months your muscles have deteriorated some" the Uchiha stated.
Putting a pill on the tray that she took grudgingly "Mhm but still thanks" she whispered, making sure to eat every last bite because it had been made for her by her teammates one of whom who hated cooking with a passion.
Once the plate was clear and the glass of delicious tea was empty, medicine taken Sasuke held her as Naruto removed the pillows and helped her lay back down so she could rest some more and once she was sleeping hurried home.
When they came to visit with her dinner Ino was there along with Asuma "Oh hey guys I was just telling Sakura a funny story about a customer from the flower shop" Ino waved just glad that her best friend was even awake.
Because she'd really thought Sakura would never wake up "Yeah it's hilarious I still can't believe he slipped in a puddle even though there was a sign that said the floor was wet and demanded you pay for a hospital visit only to find out he wasn't even hurt anywhere" Sakura giggled quietly.
Asuma chuckled in response "Still I'm glad your awake Sakura-san I know someone whose been mighty guilty that wants to apologize to you" Asuma ruffled her hair carefully not being rough because she had only just woken up that day.
Ino stood while Sakura creased her brow in confusion not understanding as she shot him a questioning look but Asuma shook his head ushering his student from the room leaving Sasuke and Naruto to give her, her dinner and make her take her medicine again, then help her lay down.
It was two days before she understood what Asuma meant as Kurenai poked her head into the room an hour before Sasuke and Naruto were due to arrive with her lunch "Hello Sakura-san" the ruby eyed woman greeted awkwardly.
Stepping determinedly into the room with Shino on her heels and her eyes widened in remembrance before narrowing "I've come to apologize, why because I did something I shouldn't have" Shino spoke hastily before she demanded he leave.
"Hmm that's right if I recall you called me a traitor" the pinkette hummed able to speak at a normal volume as her voice came back, Kurenai flinched in response because that was her fault essentially even when Sakura proved that she was no traitor, that honor went to Kabuto Yakushi.
Shino grimaced "And it became apparent to me after your reaction that you didn't know about your academy sensei so I'm sorry even though doing so won't make you forget who that man truly is" the Aburame Heir sighed.
Making Sakura nod "Your right Shino it won't make me forget, Sasori-sensei is a rogue and I didn't handle finding that out maturely, you and Kurenai-sensei were right to question my loyalty but the person I'm most angry at is him so your forgiven" Sakura intoned seriously.
Kurenai sighed in relief "Thank you Sakura-san" the raven haired woman bowed realizing her secret lover had been right, no matter what Sasori Akasuna was, he hadn't taught his students hatred of their village, he'd taught them how to protect it.
Seeing his sensei bow Shino saw fit to do the same until Sakura's teammates showed up with lunch "How come Shino was here" Naruto questioned still a bit miffed over the whole Chunin Exam debacle.
"Apologizing, him and Kurenai-sensei that is" Sakura answered feeling a little better but she was still angry with Sasori who had come to see her a couple times, he'd been thinking about what to do and said she would be the first to know his decision.
Naruto shrugged "Good, it was the least they could do for thinking we were traitors just cause Akasuna trained us" Sasuke scoffed, dressed in his hospital uniform since he was on call, Naruto as well and it made her happy strangely enough.
The fourth day after she'd woken up brought yet another unexpected visitor to her hospital room "Hayate-sensei" the rosette perked up when he poked his head through the open door to see if she was awake not having given her enough time to answer after he'd knocked.
A small smile curled his lips "Sakura-san I'd heard you were awake but wasn't able to visit until just now but I'm glad and here, keep it a secret from those teammates of yours alright" Hayate said producing a container of dango smothered in mitarashi sauce from behind his back.
Once he'd stepped fully into the girls hospital room, "Of course, cause those two have gone positively insane over making sure I'm eating the right kinds of foods and I haven't had a single sweet" Sakura scowled looking adorable in her irritation.
While happily chowing down on the dango, but she gave Hayate one because he was the one who'd been thoughtful enough to bring her some, her ranting made Hayate chuckle "Do you know when your being let out" the brunet special Jonin asked.
Taking a seat in the empty chair to eat the dango "Probably not for a few more days, they said that Tsunade-sama was gonna come take a look at me personally, I still can't believe Lord Third stepped down and that Tsunade-sama's Hokage now though" the pinkette frowned.
Not liking that she'd missed so much during her two month coma "Come to think of it they still haven't decided on if any of you were capable enough to become Chunin yet either" Hayate remembered suddenly.
And he knew who he'd nominate for the promotion if only he was a judge "Bummer it got interrupted" Sakura crinkled her nose, hating Orochimaru even more now just because of that, if he hadn't come the exam would have went off without a hitch.
Hayate nodded in understanding took the empty dango container when it was empty, waved and disappeared, Naruto and Sasuke none the wiser that Sakura had deviated from their prescribed daily nutritious meals.
Until finally a week had passed and Tsunade came to visit her again "Well the savior of the Chunin Exams I'm Tsunade your new Hokage" Tsunade greeted wanting to see how the girl reacted to the comment about her being a savior.
Immediately Sakura creased her brow "I don't know what your talking about Hokage-sama I didn't save anything let alone myself" the fuscia hared teen huffed, proving to have a temper to the woman's amusement.
"On the contrary, if it hadn't been for you shattering that barrier Sarutobi-sensei would be dead, the Kazekage as well, and Orochimaru wouldn't be down five subordinates" the honey eyed blonde admitted.
Sakura looked at her in surprise "But I only broke through one barrier" Sakura frowned in confusion and Tsunade let her expression soften a little, of course the girl would be confused, she'd been kidnapped against her will.
Which reminded her, she was going to have to get a report about that incident "Anyway I didn't come here just to yack now lets see if your able to go home yet" Tsunade said getting down to business as she checked the girl over.
Before grudgingly declaring the girl well enough "Just no strenuous exercises for another week and if you do want to exercise keep it to a limit of fifteen minutes so that you don't pull a muscle got it cause I don't want to see you back in here" the woman scowled.
"Roger that Hokage-sama" the pinkette nodded seriously watching as Tsunade stalked through the door leaving her to create a couple of clones to get dressed in her regular clothes glad to be rid of the scratchy hospital gown.
Then body flicker herself home being supported between her clones once she was there until she was stood in the living room of her shared house for the first time in what felt like forever "Sakura-chan" Kakashi jumped up at the sight of her as if he was on fire.
Just as she plopped down carefully in her usual chair "Hokage-sama gave me the okay Kakashi-sensei, I'm not like you who tries to escape from the hospital" Sakura snorted, in a mischievous sort of mood apparently.
Kakashi glared at her in exasperation while Minato chuckled and Sasori stared at Sakura like he'd never seen her before "Mouthy little brat aren't you, better hope your sensei doesn't retaliate in the form of D Ranks" Sasori warned.
"It's never worked, those brats have been mouthy since day one" the Copy Ninja huffed and Sakura smiled innocently in response, he knew better though she was a little demon, as were Naruto and Sasuke when they teamed up together against someone.
Reminding him of something as Sakura got back at him for his comment "Only cause you were late by three hours for the first month we were your genin Kakashi-sensei so there" the rosette stuck out her tongue knowing she'd won their verbal spar.
Even if there were many things he could say in response he let her win this time "By the way why did you, Naruto and Sasuke feel the need to come up with disguises" Kakashi inquired having never gotten a concrete answer out of the two boys.
Sakura straightened then shot a look at Minato who shrugged "We knew Kakashi-sensei, about the Chunin Exams two weeks before you told us, we came up with the disguises so we wouldn't be recognized by you while we tried to figure out what you were up to" Sakura admitted.
Causing him to groan and his sensei to laugh at him again even Sasori looked pretty amused, which helped him come to a decision about his former village, in order to be accepted he had to go back and face his past.
Four hours later Naruto and Sasuke were back from some organizational work down at T&I "So Granny Tsunade released you from the hospital huh Sakura-chan, did she give you any instructions" Naruto spotted Sakura seated in the living room first.
"Just no strenuous exercise for another week but I can do fifteen minutes a day if I want so long as I have help then I can probably start doing a couple missions here and there" Sakura informed glad that she hadn't been prescribed that medicine.
One week of taking it was enough in her mind considering the food Naruto and Sasuke were making her and if she wasn't mistaken they were going to continue making it as well "Then we'll help, just let us know when you want to do that" Sasuke shrugged.
Heading into the kitchen with Naruto on his heels to cook dinner for everyone, even though Sakura was back she wouldn't be able to cook for awhile yet, plus he was starting to enjoy cooking actually.
By the time they were done, his parents and Shisui had come to visit only to be very surprised "Sakura-chan" Mikoto squealed in delight, shooting a glare at her son for not telling her that the girl was out of the hospital.
Followed by trying to break the poor girls spine by hugging her "Mikoto ease up a little" Fugaku saw the pained resignation on Sakura's face, indicating that the hug was painful but knowing that Mikoto was like this regardless and wouldn't say a word.
So it was up to him and Mikoto released her hastily "Kami I'm sorry I didn't think…" the Uchiha Matriarch looked completely broken and Sakura gently returned her hug, easily forgiving the woman to her relief.
"But boy are we glad your back Sakura-chan, by the way did Sasuke tell you what he did" Shisui piped in, flopping down unceremoniously, missing the warning glare from Fugaku while Sakura shook her head.
Before Shisui could say anything Sasuke slapped a hand over the man's mouth "SHUT UP Shisui-san, I'm going to tell her but not right now" Sasuke hissed not wanting Sakura to go from calm and happy to apocalyptic.
A little shocked at the reaction Shisui nodded slowly in response as Sasuke removed his hand "Guess that's one way to reign Shisui-chan in" Mikoto commented, proud of her second child for his display of maturity.
Fugaku agreed "Come now, you as well Shisui, lets leave them to eat dinner in peace" the Uchiha Patriarch commanded, pulling his wife away from Sakura while shooting a look at Shisui who was eerily quiet but willing to follow his order as they left.
Then for another week Sakura did fifteen minutes of exercise daily where she was given the okay to go on D rank missions until a month had gone by that she'd been woken up from her coma "Hokage-sama wants to see you three in her office" Kakashi said one afternoon.
Just returning from a separate mission than his students, Sasori had taken over during his absence since he was capable of dealing with their antics without going insane apparently "Okay" Sakura shrugged not arguing.
While the boys groaned and Sasuke still had yet to tell her about the incident in which he'd gone after Itachi and ended up in the hospital for two weeks himself "Ugh fine" Naruto grumbled exhausted from the training he'd been undertaking courtesy Minato.
"Dobe" Sasuke rolled his eyes at the whining, feeling equally as tired since he'd asked his Father to train him as well, leaving Sakura to Sasori who had her on a muscle building regimen, before Naruto could start in with the insults, Sakura slapped them both upside the head.
Grabbed their wrists and in a flurry of purple cherry blossoms was gone to the Hokage Tower and when they got to Tsunade's office they found Shino and Shikamaru there as well, Tsunade seated at her desk hands steepled together.
As she looked the five of them over before nodding "The Chunin Exam Judges, Sarutobi-sensei and I convened and decided on who to promote, so congratulations Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno and Shikamaru Nara for becoming Chunin" Tsunade declared.
Before turning her attention on Shino "I'm sorry I can't promote you, I'm sure you understand brat, you won by default, the judges didn't get a chance to see your skills in action so no promotion" the honey eyed blonde said not sparing Shino's feelings.
"Of course Hokage-sama and I don't feel as if I would deserve it anyway" Shino nodded, displaying maturity in the face of rejection, plus what she said was true, he hadn't had a chance to show the judges what he could do and it wouldn't be fair.
Unsurprisingly enough the only one who had an actual problem with being promoted was Shikamaru "What a drag, can I turn the promotion down cause being a Chunin sounds way to troublesome" Shikamaru grumbled only to be told no.
While a Chunin Vest was shoved into his arms, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura got one as well along with new hitai-ate's before the five of them were dismissed, Kakashi was never prouder of his students when they returned as newly promoted Chunin.
And Sasori decided that now was the time "Then expect your first mission as Chunin soon Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke because I'm going to request you three as my escort back to Sunagakure, I have business there apparently" Sasori informed.
Eyeing Sakura to watch her closely, "We'll be waiting then Sasori-sensei" the pinkette nodded, feeling like things seemed a little to surreal as she clutched her Chunin vest, Sasori gave her a small nod in return before Kakashi went to order take out to celebrate.