Note: please read first!
This chapter had no BETAREADER, so you will find grammar mistakes. I am sorry about that. However I was asked to update and I really want to update no matter what, after such a long time. So I apologize about the grammar mistakes beforehand: sorry!
I am searching currently for a new one, however it is not as easy at is seems to find someone willingly... my Betareader vanished, I still hope she will be back and we are able to work together again. Until then the following chapters will be like this with no correction.
So, please bear with the non corrected version of this chapter.
Thank you
PS: Do not forget this is a Drama story. No Sakura bashing or something like that. Have the description of this story in mind or read the notice in chapter 04.
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If we keep treating our most important values as meaningless relics, that's exactly what they'll become.
~ Michael Josephson
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The late May sun was high in the sky in that beautiful morning. The birds were chirping happily, it had rained a little last night. Freshen up the already too hot season a bit. The smell of the fallen rain still lingered in the air. Her windows were wide open, the soft wind let her half see through green curtains wave a bit back and forth. The alarm clock told it was 06:47 AM. Exactly 13 minutes before the shrill sound of the alarm will be heard off, waking the happy asleep person. Her hair was tangled in all direction, her small feet weren't under the blanket. One arm was under the pillow, the other lay lazy at her side while she was sleeping on her right side. Such beautiful mornings were a blessing, allowed to sleep until seven in the morning, starting the shift at 08:30AM, ending when nothing outrageous happens at 08:30 PM. She loved that shift, no sleepless nights over too much coffee in the coffee kitchen. Or waking up in the middle of the night to go to work. Really it was pure heaven, the only disturbing in her new found heaven was the rude awakening she got regular in the mornings.
Her eyes snapped open, her blanket flew off, her naked feet let her rush out of her room.
It was the worst morning she had in a long time. She nearly ran her father over when she rushed to the toilet to empty her empty stomach. She grimaced and felt like she need to puke again after smelling the throw up. Oh how she hate nausea. She washed her face with cold water afterwards, tried to wash the taste out of her mouth. What had gotten into her? Was it the amount of Dango she ate last evening after her shift in the hospital? She knows, eating such a big amount could upset her belly later on. However she was so damn hungry she did not care one bit yesterday and ate for three people. Sakura walked sluggish into the kitchen, her father already eating and her mother with a worried look.
"Are you ok honey?" her warm hand touched her forehead, like back then when she was a small child.
"Yes, only too many Dango yesterday…" Sakura tried to explain her nausea.
"Hmm hmm" her mother only said and gave her a big cup tea, her mothers special recipe, or so she was told from her.
"Drink up, it will ease you stomach" Sakura smiled, she was a medic for heavens sake. However something which would never change in this household, no matter how strong she got she was the little child for them, and it will stays like that forever it seems.
"Take care of yourself" it was her father "It is the third time already you puked in the morning, it can´t be good. You work too much" he assumed. She often comes home deadly tired, pale and looks like no energy was left in her.
"That´s not it" Sakura said between sips of her tea. Sometimes she had to use a lot of chakra in the daily hospital routine.
"I say you work too much my child"
"I really don´t…" really it wasn´t like that. She was really busy, it was white lies at home saying she wasn´t busy. She never stopped training while being stuck in the hospital and next to her work it was time consuming and frustrating, since she wants to be stronger as she already was. The goal was there, the way too - however her body refused? She had not idea why it was so hard to obtain a bit more strength, a bit more stamina or all better said, just a bit more of everything when another train of thoughts hit her like no other. It was the first time she actually thought about the puking rationally. Or batter dared to think about it again, she tried to ignore every sign of it. It worked perfectly for a while, however it caught up to her. Quicker than she liked, or ever wanted. It was unavoidable anyway but trying to avoid the unavoidable let her ease down for a bit.
"Honey?" her mother
"Ah yes?" she asks
"You didn´t answered" Oh? She was asked something? She cursed herself, drifting off when her parents looking with worry at her was not good.
"Oh ah sorry, I have to go" was her simple excuse, not letting them eyeing her with the questioning eyes and five minutes later she was off to the hospital, when her shift only begins in one hour. It was the same amount of time she only sat in her office to stare at the bright red plus on the plastic stick in her hands.
It was not true, wasn´t it?
However the test said otherwise. She had diagnosed herself back then already, dismissing it and avoiding every thought of it, again her self analysis could be wrong. Her hand had glowed about 15 times over the same spot, only to have the same result. She wished she could lie about it, that it was not possible. With that excuse to show herself that she may was wrong, she took the standard pee test. However the bright red plus, too bright for her liking, screamed in her face that she was a very good medic and she did know what was the problem without peeing on the damn stick. She was even to determine on what day… not that she had to, since it was the only time she ever done it. Still… how unbelieving was that? Now that she really has to face it only one question came to mind: What now?
"Sakura-sama!" a voice called out while knocking at her door, quickly she shoved the stick into her pocket. Stopping her wondering what to do now about it, she had a job to do first she comes second.
"Yes?" she called out and the nurse reported to her...
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Naruto tapped with his pencil on the paper, he should write a mission report. Somehow he was not able to concentrate. His mission was boring, really boring. He really was bored out if his mind the whole Mission. There was nobody to beat up, to capture or at least sneak up. Not that he was happy that there a bad people. Moreover it could lead to another war. However he was itching to beat somebody up, it was like a small urge. Maybe it was because he was frustrated that even his daily amount of training won´t help against it. However that was a whole another problem. Back to his boring Mission, he had left with Kiba and Hinata to deliver some scrolls and other stuff to Suna and they were already back.
The travel to Suna was about two and half of a day, no complications. He had to admit it was good to see Gaara again and the siblings but they stayed only for the night and went off again. At least the dinner was a feast and he stuffed himself without hesitation, and was able to talk to his heart content. Since the travel back to Konoha would likely as the travel from Konoha to Suna. Boring as hell.
He had cursed silently hours alter, since he had predicted the obvious. Silence was all they had while travelling, and him being a chatterbox... he was bored as hell. Hinata was like a foreign person to him, she seemed avoiding him and her lips were sealed shut. No word escaped her, only the formal greeting to Gaara, nothing else. Not saying anything the entire time makes even him worried, he knew she was not known to be talkative person. However that was something else and he had no idea why. As for Kiba, the poor guy was not sure of being attentive to his teammate or use the boring travel time to fool with him instead. Akamaru had whined only once or twice. In the end, Kiba stayed with Hinata in silence and he was doomed to travel in silence too. That had left him to his own thoughts, meaning his angry thoughts had enough room to roam.
Naruto sighed, he wished he was able to look at all from afar. Seeing everything clearer and collect himself, since he was not able to do so. He had no idea why, he was sure he was in love with her? More than sure, on the other hand he hates her about the same amount at the moment. How did that happened, he did not know either. He was only sure about one thing, it was not able to be like that. It irritates him, hurt and bothered.
Moreover playing and fool him, was nothing he was able to accept. He had not seen what kind of woman Sakura was behind his pink coloured glasses of love? Moreover he was known to know people hearts in the end, somehow he failed with Sakura? It seemed like that.
Anyway he was more than irritated, was that the feeling of being in love in an one-sided love?
Was that coming out of age, being an adult? He did not want to be a kid anymore but somehow being and adult was not all fun like he thought it would be.
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Shikamaru rubbed his neck, chills had run down his spine all day. It was like someone was watching him, but there was nobody? Or like something bad will happen? He had no idea, he was not at ease, not at all and was not able to settle down on his desk. Later he had given up for the day with a frustrated sigh, grabbed the pack of cigarettes and went off.
Slowly he walked around the streets. The ones he designed with help of a team. It was his brainwork he was walking on. His ideas were formed from dust to all that he was able to see now and all that what was not seen at the moment, like the depth of the Village right under his feet. Nobody would suspect that Konoha had built some levels under the surface. Only selected staff is allowed there or even know of it, he does not like everything what will take place down there. Nonetheless it was necessary for the survival of this Village and he will be dammed if he won´t help with it. However he hoped, one day it may be not necessary anymore. No more sacrifices, death, destruction for the small peace they tried to hold in their hands. It was hard to achieve, to maintain and to protect but he will try with his own two hands, his family, his friends, beloved and all the others. He inhaled the smoke deep, letting it out again. He was addicted now, he likes to smoke now and has no intention to stop smoking. His eyes looked around, the streets were busy in the late afternoon. Kids running around, Academy already done for the day.
It was good to look at, at the happiness of the people. Some may never know what horrors they went through, that they would be able to laugh that happily in the streets of Konoha like they do now. He will never blame them, how could he? They weren´t at fault and never will be. At fault were the freaks who wants to destroy and kill innocents, letting blood rain down onto the country. One day, he assumed, he would die like the others on a Mission, or on the Battlefield. He does not know and he does not want to know, he only knew if he won´t grow old and die from old age he will surely die to protect his Village and his beloved ones. A hero's death many say so. Something he did not like in a way, however he had to acknowledge dying to protect the ones you love was honourable. Yes, it will be ok, won´t it? There won´t be any regrets then, right? He sighs out loud, he should stop this depressing thoughts. It was not helping, he was not at ease at all and now falling into depressing thoughts would make it worse.
He stopped in the small park next to the Academy, freshly reopened. A bit bigger than the old one and not far away was the Orphanage. Bigger and better, something Naruto asked him to do and he did. Or better he was not able to decline such a request. Many parents had died, left behind their precious kids they tried to protect with all they had. Being an orphan shouldn´t mean you are a "lesser" person, a bad person or dirty person. Life should go on for them with the amount of happiness that they do not have to cry or be ashamed being parentless. He understood Narutos request very well, even when he never was an orphan himself.
The reconstruction of Konoha was nearly done. Only minor works was left, thank to all the hands that had helped. Furthermore the Jutsu from Yamato was helping a big time. Everything seemed to be back on its feet and the wound of the war was healing accurately. As far as he was able to tell. The happiness overweight's the sadness.
The mission rooster was enough filled, Ninjas were sent out, the borderline was save. The trade went on, food was not the issue and the politics were calming down. All in all they made it. They really had made it and life will go on, till next time they have to face war again.
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The last days of May went by and June was there. The temperature was some degrees higher than in May and rain will be less in the following weeks before the hottest weeks will come and no rain will fall. The shadow under trees were used by all. Enjoying the warmth in the shadow without getting a sunburn. Some were reading, others resting or eating or just sleeping. Peaceful days indeed. Her hospital work was not terrible, also not completely peaceful. Here and there bloodied squads arrived in the middle of the night. It may be a peaceful time after the war, it sure does not mean it was really peace at all. There are still the "daily" enemies they have to hold back. She had patched Kakashi already three times up while he only shrugged and she was only able to frown at him. Sai was somehow a regular patient of hers too, cuts, bruises and a broken rip last time. Every time he came to her, he looked tired. Some shadows under his eyes, his hair neglected had grown longer every time she saw him and reminding her of a specific person. He also only shrugged her questions off and she did frown at him too. She was worried. Her sensei was out to a Mission right away when he was back, not caring about a clean health bill and Sai looks like he was walking on the last strain of energy too often. As for Naruto, she did not know. He avoided her like a deadly illness. Nevertheless... what was going on out there? She did not know, they won´t answer and she was doomed to hospital work alone at the moment. Tsunade needed her in the hospital more than in the field, it frustrates her sometimes. She was happy to help, however being reduced to being a "doctor" alone was never her lifetime wish. Others would be happy with the position she gained, for her it was only stop to somewhere else.
She sighed and combed her hair in front of the mirror in her room, to the left was an invitation to Nejis birthday. It was delivered from some errand boy of the Hyūga. It will be a formal official festivity, she already disliked the very thought of it and twisted her slightly longer hair together and patched somehow everything with a hair clip together that it looked neat enough. Some shorter strains fell out right away, there will only help the small pins and the famous hair spray, and she worked her way through all the stains. After a while she looked satisfied enough when her mother rushed into the room, just back from her job in the library.
"Honey"
"Mum..." Sakura breathed, her mother was making a big fuss out of this invitation. She had said to her it was an honour to be at the party and a good opportunity to show herself to some single men, maybe a husband will be found. Sakura had only sighed and given up to talk her mother out of it, let her delude herself. However the beautiful new Kimono was something else, her mother had bought it for her with the words 'the old one will not do'. Her mother must have paid a fortune for this fine cloth. She was sure it may was even a whole fortune. It was from fine silk in white, from the left to the right cherry blossoms were seen, her obi was the pale pink. Something pinched her hair and she saw that her mother had put a beautiful flower pin in her hair.
"Mum..."
"Hush" she breathed out and dusted her face with some powder, forced some pale pinkish lipstick on her lips and only a bit of mascara.
"Done" she said happily and Sakura had to say, her mother knows what she does. The make up was soft, since she disliked it anyway. Her eyes glowed a bit more with the now darker eyelashes, the powder let her look more flawless in the face and the pale lipstick fitted perfectly. The Kimono was beautiful, like the hairpin. She was not able to complain.
"You look beautiful" and helped her down the stairs, helping her putting the traditional wooden Geta* on. Just when she was done, her father opened the door, he looked within a moment like he wanted to cry. The typical 'my little girls grown up tears'. However he got his posture back.
"Your friend is here" he announced and Sakura smiled brightly at her father.
"Thanks Dad" and he mumbled something like 'You look beautiful' on her way out.
He had hold out a hand, very unlike him and helped her down the two stairs.
"Good evening" she greeted him
"Good evening" Sai greeted back. She has no idea what crazy idea had gotten into her to go with him to the party, however he was the best solution that she won´t need to attend alone and he was ever so friendly with her. Even her pleading that he has to dress accordingly does not went on deaf ears. He indeed took it to heart, or better sucked the information in and used it. She was not sure, it does not matter. Anyway he was dressed in the male version of a Kimono. Against all odds it was not black or even grey, it was dark blue with a dark red belt. On the left side some red prints, looking like triangles found its way up. He also wore the Tabi* and Zori*.
For a moment she was proud of herself, she was able to make Sai into a decent person? That would be awesome. The only problem remaining was the time when he opens his mouth... She smiled.
"You seem happy?" he asked her, she had linked her arm with his, happy with his support. The damn Geta bothering her already.
"Yes I am"
"How so?" his next question
"You are dressed properly, like the invitation asked. Somehow I feared you were not able to make it" even she could see the surprise in his face, something new to her. His unfazed features were less, he showed slowly what was going on within him - known or unknown to him. It did not matter, it was refreshing and good to see he was not a emotionless puppet. Moreover it helped to understand him better and she was less angry at him, since she was able to read out of the expression of his a bit or better help out then.
"I am that unreliable?" Sakura laughed at this.
"You are learning to be reliable Sai, you are learning to be" and Sai still did not know what to think of that and did what he only was able to do, look ahead while walking with her and thinking about her words. Sakura glanced up to him. The boy had grown too, he was inches higher than she anyway but now the gap grows again. His neglected his hair too like her since the day of war, about five month amount did it grow out. He had used some hair gel to comb it back, the long stains of his hair in a 'ponytail' high at the back of his head, the rest loose down, some strains left and right to his face. All in all, he was today a good looking person. Still pale, however good looking person and reminding her again of someone. Sometimes he looks at her when she thinks that and she had the feeling like he was then saying to her, I am not him.
At the Hyūga Mansion they were greeted politely and lead into the big hall, were the big 'greeting' and the political stuff was hold, in the middle the birthday person. The Hyūgas had changed, Hinata and Neji made them change and see more than only the Main house and the Branch one. Time will heal the rift between the two houses and they may be one 'family' again.
His birthday was used to show the change. Neji, now 18 years old and was celebrated like a celebrity and showed off that it is possible to have both houses together again. If he did enjoy such a party for the obvious or not, she could not tell like the others. Like other guests both of them congratulated him and handed the present Sai was carrying with them. Not far Sakura heard Naruto laughing loud and her body went stiff, Sai raised an eyebrow at her however lead her another way to get something to drink. He read a book to be a Gentleman and he tried to be attentive of Sakura, since she was his 'date' for this evening. He may learn a lot thanks to that evening and her, since he already learned a good amount from her.
First he wanted to despite her a bit, because of what happened in the Land of Iron and Naruto. However with everything else, it was the opposite, he was not able to hate her not with all he knew what he should not know and still know and she did for him.
"Here" Sai handed her a glass of juice.
"Thank you" she said and did not bother that he indeed give her juice. Both sipping slowly the drinks.
"See the green haired woman?"
"Yes"
"What do you think she is doing?" Sai observed for a moment
"Slutty" he said, ah yes the joy of having Sai with her and his bad mouth.
"Yeah nail on the head..." Sakura laughed and that kind of game went on, they did it the park too. Or when they walk together somewhere. He improved with his guessing a lot. The game went on until they were asked to sit down for the dinner. Sakura had already a bad gut feeling and she was right about that, right next to her a very well known blond male sat down. It was his appointed seat, Kakashi was next to Naruto. And the big tension was in the air, oh joy it would be a wonderful evening, won´t it? On the other side of the table found Shikamaru his way to his seat and sat down. Ino was chatting with Lee to her left and Sakura caught the words "awesome" "youthful" "eternal spring time" and more stuff like that, she had to blend them out before her brain would be overloaded with too much youthfulness. Kakashi and Gai had the typical rivalries even while eating and drinking, it was refreshing and ridiculous at the same time. Sai observed everything the whole evening. Later she caught herself listening to Naruto and Shikamaru conversation, surprisingly about some political stuff, stuff which normally bored Naruto out of his mind.
She tried not to glance sideways, however she did here and then. He too was dressed formal. Something she never thought she may saw him wearing. The colour was deep forest green, with no prints, as far as she was able to tell while sitting. Sometimes she caught the glaring of him at her. Ashamed being caught she avert her eyes. With him being angry at her, she was feeling like he was another person she never knew off. It bothered her, it hurts too and many other things.
She sighed silently, she had other problems to attend. The biggest in her life at the very moment. An angry Naruto was not the biggest problem, however a hindrance. Anyway she needs to talk about it, there was no way out of it anymore. She had decided alone, egoistical that she would never ever stop her pregnancy. Not on her own free will and as long mother nature let her she will have this child, for everything else... she not a medic for nothing!
How many days had it been since her discovery, trying to grab the reality of it and came to the decision this baby will be now her life? Many days...
It was time to tell the dad to be, the only problem was, it won´t be that easy. She had the opportunity, however her mouth was shut to that kind of words. Even the attempt for asking to have an under four eyes conversation was not coming up. Nothing went they way is should. Whatever she feels, or whatever he feels. The first priority was this child, she was second - her feelings were second. That is what her mother talked about when she was small 'when you are a mother one day, your child will be your everything and everything else will be second'. Yes, it was exactly like that.
And there she was sitting, nursing another glass of juice after she turned down even Ino with the after food sake, the blonde had frowned at her nevertheless had gone off to wiggle between Kiba and Chouji. Filling cups eagerly and the drinking went on. Some speeches were heard. One more boring than the other one, however that was it about such an 'important' party of a well known clan. And what did she? She was debating the whole time how to start a conversation, being on a party was not helping. However it was the feeling like 'now or never'. The thing was, she was not able to move. It was like her legs were frozen on the ground, and her ass was glued to cushion she was sitting on.
Ino swatted Shikamaru again since he tried to lit a cigarette, telling him it will kill him off. Shikamaru only sighed and stood up and lit the cigarette while walking out into the backyard of the Hyūga household, which was pretty big. You are able to take a walk in it, even a pond was found in the middle with a red bridge over it. Many see roses where in the pond and some Kois glittered in the moonlight.
It was about Midnight when she thought she had the courage to move. Her ear rung all off sudden, Naruto was laughing his butt off with Kiba about something she has not heard. However his laugh was now ringing in her ear.
Hinata was looking at Naruto like a love sick puppy, reminding her how she must have looked at Sasuke back then. She sure must have been annoying like Sasuke had said. No wonder Naruto does not believe any of her words. Another sigh of hers. Some time later a waiter put some food down in front her and the others. The famous midnight snack before you go home, however she won´t eat any bite of it. The smell hit her nose, her face went pale all off sudden and her hand rushed up. With the amount of grace she was able to have, she stood up and marched quickly out in the big garden, the fastest way away from the ugly smell of fried octopus.
Shikamaru stood relaxed with his cigarette there, looking up to star filled night. No cloud was there and the moon was seen in his round form. Lighten up the dark night. It was peaceful, some crickets were heard and from the inside he heard the laughter and the music. The party was enjoyable only the –smoke outside rule from Ino- was not to his liking. Before she would punch one more time in his guts or swat his head he would go outside on his own free will. Shikamaru sighed when he heard quick walking behind him, before he knew it, the person rushed by him and stopped with an awful puking sound by the bush only two feet away from him.
"What the hell?" he muttered and watched the poor person puking the guts out. A small hand gold some strains of pink hair back and the other one over the belly.
"….urghs…." he heard and a shocked look must have been in his face when she looked sideways up to him asking "What?" in a really snappish voice. When did he walked up to her? He must have moved without him noticing.
"You should not drink?" he asked her slightly worried.
"I did not…" oh yes he remembered Ino babbling that Sakura indeed refused alcoholic beverages again like the last weekends and today too. The Nara offspring rubbed his neck in thoughts, forgetting his other thoughts he had back then about her. He came to the conclusion he was just sleep deprived and was not thinking straight and that was all what was it about. Nothing more nothing less. However, she sure does make it hard to forget some lingering he may have somewhere. She was extremely pretty today, extremely and rubbed his neck harder. It must be red by now.
"Then stay at home when you are ill" Sakura rubbed her mouth with a tissue she got out of nowhere.
"I am not ill" she snapped. Oh yes, the hormones were starting to have their way with Sakura and Sakura knows it too and frowned at herself about her snappishness. However Shikamaru frowned at her too, what the hell? Puking and not being ill? What kind of situation would cause that? He looked at her pale face, she sure do looks ill now.
"Then why are you puking?" it was bothering him some shrill sound went off in his brain, and that means that was not good at all.
"I smelled fried octopus?" she asked him back and her hand roamed over her upset belly for a moment, her green hand trying to subside the nausea and walked off.
"Gosh…" she breathed out "I hope it will stop with the second Trimester" she said to herself not knowing he just followed her.
"Trimester?" he asked and she stopped stiff, her head whipped around. How dumb was she, not able to feel he was walking with her?
"…." nothing makes out of Sakura mouth.
"Trimester?" he asked again.
"Pretend that you heard nothing!" she said, maybe she should stop babbling to herself after puking it sure would help holding secrets to herself.
"How can I?" the shrill sound in his brain was nearly making him deaf now. It don´t take a genius to put some puzzle pieces together, or so he thought at least, and was getting the pieces of events with her small words quick together when he froze on the spot for a moment.
His arms shot up with the words "Oh my god! Oh my god!" and he runs circles like he fresh slaughtered chicken without head. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him. Had he gone insane? She asked herself. Some genius gone mad, due to the geniuses. Maybe he was such a case?
"Shikamaru calm down?"
"Calm down?"
"Yes?" she asked him irritated.
"How can I calm down now?" he asked back.
"How can you not?" more irritation from her.
"Sakura… oh my god…" he breathed out.
"I am going inside" she just said.
"What no wait" and he grabbed her arm.
"Shikamaru… let go of my arm" but he did not let go of her arm.
"We need to talk about it" he explained, somehow calm now.
"Hm?"
"You...?" She looked at him, "Me?"
"Sakura… how can you be so calm?"
"Why shouldn´t I be?" she knows since forever about it and was in a way at piece at the live changing information even if she does not have a plan It will work out, was the mantra she told herself.
"You are friggin pregnant" Shikamaru said to her.
"…. Pregnant, not friggin pregnant…" she scolded him. Friggin pregnant would mean it would be a mistake, this baby my be was not planned, but never ever is a mistake. Not in a lifetime would it be a mistake.
"Yes! How can I calm down?" he asked her again.
"You should?" and tried to get her arm free.
"I can´t!"
"Why?"
"I got you pregnant and you ask me to calm down?" Sakura wanted to say something but another voice interrupted them.
"Sakura… chan?" both heads whipped to the side, they had not seen or hear him coming or the person next to him. Sai said nothing, he only watched.
"Naruto…" Sakura breathed out looking in his blue eyes. It was like the last piece in him shattered into thousand tiny pieces.
"Congratulations" he said, smiling. A smile that won´t reach his eyes and turned around brushing past Sai, and Sai sighed. That was for sure not a good situation, is it able to get more twisted like that?
"Naruto wait" she called out to him. Her heart ached.
"Don´t" he said and vanished out of sight.
"Sakura…." Shikamaru pleaded too.
"You... youuu... YOUUUU!" nothing else got past her lips. Now the messed up is more messed up. She thought for a second and followed Naruto. Shikamaru wanted to follow too, only to run into a wall named Sai with an angry expression on his face. Something he never saw Sai was able to express.
"Don´t" Sai said the so called genius.
"No she is... and I... and"
Sai pushed his fist hard onto Shikamaurs chest, throwing a telling look at him, telling him if he would follow her now, he would make sure he is not able to walk or follow her...
She was running down the street, not sure if that was the way he took. Forgotten the Geta, only in her socks. In her hand to pushed up fabric of the Kimono. Her heart beating loud and fast in her chest, she just rushed the streets and her eyes caught the person she was searching for.
"Wait" she called out, she saw him stiffen, however moving on.
"Let me talk to you" she pleaded.
"For havens sake" he shouted, stopping and turning around. "I´m sick and tired of it" she stopped two feet away from him, frozen on the spot. "I asked you to stay away" he said calm. Yes he did, he was angry with her about whatever reason.
"I needed to think" he added "I don´t want you pity or an apologize. I do not need it or want it" her eyes were teary now.
"Naruto please hear me out!" she begged, trying to move towards him.
"Believe it or not" he started "I don´t want to hear or see you" that hurt. It hurt into new found depth she was not used to, it pierced her with an ice cold spear. Letting her freeze in the inside.
"Please" daring touching his sleeve
"I won´t" he said darkly, it was his conclusion about her. "I just won´t" it was bitter, her touch loose on the sleeve but grabbed his arm.
"Naruto" she said strongly. So many things had gone wrong. So many. She should have talked to him right away.
She wanted to see him. Badly everyday. However the days ticked by she denied herself and afraid of his anger, she delayed it again and again. Now there were like this before something even started, this is the dilemma of it.
"I won´t" he said again, trying to shake her hand of his arm. "Let got" he said calm.
"No" she cried
"Let got" he said again
"I won´t" she breathed out.
"Don´t" she pleaded "Leave me" Naruto shudder. His eyes narrowed. The fake confession, her jokes, her words. All for her own benefit. She was left behind by Sasuke in a way, which will haunt her till the day she dies. That is a kind of feeling of betrayal that she will never forget, it will one day not hurt anymore, it will be only a sad memory of her young days.
Like she will be one of his. He didn´t know when it would be like this for him. It will hurt like hell, it will haunt him in his dreams. Nevertheless he needed to let go, he needed to. Or he will break more than he would be able to repair.
He could jump at the chance, but he won´t. He will not play the part of the Fixing-Sakura-up-project. He don´t have the strength. With all this, his frustration, hurt, tears in him. The bottled up feeling. It had turned into anger, anger against her for behind the one who caused it. Furthermore he slashed out, even when he didn´t wanted to or intended too. It was never his intention to hurt her, but maybe it was the only way for her to understand what he wants. Moreover her condition on top, she still wants to beg him for something or anything?
"Enough" his voice dark "Let go" he said again, she shook her head. His hand grabbed hers hard, hurting her hand while he gets it of his arm. She tried to grab his arm again. He didn´t let her. He turned around, to leave her behind, making slow steps away.
"Please" her voice pleaded him again and again, made him even angrier. Why didn't she get it?
"Don´t" her arms flew around his frame from behind, let him stop. She was shaking, he felt it. He heard the faint voice of her pleading 'Don't leave me' he was shaking too with anger.
"I said let go" but she didn´t.
"Hear me out" she begged again. He pushed her off, slowly. Turning around, looking in her tear struck face. Almost he felt guilty, only almost. "Please hear what I have to say" Naruto pushed her a bit away from him.
"Save it" he said to her.
"Why?" she asked. "Why won´t you hear me out, for the important thinks I have to say" Naruto sighed.
"Because it won´t change anything" more tears fell down. Her eyes puffy and red, he frame smaller than everybody was used to.
"I love you" she cried. These were the words he wanted to hear the most, however there was not way of trusting them. She got herself pregnant and ask him to believe?
"Do us both a favour" Naruto said to her "And forget the crazy idea about you and me" saying this even stabbed him. It was the last pain he would take, afterwards he would heal. Heal all the pain of love.
"Naruto" He was already walking away from her, "Please" She had begged him more "Hear me out". Her heart aching with every step he made away from her. Was he still thinking that she is doing this intentionally? Sakura thought, That she was standing here to hurt him? She knew he was hurt; that his heart ached just likes hers. She understood that his sadness and hurt had turned into anger.
"I will say it once again" Naruto said, his back to her. "I don´t want to hear it, just because you would feel better." He started to walk again.
"Please" Her voice made him walk quicker. "Why" she asked, still following him "Why not believe me?" This got the better out of him; his eyes filled with anger his, body stoic. He turned around, his face wild.
"I won´t be the one you use to get over Sasuke" He said "I will never ever play this part, because it will shatter me in the end!" His voice got louder with every word.
Her cheeks were red like her puffy eyes, her tears were falling down. His words hurt her. They were breaking her. Why? Why did he not want to believe? Yes, she was not the nicest person to him. She used his feelings to stop him to go after Sasuke. That was wrong, but it would not change the fact in her life now. The very true fact.
"Believe me" She pleaded again. "Everybody grows up from faded crushes!" She wiped the tears from her face with her hand.
"Yeah-" He whispered his eyes full of emotion "-and I just did from mine" She froze right on the spot, not able to say anymore. It was too hard to believe, that he would ever say something like this; to end something that could turn into something big and beautiful.
"I did but you did not" He said and turned his head back around, leaving Sakura behind, crying with the silent plea for him to stay and believe her, but he would not because he was hurting more than she was. No more, he made himself clear. He was not able to take more of her, he was sick of her and he needed to get away from her. She had to understand that but she had made the experience a painful one by her own doings.
She stumbled a bit, fall to her knees. She only wanted him to stay. She only wanted him to hear her out. To see and believe.
He needed to know, but he didn´t wanted to.
He didn´t wanted to hear even one word from her.
She knows if she just blurred out the words, nothing will be achieved. That her actions make him see, her trying would change his mind and hear her out. However the fading Naruto in the distance showed her clearly he was not interested in the slightest. It does not matter what was with her, or not. He was beyond her reach. She knows now. He didn´t want to believe they would be possible. He don´t want her, since she should stay the love sick girl of Sasuke.
Sakura sat in the dirt, crying silently while staring in the direction Naruto had vanished.
Sai was standing there for some time, maybe a hour or so. He was not able to tell, however the slight chill in the middle of the night let him move. One arm went around her, the other under her knees and scooped her up. Her head rolled onto his shoulder like a soulless puppet. He frowned and took off with her in the middle of the night...
.
.
He leaned in the window frame, it was wide open. Letting the fresh breeze inside, chill down the heated room. The walls were faintly beige, with a light brown hem at the bottom of the wall. The floor tiled with light brown tiles, like the hem. The desk behind him in a rich brown colour, the seat behind it occupied. Some pictures on the wall, all the deceased Hokage of the Village. The most important was the big scroll on the wall "The Will of Fire".
His eyes sucked in the beautiful sunset. How the orange and red colour let the Village glow in homely warmth. The Village he loved so much. It was back on its feet again, from some rubble back to its glory. Bigger and better than before. He worked hard too, tried to help everywhere he was able to and was satisfied with his handy work.
His arms were crossed over his chest and he was aware that someone was looking at him, waiting for whatever he was here for.
Tsunade couldn´t help but see the undeniable resemblance to the deceased Yondaime. How much he actually does looks like him, how underneath Kushina was glowing through all the inheritance Naruto got from his Father. She felt like she has missed out that the boy had grown again within a blink of an eye without her noticing. The pants seemed a bit shorter on his legs like last time, his figure a bit leaner like when she really looked at him. His hair maybe about half an inch longer. All in all it was nothing much. However the way the setting sun was illuminating him in orange and red, letting him glow. Showing her that indeed there was a bright future ahead. When he would step into the footsteps of his father. It was long forgotten that he was the Jinchuriki, nobody looks at him anymore with hatred, fear or avoids him. It was blown out of the minds of the Villagers, but all knew they will be reminded of it one day again.
That day will be the day when fate will decide if Naruto was meant to be Hokage, it was not in her hands or in the ones of his friends.
Naruto was standing there for a long time, she had forgotten how long. She had hushed Shizune out, when he came with a look in his eyes she never wanted to see but knows. She had let go of her paperwork, not that was a problem for her to 'rest' from it. At the moment she just watched him standing there, waiting for him to be ready to speak up. Even if she knew what that will be all about. She had prepared for it, just in case, and her feeling about it didn´t betrayed her.
"Granny?" he said more to the sunset as to her. Slowly his head turned a bit to the side, catching her watchful eyes onto him.
"I presume you want something?" the Hokage asked the obvious. He nodded ever so slowly with his mind set. It was time, she knows too. Although it was hard to accept that this boy did grow so much and will step into adulthood in no time or already has without them knowing.
"I like to request to leave for-" her hand went up.
"I know" she said with a slight sad face. "You like to go on a –find myself journey- to mature and grow up" she smiled.
"I wouldn´t have said something like that..."
"But in the end it is the same" he nodded then again slowly feeling like he need to explain himself under her strong gaze on him.
"My hasty behaviour will cut my head off one day, I have to fix that. And I need to understand more about the boring political stuff, books are may enemies so learning first hand would be the best for me. Also I hope to make some new awesome ass-kick Jutsus..." and he fell silent for a moment. His thought taking him somewhere else.
"I just need to go..." he only said, nothing more, nothing less. Letting out some other hurtful events of his, the other part why he wanted to journey around like his dead Master did.
Silence was met between them for a while. Tsunade moved, the chair making soft noises when he was left behind. Her heels making click sounds when she walked over to the window to join him. Her eyes watching the last piece of sunray vanishing behind the mountains.
"He will come at us again Naruto…" her voice concerned. "And we have no idea when" her fingers grabbing harder on the window frame
"I know, even more… I need to…" how to say. Stronger, better, better-better, even much better, even much stronger. That he need to calmer more collected? More mature then? He knows, even when nobody said anything to him. He understands perfectly when his beloved Village was crushed to pieces and they still made it somehow. He knows, yes he does. He still was far away from being able to be Hokage now. He wished it was not the case, however seeing how Gaara directed all his fellow Shinobi, the allied Shinobi and how he interacted in meetings and such he had understood he need to polish up when he want to be a respectful and strong Hokage for this Village. Only wanting to be was not protecting the Village, the beloved and all the others. With all the blood he had seen on the battlefield, all the sacrifices for peace, he was even more agitated to be someone who does not need to sacrifice so many Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Friends or just beloved. He also understands his father more than ever. Why he had sacrificed his life for the Village, he was already on the same page as him - now he need to gain knowledge and strength and steel himself for the worst. He would rather die than let anything happen. It was an eye opener to some other things and let him decide and forget his emotional turmoil of his heart and the hurt which ragged through his whole being. However it would not change anything, he had a goal and he had to learn to how to live with that hurtful feeling or learning how to forget to be a bigger and better person.
"I will allow" Tsunade breathed out. She had heard that Naruto and Sakura are on very bad terms, she did not know why or anything about it. However it was enough to shook Naruto down to core and abandon her like a guilty traitor. She wished she was able to help there, but she won´t butt in. The signs of Naruto tells everybody who tried to mention Sakura to him, that he was ready to kill them if they would open their mouth. As for Sakura she looks every time on the verge of tears when she saw her, rushing by in the Hospital or just when she handed a report to Shizune. Her pale face worried her too. Whatever their problem was, it was nothing what could be solved right now. Maybe the distance heals whatever needs to be healed and they will talk it out later. Time will help them. However even she knows, time was something Shinobi do not have but she will pray for them.
"I will allow you" she said again, "But you will write EVERY week to me where you are" she insisted. "We- I need to know, when something happens, also every information you get when you catch something. You will stay far away from enemy territory, only in our allies you are allowed to walk freely around. When somebody catch you outside… I will personally beat you ass back here!" he smiled at her "Got that?" Naruto nodded. "As long as the enemy stay silent, I allow the time you need. The Akatsuki are down to Madara and Sasuke himself with some pawns. For now there is not threat. That is why I am able to let you do as you wish. When we will get notice of something like a 'threat' you will come back without opposing to it and when we need you, you will come... And I don´t like to be Hokage forever" her hand touched his shoulder, indeed he had grown a bit. "Got it?" she asked to make sure and he only smiled at her. His hand touching her hand on his shoulder. Somehow she just feels like a mother for moment.
"Yes" he answered and she only smiled back and handed him a small scroll without any words, he just took it with a small thanks.
"Be safe" she whispered
"I will" and then he left the office. It was the last time for years that she will see him, and it ached every day a little bit.
The man frowned behind his mask. The new information was disturbing and interesting at the same time. A new Prophecy, an one which could overrule the old one about the son of the Yondaime?
That would change the game completely. However if he will get his hands on it, the downfall of Konoha and the Shinobi world will be as good as done. His plan will be able to set in motion again.
"What will you do?" Kabuto asked, he still was with Madara. Patched up the beaten Sasuke, Madara and himself. They already had some fellow Shinobi working with them again, it was like Madara had a Plan B or even C when A was not successful. The biggest loss was the white Zetsus, however Kabuto already worked in his labs about that problem.
Clone with fresh material was not that hard, or better easier than to clone a person who was dead for a very long time. And he was only cloning some plants in the end. The DNA was fresh and he don´t have to 'make' it alive again. Nevertheless his big goal was to clone some specific person, one Konoha would be afraid to face. Damn that Kakashi and the damn Yondaime son Naruto. He would find a way to disturb their way of thinking and fighting, he sure will and they will go down the next time.
With the help of Madaras association and the people who get him everything he needs, he would success no matter what.
"I may have already an idea" and closed one scroll of his. With a flick of his hand a cloaked person arrived out of nowhere.
"Yes Master?" it was a rough voice.
"Go get me Sasuke-kun, I have a Mission for him" and the person vanished into thin air.
"Ah a Mission. Like to enlighten me?" the snake man asked.
"Just wait" Madara asked and like the cloaked person Sasuke was there out of nowhere. Grumpy like ever.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked
"I have a Mission for you"
"What is it?" Sasuke asked again, he hated delays and Madara roughly summed up what he information he had gained. Sasuke did not cared about it much until he got the following words "You will bring me the woman with the unborn"
This mission may change his point of view forever...
*Geta: These are the shoes made from wood. You know them from Jiraiya :-)
*Zori: These are the traditional Japanese Slipper Sandals.
*Tabi: The socks while wearing Geta or Zori.
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Junablossom