I realize this is so super short, but I felt bad about not updating anything in a while so here's another chapter. The reason it's short is I'm trying to keep distance between where you readers are and where I am, but that is thinning rapidly!
I could barely sleep the previous night, running over how I was going to present this to Tsunade. Mostly, my thoughts were occupied by the fact that this would at least temporarily keep Sasuke out of my way on a day-to-day basis. Though it comes with an infuriating heaviness of the heart, I know it would be much worse if I had to see him so continuously.
"Tsunade-sama, I have a proposition for you," I enter without knocking, getting myself in a flurry. She barely glances up from her paperwork, but allows me to continue. I only hope I'm retaining enough of her attention to get this across, "So, you mentioned that you were looking to put Sasuke in a more sequestered environment. I think I found the place."
Now, she looks me in the eyes, urging me to continue.
"The Uchiha compound," I finish, "It's abandoned, no one goes there anymore; half the village is convinced it's haunted and the other half considers it taboo. No one would find him there."
She mulls this over, but I can see the doubts. I can see the possibilities forming behind her eyes.
"Of course, anywhere you put him there's a possibility of somebody coming across him. If we station guards at the entrances to the compound, both inside and out, we can monitor traffic, make sure no one is allowed in."
"And what would we tell those people? The only time that compound has been officially closed off was during the investigation."
"Tell them it's been declared a historic preserve, I don't know! But as long as he's here, we run the risk of the entire village finding out and you know we'll have a riot on our hands then!" I grip the edge of her desk, staring her down, pleading silently.
Briefly, her eyes flicker to the load of paperwork still awaiting her attention.
"I'll think about it," she shoos me out of her office and as I exit, I breathe a sigh of relief. It could have gone so much worse.
It took Tsunade three days to consider my suggestion. But it was three days of her being so busy with her advisors and the work from the hospital that I didn't get called down to entertain Sasuke.
I felt normal, albeit a little remorseful of the way I had left things with Sasuke. But, after today, I wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.
I have to wonder why that isn't bringing a huge grin to my face.
Pushing away that though before it can further manifest, I knock on her door and upon being called in, enter.
"Good," she gives me this odd smile, "We've come to a conclusion."
I nod my head, feeling something between excitement and anxiety.
"We have agreed to go forward with your proposal and place Sasuke in the Uchiha compound for the time being, until we have come to a conclusion with his tribunal."
I remain silent, unsure now of what I was feeling while thinking that he would no longer be a nuisance to me.
"But, as you know, we can't very well just leave him to his own devices there," she pauses, "We need a trained medic nin, one who is already aware of his presence, to look after him twenty-four/seven; both for the good of his health, and for the sake of the village's safety."
And that last portion, I know, is her way of sugarcoating it. They want me to babysit Uchiha Sasuke. I force myself to keep a steady gaze.
"Sakura, we need you to take a temporary full-time position looking after Sasuke."
No. My head drops.
"You are obviously the most qualified; you have been under my personal instruction for many years, you have no obligations to an immediate family, and you trained with Sasuke before he went rogue."
No. My eyes close.
"Of course, necessities - food, water, medicine - will be delivered to you weekly."
No. My fists clench.
"But if, in case of an emergency, we can find somebody to replace you for the time being. Other than that, you will be his primary medic. Guards will be stationed throughout the compound should you need them."
No. My knuckles dig into my forehead.
"I suggest you take the rest of the day to prepare yourself, inform whoever should know that you will be unavailable for an indefinite period of time, pack anything you may need in the following months -"
"Months?!" I balk, and draw my eyes back to hers.
"Months," she affirms, strong in her resolve, "This isn't something to be taken lightly. We have no way of calculating how long it may take us to evaluate this situation and its implications. There is no one else I can trust with such a delicate affair. I wish I could ask you if you'll accept this responsibility, but I'm afraid we must insist. The both of you will be transported to the compound in three days."
Absolutely not. I storm out of her office.
