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September 14, 2016 12:14 PM

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Sakura rubbed her aching forehead, hoping to release some of the tension that plagued her as Ino rambled on. The caffeine earlier this morning had eased her headache somewhat. It wasn't as effective as she had hoped though, much to her chagrin, and much less so after the hard-to-stomach morning that was had.

Ino paused, her gaze training on Sakura pinching her thumb and pointer finger together at her nose bridge, deep lines etched in between her brows. The blonde knocked on the table twice, the drum penetrating Sakura's ears painfully. "Sakura, are you even listening to me?"

Sakura hid her grimace as best she could, mustering a weak smile that did nothing to mask her discomfort. "Yeah, sorry. I just had a rough night," she said through the pain. "Didn't get much sleep."

"Oh?" Ino leaned in, waggling her eyebrows with a suggestive smile. "Did you have someone over?" she asked quietly.

"No. I didn't," Sakura answered flatly. "Bad dreams," she finished, taking a bite of her lunch, and chewing slowly. It wasn't exactly the most palatable at the moment, but depriving herself of any sustenance would do her worse.

"Like the 'stuck in a maze with no way out' kind?"

Sakura covered her mouth as she chewed and shook her head. "No."

"The falling kind?"

Sakura blanched at that one. "Not that either."

"The 'went to work with no pants on' kind?"

The doctor cracked a smile as she swallowed her food. "That would actually be a huge improvement." She recoiled, an unappetizing taste settling in her mouth that made her set her chopsticks down. She decided then that she was done eating, having only taken a few bites from her meal and leaving half of it untouched.

Ino laughed softly in reply but and her chopsticks down gently. It was at least something, seeing Sakura finally crack a smile, but with how long she had known her already, it was evident something was off. Something had been off for quite some time now.

"Sakura, are you alright? You've had me worried these last few months. Sasuke too. I mean, you went almost three months without contacting either of us and quietly moved back before you even reached out."

"I know, Ino. I'm sorry." Sakura cleared her aching throat, forcing back the lingering pains that threatened to expose themselves in the form of tears.

A soft flick struck Sakura's forehead. "You know we would have given anything to be there for you if you let us. I've been through it. Losing my dad was the hardest thing I've had to go through, but you were there to keep me going. I'm here for you too, Sakura." Ino smiled. "You know they're watching over you and are proud to see the woman you are and continue to be. It's okay to be happy; that's what they would want for you."

Breathy laughter escaped Sakura as her eyes watered, mental images of her parents flooding her brain. "I am happy. I am," she said again. She knew what it sounded like though, as if she had to convince herself of a nonexistent truth. Sakura shifted in her seat, and gave her head a little shake, willing her emotions back. "It's just," she paused to collect her thoughts, dropping her chin on her fists wistfully as she looked off into the distance. "There's a lot on my mind these days. I thought that in coming back here, I'd be happy. Just being around the people I cherish most, you know?" She slumped forward, dropping her head into her propped up hand woefully. "I just didn't expect to come back to memories from the hospital so soon."

In medicine, discoveries were just as much an injustice as they were a justice. Each revelation was a day made sour, but for some, it was relief and reassurance of long futures ahead.

In law enforcement, injustice sat at the forefront, each discovery a revelation of pain, suffering and cruelty endured, reward only in uncovering the truth if ever, and holding criminals accountable for their wrongdoing.

Justice could never bring a dead man back, though.

Ino clicked her tongue, irritated for her friend. "A cruel joke from some higher power is what it is. Cut a girl some slack."

Sakura smiled at the blonde. "I appreciate you, Ino. But enough about me. Catch me up on what's going on between you and Sa-"

Ino held up her hand, cutting Sakura off. "Don't even finish that. I don't know why everyone and their mother thinks we're seeing each other."

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you and him are practically attached at the hip now." Sakura smiled with certainty. "You're definitely closer than I remember."

"Well, I mean we bonded a lot when our mutual best friend dipped on us for her fellowship," she jested, "but we really can't help the fact that our job makes it that way. He's a good guy, but he's doing his own thing, I'm doing mine, and we both know it's not like that. Plus, you know Inojin is my world. I don't have time to balance seeing someone on top of my job, being a good parent, and maintaining my social life. You'll understand someday." Ino's brows drew together as she looked at her friend, considering Sakura and all her ambition. "Or maybe not, actually. You were always good at doing too much at once."

"Well I disagree with you," Sakura said. "I know you could manage all four if you sincerely wanted to if you found the right person. And maybe it's him and maybe it isn't."

"I'm sure I could. It's just… I don't know. Men are a lot." Ino sighed, resigned. "Especially Uchiha men. Ugh. Keep them away from me." She raised her water bottle to her lips, taking a swift gulp down.

Sakura bit her lip and crossed her legs, a playful glimmer in her gaze that found itself stuck on the man standing hardly a foot behind Ino.

His black pants were pressed neatly, not a crease in his white shirt or a single piece of lint clinging to any of the ensemble. The garnet tie around his neck sat perfectly centered, bringing the look together. The only discrepancy was the wavy short hair that sat slightly wilder today, likely wind tousled and worn from half a day's work already.

Shisui came to a pause at Ino's side, tapped the cafeteria table with his bottle with his other hand deep in his pant pocket, and cleared his throat. "What was that?" He asked, a curious smile tugging at his lips.

Ino jumped. "It was a joke," she sputtered out as she choked on her water. She pounded her chest gently with her fist to clear her airway and rolled her eyes when Shisui's lean frame shook with mirth.

Shisui's eyes bounced from Ino to Sakura, clad in a white blouse and crème-colored pants. He saluted her with a wave.

"Good morning," Sakura replied.

He smiled at her, wit warping his features clever. "It's twelve fifteen."

"Afternoon, then," Sakura corrected, emerald eyes momentarily renewed with vigor between the two energies around her.

"Case in point," Ino contributed.

"We're not all bad, ma'am. But you know that." Shisui's smile lingered on Sakura a moment longer before he turned back to Ino. "So, volleyball tonight?" he asked, shifting the conversation.

Ino texted Sakura the night before extending the invite. Once a week, the various divisions in the police department would host team building activities. Before going to sleep that night, Sakura had said yes, but as morning came and went, she decided against it, exhaustion taking its toll on her everything.

Ino folded her arms. "You always ask this, but you never show up. Why is that?"

He shrugged simply. "I lead a busy life, ma'am, but I can assure you that one day I'll make it. Do you play too, doctor?"

Sakura sat up straighter and nodded affirmatively. "I would have gone professional in another life if my career aspirations didn't lead me here."

"That so? Is there anything you don't do?"

"Only the things I've never tried."

Shisui smiled, words unusually lost on him. "What was your position?" he said finally.

"Opposite hitter."

"Opposite hitter to Ino's setter?" he asked looking back at the blonde.

Ino raised a single brow. "How did you know?"

Shisui shrugged. "Sasuke mentioned in passing a while back you played in college."

Ino's mouth formed an 'o' shape. "I never pegged him for a gossip."

Mischief flashed in Shisui's eyes, something only Sakura caught. The corners of his lips flashed upwards so quickly, she almost believed she imagined the ghost of a smile that passed.

"He isn't, but I can be." Light danced behind his eyes for a brief second. "Well I certainly hate to miss it, but duty calls this evening. Play fair, Yamanaka," he said ready to take his leave. Mid-turn, he stopped to face Sakura once more. "That reminds me, doctor. We were planning on having a welcome outing for you and the others Friday after work. Figured it would be a nice way to wind down the crazy week but we're still figuring out the logistics. Think you'll be able to make it?"

Sakura smiled. "I would certainly hope so. It wouldn't be very good of me to miss my own welcome wagon."

"I'm glad to hear it. You're welcome to come, Ino. I'll make sure Sasuke joins us, too." Before the blonde could reply, Shisui turned on his heel and continued on his way, long strides carrying him away quickly.

"Wouldn't miss it," Ino said loud enough, plastering a tight smile on her face. With Shisui out of earshot, she turned to Sakura. "Have I mentioned men are a lot? Because that one in particular is a lot and then some. He knows it, too."

Sakura tilted her head. "I take it you don't really like him?"

To her surprise Ino shook her head while Sakura stifled a yawn. "That couldn't be further from the truth." Ino smiled sardonically. "It's impossible not to. That's what makes him annoying."

"Huh."

"What is it?" the blonde asked.

Sakura laughed lightly and waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing really. You just sound like someone else I know."

A/N: Happy 2023! Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead. A quick note, if you're on Tumblr, be sure to connect with me there missawrites for Naruto content, story updates, and answers to any questions you may have!