Loyalty
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Trigger Warning: Suicide, panic attacks, anxiety, depression. Please do not proceed if any of these things affect you in any negative way.
Sakura bolted out of her bed, vision swimming as she blearily gazed at her trembling fingers. The events of the night before crashed down on her as she clutched fistfuls of her pink locks. Is this a mistake? She inwardly mused, leaning back onto the motel pillow.
After they talked with her, they, Itachi and Shisui, she inwardly cut in, told her the address of a local inn and told her expenses would be covered. It must be an Uchiha place, she thought, glancing at the embroidered curtains.
She stood up, glancing at her temporary living space. For a hotel, it's not that bad! Her mouth twisted into a smile as she recalled the dingy motels her team would have to stay at. Her chest clenched. Shaking her head, she ran a hand through her greasy hair, inwardly cringing at it. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks as she looked at a mirror. Oh my gosh I look like a skunk. They both saw me like this? She bit her lip. I'll think about that later, first I have to shower.
Sakura pulled out the note they gave her the night before. 7:00. Training Ground 3, Mondays and Wednesdays, don't be late! :D She shook her head, a small giggle escaping her mouth. Shisui had to have been the most un-Uchiha Uchiha she'd ever met. Itachi on the other hand was the model Uchiha, stoic and composed through everything.
You've got to wonder how those two even became friends in the first place. She experimentally pulled open a drawer, her jaw slacking as she saw the couple outfits in there.
How did they even know my- Oh, Mikoto-san probably knows, or at least has an idea. She pulled out the first pair of leggings she could find with a regular t-shirt. Then she grabbed her new kunai holster, a small smile on her face. They really do think of everything. She took her small gloves and slid them on her hands and pinned her hair up. She knew it was probably around 6:15 so she had time at least to figure some stuff out.
Plopping down on the stiff comforter, she pulled out a small notepad and pen. This is really kind but I need to find a job or something. D-rank missions aren't going to cut it for rent. Maybe I can ask- She shook her head.
They've already been too generous, I can't ask to stay in here forever. She bit her lip. Maybe I can find a tent for sale? But- She shivered, her arms curling around herself. What about bugs?
"Ughh," She laid down, putting an arm across her eyes to block out the sun. "Where do I even start? If I do at least three D-ranks per week and get a-" She gasped, a hand flying up to her mouth, "I could get one at the hospital! I think they pay decently so maybe I can go ask tomorrow!" She sat up, who said she couldn't go early to warmup?
Awkwardly biting her lip, she cautiously looked around the field. She'd warmed up already, now it was probably around 7:15. Maybe they got called out on a mission? Or maybe they're like Kakashi-sensei? She frowned, dispelling that thought. Their names still hurt. She looked around again, listening for footsteps, a sign that maybe they hadn't forgotten. She shifted from one foot to the other. Maybe they just didn't want to- wait. She listened again, cupping a hand around her ear. There was nothing. No birds or the normal activity of the village. Quickly she brought her hands into a seal. "Genjutsu Kai!"
She would forever deny the small squeak that escaped her mouth as she saw them right in front of her. She groaned, putting her face in her hands. "Were you two here the whole time?" Shisui's resounding laugh and Itachi's impassive silence was answer enough. I probably, no, definitely looked like an absolute idiot.
She lifted her head up. "Um, maybe we can get to training?" She suggested, trying not to hunch down in front of their intimidating auras. Shisui couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he ruffled her hair. Itachi nodded. "I believe that would be the best course of action. Sakura followed them, inwardly redacting her statement. Maybe they're not so bad after all.
Shisui and Itachi led her to the center of the deserted training field, gesturing for her to sit down. "Usually it'll be either me or Itachi teaching you, because of missions and all," Shisui said, absentmindedly flipping a kunai, "so expect one of us to be here on Mondays and Wednesdays," Shisui said. He looked at Itachi, gesturing in a go-on manner. "The first thing we'll test is your stamina. Before we can teach you any sort of ninjutsu or genjutsu, your chakra reserves and stamina have to be well trained." Itachi said, taking his own kunai out.
Sakura's face paled as Shisui grinned. Wait, they can't be that evil, she glanced at the sharp-looking kunai, can they? "So your goal, Sakura, is to dodge until you get a scratch. Ready? Three, two, one." He flung the kunai at her.
She squeaked, rolling out of the way. Itachi threw his at her with unnerving accuracy. This time she stood, jumping to the side. The game was on.
Several hours later she laid out on the grass, panting for air as she greedily gulped down her water. Correction, she jealously narrowed her eyes at their unaffected forms, they are that evil. They'd spent two hours working on her dodging then made her run laps and do situps until she couldn't anymore. "Well, see you on Wednesday, make sure to practice your form! Ja!" With that, Shisui teleported out and Itachi left with a nod of his own.
Sakura unclasped her hair, letting it fall on the grass as she shut her eyes. She hadn't trained like that, well, ever. Kakashi-sensei never took me seriously. She frowned, shrugging to herself. Well, I wouldn't have taken me seriously either if I was him. All I cared about was Sasuke back then.
She sat up, wiping the sweat off her forehead. There goes my good mood. She sighed as she picked up her water bottle and put her jacket back on her shoulders. I can't wait to take a shower.
The next day Sakura placed on some shorts and a hoodie before heading out. Her limbs still ached with every step. "Stupid Uchiha's and their stupid kunai dodging practice." She muttered under her breath, shoving her hands in her pockets.
"Hey forehead! Long time no see! Have you finally decided to become a shut-in? I mean, people probably get horrified at the sight of your face now and days!" Sakura inwardly groaned as she turned towards Ino. "Go away Ino." Sakura's shoulders drooped. I don't think I can handle an argument with her today. Ino's eyebrows quirked up, confusion written all over her face. "You good forehead?"
Sakura waved her hand, lips twisting into a smile, "yeah I'm fine." Ino crossed her arms. "Are you sure because you-" "Actually, do you think maybe we could get together sometime and have dinner or something?" She bit her lip, already prepared for scornful words. Instead, Ino tilted her head and smiled, her shoulders noncommittally shrugging. "Sure, why not?"
A/N: It's been a long time since I updated this fic! Sorry about that! I can't promise I'll update sooner because of my school and work schedules but I'll try! Thank you all so much for your love and support on this story! I promise the chapters will eventually get longer. And no, InoSaku won't be a thing in this fic but I always didn't understand why they stopped being friends. If you want my whole rant on that, let me know but otherwise I won't go into it. Anyways, you all are amazing and I hope your day's are great! Please favorite, follow, and review!
-Liz