A/N: This chapter is longer than the previous ones. So go on and read it...
xoxoxoxox
Ringggggggg.
Sakura lazily lifted her head up from her pillow and looked at her alarm clock. It was 9 in the morning. She slowly got up and sat up on the side of the bed. She looked out the window and saw how sunny it was outside. She walked towards the window and looked down at the village. She saw how busy the marketplace was as usual and little children were running around playing tag. She smiled as she observed all of this happening.
She unconsciously lifted her left arm to look at her wrist. She studied the small linear scar that was left on there. Today, I'm starting anew…Sakura reminded herself. She walked towards her closet to look for her training outfit and went to the restroom to take a shower.
After she finished getting ready, she went to the kitchen and quickly poured herself some milk. She drank some and let out a refreshing sigh. She prepared her fighting equipment and carefully placed them in her holster that's wrapped around her right thigh. She looked at the scar on her left wrist, and decided to put on her black gloves to cover it so people won't notice it. She walked out of her apartment and locked her door.
I think I'll go visit Tsunade-sama first and have some social time with her. After that, I'll go to the forest and train. I need to polish off some of my jutsus anyways. Sakura thought to herself.
As she strolled through the marketplace, she heard a familiar feminine voice call her out.
"Ms. Sakura Forehead girlllll!" a blonde young lady hollered afar from a store.
Sakura turned her head and walked towards the direction of the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
"Well hey, Ino-pig!" Sakura snorted with a smirk as she entered the store. The pungent smell of flowers aroused her senses.
"Where do you think you're heading off to, missy?" Ino asked while cutting off the thorns from long-stemmed peach roses.
"I was just about to head off to the Hokage monument to go visit Tsunade-sama," Sakura replied while looking at the beautiful flowers around her.
"Can you stay for a little bit to chit chat with me at least? It's been a while since we've had an in-depth conversation! I didn't get to talk to you at Genma-san's birthday celebration. You seemed so dazed out and down during that time. I'm hoping you're feeling better now! Even though we're not best friends like how we used to be, I'm still concerned about you," Ino said as she raised her head from her task and her azure orbs stared into Sakura's emerald orbs.
Sakura felt touched at what Ino had just proclaimed to her. Yes, even though their friendship was a bit strained, they still manage to overcome all the odds. From time to time, they would depend on each other whenever one was going through problems. But lately Sakura has been shutting out her friends from the personal hell that she endures. She feels that she shouldn't let her friends endure it because she doesn't want to see them as depressed as she is. But today was a new day for her; she wasn't going to be a depressing dipshit any longer. Her heart twinged at what Ino told her, and she smiled at her while a gleam flashed from her eyes.
"Thank you, Ino. And yes, I do have lots of time to have a conversation with you. After all, I miss it too."
Ino smiled back and ran to the stock room. "Okaasan! Is it OK if I go out for an hour to have time to spend with Sakura-chan?" Sakura heard Ino ask her mother. She heard some voices having a small conversation, but she didn't hear what they were saying.
Ino emerged from the room with a huge smile on her face, while her mother trailed behind her.
"Hello Mrs. Yamanaka," Sakura politely greeted and bowed. The mother returned the gesture.
"Ah Sakura-chan! It has been a while since I've seen you, dear. I'm letting my daughter spend time with you because I know both of you haven't seen nor talk to each other for a long while. I want you 2 to spend some time together. While doing so, I'll take over the store." She said as she smiled and hugged Sakura.
"Aww, that is very nice of you, Mrs. Yamanaka-san! We will definitely have fun catching up. Arigato!" Sakura happily replied.
"OK Okaasan! Arigato! See you in a bit!" Ino waved off as she grabbed Sakura's left wrist and ran out the store. Sakura winced at Ino's sudden jerk of her wrist. She didn't know her wrist would be a little sore from the night before.
"Is something wrong, Sakura?" Ino noticed the wincing Sakura did.
"No, nothing at all." Thank God I'm wearing these black gloves…
They were strolling around the village side by side. They walked towards a nearby park.
Ino broke the silence and shook Sakura's arm, "We have a LOT to catch up on, girl! How have you been? Anything new with you?" Both walked towards the grass and decided to sit under a cherry blossom tree.
Sakura formed a smile on her face and replied, "Well, I guess things have changed, and I made a lot of realizations now. I'm going to become stronger from now on."
Ino was shocked at Sakura's revelation. Her eyes widened and asked, "Oh really? Please elaborate!" She positioned herself into an Indian-sitting position.
Sakura brought her knees toward her body and rested her arms over them. "Recently I've realized that my condescending attitude is not getting me anywhere. I'm just deteriorating inside. I also don't want any of you to be concerned for me anymore. I'm finally tired of getting myself depressed, especially over Sasuke-kun. I'm starting anew, Ino."
"Atta girl! You're finally getting it! It's not worth it being so depressed all time, especially over someone who has a heart of stone. May I ask how you finally came to this realization?"
Sakura didn't want to tell Ino about her wrist, so she decided to tell her only parts of the truth. "I just thought things over and over again, until I made my stubborn ass realize it." She let out a small chuckle.
"Well, I'm proud of you! You finally had the emotional strength to overcome your feelings! I'm glad you're feeling better now!" Ino exclaimed as she hugged Sakura tightly.
"Should I still try to hook you up with any other boys here in Konoha?" she said sarcastically with a laugh.
"Ah no thanks!" Sakura laughed and shook her head. Wow, I do miss having these kind of conversations with Ino! It sure has been a while! A gust of wind blew and some cherry blossom leaves gently fell on to the laughing girls.
Ino decided to change the subject. "So Sakura, are you comfortable being in the ANBU squad so far?"
"Yes I am. At times it can be quite frightful because some of the assassination missions can be deadly and suicidal, but I still muster the courage to do my duty. Fortunately, I come of out them alive with only a few injuries."
"Wow, that sounds depth-defying!"
"Yeah, you can say that," Sakura replied, "Oh, and how is your teaching job? How is it like handling the girls in the academy?"
"Well, they are tolerable. Sometimes girls can be difficult, but more restrained than the boys. You know how girls' maturity levels are higher than boys. I'm thankful that I mainly handle the girls. Shikamaru has to handle both boys and girls in the academy classroom haha. As for me, I get to bring the girls out to the fields and teach them how to do creative flower constructing like when we were. We make crowns, bracelets, necklaces, etc. Suzume-sensei gave me helpful tips on how to teach the girls and what they can construct with the flowers. I'm more fortunate because I know the meaning of each flower since I work at the flower shop. It's so adorable to see the girls' eyes light up everytime I tell them the meaning of the flowers they pick from the ground."
"Awww, that is wonderful, Ino! I'm happy for you!" Sakura beamed.
"As for me, being a medical-nin in the ANBU squad is quite difficult but honorable at the same time. I feel like I'm the ultimate protector of the squad because I get to heal my comrades' fatal wounds. I'm glad I got the tutelage of Tsunade-sama to become a medical-nin because I won't be able to see my comrades die from fatal wounds so easily in front of me. I'm not helpless anymore, like how I used to be in the past. I now have a purpose, and it's to heal my injured teammates while kicking some evil ass. I care way too much for my comrades, and I'm not going to let them get hurt in front of my eyes ever again. I remember one time when Naruto got fatally wounded from a doton no jutsu an enemy used on him. I quickly came to his side and healed the large gash on his left torso. If I didn't have the power to heal him, he would have bled to death in front of my eyes. I can't let a dear friend of mine die. After I healed him, I chased after the enemy and beat the living hell out of him until he turned into a bloody pulp."
"Wow Sakura! You are much stronger compared to before! I am seriously proud of your improvements during the past 5 years. You've grown up so much. Sakura! You've finally bloomed into a beautiful flower!" Ino beamed.
"Aww arigato, Ino. You're beautiful too! I'm also proud of you for being a sensei at the academy!" Sakura happily replied. They continue to conversate.
"Well Sakura, it's been great catching up with you, but I got to get back to the flower shop. It's been well over an hour already, and my okaasan will have a fit if I arrive in late. So, I'll see you around okay? Take care of yourself!" Ino said as she stood up and dusted herself. Sakura proceeded to do the same.
"Okay then. Have fun at work, while I go visit Tsunade-sama," replied Sakura.
Ino hugged Sakura and walked away towards the flower shop, as she waved good-bye. Sakura decided to transport herself to the Godaime's office. A poof of clouds formed as sakura leaves surrounded it, as Sakura disappeared into thin air.
Knock, knock.
"Come in," the busty blonde woman said as she looked up from her pile of paperwork and scrolls on her desk.
Sakura gingerly turned the knob to open the door.
"Ahh hello Sakura my dear! What brings you here?" Tsunade exclaimed.
"Hello Tsunade-sama. I just came to visit and conversate with you."
"Oh how pleasant of you! That would be fine since I need a break from this pile of paperwork!"
Sakura observed the high stacks of paperwork and chuckled to herself. Ever since she became Tsunade's subordinate, she has seen the labor this woman goes through or lack there of. Sometimes she walks in on her resting her head on the desk while snoozing her stress away. There were times when Sakura had to wake up her sensei to continue doing her work. In some cases, Sakura would be obligated to help her.
"If you're wondering Sakura, there won't be any crucial ANBU missions this whole week. So you can rest in the meantime."
"Oh yes, I was informed by Anko-san about that."
"Haha I'm actually surprised that woman was reliable about information like that. Anko reminds me of an older female version of Naruto! She's so impulsive, obnoxious, and loud. I'm glad that Kakashi is with her. His laid-back attitude should rub off on her," Tsunade snorted.
"Haha yeah. They look great together. Kaka-sensei treats her well, and vice-versa, even though they joke around a lot."
"Ah yes, those two are meant to be together, even though they are total opposites."
"Well, you know what they say Tsunade-sama, opposites attract!"
"You are correct on that one, my dear. By the way, how have you been? I haven't seen much of you around lately. I couldn't attend Genma's birthday bash because I had work and other affairs to tend to, but I heard from Shizune that he proposed to her there! I thought that was the sweetest thing! I can't believe Genma actually had an ounce of romance in his heart! Shizune looked so blissful when she told me the news. I'm really happy for her!"
"Yes! I was there myself. It was such a romantic sight! The girls and I couldn't stop squealing at Genma-san's sentiments! I'm very happy for those two! A king found his queen!"
"Yup—," Tsunade wanted to ask Sakura about the Uchicha, but in the back of her mind she had a feeling that she shouldn't bring him up at all in this conversation. Her intuition told her that Sakura might become emotional if she did so. She knows how emotional her subordinate gets and she doesn't want that to happen. So she decided to change the subject.
"So Sakura, have you been practicing your medical jutsus lately? And the summoning jutsu that I recently taught you?"
"Yes Tsunade-sama, but I need to polish them a little bit, especially my summoning jutsu. Whenever I do it, the only result I get is a baby slug."
"Looks like you really need to practice it then. It's not really a required ANBU jutsu, but it will become useful someday. Even though you may think 'Oh, it's just a measly slug. What the hell can it do?', there's more to the slug than just its appearance. It's more powerful than you think."
"Oh I know Tsunade-sama. That's why I'm trying my best to polish my summoning jutus, while I polish my other jutsus that I mainly utilize in the ANBU squad."
"Sakura, I honestly have to say that I'm proud of the position you're at right now: you're the top-ranked medic-nin in the ANBU squad and you are almost as powerful as me. One day, you may even surpass Shizune and I. Now that is a feat!" Tsunade proclaimed as she beamed a smile at the pink-haired kunoichi.
"Thank you very much, Tsunade-sama. But I should be thanking you because you trained me and placed me where I am today!" Sakura replied as she smiled back at her. They continued on with their conversation.
"Well Sakura, I better get back to work now before Shizune frantically runs into my office with more paperwork and pesters me to finish up whatever I have here. Where are you heading off to right now?"
"I'm going to train in the forest. Like you said, to polish my jutsus."
"OK then, that's good. I'll see you soon, and good luck! Once you see Katsuya form from the summon jutsu, tell her I said hello," Tsunade chuckled.
"Hehe OK then, Tsunade-sama. Oh yeah, tell Shizune-san I said hello!" Sakura gave her sensei (more like a mother-figure) a hug and proceeded to walk out the office. Tsunade waved her off.
Sakura closed the door behind her. I'm surprised she didn't ask about him. Hmm, oh well. I guess her intuition figured she shouldn't or something. That's good. Now off to training.
Yeah! Get your lazy ass to train already! Inner Sakura butted in.
Bah! Will you shut up! I'm not a lazy ass! Her thoughts were fighting in her mind again.
A cloud swirled around her, and she was gone with a POOF!