"Tsunade-shishou, is this what you wanted?" Sakura held up a folder labeled in neat kanji.
"Ah, yes, Sakura. Arigato. I was looking for it everywhere. You know how it's been since the whole thing started…" Tsunade trailed off, rummaging busily through the contents on her desk.
"Hai. I know what you mean. All of the countries are feeling the strain." Sakura ran a hand through her pink tresses.
Tsunade stopped for a moment, contemplating some unspoken statement. She looked at Sakura, but she was distant, her eyes unfocused, like she was looking without actually seeing.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with a sudden revelation, "I know exactly what I need."
She smiled warmly at Sakura and reached down to grab something under her desk. Her hand returned clutching a plain porcelain bottle. Taking out a small sake cup, she poured a little out and drank deeply.
"Oh yes. This is exactly what I need."
"Shishou…" Sakura rolled her eyes, "You may be Hokage, but you still haven't changed."
They both exchanged critical glances before bursting out with laughter. It felt like something heavy lifted from within her, relieving her momentarily from her burdens. It was a good feeling.
"Sakura. How is he?" Tsunade regarded her pupil, her tone serious.
The pink-haired kunoichi didn't need any clarification to know who she was talking about. She couldn't get the memory of their last unfinished encounter out of her mind. It seemed to haunt her, lingering in the corners of her consciousness.
"Oh. Fine, I guess. I haven't spoken to him in a few days. I'm sure Naruto is keeping tabs on him, as assigned." Sakura shifted uneasily from side to side.
She hated talking about Sasuke because every time she does, something breaks inside her. It feels like she's somehow lying by not voicing her unproven suspicions about her former teammate.
"I see."
"Is that all?" she asked curtly, wanting to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
"No. Not quite. Have you thought about re-forming Team 7?"
"Um…" Sakura knew it was coming, but it still caught her off guard.
"I have…but I'm not sure if this is the best course of action, given Sasuke's past." Sakura mumbled to a nondescript spot on the wall.
"I understand that, but he is a strong asset to this village. Taking our current political state of affairs into consideration, I think he would work best with his former comrades, with the familiarity of you and Naruto to help him get back into the swing of things."
"You have a point, but I think he would be most compatible in a team comprised of other doujutsu-wielding shinobi, like Neji. Together, they would form the strongest squad, the best offense for Konoha. Wouldn't you say?" She was really trying to avoid being teamed up with Sasuke.
"Sakura, is there a reason why you're so desperately attempting to dissuade me from putting Team 7 back together? If anything, I thought you would be thrilled by the idea of finally being a team again." She eyed her student carefully.
"Oh, well, I'd love to stay and discuss this, but I really have to go. I, uh, need to meet with Kakashi. He promised to help me with some of my taijutsu techniques." Sakura hurried out the door, the unanswered question hanging in the air.
- x -
Sakura took the stairs two at a time, rushing to get out of there. Her emotions were an uncontrollable maelstrom, a vortex of propelling wind.
She felt her legs carry her quickly to some unknown destination. It was only when she stopped that she took the time to observe her surroundings. She had subconsciously found her way to memorial. She touched the cold marble stone lovingly, skimming over the names with her fingers. She was lost in a deep reverie, admiring every name she read, appreciating each person who gave his life for the village.
There was a soft rustle behind her, followed by quiet footsteps. He was here, as she somehow always knew he would be. Maybe this was what she needed and that was why her body took her to this place, this sacred place he visits often. She turned and smiled at her former sensei.
"Kakashi-senpai. What brings you here this fine evening?"