Disclaimer: This is a work of a fan fiction using characters from Naruto. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line.
Chapter 14
Sakura didn't give Naruto time to explain. She walked past him and into the building.
She heard him calling her name, but didn't even spare him a glance.
When she reached Sasuke's apartment she looked over her shoulder, expecting to see her loud teammate making a fuss, but he wasn't there. Naruto for once had decided to stay out of it and that made her uneasy.
Sakura leaned her whole body on the wall waited a few seconds for her racing heart to slow down and for her thoughts to clear.
Why had Sasuke decided to leave so suddenly? Unless...
She panicked.
Unless he had been planning this for a while...
Sakura knocked at his door loud enough to disturb the neighbours but she didn't care. She just wanted her intuition to be wrong. She wanted to believe he wasn't leaving without her.
Sasuke didn't take long to answer the door and when he did, he was clearly irritated by the loud noise. When his gaze fell on her, he stopped short and his furrowed expression softened. He took a glance around and then looked back at the woman standing in front of him.
"We need to talk." Sakura said, sharply.
Sasuke didn't reply. He only moved to the side and gestured Sakura to come inside the flat.
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.
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Sakura waited in the middle of his living room, sitting by the low table.
Everything looked the same, clean and tidy up, except from the traveling bag and the scrolls that were scattered across his bed. Whatever he had discussed with the Sixth and Naruto wasn't over for him.
The whistling kettle from the kitchen made her look back. Sasuke crossed the room to take the kettle off the stove.
Sakura watched him moved smoothly around his kitchen. With his lone arm he swiftly pulled one cup from the upper cabinet and set it down next to another cup. It was a red cup. One she had gifted him a few weeks ago.
"When did you came back?" She found herself asking.
"This morning," he said. He shot at her a quick glance before looking away. "You — were at the hospital."
Sakura nodded and lowered her eyes.
He must have spend the whole day meeting with Kakashi.
He then walked towards her and handed her the hot cup. She took it from his hand and a sweet smell filled her nostrils. Lavander and chamomile. She had recommended him the tea because he was having trouble sleeping.
She wrapped her fingers around the warm cup and blew some of the steam away. She tried taking a sip but the hot liquid burned the tip of her tongue.
She set the cup down and looked back at Sasuke. He was back in the kitchen, preparing his own cup of tea.
She rose to her feet and walked toward his bedroom, causing Sasuke to turned his head in her direction, but she ignored his questioning look.
She moved some of the scrolls away before sitting at the edge of his bed.
She carefully took one of them and examined it.
It was blank. A visual prowess was necessary to read it.
She was startled when Sasuke suddenly spoke.
"That one hasn't been useful."
He was standing in front of her with his hand in his pocket.
There was a long pause. Sakura fumbled what to say, but it was Sasuke who broke the silence with a sigh. He walked and leaned his back on the wall. He pulled his hand out and reached the sides of his head. He shut his eyes and knitted his brows together as he started massaging his temples too forcefully. She knew his headaches were caused by the constant use of the Sharingan.
Sakura took one more look at the scroll before placing it at her side. She then lifted her gaze.
"It's been quite some time, hasn't it?" She asked.
"Hn," he said, dropping his hand to the side.
"I saw Naruto," she paused.
He eyed her for a few seconds before looking away. "I figured."
"He didn't say much," she said with a weak smile, but he missed it. "In any case," she continued, "you came back and apparently had a meeting with a bunch of people regarding your last mission and I get that some information is confidential, but..." She paused. "But Naruto said that I should be there and—."
"No, you didn't have to be there," Sasuke interrupted.
She glanced at him and saw he was annoyed again.
"Oh." She exhaled. "I guess my role isn't as important then."
"I didn't say that."
"Then explain why the idiot would say something like that."
He shrugged. "I don't know why you want to involve yourself into this, you are already busy with the hospital. Why would you want more in your plate."
"I—."
"You shouldn't be bothered by the details of my mission anyway." He cut her short.
She turned her head glared at him. She felt as if they were twelve all over again, but she wasn't going to let this go.
"I wouldn't," she muttered. "But guess what, I just came to know you are planning to leave and I have a bad feeling it won't be for a few weeks, will it?"
He looked at her perplexed for an instant, before furrowing his brows and averting her gaze again.
"You are keeping me in the dark once again," Sakura added.
"I'm not."
"Then why aren't you telling me anything?"
Sasuke twisted his head and looked at her with a hard eyes. She had never seen him that angry since the war.
What is he hiding?
He noticed the confusion in Sakura's face, so he lowered his head and pinched his nose bridge.
"I can't" he sighed.
"You can't what?"
He then took one look at Sakura and that was all she needed to know.
He was looking her with that same look when she found him at the valley.
He was leaving.
And he was sorry.
"When?"
There was a long pause before he answered. "In a few weeks."
"Were you planning on telling me that or not?"
"Yes."
"And then?"
He glanced at her and didn't respond.
"What happened with Orochimaru? What did you find?!"
"Nothing has happened."
"So you still won't tell me, won't you?"
"Sakura..."
"Just tell me! For Kami's sake"
"Dammit Sakura, do you think I want this?! Because I fucking don't!" Sasuke shouted. He was looking at her with a hard expression, but then it suddenly downed on him that his words had come too aggressive that he shut his eyes and brought his hand to cover his face .
Sakura's felt a tear trickled down her cheek.
"But I have to," he added. He lowered his arm and kept his gaze on her.
"Why are you so stubborn and want to do it all on your own. I can help. Let me help!"
"I'm the only one who should do this."
"Oh really?!" Sakura replied harshly. "What is it you are looking for that you can't even tell me."
"..."
"I can come with you," she said. "You said next time I could join you and this— this is next time Sasuke. You don't have to do this by yourself."
"Sakura —"
"What?!"
"I can't take you... " Sasuke said clenching his fist.
"What are you saying? Why? Why not?!"
"I just can't."
"You don't decide for me." She breathed furiously.
Sasuke groaned and throw his fist to the wall. Sakura's heart sank like a stone.
"I can't," he repeated. "I can't take you because you fucking run a hospital" He said exasperated. He then run his hand through his hair.
"People need you here, more than me," Sasuke murmured.
And Sakura's world shattered.
His words hurt, not because he was trying to be mean, but because they were true.
She couldn't just leave. Wasn't that her resolve, to be someone people could rely on?
Her mind was too fuzzy that she didn't realized she had dropped to the floor. Her head hurt and she was crying.
But then someone was holding her face up and brushing her tears away.
She look at the the deep eyes and fixed her own green eyes on them. She really loved those eyes.
"You still haven't told me what you are up to." She sobbed.
"I'm still atoning for my sin—."
"It's not that..." Sakura shook her head. "I know you still want to help this world but there's something else bugging you. You told me so when you left after the war."
Sasuke softened his eyes and looked down. He thought for a moment.
"It's not your burden Sakura." He finally said.
Those words hurt the most.
She wanted to fight it, but Sasuke was right, there was no way to leave Konoha with all the responsibilities she had right now and she was at fault for it.
She buried herself with more and more work and shifts in the last couple of years. She needed it first as a distraction to stop thinking about the man standing in front of her, but then it was because she wanted to. Ino had warned to take it easy and to rely on others, but she didn't listen.
Now she was between deciding her love and her work and she couldn't.
So he did.
She covered her face with her hands to stop the tears, but that was futile. Everything was crumbling.
She finally gathered the strength to stand up and when she was about to stumble a hand reached out.
"Don't... Please," she cried, looking up at the pair of eyes that were locked on her. She hated that look, she hated that she was the one causing him pain.
"I have to go." She said.
"Sakura..."
She walked past him and shut the door behind her. Once outside she leaned against the door and gave up on trying to hold the tears.
Sakura wished he had followed her, but if he did, what else could he say?
What am I supposed to do now?, she found herself asking.
She didn't want to think about it, so she turned and left.
.
.
.
Sakura avoided any familiar faces the following days. She wasn't ready to let her friends know that things with Sasuke were over.
She had given a thought about what she could do, but in every scenario, he would be needed outside the village, while she was bound to it. She wasn't selfish enough to leave behind everything and she wouldn't. Sasuke was right after all. The hospital needed her more than him.
She managed to not think about it by taking more responsibilities at the hospital, but that didn't stop the jinchuriki from showing up unannounced at her office.
"Why are you here?" She asked irritated when she noticed his presence.
"Heh. Hey Sakura-chan." He did a small laugh, trying to mask his nervousness but he was failing terribly.
"I'm busy, what do you need?" She snapped.
Naruto's smile faltered. He glance at her and sighed in defeat. "Fine, I won't sugarcoat it. You definitely are not okay and he is definitely not okay either."
"And?"
"And? What's with that? Sakura don't give me that shit."
"Naruto, I have a surgery in approximately fifteen minutes, I need to get ready for that. I don't have time for whatever you are trying to do right now," she said exasperated.
"He needs you."
"No," she muttered. "He clearly doesn't." She glared at Naruto but then she shifted her sight to her patient's file.
There was a man who was in desperate need of a new transplant because of a tumour but because they couldn't find a donor, Sakura had suggested to rebuild the tissue right after extraction. It was a risky move, any slip would cost the life of the patient, but she was the only one who can do it, besides the person who taught her that technique, Tsunade.
"But you know who does?" She went on ignoring Naruto. "People who come to this hospital looking for me."
"Sakura-chan—."
"No Naruto, stop. Stop trying to fix us. We tried, it didn't work. I'm needed here, he's needed out there." She said closing the folder with both hands.
"Time's up." She added looking up at her friend. She was surprised by the harsh look on Naruto's face.
Sakura got up and walked towards the door. She stood next to it and indicated with her chin that he needed to leave as well.
Naruto shook his head and began walking. When he reached the door he paused. "It doesn't have to be this way... He —."
"Bye Naruto," she cut in firmly. She didn't want Naruto involve. She then added with a gentler tone: "and say hi to Hinata, will you?"
Naruto stood motionless for a second. His eyes saddened with her response and he nodded before leaving her office.
Once she couldn't sense his chakra near by, Sakura felt something warm running down her face.
"Sensei?" A feminine voice called from outside.
"Coming!" Sakura replied agitated. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and cursed her emotions.
"Are you okay? You don't soun—."
"Yes, Im fine! I'll see you there." Sakura interjected.
"Oh..." Ami said from the other side.
Sakura waited a bit until Ami's steps faded away.
When she was outside her office, she locked it.
No more surprises today.
.
.
.
Sakura went home after that day. But when she reached her place, it felt empty.
Home was Sasuke and he was leaving.
She avoided spending her nights alone and began using the on call room instead.
She also started taking double shifts again and when there was no work for her, she headed to the clinic, with the excuse to see Ino. But Sakura had memorized the schedule of the blonde to know that she wasn't going to be around.
She ended up healing mild symptoms and minor injuries. An intern could do that, but she didn't care, her mind needed to be busy.
"Thank you." Every patient she treated said and she always responded with a weak smile.
She knew those words. But the person she always expects to hear that from wasn't there.
.
.
.
"What happened?" Ino finally asked when Sakura had brushed the topic too many times.
They were in the lab. Ino was finishing up some data and Sakura was flipping through some of her files.
"You really don't know?" She turned to her friend.
Ino shook her head and Sakura was surprised.
Ino was constantly aware of what transpired at the Hokage's office, because of Shikamaru and Sai. Now that she was part of the sensory division, she was constantly summoned to put her input regarding security details, a job her father used to be in charge of. The only information they usually kept from her, were special A-rank or S-rank missions. Which meant that Sasuke's departure was only know to few people.
"He is leaving."
"Again? Didn't he came back like a week ago?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah?" Ino quirked a brow and stared at Sakura. "Did you guys fight?"
Sakura glanced at her and nodded.
"How bad was it?"
"Well..." Sakura began. " I guess you can say it won't work in the long run."
"Meaning?" Ino said in a quiet voice, she had this questioningly look.
"He can't stay in the village. And I can't leave the village."
Sakura then chuckled. It sounded stupid out loud.
"Sasuke is leaving the village but he won't take me." She reworded.
"Why not? I'm sure you can take a few weeks off."
"Yeah, well it's not vacations you know."
"Okay, yes you have a point. Say it's a mission then, join him for some time."
"I can't just leave." Sakura said, and glared at her friend before dropping her head. Ino stopped doing her work and fixed her gaze on her friend.
"Forehead?"
"Look at this." Sakura said handing her out a folder.
Ino frowned at her request but took the folder. She quickly glanced through the documents.
"These are your booked surgeries." Ino said flipping through the pages, but each time faster and faster. "Holy fuck! You are totally booked for the whole year... When did you agree to all of this?"
"Dunno." Sakura shrugged. "I just realize I can't say no. Speaking of which, I have this other folder full of pro bonus surgeries."
"Wait, wait, wait! You have to be kidding me."
"No really, look—."
"Sakura shut up." Ino was now looking furiously at her. She shifted back to the documents and her anger receded. "Shit. I was gonna say that maybe I could cover for you but... I can't do most of these things." Ino dropped the files in her lap.
"I also can't leave. Your wedding is in a few months." Sakura said with a small laugh. "I am looking forward that," she added, hoping to let the topic die.
"Forget about my wedding," Ino said with a stern face her and returned the folders. "I'm trying to think," she paused, "so there's no other option?"
"Well, I could wait."
"May I ask for how long?"
"I... I don't know... I don't think does he either"
"So what? you might be waiting for years?"
"Maybe."
"And can you?" Ino asked worryingly.
Sakura stoke a side long glance at her friend.
She wasn't sure.
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The whole day was raining, nothing unusual about it, but when Sakura woke up in the middle of the night she thought it was because of a thunder.
She realized the rain had stopped and the loud sound was the banging of her front door.
She looked at the hour. It was almost 2:00 am.
She pushed herself out of the bed and after leaving her room, she realized she was only wearing a tank top and her panties.
"Shit." She said and turned back to grab the baggy sweater she had tossed to the floor.
She struggled to put the sweater on as she rushed to the entrance because of the insisting knocking.
The snapped the door open, but her breath hitched when she saw who was right in front of her and she tried to take a step back, but she couldn't. Before she knew it, she was against Sasuke's chest with his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Sakura..." he whispered.
They just stood there in motionless and Sakura buried herself in his broad chest. He smelled like mint and rain, but there was a also a faintly smell of sake. His clothes were all wet and cold because of the rain, but Sakura wondered if that was the reason of his shivering.
She became aware of Sasuke's heavy breathing and she pushed lightly away from his embrace. There was some resistance but eventually Sasuke lowered his arm.
Sakura lifted her arms and and with her cold hand she held his face. "What's wrong?" She asked.
There was no response. She brushed away his long bangs. With his hair out of the way she could see how his black eye and his rinnegan were staring at her. She fixed her gaze on him, trying to understand what was happening but she couldn't.
Her hands moved away from his face and she reached for his hand. She tugged and guided him inside her living room. He followed her without complain and she worried. Her name was the only thing he had said so far.
She sat down first and pulled lightly of his hand for him to do the same. He was unresponsive at first but then he let his whole body dropped to her side and his face contorted in pain.
"Sasuke-kun!" She cried.
He let go of her hand suddenly and clenched his fist over his chest.
He was having a panic attack.
She placed her hands above chest and poured her chakra in.
She needed first to steady his heart beat.
A few moments went by and his blood pressure finally decreased, giving her time to breath again. With her hands still hovering him, she looked at his face. He looked asleep, like those times he rested after a long day of training.
She looked closely at him and hand reached for his forehead. She sighed in relief when he wasn't with a fever.
Sakura tried to stand up, but Sasuke quickly grasped her wrist.
"Don't go," he said quietly.
"I'll be back in a bit" she hushed and gently shook his hand off.
He looked briefly at her before closing his eyes once again.
She rushed to her bedroom and quickly took out the futon she kept in her closet. She also looked in her drawers for some clean clothes she still kept of him and finally she picked up a lavender oil she kept close in her nightstand.
She headed back and put down the futon first. Sasuke opened his eyes and she kneeled down next to him.
"Here, you should change."
"Hn..." He said weakly and slowly, he sat up. Sakura helped him off with his clothes, his muscles were still tense as result of the stress he just went through and he didn't have enough mobility by himself.
Sasuke apologized but Sakura shook her head and continued her task. Once he was dressed, she helped him lay on the futon.
Sakura reached for his forehead one more time to make sure his temperature wasn't increasing. He was a bit flustered but nothing to worry about. She pulled her hand away and reached for the bottle of oil. She poured some in her hands and without taking his shirt off, she started massaging his chest.
Sasuke grunted when she applied some pressure, but didn't voice his complain. She smiled at his stubbornness.
She poured some more droplets on the tip of her fingers and brushed his chin, below his nose and his temples as well. She was hoping the lavender smell would soothe him to sleep.
Sakura sat with him for a few minutes. When he was finally asleep, she leaned back on the wall and closed her eyes for a moment.
The lavander oil reached her nostrils and it didn't take long for her to join Sasuke in slumber.
Author's notes:
Hello!
Thank for your patience and I hope you've been enjoying this fic.
Next time I update will be the final two chapters, I might take a while to get them ready, but the good news is that the outline is done, yay!
Right now there is an event going on twitter about SS blank period, you should check it out, there's some fanart, snippets and fics :), the hashtag is #ssblankperiod2021.
Cheers!
Adri
January 29th,2021.