Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of the Merc and the Medic. Enjoy the 1000-word chapter. I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto and a few others do.

(Hidden Leaf Village)

21-year-old Sakura sat on the stairs while she looked around and sighed. She slowly stood up and started to walking

She refused to be mad, fate had been different then what she wanted… And that wasn't anything to be mad at.

Everyone had moved on with their lives besides her… Romantically, at least.

Naruto, Ino, Hinata…. Everyone but she had married and moved on. She crossed her arms and thought back to the first time she had seen Sasuke in the past.

He had been busy, decided to handle missions outside the village, she had stepped up to run the hospital in the meantime. She knew it wouldn't work out, but she had made her peace with that… If you loved something, you were willing to let it go.

That was before she crashed into someone and sent both of them tumbling to the ground.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you and…!" She said before she noticed that the figure was different, she noticed that he had an Amegakure headband and blinked.

Ame shinobi were said to be extremely short tempered, but the Shinobi blinked and slowly shook his head.

"That's fine… Neither was I… Not used to there being so little rain…" He said before he slowly stood up and offered his hand to the Kunoichi who took it.

"So, you're an Ame Shinobi? I didn't think many came this way… Don't you have an underwater device?" Sakura asked, the Shinobi blinked and then looked at his arm where he had tied the headband.

"Not many know about the Ame since… Well our leader died. But I didn't bring one… I think, I'm Marmora Aito…" The Shinobi said while he pulled his hood back.

"Sakura, Sakura Haruno, nice to meet you." Sakura said with a bow, Marmora's eyes widened.

"The one who's that super medic who fought in the great ninja medic?! I didn't expect to meet you..." Marmora stated, Sakura blinked before Marmora cleared his throat.

"Even the more… Minor villages, know of the Hidden Leaf's best soldiers. You're on that list. You'd be surprised how many Shinobi know about everyone here." He stated, Sakura looked to the side.

"I didn't know that… So, what brings you all the way to the Hidden Leaf? I thought most Ame Shinobi who aren't employed by their Shinobi corps are…" Sakura started to say, not trying to be rude while Marmora chuckled.

"Turn out as mercenaries and assassins? Yes, and I'm sure most people say we're short tempered and all that… Trust me, I was probably a bit of a loose cannon 2 years ago… But you know… I mellowed out… I served as a Shinobi before you ask." He stated before Sakura nodded and started to walk while Marmora slowly started to walk with her.

"Yeah… I can relate to the 'loose cannon' thing." Sakura said, remembering how she would lash out all the time. She turned back to Marmora who had brushed off his jacket.

"Oh, I just remembered you asked why I came here… I came here because of wanting a new start… One of my friends got in some trouble and… I didn't want to be a part of it, I really didn't… I served with the Shinobi Corps and ended up turning to mercenary work after 3 years… I'm not anymore, I guess I'm just looking for a new place… What about you? What is the great Sakura Haruno up to now?" He asked with amusement while Sakura rolled her eyes while both continued walking.

"I'm the head of the hospital… And that means if I end up seeing you get knocked down, I'll be the one you're have to go beg for medical help." She said with a smirk while Marmora chuckled.

"Sorry, I always joke… Anyway, I don't know where to go from here, I think I'm going to rent a hotel or something… I might have heard about the legendary leaf… But I'm lost around here… I'm still sorry for knocking into you, I was just thinking about home and didn't see you." He said while Sakura huffed in amusement.

"Well I'm sorry about knocking you down, I really could use someone to talk to… And all of my friends are busy." Sakura said, she turned to Marmora with a frown.

That sounded rude, he was a new arrival and she made it just sound like she only wanted to talk to him because her friends weren't available.

If Marmora was offended by the comment, he said nothing while he leaned on a corner.

"Well I'm all ears… I haven't had many people to talk with… Ame Ninja keep to themselves and I really don't like being the 'ruthless ninja assassin of death and destruction.' People tend to see me as." Marmora said, Sakura nodded and looked at the former assassin.

"I'll say it at another time, but thank you for letting me talk… It feels good to just talk to someone, especially…" Sakura said while Marmora nodded and shrugged his shoulders and looked around.

"We're going to get along fine then… And no problem, I enjoy talking to people…" Marmora said and looked around before waiting for something to happen.

He was about to speak before there was an explosion in the forest, he and Sakura turned around and Marmora started to walk towards the forest.

"You coming?" Marmora said before Sakura broke into a run past him.

He smirked, pulled up his hood and followed him.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I wanted to make this chapter since I started playing Shinobi Striker. I do want to point out Sarada will appear soon. Next chapter will be in 1 week or so and will show Sakura and Marmora investigating the forest and more talking, until Thursday or so, Lighting Wolf out!