Not Afraid Anymore
Chapter 4: Immigrant Song
The morning came quicker than the night went by; the sunrise peeked through the landscape of the Land of Fire, highlighting the outline of mountains and buildings. The beginning of a new day dawned on Konohagakure, the villagers were early risers. They began to set up the markets with fresh fruit and vegetables, while others began to fix up the new structures under construction. Shinobi went about their morning getting ready for missions, others slept in after a long night of celebration.
Sakura took in this sight from the roof of the Leaf Hospital she was perched on. It was a nice sight she thought. New days meant new beginnings, and it truly was. She felt a thousand miles away when she stood on this spot, far from the life down below. As she looked at the rising sun, she debated whether to go home and get some sleep, which she has not gotten in 24 hours, or stay in the hospital. She feared the moment she set foot outside the hospital something important will happen and she will miss out. She was not concerned about gossip in the hospital; it was Sasuke that concerned her. Today he will leave the hospital grounds to head out to his new home, and she wanted to be there with him, for him.
The hospital it is.
She jumped down from the roof and stepped into the hospital, greeting the receptionist, a few people here and there, and then made her way to Naruto's room to pay him a visit.
Entering Naruto's room was a cheerful sight; so much activity was going on even at this time of day, you would think that after a war they would all be sleeping in, but instead they are all socializing. It made her smile.
"Forehead!" Ino called out while taking her into a hug.
"Pig, I see you haven't change." Sakura countered with a thoughtful grin reciprocating her embrace.
"Well of course I have not, nothing could compare to the original!" Ino boasted with her hand on her hips.
"Mhmm…" Sakura hummed as she strolled around the room looking around.
Shikamaru was deep in conversation with Neji, Chouji was munching on chips, and Kiba was bickering with Naruto, while Hinata stood by nervously with a deep blush. Naruto caught sight of her and greeted her with full energy. How does he do it…she thought fondly.
"Sakura-chan! Where have you been?" He questioned with a wide grin from his hospital bed.
"You look better." She commented as she took a sit by his bed side.
"And?"
"Okay, okay…I was making rounds around the hospital Naruto. We had a very busy night; you were not the only one who fought a war." She said off handedly with a smile. "I…also saw Sasuke." She added hesitantly.
"How was he?" probed Naruto.
"He was…quiet. Tired. But it's to be expected." She answered looking away from Naruto; suddenly the window became very interesting to her.
"I see. Same old Sasuke!" Naruto said cheerfully. "I would have been worried if he was acting normal!" Naruto added, the rest of the room breaking into quiet laughs.
"Good one Naruto!" exclaimed Kiba out of breath from laughing so hard.
"Settle down, you are not in the park!" Sakura shot back, her eyebrow twitching as she hit Naruto upside the head.
"Ow! Sakura-chan that hurt!"
"Good!"
"Naa-ruto-kun." Hinata said with a worried look.
"Ah, Sakura, Lady Tsunade has been looking for you." Kakashi suddenly chimed in while perched on the window sill of Naruto's room.
Always appearing out of nowhere…she thought.
"Did she tell you why she needs me?" inquired Sakura with a questioning gaze. Why would Lady Tsunade be looking for her? She had talked with her not too long ago.
"I can't really discuss it here." Replied Kakashi as he casually leaned on the window.
Sakura lifted an elegant eyebrow at his answer, but he just shrugged.
"Kakashi what's going on? Is this about Sasuke?" Naruto probed. Sakura placed a gentle hold on his shoulder, when he looked back at her, Sakura shook her head.
"Alright, I will go see Lady Tsunade." Sakura said as she looked at Kakashi. Instinct told her this was serious.
"Look for her at the second-floor lobby, she is waiting."
Sakura a nodded and took her leave, giving Naruto a reassuring look and a smile before she left.
After Sakura left, Naruto turned to Kakashi with a frown. "Kakashi?"
"You'll find out soon enough, now get some rest." With that said, he disappeared. Leaving Naruto wondering.
"Sakura" Lady Tsunade greeted her with a small smile.
"Morning, Lady Tsunade. Kakashi told me you needed me?"
Lady Tsunade nodded and motioned Sakura to follow her. "Where are we headed, what's going on?" questioned Sakura with a frown.
"Calm down it's not that serious. Now just follow me, when we get there, I will explain." Lady Tsunade assured her as they walked down the hall.
When they got there Sakura did not imagine that "there" meant Sasuke's room. What could possibly be going on with Sasuke that Lady Tsunade suddenly called her in for?
Lady Tsunade dismissed the ANBU guards and stepped into Sasuke's room with Sakura reluctantly following behind. Sasuke was an early riser, leaning casually against the window. He shifted his gaze from the window to them when he saw them walk in, and lifted an eyebrow in question.
"Sasuke I see you are doing well" Lady Tsunade greeted as she stood before him. He gave her a court nod and quickly shifted his gaze when he noticed Sakura at her side. He did not expect her to come by after last night.
"Very well, I have arranged where you will be staying. I decided that you will be rooming with someone since the village's housing situation is difficult at the moment." Sasuke's frowned at the idea of having to room with a stranger, ready to object. Sakura looked down at the floor and wondered if the world hated her. She had a feeling where this was going. "And no, you do not have a say in this, it's part of our agreement and you will fulfill it, or else." Now he was just pissed off.
"And who will this roommate be?" Sasuke questioned in a bitter tone.
"You will be staying with Sakura."
"Lady Tsunade!" Sakura exclaimed. Surprised at the revelation. The world hated her, she was sure of it. Sasuke did not want to room with her. What is he going to think of her? That she set him up? Begged Lady Tsunade to put him under her care.
Ugh.
She wanted to crawl under a rock.
"You do not have a say in this as well, considerate a mission!" With that said Lady Tsunade made a turn for the door, paused, peering over her shoulder.
"You are released from the hospital. You are to be settled in by today, and do not try anything funny, remember…they are watching you." Lady Tsunade informed and took her leave. As she closed the door behind her she could not help but chuckled at her plan. A little push in the right direction does not hurt.
Sakura turned back to Sasuke and met his eyes. He did not seem bothered but rather confused by the whole arrangement, that much was obvious.
"Sasuke…I-I did not know! This is as much of a surprise to me as it is to you! I did not asked for this…" Sakura said in her defense, the hurt clear in her voice. She was suddenly very meek. Small.
Sasuke turned away to look out the window. "It does not matter, you heard her. It's said and done."
"Okay…" she said softly her gaze focused at the white wall on her left. She could not look his way. This not a position she wanted to be in after everything that has transpired. Furthermore, Sasuke might not be ready for this sort of...companionship? He needed time alone to figure out his life.
Sakura turned away and walked towards the door, she paused and spoke. "I will go ahead and fill out the paperwork necessary for your release, I will see you in a bit…" she said quietly and left.
Sasuke wanted to say something but he could not find the words. Its not that he does not want to be near Sakura, is that he never expected to be put in a position where their proximity would be so close to one another. Sharing a space, especially a living space is something he never envisioned so quickly after everything that has happened. He did not want to impose, especially because he knows her feelings. He does not want to hurt her. His mind and his life right now are in a difficult place, unsure of where to start.
It seems he has no choice but to head into the unknown.
