Undo
Naruto looked from Ami to Sakura and back. The purple haired Kunoichi smiled at him. Naruto knew that for Ami seeing the village hero was as welcoming to her as any other villagers.
"You two," Naruto asked puzzled.
"Bye Naruto," Ami waved and kept walking.
"Temporary truce," Sakura said and smiled at him. It was going to be difficult to go back to fighting at this stage in her life but given Ami's past Sakura reserved the right.
"I was thinking we could go out somewhere and get away from work for a while to catch up and whatever," Naruto said ignoring the subject of Ami completely.
"I can't. I have to talk to Lee right now, it's important," Sakura said. It was difficult to ignore how irresistible Naruto looked in that moment. Sakura wanted to give in to his demand for attention and drop everything to be by his side.
"Gejimayu," Naruto questioned using the nickname he always called Lee.
"There is a lot going on and I'm completely swamped with special projects but this is something important," Sakura said recovering a bit from her earlier daze.
"It can't wait," Naruto pleaded knowing it was no use. Sakura was tough to talk out of something she had her mind set on. Though he could swear for a moment he had her hook, line and sinker.
"I wish I could, you look nice today. You could go out on a date looking like that," Sakura said admiring his getup. Sakura certainly still had eyes for the blonde.
"Lets see Lee together, then you can go on a date after, right," Naruto half joked but was partly serious he wanted to talk with Sakura.
"Come on let's go outside. The longer I stay here the more likely someone will try to give me even more work to do," Sakura said and started out away from work. It was a reasonable compromise for the moment.
Leading Naruto out of the hospital room she was silent as they walked the halls. Hospital smells of disinfectant and trays of food wafted in their noses. Naruto felt a little green and couldn't wait for the fresh smells of the air outside. Sakura was used to all things in the hospital as she navigated them straight out the door.
Once outside Naruto continued to push for spending time together.
"So what's the big secret with Gejimayu all of a sudden," Naruto asked.
"Lee-san needed my help but I promised to keep classified information classified," Sakura said hoping for the impossibility Naruto wouldn't question her further.
"That makes me want to know even more," Naruto said.
Sakura glanced at him and said, "You have this way of convincing people, Naruto."
He grinned at her. Because of her lack of time with him must have seemed like coldness towards him she softened.
"We aren't fighting or anything so let's just spend time together," Naruto questioned.
"You'll know when we are fighting," Sakura said wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close.
"I didn't-
An all too familiar voice interrupted him, "Way to go Naruto!"
Naruto slowly twisted his head to the side to see, "Konohamaru!"
"I don't think he was happy with your intrusion Konohamaru," Udon said pushing up his glasses up.
Sakura straightened up and glared at the twosome.
"Stop your ugly girl from totally glaring bro," Konohamaru teased.
His voice is lower; he is taller than I remember but still as annoying as ever, Sakura thought.
"Not cool," Udon spoke up.
"It's a term of endearment by now don't you think," Konohamaru asked playfully hiding behind the slightly taller Udon.
"Konohamaru stop making trouble with Sakura-chan. I don't bother you when you're with-
Sakura covered Naruto's mouth with her hand and tried to drag Naruto away, "We'll be going now see you later Konohamaru, Udon," Sakura said smiling.
Sakura walked a while with Naruto before speaking again. She couldn't understand how Naruto could put up with Konohamaru's taunts about their relationship. The hard part was how uneasy she felt about Naruto at times like this when he seemed oblivious. She expected that at any moment he'd confess that he was hurt by all that happened during the war and after. All the words they left unsaid and all the things that went undone.
"Sorry about that," Naruto said finally. He could tell that things would never be the same as they used to and calling her his girlfriend wasn't funny anymore. However impossible Sakura had become his wife and now they were expecting a child together. The silliness of youth didn't fit with the serious adult he had to be now.
"I understand. I'm not bothered by his calls for attention," Sakura said.
"Konohamaru's lost a lot in his life. His grandfather, father, Asuma Sensei and even the entire village that he's named for so he's allowed a little bit of a break," Naruto said.
"He's still young and wants to act out. It's good that most of the time it's harmless taunting and pranks," Sakura said. But the truth was that Konohamaru wasn't that much younger than they were. Neither one of them felt old truth be told.
"He's serious about becoming my rival though," Naruto said.
"But you have Sasuke for that," Sakura teased.
"Yeah Sasuke," Naruto said.
"How do you think he's doing with the Otogakure preparations," Sakura asked.
"Teme…It's still early to tell dattebayo. I haven't heard anything yet. When Gaara became Kage I was returning from training. He had to do a lot to win over the Sunagakure. But Sasuke is different. The people there seem to have requested him I'm told," Naruto said. He hated to leave out the threat to the village and all that he knew but in his position she knew he could never share every detail of the happening of the village.
"Not everyone is happy in either case. There are always those who oppose a change in leadership no matter how loved they may be," Sakura said though it still puzzled her why Sasuke would care about Oto so much when he had the starting of his family back home.
"Not everyone loved my father but people look up to him still," Naruto looked up at the monument.
"If any one can be loved by all it's you Naruto. They already look up to you. Everyone in this village really loves you," she said. She wasn't sure who didn't love Yondaime but figured those who were against him weren't exactly the type you would want to have as friends either.
Once there was a time Naruto just wanted her to say those words to him on a personal level. He wanted her confession, now that he had it and so much more he was just grateful to have a friend as close as her. He could see the people of the village smile at him as passed down the street. Things were much better than the whispers he heard about Kyuubi this and Kyuubi that. He heard encouraging words and praise now.
"You're really awesome too Sakura-chan. We turned out pretty great after all," Naruto said thinking back on how many people doubted them in the past.
"You were the only idiot back then remember," Sakura said.
"You're right," he surprised her saying, "It's more of a term of endearment by now."
Sakura started laughing, "I guess it is."
"I do remember how you struggled to find a place on the team. Always worried you were holding Sasuke and I back…well Sasuke anyhow. But look at you now. I think you could even beat Baa-chan," Naruto said.
"I doubt that," Sakura smiled flattered by his acknowledgement and added, "Doesn't it scare you that they we're becoming more powerful than…the people who taught us; the legendary Sannin, our famous copy ninja Sensei and even Iruka Sensei who seemed to know everything back then?"
"Nothing scares me about that," Naruto said.
"That's true you weren't scared of any of them then or now. But losing you scares me. Even if we have to hide our emotions I worry about you, about Sasuke, Sai and right now even Lee," Sakura said.
"Sai," Naruto questioned looking at her with surprise, "what trouble has he gotten into now?"
"Nothing I just didn't want to leave out a member of Team Kakashi," Sakura said.
Naruto was mature enough to know words weren't what Sakura wanted to hear. This went beyond whatever was happening with Lee. Something else was bothering her. Something she felt was outside her control. He knew it centered on her fear of losing Sasuke.
"Team Seven forever Sakura-chan. Nothing is going to take him away from us. I have to be strong to become Hokage…the strongest in the village dattebayo. Also I have to have strong people by my side. We're strong enough Sakura-chan so believe in him," Naruto said confidently.
"Yeah he is…you are and thank you for picking me up," she said.
They reached Lee's place and stood just outside.
"Do you want me to come or should I leave you two alone," he asked.
"Lee's injured," Sakura began, "that is why Ami wanted to talk to me. She's worried about him."
"I see," Naruto said.
"So maybe we could convince him to see a doctor," Sakura said.
"Yeah," Naruto knew now what was bothering Sakura went beyond Sasuke. Kurama got along great with him and things were different now that he was more than the Kyuubi. He shivered a bit remembering the past.
"Naruto are you alright," Sakura asked.
"Yeah," Naruto put on a smile, "I guess I'm a little hungry though."
"Let's get going then," Sakura said.
Naruto smiled genuinely happy that she changed her mind.
000
Sakura knocked on the door to Lee's place. The ever enthusiastically training ninja greeted her politely and let both she and Naruto inside.
Naruto and Sakura took seats on the couch and Lee sat in a chair besides them. The threesome were quiet for a moment before Lee began to talk.
"What brings you two here," Lee asked.
"Ami told me about your injury," Sakura said. It was strange to her not to notice any injuries on Lee yet she remembered how adamant Ami was that he was gravely injured.
"Injury," Lee questioned. He knew his own body very well. Everyday he trained every muscle every body part.
"Yes. Please make this easy and just-
"Ami told you that I was injured," Lee asked looking from Sakura to Naruto.
"Huh," Naruto was transfixed gazing at a photo of Team Gai that included his dead friend Neji. It always felt strange being around Lee without Neji, TenTen and Gai nearby and now one of them was gone for good.
"Ami said to you that I was injured," Lee repeated.
"Don't look at me this is the first I'm hearing about it too," Naruto said snapping back to attention.
"Sorry I didn't have time to fill you in Naruto. Anyhow Ami told me about the mission you two were on," Sakura said getting up and walking closer to examine Lee.
"Whoa wait just a minute Sakura-san. I have no idea what mission you are talking about. A mission with Ami," Lee questioned standing back up on his feet.
"Didn't you go on a mission recently where Ami just happened to be there," Sakura asked.
"No," Lee said. He was puzzled by Sakura and Naruto's intrusion. After spending so much time in Iwagakrue he was sure they were here to grill him about his adventures there. He certainly didn't expect much about a former love interest of his.
"Then Ami must be lying right," Sakura asked a little less confidently than she felt.
"Absolutely," Lee said.
Sakura had no reason to doubt that Lee was being truthful. Lee looked perfectly healthy even without an exam. It could only mean that someone wanted her to go through all this to get her out of the way.
"Naruto we have to check back in with the hospital."
"Yeah, you're thinking it too that Ami must be a fake," Naruto said.
"Yes and I can't believe I fell for it. Ami couldn't be ANBU and I should have known better," Sakura said. Ami just seemed to know so much about her. She had detailed information about her relationships.
"I'll come with you guys," Lee said.
"Have you seen Ami at all today," Naruto asked as they all headed out the door of Lee's place.
"No," Lee replied.
"Whoever it was knew a lot about the two of you and your relationship," Sakura said as they ran towards the hospital.
"I can go fast to security and meet you at the hospital," Lee said.
"That sounds like a plan but we've been fooled in the past by a fake Hokage. Be careful Lee," Sakura said.
"Right," Lee said and sped off in the direction of the Hokage tower.
"How do we know that Gejimayu wasn't a fake," Naruto asked.
"We don't I suppose," Sakura smiled and continued running towards the hospital alongside Naruto. "Lee-san certainly seemed like himself. Maybe it would be harder to fake someone we're so close to. I know so little about Ami maybe that is why I was fooled."
"Well if any doubt about me let's use a password," Naruto said.
"Ramen," Sakura joked.
"Anyone who knows me would get that," Naruto said.
"I'll think of something but I doubt I'd be fooled by a fake Naruto," Sakura said just as they arrived at the hospital entrance.
Mitate was slumped over a desk as they came in along with most of the hospital staff. They were overtaken by some sleeping substance Sakura realized as she produced smelling salts to awaken him.
"So what happened," Sakura asked.
"The hospital was in chaos. It happened quickly and was an inside job," Mitate said.
"I'll check the hospital for Ami," Naruto said disappearing.
Sakura nodded. She looked around the rooms at the overturned boxes and general messy state the hospital was in. Mitate continued to describe everything up until he blacked out. The enemy clearly wanted Sakura away from the hospital and they took advantage of their time.
Medicines were taken and research was missing. Sakura waited patiently as the investigation team combed through the hospital for any leads. Ami was long gone and no one clamed to have seen her lately.
The investigation team turned up no leads, no trail to trace to the perpetrators. Sakura stayed a while during the cleanup checking on patients who were caught in the crossfire. She found a few notes she salvaged from the incursion before leaving exhausted with Naruto to report to Kakashi.