One Chapter: Chapter 9 – Medic-Nin
First of all I want to say that I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to leave this update for so long!
I've had several large research projects to complete for school and also I'm in the process and writing my personal statement and applying for Universities! I hope I won't have to leave it this long again, hope you enjoy the chapter!
Thank you to: annashina, leosbabygirl84, shadowlove'scookies, Hotdragon 95, Sandman's Dream Catcher, Analelle, angel897 and Sakura Crystals for reviewing!
Standard Disclaimers Apply.
09: Medic-Nin
2 weeks later:
Watching from a distance, Itachi could tell that Sakura was frustrated. Her long pink bangs were plastered to her face with sweat, her eyes narrowed and her eyebrows furrowed but the most obvious indicator was the scowl on her face. Having wasted no time after returning from their previous mission Sakura has immediately begun her medic training with Nohara Rin, one of the most renowned medics in the village.
Apparently she had been expecting to learn much faster than she was. It was obvious that she was unaware of just how difficult it was to be a medical ninja. For the past two months Sakura had been trying tirelessly to heal the fish that Rin-san had given her and she had yet to have any success. This didn't stem her determination in the slightest though because, despite her frustration she was still working tirelessly to try and heal the fish.
"Sakura", he started with a sigh. The girl turned and gave him a sharp look, no doubt knowing what he was going to say and disliking the argument which she knew was about to start.
"It is time to head to the Nara compound, they are expecting you and it would make a bad impression if you were to be late." All of this was said in a stoic and matter-of-fact tone which Itachi knew that she'd be unable to to argue with him. Sakura could be unreasonable sometimes but she nothing if not intelligent and she could tell that he was right.
Scowling, but not arguing with him, Sakura picked up her pack from the ground beside her and turned to exit the hospital, never once looking over her shoulder to see if he was following. That was something that he'd noticed about Sakura since he'd met her over a year ago, the more comfortable and familiar she became with people the easier she found it to be bratty and defiant.
Honestly though, Itachi couldn't make himself scorn her for her childish behaviour because as the time drew loser for her to meet her substitute family, she closed herself off from those close to her more and more. He knew that Sakura was constantly worrying about the Naras; what they would think of her, if they were nice people, if she would be welcome.
Following her silently, Itachi observed the way she walked stiffly but with a purpose that told people she was sure of what she was doing. Sakura may have been scared but that didn't mean she was going to let them know this.
Itachi had never actually met Yoshino or Shikaku Nara but they were renowned in the shinobi scene and he was aware that they had a son around Sakura's age who seemed mild-mannered enough, He'd seen the boy briefly when he'd visited the Uchiha compound to complete a project with Sasuke and a few other classmates.
Snapping back to reality Itachi noticed that Sakura had suddenly stopped and looked up to find the sign dictating that they were now entering the Nara compound. Sakura was no longer looking forward and had begun scuffing her sandal against the dirt path. Just passed the indication of the compound, Itachi could see deer grazing and roaming freely, these must have been the deer that the Nara were famous for keeping.
Nudging the girl in front of him to move forward, the girl stumbled and turned her head quickly to sneer at him before marching forward again. He couldn't help but feel as though he was horrible for pushing into something that she was clearly apprehensive about doing but it had been her who'd said that she wanted to do this, that she wouldn't back down from a challenge.
When they arrived at the main house of the Nara compound, Itachi wasn't surprised to see Nara Shikamaru slouching against the door frame looking like he he would rather be anywhere rather than where he was. It would make more sense to send a child to greet a child, Yoshino was probably attempting not to scare Sakura by having everything happening at once.
Sakura was watching with guarded eyes to see if the boy would try anything against her, seeing as she had almost immediately recognised him as being in her original academy class. Though she didn't recall him ever doing anything to her in particular, it was best to be on her guard just in case.
This proved to not be a problem seeing as the only move that Shikamaru made towards her was to nod his head and gesture in the direction of the door. Some of Sakura's apprehension fell away upon realising that he didn't intend to try and cause her any harm and she turned, shooting Itachi a quick smirk before skipping after the boy, considerably more light hearted than she had only moments ago.
Itachi watched her go with relief, he'd expected her to put up some kind of a fight but seeing her leave willingly and happily made his heart a little lighter. He didn't know when exactly the only female student had found a place in his heart but she was firmly secured there now and it seemed she wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.
In a way she made him think of his little brother. Like Sakura, Sasuke had a tendency to be slightly aloof even if he wasn't intentionally trying to push people away. For Sakura this had lessened over time until he could now see her opening up to her teammates and teachers more and more. Sakura had been handed a very bad start in life but she was learning to go with it and even work it to advantage.
It wasn't only Sakura that ignited the protective side of Itachi's nature either. Both Shin and Haruki had become special to him. In some respects, the two of them tended to worry him more that Sakura. They were both powerful shinobi that shouldn't by any means be exposed to more power than they can deal with. They both seemed innocent enough but either of them could snap if put under too much pressure or given too much power.
He'd watched them grow as a team as well. As much as both boys were fiercely protective of the female teammates, Sakura was the one who you should look out for if you tried to hurt one of those she'd dubbed 'Her Boys'. It was probably due to her lack of affectionate or caring upbringing but Sakura was never going to let anybody get in the way of the bonds she had formed with her teammates.
As he watched her walk towards the door with Shikamaru trailing lazily behind, Itachi truly hoped that she would never have to deal with pain in her life again. She deserved to be able to keep all of her precious people by her side.
Little did he know that he peace was going to be shattered before she knew it and she would lose more precious people than she cared to count before she ever found true happiness.
This was only the beginning.
Please don't kill, I know this chapter is really late! As I mentioned in the authors note at the top, I've been busy with Uni Applications!
Some sinister foreshadowing at the end there, next chapter we'll see Sakura meet the Nara family and one Obito Uchiha when she gets a surprise visit from Rin concerning her training. Also, Team Gai! Who's excited? I am!
Sei x
