Author's note: this is a short chapter as well, but I had to cut it here because there is a time gap in the story between this one and Chapter 4.
Also, I have edited chapters 1 2, but only to correct some mistakes I noticed.
Now, there are two options: either I update short chapters more often or I upload longer chapters but more spaced in time. Let me know what you prefer.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of its characters.
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CHAPTER 3:
The sound of the alarm clock awaked Sakura and she moved to extend her hand to her bedside table to set it off with her eyes still closed. She laid face up on the bed and stretched her arms yawning. She noticed the familiar presence by her side and turned on the bed to open her eyes and look at him.
Kiba was already trying to wake up as well and she smiled at him, he was laying on his back on one side of the bed. They were naked but covered by the sheets. He turned his head to Sakura and returned the smile.
"Good morning, Sak" he said while sitting in order to get up from bed. "You want shower or breakfast first?".
Sakura thought for a second and, as she got out of bed, answered: "Why don't you take a shower while I prepare breakfast?, this way you don't have to wait for me to be ready."
He agreed and walked to the bathroom. She took the time to appreciate his naked rear, put on her robe and headed to the kitchen.
Sakura put rice in the steamer, miso soup in a saucepan and started the coffee pot. While all the dishes were being cooked, she rested against the counter and thought about her relationship with Kiba. They were not a couple, they were…friends with benefits, she supposed that was the correct term for them. They didn't sleep together so often, maybe once or twice a month, and the rest of the time they were normal friends.
It had all started two years ago when they got a little drunk, not so much that they didn't know what they were doing, but enough to lose their inhibitions, and lost their virginity together. They were sixteen back then, and their hormones were wreaking havoc. It was fun, that first time, as it had been all the other times that it had happened afterwards.
Kiba was comfort to Sakura, and relax and fun. He was one of her best friends, one of the few people she knew she could count on.
As soon as the breakfast was ready, Sakura proceeded to plate the rice, poured coffee in two mugs and miso soup in two small bowls and prepared the table. In the meantime, Kiba had already exited the bathroom, just showered and fully dressed in the backup outfit he had in her apartment.
"That smells delicious, Sak. I am hungry." He said, taking his usual seat at the dining table. "Itadakimasu!".
They ate breakfast in a comfortable silence and once the food was finished, only half of Sakura's coffee left, Kiba stood up, picked the dishes and started to wash them while Sakura finished the content of her mug. She enjoyed taking her time with morning's coffee.
"You haven't said anything about last night," he said without turning his head to look at her. His voice inquiring but cautious.
"Which part of last night are you referring to?" She asked letting the naughty smile on her face show in her tone.
Kiba turned his head to her to let the rolling of his eyes to be noticed. "The part in which Hatake interrupted us in the alley".
"Ah, that part…" Sakura remained quiet for a moment and added, "I haven't said anything about it because there is nothing to say. They are back in Konoha, that's all".
"How did it go with Naruto and Sasuke?" Kiba continued turning to face her once he finished the dishes.
"Not bad," she answered, "Sasuke didn't open his mouth and Naruto was upset and said that he wouldn't give up, that we will soon be friends again".
He noticed that the voice and visage of Sakura seemed indifferent, but he wasn't sure if she truly felt that way or if she was hiding her true feelings.
"Are you sure you are alright?. I know it has been a long time and that you overcame your hard feelings long ago, but even so…".
"I am fine, Kiba. I was a little surprised because I didn't know they were coming back, but I took it better than I thought." She smiled sweetly to him. "You don't have to worry about me, but thanks for asking".
"OK, I won't worry then. But if something happens or you start to feel angry or depressed, you know you can tell me, right?".
Sakura stood, hugged him and answered him, tenderness clear in her voice: "Of course I know, thank you Kiba".
He hugged her back and just a moment after, Sakura broke apart. She sighed and changed her expression to cheerful determination.
"OK, I have to shower and get ready for the day".
"I'm leaving then, Sak. I have to pick Akamaru up, we have training this morning. See you later". He kissed her on the cheek and walked to the door.
"See you Kiba". Sakura replied smiling widely.
With that, she went to the bathroom to take a shower. Her day had begun in the best possible way.
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Genma was entering the Jounin Headquarters when he spotted a pink hair head looking at the roster panel and smiled.
"Good morning, Pinky." He greeted Sakura approaching her. "Any missions for you on the horizon?".
She turned to face him and returned his smile. "Not for the moment. It seems that I am stuck with hospital shifts this week".
She tried to look disappointed, but Genma knew that she loved working at the hospital.
"Ma, ma, Pinky, if you are so upset about it, I can think of several ways to cheer you up." He told her with a flirtatious smirk.
Sakura's visage turned playfully contemplative. "I don't know, Genma, would you be willing to be my nurse for the day?, 'cause that certainly would work at cheering me up."
"Umm, I was thinking of other activities that would allow you to better play the role of a nurse."
She laughed, rolling her eyes to him. "You are such a gamer, Genma." She started walking to the rest room and he followed her. "How have you been?, I haven't seen you in a while".
"Busy, but fine. I came back from a two weeks mission just yesterday morning".
Sakura suddenly stopped at the rest room's door. Hatake Kakashi was seated at a table at the back of the room and he was looking at them, an Icha Icha book on his hands. The look on his visible eye seemed curious, so he must have witnessed their exchange, as he had a perfect line of vision to the roster desk from where he was situated.
"Good morning, Sakura-Chan." Greeted her former sensei.
"Good morning, Kakashi-senpai." Answered her. Sakura could feel nervousness forming in her stomach, but she didn't let it show.
"Senpai? What happened to sensei?" Asked Kakashi, his trademark creased eye showing.
At this, Sakura and Genma snorted.
"That was a long time ago, and it was for such a short period that I don't think it counts." She answered with an even voice. "Anyway, I have to sign in in the hospital for my shift, so I'd better be going".
"Will you be at the pub tonight?" Asked Genma looking at her, "I was hoping we could catch up".
"I don't think so, I went out last night and hospital shifts are exhausting, so I will probably go home as soon as I finish work. But I'll see you another day."
With a final smile directed at Genma, she headed to the headquarters' exit.
Genma approached Kakashi and took a seat at his table.
"What's with all that familiarity with Sakura?" Inquired Kakashi. "And why do you flirt with her, she is so much younger than you, Shiranui. Have you taken my place as the local pervert in my absence?."
"Well, first, we are friends, so I'm allowed to flirt with her; and second, she is not a child Kakashi, she's legal, so I'm not a pervert. I may be a player, as she likes to call me, but I'm no pervert".
There was a smug smile on Genma's face that Kakashi didn't like at all.
"I was under the impression that she is dating Inuzuka." Offered the masked man.
"And how have you arrived at that conclusion?".
"I saw them last night making out in the alley behind the pub."
"Oh, no!, they are not dating. They're friends, occasional lovers, but friends"
"And how do you know that?".
"I have already told you, Hatake, Sakura and I are friends. And I would know, believe me". Genma winked at him when saying this last sentence.
Kakashi was surprised by the implications of what Genma was suggesting, but he assumed it was all a bluff from his friend.