Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in it.

IX.

- Poison -

It was not enough. The iron plates on her barbell already weighed two hundred and ninety pounds, but lifting and squatting with that much stopped bothering her long ago. In the last hour, she kept putting on additional plates, but they didn't trouble her. Perhaps her rage had something to do with it.

It was almost as if it fueled her, giving her an unlimited source of power. Her muscles started protesting long ago, but she was so infuriated that she didn't notice, hair tied and knuckles crackling. No surprise that fear had overtaken Ino as she kept on with her exercises on the far end of the gym, without bothering her friend. Ino's exercises consisted of light stretching, dumbbell drills, and mostly movements that made the representatives of the opposite sex want to stop and look. Not that she didn't like the attention, just that now her mind was occupied with something more important. The drastic change in her friend's attitude.

When they parted yesterday, her friend was in her usual quiet and calm state, thoughtful expressions and smiles whenever it was needed. In rare cases like this, she witnessed her so... enflamed. Sakura's wrath emanated almost tangibly and that's the reason fear awakened in Ino. The aura around Sakura was so dense that even a look upon her was a hard task as she caught every single one of these attempts and cast back a glare that would make one give up on all intentions and look away immediately.

Unapproachable was the exact word that circled in Ino's mind during this last hour of their training. Three times a week their schedules opened a time loop that allowed them to go together and train. She clearly remembered the appointment they made for today. Was it her fault? Did she do something? Sakura didn't say a word since the morning in the hospital. Not on their way out, nor on their way to the gym. Such fits of anger frightened everyone around her.

One thing was to insult a tiny five-feet-four person with pink hair, another was to insult a walking flame in the shape of an almost pure muscle. That cropped top she wore revealed the strong core and the black leggings outlined her toned legs and molded hips. Her form wasn't close to one that Ino would call cute, but it was attractive nevertheless. After she strengthened after her warm-up, her body acquired a rather s scary appearance because every muscle on her was contoured. Then, it was... oppressive. Especially when her pink hair was in a tight ponytail and her brows were knitted into one.

Ino left her dumbbells on the floor and took the towel from the bar next to her. She approached Sakura slowly, throwing the towel over her shoulder. The sound of iron clashing in iron resounded as Sakura furiously put on her barbell another weight plate and took on with fixing the wraps on her wrists.

"You trying to break the floor or something?" Ino raised a brow, leaning on the squat rack. Her hand absently traced down her long blond braid.

Sakura didn't answer, pulling the strap harshly so that it doesn't loosen.

"What's going on, forehead?" Ino's voice evened, putting off the act.

"Nothing."

"Come on, tell me."

Sakura stepped to the barbell and set it up for her shoulders for a second before lifting it up, squatting slowly, letting out her breath. To get up again was a struggle, but her face didn't show it in the least. The same furrow darkened her features, the same odd glimmer lingered in her eyes. Sakura left the barbell on the rack after six squats, breathing heavily. It was another matter that her legs slightly shook at the pressure in the beginning.

"Did you meet him again?"

Sakura looked at her, then sat down on the floor, resting her back on the iron bars. "I did. Unfortunately."

Ino bit at her full lip, unable to stop the smile from showing on her lips. She hurried to sit down next to her friend, hands leaning on her knees. "How?"

Sakura tilted her head, with a grimace of indignation upon her face. "We went out."

"In the evening?" Ino marveled. "Sounds like a date to me."

"A mission," Sakura corrected, reaching for the bottle of water in her right.

"Huh?"

"Don't ask me because I have no idea. I was being studied and I don't even know when it has all started."

"What are you telling me, that you two went out and he told you that? Ino snorted. "He's probably lying just to divert your attention."

"Ino, trust me. He was telling the truth," Sakura gave her a fake smile. "If I didn't know Sai, I'd give him the gold medal. You know, the Brutally Honest Competition."

"I don't believe this," Ino shook her head. "Where did he take you? In the snack bar around the corner?"

Sakura made a pause, looking down. "A restaurant. Ichiraku."

"Excuse me?" Ino almost jumped in astonishment. "Are you joking?"

Sakura shrugged indefinitely.

"I've never been there, but... I can only wish for a chance like that."

"So you're acquainted with the place. You know all the airs and graces, then. As I think about it, you'd fit there perfectly," Sakura frowned. "Everyone was so dolled up that it made me feel uncomfortable. Not to mention my companion was terrible."

"Stop it, I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Ino rested her head on her hands, fawning on her. Her voice lowered almost to a whisper, "Did you hit that nice piece of ass, though?"

"I'm going on the other side of the room," Sakura stood up sharply. "If someone asks, I don't know you."

Ino laughed out loud. "Woo! So you did?"

"No. Stop with this, for goodness sake. I am not you," Sakura snapped, making her way to the dipping bars.

"Why do you look like you wanna break bones, then? What happened?"

"Nothing happened, alright? Stop asking questions, Pig, I'm gonna punch you."

"Apparently something happened. I haven't seen you that furious since I made a party in your apartment without your consent."

"He called me a desperate pick-me girl. Are you happy now? Will I be able to train in peace?" Sakura exhaled with exasperation, dipping her body up and down on the parallel bars.

"Oh..." Ino narrowed her eyes and waited for Sakura to finish with her exercise so that she could continue with her mental torment upon her. "Mister Moody missed a fine chance." She lightly pushed against Sakura's fine-sculpted stomach. "Perhaps he's not interested in your type of body."

"What the hell, Ino?" Sakura shoved her out of the way with anger.

"Don't tell Sai, but I might give it a try. You don't mind, do you?" Ino trailed after her.

Sakura turned back to give her a murderous glare. "Bet he'd call you the same thing. You act more like it."

"Shut up," Ino passed her by, unaffected, "Let's go to Amaguriama. Have a coffee."

Sakura sighed. "Didn't they close after six?"

"They work overtime on Fridays. Let's go," Ino threw her towel at Sakura and walked away, barely holding her laughter.

Amaguirama was the most famous cafe in the city. At least until the war started. Cozy and built in the spirit of tradition, it was one of the favorite places of both Sakura's generation and the one before that for its simplicity and ability to make you feel better. Whether it's hot cocoa, sweets, or just tea, one could stop and enjoy the quiet murmur in the background and take a mental rest from everyday life. The cafe was almost desolate these last months and it pained Sakura to see it slowly die. Even now, when it was a Friday afternoon, the occupied tables barely made an impression. Two or three, did it matter? It surely wasn't enough for the cafe to provide for itself and survive. A wave of sadness washed through Sakura as she realized these were likely the last days of Amaguriama's life.

Ino sat at a table in the corner and Sakura followed. "I could use a coffee." Ino sighed, leaving her bag on the table. "Night shifts are not for people like me."

"I will agree with you on that. The hours between two and six are hellish."

"Come. On." Ino suddenly snapped, catching Sakura's attention.

"What?"

"Isn't that... My, my."

"Don't stare like that," Sakura rolled her eyes, convinced that Ino has fixated yet another target. Ino waved with hand, gesturing to someone to come over.

"What are you doing, Ino?" Sakura hissed.

"What a killer couple!" Ino cheered, smiling widely.

"Heya," a familiar, joyful voice greeted and Sakura turned to see Naruto standing beside Hinata next to their table.

It's been only two weeks since they've received the soldiers in the hospital. The last person Sakura expected to see standing and walking around, although with crutches and still bandaged, was the second lieutenant. He was quite vigorous, that one. Smelled like hyperactivity to her. Third-degree burns and he was already up. Some patients just couldn't stay in a single bed for more than ten days. It drove them crazy.

Both Naruto and Hinata were in civilian clothing, in pastel colors. Hinata's presence was ethereal, a veritable angel had descended from the heavens and walked among them in its quiet melancholy. It seems Naruto, too, was convinced of that because every time she touched him his face lit up as if he had been granted a blessing.

"I'll go get two more chairs," Ino winked at Naruto and stood up.

"We were just, uh..." Hinata tried to oppose her but her voice faded when Ino didn't even turn to listen to her.

"Leaving?" Sakura finished with a smile and gave up her chair so that Naruto can sit. "We don't plan to stay long. Why don't you two join us for a while? If you're not in a hurry, of course."

"Ah, no..." Naruto shrugged but the movement made him wince. "We can stay."

Hinata helped him sit as Ino returned with two empty chairs and handed one to Sakura. "So," Ino intertwined hands. "How is it going with you two?"

"Uh..." Naruto looked at Hinata and she blushed. "Good."

Sakura chuckled. "Aren't you out of the bed a bit too early?"

"I'm fine. Gotta get rid of those crutches as fast as I can. "

"I knew you had to rest more," Hinata noted.

"If he feels good enough to walk then I'm not worried," Sakura calmed her down and a brief silence spread between them.

"Is that your natural hair color?" Ino asked Hinata more quietly and Hinata started explaining to her just as quietly but Sakura and Naruto just stood awkwardly, trying to find a common subject. Sakura feared they might find one, after all.

"Have you met Sasuke? The last time I heard from him was last week," Naruto scratched his head. "I, uh... don't know what's goin' on with him lately."

"I've talked with him once or twice," Sakura murmured, eyes down.

"They went out," Ino intervened loudly and Sakura glared at her.

"Wow. That idiot? Going out?" Naruto's eyes widened. "Must be the poison."

"He's past the poison," Sakura assured him. "I succeeded in giving him the antidote he refused so... tenaciously."

"Good to hear." He blew out his cheeks. "Pffft, he's such a balk."

Hinata and Ino sank back into their quiet conversation, ignoring the other two. Perhaps it was one of Ino's multiple schemes and plans for Sakura or a coincidence, but the situation demanded dialogue and they started one.

But now Sakura chose to remain silent because her opinion could hurt him. Sasuke was not just a balk, he was a dam. A dam that simultaneously held everything a human represented behind its thick wall and at the same time kept from any external attempts of bringing that humanity out. One should not forget the great amounts of hostility, the unnecessary death threats, the overwhelming arrogance, and all the mood swings too. Walking to his house, begging him in that humiliating way, saving him numerous times when all he showed was ultimate vexation and not a drop of gratitude. True, she didn't use to think highly of herself and she still didn't, but that was absolute trampling on her whole being. He was poisoning her, as harsh as it sounded. Pronouncing that sentence wasn't that hard in her mind since she was certain he thought the same for her, if not worse.

"Will you two... meet again?" Naruto inquired, the hope in his cerulean eyes beaming so bright that Sakura withered. How was she to tell him the truth and not cause him any pain? He knew his friend and how he was capable of destroying everything in his way, though. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise, right?

"No, I'm done. I..." Sakura intertwined her fingers, giving a wide smile. "Case closed."

"Really?"

"Absolutely," she nodded. "Sorry to say that to you, I know you're his friend but... but I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore."

Naruto held his eyes on her for a moment. "I see."

"It's nothing personal!" Sakura tried to explain again, but the hope there had simmered down, leaving a strange hollow.

"No need to explain," his lips curved into the same dashing smile as before, his voice never as quiet.

An urge to ask got into Sakura and she leaned into him, furrowing. "Why are you even friends with this person?" The words came out of her mouth before she could think them through. "He's just so... "

"Despicable?" Naruto asked. "Yeah. Definitely."

Sakura leaned back in her chair. "I don't understand."

"All of your relatives are alive, aren't they?" He gave her a half-smile.

"What are you guys talking about?" Ino intervened, trying to catch up with the conversation.

"Nothing," Sakura murmured. "I'm gonna go take my tea. Do you want something, Ino?"

"Mm, the usual." Ino waved at her as she stood up from her chair and made her way to the pay desk.

Sakura paid the order but reassured the woman there's no need for a waiter to bring the drinks to the table because she would do it herself. While waiting for them to be made, her eyes wandered to the shop window where different kinds of cakes lay. Three kinds of cakes, to be precise. Before the war started that cafe swarmed with people and the menu was... fuller. Now everything was emptier. The metronomic sound of metal hitting the ground approached Sakura from behind but her eyes remained on the scarce view.

"What a tragic sight," Naruto laughed, stopping to look at the same. "Miss the dark chocolate one. I almost ended up in a hospital one time. Tried to eat a whole cake at once."

Sakura couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, "I miss a lot of things from before."

"Yeah. Me too," he limped forward in order to read the tiny price tags below.

"Naruto?" Sakura glanced at him.

"Mmm?"

"Do you know something about a mission involving... me?"

"What? No," Naruto scoffed. "Where did you get an idea like that?"

Sakura observed his reaction carefully and concluded he was sincere and decided to not ask any further.

"Nevermind."

"Do you want sugar in the tea?" the woman from before asked over the bar.

"No, thanks."

It was quiet between the two of them as Sakura pondered over a problem in particular. Letting their previous conversation go without a proper ending was not something she intended to do. "Tell me something..." Sakura took a breath. "How is it you're being so nice to me and he's not able to do the same? You've gone through the same tragedy."

Naruto straightened up, now looking at her in the eye. "Everyone lives through it differently, I guess."

"No, you don't treat people like that. How do you do it and he can't?" Sakura stopped, taking another breath. "You've lost so much... and here you are," her voice lowered to a whisper, "joking about cakes."

Naruto was taken aback by the amount of emotion she brought to her words and for a moment just stood still, not sure what to say.

"Don't tell me he's that kind of a person because I am positive no one is born frigid to that extent."

"Sasuke thinks he's tough but he's not. That's his problem," Naruto sighed.

"What does that have to do with the fact he treats people like garbage?"

"He probably can't live through his tragedy," Naruto said slowly. "I did. So did most of my friends." Sakura stared at him without making a sound as a mirthless smile appeared on his face. "It's the worst. Being stuck there. Losing hope." He paused, looking up to her. "I believe he might find it again one day, that's why I call myself his friend."

"There you go," the woman behind the shop window placed the two cups on the bar and Sakura took them.

"Thank you."

A phone ringing resounded and for a moment she thought it's her phone, but the melody wasn't familiar. It was Naruto's, in fact, and she gave him a harassed expression. "You want me to give it to you?" Sakura offered, aware that picking up a phone while trying to balance on crutches was going to end disastrously.

"If you'd be so kind, doctor."

"Sakura," she corrected and hurried to leave back the cups on the counter and take the phone from his pocket.

"Sorry for that," Naruto looked highly uncomfortable as he made an attempt to free one hand but did not succeed.

"It's alright, I can hold it for you too."

"I'd be in your debt," he let out a hiss. "It was all going to be easier if we were sitting."

Sakura looked at the display and froze. "What is it?" Naruto peeked and she turned to show him who was calling before picking up and nearing it to his ear. "What do you think you're doing not answering my calls, you sorry-ass bastard!?" Naruto yelled and Sakura raised a brow. A true friend. No mistake about that. "No," Naruto snapped, eyes to and fro. "What? Why would I want to do that?" A long pause followed and with every passing second Naruto's face acquired deeper and deeper confusion. "Wait a second, I don't get a word you're saying!" he fumed. "You're the dumb one for not explaining to me properly!"

Naruto looked up to Sakura and she held his eyes. "What for?" he squinted. "Look, I don't want— What a jerk. He hung up."

Sakura slowly pulled away and put his phone back in his pocket. She took her cups absently. "Are we going back to the table?"

"Uh... yeah," he looked dumbfounded, watching intently at a point on the ground.

"You alright?"

"I'm fine," Naruto mumbled, proceeding to follow Sakura at a slow pace.

Curiosity gnawing at her, she couldn't help but wonder what just happened between them. The words escaped her lips quicker than she expected. At least they held the needed amount of coldness. "What did he want?"

"What's wrong with this guy?" Naruto miffed, staring down. "Asked me the weirdest questions. If I liked his car or... or if I'd have space in my house for more furniture. What the hell?"

Sakura slowed down her steps to a complete stop and looked at him. "Did you plan an exchange of something?"

"No?" Naruto stopped and scratched his neck in confusion. "Although... he talked about some documents when I called him last week. He sounded delirious so I paid him no mind. But he mentioned them again now."

"What documents?"

"Sakura!" Ino yelled from the other side of the room. "I want my coffee already!"

"I'm not sure. He said everything's done and... all that's left for me to do is a signature? What is he even talking about?" Naruto looked up at her in deep confusion.

"And that was all? No other explanation?"

Naruto shrugged. "That's totally in his style. Talking nonsense only he understands... only that goodbye wasn't really characteristic. Can you believe this? Damn, he actually ended a conversation as normal people do for once! Sakura?"

Heavy dizziness hit her right in the head as her body froze into consternation. All of her anger evaporated in a single second, leaving only fear in a pure form, heartbeat soaring and soaring.

"Wow, you're pale," Naruto noted, furrowing. "You should sit down."

"I..." Sakura stepped back, eyes widened, "I think..."

"What's going on?" Ino ranted, out of patience. "You guys come over and continue the chat on the table."

"Oh God, no," she didn't notice when the cups slipped from her hands and fell, spilling on the ground because the thoughts in her head alarmed with red light.

"Sakura, what happened?! Hold on!" Naruto's voice echoed behind her, but she had no time to look back. Dashing out of the cafe at lightning speed and heading straight to the car, her feet moved as if on their own while her mind was racing. Giving away property sounded a bit different... if you were in possession of a gun.

Sakura's only wish now was to be granted a power that will make her faster than a bullet.

A/N: Ahh, thanks for reading! So many things to do but I actually managed to update. Whew. Hope you liked this chapter and hope you guys will be patient with me. I'm loving how this chapter turned out because I first thought it's going to be a boring filler.