Chapter three
Unbidden
Konaha 3 years ago.
Captain. She had made captain. Her schooled expression flat under her green and red painted cat mask as she reached for the white cloak. Inos eagle mask painted in equal bright colors and in a design of an exotic bird.
The fabric felt heavy in her hands as she ran gloved fingertips over the stitching.
"Congratilations blossom." Kakashi said. His face hidden behind his dog mask. The red and black whiskers and markings fully covering his face. A few more were present at her graduation, her other team mates boar, and suliot. The hokage also standing at ease, with shizune and her husband at her side. Genma smiled at her.
"You know the drill blossom. Keep up the good work." She had a few clap for her. She pulled the cloak over her shoulders. The cloth billowing out. She felt deadly. She felt powerful.
"I am going to keep Delilah and boar with you. I believe you capable." Tsunade said. The pride on her features unhindered. "You have the right to make Grandier decisions now."
Sakura nodded. Bowing low to her shishou. To her hokage.
The training that Kakashi had put them through was rough, to say the least. 14 hours a day five days a week. Not to mention splitting up her days off for training with Rock lee and Might Guy sensei, and training with tsunade. The last year have been the hardest struggle of her life. Naruto running off to train with jiraiya, and Boar being added to her squad, who constantly called her "ugly" were the bright points. She liked sai. Not like ino did, but she thought they made a good team.
"Report back here tomorrow at 11:30 for your first reconnaissance, captain." To this Sakura actually smiled, under her mask.
"Hai." Was all she said with a bow. Before flickering out of the office. Boar and Delilah on her heel.
Fifteen. She was fifteen and an ANBU captain. As they departed each one calling out "mata ne." and Sakura made her way back to her newly acquired appartment, ino would be there soon to celebrate. It was something to celebrate too, and no one was supposed to know what she was celebrating.
She quickly redressed in a red short sleeved top. Successfully hiding her double swirl tattoo that signified ANBU. She pulled on a pair of black distressed skinny jeans and her black nin sandals. A knock on her door and then the opening of said door.
"Oh my god! Tenchou! Tenchou Sakura!" Inos loud voice bellowed off the walls. Sai on her heel.
"Ino pig!" Sakura scolded, "not so loud! Jeeze!" She smiled at her friend. Who folded her up in a hug.
"I'm so proud of you forehead!" She smiled wildly, the giddiness of the day setting in. "Not to mention you get me on your team first go!" She pulled back and put up a thumbs up. "Now we're sure to be the best in konaha!"
Sai actually smiled. She wasn't sure if it was a real Smile, but it felt genuine.
It was crazy what a difference a year in ANBU could do. How they had grown from boy crazy to elite. Sakuras eyes glistened.
"We've really done it haven't we," a tear spilled over rthe rim. "Look at us ino! We're bad ass!" She laughed as ino snorted.
"Ok ok, don't let it go to your head! It's big enough without the ego boost!" She poked her forehead still laughing.
"I think Gorgeous here is always badass, however ugly, you only cut the bill sometimes." Sais deadpan was always just that. He reminded her of a certain uchiha.
"Sai. I swear to god, I'll put you through that wall." Sakuras temple pulsed, her fist shaking with rage.
"Calm down calm down!" Ino jumped between the two. "Sai, don't call her that cutie." She smiled up at the artist. "And Sakura, whatever you want, it's on me!" The smile coming back into her features.
"Well since I've been promoted I think we should celebrate with the good sushi!" Her grin widened.
"Oof!" Ino grimaced, "I'm glad our last mission was so high priced. I don't know how we could afford to live so luxuriously without the pay."
"It only gets better from here!" Sakura glanced at ino, grabbing her keys and wallet before leading them out the door and locking up. "Soon we will be doing S ranked, hell, maybe even SS ranked missions!" They both laughed. Arm in arm, knowing full well that they would be on A ranked for at least a year before trading up to S ranked missions. They would live for today. Said pulling up the rear as they made their way into town for a much deserved meal.
Present day
Sakura left from rooftop to rooftop at high speed, trying to make up for lost time. She had two minutes to make it to the hokages Office before officially being declared late.
Pushing more chakra than necessary to the souls of her feet, she would've put Kakashi to shame. To the average eye, I they would've just seen a Flicker. To ninja eye, they would've seen a Pinkett flying like a bat out of hell. One minute.
Leaping off the last rooftop under the cobblestone she narrowly avoided running into a cart, with no time to apologize, with a single Pirouette, she twirled past it. Leaping back off the ground and landing 10 feet across the cobblestone. 30 seconds.
She pushed back off like the floor was a trampoline, chakra infused her soles, as she made the mad dash up the side of the hokage tower. 10 seconds.
The window insight, she coursed forward, 'faster faster' she thought. 5…4…3…2…
Grabbing the window pane and flinging herself through. Landing on her feet in the center of the room in a crouch.
"Shishou." She said breathlessly.
"Cutting it close aren't you?" Tsunade smiled at her apprentice. " better not be picking that up from Kakashi." She was sitting at her desk, paperwork in hand. Signaling for Sakura to come closer. So she did. Still breathing deep. She leaned against the chair in front of her desk.
"Gomen." She said. " but I did make it in time." She smiled.
"Why don't you have a seat Sakura, catch your breath." Sakura did as she was told, Tsunade stood and walked to the wall next to the large doors. She grabbed a gallon of water and Poored her student a glass.
Walking back and depositing the glass into sakuras hand, she turned and leaned against the desk in front of her pinkette who was greedily gulping down the water. "Slowly, god." She huffed. "Have I taught you nothing?" She shook her head.
"Gomen. Shishou." Sakuras head fell as she sipped the water now.
"I heard you were out running with Kakashi this morning." She started. Looking over the pinkette. Noticing the choice of clothing. "You still display the ANBU tattoo in full?" She questioned.
"I told you then, and I stand by what I say." Sakuras tone got low and defensive. "They know who brought her back. I made sure of it." She turned her head to the window. Trying to avoid Tsunades trained eye. "The people of this village should know who takes on the abhorrent missions. Those who soak their hands in blood day in and day out for this callous village."
Tsunade flinched at her choice of words. "Sakura. Watch your tone." She glared at her student.
"Gomen. But I stand by what I say." She solidified.
"Fine fine. I'm just glad you used the body scroll, and didn't parade her like a martyr through the town." Tsunade watched as Sakura blanched at that comment.
"I would never." Her eyes narrowed. "Ever. Do that." She growled out.
Tsunade let out a breath. "Ok Sakura, you win The Who's grumpier challenge today." She put a hand to her forehead shaking her head slowly. "This isn't what I was trying to illicit with that comment. I'm just trying to gauge if you're ready for active duty again."
Sakuras head turned at that. Meeting Tsunades eyes at last.
"Like. Go on missions again? With naruto? And sai?" She sounded hopeful.
"Yes. I think it's about time we put you back in the field." She looked at the pinkette. "Give you more out of town trial runs. Make sure you don't regress." She seen the sparkle in sakuras eyes. "Still don't want to go back to ANBU?"
The sparkle flickered out like a blown candle. Sakuras face fell. Her blank expression unreadable. 'Kakashi really drilled them.' Tsunade thought.
"No, shishou. I'm not sure I'm going to come out of retirement." Her voice was straightedge like a razor.
"Sakura. You may not have a choice in coming months. Our ANBU missions are over loading. We need more skilled ANBU med nins in the field." Tsunade watched as sakuras face distorted into angiush. "It's our duty to put ourselves on the line. For those 'callous' people. For the welfare of this village. For the ones you love." She sighed. "ANBU is life sakura. You were warned when you started. You can retire for a bit. But when called to action you have to submit."
"I know shishou….I just…..Gomen." A tear slipped past her long lashes and trailed her cheek. "I'm…im not ready." She trembled.
Tsunade put a hand on her back. "I know. We will do trial runs. The last thing I need is to put you back on the roster and you have a mental break down with some rookies." Her heart swelled for her student. "Just remember, People become stronger because there are memories they will not forget." She patted her softly.
Sakura tried her best to calm her nerves. She was blossom. She was Sakura haruno. She was one of the best med nins in konaha. She could hold it togther god damn it. She could. She tightened her hands into fists. Pushing down the internal struggle. Pushing away the hurt.
"Ok. Let's talk about something else." Tsunade sighed. "Tell me about your hospital duties."
Sakura breathed a bit deeper, letting out a wish of relief to not have to talk about her mental instability or the major fuck up a year ago that brought her here.
"It's been going well. I've been assisting with the childrens wing. Our new building is flourishing. Also The training of our chunin med nins is going very well indeed." Sakura trailed off, recanting that of her and shizunes accomplishments this last week with the new nins. Going over the charts and physicals for the next sets of jonin to pass the tests.
Tsunade listened and interjected, all wist pakkun listened at the door.
After a bit, when it was decided when they would meet next week, pakkun decided that was enough. He made his way down and out the tower, passing two raven haired nins on their way up the tower.
"In the mean time," Tsunade turned and rummiged through her drawers, finding what she needed. "Here." She tossed something deep red to sakura.
She caught it mid air. A Haori. Deep red with kanji on the back that read Hana. The intricate patterns woven in gold of cherry blossoms.
"Shishou…" Sakura looked at her, Tsunades small smile and soft eyes crinkling.
"Happy birthday, sakura."
"Arigato…" sakuras eyes filled with tears as she pulled the beautiful garment on. Feeling to soft texture glide over her skin.
"Always for my favorite student." She smiled wider. "Now, get out of here. I'm sure you have plans for the rest of the day."
Sakura stood and bowed. Turning on her heel as a slight knock on the door alerted her to someone's entrance.
"Come in." Tsunade said as she sat back in her chair.
"Hai." Came a tenor voice as the door opened. In walked a tall dark haired man. Who looked exactly like…
"Sasuke kun?" Sakuras mouth slightly opened as her head tilted, there was another man, also raven haired and tall. "Oh!" She stepped forward. "Uchiha San. Gomen." She bowed.
"Itachi San, sasuke san. Welcome home." Tsunade waved the men into the room.
"Thank you hokage sama." The first man said. His dark hair long and pulled back into a low pony tail at the back of his head. He could be sasukes twin. Except for his pronounced tear troughs. That and the man seemed slimmer. More agile than his brother.
Speaking of, sasuke came in. The same arogant attitude, his eyes widening at the sight of Sakura. He had grown, now at the same height as naruto. His hair a bit longer, face a bit aged. No longer was he the thirteen year old genin she had trained with, he was a man now, and it showed in his angled jaw. He had bulked up, his frame also that like Naruto's. Muscular.
He was a good few inches shorter than itachi still, who strode past Sakura, her eyes never leaving him as he walked to Tsunades desk. His stoic presence that of skilled refinement.
She stared at his back for a long moment. Noticing how he kept his chakra concealed, his dark hair fell down his back. His strong back. The uchiha signature red and white fan displayed with honor.
"Sakura…" she turned to face Sasuke. His eyes still wide. Her new red Haori fanning out and around her. "It's good to see you," he strode towards her, opening his arms as if to give her a hug. Pulling her into a tight embrace. She stiffened. Arms locking up. "Its been too long-" he was cut off by a chakra laden fist into his chest. Sending him flying through the wall. Oops.
She had only meant to push him. But the close proximity of him set her off. She didn't like being touched. Even if it was her ex crush/ old teammate.
Itachi turned, activating his sharingan. With her senses in high already she felt the shift in chakra in the room. Her posture crouched, going into full defense. Letting her full chakra leak out and around her. She whipped out a kunai and held it in front of her, Tsunade jumped out of her seat. It had all happened in the blink of an eye.
"Sakura! Calm down!" She shouted coming up to her student wearily. Itachis eyes wide and surprise marring his stoic features. "I told you no rough housing in my office. Hai…" she looked at her now destroyed wall. "I'm going to need more sake. Sakura, drop the kunai. No one's going to touch you." She looked at the pinkette. Sakura lowered the kunai.
"Ah…." sasuke pulled himself from the wreckage. Rubbing the back of his head. Staring at Sakura open mouthed. "What…the fuck was that Sakura?" He stood. A little wobbly. She just threw him…threw a wall?!
"That was pay back for not writing. For not telling me you were leaving. For not saying a damn word to me for five fucking years." At this she stood straight. Still clutching her kunai. Then reluctantly, she walked over to him, he flinched back. Itachis red eyes never leaving her. Her palm glowed green, as she checked him over. "Also, I didn't mean to hit you so hard. You just surprised me was all." She mumbled under her breath. After healing a cracked rib, and leaving the bruised ego she gave him a fake smile.
"Your… a med nin?" He blinked.
"My best student actually." Tsunade smiled. "Though we're still working on that temper." She waved to the wall. "And this will be deducted from your paycheck." She gave sakura a scolding look.
Sakuras blood went cold. And a shiver ran up her back. "Hai. Gomen shishou." She bowed deep to her mentor. "Gomen sasuke kun." She bowed again to Sasuke. Who still looked completely dazed. The hokages student? The legendary Sannin? When had that happened? What else did he miss?
"Would you be willing to spar?" A tenor voice asked from across the room. One that had been quite stoic a moment ago, but had a small smirk on his face now.
To this both Tsunade and Sakura looked baffled.
"Hai, uchiha San." Sakura blinked. "I have time Sunday…" she commented.
"Sunday training ground 6. Let's say…" he brought a finger to his lips in contemplation. "10?"
sakuras eyed him wearily then looked to Tsunade who seemed to smirk back to the man. "Yes uchiha San. That would work fine" she replied.
"As for now, you are dismissed. Both of you. Me and Itachi kun have some things to discuss." She looked to sasuke. "Privately."
He nodded looked to his brother and bowed. "Ani, should I head back to the compound?"
"No, go catch up with your friend here." He smirked at Sakura again. She felt very uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "I'll go over what needs to be said to hokage sama, then head over. Don't be out too late. Kaachan will be angry if you miss dinner tonight. I'm sure she's preparing something in honor of out a rival home."
The two of them looked at eachother, and turned to retreat. No more was needed said.
They turned and walked through the now destroyed wall. The entire way she could feel red eyes on her back. She pulled her chakra back and concealed most of it. Her hair stood on end.
'Interesting.' The older uchiha thought watching his brother and her leave. 'Very intriguing.'
As they left the tower Sakura turned to sasuke. "I'm supposed to meet naruto and another for lunch if you would want to join us?" She looked him in his eyes, a bit of a feat, since he was now almost a foot taller than her.
"I suppose I should see that dope soon enough anyways." He smirked. Putting his hands in his pockets.
"My treat, as a welcome home and 'sorry for knocking you through a wall'." She laughed. She checked her watch, they would only be a few minutes late.
"I should be the one sorry." He said but his voice was a bit betraying of his thoughts. "I guess I didn't think you guys would be so upset. While I was gone we passed the trials. Im jonin now." He said. Egotistical self showing through.
"Hai. Naruto is too. He will be glad to know you and he are still in the same rank." She put her arms behind her back and clasp her hands.
Sasukes eyes narrowed. "Well then the dope is showing true potential. Good to see I have a sparring partner."
"Hai. I'd love to spar sometime myself. Good to get in some practice before your Niisan and I spar Sunday." She turned her frame while walking with a fake smile plastered on her face.
"If every th big goes according to plan I should have Thursday mid morning open." He pondered. "We can go to our old training grounds, meet at…let's say 9:30-10ish?"
"I have a shift at 11:30 I should be able to make that work." She replied turning to cross into the market district, which was steadily becoming busier with crowds forming. She led them to ichirakus, before they could cross the roadway a loud voice bellowed out.
"TEME!?" Before the raven haired man in question dodged a fist pointed at his head. The Kyushu container in question went full taijutsu on him. Both dodging and throwing fists as sai walked up behind Sakura.
"WHERE!" He threw a punch at sasuke, who deafly dodged and kicked out at him.
"HAVE!" Another foot came up and blocked it.
"YOU!" He swung his foot back and flipped bringing his other foot back and around to Sasukes head who deflected with his forearm.
"BEEN!" That was when Sakura Had enough. She threw out her leg and knocked naruto on his ass. Sasuke had just activated his sharingan. He may have missed it otherwards. She then smacked him upside the head.
"Been there done that. If you want to eat, shut up and get us a seat before it fills up." She said, anger rising in her tone.
"Oi. Sakura Chan….fine fine. But this teme has to tell us why he didn't even tell us he was-" another smack to the head and naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Fine!" He stood up and crossed the road.
"Gomen Sasuke kun." She said hand on hip. "Let's get some ramen." She turned sai on her heel. Sasuke watched them. Following a few steps behind as he entered the ramen shop. Taking up a spot next to the dark haired nin and Sakura. Naruto on the far end.
Who is this? Did she have a boyfriend? His ego a bit stroked at way he kind of resembled the himself.
"Hai! I almost forgot." Sakura gestured to said nin. "This is sai, he was appointed to team seven after you left."
Sasuke grunted his reply. Well. Then not a boyfriend.
"Oi! Sakura!" Naruto said "your ramens on me today!" He smiled.
"HaI. No I'm paying for sasuke and myself." She replied, placing an order with the little woman running the counter.
"Seriously. It's your birthday, and your paying for the teme?!" He said. Sakuras eyes flashed to the blond sitting next to her.
Sasuke blanched. Her birthday?
"Shut up naruto I swear. Your making my head hurt." She sighed.
"I'll pay for our new friend here." Sai said. A smile on his face.
Sasuke huffed. "I'll pay for myself." He looked to Sakura who's face scrunched up. "You can get me next time."
With that they finished ordering and Naruto's annoying self yelled over the pinkette and stoic painter to sasuke complaining about not hearing from him and how much stronger he was now. They bantered like this for about an hour.
After they finished and meals were paid for, they stood in front of ichirakus where naruto challenged sasuke to a real spar. Both hot headed nin and dark haired uchiha starter towards the training grounds. Stopping to look back to the other two nins. Who had stayed put.
"Oi, Sakura Chan! Want to see me pound this teme into dust?" Naruto smiled at her.
"Gomen naruto. I have a few things to do today." She lied, waving to them, then turning to sai. "Want to join me?" He looked a little to her, then to the other two.
"I think I will follow those two to make sure they don't kill eachother." She smiled at that. "It would be good to really see who it was I was compared to all these years anyways. Maybe we can grab dinner later?"
"Maybe." She said "I was thinking of stopping by chiri later and getting a drink."
"9 sound good?" He replied.
"Ok. See you there." With that she departed. Leaving sasuke a bit struck by this. She used to follow him around…maybe he would show up for drinks after dinner with his family...
Before he could finish that thought naruto started on another banter and off they went to the old training grounds. All distractions pushed from his mind.
AN: Hello guys, I just thought I would clear up some stuff.
One: I apologize for any grammatical errors. I'm writing this while at work mostly, and I'm using my phone. I'm doing so I use speech to text, which makes my phone auto correct things. So names places and things will sometimes be turned into a absolute mess. Like. I can't even. I try to catch them when I finish up at the end of the day, but well, I'm only human.
Two: I would like to address the elephant in the room. I have had a *nameless* ahem * pm me to say that kakashi is not 7 years he is 14 years older than Sakura. I know, but this is AU, which in this story's case, I've decided not only means alternate universe. It means authors universe. So I'm changing some stuff as it arises I will point it out. So that you can keep in the loop.
Three: I will try to put warnings in for any graphic scenes.
And last but not least, I am sorry if my fighting scenes are not as good as the next. This is the first time I am writing them. I'm excited to grow and hopefully they stay up to par. If you want to review and tell me where I can spice it up, or dm me some good fighting fics and chapters I can use to help me revise my style that would be much appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
-ViewlessTea0
