It was the next week before Sakura and Kinnan had the time to get to know one another.
After leaving the meeting at the Hokage's office, they ran into Naruto and Sasuke coming back from a ANBU mission.
Needless to say, it didn't go well when Kinnan introduced himself.
He and I had something beautiful
But so dysfunctional, it couldn't last
I loved him so but I let him go
'Cause I knew he'd never love me back
Naruto punched him and Sasuke's scowl became more pronounced. After that, Sakura made Kinnan leave so that she could discuss the situation with her old and extremely protective teammates -- after making them promise not to lose their heads. They both reluctantly agreed as they looked at her pleading expression. So, they listened to what was going on, and why she was suddenly getting married after moping around for months about Kakashi.
They weren't happy, but Sasuke eventually nodded his understanding. Naruto on the other hand, immediately stormed to the Hokage's office and made a rather large scene which only ended after Tsunade hit him on his head -- hard.
And although she wished she could have their support, neither of them really had the time to stop by and get to know the shinobi that Sakura was engaged to. Between missions and training, they barely had time for Sakura herself.
Which was fine with her. She was busy with her work at the hospital and the realization that within the month she would be married to a man she knew nothing about.
Such pain as this
Shouldn't have to be experienced
I'm still reeling from the loss,
Still a little bit delirious
Which led Sakura to her current circumstances.
Kinnan had met her at the hospital after her shift and taken her to eat. The meal was silent and awkward, ending with Sakura pushing around the food in her bowl and Kinnan staring dejectedly at his chopsticks.
"This is unbelievable." Kinnan muttered under his breath, making Sakura glance at him out of her peripherals before she nodded her agreement.
"I know." Sakura's voice was small and Kinnan looked over in time to see her grimace.
The situation wasn't fair on either end, but what could they do? Their countries were both highly depending on this alliance. The only thing that made sense was to make the best of their position.
With that in mind, Kinnan swiftly stood and gently grabbed Sakura by the arm. Seeing her confused expression, he let a gentle smile spread across his features. "Come on."
Near to you, I am healing
But it's taking so long
'Cause though he's gone
And you are wonderful
It's hard to move on
Yet, I'm better near to you.
Not really caring one way or another, she got up and let him lead her to the bridge Team 7 used to use to meet at when they were still genin. They sat side by side, hanging on the railing and watching the water ripple and flow under them.
"Ishida Kinnan. 24. Blue. Otto. Hai. Hai. No." Kinnan round out as though she had asked all of the questions that were wandering around in her mind.
Sakura scrutinized the shinobi next to her, wondering if he was clinically schitzophrenic. It was like someone turned on a switch inside of him. "What are you talking about?"
A grin fell over his face as he watched her eye twitch. "This will be easier if we go into this with open eyes. So, I answered the most common questions when people are getting to know one another."
Her jaw fell open slightly, and for a moment she looked like a fish out of water. But after a few minutes, she closed her mouth. "What sort of questions? I understood the name and age, but what other things did you disclose?"
He ticked off the questions on his fingers. "Name. Age. Favorite colour. Pet's name." He glanced at her, his eyes sparking with merriment. "I have a turtle, if you were wondering."
You and I have something different
And I'm enjoying it cautiously
I'm battle scarred, I am working oh so hard
To get back to who I used to be
Sakura couldn't help but let the light laugh escape the confines of her mouth. "A turtle?"
Kinnan put his chin up, as though he was offended -- but the smile twitching at the side of his lips said otherwise. "Otto is an exceptional pet." Lowering his head, he looked towards her, grinning widely. "And besides, if he ever tried to run away, he'd only be a few steps away."
That little joke left Sakura in a burst of genuine laughter. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd laughed, really laughed. Which caused her giggles to quiet, but left a smile playing around her lips. "What about the other questions?"
Kinnan raised an eyebrow but answered. "Well those are easy." Continuing to count down on his fingers. "Hai, sometimes I like to try on girl's clothing." He saw Sakura's eyes widen out of the corner of his eye, but continued on. "Hai, there are people who have embarressing pictures that they could use to blackmail me. And no, I don't usually run around the village naked."
At each statement Sakura's eyes got larger and larger. Tears began to leak from her eyes and she clutched her hands to her stomach like she was in pain.
He's disappearing
Fading subtly
I'm so close to being yours
Won't you stay with me
Please
Suddenly out of the joking mood, Kinnan touched her shoulder worriedly. But when she looked up at him, the bright smile on her face and the small guffaws coming from her, made him just roll his eyes. "It's your turn now you know."
Once she was able to breath again properly and her laughter had receded, she nodded and started answering the same questions -- though she would let a snicker come out every so often. "Haruno Sakura. 20. Green. No pets. Yes. Probably. And definitely not."
Near to you, I am healing
But it's taking so long
'Cause though he's gone
And you are wonderful
It's hard to move on
Yet, I'm better near to you.
After that, the conversation flowed. Going from their genin days to what their parents were like and what growing up was like in their villages. The one thing they didn't discuss was their upcoming nuptuals. It was a rather large problem -- situation -- for them both, but they were having too much fun talking about nonsense to broach it.
"So what about the Copy-Nin? You told me he was your genin instructor, right? I mean, I have heard amazing stories about him and his work. I mean, how many ninja know over a thousand different techniques?" Kinnan asked, looking up at her from his position laying on the wood of the bridge.
I only know that I am
Better where you are
I only know that I am
Better where you are
I only know that I belong
Where you are
It was an almost instant change in her persona. Her shoulders slumped. The mischevious twinkle that had appeared during their conversation, dulled from her eyes. And absently she made a grab for her chest, as though feeling the pain of his departure all over again. "We were friends." Her sentence was short and clipped. "He left on a mission a few months ago." The grip on her chest tightened and she looked away towards the training grounds they had used to spar. "He didn't come back." Her voice wavered as her eyes became distant.
Several long moments of silence accompanied her last statement. It was obvious to Kinnan that whatever had gone on between the two had ended badly and he felt horrible about bringing her pain. He was about to apologize when she shook herself out of it and turned her attention back to him. But though her expression had changed and she sat straighter, her hand still clutched her chest.
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A/N: I promise this is going somewhere! This is a two part chapter. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but I've sort of got an outline for about the next 6-7 chapters. If you have any advice or ideas, leave me a review and I'll probably incorporate it if it goes along with the story.
LOVE TO MY REVIEWERS!!!
