This is the edited version of the chapter, enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto or the characters mentioned in the story
Chapter VII - THE MISSION (part 1)
"Sunakagure desu ka, Shishou?" Sakura blink rapidly
"The Kazegake requested your assistance personally, the Sand siblings will be leaving on a dangerous mission and since Temari is not a medic-nin they would need you to tag along"
"But why me? I'm sure there's lot of other medic-nin in Suna more than capable to go"
"Well, after everything you've accomplished, not to mention how you've helped everyone during the war, your skills have been recognized throughout the allied nations, so I suggest you get yourself used to missions like this. I'm actually surprised requests have only been coming recently and not sooner… and the sand siblings, I understand you go way back with them"
"Hai, Shishou but why so sudden?" Sakura remember the time that specifically stands out above all else, when she had helped Chiuo-baasama to revive Gaara after his tailed beast, the ichibi, has been extracted from him by Madara.
"Aha-ha, I didn't write it down because it was very important, and I thought I would've remembered, but I guess I had too much sake that day…"
"Shishou" Sakura sigh "you really have to start drinking more responsibly"
"I know, I know" Tsunade wave her student off
"I guess, I've been studying a lot lately and my chakra is all saved up. Since a certain Hokage doesn't let me do my job"
"So are you up for it, I know that they would understand if you say no. You're still busy construction the prosthetic aren't you?"
"Well yes, and now I'm actually thinking about an artificial arm instead"
"Eh, artificial arm?"
"Using Nidaime's technique, we can revive an arm consisted of previously dead bones and tissues, I' sure it'll work a lot better for Sasuke-kun"
"Uhm… combining medical tehniques with edo-tensei? It's even more risky than the prosthetic Sakura, are you sure?"
"Y-yes. And by going to Suna perhaps I can also search for books and scrolls that might be helpful as well. Tobirama-sama was indeed a genius ninja but there's so much more we need to know"
"Hmm, so you accept the mission? You're going to be away for a while Sakura. You realize that the Kazekage himself going, means this mission is more than serious, so serious that they wouldn't trust it to anyone else"
"The more reason I need to go. They believe in me shishou, in my strength. They need me"
Sakura left the Hokage's office that afternoon with full determination, she has wasted much time and she couldn't do that anymore. Tsunade told her that tomorrow morning Kankuro himself will pick her up at Konoha's gate, she has insisted that Sakura would just come and she could survive the trip by herself, but they insisted. Beside, by now Kankuro must be all set if not already left for Konoha.
Sakura decided to go home, tidy up the deserted place before she pack everything she would need and lay out her mission gear on her bed and sigh.
Finally, being a kunoichi makes her feel guilty if she wasn't either training or going on mission. She misses the thrill, and not doing anything for a month makes her feel really unprepared, so later that day she comes to their usual training ground to find her team.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto greets her "Finally you decided to join us, about time dattebayo!"
"I miss training with you guys" she admits
"Eh, where is Teme?"
"Hmm? Sasuke-kun? I don't know, I'm not supposed to watch him 24/7 you know"
"Right"
"Sasuke is with Kakashi-senpai now" Yamato say
"Oh good, now without any distraction from the teme and the hentai we can take full advantage of the day!" Naruto exclaim
"Naruto, spar with me would you?"
"Let's go Sakura-chan.. J-just no fist to the face okay?"
"Ne ne Naruto, if I hurt you I promise I'll heal you after"
"Eh-heh"
"Ikuzo!" Sakura sprint forward and their kunai meet
Sakura try to land a hit on Naruto but his taijutsu has improved and he's much faster than the last time they sparred, he managed to dodge her everymove effortlessly
Naruto leap and hide behind the trees, Sakura try to draw him out by kicking the round creating a quake to his direction and collapsed the tress around him "There you are!" Sakura say as Naruto leap to dodge the falling trees
She leap and they meet mid air, this time Naruto try to land a hit on her but she manage to dodge every one of it, but she has a feeling Naruto is holding back. She was finally pushed back and land on the ground, throwing him shuriken infused with her chakra, Naruto dodge them easily, if only her chakra can touch him…
"Naruto, don't hold back! I have a mission tomorrow and I'm out of shape!" Sakura tell him
"You've just gotten slow Sakura-chan, that's because you don't train often" Naruto jump back and finally throw her his rashenshuriken
Sakura dodges it by leaping into the trees
"Sakura-chan I've learned new tricks too dattebayo" his rashenshuriken gets back and actually chase her around
"Sakura!" Yamato warns her warily. Kakashi senpai would not appreciate his student dying under Yamato's supervision
"I might not train as often Naruto, but I read a lot" she drops to the ground supporting her body in one hand and wait for naruto's signature attack to come to her while gathering chakra on her feet "Shanaroo!" she kicked the rasenshuriken away till it disappears in the clear day sky
"Waaaa Sakura-chan you're so cool" while Naruto got distracted by the sight Sakura kicks him on the face till he's out cold
"Eh-heh thanks Naruto"
"That was quick" Sai say "Me next"
Sakura trained with her teammates all day, and when the sun begin to set Kakashi shows up to take them for Ramen as he promised Naruto earlier that day
He was glad to see Sakura training again and ask her about her upcoming mission to Suna.
"It's a personal request from the Kazekage, they want me to come along with the sand sibling for a mission"
"Did they say what it is or where they're going?"
"No, but Tsunade-shishou believe it to be very serious and dangerous if the Kazekage and his siblings would rather handle it personally"
"Well and you, the best medic-nin they know" Naruto add proudly
"Are you sure you want to go Sakura?" Kakashi ask
"What are you talking about sensei? Of course I'm going, why wouldn't i?"
"I just have a bad feeling about this"
"But Gaara, Temari and Kankuro would be there too. They're very strong as well, ne Kakashi sensei?" Naruto ask
"Hmm, the pretty lady with the giant fan?"
"P-pretty lady?" Sakura notice how Sai calls her ugly but the rest of the female population they've met, he would refer as 'pretty lady' like he had with Ino
"Yes, the blonde one" Kakashi chrip
"Eh nandayo Sai? You called Ino and Temari pretty but Sakura-chan ugly?" Naruto ask
"Hmm, I believe it's called preference. Maybe Sai like blonde girls" Yamato say
"No, that's not it at all. It's just after Sakura, I understand that it's better to say the opposite of what I'm thinking of people's appearance, mainly girls"
"Good call" Sakura breath smoke out her nose like an angry bull
"Ne ne Sakura-chan. I'm sure he's just joking around"
"Oh right, how was your meeting yesterday Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura change the topic
"He? Oh that, it's nothing"
"Did they ask you to become the next Hokage?" Naruto ask "if they were, just get ready to retire early cause I'm going to be the next Hokage dattebayo!"
"I'm sure you would Naruto"
"So it's true. They asked you to be the Rokudaime?"
"I didn't say that" Kakashi say waving his hand around
"Stop beating around the bushes will you?"
"I'm not beating around the bushes, I just said it's not important" Kakashi finally say
"Ngg" Naruto cross his arms in dissatisfaction
"Ne, when are you leaving tomorrow Sakura?" Yamato try to break the ice
"First thing in the morning, Kankuro will pick me up at Konoha's gate"
"Eh, they will escort you all the way from here? Even before mission?"
"Well, after the war, Sakura did make a big impression across the nations, healing hundreds all at once. Now everyone knows how good she is and think of her as a valuable ninja" Yamato explains
Sakura blush at the statement "I'm sure Naruto and Sasuke-kun would get even more treatment on specially requested mission as well"
"Hngg.. Well, Naruto and Sasuke are great, but their talents are most valuable in massive and dangerous battle which doesn't happen often, but everyone will need a medic ever so often in mission, to make sure people are alive and come back in one piece"
"Hnm" Naruto agrees with Yamato
"Hmmm, Sakura I'm sure the Kazekage and his siblings will protect you but… well, I guess I'm just a little bit sentimental after the war with you all" Kakashi say
"Ne sensei, you're turning into Yamato-taichou now" Naruto tease
"What does that suppose to mean ne, Naruto?" Yamato gives him the usual grim face that Naruto fears so much
"Eh nothing, nothing Yamato-taichou" Naruto sulk
The night went very harmonically before everyone realize something "Sakura-chan…" Naruto start
"If I'm already here…" Kakashi say
"And you're also here…" Yamato say
"Then who is watching…" Sai say
"Haaa, Sasuke-kuuun!" Sakura shot up and practically running while saying goodbye to everyone
"Eh, she hasn't paid" Kakashi say
Sakura run to Sasuke's place and knock on the door but then slide it open anyway before waiting for him to answer "Gomen, gomen Sasuke kun! I had a really hectic day"
"You're late" he simply say
"I know, I forgot to tell you that I was training, I'm going on a mission tomorrow"
"Mission?"
"Yes, so I had some last minute preparation to tend to"
"Who are you going with?"
"The Suna Siblings"
"Kazekage is coming?"
"Uh, yes"
"Good, he'll keep you out of trouble"
Sakura was taken aback "What was that suppose to mean? I am more than capable of taking care of myself Sasuke-kun"
"Hn"
"I'm not just the weak medic-nin who would need to be protected and watch while the others fight like a cloth wrapped glass bottle of medicine. I am much different than how you knew me" sha states as she grabs her bags and walk away from Sasuke, saying goodnight before she close the door behind her
Sasuke feels like Sakura is overreacting but couldn't help but feel guilty non the less, he himself has watch how Sakura manage to control her chakra to the point of possessing super strength and healing hundreds at once by summoning a giant slug. What he meant was-being in probation he couldn't watch Sakura's back and he's glad someone capable (like Gaara) would take his place instead, so he knows something bad won't happen to her
Sasuke battles the urge to follow her. He was already pissed at the fact that she's gone all day without saying anything, come back late, and not even staying.
Sasuke try to remember his purpose again, it's to redeem himself. But coming back to Konoha, going on probation and being with his team even though it's just for once in a while already did the job. However, the main person he needs to redeem himself to will take a whole lot more out of him to get to.
The day without Sakura has given him time to think, about a lot of things. He know he can't stay here, it's not the place where he would find peace and salvation. He needs to go look for himself and the meaning behind the shinobi world, but before he could go he must make it clear to everyone that his intentions are good this time…there's no need to chase after him, no need to worry of what he might do. And he knows now that he always has a place to call home, to come back to after a long year of travel, or just simply a long day of training... but Konoha would not be home if Sakura doesn't love him.
"What are you thinking about Sasuke?" Kakashi asked him earlier that day
"I'm thinking about traveling, after my probation is over"
"Leaving again, I see"
"It's for the best"
"For you, of course. But what about other people? You must understand now that your actions, no matter what it is, will affect people that cares about you"
"Hn, I know. But now I'm going to find peace, and eventually I will come home"
"Home, ka? I'm sure Naruto will be a little bit at ease to know you will return… but Sakura would be left alone, again"
"She would have her friends"
"True" Kakashi agrees "but you know how she is… she wouldn't wait for you forever you know"
"Who says I need her to wait?"
"You're saying after everything you still deny it?"
"Deny what?"
"That her love isn't unrequited, she does still have a place in your heart"
"Tch, why did you think I tried to kill her many times?"
"Of course, you were trying to break the bonds you have with people you love, kind of make me feel unloved cause you didn't try to kill me as much" he joke
"Hmm" Sasuke let out a single sign of being a little humored "Kakashi-sensei"
"What is it?"
"It's not simple isn't it?"
"Never is with women"
"She deserve someone better than me"
"Ah.. That's the problem wit your ways right there Sasuke"
"Problem with my ways?"
"You always think of what would be right, ideal. But you never consider what the heart wants"
"You're wrong, i always do what my heart wants"
"That's because the ideal is always your ways, it is what your heart wants. But Sakura won't be happy about that"
"At first, but she'll get it. And she'll thank me later"
"Will she? She still loves you after everything you've done, and you think she would thank you for letting her run off with someone else instead of being with the one she really wants? Well, I'm sorry, as your sensei apperantly i've done a terrible job"
"You taught us to fight and work as a team, you actually did quite well"
"I was supposed to taught you how to be a ninja. And i mean, a human ninja"
"Is that so" Sasuke rolled his eyes
"Hmm... Have you talked to Sakura about what happened?"
Both of them were on the exact same page automatically. They both went back to the night at the cave-where Sakura confessed her feelings to Sasuke for the second time, also while begging him to stay-in their mind. Both frowned at the memory
"She had told me twice that she loves me, as if what she did everyday when we were genin hasn't scream it loud enough"
"It's not like it's different with you" Sasuke was taken aback by what Kakashi said "Anyone with enough sense would know that she also means a great deal to you"
"Hn, she's a teammate"
"No, I mean more than that. Your action also screams out your feelings Sasuke, and trying to act it out as if you don't care make it even more obvious to people that actually understand how you are. I bet even Nauto knows that you have feelings for Sakura"
"That Usuratonkachi?"
"Hmm… Sakura though"
"Sakura?"
"In most situation, the object of your affection is always the one most oblivious. At least that's what I've learned. Sakura is a tender girl at heart despite her physical strength, she can bare all of her pain and fall in love with you even more in the process"
Sasuke thought that maybe in a way, she did what she said she would. She shouldered some of his pain and eventually lessen his burden by letting him know that when everything turns to ashes even after all this. She would be there.
His conversation with Kakashi makes him more determined than ever to show Sakura that her feelings will not go to waste.
Sakura arrived in front of her apartment and slowly enter, she's not that angry with Sasuke but something hurt her pride. This morning her self-esteem was boosted because of the mission that was given to her-one of the five Kage who's highly respected, asked for her by name, to accompany his team on a mission that he's handling personally, probably an S-rank too
All these time, it's always been about Naruto and Sasuke, they're the one everyone look up to, they're the one who saved the day, and Sakura has been fine with that. But sometimes she couldn't help but feel a little bit left behind… now that someone finally recognize her, she's over cloud nine…until Sasuke's comment of course
Sakura sulk on the couch, after all these years she thought Sasuke would know better that his words will effect her deeply. "Sasuke-kun…" she sigh. Then he eyes shot open and she stands in surprise, she felt his chakra just behind her door. He's doing it on purpose, he wants her to know he's there "Eh? What could he possibly want?" Sakura wonder
"Sakura.." his voice call like a kunai that jabs her in the chest and pull her with the string that's attached to the end of it. The softest version of his voice she has ever heard, yet it shocks her greatly to hear him sound like that
"Sa-sasu-ke-kun?" she finally move and open the door "what are you doing here Sasuke-kun?"
"I need to say something"
"EH?" She gape, Sasuke doesn't talk, he barely answer her at all and now he wants to talk?
"Hn"
"Come in" Sakura step aside to let him through
"I think I have some tea somewhere, just hold on Sasuke-kun"
"No need" he stop her, holding by the wrist, then he pulled her to sit down beside him
"What was it that you wanted to talk about Sasuke-kun?" she ask
"Sakura.." he start after a while "your mission… how long will you be gone?"
"Estimated… about a month and a half, three months tops. Depends on the situation"
Sasuke couldn't wait that long, it's even longer than the time they've spent together in the village "I need to ask you something"
"What is it?"
"Are you still angry?"
"Eh, of course not" she wave her hands "I was never angry with you Sasuke-kun. Is that what you came all the way here to ask?"
"No"
"Hmm, then what?"
"Sakura…" this time she just wait for him to speak, she's too tired to play games "have you really forgiven me yet, even just a little?"
"Ne, I told you Sasuke-kun I was never angry—"
"Not that, I mean after everything up until when I apologized"
"Uh.." Sakura remember the moment Sasuke is talking about, the one when the three of them are on the remains of the statue, Sasuke and Naruto both had been lying motionlessly, armless, for a day when Sakura and Kakashi finally found them. Out of the blue Sasuke apologized to her for everything up until now
"You never said you did"
"Of course I have Sasuke-kun"
"I meant it Sakura, every single thing I did. From the day we met until the day we part that night-" Sasuke remembers it like it was yesterday, his mind was made up and there's nothing that can stop him, no one knew that he was going but somehow Sakura found him. She told him she would shoulder his pain and do everything in her power to ease his pain, begged him to take her with him. He almost drop the whole idea. But he decided to break her heart instead.
"-the day I tried to kill you the first time, and the second… and the genjutsu I put you in-"
"Sasuke-kun—"
"-but most of all, for everyday you had to suffer from loving me as much as you did"
Had? Did? Sakura's eyes widen, he thinks she doesn't love him anymore? "You don't think I still feel the same way?"
"…" Sasuke was silent but his expression has changed
"What makes you think that?" she genuinely question him
"So you had meant what you said?"
"What I said..."
"The day before I left with Naruto, left you and Kakashi behind" he remind her
"I did. Do you have any doubts in my words?" Sakura ask in the-matter-of-fact manner
"How could you say it so casually?" Sasuke snap, it's really hard for him express his newly understood feelings, almost feels like Orochimaru's seal is now on his heart
"Because it is blunt truth like the sky is blue and the grass is green, you already know how I feel… I've devoted a big portion of myself for you Sasuke-kun, no one can deny that. I couldn't understand how could you think otherwise, what could you want more from me? I'd give you my life if you asked"
Sasuke look intensely into Sakura's eyes and see no hesitation in her words. "But you've changed"
"Eh? What do you mean? Of course I have, I understood that you won't accept my expression of love so I decided just to tend to whatever you'd need that I could give. And I understand that you'd like to be alone sometimes, and you like your space and privacy. I don't love you as a fangirl anymore, i love you as a woman. Besides… going on this mission also means that I could gather whatever Suna could teach me about constructing an artificial arm for you, i think Chiyo-basama had a student there that I could ask"
"You'll—"
"I've been working on it right after we get here, but even for me and Tsunade-shishou alone, it's still a hard task to do" she cross her arms and nod to herself
"Sakura…I'm sorry"
"Ne Sasuke-kun you should really stop apologizing for every little thing, this is so unlike you"
"Sakura, i…"
"Hmm?" Sakura ask as Sasuke stop mid-sentence
"I wan't you to know that you also mean a great deal to me" he finally finish, after seemingly battling himself inside
Sakura's cheek flames up
"And I want you to come back alive, as soon as you can" he has a warning expression on his face
"Sasuke-kun?"
"Make sure of it, cause we're not done… I still have many things I wish you to understand" he finish with a softer expression
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