First of all, I'm so so sorry about the previous version of this chapter. The codes didn't show on my computer when I was uploading it. Thank you for letting me know about the problem as well as my grammar and spelling mistakes. I was in a hurry to upload since I was 2 days behind. I will pay more attention to it from now on.
As for this fic, I want to tell you a bit more about the parings. I like to experiment. I would like to see, for example, how will relationship between Sasuke and someone like Hinata or Ino develop. Or Naruto and Temari. In this, NaruTema is the ship but for Sasuke I might make some new character. That is still to be decided. I don't like to write canon ships that are often present like NaruHina or even SasuSaku to some extent. SaiIno I like to write as there is a lot of possibilities.
That's about it. Thank you again for feedback. And one more thing. If you think this is trash, all you have to do is exit this story and never look at it again. Thank you very much.
I hope you enjoy. Kisses
P.S. I do not own Naruto.
~x~
Sakura woke up in a room she knows all to well and position she was unfortunately very familiar with as well. She was laying in a hospital bed, trying to recall last moments before she blacked out. She didn't remember falling.
She pushed herself in a sitting position, almost getting heart attack when she saw two figures next to her. One sitting in a chair and the other on the window. She didn't have to wait for her eyes to focus because she could recognize them anywhere, anytime.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice still rasp from sleeping.
"I decided to wait and see if you are really alright. It seems it was right call." The man on the chair said with his signature smirk.
"And I happened to be in Tsunade- sama's office when Shizune rushed in to inform that you collapsed in hospital" Grey haired ninja informed Sakura.
"You told shishou? There was no need for that. Even the medic in training was able to see that it was just exhaustion". Like really. She just needed sleep.
"Yeah but what medic in training wouldn't be able to notice was something that might be much more serious. That was why Tsunade-sama came."
Sakura just signed. She was about to get earful. Maybe she'll have to avoid few bottles of sake thrown her way.
"I'm going to inform Tsunade-sama that you are awake" as her former sensei got up and headed to the door, Sakura remembered something.
"I need to check up on Neji!" She jumped of the bed, which she had to hold onto since her legs were bound to let her down. Literally.
Shikamaru jumped from his chair and grabbed her, his hands going around her waist.
"Hold your horses. He is alright. He has been awake for a day now and according to Tsunade-sama he will be able to leave hospital in 2 days since his injuries are healed and his chakra reserves are full. He's only staying for observation."
Sakura stared at him dub-folded. " If he has been awake for a day now, how long was I out?"
"For a day or so. When I took you to the nurses after you collapsed, Tsunade-sama examined you. You were chakra deprived. Your chakra, apart from your seal, basically didn't exist. If you didn't have your seal you would have been dead long ago. So it took time for you to refill your reserves" He said while he gently placed her on the bed. Kakashi was long gone.
"So basically what you want to say is that it's a good thing you decided to be creep and stalk me form shadows because you caught me before I probably got concussion and damage my already too weak body?"
Sakura couldn't help but mock him. Their relationship was like that. They would constantly mock each other. At first everyone was shocked and didn't know how to respond when Shikamaru and Sakura start putting each other down or mocking, but on a more intellectual level. Naruto would usually interject when Shikamaru said something that many would find offending. But Sakura didn't. She was kind of used to it since she spent a lot of time with Shikamaru as she was Tsunade's student and he was usually hanging around the tower because of his incredible ability to figure out almost impossible situations. It took some time but nobody pays any attention to Shikamaru and Sakura when they start their rounds. They are completely ignored. Many found it amusing how Shimakaru was acting as everything was always troublesome or drag to him. Especially arguing, well except with Sakura.
Shikamaru just smirked in response as the door burst open and angry footsteps came barging into the room. Shikamaru simply took few steps back and looked at her with eyes that were telling her 'you are so screwed' in a mocking way. Sakura held in a sigh. Here we go.
"Sakura Haruno" The blond Hokage was towering over her, being intimidating as ever. "Once you are rested you are to leave hospital and don't step near it for at least 5 days unless I'm the one who calls you in" Tsunade-sama said with voice that made no place for argument.
But Sakura was too shocked to care: "Shishou, what if there is an emergency and what am I supposed to do for 5 days? I'm fine. I just need few more hours, a day tops. I'll be like new I promise" Sakura basically pleaded. Kakashi who was standing behind Tsunade just shoot a glare towards Sakura. She wasn't fooling anyone. For a ninja to collapse because of deprivation, whatever the type, never passes after a day of sleep. Everyone in the room knew that.
"Sakura, that's final. You can visit Neji but that's all. If there's an emergency I will call you. This discussion is over" with that Tsunade left Sakura with her two comrades. Sakura signed in defeat. What was she supposed to do for 5 days. She was able to combine training and hospital in her day. Now she will only have training.
"She went easy on you. If it was me I would have given you at least 2 weeks. That's what I get when I overuse sharingan. I doubt yours is less serious." Kakashi said with stern, almost angry voice. But everyone knew he couldn't be angry at her. Not really. Sakura just looked at him. She didn't know what to say. She just stood up, much more confident on her legs now.
"Where are you going?" Pineapple haired ninja asked.
"To visit Neji, are you coming?"
With that the 3 of them left her room.
If someone didn't tell you he was on verge of death a day ago, you would have never guessed. Neji looked totally normal. His skin was pale but not more than usually. He was siting casually on his bed reading a book. When the 3 of them walked in he immediately jumped of bed at sight of Sakura.
" Sakura, how are you? They didn't let me leave my room to come and check on you." He took her appearance. She on the other hand looked like a zombie. Sakura just chucked.
"I'm the one who is supposed to be asking that question" She answered but when he remained silent she continued:" I'm fine, just need to rest for a few days, that's all."
"Sakura, I own you my life" he said as he bowed. Sakura immediately waved her hand.
" Stop it. Helping people is my job. You don't own me anything" She was tired of hearing that. Not only from Hyuugas. She does understand that they are grateful, but a simple thank you and their happy faces was enough from her.
"It may be, but because you used that new technique on me, you were unconscious for over a day. Last time you were like that because of deprivation was when you healed 2 three man squads with serious injuries while you were still storing chakra." Neji stopped for a brief second " Which was 2 years ago."
Sakura was loosing her patience.
"Look Neji, you and I both know that I sometimes…. tend to go overboard with working. It all piled up. That's it. The fact that you are standing and talking and feeling fine is enough of a thank you for me." She gave him a sincere smile.
His features softened. He really did see her as a part of his family. Many people in the village did. He was sure that she healed or examined everyone in the village at least once. Before he could reply a high pitched voice was heard not so far from Neji's room.
"I can't fucking believe her. She isn't awake for fucking 10 minutes and she is already running around the hospital." And that same high pitched voice was approaching fast. Sakura went pale. Well she would if she could. The last thing she needed right now was Ino and everyone else telling how she had to rest. Well telling would be considered as a blessing. She looked at her 3 friends hoping they will help her get out of this situation. Shikamaru only walked few steps backwards and leaned against the bed, Kakashi smiled until his eye wasn't visible and with words:"Now that you are awake Sakura, I'll leave the rest to you" disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
At least Neji tried to help telling her he might only be able to do something about Ten Ten. There was no other choice. Sakura had to face the hard future that was bond to become present in 3 2 1-
The door bursts open and before anyone even stepped in, Ino's voice could be heard " What the hell Forehead? Did you hear of a word 'rest'? It means relaxing your body and giving it time to recharge. Your mind as well. But it's to late for that one, that's obvious" Ino stepped in front of Sakura and put a hand on her hip. She started waving her other hand in front of her face as a sign of how angry and despleased she was.
"I swear to God. I will get chakra CHAINS, that Ten Ten will happily supply me with" Ten Ten just sent Sakura smile that said 'damn right I will' "and I will chain you to bed so you HAVE TO rest. Like for real, you look like an actual ghost, or more like vampire and you are doing rounds in hospital. Everyone is going to think they started hallucinating or even worst, they might get heart attack!" by the time Ino was done, she was waving both of her hands. She looked like she was desperately trying to get attention of a boat that is miles away and she has been trapped on a deserted island.
"Calm down Pig, I'm not doing rounds. I'm simply checking up on Neji as I didn't do that yesterday. And you two don't have to worry about getting chakra CHAINS" she mimicked Ino's voice as she sent a glare to Ten Ten " Tsunade-sama has expelled me from hospital for at least 5 days, so I will have more than enough time to rest" she gave Ino a small smile, which clearly screamed 'AND I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT'.
"Thank goodness. Now we might actually have time to catch up"
"We can go for ramen Sakura-chaaan." Naruto spoke for the first time since they arrived, to everyone's surprise.
Sakura just giggled "I'll have plenty of free time, so why not"
"Oh yea, Hinata and Kiba are apologising for not visiting you Sakura, they have some sort of family lunch."
"I'm glad I'll be missing that one. Izunuka and Hyuuga together at one table, no thank you" Neji shuddered, showing his other rare seen personality. It mostly surfaces when he is with Ten Ten.
"Yeah, it screams disaster" Ten Ten laughed" Anyways, Lee is probably somewhere in the mountains training. I don't know where Choji and Shino are. As for Sai, he had some ANBU business to attend to"
"No worries, I'll be leaving now anyway. The more I rest now the sooner I'll be realized from hospital and the 5 days of torture can start" Sakura let out a sad sigh. " I'll see you guys around" she waved them of as she closed the door behind her and headed for her room
Her days have been more eventful than she thought they would be. She has been dispatched from hospital 2 days ago. Since then she went for a drink with Ino where she wouldn't stop talking about Sai. They are so cute. He constantly draws her when she isn't looking and takes her to dates. He is still a bit too much what they say' by the book' but he is more himself than ever. It's starting to became normal to him. As for Sakura, Ino would not stop asking her about Shikamaru. But Sakura didn't understand why Ino is implying that they are more than friends or could be more. Sure, they are really close and they do care about each other. After Asuma died Sakura spent days talking with him. Sometimes they would fall asleep, was it her couch, his parents porch, some random field. She remembers all too well how it was when her parents died. She made it through thanks to her friends. She never wants for someone to go through that alone. Shikamaru is more closed off type of person. He keeps it all to himself. That's why Sakura took it upon herself to help him. To talk to him however long he wanted. She is medical ninja and as one she knows that emotional wounds are the hardest to heal. Some never do. And that's not what she wanted for him. But they are friends. That's all.
After girls talk with Ino she went for ramen with Naruto. That's where she let out all her stream out. She was pissed because of Ino, so she constantly asked Naruto about Temari. It was so cute and funny when he got all embarrassed. She learned that sometimes, when he's coming back from missions, he makes detour and visits Sand. To check up on Gaara, was his excuse. Of course Sakura didn't buy it and after some pushing he admitted that he was going to see Temari. She was so happy for him.
When she was not training or catching up with someone, she was home studying and trying to figure out problem with her new technique. It was very helpful, especially on the battlefield. But if she, as a medic on the team, passes out, that would pose a big problem. The solution that she came up with was to create new seal. It wouldn't slow her as much, as she mastered how to manipulate flow of chakra to her seal. If she is preforming serious surgery or fighting she would reduce it so only drops of chakra would go to seal where as when she is sleeping almost all of her chakra would flow into it. The problem is, she didn't know if it was possible. She has Yin seal and she didn't know if she could create another one, or some sort of it. But since yin relates to spiritual energy and yang breathes in life into form, her Byakuou seal uses Yin-Yang release to repair damaged parts of her body. If she could store chakra into Yang seal, she can use that chakra in case of emergencies. It would bring life to dead cells and repair them. That was the only solution she came up with. But it's a long shot.
Sakura is currently making her way to the academy. She didn't see Iruka- sensei in a really long time. Shikamaru also agreed to go with her. When he became ANBU strategist, his free time was decreased almost tenfold. He couldn't watch clouds all day and occasionally go on a missions. He had to be in ANBU HD everyday and go through a lot of missions to find the best way to infiltrate and stuff like that. They were walking in comfortable silence.
Once they are in front of academy, Shikamaru broke the silence, his eyes focused on the tall building in front of them: "It feels like it's been ages."
"It does. Everything was so simple back than."
Sakura looked at Shikamaru, knowing he will understand what she meant. The look he gave her showed her she was right. It was a soft look, full of unspoken emotions. Back than, her parents, Asuma and many more were alive. Back than they didn't have to fear if someone left for mission, it may be the last time they see them. They walked in and they immediately heard noise coming from one of the classrooms. They knew it was Iruka's class since he tends to be late sometimes. Not as much as Kakashi, but Iruka had his fair share of late classes. They decided to wait in front of the classroom for him. They didn't have to wait for long, as they saw Iruka approaching in fast motion. When he noticed them his mouth set up in a big grin.
"Sakura, Shikamaru, it's so good to see you. What are you doing here?" he asked as he hugged them.
"Hello Iruka-sensei. We came to see you. We have some free time and we decided it would be great to come here since we didn't see you in a really long time" Sakura answered with a sweet smile.
"Oh how thoughtful of you. I'm about to have class, please come in" He didn't wait for their response as he opened the classroom door. Sakura and Shikamaru exchanged looks. This is not what they had in mind.
"Calm down class. We have guests today. They are my ex students, one of the best shinobi in the village." Iruka exclaimed as Sakura and Shikamaru came into classroom. Whispers irrupted.
"This is Haruno Sakura. She is one of the best medical ninja's in all 5 nations and this is Nara Shikamaru. He is one of the best strategist Konoha has seen in a long time."
"Sakura-chan!" a little girl stood up and started waving at Sakura.
"Yui! I haven't seen you in a long time. Are you practicing with shurikens still?" Yui is a girl that Sakura treated when she got hurt during her practices. Never anything serious, just few scratches here and there.
"Yes, I got much better so I don't get hurt anymore." Yui answered with a tint of pink on her cheeks.
"That's great, Gambate." Sakura sent her a sweet smile.
Yui smiled so that eyes weren't visible anymore. "Haii!" she shouted as she sat down.
"Okay, so we will have class outside and my former students will tell you a little bit about ninja life and maybe show you few techniques, if that's okay with you." Iruka turned towards Shkiamaru and Sakura with hopeful look in his eyes. That was definitely not what they had in mind. But looking at Iruka and other students who had amazed look in their eyes, Sakura just couldn't deny.
"Sure, I have some free time before I need to meet up with Neji for our training session"
"Neji Hyuuga?" a girl asked with pitched voice.
"Yes, you know him?" Sakura asked cocking her head to the side. She didn't see her around Neji before and the girl didn't have signature Hyuuga eyes.
""Yes, he is so awesome. He will be my husband when I grow up" girl announced proudly.
Sakura tried her best not to laugh. She didn't know Neji was so popular with the younger generations.
"Well than I need to tell Ten Ten to watch out. She has quite the competition."
Big grin made its way to girls face.
Sakura turned to Shikamaru: "How about you, you have some free time?"
" How troublesome" was all he said, but Sakura knew he would not let her hanging. She turned to Iruka and nodded.
"Great. So kids we will meet you at the training field in -" Iruka didn't even finish his sentence, half of the class was already out the door. Sakura chuckled. Oh how they reminded her of her teammates.
Three of them made their way to the training field only to find all the students sitting on the grass, waiting for them.
"Okay class. Sakura and Shikamaru will tell you a little bit about what it means to be ninja." He turned towards then and sent them sweet smile. All attention was on them. Sakura wasn't used to this. What was she supposed to tell them. That many people will die. People they care about. That once they leave academy their life's will never be the same. She took a deep breath.
"Many of you don't really understand what it means to be ninja. I know I didn't. I thought that you go on a missions, protect village and help people. That is true, but it's only one part of it. You will face doubt, disappointment even sadness and hurt. I know they tell you in the academy that you will lose people. And unfortunately some of you might know that already," she saw some of them put their head down "but things in real life are much more different than in the books. Sadness, hurt they are much more real than you might fell when you read a sad book."
That was obvious but they are bunch of 11 year olds. She didn't know it until she experienced it. "But also are happiness and love. The most important thing is that you never give up. I was a burden to my team. Some of you might know them, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha are my teammates." She heard few gasps. They are considered one of the best shinobi out there.
"Even in their genin days they were powerhouses. There was no way I could keep up with them. I didn't have kekkei genkai or big amount of chakra in me. I was only a genjisu type and I had good chakra control. And I was always the one needing protection. My team has put their lives on the line so many times for me. I felt useless. I didn't want to let them down, but I was disappointment."
"Than some bad things happened and I decided than I won't be burden ever again. If I can't fight and protect, than I will aid those who can. That's how I became medical ninja. It took a lot of work. Sometimes I wouldn't sleep for few days. My day consisted of studying, training with Tsunade-shishou and helping in hospital. But that hard work brought me where I am today. Medical ninjas should never go on the front lines, they should help from the side lines. Only medics who are allowed to the front lines are Tsunade-sama and me. I inherited the 100 Healing seal which allows me to heal myself, no matter what the wound is."
Sakura didn't want to brag or tell her life story, but it was the only way that she knew how to send a message."What I want to say is, no matter what your abilities are, you can make difference. Even if you have some special powers, you need to work really hard. That is the only way you know you did everything you could to protect those you care about. Even if things go sideways and missions don't go the way you want, you can never give up."
There was silence. Sakura didn't know what to do. Did she bore them, did she scared them.
"What are we supposed to do when our missions don't go well" a kid finally asked.
Sakura looked at Shikamaru. He is the strategist. He should tell them that. He understood and sighed murmuring "what a drag" under his breath. Iruka and Sakura chuckled.
"Many missions won't go as planned. When that happens you need to look at you options. They tell you mission comes first, but that is not true. Life of your comrades is number one. It's easier when you are supposed to give your life for the village. You will die shinobi death. The hard part is watching you teacher, friend, lover, family member do that. When your mission goes sideways you need to consider your options. If someone dies there and than for the sake of mission, will your village be safer? If you stop the mission, what will casualties be then? Many great shinobi did what they thought was the right choice, but the outcome was horrible."
"What they failed to understand is that there is no right or wrong. If you do everything you can to prevent bad things from happening, you did good. No one knows the future. When you can't clearly make the line between bad or worse. If it's not clear number like 1 life or 10, or 10 lives or 1000, all you can do is follow your gut and hope for the best. Every ninja fails at least once in their life. You just need to learn to live with that and continue."
"My late sensei taught me something called 'Will of Fire'. It's passed on with generations. It gives you strength to continue fighting. It represents hope and dreams. Dreams of peace and love. And it's our duty as your fellow shinobi to pass it on to you as previous generations did to us. And you will pass it to next generation. The cycle must always continue no matter what, as should you. You can never stop fighting and give up. That is not what true ninjas do. Find you ninja way and hold onto it. Never break it. Only than you will be true ninjas."
Sakura was looking at Shikamaru the whole time he was talking. He would be perfect Hokage. The kids were silent. They were just looking at them. None of them knew what to say.
Iruka was the one who broke the silence: "And there you have, true shinobi. You should remember their words. Does anyone have any questions?"
Few of them raised their hands. " Kiki?" Iruka called the girl on the far left.
"What are your chakra natures?" the girl asked.
Sakura turned towards Iruka: "You teach them about chakra natures?"
"Yes. We also started teaching them about chakra manipulation. We have special program for those who have good chakra control and want to become medical ninjas. There are quite few in my class. Maybe some will become your students" Some squeals and gasps were heard. Sakura turned towards the students.
"Maybe" she smiled sweetly "My are water and earth, although I don't use them"
"And I have bloodline limit. I can control shadows."
"How. How you fight than Sakura-san. And how do you control shadows Shikamaru-san" the girl asked, shock evident in her voice.
"Like this" was all that Shikamru said as he started waving kunai which he was holding with his shadow in front of a girl. He stole that kunai from her. The students' eyes widen in shock. Sakura just snickered. Her reaction was similar when she saw it for the first time back in the academy.
"And I realise chakra from my arms and legs to create bigger impact."
"That's lame, you can't do any serious damage like that." A boy shouted, evidently bored. It was Shikamaru's turn to snicker. He knew all too well the impact of her punch. Even if she didn't use chakra it still hurt for days. Sakura just smirked. Oh how can boys be cocky.
"Why don't you fight Sakura then?" Iruka casually asked. Sakura shoot her head in his direction. She doesn't want to fight a kid.
"It's okay, he is too sure in himself. He usually doesn't train. This will motivate him" he whispered. Sakura just nodded.
"Anyone else who thinks girls are weak or that they don't need practice because they are strong can join him" Sakura announced. If it will motivate the boys and show the girls they can be strong as well she didn't mind.
Three boys along with the one who shouted stood up and started going towards Sakura. She lead them further from others since she will probably shatter the ground. The four boys stood in front of her. She looked back at Shikamaru who was smirking. She smirked herself as she looked back at the boys.
"Are you just gonna stand there or are you going to attack me? I'm getting bored." She wanted to provoke them to see if there is any level headed ones.
She got her answer as all four charged, some throwing kunai's, some trying to land punches. Sakura simply avoided their attacks. She didn't even bother stopping them. One boy waved some signs as he jumped and in the next moment lightning was making it's way towards Sakura. She was surprised. It's not everyday you see someone in academy preform ninjutsu. She simply jumped as lightning came crashing into the ground. She had enough. This has been going on for 5 minutes now and she was bored.
"My turn" She said as she landed on the ground. Boys got into fighting stance but she simply hit the ground with her foot, infusing little chakra into it. The ground completely shattered and the boys lost their balance. Three of them fell down earning a few bruises. The boy who called out Sakura was somehow still standing but before he composed himself she was in front of him. He looked at her with widened eyes as she bowed down so she is at his level. She smiled sweetly and brought two finger to his forehead doing the same thing Tsunade did to Naruto the first time he fought her. The boy went flying few meters. When he stood up he had his hand over his forehead and angry expression on his face. Claps and cheers could be heard as well as few 'Sakura-chan/san is so awesome'. Sakura held her hands behind her back as she simply turned around and started walking towards where Shikamaru and Iruka were standing.
"Took you long enough" Shikamaru commented when she stood next to him.
"I wanted to see how good they are. The one who preformed ninjutsu surprised me, I must admit".
"Yes, he is a prodigy. Many girls are in love with him" Iruka said as he looked Sakura. She started laughing.
"Déjà vu" Shikamaru commented as he chuckled.
When the four boys re-joined the group Sakura spoke up again:" Does anyone have any more questions?" A boy raised a hand.
"Yes?" she pointed at the boy.
"Are you two dating?"
This took her of guard. Her cheeks became red where as Shikamaru looked at the boy dumbfounded and his eyes were little widened. Sakura started waving her hands in front of her.
"No, no. We're just friends" She was red as a tomato.
"Really? You two look like a couple." A girl interjected.
"Yeah and I saw Shikamaru-san waiting for you in front of a hospital Sakura-chan" Yui also added.
Few whispers where heard and Sakura look at Shikamaru almost panicking only to see him red as well.
"Sakura-chan, if you are not dating him, will you go on a date with me?" A boy stood up with wide grin on his face.
Now it was Sakura's turn to be dumbfounded. Before she could answer a girl also stood up and turned to the boy:"Baka, she is dating Shikamaru-san. I see them walking together and talking all the time"
"We are not together" Sakura said once again. It's true that they spent time together when they are free, which is not very often. Shikamaru has a little bit more free time so he sometimes picks her up from the hospital and walks her home. They occasionally take the long way but they just talk about their day and stuff like that.
"Even if she isn't dating him, she would never go out with you" a boy who can preform ninjutsu cut in.
"Teme, no one asked you anything." The boy was heading towards the other one. All attention was on them now.
"Déjà vu indeed" Sakura said as she started laughing again. She felt so relieved that attention was no longer on her and Shikamaru.
"Okay that's enough. Everyone head back to the classroom. We will now continue with our classes." Iruka said as he stood between the two boys. Many whines of despair were heard as the students headed towards the classroom in slow movements. Iruka turned towards his former students: "Sorry about that, kids are always more interested in love than training" he scratched back of his neck uncomfortably.
"It's okay. I was the same" Sakura smiled reassuringly at her former sensei.
"We'll be on our way now. I still have some business in the AHD. It was nice seeing you sensei." Shikamaru shook Iruka's hand.
"Please, I'm no longer your sensei. You are higher rank than me now"
"Goodbye, we'll see you around." Sakura offered a parting hug which he accepted.
"Goodbye, thank you for visiting. You are welcome anytime you want. Take care!" he sent them sweet smile as he waved. They waved in return as they headed towards the gates of academy.
"I'll be heading to the training ground now. Better to warm up a little bit before Neji arrives."
"Sure. We part here then. I'll see you around." Shikamaru hugged Sakura. This wasn't uncommon. They usually said their goodbyes like this.
"Bye Shikamaru" Sakura turned around and stated running towards the training ground 3 she and Neji usually train, still embarrassed by the boy's question.