I've started this story before but got seriously stuck after 2 chapters. There isn't a better sign that I messed up than constantly getting stuck. I've rewritten chapter 3 countless times and no matter what I did, it remained a horrible jumble of words. So I went back to chap 1, reread everything, took my notes with me and the outline, and saw that it seriously messed up my storyline.

The crime scene was completely wrong and I couldn't figure out how to fix it without rewriting it.

Is it better now? You tell me. There are still a lot of questions, but they'll be answered in later chapters. More details of the crime scene will follow later and after the autopsy, more answers will come.

The base of the story stays the same as the previous one.

It will be a slow-burn romance between Sakura and Genma, with a criminal investigation in the foreground. Most of the story will be from Sakura's point of view, and sometimes from Kakashi and later on Genma. It has all the signs that it will be a long one. As what I had ready for the first chapter had now been divided into two, I do not doubt that it will be the same as the other chapters.

Additional notes; Kakashi isn't Hokage in my story, Tsunade still is. Sasuke is... somewhere. I don't care where he is, he isn't much in the story.

The age of Sakura and the boys is around 22 years. Genma 33. Kakashi is roughly the same age as Genma. So you know, nobody is underage (and I do know that the age gap is smaller than in the cannon... )

I do not own Naruto or any of the original characters, only the storyline is mine.

In the Embrace of Blossoms.

"Sakura must do it," Tsunade declared firmly, a pleased expression gracing her face as she leaned back in her chair.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Sakura? She has never done an..." he started, but Tsunade cut him off.

"I trained her personally. I know how skillful she is. She'll manage," Tsunade interrupted confidently. With the matter settled, she returned to her paperwork. "Inform her and bring her up to speed on the situation." Tsunade quickly jotted something down on a piece of paper. "I'm sure she'll be up to the task, but remind her to be discreet. We don't want to alarm the villagers unnecessarily."

With his instructions in hand, Kakashi was dismissed. He let out a sigh as he walked out of Tsunade's office, feeling the weight of the task ahead. How was he going to break the news to Sakura?

"Oh boy," he muttered to himself, Raido standing nearby, looking slightly concerned.

"Everything alright?" Raido asked.

"It will be. Either that or I'll be enjoying my retirement a bit sooner than expected," Kakashi replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. He couldn't help but daydream about lounging on a rooftop with his book, idling the day away in blissful relaxation.

As he turned to leave, a door down the corridor opened, and Genma's head poked out. "Coffee, Raido?" Genma called out, noticing Kakashi and offering him the same. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the corridor and Kakashi inhaled the aroma deeply.

Kakashi shook his head, tempted to join them for a cup, but he knew he had other things to do first. He exited the academy and turned towards the hospital, steeling himself for the conversation with Sakura. On his way to the hospital, Kakashi thought back about earlier this morning.

She lay on her back, her lifeless eyes staring up at the sky, unseeing. The delicate pink petals of cherry blossoms covered the woman's body, creating an eerie contrast against the dark, grimy alley. The petals were scattered around her in a wide circle, some entangled in the pool of blood that surrounded her head. Her once-blonde hair now lay tousled around her head, stained crimson on the dirty ground.

Kakashi took a shallow breath through his mouth, trying to endure the overwhelming scent of garbage in the warm spring air. Beneath the unpleasant odor, he detected the faint trace of the sweet perfume the woman had worn, now mixed with the metallic tang of her blood that had flowed from the jagged wound on her throat. He also caught a whiff of bleach and something else, but couldn't pinpoint it. A few persistent flies buzzed around the dried blood, crawling on her face and neck.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Kakashi closed his eyes and turned away from the woman's lifeless form. Outside the alley stood the man who had discovered her. Panic was evident on his face, and he had dropped his trash in shock upon seeing her.

"No sir, I haven't touched anything nor seen or heard anything," the man uttered rapidly while speaking with Sai, who observed him with his usual emotionless expression. The man's eyes darted around nervously as he hopped up and down on his feet.

Sensing the man's anxiety, Kakashi intervened by placing a reassuring hand on Sai's shoulder. He motioned with his head towards Naruto, signaling that he would handle the conversation with the witness. Sai nodded and went to assist Naruto in the alley.

Kakashi pulled out a notepad and turned back to the man. "Can you please tell me everything you've seen, heard, and done this morning?" he asked calmly.

Over the next ten minutes, Kakashi did his best to listen patiently as the man recounted every detail of his morning. However, as the man spoke, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a growing sense of frustration. It seemed like the man hadn't heard or seen anything relevant to the case they were investigating, but he went on and on about the flower petals.

"And all those flowers, I have never seen so many, sir. I swear I didn't touch anything," the man emphasized nervously, clearly uneasy around the shinobi. Kakashi sighed inwardly, understanding that some people were wary around ninjas, especially when they were involved in investigations like this.

With the conversation finally concluded, Kakashi thanked the man for his cooperation and sent him back to his home, asking him to remain available in case they needed further information.

"Dreadfully, truly dreadfully. That something like this happened in our beautiful neighborhood," an older lady commented as she joined Kakashi by the alley, shaking her head disapprovingly and making tsk tsk sounds. Kakashi braced himself for what might be another long-winded tale about someone's morning.

"I have heard nothing this morning until that poor chap started to scream," she continued without prompting. "I doubt you want to hear all about my morning, young man." The lady added with a slight smile. "Besides, if I were to bore you with that, the least I could do was offer you some tea with it."

Kakashi couldn't help but smile back at her polite humor. "No, ma'am. I don't think I need to hear about your morning," he replied, appreciating her consideration. Behind him, the camera's shutter sound echoed, indicating that the team was capturing evidence. Naruto and Sai were working diligently in the alley, carefully securing and documenting everything they found.

"By chance, do you know who she is?" Kakashi inquired, hoping the lady might have some useful information.

"How should I know? You don't suggest me walking into that alley and taking a look at her?" The lady responded incredulously.

"I wouldn't dare," Kakashi muttered, fully understanding her reluctance. Kakashi described the young woman from the alley to the lady beside him. "She has blond hair, roughly to her shoulders, blue eyes, and a small mole beside her nose on her left cheek. Small earrings with a red stone dangling from it. She wears a short black dress, just above her knees, and black heels. I estimate her to be roughly 1.60 tall." He concluded.

The lady paused for a moment, deep in thought, before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, dear, but I can't recall anyone who matches that description. Although, you might want to ask young Tomo from down the street. He's always out and about, and he might have seen something."

Kakashi said he'd ask him and bid her farewell. As Naruto and Sai emerged from the alley, they all gathered to discuss their next steps. Sai brought up a critical issue regarding the current medical examiner. "If I'm right, he's unavailable for a while. I believe Ino mentioned that his mother is seriously ill."

Kakashi looked up at the sky, thinking, "I'll go and inform Tsunade about this development. She needs to know that we'll need a replacement for the medical examiner. I want you two to look up this Tomo. He apparently lives somewhere on this street. According to the old lady, he'll might know something."

Kakashi took a moment to observe the scene around him. The hospital was bustling with activity, as people came and went, seeking medical attention or visiting loved ones. The lively atmosphere contrasted sharply with the grim reality of the case he had just left behind in the alley. And the laughter of children playing nearby added a touch of innocence to the day, making it all seem so normal and serene.

He glanced at the clock on the hospital's exterior wall. It was still early in the afternoon, and the day held endless possibilities for most people. However, for him and his team, it was a time of urgency and determination to solve the mystery surrounding the deceased woman.

Kakashi's footsteps slowed as he approached the bustling entrance of the hospital. The weight of the assignment he had to deliver settled heavily on his shoulders. He couldn't deny the sense of guilt gnawing at him. Sakura was one of the most hardworking and compassionate individuals he knew. She tirelessly devoted herself to helping others, and he didn't want to burden her with more responsibilities.

Unfortunately, he had no choice in the matter. He knew that Sakura's skills and dedication made her the best candidate for the role of temporary medical examiner. But he also worried about how she would react to the request. He just hoped she would take it well and understand the gravity of the situation.

Sakura pushed open a window and leaned outside, soaking in the warm rays of the sun. A contented sigh escaped her lips, releasing the tension that built up during her long morning at work. "Finally, a beautiful day after all that rain," she whispered to herself, a small smile spreading across her face.

Just as she was savoring the tranquility of the moment, a familiar voice startled her from behind. "You can say that," came Nami's cheerful reply as she appeared with a smile on her face.

Sakura turned around, playfully scolding her friend, "Nami, you almost scared me to death!" She pressed a hand against her chest, pretending to catch her breath dramatically.

Nami stood by Sakura's side and gazed out of the window. "It feels so nice outside, and here I am stuck at work all day," she pouted, clearly longing to enjoy the day's splendor.

"Hey, why don't you come over after work? I'll open a bottle of wine, whip up some snacks, and we can chat about your upcoming big day and your fiancé's wedding jitters," Sakura suggested with a laugh. During their coffee break earlier, Nami had vented about her fiancé, who seemed to be stressing over every little detail. This time, it was the appetizers that kept him awake at night. Sakura knew Nami loved him dearly, but he could be a bit of a control freak.

"Love to," Nami replied eagerly. Just as she was about to continue, her pager went off, demanding her attention. "Room six," she sighed, turning to leave. "I'll see you this afternoon." With a wave, she disappeared around the corner, off to tend to her patient.

Sakura watched her friend walk away before proceeding down the corridor toward her office. She had just one more task on her list, delivering some files to Tsunade before she could finally enjoy the rest of her day. However, her small smile faded when she noticed Kakashi standing in front of her office.

"Kakashi-sensei, what brings you here?" she asked, concern lacing her voice. Her eyes instinctively scanned him for any signs of injury, but he appeared to be in good health. So, it wasn't a medical emergency that brought him to her.

"Sakura, do you have time?" Kakashi turned toward her, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I'm not injured," he added playfully, knowing that her immediate concern was for his well-being.

Sakura motioned for him to enter her office, and she closed the door behind them. Her workspace wasn't large, but she had decorated it to create a serene and inviting atmosphere amidst the bustling hospital. Soft white curtains allowed the fresh spring air to drift inside, lending a touch of tranquility to the room.

The essentials of her office were thoughtfully chosen. A sturdy wooden desk with a comfortable blue chair was placed before the windows. A decorative filing cabinet adorned with paintings and drawings from former patients stood against the cream-colored wall, adding a personal touch to the space. Against the other wall, a small sofa offered a cozy spot for her to rest after demanding surgeries. And an armchair was positioned in front of her desk, welcoming visitors with an air of warmth.

Kakashi settled into the chair, crossing his ankles and allowing himself to relax, emitting an almost inaudible sigh of contentment. Sakura couldn't help but smile at his comfort around her. His relaxed demeanor was a testament to the trust he had in her, a bond that had grown strong over the years they had spent working together.

"Long morning?" Sakura asked, her amusement evident in her tone. She appreciated the camaraderie she shared with Kakashi, where they could be at ease with each other, even amidst the serious nature of their work.

"You could say that," Kakashi replied, his eyes crinkling with a hint of a smile. "A few unexpected tasks popped up. But I managed to sort them out."

Sakura nodded in understanding, fully aware of the unpredictable nature of their roles as ninjas. "Well, I hope you can take a breather now," she said, gesturing for Kakashi to join her for lunch. She slid behind her desk and settled into her own chair. "I'm just about to finish my tasks for the day. Care to join me for lunch?" She pulled out the files and laid them on her desk. "I just need to give Tsunade these files."

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, his expression turning serious. "I'd love to, but unfortunately, I'm not here for lunch," he replied, his tone somber. "I just came from Tsunade after informing her of a death we stumbled upon this morning." He proceeded to share the details about the woman they had found in the alley and the current medical examiner's unavailability due to his mother's illness.

Sakura listened intently, a growing sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. "He told me about it, yes. I believe he sent for a replacement," she responded, recalling her previous conversation with Nobu.

"He did, but the replacement never arrived. And we need someone to take over his work…" Kakashi's words trailed off as he watched Sakura closely, gauging her reaction.

The realization of where this was heading dawned on Sakura, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "Kakashi, I have never performed an autopsy. I may be a doctor, but I'm not trained in pathology. Sure, I've assisted Nobu from time to time, but that's hardly enough to perform an autopsy alone," she explained, her voice tinged with concern.

"I know Sakura, and I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't absolutely needed," Kakashi replied, a hint of empathy visible in his eyes. He placed the paper Tsunade had given him earlier on her desk, and Sakura glanced at it, recognizing Tsunade's distinctive handwriting.

She shook her head, uncertainty and doubt swirling within her. "I'm honored that Tsunade trusts me, but this is a serious responsibility. I wouldn't want to make any mistakes that could jeopardize the investigation," Sakura expressed, the weight of the decision pressing on her shoulders.

Sakura pushed her chair back from the desk and stood up. "I definitely need lunch now," she declared, grabbing the files and stuffing them into her pouch. At the office door, she turned to face Kakashi, who was still seated. "You'll join me and tell me all about the case, and after that, you'll find Shizune for me and ask her for assistance."

With a solemn nod, Kakashi stood up from his chair. "Consider it done," he affirmed.

Over lunch, Sakura and Kakashi discussed the details of the case they had stumbled upon. Sakura couldn't believe they were asking her to perform an autopsy; she was a medical ninja, and her strength lay in healing and helping the living. Nevertheless, she was determined to do her best and seek justice for the deceased woman. She just hoped she was skilled enough for such a task.

After finishing their meal, Sakura made her way toward the Hokage's office. She had sent Kakashi to find Shizune. If she was going to undertake this daunting responsibility, she needed a reliable and experienced assistant. Entering the building, Sakura's mind was preoccupied with thoughts about the autopsy, the victim, and the investigation at hand.

"Hello, Pinky." A familiar voice snapped her out of her contemplation. Turning, she spotted Genma leaning against the door frame from the breakroom. He had his usual cup of coffee in hand and a senbon in his mouth, as if they were extensions of himself.

"Hey, Genma," Sakura greeted with a smile, appreciating the brief distraction from her worries. "You alone?" she inquired, noticing the absence of Raido, who was usually around when Genma was.

"Not anymore," Genma replied, flashing a smile. "Raido is out on a small assignment," he explained.

Sakura nodded, glad to have some company. Genma was one of the more laid-back and approachable ninjas in the village, making him easy to talk to. "I guess that means you're alone on coffee duty then," she teased playfully.

He chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "You know me well," he replied, his easygoing nature evident in his response. "So, what's new with you, Sakura?"

Sakura smiled at Genma's response, enjoying the friendly banter between them. "Of course, coffee seems to be your constant companion," she teased with a playful wink.

Genma feigned a mock offense, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "I take that as a compliment, Pinky," he retorted, using the nickname he had affectionately given her.

They both chuckled, and Sakura appreciated the relaxed atmosphere. It was a welcome break from the seriousness of the situation she was about to face. But she knew she couldn't avoid it for long, and the thought of the upcoming autopsy still lingered in her mind.

"As for me," Sakura began, her expression turning more thoughtful, "I've been busy at the hospital, as always. There's always something to do."

Genma nodded in understanding. "Work never stops, especially when it's in the hospital," he agreed.

"True, but I love doing it," Sakura replied with a hint of pride in her voice. Her dedication to healing and making a positive impact on her patients was evident in the way she spoke.

A warm smile graced Genma's face. "It's clear how much you care for your patients. We're lucky to have you here. You've patched me up more times than I can count after missions," he chuckled.

As their conversation took a lighter turn, Sakura's expression shifted to a more serious one. "I need to speak with Tsunade. Is she in?" she inquired, refocusing on the matter at hand.

Genma glanced at his watch and then pointed toward Tsunade's office. "Yeah, she should be in her office. I saw her earlier," he replied.

"Thank you, Genma," Sakura expressed her gratitude for his help and support.

He waved her off with a playful grin. "No problem, Pinky."

TBC

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