By Narutard45
" Naruto keep it down!" The Hokage snapped at the blonde across from her. Blue eyes glared briefly at the hokage's own before quickly reverting their stare back at the figure under the covers.
" But how is she? Is she awake? How did-" Naruto babbled on and on until the hokage raised a hand.
" Naruto…" her voice low and threatening. " Interrupt me again and I will have you kicked out of this hospital. Now be quiet!" she hissed. Sasuke on the other hand merely glared at the back of Naruto's blonde head and resumed to doing what he did best. Leaning on the wall, and isolating his thoughts to himself.
Naruto's type of personality would have urged him to tick off the hokage or anyone that suited his fancy any time any where, but luckily, he knew his place enough to listen to instructions and act with responsibility for once.
Well sort of.
" Humph. Hurry it up baachan, were not getting any younger here." He muttered under his breath. Tsunade narrowed her eyes dangerously at the blonde before resuming her explanation.
" As I was saying, Sakura's body has been stabilized." Tsunade whispered loud enough for the group to hear.
" Her chakra levels have been depleted low enough for her body to keep breathing and her heart pumping, but her body right now is about as strong as a new born puppy." She explained.
Kakashi and Naruto nodded silently, urging her to go on. Time seemed to stand still for the remainder of team 7 as they waited patiently for the rest of Tsunade's news. The three of them stood in a semi circle around the kunoichi's hospital bed, with the exception of Sasuke of course. There wasn't a single noise heard in the room besides, the occasional beeping of a machine attached to Sakura's wrists, and her erratic breathing.
The white walls surrounding Sasuke seemed to come alive, blending in different hues of white gray and black. Oh how his mind felt weak and exhausted, bringing a fresh prick of pain around his temples. But when he heard the Hokage's sudden change of tone, he pushed aside his throbbing headache and listened carefully to what she was saying.
Leaning slightly forward, he listened to her words.
The hokage took an intake of breath before speaking." If that was the only problem, Sakura could regain her strength back in a week or so… but…"
" But…?" Naruto whispered, cerulean eyes widening slightly. They knew something else was coming. Something bad. Each of them could just feel it, wrapping around their lungs like clammy hands. This was usually the part in the movie where the victims think that they've defeated the mutated monster and they go on to celebrate, thinking they've won. But one unlucky member doesn't notice what's behind him and then… bam, there goes his head.
And that's precisely what happened.
Tsunade's hazel eyes lingered onto the figure on the bed. Like a caring mother, she gently reached down and pushed a stray pink lock away from Sakura's face." That last attack took a severe toll on her. Not physically…"
For a moment, confusion whirled around from Kakashi's one eye, to Naruto's tightened jaw and onto Sasuke's hunched figure. If not physically then…
" …but mentally."
Flashback" Naruto you idiot! Your 20 minutes late! Sasuke-kun and I have been waiting for you all morning." Sakura growled at the blonde in front of her.
Naruto smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head." Sorry Sakura-chan, I had to make an emergency pit stop. Hehe…"
" To fill your stomach I suppose?" Her green eyes glinted dangerously at him, while she began pulling her arm back slowly.
Naruto shut his eyes tightly, bracing himself for the oncoming impact with his precious cheek and Mr. fist. He should have known better than to make Haruno Sakura- apprentice of the godaime- and one of the high ranking medic nins in the village angry. Her fists can pack a punch even without chakra. He's had a first class encounter of course.
But the punch never came. Instead, soft fingers grazed his cheek. What the…? Where was the swift punch he should have felt?
Naruto opened one eye, and then the other only to be met with a dangling piece of noodle.
Sakura held the little piece of noodle between her fingers, dangling it in front of the blonde. " Seem familiar Naruto?"
" …Moron" Sasuke muttered from behind Sakura, scowling at Naruto's lack of responsibility . The Uchiha leaned back on the gates and watched the two bicker as Sakura scolded Naruto, and the blonde whined in return. What a great morning.
A small poof sound diverted their attention, small puffs of white clouds appearing out of nowhere in front of the gates, unveiling the last member of the group. " Good morning everyone." He spoke. Sakura and Naruto turned toward their former sensei glaring openly at him.
" Ready to go kids?" he asked amusingly, one eye narrowing slightly.
Sakura heaved a small sigh as she turned to follow her ever-so-tardy sensei. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Naruto took their places on each side of her, as they always do. Naruto randomly talking about matters only he himself knows and Sasuke being as alert, distant, and wordless as ever. And there she was, wedged in between a snowstorm and a warm day, where her own place became platonic. But still, she couldn't stop the small smile that errupted on her face. It just felt so familiar, just like the old team seven days.
Sakura gently rubbed her aching back, tenderly massaging her throbbing tendons, from arm to shoulder blade. Running tree to tree from what seemed like an endless forest for five hours straight can do that to a normal person. Much less a kunoichi like her. But today was different and team 7 was on a tight schedule, and if they were to reach the sound by the 2nd day or so, then the faster the better.
She just wished that she wasn't so tired!
After flexing her stiff body, she turned her attention t toward an oak tree where Kakashi and Sasuke were silently briefing each steps of the mission, -making sure there were no flaws- while Naruto's mop of blonde hair hovered over the other side of the tents. Most probably fixing up ingredients for a well balanced ramen meal, and as always, she would contribute by sitting on her butt and watching everyone else do the hard work.
No. That was before, and today would certainly be different.
Sakura stood up from the log she was currently sitting on and walked over to the tents, a stern yet confident look vibrating off her emerald eyes. This time around would be different. She wasn't some weak little girl waiting for someone to do every little thing for her. This was her chance to show what she's made of in missions, she would not falter, nor tremble. Besides, this is the perfect opportunity since this is the first official mission that team7 is going to.
Slinging a small jug over her shoulder, and strapping on her kunai holster, Sakura walked out of the clearing when…
"Sakura," oops. Forgot about them.
The kunoichi turned her head slightly to the call, stopping midway on a step. Charcoal eyes focused on her, eyes slightly narrowing. " Where do you think you're going?"
Sakura caught her self just in time before spouting off a sarcastic comment with the ever-pretentious Uchiha. After all, he'd just gotten back and this wasn't anyway to start off the mission. So burying all traces of playful sarcasm Sakura looked over her shoulder and smiled.
" Just going to get some firewood and water, since I saw a small stream on the way here,"
Naruto poked his head out from the tent where he supposedly sought for supplies. " Hey Sakura-chan, I could come with you if you want… besides you might need an extra hand with the-"
" –Sigh- Naruto I'll be fine, it's not even dark yet,"
" But-"
" No Naruto." She looked over her shoulder directing a playful smirk toward Naruto. How old was she four? She didn't need supervising.
" Just make sure to get back here as soon as you can Sakura. Were close to sound territory, so it could be dangerous." The jounin nodded once, as if approving her request. She definitely didn't need adult supervision.
But she wasn't listening anymore, because she had already started to walk away from the group, waving her hand up in the air for a subtle good-bye. Only she didn't notice a pair of eerie eyes watching her intently from the shadows.
After Sakura had come back from fetching the wood and water, she had found the rest of her team huddled around the fire the blonde had built, and eating from a bowl of Naruto's home made ramen.
And after eating the surprisingly non-toxic meal, (with the fox boy, you couldn't be too careful) it was only then that the kunoichi had noticed something. Or rather something that wasn't there…
" What's the matter Sakura-chan?" a voice from behind her called.
Rummaging through several kunai's and other weapons in her back pack, she answered, " I can't find it…"
She heard a small snicker from behind her, so unnatural for Naruto to be doing such an act. A small willowy shadow enveloped her from behind, a smudged silhouette of a sharp object outstretched towards her. The kunoichi tensed, stopping midway from reaching into her kunai holster. Something was wrong.
" I wouldn't do that if I were you,"
Sakura spun around, a cold sharp kunai grazing her cheek. Her emerald green eyes seemed to grow larger by the sheen of the campfire, as her gaze trailed the pale fingers around a kunai. No, not just a kunai, but also the same one that had the letters Sakura engraved on it. The same one she was looking for.
Her eyes finally landed on those of sheer yellow, slits of sharp black pupils stared menacingly at her. With a twisted smile, he pushed the kunai along her cheek, drawing out blood.
" Surprise."
Sorry about not updating for so long fellow readers and for the incredibly short chapter. I was just so darn busy with the truckloads of homework I've been getting. I mean c'mon we all have that problem don't we? Anyways, I've been meaning to continue this flashback but like I said, I'm a little bit pre-occupied, but keep your eyes peeled for the next suspense-filled chappie of Lock Heart!
C'mon I know you want them. Don't lie.