"How are you feeling today?" Tsunade's voice was softer than usual, but Sakura kept her gaze to the ground as she walked to the hospital's exit. Her grief had overwhelmed her when she left Kakashi's place and to her annoyance everyone kept apologizing to her for her loss. Yes it was the proper thing to do, but it only served to painfully remind Sakura that Sasuke was gone.
"Fine." Sakura managed to mutter quietly through the knot in her throat. Only a few more steps and you'll be outta here. She told herself desperate to be left alone.
"You're still taking the test for ANBU in two days?" Sakura stopped bringing her attention to the Hokage and nodded slowly. "And what do you plan to do if you're accepted?" Tsunade's voice had a dangerous edge to it but her face gave no insight to what she was thinking.
"Well that should be obvious." Sakura replied with a hint of anger laced in her voice the knot gone from her throat. Tsunade crossed her arms and quirked an eyebrow making it disappear into her hair.
"I see." Sakura narrowed her eyes in anger at Tsunade's tone of voice.
"I will do this with or with out your help." Sakura yelled out ignoring the miffed looks of the hospital staff. Tsunade crossed the space between them and narrowed her eyes dangerously at Sakura.
"You are a ninja, a tool for the village and not your own personal will." Tsunade hissed venomously to her. "Sasuke died serving his village and you should be proud." Sakura stood there tense shaking slightly from the anger she felt and clenched her fists tightly at her side. "I see you are set in your ways Sakura. Then I will have to make sure that you do not pass." Tsunade concluded with a finality in her voice. Sakura let out a small gasp against her will and her eyes widened with shock.
"You can't do that. You can not fail a person." Sakura whispered trying to conceal the fear in her voice. The Hokage gave a sharp laugh.
"No, but I set the difficulty of the tests can make sure they will be impossible for you to pass. I don't want to make you learn the hard way, but I will if need be." Tsunade's voice had gone back to being calm as if she was dealing with an everyday transaction. She turned curtly leaving Sakura stunned.
"I will not fail." Sakura called out once she had shaken herself out of her thoughts. Tsunade stopped, but didn't turn to face her.
"We shall see about that. Take tomorrow off to prepare." Tsunade replied casually and continued leaving.
Sakura could feel her thoughts weighing heavily down on her as she left the hospital. Why did I provoke her? She asked herself bitterly ignoring the mournful glances that came her way. No I must pass this. I will pass this, but even if I do they probably won't assign me to a mission dealing with Sasuke's killers. Then I'll just have to... She stopped herself from finishing that thought. This is all your fault Sasuke. She told herself angrily feeling tears well up into her eyes. Her heart began to ache and she continued down the street keeping her face low allowing her short pink hair to conceal her eyes. Sakura could hear the hushed silences as she passed by villagers and was relieved when she saw her apartment come into view. She desperately wanted to alone, away from everyone's pitying stares and comments.
Sakura heard the familiar click with the unlocking of the door and opened it only to groan loudly. Ino and Naruto were sitting on her couch starring glaring as she closed the door behind her.
"And where the hell have you been?" Naruto yelled out angrily. Sakura let her back slump against the door and closed her eyes breathing heavily. It's a dream they aren't really here. They aren't here. They aren't here. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a warm hand placed on her shoulder shaking her slightly. "Sakura?" Naruto called out voice considerably softer. Sakura opened her eyes slowly before pulling him into a hug, but her heart still ached.
"I wasn't anywhere." Sakura whispered into his ear before pulling out of the embrace and flopping down on the couch beside Ino. Her grief began to consume her and she could feel the familiar knot form in her throat.
"I couldn't get a hold of you for three days and Tsunade said you were given time off of work, but I couldn't find you anywhere." Ino said voice laced with concern as she draped an arm over Sakura's shoulders.
"I just needed...need to be alone." Sakura replied softly feeling her body sag from all her emotions. Ino tightened her grip before releasing her and standing up from the couch.
"Ok Sakura, but call if you need anything." Ino's voice was morose and Sakura looked up to see tears gathering in her sapphire eyes.
"Wait what?" Naruto yelled out anger returning. Ino turned narrowing her eyes dangerously at him.
"We're leaving." Ino said severely. She ignored his continued protests before grabbing Naruto by the ear and dragging him out of the apartment.
"Change where you hide your spare key." He yelled out angrily outside on the step. Ino paused in her doorway keeping her back turned to Sakura.
"We're all grieving too you know." Ino whispered and Sakura could hear her voice waver before she closed the door. Sakura felt a tear slip from her cheek and wiped at her eyes angrily.
"I'm not going to be weak." She said bitterly through clenched teeth and closed her eyes wishing she could be devoid of all emotion and thoughts. Sakura slipped into a trouble sleep.
Hope you like it. Cheers.
Cance