I haven't updated this fic in a while…heh. I'll try and get it back up to speed.
Enjoy!
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The next morning Sakura was diligent and insisted that she was well enough to leave. The medic-nin however refused and told her to remain in the infirmary for at least a day more. The green-eyed kunoichi persisted, but finally gave up and lay down to rest; hoping the day would fly by soon.
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Overnight, Kakashi had arrived at the Mist village and instantaneously started to carry out his mission. By the looks of it, he would probably have to stay for a couple days at least. Just thinking about it made a small frown appear on his masked lips.
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For the past couple of hours, Sakura had been staring at the ceiling as if it was the most interesting thing on earth. Once in awhile, her gaze would shift and she would study another part of the room. By now she had already memorized the room like the back of her hand: There was a huge gauge in the wall to her right, how it got there she didn't know. A nearby machine would beep faintly every three and a half seconds (yes, she counted), and the grey file cabinet present in the room had exactly four drawers, with the second from the bottom's handle twisted in a peculiar way.
Sakura couldn't help but feel self-pity. All of her friends were most likely on missions, and lying here all day definitely beat her usual paperwork on the boring-meter.
How'd I end up here, anyways?
You're telling me you already forgot? Inner Sakura sighed deeply.
Oh yeah. I blacked out when I was with Kakashi-san. How embarrassing.
The image of her ex-sensai popped up into her head.
"I hope you're doing okay, Kakashi."
Meanwhile….
Continuing a line of hand seals, the Copy ninja took advantage of his surroundings, which happened to be a large body of water, "Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu (Explosion skill; water element)!" As his opponents were sent flying, he inwardly thanked Zabuza for using the move on him and permitting his sharingan to duplicate the jutsu exactly. The foes slowly recovered.
This can't drag on any further, he told himself firmly. The famous ninja activated his sharingan and then gathered chakra to one arm, readying himself to strike.
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It had been days, almost a week, since Sakura was sent into the hospital and Kakashi had begun his task. The green-eyed kunoichi had finally been released from the infirmary, and resumed her normal activities of being a medic ninja.
The Hokage had apologized for sending Sakura's 'guard' out on a mission, but told her it was urgent and he was needed. Tsunade had offered to assign another nin to protect her until Kakashi came back. Sakura politely declined.
Although Sakura well knew that missions assigned to talented jounins usually could take months—even years—to complete, she was still anxious of the return of her comrades and old teacher… "Sakura!" Tsunade called out from a nearby room. The voice broke Sakura from her uncertainties. "Hmm?"
"Kakashi's back."
"Really?" asked Sakura gleefully.
The Hokage nodded. " And can you do me a favor?" she began, not bothering for an answer, "Can you go tend to him? He has some wounds, most are minor."
Sakura nodded and had already started towards the door when Tsunade spoke again, "Oh yeah, he's also reassigned your guard."
"Arigatou, Tsunade-sama!" Sakura beamed before heading off.
Astonished at the numerous injuries Kakashi had withstood, Sakura slowly healed each of them one-by-one. Her cheeks reddened when Kakashi had to peel off his shirt so she could examine the cuts on his back, but she kept on a poker face and tried to remain professional. When the medic-nin finally finished the task, she was exhausted and famished.
By now, it was early on in the evening. The pair had started to walk back towards Sakura's residence and were greeted by some familiar faces," Hey! Kakashi!" Asuma called out, his words slurred slightly. Both Kakashi's and Sakura's attention turned towards the commotion. Along with Asuma, other jounins were there including Kurenai, Gai, and Genma. Most were gulping down glasses of sake.
So this is what the do in their spare time? Sakura thought sourly.
Nonetheless, she followed her ex-sensai as he strolled over, "Oh, hello Sakura!" greeted Genma, who was probably the only sober one…for now, anyway. Sakura said hello to each of the jounins, bowing slightly to indicate respect.
I bet I'm going to be the one dragging all their drunk asses home, Sakura giggled to herself.
Gai had invited Kakashi to one of their usual rivalries of who could consume down the most booze, but it was rejected (to Sakura's surprise and delight) when Kakashi remembered the last time he had engaged in a contest. Lee's sensai, Gai, was astonished and then smiled a toothy grin when he spotted Sakura," How about you, my beautiful flower?"
Ugh. So this is where Lee gets it, Inner Sakura groaned.
Kakashi's strong grip enclosed on Sakura's upper arm, pulling her farther from the bowled-cut jounin, indicating a protective "no".
Later, probably half-an-hour, they left towards Sakura's home. It was the first in a long time.
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