Chapter Eleven
Sakura had been staying with Naruto for almost a month and everything was going too good to be true for either of them. They had gotten back from training not too long ago. Sakura took the first shower and was now preparing their lunch while Naruto was washing up. She hummed happily to herself while she cut up some fruit to go with their dumplings and rice. She was just getting out two glasses when she heard a knock at the door. She froze for a second and she almost dropped one of the glasses. She shakily put the glass on the counter and walked towards the door. She focused on the person standing outside the door and could feel a familiar chakra signature.
She took a deep breath walking over to the door and tried to calm her nerves. She opened the door to find Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade," Sakura greeted relieved. She still wasn't fond of being around many people. There had been an incident a couple weeks back when Naruto, Kakashi and her were out to eat at Ichiraku's when a group of their friends showed up.
Kakashi was making fun of Naruto's sloppy tendencies as Sakura giggled doing her best not to take eithers side. Sakura stiffened immediately as Ino, Sai, Kiba, Hinata, Choji and Shikamaru all entered the tight vicinity of the shop. Sakura immediately lost her appetite, the last time she had seen some of their faces was when the Akatsuki was using them to toy with her.
She heard Naruto greet them but she couldn't make anything out. She felt as if she was underwater again only this time a feeling of unbridled anger accompanied it. She thought seeing red was just a silly expression people used but that what she was seeing, everything had a red hue to it. She heard her friends' voices and their laughter. She felt Naruto hand on the small of her back but not even that provided her any comfort. She felt like she was drowning in rage and she had idea where it was coming from.
She heard her name and looked over to see Ino waving at her. She tried to speak but she couldn't find her voice. She looked down at her lap. Her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails threatened to break her skin. She felt Naruto lean closer to her and his warm breath on her ear. She could feel everyone's eyes on her.
She spun on her seat and stumbled to her feet. Naruto attempted to grab her hand but she swatted it away, unable to be touched at the moment. She ducked out of the shop and to the crowded streets. She couldn't breath, she needed to be away from all the prying eyes. She heard Naruto yell after and Kakashi told him that he would handle it. She just jumped to the nearest rooftop and ran. She ended up at the training grounds and could feel Kakashi land closely behind her. She could feel the tears falling down her cheeks. She turned to face him and saw her looking at her with understanding in his eyes. He waited for her to talk first, he would give her all the time she needed.
"I'm so angry," Sakura sobbed. "I don't even know why but I can't think straight all I feel is this.. Rage. I couldn't stay." Sakura looked up at the even sky. She tugged her hair needing to feel anything other than this anger.
"I know," Kakashi said slowly. "I know that feeling Sakura and I can tell you it gets easier once you forgive." He took a couple of steps towards her and gauged her reaction to him.
"There's nothing to forgive! I don't know what you're talking about," Sakura yelled frustrated as she used her hands to wipe away the tear trails.
"They didn't find you faster. They moved on with their lives while you were in a living hell. It's not their fault and you know that," Kakashi spoke calmly placing his hand on her shoulder. He watched Sakura shake her head like she was trying to convince herself that she shouldn't feel any resentment towards them. "But you are angry with us, all of us. You associate our faceS with pain and your lack of freedom. You are mad and you have a right to be. Once you admit that you can work on forgiving us." Sakura felt more tears fall down her cheeks. She looked over to see Naruto approaching the two with a worried look on his face. "Until then me and Naruto will be here to help you work through it. Naruto's good at comforting you when you're scared. I can help you with all that anger. You don't have to feel like this forever."
Sakura was shocked into silence; she didn't realize it until that moment that she had been holding a grudge. She realized that she couldn't hold onto it forever but she couldn't seem to let it go yet. Seeing their faces back brought all those months of resentment and torture she was trying to forget. She had to come to terms with the fact that she couldn't forget any of it. She had to learn to accept what happened and hopefully one day she could move on.
Sakura nodded her head tightly, she still just felt so much anger. "Well alright then, you ready to try and get these bells again," Kakashi asked, tying the bells to his belt. Sakura looked over and saw Naruto give her a small smile before sitting underneath a tree cross legged. Sakura turned back to Kakashi and ran at him full force.
Tsunade was a presence she could handle. Sakura moved to the side so that she could walk inside. Sakura walked back to the kitchen and grabbed a third glass, filling all three before carrying them to the table. "We were just about to have lunch. Did you want to join us? There's plenty," Sakura offered. She turned stirring the rice and turned off the stove.
"It's almost three in the afternoon, a bit late for lunch don't you think," Tsunade asked, raising her eyebrow. "Thank you but I ate a little while ago with Shizune. I was just stopping by to see how you were doing," Tsunade smiled at her gently, taking a seat at Naruto's kitchen table.
"Me and Naruto just got back from training. It went a bit longer than expected today. I can't seem to get those damn bells away from Kakashi," Sakura pouted plopping down in the seat next to her.
"Well maybe we'll have a couple training sessions soon and we can see if we can change that," Tsunade smirked. Sakura beamed at her nodding her head. "So, how are things with you and Naruto progressing," Tsunade asked calmly, watching Sakura's face turn beat red.
"Tsunade-sama," Sakura choked out looking anywhere but at her. She cleared her throat fidgeting with the collar of her vest. "Things are.. Things are good," Sakura stuttered out
Tsunade gave her a knowing look, "That's all you're going to give you old master?" Sakura heard Naruto moving around upstairs and stood from the table to walk over to the stove. She was piling rice onto the two plates when Naruto's footsteps came thundering down the stairs. He walked right into the kitchen and Tsunade watched the two's exchange with intrigue.
Naruto walked right over to Sakura's side. She turned and offered him a sweet smile Tsunade used to see her give her kid patients. He leaned down and gave her a chaste peck on the lips, kind of like a habit. Tsunade smiled at the private exchange she just got the opportunity to witness. Sakura's mouth gaped like a fish for a second before she looked at her master out the corner of her eye.
Naruto looked over to see Tsunade sitting at his kitchen table giving him a large smirk. "Baa-chan.. I didn't know you were here," his cheeks glowed pink as he nervously rubbed his neck. That was the first time anyone had witnessed them kiss other than a small peck on the cheek or head.
"Hmmm," Tsunade hummed looking at him with a knowing smile. "Didn't mean to crash your lunch date. I was just stopping by to speak to Sakura for a little."
Naruto took a seat across from Tsunade. Sakura placed his plate in front of him and he gave her a toothy grin, "Thank you Sakura-chan." He looked back over at Tsunade. "I'm assuming everything is okay," he asked, getting slightly worried.
"Yes everything is fine. I was just checking to see how she was managing everything. I was actually here for a couple other reasons," she said looking over to Sakura who sat at the table with her own plate. She had a much smaller portion then Naruto but Kakashi had reported back that her appetite grew a bit more everyday. "I was wondering if you think you are ready to come back to the hospital," Tsunade asked looking right at Sakura.
Sakura froze her chopsticks falling down on her plate. She looked at Tsunade in shock. She quickly gathered herself and picked up the fallen utensils and cleared her throat. "You trust me enough," she asked looking at her seriously.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto gasped. Tsunade too was taken back by her blunt question because she did have doubts but she knew it was best for Sakura in the long run to stop hiding.
"Well if we're being honest I'm not the most stable person in the Leaf Village. Do you think that it would be wise," she asked looking right at Tsunade.
"I think you have a gift," Tsunade stated. "I think you're letting them win if you don't get back to doing what you're best at. I know it will be an adjustment just like everything else was at first, but you would work by my side until you were comfortable enough to be on your own." Tsunade reached over and grabbed Sakura's hand, "I know you are going through a tough time but I think it would help you. It will also help your village a great deal to have your talents back." Sakura paused for a minute, Tsunade watched her forehead wrinkle as she frowned deeply. Tsunade let out a small sigh, at least she tried.
"Alright," Sakura's voice spoke calmly with little to no emotion. She looked over at Tsunade and smiled lightly, "I won't let them take anything else for me." Tsunade watched Sakura look over at Naruto to see what he thought. He gave her a reassuring smile and reached under the table to squeeze her leg.
Tsunade clapped her hands and smiled happily, "It's settled then. I will see you at the hospital at ten and then we can have a training session after your shift." Tsunade pushed herself up from the table and started walking to the kitchen doorway. "Oh," Tsunade called out spinning back to face the pair. "I almost forgot Sakura! I was able to sell your apartment and found you another one that is closer to the hospital. Just let me know what you want to do," Tsunade said waving at the two before she saw herself out.
Silence fell over the two as they heard the front door close. She looked over and saw Naruto staring down at his plate unmoving. Sakura sighed and pushed the rice around on her plate. "It should do me some good to get back to helping people," Sakura spoke softly looking over at Naruto. Naruto didn't seem to acknowledge her and seemed like he was in a trance. "Naruto-kun," Sakura asked, reaching out to touch his hand. Naruto's body seemed to jerk back to reality and he looked at Sakura frowning.
Sakura looked down and sighed pulling her hand back, "you don't think it's a good idea do you? I might hurt someone," Sakura winced thinking about the nurse's wrist she broke and the way she hit her master while staying in the hospital.
"No! It's not that Sakura-chan. I think it's great that you get back to the hospital. You've always loved it. It's nothing," he forced a smile before looking down at his plate like it was the most interesting thing in the world. She looked at him for a second before returning to her own plate. She thought about Tsunade selling her apartment. Did that mean she had to leave here soon? She glanced at Naruto and could see he was deep in thought. Maybe he was trying to figure out how to tell her that it was time for her to move out. She shoved some rice in her mouth swallowing hard.
The two ate in silence, the dread in Sakura's stomach just grew with every passing minute, it was making her feel sick. She stood slowly bringing her plate to the sink. Naruto just stared at his empty plate unmoving. Sakura hadn't felt this uncomfortable around Naruto in a long time. She knew something was bothering him and she couldn't help but think it was about asking her to leave. She picked up his plate and moved it to the sink with hers. She walked over to the doorway and looked at him over her shoulder. She saw he was still lost in thought so she thought it would be best to let him be.
"I'm going to go lay down, I'm not feeling so great all of a sudden," She said quietly. This quickly got Naruto attention and he was behind her in an instant. She turned her around and felt her forehead with the back of his hand.
"Are you okay? Should I call Tsunade," Naruto asked worriedly. Sakura waved her hand at him shaking her head. She spun back around and slowly made her way upstairs.
She crawled into his bed and grabbed his pillow holding it tight to her chest. She felt the tears pricking her eyes. She knew this day would come eventually, she couldn't always count on Naruto to pick up the pieces she just thought she would have more time. She wiped the tears away quickly when she heard Naruto coming up the steps. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his pillow inhaling his scent to calm her down. She felt the bed dip behind her and Naruto's arms wrapping around her pulling her back to his chest. She heard him take a deep breath smelling her hair. She once might have found that weird but she understood the calming presence Naruto scent had on her. She grabbed his hand wiggling back so she was completely pressed against him.
Naruto moved her hair to the side, placing a gentle kiss on her neck. Sakura shivered and Naruto nuzzled her face into her neck.
"Stay."
Sakura was confused. She went to pull away from him slightly so she could roll over but he held her firmly in place. "Naru-"
"Stay here with me," Naruto's voice cracked a bit. "You don't need to get an apartment. You can stay here with me," Naruto's voice was on the verge of begging. Sakura managed to turn around in his tight grip. She looked at his face and saw no traces of joking. "We can get a bigger place if you don't like this one. I just want you to stay," Naruto whispered, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
A smile lit up Sakura's face, "I thought you were trying to find a way to kick me out. I think this place is plenty big enough for the two of us."
"You'll stay," Naruto asked bewildered. Sakura nodded her head vigorously. Naruto's lips broke into an idiotic smile has he crashed his lips against Sakura's.
Sakura hummed happily in her sleep. She felt something soft and warm ticking her shoulder. She slowly awoke from her peaceful slumber, her vision blurry as it adjusted focusing on the nightstand that was on Sakura's side of the bed. On the stand sat a picture frame that contained three pictures; one of her parents and her when she graduated the academy, the one in the middle of Naruto, Kakashi and her, and the one on the far right was a picture of her and Tsunade.
'Day 73.' She smiled happily as she felt Naruto placing another kiss on her shoulder. His fingers traced the strap of her tank top. It was now the middle of summer and it was one of the hottest summers Sakura had experienced living in the leaf.
Naruto knew Sakura was awake now, she relaxed further into his body. Naruto placed one more lazy kiss on her shoulder before biting her gently. He could hear her gasp and she quickly spun in his arms. He gave her a sly innocent smile as she narrowed her eyes at him. He reached up and pushed some of her hair behind Sakura's ear. He studied her features. She had eyes that could bring any man to his knees, her nose was delicate, her skin was fair and flawless, her lips were soft and her eyelashes were thick making her eyes look even bigger. She was like a work of art.
"Gods, you're gorgeous. You know that right," Naruto whispered softly stroking her cheek with his thumb. She watched her face turn red and she looked down at his chest. He grabbed her chin and moved her face back up to his eye level. "I mean it Sakura, you are the most beautiful girl in the world."
She smiled at him softly, "So you say." She leaned up placing a soft kiss against his lips. She laid her head back on the pillow watching the way Naruto's eyes twinkled. They didn't have any training or anything pressing to do today, and Tsunade had given her the day off from the hospital. They could just lay in bed and enjoy each others company with no interruptions,
"What did you want to do today, Sakura-chan," Naruto asked, playing with the strap of her tank top.
"Hmm, well we could start the day by laying in bed for a while then maybe we could go swimming and get some ramen," Sakura suggests tracing the seal of Naruto's stomach. She heard Naruto moan lightly and she finished the pattern before moving her hand up to his intertwining their fingers. Naruto brought their connected hands to his face and kissed the back of her hand.
"Sounds like a perfect plan. We could go shopping too if you want. Get you some more things to make you feel like this is your home too," Naruto suggested. Ever since she moved in indefinitely he realized she probably wanted to make it more homey. Naruto didn't really have much in his house. They had brought her dresser and nightstand from her old apartment and a few pictures but other than that that's all that was really her own.
Sakura looked at him in admiration, "I have all I need already." She crawled on top of him taking his face in both her hands before leaning down to kiss him. Naruto grabbed Sakura's waist tightly, loving the feeling on her on top of him. He smirked into the kiss quickly spinning so Sakura was now pinned underneath him. Naruto smiled down at her mischievously before placing a trail of kisses down her face and neck. Sakura squealed, giggling wildly as she was left to the mercy of her love.