The operation had been gruelling to the point of losing Kakashi on the table twice. Had Sakura been anyone else, save the Godaime herself, Kakashi wouldn't have come back after the first time. Sakura was given several soldier pills and had to tap into her seal to get Kakashi out alive. When she was done, he was still in the ICU under close watch - it would take another 48 hours to see if he was out of the woods. There was nothing else she could do, the rest was up to Kakashi, he had to fight if he wanted to survive.
Sakura was filled with emotion she couldn't explain, a swirl of anger and sadness clouded her as she slid her back against the her office wall, her scrubs still lathered in Kakashi's blood. There had been so much blood loss, she had to keep giving him blood transfusions as she healed and every time she fixed one thing something else would fail. It had been poison - he had three very deep cuts, one over the left side of his rib cage, one long gash along his right arm and one along his stomach. The poison seemed to try and liquefy his organs and shut down whatever was left, his wounds refused to heal at first and the domino effect continued. It took her seven hours to get things to start working again and another hour to close him up and assure he was safe to get off the table.
Sakura hadn't even known that Kakashi had been sent on a mission, apparently Tsunade had sent him on one after the encounter at her apartment a few days prior, he told her that he needed some time away from the village and to think.
"He needed to run away." The voice whispered, "He knew he failed you, blossom. He knew he failed." The anger began to bubble inside her and she didn't know what was making her so angry. Was it because Kakashi had almost died, could still die? That he ran off in the face of an obstacle and instead of trying to fix things he ran away? Why was she so angry? Maybe she was angry because she couldn't say that she actually saved him yet. Maybe he had a way of always making her feel as though whatever she did was never enough. Even on what could have been his deathbed, he made her feel inadequate.
'You're being rather selfish, making this about you. The man almost died.' Inner voice after some time, 'I'm all about calling people on their bullshit, but I'm sure he didn't set out to make you feel irrelevant. You can't save everyone.'
'But he did leave, inner. He left like he always does.'
Inner had no response to this.
A knock on her door drew her attention from her thoughts, "What?!" Sakura all but yelled. The door opened and in came a grim looking Sasuke and Naruto.
"Is he..." Naruto couldn't even ask the question.
"No. He's alive. He's in ICU. He's not out of the woods yet, right now it's all on him. He needs to fight if he wants to wake up. No amount of healing can do that for him." Sakura said softly, the exhaustion hitting her all of a sudden. The three sat in silence for some time until Naruto finally began to come forth.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
Sakura looked up to her teammate, "I'm sorry we left. I'm sorry we didn't even look back for you. That we left you here alone and didn't even..." tears were streaming down his face, "I'm sorry we don't even know you now. That I can't even tell someone your favorite color or drink, what you eat when you're sad or happy... what music you like or if you like certain clothing. I don't know any of that. I'm sorry.
"What I do know is that I love you. I love you with all my heart and that should have been enough for me to want to know more.. instead I..." a hiccup came from him as the words kept coming, he just couldn't stop himself, "Instead I just let this happen. I talk all the talk about my ninja way - about helping my precious people and protecting them.. but here I am.. hurting one of the people I love most. I'm so sorry, Sakura-chan!"
There was a pregnant pause before Sakura said anything. "Dango." Her words were soft.
"Eh?" Naruto and Sasuke looked at the medic. Her eyes were closed and dark rings were under her eyes, her pink hair had no shine to it as it normally did and was pinned up on the back of her head. Her body was slumped, as if she was just giving up on everything. "Dango is what I eat, regardless of my mood.. unless I'm so depressed or angry that I cannot eat. I like red and some shades of pink, and I enjoy green as well.."
Both shinobi sat and listened to their teammate. "I enjoy reading, on my days off - which are rare. I work twelve hour shifts a good amount of time and I take missions to get away from my desk. I am the head of this hospital and have surpassed my mentor. I drink warm milk when I have night terrors and I take cold showers when I wake up..." Sakura paused, "And you did hurt me, really bad. For two years I waited for all of you... for two years I hated everything about myself. I was reminded of the fact that I have had to watch your backs for a good portion of my shinobi career. I hated you for it... but I hated myself more. I hated how weak I was, how pathetic I felt. I hated how my body ached after training or missions and how my chakra drained so fast.. I hated everything about myself.."
Sakura slowly started to get up, "And I am still so angry with all of you for what you did and I don't know how long it will take me to trust you all again or for me to be comfortable with all of you.. I care for you, I do.. but I had to learn to care for myself more.. because I was all I had to keep myself from falling apart.." Looking up at her teammates, she gave a soft look, "Thank you for your apology, and I'm sorry if I can't take all of it right now.. but I will some day, or so I hope.."
"We'll wait for you... like you waited for us." Came Sasuke's hoarse reply, he didn't know what to say or do but he knew the least he could do.. what they could all do, was wait for Sakura to forgive them. He honestly didn't even think they deserved that much.
"Thank you.." Sakura whispered, the world becoming black as unconsciousness welcomed her.
*.*.*
"You are powerful beyond measure.
They will know one day..
And in the darkness of your shadow..
Their broken hearts will ache.
They will sow the days they took you for granted..
And bow at your feet for forgiveness and repentance.
You will be their goddess.."
Sweat slipped down her neck, her eyes trained and glistening in the afternoon sun. The blistering heat went unnoticed and her clothing that stuck to her like a second skin did not phase her. She had been training for hours to get her mind off of the mess at the hospital, her anger giving way to her tired soul. She was calm as she stood beneath the unforgiving sun, eyes watching the man before her. "What do I owe the pleasure to be visited by the village's very own Uchiha Itachi, twice in one week? Come to give another threat?" The medic mused.
"I've come to talk with you.. of course, maybe a spar would be best." He responded.
Sakura mused openly, "Another talk? And more than just a threat? I always thought Sasuke got his broody, nonexistent communication skills from you. Guess I was mistaken."
Itachi shot the Pinkett a look but took it in stride. If he were annoyed in any manner, he did not show it. "My foolish brother does not inherit much from me." He stated after some time.
"Such as...?" Sakura let the words hang there as the two walked around each other, like two animals about to pounce. Question was, which one was the prey.
"I know strength and power when I see it. I am not as blinded to such things while basking in my own ignorance." He answered finally.
Sakura cocked her head to the side, "It should be an honor to be considered powerful by one such as yourself. But tell me, you never took notice of me before.. why now?" Sakura shrugged, "But don't feel bad, no one else did, either."
The two stopped walking now, staring at each other intently. Itachi watched as sweat rolled down the Pinkett's exposed neck, as her breast swelled at each breath. He watched as her hips swayed and took note of her powerful walk that had confidence wafting from it. He didn't need his Sharingan to take it all in, to notice the power and strength that was hidden beneath the petite form of the pink haired medic.
He could agree, he hadn't noticed her at all before in the past, but now.. now it was hard to ignore. He had watched as she grew from that weak teen to the young woman she was now. She was powerful and only getting stronger. He could taste it, and some primal side of him wanted to sink his teeth into the tenderness of her neck and teach her who the alpha male was...
Not that he'd admit it, but this reaction to another person surprised him greatly. He did not respond to anyone in such a fashion, he never had such a strong primal urge..
And he was truly unsure as to how to feel about it.
"I see you now."
"Yes, apparently so does everyone else." A smirk painted those pink lips of hers.
"And of this new power, do many people know of it?" He mused back.
Sakura cocked an eyebrow, inner starting to come forward, "Would you like to find out first hand?" Came inner's voice - dark eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Please." Itachi answered as he dipped his head, he could see the change instantly in her posture and the aura around her, he couldn't help but to feel excited. As their dance began, as it happens to most Uchiha, Itachi's eyes turned red, glinting in the blazing sun. Sakura gave a small 'tsk', a feral look in her eyes, "I really wouldn't do that if I were you."
A delicate eyebrow rose, eyes watching the medic, "And why is that?" He asked softly.
"Because.." There was a shift in the atmosphere, "I'm already inside your head." The voice was but a whisper by his ear, causing him to switch to a defensive stance, his eyes glancing around wildly trying to find his opponent. The world went dark and a soft chuckle was heard in the distance. 'How the hell is this happening?' His mind snapped.
"I am everywhere and nowhere. There isn't a damn thing you can hide from me." The whisper hissed, causing Itachi to pivot to the side, to the opposite direction of which the voice came from. "Now, now.. stay still. You wanted to see true power, well here it is." The voice boomed and before he could even wrap his mind around her words something that felt like rope looped around his body and made him nothing short of paralyzed.
As he began to struggle, the young Pinkett appeared before him, except her eyes were a strange orange and her hair was longer. "My chakra strings are stunting your chakra... you won't be able to break out of those. Your strength is that of a child civilian at this point." The voice was soft as she walked closer, "I am not... what did you call me.." she glanced to the side in thought, "A threat.. not to you. Not to Sakura.. not to anyone who understands.. who sees.." her speech was stopped abruptly, "It seems our time is coming to an end, Sakura doesn't like giving too much control. Just know this, Uchiha. Warn them. Warn all of those who looked down upon her.
"Those who refused to believe her strength, her power.. everything she is. They will be at her feet.. and see the power you see now. She didn't do this. This happened to her.." With that, the darkness dispersed leaving a breathless Uchiha hissing at the sudden sunlight.
When he opened his eyes, Sakura stood in front of him, panting just as harshly. They were a few meters apart and Sakura looked as though she had just went through hell and back - she looked exactly how he felt. Staring at the Pinkett, Itachi slowly gathered his wits. He didn't know if he should ask something, what to say or do.. he was at a stand still, his mind screaming at him to take action but something deeper, something primal and understanding couldn't.
"I..."
"I'm sorry. That went too far." Sakura whispered, tears making her eyes glisten, "I didn't mean for that.." she looked away, "I understand if you need to tell someone.. if you feel the need to neutralize me. I understand. Maybe I should be..."
"I won't." He wasn't sure what propelled him to say such a thing, but for some reason he knew he meant it, and the look on Sakura's face gave him confirmation that she believed him.
"Thank you..." she said softly before she disappeared into a flurry of cherry blossoms.
Itachi stood there for what felt like hours as he contemplated what he saw and what he felt. Where ever he had been taken, whatever had been done was all mental, she hadn't touched him at all. His logical mind told him to say something to someone or to take some sort of reaction, but something inside him told him to wait. She had said she was no threat, that she didn't seek to hurt anyone, just to make them understand - those were the words that were left unsaid and yet they were the loudest thing he had ever heard.
But understand what?
Haruno was an enigma and he had learned nothing that he had set out to, and yet he learned everything.
Guess that meant he would have to try harder to understand.
*.*.*.*.*
How many times had this happened like this? One or both of them would stop in to check on the medic and she would be on the floor in some part of her apartment passed out cold. At first it was always chakra exhaustion because the damn woman didn't know how to not over exert herself. She didn't seem to take heed of her limits. She just pushed and pushed and eventually pushed too far. Sometimes, like today, it was because something else had been where she wasn't and they could feel the aura that was left behind, like a dusting of the first tall tale mark of winter when snow first kisses the ground. It gleamed in the dark light and gave off a vibe of indifference.
Sighing deeply, the two got to work. The Nara pulled Sakura to her feet, supporting most of her weight on his own body as the Hyuuga began to remove her clothing. When they were finished, they moved her into her shower and washed her up before drying her up, getting her dressed in night clothing and putting her into bed. When they finished, they closed her door a bit and got to cleaning her apartment. They dusted everything, swept and mopped the floors, did the dishes and wiped down her counters. They did her laundry and put away the groceries they'd brought with them.
"You should tell her." the Hyuuga finally said after a lulling silence. They were sitting at her counter sipping tea.
Nara's cheeks turned a soft pink as he looked down at his cup, "Troublesome.." he murmured, "First Ino, now you. Thanks, Hyuuga." Nara said sarcastically, which he was shot a look for.
"All I am saying is.. it's obvious and… wait." Hyuuga cocked an eyebrow, "Something has already happened." his voice was filled with amusement, "What was it?"
"I rather not.."
"You kissed." Dammit it was annoying how close they all were sometimes.
"Ah." Nara closed his eyes.. why did they have to be friends?
A chuckle filled the air, "And?"
"I don't know. ANBU showed up before we could talk. This is the first time I've seen her since." Shikamaru answered after some time.
"I see. Well, she's waking up. I'll leave you two alone." a poof of smoke announced his departure and the creaking of a door announced the arrival of another.
"Hey." Came a tired voice, "Why did Neji leave?" She asked softly as she sat across from Shikamaru.
"Had to go do something." Nara answered a little too fast.
"Found out about the kiss?"
"He found out about the kiss." Shikamaru confirmed.
"Awkward." Sakura laughed softly, pouring herself some tea. "Did you want some?"
"Kisses?"
"No, tea."
"Sure."
"Was it hot?"
"The tea?"
"No, the kiss." Sakura smiled causing Nara to blush again.
"Maybe."
"I see." Sakura shook her head, "Well, I'm still tired. What are you doing after this?"
"Probably just going home for the night, you?"
"Bed… then going to head to the hospital tomorrow to check on Kakashi." Sakura answered.
There was a pregnant pause for a long moment before Sakura got to her feet, "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Nara asked, a groan forming at the back of his throat. He really didn't feel like going on an adventure.
"Going on an adventure." Sakura laughed at the response she knew she'd get. "it's only in the other room." Sakura shrugged, this caught the Nara's attention. "Come on, it's too early to be alone and too late to go home." She left towards her room before he could give an answer, leaving her door open for him.
He sat there for sometime, thinking about it all. He didn't want to ruin their friendship if shit hit the fan. He also knew that Sakura wasn't reckless when it came to relationships and he figured that if she wasn't concerned, then he wouldn't be either.
With this resolve, he followed behind the Pinkett and closed the door behind him.
Maybe it was time to go on an adventure.
*.*.*.*.
Author's note:
I hope this was alright and I'm hoping nothing sounded too rushed and I apologize for the fight scene, I'm not too good at that and it didn't come out as good as I wanted it to. Anywho, hope you guys enjoyed it. Let me know what ya think and let me know what you'd like to see!
Much love!
Ps. I make a distinction between all three Sakura's. '...' is inner, '...' (notice the bold) is outer Sakura and "..." (notice the quotes) is the new voice. Hope this helps. Thanks!