Sakura stood in front of the mirror and puffed out her cheeks, letting the breath out through pursed lips. I've got this… she thought to herself. She was dressed in her smart blue trousers and dusty pink blouse, paired with nude flats. She shrugged into her nude jacket and picked up her bag. She looked around her room and groaned, she had fallen back into bad habits and left her clothes lying around the place. I'll clean this up later she promised herself as she made her way downstairs into the kitchen.
She prepared herself a bowl of cereal and some fruit, placing them on the table and sat down. She picked at her breakfast, a little nervous to eat. She managed to eat a few bites before deciding to make a move. She threw away the soggy cereal and placed the bowl in the sink, promising herself to clean it up later.
In the hallway, she grabbed her keys from the table, including her new car keys, thanks to Hakui who had helped her buy the car. She threw her phone into her bag and walked out of the door, locking it behind her.
The drive to the hospital took twenty minutes, and she was glad to have made this journey a few times before she was due to start. She parked her car and looked up at the building. When she had first looked at it, she had expected it to be brown like most of the others, but it was white, with a red hospital sign on it.
She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before walking into the building. There were people walking around, some holding files, others on their phones, some sat in chairs waiting patiently to be seen. Sakura walked towards the reception desk and waited for the receptionist to finish what she was doing.
Five minutes passed by and the young lady still hadn't looked up. Sakura cleared her throat loudly, grabbing the woman's attention.
The woman looked up at Sakura with annoyed brown eyes that seemed to pierce her, "yes?" she asked, her tone clipped.
Sakura gave her a tight smile, "hi, my name is Sakura Haruno, -
"Doctor Sakura Haruno," the woman smiled at her, the annoyed look vanished from her face, "it's so good to see you."
Sakura stared at the woman for a second before giving her a small smile, "hello." Slightly taken aback from the change in the woman's behaviour.
"I'll show you to your office, and the other doctors are waiting to meet you in the staff area," the woman stood up and walked around the desk. Before she could say anything else, Chiyo walked up to them.
"Sakura, it's good to see you again."
Sakura turned to face the elder woman, "Lady Chiyo, it's good to see you too."
"What did I say about calling me Lady?" the older woman narrowed her eyes slightly, but her lips pulled to the side. "Come, I'll show you around." She turned to the young receptionist, "Maki, I'll take it from here."
The receptionist, Maki, smiled at them both, "sure Granny Chiyo," she turned to face Sakura, "nice meeting you doctor."
"Please call me Sakura," Sakura smiled at the brown haired woman.
"Come Sakura," Chiyo began to walk down the corridor. Chiyo pointed out the rooms they passed by, telling Sakura about them.
Sakura followed Chiyo and nodded at what the elder woman told her about the hospital, until they stopped at a door.
"This will be your office; it is all ready for you." Chiyo pushed open the door and let Sakura go in.
Sakura walked in and looked around. The layout of the room was similar to her office in Konoha, a desk with a computer and two screen, two filing cabinets on the back wall, a large window that almost covered one wall. The only difference was that this room was tidier than her previous one, no files lying around the table, no stacks of papers littering the place.
"It's great," Sakura turned to face Chiyo, "thank you."
Chiyo waved off her thanks, "I'll show you to the staff area," she turned and walked the other way.
Together they made their way to the area. The room almost took half the floor, it was a large, spacious room, with wide windows that gave anyone a clear view of the bustling city below them. There were two vending machines, one filled with drinks, the other with snacks and sandwiches. In the corner, a kitchen unit, with a cooker, fridge and sink, finished off with white marble counters.
"Good morning," Chiyo called, getting the attention of all the staff members, "meet doctor Sakura Haruno."
Nearly everyone turned to look at Sakura, some waving at her, some nodding and others calling out a hello.
Sakura gave them a small smile, feeling slightly uncomfortable at being put in the spotlight. "Hi."
"Sasori," Chiyo called out.
Sakura watched as a young red haired man walked over to them. He was handsome, with a pale face, greyish brown eyes, messy red hair, a straight nose and a defined jawline.
"Good morning granny," he smiled and lent down slightly, peaking Chiyo's cheek gently.
"Sasori, can you please be a dear and look after our new doctor," she waved her hand at Sakura.
Sakura smiled at him, "hello."
"Hello Sakura, how are you?" Sasori smiled at her kindly.
"I'm well, thank you. Yourself?"
"Good thank you," he turned to look at Chiyo, "granny, don't you need to go see uncle Ebizo?"
Chiyo nodded and turned to look at Sakura, "you're in good hands Sakura, my grandson will look after you, and if he doesn't," she narrowed her eyes in his direction, "you let me know."
Sakura looked between them, noticing how Sasori smirked at his grandmother's words, and how Chiyo's lips pulled up in an adoring smile. She could tell from looking at them, that they had an adoring relationship.
After Chiyo left, Sasori introduced Sakura to the other doctors and nurses in the room, all who welcomed her with warm, kind smiles.
With the introductions over, Sasroi took Sakura around the hospital, showing her all the rooms and wards. "And this is the emergency ward."
Sakura looked the room, there were already several people sat in the seats, waiting to be seen. She turned to look at Sasori and smiled, "thank you for showing me around.
"No problem Sakura," Sasori smiled as they walked towards her office, "you'll fit right in."
"I hope," Sakura smiled at him and pushed open the door. "I'll work through the files, and if it's okay with you, can I join you when you make your rounds?"
"Sure," he smiled back, "I'll come get you when I'm ready." He turned and left, leaving Sakura on her own.
She sat down in her chair and placed the stacks of patient files and charts she had picked up while she was being shown around. She went through the files for the rest of the morning until Sasori knocked on her door.
"Aren't you going to take a break?"
Sakura looked at him and smiled, "I'm almost done," she placed the file she was working on down on the desk. She glanced at the clock, surprised to see how much time had passed.
"Don't tell me, you're a workaholic?" Sasori laughed.
Sakura blushed slightly, "is it that obvious?" she stood up and walked towards him.
"Just a bit," he chuckled, "don't let granny find out, she'll use it against me." They walked towards the café and ordered themselves lunch. They sat down at an empty table, "how are you finding Suna so far?"
"It's beautiful," Sakura smiled at him, "but it's a little too hot and dry for my liking."
"You'll get used to it," he smiled at her.
Their food was placed in front of them, both saying thank you in unison. All through lunch, Sasori asked Sakura questions about herself. With lunch over, Sakura joined him in his rounds, meeting the patients and helping him with whatever he needed.
By the end of the day, Sakura felt tired, but at the same time, she was bustling with energy.
"You did great today," Sasori winked at her, "we'll keep you on," he added with a smirk.
Sakura laughed, "thanks." They walked out of the hospital and towards the car park. "Thank you for everything Sasori," she turned to face him.
"You're welcome," he smiled at her, "see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," Sakura unlocked her car and got in and drove home. Once home, she kicked off her shoes and let out a long sigh and made her way to her bedroom. She grabbed a change of clothes and her towel and made her way to the bathroom. She had a quick, cool shower and dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top and made her to the kitchen, and groaned at the dishes that were still sat there. She busied herself with making dinner. She sat in the living room and began to tuck into her food, when her phone pinged from beside her. Sakura clicked on it, finding a message from Ino, asking her how her first day went, followed by a message from her mother and Tsunade.
She finished her food and replied back to the messages, letting them all know how her first day went, and letting Tsunade know what she had been doing.
The rest of the evening, Sakura spent in the living room with a book. The tv was on in the background, music playing softly through the speakers. By 10, Sakura decided to call it a night and went through her nightly routine.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
"Sakura, you're coming out with us tonight," Hotaru told her when she entered the staff area in the hospital.
It had been almost four weeks since Sakura had arrived in Suna. She looked over at hers, "thanks but I-
"You're not allowed to come up with any excuse this time," she interrupted her, "I let you off the last two times, but not this time."
Sakura opened her mouth to argue, but the look on her face told her that she wouldn't listen to anything Sakura had to say. "Fine," she sighed out.
"Great," she beamed at her, flashing her pearly white teeth at her. "We're going to the Desert Rose club for 8."
Sakura nodded, "okay, I'll be there."
"You better, or I'll drag you there myself." She narrowed her eyes, her lips pulling up slightly to the side.
"I'll be there," Sakura repeated, her own lips pulling up in a small smile. She walked to the kitchen area and made herself a cup of coffee, adding milk and several spoons of sugar to it. She took a sip and sighed in delight at the taste. She walked into her office and set the cup down on her desk, and clicked her computer awake. Her diary was packed with appointments today, the first one in less than twenty minutes. She took a large sip of her drink, and found the files for the first patient and went through them. She finished her coffee and stood up, shrugging into her lab coat and walked towards the consultant rooms.
"Good morning Mr. Matsu, how are you feeling today?" she greeted the elderly man with a smile.
For the next forty five minutes, she carried out examinations and tests, before adding, "everything looks to be in order."
"Thank you doctor," the man smiled.
"You're welcome, take care," she returned the smile.
For the remainder of the morning, she called patient after patient into the room, checking them over and providing them with the care they needed. By the time she was done, it was pushing close to 1. She walked to her office and stretched her arms over her head, before sitting down and picking up a file, when a knock sounded on her door. "Come in," she called.
"Do you never take a break?" Sasori asked.
Sakura looked up at him and smiled, "hey you." She placed the file down.
He walked further into her office and sat down, placing a sandwich and drink on the desk for her. "I had a feeling you'd be too busy to eat."
"You're the best," she smiled at him, pulling the sandwich towards her, taking it out of its wrapper.
"Tell me something I don't know," he winked at her.
Sakura rolled her eyes, "don't let it get to your head." She took a bite of her sandwich, covering her mouth as she chewed her food. "Did you speak with him?" she asked after swallowing the food.
"With who?" Sasori asked, avoiding looking at her.
"You know who I'm on about," she added with a raised eyebrow.
Over the weeks that she'd been in Suna, her and Sasori had gotten to know one another pretty well. They had spoken about everything, from relationships to everyday little things. Sasori had told her about a guy that he had been seeing, but he wasn't sure how to broach the subject of being in a relationship.
"No, he's been busy," Sasori said with a sad sigh.
"Well, why don't you ask him to join us tonight then?" Sakura picked up her drink and took a sip.
"You're coming out with us?" He asked with feigned shock, "the woman who never stops working, the one I have to chase out of the building?"
"Yeah, yeah," Sakura shook her head, "make fun of me all you like."
He chuckled lightly, "I'm only teasing. But you're definitely coming out?" He asked hopeful.
"Yes I am, and if I don't, I'll have Hotaru to answer to." Sakura shuddered slightly.
"Yeah, you don't want to get on her bad side," Sasori took another bite of his sandwich.
"Send him a message and ask him to join us," Sakura prompted, pointing to his phone.
Sasori pulled out his phone and typed a message, sending it to Deidara. "There, happy now?" He placed his phone down and looked at her, "what about you?"
"What about me?" Sakura asked around her sandwich.
"When are you going to meet someone?"
Sakura shrugged her shoulders, finishing the food in her mouth and took another sip of her drink. "I've been too busy working and haven't had the time to meet anyone."
"And who's fault is that?" Sasori asked, his eyebrow raised.
"Well, someone has to do the work around here," Sakura replied.
"Yes, yes, little miss workaholic," Sasori laughed.
With their lunch over, Sasori made his way to the door and turned to look at Sakura, "you never know, you might meet someone tonight."
"Who knows," Sakura smiled at him. She turned her attention to the files and got busy working. By the time she was done, it was pushing close to seven. She groaned at the thought of going out when she had so much to do. She closed the files and placed them neatly on her table and stood up. She shrugged out of her lab coat and hung it up. She grabbed her bag and checked to make sure her phone and keys were there. She walked out of her office, closing the door behind her and walked towards her car.
Once home, she walked to her room and pulled out a few dresses, trying to decide which one to wear tonight. With no decision made, she called Ino, hoping the blonde would be able to help her.
"Wear the black dress."
"Are you sure?" Sakura asked, she picked up the dress. It was a sleeveless dress, with a short floaty skirt.
"Yes! And wear your black heels with it, and don't forget to do your hair and makeup. And send me a picture of you when you're done."
"Alright, alright," Sakura sighed and placed the other dresses away. "I'll talk to you later."
"I love you, bye."
"Love you too pig," Sakura hung up and placed the phone down. She had a quick shower and got dressed. She looked at the clock, seven forty-five. She quickly put up her hair in a messy updo, not having the time to deal with it, and applied light makeup.
Downstairs, she took out her purse from her bag and placed it in her smaller black bag, she slipped into her heels and made her way out, locking the door behind her. The taxi she had called arrived and took her to the club. She paid the man and got out, looking up at the building that had neon lights flashing at her. Loud, thumping music greeting her, she could feel it in her bones.
"Sakura, you made it," Hotaru shouted from the entrance. She ran up to her and threw her hands around her, "you look amazing by the way."
"Thank you," Sakura smiled at the woman.
"Come on, let's go in, everyone is already here."
Sakura followed after the woman. They snaked through the bodies on the dance floor and made their way to the back of the club, where Sasori, Maki and the others were sat.
The group ordered drink after drink, all letting lose and laughing. Sakura was forced onto the dance floor by Hotaru who was currently grinding on some guy, who had his hands all over her. Sakura lent closer to her and shouted, "I'm going to go get a drink."
"Okay," Hotaru shouted back and blew her a kiss.
Sakura pushed through the crowds and made her way to the bar, ordering herself another drink. She was glad that she had come out, she was having fun and it was nice to let loose. As she stood there, smiling to herself, someone bumped into her, causing her to stumble slightly. She straightened herself and turned to face the person.
"I'm sorry," the person said, before adding, "well hello beautiful," he smirked at her, his eyes raking over her, "you're new here, aren't you?"
Sakura gave him a tight smile and turned away from him. She grabbed her drink and went to put some distance between them, but the man only seemed to close the distance she added. She was about to tell him to back off, but someone else beat her to it.
"Kankuro, leave the woman alone," another voice added from behind her.
She turned around to look up at a very handsome man. He had red hair, a strong jawline, high cheekbones, a straight nose, full lips and beautiful green eyes. Her eyes fell on his lips, and she wanted to have them all over her.
"I was only saying hello," the other man added, pulling Sakura out of her thoughts. She turned to look at the man, who had brown hair, a pale face and similar features to the man behind her, black eyes that were filled with mischief, and lips kicked to the side. "I haven't seen you around. I'm Kankuro," he winked at her.
"Hi," she gave him another tight smile.
"Are you going to tell me your name beautiful?" his smile spreading across his lips.
Before she could say anything, a woman walked up to him and placed her arms around his waist, "hey Kankuro," she purred at him.
He turned and smiled wide, draping his arm around her shoulder, "hey sweetheart," he winked at her before walking away.
"Don't mind him," the man said, speaking slightly louder than the music around them.
Sakura turned to face him again, she found his voice appealing, low and husky, and once again, she wanted to throw herself on him, to hear him utter her name. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't see the person on her other side who bumped into her, pushing her into him.
He placed his hands on her waist, steadying her, "are you okay?" He looked her over, making sure she was fine.
"Sorry, someone bumped into me," she straightened up, but didn't pull away from him, "thank you," she gave him a small flirtatious smile.
"You're welcome," he nodded and took his hands away and turned to face the crowds, his eyes searching for someone.
Sakura watched him, maybe he has a girlfriend she though to herself. She picked up her drink and downed it, and signalled for another drink. She glanced at him, watching him from the corner of her eye. "Why do you have to be in a relationship?" she muttered as she sipped her new drink.
"Hmm?" he looked down at Sakura.
She wasn't sure whether it was because of liquid courage or because she craved intimacy with someone, but she turned to face him and placed a hand on his chest, "I was wondering, why you had to be in a relationship?" she pouted her lips.
He looked down at her hand and back at her, his lips pulled to the side slightly, and he tilted his head slightly, watching her, "who says I'm in a relationship?"
"You're searching the crowds looking for someone," she pointed out, looking at him hungrily.
"I am," he leaned slightly closer to her, "I'm looking for my brother, so we can leave."
"Aren't you having fun?" She picked up her drink and took a sip, eyeing him.
He smirked at her, "maybe I am enjoying myself now."
She moved closer to him, letting her hand wander around his defined chest, "I'm glad to hear that," she placed her glass down and pushed on her toes, and captured his lips.
He groaned low and placed his hands on her hips, holding her close to him as he kissed her back. He could taste the alcohol on her. "You're drunk," he spoke against her lips.
"And you're hot," she nipped at his bottom lip, enjoying the low growl he emitted. "How about we leave together?"
As tempted as he was, he wasn't going to do anything with her, especially in the state she was in. "I'll drop you home and that's it."
"I can make you stay," she purred in his ear, nipping at his earlobe. "You'll be begging me to let you stay."
He bit back his groan at her teasing, his hands tightening around her hips. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and sent a message to Kankuro, letting him know that he was leaving. "Who are you here with?" he turned his attention back to her.
"A few friends, why? You want them to join us?" she smirked at him playfully.
"Let them know I'm taking you home," his voice commanding.
"Okay," she smiled at him, "but don't leave without me." She pulled away from his hands and walked over to the table where the others were sat.
"There you are," Hotaru said, "we wondered where you'd disappeared off to." She pushed two shots towards Sakura, "drink."
Sakura picked up a glass and knocked back the liquid, followed by the other one. She winced slightly at the burn in the back of her throat. She picked up her bag, "I'm going to go," she turned to look at the bar, catching sight of the man, her lips pulling up in a smirk, "I'll see you guys later."
"Someone got lucky," Hotaru teased with a huge grin, "go get him girl."
"Be careful," Sasori added.
"I will," she smiled at him. Her eyes fell on the blonde man sitting next to him, his arm draped over Sasori's shoulder, "and you have fun," she winked at him before walking off.
"I've let them know." She stood in front of him and smiled, "shall we go?"
"After you," he waited for her to walk towards the exit, following behind her closely.
Once outside, Sakura turned and placed her arms around his neck, and pressed herself against him, her lips on his.
"What's your address?" he asked between the kiss, hailing down a taxi. He pulled her away from him, but held onto her hand and led her towards the parked car.
Sakura rattled off her address and got into the car after him. She snuggled into his side; her eyes drifting shut with the lull of the car.
"Hey, we're here," he woke her up, helping her out of the car.
Sakura looked up at him and smiled, "hey you," she slurred slightly, swaying.
He steadied her and walked her towards her house.
Sakura opened her bag and fished out her keys, she went to put them in the lock, but it kept moving and she couldn't find it each time it moved. She felt the man's hand on hers, gently taking the keys from her and unlocking the door. She smiled at him, "thanks," she yawned and leaned against the wall, her eyes felt too heavy to keep open.
She felt the man hold her, until she was surrounded by the softness of her bed. She curled up onto her side and sighed with relief, glad to be home.
