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Welcome back to the story again.

Past :-

Sakura was on her way to the hospital. She decided to pay Naruto a visit after meeting the Hokage.

Tsunade is a very great Hokage. And I, who was never considered a potential Konoha shinobi, have gained her acceptance as an apprentice to her.

I am so happy. I have always wanted to be looked as a worthy ninja. And this is the start of it, she thought, as she walked the peaceful roads of Konohagakure.

As she walked, somehow, every step started getting heavier and heavier. Her feet felt numb. Naruto... she thought grimly, I have a good share in putting him in his condition right now. She never knew it would be this painful to be guilty. She tried not to look upset. She never imagined things to turn out this way. A part of her knew, it was her intuition, that Sasuke was not going to listen to anyone. Yet she asked Naruto. She knew it was her very fault that Naruto promised her to bring Sasuke back.

She knew Naruto for years and his mere determination not to go back on his word. She was a bigger reason for what had come out of it, Naruto was almost in a dying situation. Had not Kakashi reached on time, things would have been different, Tsunade told her. She could feel her eyes getting stingy. She was on the road and she could see the hospital just a little away. Crying o

ut loud infront of all was not on her plans for the day or that follows. She would become strong. Physically for respect and psychologically for the people who cared for her.

Her eyes started giving away a burning pain from all the tears that were forced away. She could not face Naruto then. What expression should her face bear? What feelings should her eyes convey? She had no answers.

Her walk came to a halt as she slowly closed hers eyes. Then she squeezed them a little too hard. She just stood there, already in front of the hospital, for a few seconds. She then opened her eyes and turned around.

It was in the evening of that day when she was asked to go to the training grounds.

"Who summons me, please?" she said to the leaf chunin politely.

"Kakashi," the woman stated.

"Alright", she said and two left the place at once, in their respective directions.

Sakura reached the grounds after a while. She did not put too much thought into what the matter was. She was thinking about Sasuke as she worried about Naruto.

"Yo, Sakura," Kakashi greeted as always with an apparent smile beneath his mask.

"Good evening, sensei," she said.

"You have things to know," he started, "Sasuke is in Naruto's custody and this a top secret between the three of us, understood?"

She did not say anything. What?

"That's right, Sakura," we just confirmed an hour ago.

Sensei knows my level of deciphering things, does he not? She said to herself with a little irony added to it.

"I am sorry, sensei, but I didn't understand what you said," said Sakura with a little frown forming on her eyebrows.

"Oh yes, but I think Naruto can explain you better than me," he said.

"Okay, Kakashi sensei, but you do know how vague Sasuke being in Naruto's custody sounds, right?"

He chuckled a little. "Well, but that is the case."

What on mother Earth is going on?

"You're not joking, are you? Because sensei, it's been three days since Naruto you brought Naruto back, and now you say Sasuke is with Naruto..." Sakura said with a look on her face that told him she thinks he's went mad or something.

"I got to believe what Naruto said only an hour ago," he said.

"Oh, I see, so, sensei, what you're saying is the truth?"

"Yes, believe me, Sakura," he told her, "When the time is right, let's tell everyone else."

"Where is he, right now?"

"Well, how should I tell you? Hmm.. let's see.." he said and after a good pause, he continued, "He's far from here."

What the hell, man? He sure has gone mad. "Alright sensei, you sure you're fine?"

He gave put a small laugh, "Yes, Sakura. You should know it from Naruto himself. He'd be glad to narrate it all to you."

She sighed inwardly. She didn't understand anything. Not a single word did make any sense to her. "Okay, Kakashi sensei, I will ask Naruto then."

"Good. By the way Sakura, this needs to be kept secret."

"Okay.."

"You're dismissed, Sakura. Hope you're training is going well."

"Yes, sensei, thanks," she said and walked home. It was almost dark by then. I should sleep well first. And tomorrow, I should go see Naruto.

"Nah, I am all right now," a well-known voice said, pronouncing 'all' and 'right' with a more loudness and clarity.

Naruto? Sakura thought. She turned around to realise she was right infront of Ichiraku's from across the road.

Yes, she was right. She soon spotted Naruto bent away onto his ramen. It took her a little more time to see someone else beside him. H-H-HINATA?!

She decided she really needed some sound sleep. Hence, Sakura was on her way home again with no interruptions.

As she settled for some rest, thoughts swirled in her head. Today was confusing.. Sasuke in Naruto's 'custody'. And when did that start. Already Hinata? She's better than I thought.. She at last had some courage to talk to him. She exhaled satisfied for Hinata as she fell asleep.

A/N:

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