Stranger by angrypixels
Summary: He was back. He was not a monster, for that would mean someone she knew had just forgotten what he used to be. He was not a traitor for that was a name for one who had betrayed something that had once existed before. She did not know him. He was a stranger.
Close to noon, Sakura finished with the paperwork at hand at the hospital and strolled over to the Hokage tower. To be honest, she did not know how she should feel towards the ex-rogue. Having somewhat convinced herself to treat him as a stranger, it confused her as to whether she should be cool and formal or friendly yet distant. The only difference between the two attitudes would be that Naruto would give her less of a headache with the latter. She understand how…simple minded and easy going Nartuo was to the extent that he was willing to happily bury his long lost brother's plight of revenge and everything that came with it at the back of his mind. After a few minutes of consideration, Sakura decided on being professionally friendly and conveniently unable to spare any time to be anymore than that. Sakura had long ago came to the honest and cruel conclusion that she never meant more than a few faint memories of tears and screechy whines to someone who had higher priorities in life.
A stranger could never expect much from another stranger.
Upon reaching the back entrance to the Hokage tower, Sakura saw a dark figure standing under the shadow stepping outwards.
The noon heat seemed to have no effect on him on his ivory complexion. Obsidian eyes casually watched her as she closed in, his body a relaxed poise. Standing in front of him, Sakura could not resist but marvel slightly how the sun lights brought out shades of dark blue in his dark hair. Even the thin tendrils caressing his cheekbones in the soft wind seemed to sparkle faintly.
"Good afternoon. The Hokage would like to speak with you." She greeted with a small smile on her face. The stoic male blinked and nodded in reply. Sakura silently lead the way and opened the back entrance with a series of seals.
Walking through the silent passageway, the soft sounds their shoes made against the polished floor echoed startlingly loudly into Sakura's mind.
So here she was, walking along with him. Just the two of them.
Stealing a sideward glance at the man next to her, she took note of his emotionless mien and the quiet way he surveyed his surroundings. Not a word was spoken during their short journey.
Sakura could not help but feel a little awkward. Usually when escorting foreign dignitary, she always managed to have some casual chit chat going on no matter how gruff or suspicious they were. She would smile, widen her emerald eyes and show honest sincerity. It was a good way to calm the nervous ones and sometimes even glean offhanded yet potentially important information for later negotiation.
This quiet, calm person had no connection to her impression of the young boy hidden deep in her memories. Contrary to what others though, her old teammate was not a silent boy. He fumed, he ranted. Not being able to vent out his frustration and anger on his life's target, he resorted to insults, tempers and vocally berating those around him. Like the rest of his team.
That did not matter now. Sakura thought to herself silently as she stopped before a door. It was different now. They were different people.
"Here we are." Sakura said as she knocked loudly on the door. A few moments later, she heard Shizune answer. Opening the door and nodding to her charge to enter, Sakura watched as he walked in slowly before closing the door and standing guard outside.
After an hour, Sakura heard her mentor's summons and entered the room. The atmosphere seemed somewhat tense as she saw her mentor furrowing her eyebrows while the dark haired nin stood to the side, arms crossed defensively.
"Sakura. " Tsunade did not bother to greet her apprentice and went straight to the point. "There shall be an open trial with the village elders at the stand and the last surviving Uchiha as witness."
Witness? Sakura asked herself. She knew that a trial involving the elders would come up and that he was involved, but as a witness? For what? Sakura kept her confusing thoughts to herself as her mentor continued.
"In order to avoid any hindrance or obstruction, official documents and notifications will only be issued a week before the trial. Shizune will deal with the paper work. During this period, I want you to accompany Uchiha at all times. All your medical duties will be suspended unless emergencies arise. Under no circumstances shall you appear overly suspicious or wary. This is crucial to catch the elders when they are unsuspecting. "
Accompany him at all times? While keeping a blank expression, she could feel her innards stretch and twist in discomfort.
"If all goes well, the elders will get what they deserve." Tsunade smirked happily like a child whose wish had just came true. "Uchiha. You are no longer under house arrest. However, keep it low till the trial. I want full cooperation with you." Tsunade glared at the brooding Uchiha who nodded quietly, but Sakura could see that he thinking hard and fast with the way his eyes flashed like storms. Definitely not joyful thoughts.
Well this month was obviously going to be a walk in the park, Sakura though sarcastically to herself as she watched Tsunade dismissed the silently fuming nin who turned around and left the room without a word.
With him out of the way, Tsunade turned her gaze to her apprentice.
"Uchiha brats. They all have an attitude problem. Runs in the family, I swear. " Taking a swig from a sake bottle that suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Tsunade turned and raised her eyebrows at the sour expression on Sakura's face.
"Sakura. All questions shall be answered eventually. " She warned her apprentice with a gentle tone. "Do not let your feelings affect your mission. We need a united front out there. "
Sakura twitched her shoulder uneasily in response.
"Most of the village is still suspicious of Uchiha despite the fact that he killed the traitor Kabuto. If he is to stay here for good, the first people to welcome him would have to his old team. Naruto is too forgiving for his own good and everyone knows it. Kakashi will be occupied during this period and Sai has never interacted with Uchiha at all. That leaves only you, the logical one, to show the rest of the village that he is relatively harmless. In addition, you are to keep an eye out for any danger coming within the village. The Uchiha brat won't know better given that he has been out of touch with the village for so long. Do you understand me?"
Sakura could not stop herself from narrowing her eyes slightly at her sensei's words but relaxed a second later. His old team? There was no team. He was never part of it.
"Understood shishou. I am a kunochi. I shall perform my duty to the utmost of my ability." She replied emotionlessly.
Tsunade watched Sakura for another moment before closing her eyes and waving her hand at Sakura in dismissal. "Go. Just don't make it look too fake."
With a quick bow, Sakura left her mentor's office with heavy heart.
Sakura did not have much time to ponder on her mission as she stepped into the noon sun again. Standing outside the tower and leaning against the wall without a care in the world was her mission target. He seemed to have calmed down from the brewing storm of emotions in the office just a few moments ago and was back to being stoic. Upon sighting her exit, he slowly stood straight and quirked an eye at her.
Damn attitude. Sakura though furiously as she tried to put on a smile that did not scream flakiness.
"Well. That went well." She chirped as she clapped her hands together in makeshift glee. She was ready to commence her mission, whether she wanted to or not. "Shall we head over to the hospital for your long due physical check up, Sasuke?"
Without waiting to see if he followed, she marched towards the direction of the hospital with markedly heavy footsteps.