unbetad
prob a few typos, will reread when my brain is rested.
The Konoha Hospital is relatively slow today, with all patients being taken care of at a steady pace, and very little walk-in injuries presenting themselves. The active shinobi cells are not due back for another four days at least. The Village Hidden in the Leaves is beautiful and serene on this lovely Tuesday morning. It doesn't seem fathomable that someone would want to ruin such glorious tranquillity.
Only, it must be possible, as the white hospital walls shake and almost crack in a ferocious rumble. The pressure of each boot-laden blow, of feminine feet colliding with the tiled floor, would be enough to bring down the entire building with just a little more force. For the past couple of hours, the patients on floor 1 and 2 have secretly feared for their personal safety, and it is all Tsunade's fault.
Kakashi had informed Sakura last night, over a cup of tea, that Sasuke is back in town. Not only that, but her superior has appointed the sharingan research study to her – which doesn't make sense; Sakura had only worked as an assistant on the original study. Shizune was the head of that department, Sakura thought.
"I shouldn't be upset about this." Sakura thinks, and she can feel just how very frazzled she is. This is a big opportunity, and could mean big things for her career.
But Sasuke is involved, and Sakura isn't sure what to do - how to feel.
She stalks down the hall, and finally reaches her office, accidentally unhinging the flimsy wood from the attached wall. The 'crash' of timber doesn't come, because the handle is still within her grasp.
Sakura glares at the door that is held up in the air like it's paper. She sighs, deeply, and forces another breath, one after the other. Slowly, she places the door down against the wall, and thinks that she'll need to apologise to maintenance again; though, she is part of a shinobi village, surely the fixing crew have seen worse things than this.
Pink eyebrows furrow together in a fierce scowl, and Sakura plops down behind her desk, remembering the conversation she had shared, minutes before, in Tsunade's office. Sakura had been hoping that she would be able to head Sasuke's case with minimal contact. After all, recording the data is the easiest part; it's what happens afterward that would be tricky.
"Tsunade-sama. What was that?" Sakura hoped that her mentor had misspoke, and that she would be able to make this non contact research 'a thing'.
"As I said, you will be attending the Uchiha compound once a week, or as many times needed to acquire an array of information on the Sharingan, and the rinnegan. You will also be required to assess any damage to the ocular path, and perform a structural analysis of both eyes, along with a few other tasks," the previous Hokage repeated in further detail than before. The pinkette gazed back at her mentor with a look of complete shock, and it seemed that she was unable to respond.
"I take it that's a no on sending someone else?" Sakura finally asked, and Tsunade sighed, giving her a soft look.
" Sakura. I understand that this is a bit of a shock, especially since I have dissuaded you from contacting Sasuke. However, this mission is very important to Konoha and myself. I will be required for other matters, at the hospital, and I trust you completely. This is non optional, Sakura, and must be followed through until completion." Tsunade grasped another scroll that contained all information on the mission.
"Shishou, wouldn't another medic be more suitable for the situation?" Sakura asked hopefully.
"You and I both know that isn't the case. Sasuke will only accept the finest medic, and you my dear, are the best of your field. He trusts you, Sakura, and you must use that to your advantage." She paused, smirking, "Also, show him how far you've come." The blonde sat back then, looking satisfied with her explanation.
"You are dismissed." She concluded.
Now, Sakura is sitting in her office, alone, feeling the deep urge to destroy something.
"Fuck it." She mutters, resting her forehead flat against the table. She looks forlorn despite feeling anger.
Yes, anger has always been a go to in times of crisis, especially when she isn't sure how she should be feeling. Being angry is simple, and a lot better than nervous, confused, irritated, and above all, extremely fucking excited; though, if she is truthful with herself, Sakura already knows about the feelings beneath the fury.
She isn't ready to acknowledge them, or see him. There are too many questions that she has brimming inside of her, and prolonged access to Sasuke may cause her to have a malfunction and spill everything out in one big, needy, heap.
She breathes out deeply, and in again, and tries not to think. For a moment her mind is blank, before Sasuke's face comes forward; he looks like he did when he left for his journey, all confusing and smiling at her. Surely that meant something – the way that he was that day. She hadn't seen him for so long, and had heard from Kakashi that he was being released.
It was the first contact that she had with him since the war, and Sasuke was different; he was softer, and she thought that he cared.
She didn't expect to hear from him while he was away, but when Naruto received a letter, Sakura wondered. Nothing came for her, though, and Naruto continued to get scroll after scroll.
She told herself, at the time, that she wasn't jealous. Sakura knows that it was just a mantra – one that she has muttered inwardly her entire shinobi life.
Sakura's palms flatten against the desk, and she stands. There isn't any reason to be obsessing over the past, or her current situation. She just has to tell herself the truth – Beneath Tsunade, she is the most capable medic in the entire fire country; she is in the data book of dangerous shinobi; she is strong and deserves to be treated well.
Yes, Sakura sighs in relief. That feels better. She just has to remember that she is grown now; she isn't looking at her Team's backs anymore; Sakura is their equal, and she is going to act like it.
Sasuke is going to know exactly where he stands…
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto barrels into her office, and into her consciousness. Her eyes snap open and Sakura is back in the land of the sane.
She is feeling better – more fuelled up than before.
"You ready?" Her friend asks. "You usually have paperwork on the brain." Naruto finishes smilingly. He is completely oblivious to Sakura's overactive brain, and the intense moment that she had with herself moments before.
Naruto is Naruto, and when he wants ramen, a lot of his perception skills go out the window; which isn't a good trait to have as a shinobi aspiring to be Hokage.
"Yup. Just let me grab my bag." Sakura smiles to her friend in a way that she hopes is normal, and grasps the sharingan study scroll.
She will have to review everything before she can meet Sasuke, but for now, it is time to eat.
"Hey, Sakura-chan." Naruto notices something pivotal. "Um…Why is your office door in the hallway? Did you punch someone through it again?" The blond asks curiously, with a little bit of caution. Slowly, and very conspicuously, he moves out of Sakura's direct line of fist.
She raises her eyebrow at that, and replies, "It's nothing, Naruto-kun. Just a frustrating case." Then, she slings her bag over her shoulder and she walks out into the hall. She looks back at Naruto, and says, "You're hungry aren't you?"
Of course, the mention of food is enough to have him moving. Quickly, he bounds into step with Sakura, and seemingly forgets all about the unhinged door. He has bigger things to worry about - Sakura knows – such as begging for Ichiraku.
"Sakura-chan, how about -"
"No, Naruto." Sakura cuts him off firmly, raising her hand. They exit the front doors, walking the familiar path down the steps. If they go left, they get ramen. If they go right, Sakura will get something of variety.
Naruto is veering left, obviously.
"Stop." She says, and her feet plant solidly on the ground. Sakura's arms cross, and she rouses in her 'no nonsense' voice,
"You promised me that we would go to a cafe and that is exactly where we are going."
With a sad nod, the Hokage in training does not press his luck. After all, it is his day off and he can get ramen after his first lunch with Sakura.
At this thought, Naruto's foxy grin falls back into place and the two best friends make their way down to the main street to try the new restaurant.
The cafe is beautiful compared to the familiar privacy screen of Ichiraku. The array of food is of average price and sounds lovely. Sakura eats lunch with Naruto every day, and has done so since starting full time at the Hospital. She feels a little bad for her friend, because they can't spend as much time together any more. Nevertheless, Naruto has Hinata, and training with Kakashi, along with Hokage studies. The members of Team 7 are all growing up, but Sakura will always have time for Naruto, and she knows that he feels the same.
When their meals arrive, Sakura is so pleased with the sight. It is a nice change from her usual helping of ramen noodles. Naruto on the other hand, does not look so enthused. Although, he gobbles it all up all the same.
They talk about work and Naruto's hygiene habits now that he has a girlfriend. At which point the blond decides that he has had enough of talking about him, and leans forward, across the table.
He speaks in a low voice, and his expression reminds her of his youth. Naruto is always whispering when he doesn't need to, and now is no exception. It actually would have made her smile if she hadn't gone stiff in anticipation,
"Did something happen at work today, Sakura-chan?" He asks, his nose coming closer to her with each word.
She smacks him on the nose, and he sits back. Naruto's hand covers his face as he looks at her accusingly.
"That stung." He says, having a pouty moment or two. "Don't be mean Sakura-chan. I'm just trying to look after you."
"I can look after myself." Sakura utters the familiar sentence, and Naruto just keeps on going.
"Do I have to go and beat up Genma again for harassing you? I know you said you can do it yourself, but I should be protecting you!" Naruto looks angry for a moment, before he stabs a dumpling and shoves it in his mouth.
"How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn't work that way?" Sakura can't help but crack a smile. It is nice that her friend wants to watch out for her. "I'm not your prized farm animal."
"Kakashi said that I should be nice to you today." Naruto passes by her statement, and Sakura is beginning to think that he has an agenda, that he already knows what is wrong with her.
That sneaky fox!
"It's just, Sakura-chan - I know that Sasuke is back. I saw him this morning."
Sakura rolls her eyes, and she is annoyed at being proved right.
"This conversation is over. I have research to do." She says primly, standing abruptly.
Sakura pulls out some money from her pocket and hands it to Naruto. Unsurprisingly, by the time her eyes meet his, her anger is dissipating; Naruto has that effect.
"Come on, Sakura-chan. It's me." He says, putting the money on the table and taking her hand. Still, she doesn't sit again.
Her head hangs, instead, and Sakura suddenly feels very tired.
"Can we talk about it later, at least?" She asks. "I promise that I'm fine, I just want to have some time."
Naruto hugs her, standing quickly, and Sakura can't stop him. The patrons of the shop are watching them, but Sakura can't see. With ease, Naruto has her crying frustrated tears against his jump suit, as he rubs her back. She hates being weak, especially in public, but she can't stop!
"I know you've missed him." Naruto says against her ear, seriously, and almost apologetically.
"He didn't miss me." She mutters into his chest, and her friend sighs.
"Yeah he did, Sakura-chan. Sasuke-teme is just an idiot that can't say it."
They stand for another moment or three, and Sakura recovers slowly.
When she leaves, she takes Naruto's words with her. She doesn't know what is going to happen at the Uchiha Compound, or which version of Sasuke she will find.
Tomorrow she will be confident, smart, and above all, remember to keep her distance.
Morning comes too quickly and before Sakura is completely aware, she finds herself standing at the gates of the Uchiha Compound.
She looks up at the archway, less enthused than she has been in a while. The green posts are new, though they look just like the old, and Sakura remembers a time when there were bands of tape covering the entrance, stopping people from going inside.
Sasuke is inside there now, and despite the compound being rebuilt, she isn't sure how she feels about him being there. She wonders if he is okay - if living there is painful.
Sakura is always wondering about Sasuke.
She slaps herself inwardly, before telling herself, again, that she needs to be tough today.
"This is just another patient."
Staring up at the green gates emblazoned with the Uchiha symbol, the med-nin whispers again, "Just another patient," and steps passed the threshold, quickly, as to not lose her nerve.
She finds herself chanting this mantra, silently, as she walks through the empty compound streets. She doesn't believe a word of it, and she tries not to imagine the atrocity that happened here all those years ago.
She tells herself to stop, that If Sasuke can live here - surely she should be able to visit. Her fingers tighten around the mission scroll, and she goes through all the items that she might need. All of Shizune's notes are in hand, and the rest are stored in the very large bag slung over her shoulder. There are texts she may require, but Sakura keeps big items like that in her travel scroll.
This study is serious - a big step forward for Konoha - and Sakura needs to be focussed in there. She was an assistant on the first round of experiments, and she had reread the files time and time again, even before she was put on this case.
Shizune's study is mostly theoretical, and from the notes that have been placed inside the scroll, Sakura ascertains that it is time to test those theories. There is a list included, which is written in fine print, that only her senpai can produce with an ink brush; it outlines all of the abilities the Sharingan is said to have, and the ones that must be experienced hands on.
Sighing again, Sakura is about to place the parchment in her pocket when she collides with a street pole.
Only, when the she looks up from where she has fallen, with an embarrassed expression, she discovers that the obstruction is not a pole - but a man. She makes an unintelligible sound, at her clumsiness, and Sakura watches as papers float through the air to land upon the ground haphazardly.
"Oh Kami. I am so sorry!" She exclaims, gazing up at the red head from the dusty ground.
It takes another moment for her brain to kick into gear. Then she is on her feet, collecting fallen items, and her bruised ego, from the dusty earth. Surprisingly, the bulky person kneels down, with shinobi grace, and gathers up as much as he can. When he is done, he passes the handfuls to Sakura with a smile upon his squared face.
She smiles back, shoving things away as best she can. Then she looks to him, taking in his red hair and gentle eyes - Sakura realises,
"You're Juugo." She says, smiling brighter than before. "I've heard about you from my Shishou, Tsunade-sama." Sakura explains.
Juugo nods, and looks like he is thinking.
"I have heard about you too – Good things, from your mentor, and Sasuke-sama." He inclines his head in a short moment of respect, and Sakura feels taken aback.
"You have?" She asks, and her surprise shines through.
Juugo smiles, then, and he looks toward the main Uchiha house.
"Sasuke-sama respects his team." He says, and Sakura notes that he looks a bit down.
"I'm sorry that you aren't on Sasuke's team anymore, Juugo-san." She places her hand on his arm in a friendly gesture. "If it helps, he can be a jerk."
Juugo chuckles deep in his chest, and he smiles; Sakura knows what it means, too, because she has smiled like that for Sasuke as well.
Juugo is fond of Sasuke - of that she is certain.
They don't talk for a moment, and Sakura thinks about Sasuke's other team. She is honestly pleased that he had them while he was away; that he had someone to rely on, even if it wasn't her and Naruto. Unfortunately, that was the bit that always stung the most. She moves on, though, and she wonders why the former Team Taka is here. Without thinking, she asks, and Juugo's eyebrows rise.
"We have been here since the war ended, Sakura-san. We're waiting to become Konoha shinobi."
"You mean you've been living at the compound?" She asks, and he nods.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound rude. It's just, I haven't seen any of your team around the village, and it's been two years."
"We prefer to stick to ourselves." He replies, and Sakura can sense that the conversation is over. Perhaps, there is something binding them to the compound.
She doesn't think on it more, in any case, and thanks him again.
"I appreciate your help Juugo-san. I'm sorry about all this. It's a little embarrassing for a kunoichi to be so out of it." She laughs nervously, and stops herself from rambling. Unfortunately, it's a bad habit that she adopted during tense moments. Juugo does not seem to mind, though, as he smiles down at her politely.
"Have a nice day, Sakura-san." He says, and Sakura realises that she hasn't actually told him her name, which was rude of her. Thankfully, he already knows who she is.
"I will." She smiles. "Feel free to ask for me at the hospital if you ever need treatment, or you can send me a notice and I'll come to you." She tacks on, just in case he is against going into the village.
She bids him farewell, and turns toward the main house. It only takes four steps forward before the front door opens, and a familiar sight saunters onto the deck.
"Sakura," the familiar voice greets, and she falters. Her eyes are caught on his form, and the laziness that weaves through his voice; that three syllable utterance is the first thing that she has heard from him in a year and a half, and an uncontrollable shiver travels down her spine.
It doesn't stop her from taking her next step, however, and with each step forward, Sakura feels stronger.
Unfortunately, as she draws nearer, the better she can see him. He is wearing black shinobi pants and a high collared shirt, much like he wore when they were children. She appraises him, as he watches her silently, with an expression that she can't read. Very quickly, Sakura's confidence begins to die.
She will have to fake it at this point.
"Hello Sasuke. It's good to see you're well." She says evenly, meeting his mismatched eyes. "Are you ready to get to work?" She asks, and outwardly she is a picture of calmness.
Unfortunately, the wrenching in her gut, and the flutter of her heart, betray how she really feels to herself, and Sakura is disappointed.
Sasuke doesn't greet her with enthusiasm, he doesn't say anything about his journey, or that he is happy to be home – happy to see her.
He merely nods, meeting her gaze with intense onyx. Then, he walks inside, obviously expecting her to follow.
She watches a moment, and wonders if she can do this.
Sakura takes in the Uchiha symbol on Sasuke's back, and she feels something close to anger in her stomach. The sight of the Uchiwa fan creates a frown on her face, and a smile in her heart.
That symbol has no right to make her feel the way that it does.
She doesn't have the right to feel anything about it, either.
Regardless, Sasuke's crest, red and white, feels remarkably like reaching a destination. Sakura has made it.
Shaking out of it, the kunoichi ignores the flutter in her stomach, and steps passed the threshold, following Sasuke into his home.
Today is going to be harder than she imagined…
xxxx
A/N. Reviews are cool but not required. Just a note. Not really into the whole constructive thing, I know what I want to write and the way I want to write it. If you guys like it, that's cool, if you don't, that's cool too. Update coming soon :) Thank you for putting up with the rewrite, again. This is something that I *need* to do.
If you'd like to chat, I'm over at my blog - merinxd dot tumblr dot com