Amnesia

Chapter 8: Florists and Medics

Sakura approached her oak bookshelf. It was small but functional and packed full with all sorts of books, none of which stood out to her. Every book seemed plain, black, brown or grey. Most of them were very thick and dare she say boring and daunting to even look at. She must have been interested in this stuff, if she had so many large books.

Picking out the first, she studied the cover which read 'Agnosia Theories and Treatments'. She had no idea what that was, so she placed it neatly back in the bookshelf. The next one she pulled out simply said 'Alcohol'. Interest peaked, she turned over the cover to see a note written on the inside page.

Sakura smiled as she read it. "Dear Sakura, Happy 18th Birthday! Feel free to explain to your mentor all the negative effects alcohol is having on her internal systems when you catch her drinking again. Much Love, Shizune."

Now assuming the books were alphabetised, Sakura put back her Alcohol book and moved down to the next row of books, to search some more. When she spotted 'Chakra Pathway System', she grinned and took out the book. Moving to her living area, she sat down on the sofa and opened the book.

Time to get reading.

When Sakura reached the restaurant, where she was meeting Ino for lunch, the blonde was already there talking to a young male waiter. She didn't know if this guy was her friend, or Ino's friend, or a random stranger, but the way Ino was laughing suggested she knew who he was. Sakura wasn't really bothered if she was supposed to know him or not, she was in a good mood, and excited to share the new knowledge she had learnt.

"Hey, Ino!" she exclaimed happily and sat down opposite her friend.

Ino watched as the pink-haired medic placed several heavy books down on the table in front of her. "...Hey, Sakura, what do you have there?" she questioned, although didn't sound as if she wanted a reply.

"Books," Sakura answered with enthusiasm, "I've been reading everything on my bookshelf. I started at C and read all the chakra related material, then all the Medical Chakra books, then I went back to A, some of this stuff is really interesting."

Ino nodded slowly, giving a really forced smile, signalling to the waiter by tilting her head.

"Oh sorry." Sakura smiled before looking at the young man. "Do I know you?"

"No you don't, Forehead, he's a waiter here," Ino replied for him.

"I see, nice to meet you!" Sakura greeted him politely.

The young waiter nodded and smiled in reply, although Sakura wasn't sure if his smile was that genuine. He seemed to have gone a bit rigid and awkward since she sat down.

Ino sighed in defeat, simply stating, "We'll have the usual."

When the man disappeared, Sakura studied her seemingly annoyed friend and asked, "Did I interrupt something between you?"

"Actually, I was trying to hook him up with you." The blonde shrugged nonchalantly.

Sakura laughed, amused by her friend's terrible plan, and even more amused by the fact that she had been fairly successful in making it fail, without even trying. Who knew extremely heavy textbooks scared off guys? Or maybe it was her profound interest in an apparently not that interesting topic. Sakura wasn't sure why Ino was trying to get her a date (without her permission or even asking) anyway.

"Why?" she questioned.

"A civilian boyfriend, to go with your new civilian life," Ino informed her with a cheery smile.

Sakura frowned, her happy mood dwindling a little, this was the opposite of what she wanted to discuss. "You know I'm trying to be a medic again, Ino."

"I know I know. You could still get a boyfriend though."

"I don't want a boyfriend."

Ino smirked. "Not even Naruto?"

Finding new interest in her books, Sakura opened the one on the top of the pile and hummed to herself.

Ino watched her, amused, before speaking, "You know, Naruto-"

"Did you know there's a Medical Joke Book?" Sakura interrupted.

Ino rolled her eyes, groaning. "Yes I did. You loved that thing when you first got it."

"It's great, isn't it?" Sakura smiled to herself.

"No." Ino frowned. "Tsunade and I both agree that there is nothing more cringe-worthy than watching you and Shizune-san laugh over that book."

"Shizune got it me?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "She gets me lots of books."

"She's given you a lot of medical textbooks, yes, too many in my opinion."

"Why's that?" Sakura asked.

"When you get a new one, all you talk about is all these complex medical theories, you sit at home and read the whole thing... You're such a nerd." Ino shook her head.

"But you're a medic too, Ino, I thought you'd be interested in these things," Sakura said, already disappointed with her friend's responses.

There goes her plan of discussing ninja and medical techniques with her fellow medic. She certainly didn't come here to talk about boyfriends, or Naruto, or both of those topics together. For some reason, that made her feel really awkward, when she thought about it – not a bad awkward, just an awkward awkward.

"Not as much as you," Ino mumbled. "My social life comes first."

Sakura gave her friend a disapproving look before continuing reading.

Ino frowned at the large medical textbook occupying the table space and sighed. "Why are you reading about cancer?"

"Because-" Sakura took a deep breath.

Ino mentally switched off as her friend began to speak, occasionally nodding or humming, pretending to be interested. She used to do it all the time when she didn't find what the pink-haired medic was saying particularly interesting. Sakura used to find out and hit her, but now she didn't have her monster strength, Ino was even less bothered about annoying her.

Sakura continued on her medical, semi-rant, "And it amazes me after all this research, that a cure has yet to be found, I-"

Ino laughed very loudly.

Sakura paused, confused.

The male waiter had returned, and as he placed their food down on the table, Ino gave her a big smile. "You're so funny, Forehead."

Sakura frowned. "I didn't think it was very-"

Ino then smiled at the waiter and repeated, "She's so funny."

"Enjoy your meals." The man smiled politely back, but then briskly walked away from their table.

"You've lost that one," Ino grumbled, picking up her fork, she prodded at her salad.

"I've read all about anorexia," Sakura began, looking at her friend's lunch. "And with what you eat, or how little you eat, I'm surprised you're not heading that way."

"So you're calling me thin?" Ino grinned. "Thanks, Forehead."

"It's not a good thing," Sakura warned seriously, not amused by her friend's happiness at her situation.

When Sakura got medical, she was often like an over-protective mother, but it always pushed Ino to want to do the opposite of what the pinkette said. It was funny to see her friend over-react, and sometimes it was even worth it after the repercussions of doing what she was told not to.

"I'm letting you eat that burger because I hope you get fat." Ino grinned. "Then I can laugh at you."

"You should try it, it's a vegetable one, and it's actually very good for you," Sakura insisted.

"Whatever," Ino mumbled.

"Your loss." Sakura smiled and shrugged.

There was a small silence as they ate, Sakura still reading her book, Ino half-heartedly eating her own meal.

"I don't want you to talk to me about that now, Sakura," Ino signalled to the large book, fork in hand. "My shift starts after this and I didn't intend to start working any earlier."

Sakura bookmarked her page and closed it, looking at her friend, she asked, "What did you want to talk about then?"

"Naruto." The blonde's smile widened.

Sakura frowned. "Why?"

"Because you avoid the topic every time I bring it up." Ino laughed. "So as your best friend, I'm entitled to push more until you talk to me about it."

"Fine..." Sakura grumbled. "That ramen he got me was also a lot better than a salad, but it isn't as good for you as a veggie burger."

Ino was amused by her friend's attempt to divert the conversation from where the real interest was. "I don't want to talk to you about the ramen he got you."

"Well then what about him?" Sakura questioned, less than enthusiastic.

"Anything happened since you kissed him?" Ino asked.

"No."

"Why not?" The blonde pouted, frowning in disappointment.

Sakura took a bite of her burger and shrugged, looking anywhere but at the interrogating medic.

"Do you want something to happen?" Ino pushed.

Sakura thought about it, swallowing her food, she answered, "I'm focussing on my work right now; I need to learn this stuff."

"You've not changed one bit." Ino shook her head. "Your feelings haven't changed either. You just put everything else on a higher priority list, so you can ignore it."

"Naruto is important, but I really want to be a medic again," Sakura insisted.

"For yourself?"

"And for others."

"Put yourself first for once, Sakura, you don't need to prove anything to us, you've already done enough," Ino grumbled.

"Other people are still helping Konoha, you are helping, you are a medic," Sakura pointed out.

"It's a job and there's plenty of other ways to help out Konoha, you don't have to be a ninja or a medic, you could be a florist," Ino suggested.

Sakura laughed. "A florist?"

"Yeah, work in my flower shop, that's just as important to the people of Konoha." Ino smiled.

"Of course," Sakura spoke sarcastically.

Ino frowned, sounding offended, she replied, "Do you know how many relationships I help start and improve? Florists are important to the social and romantic aspects of this place!"

"I'll stick to trying to be a ninja." Sakura smiled.

Romance just didn't seem like her thing, but these books, her past job and life, really sparked her interest.

"Don't tell me you'd prefer a kunai as a gift over a nice bouquet of flowers," Ino grumbled. "Then again, I wouldn't be surprised."

"It would be a practical gift." Sakura shrugged.

"Workaholic," Ino accused her grumpily.

"Speaking of work, can you help me?"

"No," Ino replied flatly.

"Come on, Ino!" Sakura pleaded. "You know I've been having difficulties with chakra. I understand it, I just can't do it."

"What happened to getting Naruto to help you?" the blonde asked, trying to push the conversation back into the fun zone.

"I will as soon as he's back, but people keep making fun of me when I tell them I'm going to ask him for help." Sakura frowned. "Do you know why?"

"No, I think it's a great idea," Ino answered, her lips curving upwards into a sly smile.

Sakura was silent for a moment, analysing her friend's smile before asking, "Not even a short lesson?"

Ino laughed. "I'll leave that for Naruto to attempt, but if you ever want my help learning floristry, just ask."

"You know I was never any good at flower arranging, Ino," Sakura mumbled.

"You could learn," Ino shrugged.

Sakura hummed dismissively.

There was another silence that stretched out between them before Ino added, "Was it strange? Getting to know me a second time?"

Sakura thought about it before concluding, "I remember you used to be a lot nicer."

Ino smiled. "We went through a lot, sometimes, I wish I could forget it too."

"Well maybe we can swap memories," Sakura suggested. "I was reading a book on brain transplants and-"

Ino picked up a lettuce leaf and threw it at her friend. "Don't care."

Sakura frowned.

"Naruto should be back later today. You can tell him all about your relearned medical knowledge," Ino told her.

Sakura's eyes widened. "I wouldn't expect him to like that sort of stuff."

"Are you kidding? He loves it!" Ino grinned. "You just need to spend more time with him, get to know him, go on a couple of dates."

Sakura's frown deepened and she threw the lettuce leaf back at her teasing friend. She'd see if all the blonde was saying was true later.

Sakura was sat under a tall tree at the training grounds, reading her book in the shade, when she looked up to see Naruto walking towards her. Grinning, she pushed herself up and ran towards him. As she reached him, she pulled him into a hug. "Naruto!"

Naruto stood there for a moment, awkwardly frozen on the spot, before he hugged her back and greeted her happily, "Hey, Sakura-chan!"

Pulling back, she gave him a funny look. "What?"

"Nothing." He grinned.

"Do I not usually hug you?" she asked, not knowing what else it could be that she did to make him act strangely.

"No," a voice sounded behind them.

Sakura pulled away completely to see two males walking towards them. She studied them for a moment. "I know you two right? I saw you in the magic visions."

"So you are brain damaged." The male with black hair, who had spoken previously, smiled strangely at her.

"Uhh…" Sakura frowned, not knowing what to say.

"Ignore him, Sakura-chan!" Naruto stepped in front of her. "What gives, Sai?"

"Yes, Sai…" Sakura mumbled. She looked back at the other man. "And Captain Yamato?"

Yamato smiled at her, in a much more genuine manner than Sai. "That's right, Sakura."

"I win," Sakura announced proudly, glad that she remembered their names. "What are you two doing here? Why have I not seen you before now?"

"We just got back from a mission with Naruto," Yamato explained smartly. "Tsunade had thought it would be better if Sai didn't talk to you for a while after…your incident."

"I wonder why," Naruto mumbled.

She looked back at Sai and he just continued to smile at her.

"Oh," Sakura said slowly. "OK… Hey, can one of you teach me to control chakra?"

She had surely trained a lot with all three of these males. Sai and Yamato looked older than she and Naruto were, but she would be happy if any of them offered to help teach her. If all three of them chipped in with a lesson or two, she'd have a much better chance of re-learning her ninja skills. She had begun to get excited starting her journey in relearning all her old skills.

"Why?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Tsunade said if I can use normal chakra, she'll teach me to be a medic again!" Sakura exclaimed happily, before lowering her head. "But I've had no luck with chakra so far."

"Tsunade said this?" Yamato raised an eyebrow.

Sakura nodded. "Yeah. Can you help me?"

"I will have to discuss it with the Hokage first." The brown-haired man smiled. "The last I heard, we were to ensure your safety by not allowing you to try and use any ninja techniques."

Sakura continued to stare at the floor, frowning slightly in confusion. "She did tell me I could…"

"I'll help you, Sakura-chan!" Naruto announced with a grin.

Sakura smiled at him, she knew he'd help her. "Thanks, Naruto, I was going to ask you anyway."

When she turned to look back at Sai and Yamato, she saw the team leader with a very frightening look across his face. He was staring at Naruto in a way that completely crept her out.

"Is this some kind of jutsu?" she whispered to Naruto, tempted to hide behind him.

Naruto cleared his throat, he looked at Yamato awkwardly, speaking through his teeth, "Captain Yamato, you're freaking Sakura-chan out."

Straightening, Yamato smiled again. "We should report to the Hokage, come on, Naruto."

"But I want to stay with Sakura-chan." Naruto pouted.

"You can return after you've spoken to Tsunade," Yamato ordered.

"But…" Naruto pointed to her. "The rules were that one of us has to be with Sakura-chan at all times."

"Really?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "I've been on my own the past couple of days."

Yamato face-palmed, before replying, "Then it seems the rules have changed. I shall go and get an update."

"I'll stay here." Naruto grinned.

"So will I," Sai announced.

Sighing, Yamato turned and walked away. Sakura watched him go – he didn't seem very happy. From what she'd seen in the memories shown to her, he seemed like a kind man, but she'd seen nothing of the scary look he produced just moments ago. He wasn't in the memories Sasuke showed her and he was only in happy memories that Kakashi showed her (they were all happy though, a stark contrast to those displayed to her by the Uchiha).

She wondered if she had been as needy at an older age, like she had been in Sasuke's memories, but Kakashi just hadn't showed her that side to her personality. Similarly, she assumed she must have had some happy memories with her ex-teammate. Even in what he showed her, he had certainly changed. Surely Sasuke had changed a lot since he left, because she couldn't see herself following around someone so corrupt.

Also, the fact that Captain Yamato hadn't been in Sasuke's memories at all, made her assume that the man was a newer friend, a later team leader. Perhaps he stood in for Kakashi sometimes, because she couldn't recall any memories presented to her where she was on a mission with both men. It wasn't like she could be shown everything she had gone through with these guys though, even all the happy times.

"Shouldn't you guys do what he said?" Sakura frowned. "Isn't he our team captain?"

Naruto shrugged, unbothered.

"I wanted to talk to you, Sakura," Sai told her with a smile.

"Okay…what about?" she asked awkwardly, not sure how to feel about this guy yet.

He was another teammate, right? He should be a good friend of hers.

"I'm interested in what you think, now that you're brain damaged," he explained.

Sakura's fist tightened, annoyed by the way he spoke to her. "I would appreciate it if you do not call me brain damaged."

"This is why Tsunade ordered you to not talk to her," Naruto said with a sigh.

"It seems you are still easily angered," Sai replied blankly.

"I'm not easily angered," Sakura shot back, angry.

"Your friends tend to know how to avoid making you mad," Sai informed her, before adding, "apart from Naruto."

"Naruto's not angered me."

"Is this because you like him?" Sai questioned.

Sakura's eyes widened at the sudden question. She expected that off Ino, but even then she didn't think her best friend would be so abrupt – she'd at least sneakily ease them into the conversation.

Naruto stepped forward, in front of her, in a defensive manner. "Leave her alone, Sai! What gives? Asking her stuff like that?"

"Sakura is usually the only one who explains things to me," he answered blankly.

"That's because you ask the most awkward questions ever," Naruto growled.

"If I usually answer your questions… I guess I can try." Sakura shuffled, she did want to be like her old self, but..."But, uhh, preferably none about Naruto OK?" she added.

Sai smiled. "OK, I already have my answer anyway."

Sakura avoided eye contact with both of the males, feeling uncomfortable with this whole conversation, even more so than when Ino pushed her for answers regarding those kind of topics – she didn't want to discuss romance with two males, especially Naruto. She didn't want to discuss romance with anyone, in general.

"What are your feelings towards Sasuke?" Sai asked.

"Sai…" Naruto warned, his fist tightening.

"I hate him," Sakura answered simply.

Naruto's eyes widened and he looked at her. "What?"

"He nearly killed you." Sakura looked the blond in the eyes, not understanding why he seemed so surprised (and even upset) at her straight answer. "I have never been so scared in my life."

Naruto lowered his head. "You don't hate him, Sakura-chan, he was our teammate, you…"

"Thought you loved him," Sai added.

Sakura shook her head, denying it. "How can I have loved him? After all that he did? He tried to kill me. He nearly killed Naruto. He left us."

"Because he was our friend," Naruto mumbled, meeting her gaze steadily. "He still is. There is still good in him, I know it, and you do too, you do like him."

Sakura saw how serious he was. He was pained at her response. Nodding slowly, she agreed quietly, "OK, Naruto."

Sai looked between them, before asking, "What is your opinion of Ino?"

Now that question was easier to handle. Sakura smiled, glad for the topic change. "Ino's my best friend, but at the same time, she's a really terrible friend."

Sai frowned. "I have never understood your relationship with Ino."

"Do you now?"

"No."

Sakura laughed. "Why not?"

"He has the worst social skills ever," Naruto told her with a frown.

"Why?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"I do not understand the concept of emotion," Sai explained simply.

"You've got to have some emotion," Sakura answered, confused, before taking into account his expression. "But that is the most unconvincing smile I have ever seen."

Naruto burst out laughing. "It is, isn't it?"

Sai frowned, looking slightly perplexed, before turning his back on them. "I shall report to the Hokage now."

"Wait, Sai," Sakura stopped him.

Turning back around, he replied, "Yes?"

"You're an artist, right?" She questioned, trying to piece together all the information she had on him, since it was the first time he re-met her.

He nodded.

"Can you teach me how to draw?" she pleaded.

"I have tried before," Sai smiled, "you are a terrible artist."

Sakura pouted.

"You're just a terrible teacher, Sai!" Naruto raised his voice and defended her.

"You are worse." Sai smiled.

Naruto stepped forward and went to shout something back at his teammate, but Sakura quickly stood in-between them. Smiling awkwardly, she placed a hand on both of their chests. "Hey, I'm sure you're both good teachers."

"No," they spoke simultaneously.

She grinned. "Well, you can teach me how to control chakra Naruto. Sai, you can teach me to draw, then I'll be the judge of that."

"OK then," Sai nodded. "If I can ask you some more questions?"

"All right…" Sakura begrudgingly agreed, not too keen on that idea, but she wanted to get to know her (admittedly strange) friend better. He annoyed her at first. Then his honest confusion, about everything social, intrigued her further.

"Go away, Sai." Naruto frowned.

Sai smiled, before heading in the opposite direction from them. "Good luck with Naruto's teaching, Sakura."

Sakura watched him go. "Why does everyone keep saying good luck to me about trying to learn from you?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "No idea… I'm sorry about Sai, he tends to aggravate us."

Sakura laughed. "He seems nice, but a little confused and inappropriate… Why doesn't he understand emotion?"

Naruto shrugged.

There was a small silence.

"And what are these rules concerning me?" She frowned.

She hadn't heard anything concerning rules about her. Having one person with her at all times? Not letting her use chakra or ninja techniques? Why had these secret orders been given to her friends? How many had been given?

"Umm… They were put in place to protect you, an order by Tsunade." Naruto smiled.

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Rule Number One:" Naruto recited. "Don't tell Sakura about these rules."

Sakura stared at him.

"Oh," Naruto mumbled to himself. "Whoops."

She laughed. "You're such an idiot."

He pouted at her. He was a little slow, bless him.

She grinned. "What was the second rule?"

"I can't tell you." His pout increased.

"Pretty please?" she pleaded, looking at him with big eyes, her lips mirroring his pout.

"I'm just an idiot." He looked at the ground and sniffed. "Why would I know the rules?"

"Aww, Naruto," Sakura place a hand on his shoulder. "You're not an idiot... I think."

"You think?" Naruto raised his head to look at her.

"Well everyone seems to think you can't teach me about chakra." She shrugged.

Naruto frowned. "Well I'm going to prove them wrong! And prove I'm not an idiot!"

"Great," Sakura grinned. "Let's get started."

"Tsunade-sama." Yamato bowed respectfully.

The Hokage raised an eyebrow. "Where's your team?"

"With Sakura. The wood user shook his head. "You might have to wait a while for Naruto's debrief, he wanted to stay with her."

"Of course he did." Tsunade smiled and shook her head.

"Have the rules changed?" Yamato frowned. "Sakura's trying to teach herself to use chakra."

"I know."

"You told us specifically that we shouldn't let that happen."

Tsunade nodded.

"But?" Yamato raised an eyebrow.

Tsunade smiled to herself. "But Sakura is Sakura. She wouldn't listen to me if I told her not to... Maybe she can do it."

"Is it safe?"

Tsunade frowned. "If her trying to learn jutsus compromises her safety than we will not allow it, but Sakura's still in there somewhere and I am willing to let her try."

Yamato smiled. "And the other rules?"

"The other rules concerning Sakura are still in place, although she has moved back into her old apartment," the Hokage informed him.

"She said she's been on her own recently," Yamato said, frowning slightly.

Tsunade smirked. "She's never been alone."

"Have you told her she's being watched?"

"It's for her own safety." Tsunade shrugged.

Yamato shook his head. "She wouldn't be happy."

"I know. I'm interested in seeing her reaction if she finds out... I'd like to see her get angry at me."

Yamato laughed. "You're the only one who likes to see her get angry."

Tsunade grinned. "I miss it, it's entertaining. If I can't teach her medical jutsu again, I'll work on the short temper."

"Great." Yamato shook his head. "But we can help her with chakra?"

"You can try."

"You still don't think she can learn to use chakra again?"

"The chances are extremely thin." Tsunade shrugged. "Then again, it's Sakura, maybe she'll do it."

Yamato smiled. "She's certainly changed your attitude since we last spoke."

Tsunade smiled back. "We talked. As much as she makes me want to try and help her out, it's all down to her subconscious effort to remember what she used to know."

"So you do think she can do it?"

The Hokage looked down at the book she had hit her apprentice over the head with, before replying quietly, "I hope so."

Author Notes:

Hello!

I was soon to turn 18 when I wrote the start of this, which is probably where the 18th alcohol book message came from at the start of the story. Here in the UK, you can drink at 18.

I'm sorry if this chapter sucked. Hardly anything was pre-planned. I wrote the first sentence and it went from there, a sentence at a time, for all of this. The Naruto/Sakura/Sai part in the middle was written first and was the only thing planned, designed to set up what will happen in the next chapter.

Some people wanted Sai and Yamato, others didn't, so I gave them a short part to compensate. One thing I have noticed, is that you reviewers seem to just want Sakura to remember – I understand and empathise with that. However, this story is kind of how Sakura is without these memories and the journey she takes to try and get them back and about how her relationships with her old friends (mainly Naruto) re-develop.

I didn't know what to call this chapter, I was so rusty – then again, I often don't know what to call a chapter, rusty or not.

Thanks for reading.