Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Sorry for the super late update! Nothing like working a shit ton of hours just to come home and sleep the rest of the day away and repeat it to mentally drain you. However, that is no excuse. I hope you can forgive me and enjoy this next chapter! I still love you guys and appreciate all your support!
Reviewer Shoutout: I-Love-Trunks1
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Chapter 63: A Shy Bunny's New Shell: Part 1
Sakura's P.O.V.
Bright morning rays leak into my room as I slowly open my eyes. It's now autumn here in the Hidden Leaf, so it's that awkward time of the year where it's freezing in the morning and the sun rises later than normal. Without getting up, I look over to see that I have about 30 minutes before my alarm goes off. My apartment is a little chilly this morning, so I decide to reach over, turn off my alarm, and just continue to lay in my bed. Everything that I must do today runs through my head.
Lady Tsunade and I are supposed to be evaluating Sasuke-Kun's eyes for his release. I feel ecstatic that my sensei continues to praise my work, but I'm still worried that I'm nowhere as great as her. I know I'll get there one day, especially with how much more experience she has over me. When we first began my training, almost four years ago, she told me that she hopes to see me obtain the Strength of a Hundred Seal just like her. If I can do it, then I will be her only disciple who has ever achieved it. It drives me to push myself even further.
For me to achieve this, I must continuously store charka into my forehead, even while sleeping. It is an extremely difficult task, since it must be done subconsciously and with most of my chakra. This also means that I can't fight nor participate in as many operations as I would like until I achieve it. However, I think I found an efficient way to accomplish this.
Since I already have a great ability of chakra control, I managed to develop a technique in which I can constantly store about 80% of my charka while using the other 20% for fighting and other resources. It's not the best method, but it's been working for the past four years so far. I'll only know if it's effective once I obtain the seal. I plan on discussing this with Lady Tsunade late today anyway. If I can't obtain the seal soon, then I won't be much help during the war, my worst fear. The only good thing about that is that I still have time before the war starts before that comes true. Now to focus on the first task of the day: breakfast with my parents.
Looking over at my clock, it reads 7:58 am. Sighing, I sit up and stretch before swinging my legs over the edge of my bed.
"Might as well get up. I don't have to meet my parents until 10 am. But knowing a certain cheetah, he'll be outside my door with flowers… again…" I smile at the thought before standing up and throwing on my black, fuzzy rode and matching slippers.
I make my way to my closet to pick out my clothes. Since I don't have any missions or special cases at the hospital today, I decide to dress in casual clothes. I pick out a simple, emerald green, button-up sweater to match my eyes, a white tank top, light blue khaki jeans, and some cute open-toed black heels. A simple outfit since it's chillier right now, but it'll warm up later in the day. Satisfied with my outfit, I head to the bathroom to shower and brush my teeth. After I finish getting dress, I brush my hair, ears, and tail until I'm satisfied with their appearance. To finish off my outfit, I wear a red headband and a black necklace with a silver ring around it. The time reads 9:10 am by the time the doorbell rings. A smile etches itself onto my face as I make my way to the door with my shoes.
"You can come in, Lee,"
"How did you know it was me?" he asks as he enters my apartment.
"Who else comes to my apartment this early in the morning, and with flowers none the else?"
"I'm starting to think you know me a little too well. Here," he smiles as he hands me a bouquet of sunflowers and red roses.
"I have never seen this combination before. No doubt another of Ino's newest creations," I smile while smelling them.
"Do you not like them? I can run and get you something else~"
"They're beautiful, Lee. Wait here. I'm going to put them in a vase," I say, quickly turning away so he doesn't see my blush, "At this rate, if you keep giving me flowers almost every other day, I'm going to run out of room for all of them," I say as I walk past the other three bouquets be bought me just this week.
"I'll have to remember to buy vases next time I buy you flowers then," he brightly smiles.
"Not what I meant, but a nice perception of what I said. So, what do you have planned for the day?"
"Nothing too much. We're just going some youthful training with Guy-sensei! He's having us do at least 100 push-ups and some extra training! He says that we must up our youthfulness for this upcoming war! Guy-sensei is so wise and full of youth. I strive to be like him one day!" he says with tears of determination in his eyes.
"Wise and youth are not the words I would not use there," I awkwardly chuckle.
"How would you describe him then? Amazing? Talented? Driven?"
"Um, sure. Let's go with that,"
"What about you, Sakura-chan? You look so nice today. I take it that you don't have any missions or anything special to do at the hospital today?"
"Now I'm starting to think you know my schedule better than me. You're right though. I'm actually on my way to have breakfast before having a meeting with Lady Tsunade,"
"Sounds like a relaxing day. You deserve it after all the hard work you've been doing lately,"
The blush on my cheeks spreads to my ears as I play with my bang, "Gee, thanks Lee,"
"I'm serious! You're one of the hardest working medical-nin I know. You're so… amazing…"
"Lee! You're making me blush too hard," I say as I cover my face with my hands. Before I know it, he's in front of me and closes… a little too close.
I back away from him out of embarrassment until my back hits a wall. The feeling of his dominant alpha is leaking into my apartment and making my knees weak. Using the wall behind me for support, I try to send out my own female alpha aura, but it's quickly dominated by his and forces me to subconsciously submit. He takes a step towards me and I can feel my chest tightening. Suddenly, my apartment feels as if the temperature rose at least degrees. A trickle of sweat slides down the side of my face and off my chin. I spread my fingers along the cool wall to keep me grounded while continuing to staring into his intimidating eyes. This isn't the first time I've stared into Lee's eyes, but this is the first time that we've engaged in this dance of dominance. I catch of whiff of his natural scent and it intoxicates me. Unlike other males, Lee doesn't mask his scent. It's a natural, earthy scent. It's raw. It's manly and addicting.
Trying to get a hold of myself, I suddenly remember something, "Oh Lee, I'm so sorry," I say as I slap one of my palms against my forehead.
"What for, Sakura-chan?" he asks in an unnaturally deep voice, causing me to swallow hard.
"I meant to let you know when I was free. Did you say something about dinner? I've been so busy that I almost forgot. I apologize,"
"It's alright, Sakura-chan. I know you've been busy. That's why I've been coming to see you instead. You'll tell me when you're free,"
Again, I feel my body become redder and warmer, "Thanks for understanding. Are you free tonight?"
"I am. Would you like to meet me for dinner this evening? Maybe around 7 pm?"
"Sure. I'd like that,"
He nods before finally taking a step back. It does little to calm my warm body, but the distance allows me to breathe a little bit. I put a hand on my chest as I try to catch my breath.
"Are you alright, Sakura-chan?"
"Yes!" I answer quickly before clearing my throat and trying to compose myself, "I mean, yes. I just felt a little warm. That's all. I should probably turn my heat down a little bit before I leave. You know how this bipolar weather can be," I nervously laughed.
"Sounds like a good idea. I to find this weather confusing, but perfect for training," he brightly smiles.
"Of course, you do. Well, I must go. Can't keep my parents waiting,"
"Do you want me to walk with you?"
"No! Er, I mean, don't you have to meet Guy-sensei, Neji, and Tenten? I'm pretty sure they're waiting on you,"
"You're right?! Oh no! I've let them down! Don't worry, I'll be sure to do an extra 50 pushups as punishment! No 100 pushups!"
"Don't overdo it, idiot," I sigh.
"I promise. I know you don't like it when I end up in the hospital. But, if I'm being honest, I actually like it when you're the one taking care of me," he smiles before turning to leave, "Have a great day, Sakura-chan! I'll see you at 7 pm!"
I watch him leave my apartment before sliding to the floor with the exhausted breath, "What the hell just happened? All this time, I've been dreaming of having that moment with Sasuke-Kun. But it ended up happening with Lee, of all people? I must be going crazy,"
I sit there for a little bit before finally getting up. I look at the clock with wide eyes, "I'm late!" Without thinking about anything else, I grab my keys, put on my shoes, and run out of my apartment to meet my parents at the restaurant.
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"You're late, young lady," my mother scolds with her arms over her chest.
"Sorry,"
"Oh dear, leave her be. She's Lady Tsunade's student. I'm sure she's been busy with all kinds of missions and training. We should be honored that she has time to see us every two weeks or so," my father smiles while looking over the menu.
"Oh, I'm only teasing her. Of course, I know that. Sakura, we're so proud of your accomplishments. Who knew our own daughter would not only be one of the students under Lady Tsunade's tutelage but is said to rival her talents. I couldn't be prouder of you,"
"Thank you, guys. It's been hard work, but it's worth it. And I think that I'm almost close to achieving one of her most powerful seals. I've been training for four years to achieve it, but I think I'm pretty close," I brag.
"That's amazing, honey," my father smiles wider.
"Yes. You have always been an intelligent woman. You have truly made us proud. Now, tell us about the men in your life,"
"Mother!" I blush.
"Oh Sakura, there's no need to be embarrassed. It's normal for women around your age, especially for kunoichi, to start looking for a potential mate. Is there anyone you're looking at, besides that Uchiha boy you've been obsessed with since you were a child?"
"I really don't feel like having this conversation," I grumble I say before ordering some tea and my food.
"Your mother is right. With this war coming up, we have been worried about you. As your parents, we worry about your involvement in this war and your life up to this point,"
"Father…"
"Sakura, we're only looking out for you. You're at the age that stuff like this matter. When you said you wanted to join the academy, of course, your father and I were against it. But you wouldn't give up until we allowed you to go. It hurts us knowing that you're going on these dangerous missions and we can't be there to protect you. I can't tell you how many times a night I pray for your safe return home," my mother says, trying not to cry.
"We fear for the day that ANBU appears at our door to tell us that our only daughter is dead. It'll bring us comfort knowing that you're at least happy with someone and not alone,"
I sigh as I look at them. I can understand their fears. It may not be my favorite topic, but I know that if it were me on the opposite end of the table, I would want the same. Looking down at my steamy cup of tea, I breathe in the calming scent before drinking it, "I haven't chosen a potential mate yet. But just know that I'm happy with how things are progressing in my life. I have been training hard under Lady Tsunade and getting praised for my talents. That means more to me than having a mate right now,"
"What do you plan to do after the war is over?" my mother asks.
"I want to work in a hospital with Lady Tsunade. After Naruto takes the role of Hokage, she will remain in the village with her mate, Master Jiraiya, and will take control over the hospital. I plan to work for her until I can either open my own clinic or go into partnership with her. Somewhere in there, I might look for a mate. But, for right now, I like the way things are going for me. I'm happy. I promise,"
"But~"
"Then we're happy for you," my father interrupts. My mother is about to say something else, but my father stops her, "Dear, she said she's happy. If she does not want a mate right now, then we must accept it. This is her life after all. Can't we just be proud of her accomplishments and happy that she's happy? And, if I recall, a certain someone did not want a mate either when you were her age, no matter how much I pursued you,"
My mother blushes before looking down at her cup, "You're right honey. I'm sorry, Sakura. I am happy that you're happy. I just wanted to make sure. You're our little Cherry Blossom Princess. We only want what's best for you. However, I need to remember that you're old enough to make your own decisions,"
"I know you both are worried about me. I also know that if it were me with my children, I would feel the same way. Just know that I don't know everything, but I'm figuring it as I go. I'm still going to need you two though. I'll never outgrow you. And when I'm ready to pursue someone, you two will be one of the first to know. I promise,"
"Good. However, if I had a choice, I rather like for you to try that cheetah boy in the green jumpsuit. He seems like a respectable young man,"
"And pretty handsome. Your children will be beautiful," my mother smiles.
"Who Lee?"
"Lee! Yes, that is his name. I knew it was something like that. He's Might Guy's student, right?" my father asks.
"Yeah, but Lee is just my friend,"
"He doesn't seem to think so. Didn't you say that he confesses to you a little while ago? That doesn't sound like he just wants to be your friend, baby," my mother says while eating.
"Yeah, but I turned him down then,"
"But are you two still hanging out? Last time you told us about him, he was showing up at your door with flowers and coming to visit you to have lunch, just to talk, spend time with you, etc. Is he still doing that?"
"I mean yeah. But mother, I don't think I can see myself with Lee,"
"Why not?"
"Well… I mean… he's… How do I put this… he's… oh…" I stumble over my words as I pull on my ears.
"Stop that. We've told you about doing that," my father scolds.
"Sorry. But you guys don't get it. He's too caring. He's always trying to be around me with flowers. He's constantly making me laugh when I need to be serious. He doesn't take care of his training and often injures himself. He just runs to me to take care of him and even told me today that he likes it when I take care of him. He's so annoying," I say with a heated blush and a slight smile on my face.
"Those don't sound like negative things. In fact, they remind me of a certain alpha male who pursued me for several years before I finally agreed to even have dinner with him. Right, dear?" my mother teases, causing my blushing father to clear his throat.
"He's honestly not all that bad. I just don't know what I want from him. I know I don't want a mate. I have him as a friend. I know he wants to be more than friends, but I don't know if I'm ready to go to that next level with him just yet,"
"Well, do you like him?" my mother asks.
"I… don't know yet. I know I feel something. I just can't put into words what it is yet,"
"Could it be because you're still healing from that Uchiha boy? I know you liked him for a long time,"
"Yeah and I thought he would eventually learn to love me too. The day that Lee confessed he loved me was the day I confessed to Sasuke-Kun. Two different confessions with the same outcome," I sadly sigh.
My father reaches across the table to hold my hand with a gentle smile, "Honey, you are a smart woman. You may not have always made the best choices, especially when it came to that Uchiha boy. However, as you have said, you are still learning. One thing I would say you are doing correctly is how you are trying to figure things out before jumping into something you're not ready for. That's how people get hurt. That Uchiha boy turned you away after all these years, so now you know how he feels now. You know that he may never grow to love you. But now you have someone who already loves you. You may not know how you feel about him, but you do know that you're not ready for the love he can give you. Take your time and think it through. Be honest with him. If he genuinely wants to be your alpha, then he will remain by your side while you figure yourself out. A person who wants to mate someone has the patience of the gods. When two people decide to mate one another, it must be a mutual agreement, or else it will destroy them. You never want to be involved in anything one-sided anyway. They're the most dangerous battles anyone can fight. When I pursued your mother, she was just like you. But the more patient I was, the more she started to come around, and now, 18 years later, we're still very much in love with the most beautiful, intelligent, talented daughter to ever grace this planet. We know you'll make the right decision. We support you no matter what you decide and will always be here for you,"
My mother reaches for my other hand. I tighten my grip on both their hands as tears form in the corner of my eyes. Having parents like this has always been a blessing, especially knowing that so many don't have them this long. I am truly blessed. I smile brightly as the happy tears spill from my eyes.
"Thank you. I love you both,"
"And we love you, our Cherry Blossom Princess," they say together.
We finish our breakfast with light conversation before leaving the resultant. I hug them tight we part ways. Thoughts of my parents' words play in my head as I make my way toward the hospital. During the walk, excitement fills my body as I think about the events for later in the day. Now, I have both my meeting with Lady Tsunade, Sasuke-Kun, and Naruto and my dinner "date" with Lee to look forward to. With a spring in my step and the warming sun on my face, I continue towards the hospital to begin the rest of my day.
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To Be Continued…
