Sakura woke to the sun shining through the windows in her apartment, and the beautiful sound of...
A fist banging on the door.
With a snarl, she threw back her covers and called out, "I'm coming," before rising from the bed and reaching for her robe. Despite this, the person at the door continued their incessant noise-making.
"Ino I swear to Kami if thats you..." Sakura wrenched open the door, to find a heavily breathing Shizune on her front steps. "Oh, Shizune-san, can I help you with something?"
It took her a minute to catch her breath before she was able to explain the rude awakening. "I'm sorry Sakura, but I'm being sent out of an emergency mission, and Tsunade needs you to cover the hospital."
At this, Sakura raised her eyebrow, as she let Shizune inside and immediately went to dress while the other woman stood panting. It was concerning that she still hadn't caught her breath. "Any idea what the mission is for?"
"She wants me to meet up with Jiraiya to see if he's heard anything about a new poison that's been making the rounds. We haven't had to deal with it yet, but we've heard stories from several of our allies. Although, I'm not sure why she's sending me instead of you. I'm a little on the rusty side- really need to do some training."
Sakura had begun rummaging through a cabinet at the mention of Jiraiya. Finding what she needed, she turned and handed it to Shizune. " Would you take this to Naruto, then? Teuchi-san has been experimenting with instant ramen. I told him I'd try my best to get it to Naruto. Not sure how it will turn out, though."
"Yeah, yeah. Just get to the hospital soon, I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago for a consultation with Kakashi, but we both know he's not there."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "He will be when I drag him in..."
With that, Shizune left for her mission, and Sakura left for the hospital.
As suspected, Kakashi never showed up for his consult- guess he heard that Shizune was out. She'd have to find him later, though, it was time for his check-up on his Sharingan, along with various other things. She stood thoughtful for a moment with her clipboard in hand before a wicked smirk crossed her features. She scribbled a short note, then took it to the front desk with instructions that a copy be sent to both the Hokage and Ibiki. Tsunade would make certain that Kakashi was in soon, as he would not be able to take any missions until medically cleared. That was one way to take care of the slippery Hatake.
Sakura finished out the day with minimal effort. There were mostly small cuts and bruises today, and she was grateful because she didn't care for being cooped up in the hospital. She enjoyed her work as a medic, but preferred to be out in the field. The hospital was more Shizune's realm, whcih was why it was so odd for them to be switching places. It made sense, though. Sakura was good with poisons, but Shizune was brilliant and a true poisons experts. She'd never come across one she couldn't crack. Sakura was a bit jealous, though, that she was missing out on possibly seeing Naruto. Sakura signed off on her last patient chart, and headed for Hokage Tower. Maybe she could pester Tsunade for a spar- sure, it was poking the beast, but it was great for helping her relax.
What she walked in on had her reconsidering that notion, though. The elders were standing before Tsunade, who looked about ready to throw them through the wall. Tsunade briefly glanced at Sakura, as she took up a post near the door- in case a hasty escape was needed from an irate Hokage.
"Listen, I'm tired of you taking up my time when I have far more important things to take care of- like making sure the village is safe."
"Tsunade-sama, please reconsider. It has been several years already, and the village could use the assets."
Tsunade's eye had begun twitching violently, and Sakura stepped out to find where Shizune had hidden the sake before her mission- having noted that there currently wasn't any on her shishou's desk. When she returned with the sake, she was met at the door by a frustrated Homura and Koharu who swiftly stepped past her.
Entering her Shishou's office for the second time, Sakura quickly shut the door before pouring a cup of sake for Tsunade. "Well, what has those two in a tizzy"
Instead of reaching for the cup, Tsunade snagged the bottle before knocking it back, leaving Sakura to drain the cup. "Oh, a bunch of nonsense, like trying to sell the Uchiha compound. I know its been years and the property has been seized, but no one has shown any interest in it. Its been on the market for sometime now, and there's not been a single inquiry. They want me to try and advertise it so that we can sell it. Although, they don't have a clue what people would be willing to pay for it- suggesting such a high price."
"Hmmm... I've often wondered if someone would buy it. You know I live close to the edge of the property. I know that no one wants to go near it though. I walked through it once a few years ago. Its pretty creepy with the run down buildings. I wonder..."
Tsunade noted the look on her apprentice's face. "What are you mulling over?"
"So, I know that you've been keeping up with my mission pay- even though I told you not to, by the way- do you think I could afford it?"
It was Tsunade's turn to become thoughtful. "Probably. You've done a number of high ranked diplomatic missions over the years, and you haven't really touched your money for anything other than food and clothes once in a while. Are you interested?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure. On one hand, there is a lot to do with it. On the other, its a lot for one person."
"What do you have in mind for it if you were to buy it?"
"I've always thought it would be a great place for a garden. I bet Ino would help me turn it into something beautiful."
"Hm. Well, let me know what you decide. I think it would be better than leaving it as it is."