A/N: Now we pick things up and flash back to a revelation while obvious, derides many more questions. Enjoy.
4: Momentum
"…I'm usually not one to boast about things and there are plenty of mistakes you'll be making once you leave this place and get assigned to your own 3 member teams but know this. Whoever you get stuck with they'll become closer to you than even your own siblings. My own parents and Lord Seventh couldn't have been more polar opposites when they sat in the very seats you occupy now. Yet they ended up ending the 4th war. So, trust me when I say this, befriend all you can because any bond you make now, will be crucial once the next step begins. I humbly thank you for your time in hearing me out..."
As Sayuri stood to lead the applause Shino smiled at me knowing that I did good. He joined me again and silenced the students.
"Now are there any additional questions for Ms. Uchia?"
18 hands shot up but somehow what piqued me was noticing Sayuri sulk right back down in her seat. Something was off about her, and even though the rest of the students had interesting questions that I answered to the best of my knowhow, my eyes kept peaking back to the girl looking over her notes. At one point I did note a small twinkle in them.
"She isn't crying, is she?"
Later as I got set to depart, I ended up running into Auntie as she prepped lunch for the day. I now once again saw Sayurui sulk to the corner stairs, Auntie noticed and sighed wearily, which gave me momentum to ask.
"Hey Auntie, do you know that girl…"
"Sayuri? Yeah, real quiet type always keeps to herself, never seems to go anywhere except places in the school to study. I think other than Principal Iruka and Shino I'm the only one who really talks with her. She always ends up getting lunch after everyone else and I get my 15 minute break to eat with her. Just to make sure she's not completely alone."
Now I was in a bit of dire straits, why would someone be deliberately not eating with others. I turned back to Auntie who smiled at my idea that I had forming in my mind.
"Your favorite?"
I humbly nodded and went back to talk with Principal Iruka for a bit. Later on, as I witnessed the fights at the stand that I once tore Boruto apart for, my eyes once again saw her alone as ever reading to herself. When the commotion cleared, I saw Auntie wink at me giving me the signal as Sayuri now headed over to the stand.
"Hey Auntie, you all finished?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry Sayuri I have a situation and need to leave as soon as I'm done cleaning up here."
"Oh, never mind…"
"But, I do have another person who can join you…"
I tapped her on the shoulder and nearly caused her to fall on the floor in surprise.
"Ms. Uchia?"
"Hi, I have a bit of time, so I figured id have my favorite thing from here before heading out. I can join you if interested."
"no offense but isn't genin supposed to avoid school food. I mean isn't that what Thunder Burger and Ichiraku are for."
"No I'm not a frequent visitor unlike my teammates and friend Chocho, Auntie always makes one of my favorite things…" I got handed the sandwich as she smiled and waved us off. Sayuri still seemed hesitant as we ascended the stairs up to the rooftop.
"No offense, but I'm kind of…"
"A loner I get that, but how did a loner end up becoming class representative?"
"Oh that, that was cause of a sympathy thing…"
She opened the door as we saw the full view of the academy grounds. I'd seen Boruto Denkei and Shikadai go up here multiple times but I never wanted to do something so cliché. Yet here we are now, a corner with a perfect view of the Hokage monument was where she led me as we sat and got to enjoying the lunch. Sayuri just kept looking at me repeatedly wondering why I was even bothering with her but I just liked her eagerness. But she couldn't help broaching 1 subject I never brought up during class.
"Does your dad still hate the village?"
Now I was in a state of awkwardness as I hesitantly turned back to see her hopeful face. "He doesn't have a place here like the rest of us, but he does do his part. He calls it atonement, and mom calls it his job. I just see it as external support, he warns the village of what may be coming and is the first line of defense, I mean you must remember the meteor?"
"What?"
Ok, she may be clueless on her history maybe something more recent.
"You did hear about the attack on the Chunin Exams a few months, ago right?"
Again, she shook her head, somehow she really is clueless. As she took another hesitant bite and swallowed, I prepped myself to ponder something bigger.
"You said it was a sympathy thing that made you class rep?"
Now I got her attention, time to pry further.
"You can tell me what that means, and I won't tell anyone else."
Sayuri set her sandwich down and focused herself ready to spill something. "There is a reason I called it a sympathy, everyone around here knows that even If I graduate, I won't make it on a team as a genin."
Now I was floored in shock, "You mustn't say that, other than a few odd quirks, you seem more than capable of handling yourself."
"Try telling that to someone who was born only 9 ½ months ago…"
Dressing scattered the ground as my sandwich bounced away and rolled off the roof edge. Now this was really hard to believe.
"How are you in the…"
A tear started to form in her eye as I could tell she was getting upset. I may need to get out of here as quickly as possible.
"Maybe I should…"
"Sarada, I have a genetic disease that makes me age 35 times faster than the normal person. They only say I'll live 3 years total."
I hugged her with tears flowing down my face as well, this may be the most awful thing I ever witnessed and that even includes hearing about Uncle Itachi for the first time. I broke contact and looked at her with a better understanding.
"How did…"
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Please don't speak to me anymore?"
Sayuri quickly leapt from the rooftop as tears still flowed out of my own eyes. Now I could tell something was drawing me to her.
"You may be alone at the school Sayuri, but I'll make sure you aren't friendless."
9 ½ Months Earlier Konohana Hospital
"What have we got…" Being called in as a favor to Sakura is something I don't usually do on short notice, even on a bender. But hearing about her daughter quickly made me change my tune as attendants handed me her charts.
"Bleeding out from uterine area and arms, witnesses were chased by bears, neither saw her directly attacked."
"Vitals"
"Stable at the moment but there is something we picked up on we didn't want leaking without your confirmation."
"Which is…"
"We're sensing another Chakra source."
Now I stopped in my tracks as we reached her room, nobody was in there at the moment and we could tell there were 2 sources. Sarada's own and yet another was present as mentioned, now I motioned for the head attendant to join me.
"Has any fluid or discharge emerged from the lacerated areas."
"A small amount 45 minutes ago but we assumed that was leftover lumps from the bear…"
I held up my hand in disbelief realizing what I now have to report to Naruto himself. This may be bigger than what any of us had feared especially when she disappeared only 2 months earlier.
"Prep OR 5 for emergency caesarian…"
The attendant hesitated at my wording before I walked at him in intimidation. "We're going to lose them both if you don't move now…"
Now they got me as they rushed into her room readying her for something, I never assumed would be happening this fast and possible.
"Lady Tsunade? Did you say that Sakura's going to be a grandmother?"
My head turned in absolute shock to see Hinata who had walked by me looking in on the team. In disbelief I timidly turned back to her.
"How did..?"
"They mentioned caesarian for this room I did the math…."
"Hinata, go and grab Sakura she'll be needing my word."
As she ran off, I headed for the sink muttering to myself the unluckiest of curses as I began to scrub for what I never assumed to be occurring this quickly. A teenage pregnancy…"
A/N: Sarada continues her attempts at befriending someone who doesn't want it in Chapter 5: Bonds As Always Subscribe for more.