A Competition of Lesser Violence

Chapter 2: The Morning After

In a sluggish manner, Sakura walked towards the Hokage's office. Her head was pounding and she could have done with sleeping for at least another two days before she tried to hall herself into some kind of functioning, presentable form.

When she noticed the Hokage rounding the opposite corridor corner, they both paused on the spot. They glanced at the door in between them and then back at each other before breaking into a run.

Her tiredness was momentarily forgotten as she attempted to beat her mentor in a race to the office. They had been additionally competitive recently, and Sakura loved to win against the Sannin whenever the opportunity presented itself. While a hungover sprint race wasn't the most glamorous challenge, neither of them would lose without putting up a fight.

They both reached the door in a few lunges. Sakura managed to twist open the door handle, only to have Tsunade's hand fly into her face and push her out of the way. The Hokage burst through the door while she stumbled to the side.

However, she was immediately glad she didn't enter the room when she heard Shizune's voice from inside the office.

"Tsunade."

Her ability to process sounds and thought may have been distorted, but she could tell that the medic they had thrust all their work onto last night was not pleased. Shizune sounded calm and distant, her tone lacking its usual respect.

With a lame attempt to get away, she began to tiptoe back in the direction she had come from, only to hear Shizune call her name also. She spoke in that same, flat tone, making Sakura wince. She she sucked it up and turned back around.

She stood tall as she entered the office to stand by her smirking mentor. She pretended it wasn't a challenge to walk in a straight line or speak full sentences. Although the light from the large windows framing the back wall of the office was enough to make her squint.

Shizune was stood by the Hokage's desk. Her hand rested on a pile of paperwork on top of the wooden surface. Sakura inwardly snickered at the amount of papers stacked up. It served Tsunade right for always playing dirty in their little games.

"I have a bone to pick with you two."

Sakura swallowed.

Usually, she liked Shizune's little speeches – especially if they were directed at the Hokage. It was fun to hear someone else have the guts to stand up to Tsunade and call her out on issues. It was fun to watch her mentor become increasingly agitated at Shizune's preaching, even if the outcome was potentially frightening.

However, today was not a good day.

Sakura was positive that if she had to listen to anybody speak for more than a minute her brain would explode from the pounding headache she was trying desperately to pretend she didn't have.

Unlike Tsunade, she still hoped to keep as much of Shizune's respect as she could. She cared about her position and her image, even if she enjoyed the social events with her mentor more (at least until the day after anyway).

"I am very disappointed," Shizune began.

Sakura lowered her head, feeling enough to be sorry for her actions. She felt bad for lumbering Shizune with all their work and for tricking the kind woman.

"I know what happened yesterday."

Sakura's eyes widened and she raised her head to see Shizune look down at the Hokage's desk.

As soon as the medic looked away, Sakura felt Tsunade nudge her shoulder gently. If it was an attempt to make her lighten up, the gesture was lost on her due to her current mood. At the very least, she was going to be highly grumpy later after a day of self-inflicted torment. The bump was more likely an attempt to reveal her obvious situation and make her look worse than her mentor. Sakura almost lost her balance at the playful shove which would have given the game up if it wasn't already truly over.

She didn't retaliate and continued to watch Shizune, who picked up the Hokage's bright pink paperweight. This worried her. If it was Tsunade picking it up, there was a ninety percent chance you would need to dodge the object as it flew towards your face. But Shizune was so much milder and rarely took an aggressive swing that was uncalled for.

When Tsunade also stiffened at the action, Sakura's nerves increased.

Shizune played with the weight in her hand and looked back at them – more specifically at the Hokage.

"Kakashi is mentally scarred."

Shizune looked at her, watching closely for a reaction.

Usually, she would jump with worry when it came to her team leader's health – only she knew why Kakashi was shaken up. That was now obvious because even if she reacted like she was clueless now, her response was far too slow to be natural. Silence stretched between them.

"Naruto ended up in hospital also. Another man was admitted as well. He was highly confused, but I figured everything out from these events. I am upset that the both of you attempted to trick me and..."

The words all began to blur together and Sakura couldn't distinguish between them. Being talked to while you had a hangover was too much. Being scolded was a total nightmare.

Shizune paused her rant. "You're both hungover, aren't you?"

She wouldn't make it any worse on herself. If she admitted the truth now, perhaps she could spare herself some of today's pain.

She spoke at the same time as Tsunade; they both gave opposite answers.

"Yes."

"No."

Sakura looked up at her mentor. She knew for a fact that Tsunade had a terrible hangover right now. It was scary how normal the woman looked. Lots of practice, she thought.

"You are a terrible influence, Tsunade. Sakura was such a sweet, young girl before you got your hands on her."

Tsunade snorted. "It was all her idea."

"Was not," she shot back.

"You're both equally to blame. This isn't the first time this has happened."

It wasn't, but they all knew how bad Tsunade was. Sakura rarely got drunk – she just went all out when she was challenged like her mentor challenged her. They had fun. They winded each other up a little. It wasn't healthy and her liver couldn't take the abuse that often. Shizune didn't approve of it either way and had fought valiantly to keep her on a sober stretch.

But Tsunade was wickedly tempting and teasing and Sakura never passed up opportunities to see her mentor outside of a work light. Their relationship meant a lot to her and she respected the Sannin no matter what. The fact that they were quite a drunken pair also helped their bond.

"How many people did you beat up last night?" Shizune pressed expectantly.

"It can hardly be considered beating people up when we only use one finger," Tsunade pointed out. "And nobody actually."

Shizune looked at her for confirmation.

Honestly, she couldn't remember much of last night. They were happy with themselves. It had been a while since anyone dared interrupt them for something while they were out together. They mainly challenged each other to drinking battles until the night was a blur. She didn't remember getting home. She hoped Tsunade made sure she got back to her apartment safely. As long as gambling wasn't involved, her mentor usually retained enough motherly awareness to look out for her. Sakura tried to do the same in return.

"We were sensible," Sakura confirmed.

"I'm not going to find anyone else admitted in the hospital because of your actions?"

"Not from last night, Shizune," Tsunade said as she made her way to the desk to sit in her place. "We'll go through enough punishment today. You don't need to say any more."

"But have you learned a lesson?" Shizune asked.

Sakura bowed respectfully. "Yes, Shizune-san. I am sorry."

She was. She would do it again probably, but right now she felt so ill she couldn't bear any more of a lecture.

Shizune nodded. "All right then. Sakura, there is a pile of paperwork on your desk too."

She forced a smile.

With that, Shizune strolled passed her and left the room.

"I expected much worse," Tsunade commented. "She didn't even wait for my apology."

"You weren't going to apologise," Sakura pointed out flatly.

Tsunade shrugged and leant back in her chair. "I'm in a good enough mood. You lost our bet."

Sakura stiffened. "What bet?"

She didn't remember much at all.

"Whoever got in last does the additional paperwork."

"I think you're making that up."

"Think? You don't remember last night do you?"

Sakura pouted. She would never be on Tsunade's level of drunken skill (but it was one area she was willing to let go). Tsunade was the Hokage and had to retain awareness wherever possible.

"You had a few really embarrassing moments."

"No I didn't," Sakura replied, aware she didn't sound anywhere near certain. "Don't wind me up, Shishou."

"What was that guy's name you were talking to?"

Her inner-panic increased.

"You were talking rubbish about-"

She cut her mentor off. "I don't want to know."

Tsunade, managing amusement, smiled at her. "You're dismissed."

"Thank you," she said, relieved.

"Do you want a drink?" Tsunade asked, reaching towards her draw. "That's the best hangover cure."

"Are you crazy?" Sakura's jaw dropped. "I don't want to see another bottle of sake ever again."

Tsunade watched her apprentice leave the office and called out to her. "Wait! You forgot the paperwork-" She trailed off when the door shut.

Damn it. That was a mood-ruiner. The bet wasn't real, but Sakura didn't know that.

If her brain wasn't almost bursting, Tsunade would have chased the girl and handed over as much work as possible. Not that her apprentice was in any state to be working either.

Shizune really let them off lightly. One positive of dragging Sakura into trouble meant the punishment was often much less severe. Shizune never blamed Sakura, even if she was the instigator sometimes. In fact, Shizune was so unexpectantly laid back this morning that she may even return and help with the paperwork – although that may be a little too much to hope for.

Shizune usually seemed innocent and then hit you where it hurt. They had known each other too long. Shizune was always calculated and safe with her revenge.

Tsunade got a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach – one not caused by too much alcohol.

With a slow, outstretched hand, she reached for the draw of sake that Sakura hadn't managed to crack yet.

Anger did not begin to cover what she felt as she realised what had happened.

Inside, there was something far worse than a healthy lunch. Her precious sake was gone and the draw was filled to the brim with extra paperwork.

"Shizune!"

From somewhere far away, Shizune smiled to herself with utmost satisfaction.

Author Notes:

And so Shizune gets her revenge.

Thank you for the suggestion of writing the hangover, X Rookie Writer X.

Thanks for reading.