Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of the Merc and the Medic. Enjoy the 2000-word chapter. I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto and a few others do.

(Hidden Leaf Village)

Sakura and Marmora entered Yamanaka Flowers. Marmora said nothing as Ino looked up.

"Low on business, Ino?" Sakura asked. She could have been more jovial about the affair; she didn't feel like pulling Ino's leg.

"No, but I just got back from my lunch break… What brings you here?" Ino asked, Marmora cleared his throat.

"She just wanted to get out of the house and come see her friend." He said, Ino looked at him and then at Ino.

"Mind if we check in the back? I've wanted to ask something since last time. Marmora? You ok with browsing?" Ino asked, Marmora was silent for a few moments.

"Yeah. I guess… I'll call you if I need anything I guess." Marmora said while Sakura walked into the back of the store.

"Wow, they have some nice flowers here…." Marmora said, looking at a blue flower he had only just noticed.

(With Sakura)

Sakura shut the door behind her while Ino blinked and then sighed.

"Where's Sai?" Sakura asked, Ino hummed and turned to the side.

"He's doing some jobs I gave him; he's going to be busy all day… So, how long?" Ino asked, Sakura blinked.

"What?" Sakura asked and Ino rolled her eyes before crossing her arms.

"How long have you been liking him deep down?" Ino asked, Sakura went to speak before Ino held a finger up.

"You have been throwing yourself into work over and over since Sasuke and you talked. You went straight into hiring staff when Naruto said he would help you with the hospital. You pounced on S-rank mission after S-rank mission. You CONSTANTLY do tedious jobs every day…" Ino said while she started pacing and jabbed a finger into Sakura's chest.

"I've been your friend since we were kids, billboard brow. I know you've forgiven Sasuke for all he's done, even when none of us thought he was good anymore. I don't know how long you've been with that guy, friend or not… I do know you both have a bond, just like the one you were trying to have with Sasuke." Ino said, Sakura snorted.

"You called me back here just because you think I…." Sakura said, Ino laughed.

"Sakura, when you have a crush on someone, you have a crush on them… I called you back to talk about him. I'm happy you're not just focusing on Sasuke. I moved on a while ago and never looked back… You want to deny it? You do that, I can see a small hint that your bond isn't just a run of mill buddy, buddy thing… I could be wrong." Ino said and then they heard Marmora.

"Sakura, can you ask Ino how much these flowers are when you're done? I want to make sure I can buy them." Marmora said, Ino turned to Sakura

"I'll tell you when I get out, Marmora!" Ino called before she swung her head to Sakura.

"I know you guys aren't together and all that. I do know he likes you, there's being nice and then shy like Hinata around someone… Marmora likes you; he wouldn't be so shy and goofy around you if he wasn't. You deserve to be happy, Sakura…. Everyone else has gotten married and moved on, I'm not saying you should… I'm saying if you don't like Marmora, your going to have to tell him a little down the road before you string him along." Ino said, Sakura blinked and sighed.

"I… How would you know that?" Sakura asked, Ino rolled his eyes

"My parents used to run a flower shop, billboard brow. I sell flowers to people; I've seen a lot of people come in as friends one month then come back a few weeks later giggling and smiling at each other before buying date flowers. You're a good ninja, but your dense when it comes to picking up on some signs… I'm planning on going out in 2 weeks…" Ino said, Sakura sighed.

"You really think in a few weeks I'm going to ask Marmora out by then? We've known each other, what? A week?" Sakura asked, Ino put her hand on the door and went to open it.

"I'm saying give him a chance. You two clearly like hanging out together and even if you don't like him, he likes you. He wouldn't be messing with you when he made those jokes. I know signs of a blooming romance when I see them… You've spent your whole life chasing Sasuke and now he's not even in Leaf at the time. I think you deserve to be happy… And I think it's very clear you deserve to give your awkward buddy a chance… Because sooner or later, he's going to tell you he likes you." Ino said before she walked out the door, Sakura sighed and followed out the door while Sakura turned to look at Ino counting Marmora's money.

"Sorry, I didn't bring a lot of money when I traveled down from Amegakure… Is that enough? I can go get more from my account to pay for it." Marmora asked, Ino counted the money and nodded.

"Yep. You like flowers?" Ino asked, leaning on the counter while Marmora nodded.

"You'd be surprised how a city that always gets rained on never has flowers… I honestly think the endless rain drowns any plants or new growing trees honestly." Marmora said, Sakura walked around the counter.

"Yeah, flowers don't need as much rain as you probably get, I hope that flower is nice." Ino said, Marmora chuckled and made sure to not drop it.

"I'm actually getting it for Sakura and… Well, my house. You have no idea how much Ms. Haruno likes to keep the house plain and boring. I mean, I'm going to be paying half the rent when I get a job, but between her messing with me while teaching me medical training, the plain walls and all that? I'm glad I spent as much as I did on this." Marmora joked before Sakura elbowed him hard in the arm in annoyance.

She saw Ino smirk, hiding it with her hand as she waved the duo out.

"I know, billboard brow never wants to redecorate even when I and Sai offered to help her… You two have fun. I'd water that Kikyou at least once a day, they demand a fair amount of water to look that pretty." Ino said, she turned to Sakura with an obvious smile before she walked away.

"You two talk about something nice?" Marmora asked, Sakura sighed before looking at the Kikyou flower which Marmora gingerly held in his hands despite the heavy pot he was holding.

"Yeah… Something like that." Sakura said, a little speechless before Marmora turned out to walk out the door.

"I'm going to leave this on the step to the house. I think I know where Ten-Ten's shop is, I'll meet you there if I can." Marmora said, his arms sagged and he nearly dropped the plant before Sakura reached out and caught it.

"Thank you… I'll come back soon." Marmora said awkwardly before he walked with the planet cradled in his arms.

Sakura watched the former mercenary walk away with the plant and frowned.

"I… do I actually like Marmora?" She asked herself and started to wonder if she did like Marmora like Ino had said.

She certainly liked Marmora as a friend. He was polite, he heled with chores around the house like dishes. He cracked many jokes, some of which even got a smirk from her, even if she thought they sucked…

She blinked, maybe part of her was starting to develop feelings for the mercenary. She knew he was a former mercenary, but he was still a kind and brave soul. He wouldn't have offered to handle things solo if he didn't care about her, even if he could go to jail for it.

"I…. I'll talk about it with him tomorrow before we eat or go to bed." Sakura said before she started making her way toward Ten-Ten's shop.

(With Marmora)

"Man, you're a heavy little plant, aren't you?" He asked and then rolled his eyes while he continued carrying the plant.

"Great job, Marmora, your talking to a flower." Marmora muttered while he continued walking and came to the steps of Sakura and his home.

He didn't have a key for the house, he and Sakura agreed that he would get one when he got his first payment. He leaned down to put the flower and its pot somewhere the door wouldn't hit it when they came back and noticed a note on the ground.

Marmora blinked and realized the letter, neatly placed on top of the other mail, had a seal.

A seal from the HOKAGE himself. Marmora blinked and went to reach for it before deciding not to.

Even if it wouldn't be illegal to touch the letter, that was for Sakura. He wouldn't touch it. He moved it to the side before he walked down the stairs and down the street.

He went to leave before something caught his eye. A small glint of metal.

He reached up and caught the Kunai before another one came and tinkled into the ground and into the ally.

Marmora blinked before noticing the small crimson tag wrapped around the handle.

His eyes widened before he rolled out of the way and was thrown backwards by the force of the explosion. He groaned.

"I swear I hate when they do that…" Marmora muttered, he looked at the scarred and burning road before looking up.

Danuja's elite, cloaked in grey robes, black boots and the signature purple masks Danuja always put on their faces.

"You couldn't try to slit my throat when there weren't people around?" Marmora asked, he prepared himself for a fight, angry that Danuja had such little respect for the people of Konoha.

"Your worthless boss sold you out, runt… Now you're going to come with us." One of them said while Marmora cracked his knuckles.

"And if I don't, your worthless scum?" Marmora asked, obscenities were too nice for the monsters Danuja hired.

"Then you can die gutted in an allow, you bratty little pr-…" One of the soldiers said before someone kicked them down the street before Marmora rushed at the other soldier.

He turned back before Marmora slugged him in the throat. He wrapped his arms around the man before bulldozing him through a rotting fence.

Criminals or not, he REFUSED to fight them in public, innocent people wouldn't suffer for what Danuja wanted him dead for.

The man drew a sword before slashing at Marmora. He caught the man's wrist and slammed him into the wall before kicking him in the ribs and then elbowed him in the chin.

He didn't see the man's punch before he slammed into the dumpster and then was punched in the face again.

He coughed up spit before he caught the next punch and then pulled the man into a headbutt.

His mask cracked before Marmora grabbed his arm.

"WATER STYLE: SEA SWORD SKEWER!" He yelled while a very sharp blade of water formed around his other arm.

He slashed the man on the side and shoved the bleeding but alive man to the ground and coughed up blood.

He collapsed and turned to the side to see another figure walk towards him.

"You!?" Marmora asked before the figure reached towards him.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I didn't want to rush the romance, but imply its already on its way to blooming. I do want to point out either Kakashi or someone very familiar is going to show up next chapter. I also want to point out Marmora is tough and skilled but I don't want to make him too strong hence why he keeps getting hurt. Next chapter will be on Tuesday or so and will show Marmora talking to his savior. Until Then, Lighting Wolf out!

Ps: I will try to update Ino's story on Thursday.