THROUGH THE MOTIONS

chapter 3

Next thing anyone can see is a wild Naruto, and his shadow clone lunging towards Sasuke with a rasengan.

A sigh is heard. Sakura can't be sure who it came from, Sasuke, or Kakashi.

Sasuke also lunges forward, but in defense. He stops the attack in mere milliseconds. There is a certain peace between them. All is forgotten and Naruto stood there with a grin on his face.

"Just wanted to see if you've still got it teme." The blonde went on.

"Tch. Dobe it's been a while." He says with his eyes on Sakura.

"AND WHO'S FAULT IS THAT? I TRIED TO COME SEE YOU BUT YOU STRAIGHT UP REFUSED" the blonde complained.

"Yeah yeah, cut it out." They heard the Hokage say.

"I know you all have some catching up to do, but not in here. You may leave my office. I have a bunch of paperwork to do."

"How about we all grab some ramen then?" Naruto says with clear excitement hinting on his face. Sakura breaks her silence. "You two go, I just had lunch. I'm going to go home since I've been dismissed."

"Aw Sakura but Sasuke just came back, why don't you stay a little longer" Naruto frowned.

"I'm sorry I'm just tired. I didn't get much sleep." She replies. Sasuke picks up on why she might not have gotten any sleep. He has been quietly observing Sakura ever since he stepped into the office.

"Ok you go home and rest up. BUT you are having dinner with us tonight in celebration of team 7 finally being reunited again." He counters.

Sakura sighs. Denying this would seem out of character for her so she nods. The walk to her apartment is very short. She always lived closer to the hospital and the Hokage tower for convenience.

She arrives at her apartment, and lies down on her dark navy couch. There is a feeling of restlessness she can't shake.

Flashback

The footsteps get louder as they near the room. The door opens and Tsunade enters. "Sakura, how are they doing?" she says. Tsunade does not get a reply. Sakura was slumped over on one of the chairs closest to the bed. She places her hand on Sakuras shoulder. Her eyes fly open.

"T-Tsunade-sama" she says, caught by surprise.

Sakura can see both Naruto, and Sasuke asleep. The healing process would take quite some time. It's surprising these two didn't wear themselves out while fighting Kaguya Otsutsuki as much as they did fighting with each other.

Sakura found them on the verge of death. She used her medical jutsu as much as she could on the field to close such fatal wounds. Her hard work had been fruitful. They were both stable and lying in the hospital.

Both shinobi have no patience, as soon as they gained consciousness they wanted to be out of there. Sakura had to put them into a medically induced coma, just so they could heal.

"How are they both doing?" Tsunade repeats.

"They are both stable. Naruto of course has an advantage, so he's healing much quicker, but nonetheless it will still take time to get back to what they both are capable of." She finished.

"Tsunade-sama, how are the prosthetics getting along? Do you have an estimate on when we could begin the transplant?" she added.

"Things are going well, but it will take a few more days to be a fully functioning prosthetic. My grandfather's cells are doing amazing under testing" The woman replied.

Sakura smiled. She was glad to be able to help them any way she can. Ever since they were little she always felt behind, but not anymore. There are things no one can do that she can help the boys with, and the thought brought a smile to her face.

"I will bring them out of the coma in a few days as well. I will be the one who tells them about the arm if that's okay?" Sakura says.

"Yeah, go ahead. If any of them refuse I might lose my temper and something bad might happen to these already injured brats." Tsunade says.

A giggle escapes Sakura.

"I know what you mean. Hopefully a great war, and 2 lost limbs will give them some sense."

Tsunade nods, and walks out of the room.

It was nearly 7 in the morning. Sakura decided to go home, take a shower. With a fresh change of clothes, she walked down to meet Ino.

The conversations between them didn't last long since Ino had also been very busy given the village was also recovering. Help was needed everywhere. She made sure to get some flowers for both Sasuke, and Naruto.

The days for the last few weeks had been the same. She would spend most nights at the hospital, and leave in the mornings for necessities.

She set the flowers in separate vases and put them on their bedside tables.

In moments like these Sakura has real peace of mind. Everything was calm. A terrible memory passed her by. The last time she was in the hospital with both Naruto, and Sasuke they had attacked each other. Although ironically this time was no different.

She went to take her seat beside Narutos bed, and someone had entered the room. She turned to see who it may be.

"Hello Sakura." Says Kakashi.

"Oh Hi, sensei what are you doing here?"

"I have come here to talk to you about a few things." he replies.

Sakura gets up from her chair, crossing both beds now standing in front of Hatake Kakashi.

"I wanted to tell you what will happen to Sasuke after he wakes up."

"What do you mean what will happen to him when he wakes up?" She repeats after him.

"Listen Sakura, even though Sasuke saved the world alongside Naruto, he is still a criminal who needs to be punished." he stated.

"Hold on right there. Do you hear how wrong that whole sentence that just came out of your mouth sounds? He helped save all of the nations. He was also betrayed by the hidden leaf. His entire family was massacred, and his brother died because of a secret lord third kept. This boy has lost EVERYTHING, and you're here to punish him?" she scoffed.

"Sakura, this is not up to me. If I could, you know I would vote against this." Kakashi sorrily said.

"Listen to me Sensei. Until Sasuke Uchiha is my patient, who is fully recovered not a single member of the anbu will touch him. Am I understood?" the girl fiercely said.

"But Sakura-" he started. "No stop right there. I want you out of here right now. I will personally talk to Tsunade-sama about this. If you are here to visit as their sensei you are welcome to stay, or else please leave."

Sakura could not believe what she was hearing. Since when had these people become so demented. These two boys are heroes to the hidden leaf, and they are still shunning them? Unbelievable.

Present

Sakura had fallen asleep. She looks at the clock. It's quarter past 6. She had to meet both Naruto, and Sasuke for dinner. She got up from the sofa with a slight headache.

She enters her bedroom, and stares at her unmade bed wondering what to wear to dinner. She inspects her closet and decides to go with a white skirt, and pink blouse. She grabs a light jacket, and her purse and leaves her apartment.

She enters the ramen shop and sits down.

Old man Teuchi appears with a warm welcome "Hey there Sakura, what can I get for you?"

"Hello" She smiles.

"Nothing for now, I'm waiting for Naruto, and Sasuke to arrive."

"Did you say Sasuke? As in Sasuke Uchiha?" He largened his eyes.

She smiles again, and makes a hmph noise.

"Man, it's been a while since all of you have been here together huh"

"Yeah it has been years. Now that I think of it, I'll take a bottle of Soju" She says.

"Coming right up."

A few minutes pass, and Ayame brings out the bottle with glass and tells her to enjoy it. She pours her drink and finishes the glass at first sip. I guess she's drinking tonight. Sakura is not a frequent drinker, but she has nothing against it. Naruto, and Sasuke enter as she finishes her third glass.

"Hey Sakura-chan, have you been waiting for long?" Naruto asks.

"No, I got here just 20 minutes ago, it's okay." she replies.

"Care for a glass?" She asks both simultaneously.

Naruto nods, and so does Sasuke. As far as she knew, Naruto was a lightweight. He never could handle his sake that well. As for Sasuke, she had yet to find out.

She pours them both a drink, and pours herself her fourth. Naruto finishes his drink, and Sasuke still has half left.

"So I guess we should order!" Says Naruto. "HEY OLD MAN" he shouts.

"Coming, coming" Teuchi replies.

"So what would you guys like today?" The older gentleman asks.

Naruto orders a miso based with extra chasu ramen. Sakura, and Sasuke both get the same thing.

"Hey old man, does the lifetime of free ramen work for friends as well?" Naruto asks with a boyish grin.

Old man Teuchi only smiles, complying a yes. Naruto, and Sakura both smile at him as he disappears to go get their food. Sasuke seems to be rather distracted.

"Oi teme, what are you thinking about" The blonde yaps.

"Nothing. How much longer until the food gets here?"

"Calm down, we just ordered. That old man is not a ninja chef now, is he?"

Sasuke sighs. Sakura stared at both her teammates. 'I guess Sasuke is a quiet drunk by nature' she thinks to herself.

Naruto makes meaningless conversation, and Sakura keeps drinking. They had finished 2 bottles already. Sakura steals occasional glances towards Sasuke, but weirdly every time she has done so, she has found him looking at her and quickly looking away.

Ayame brings out the food, and they all thank her. They start eating.

"So Sasuke, how was your journey?" Sakura finally breaks the silence. Her tone is rather monotone. Sasuke was caught off guard. He hadn't expected Sakura to speak to him.

"It was fine." he quickly spat out.

"Hmm" Sakura made an amused sound. She contemplated asking why he put her in a genjutsu but she wasn't quite drunk enough yet.

Sakura thought her part in the conversation was over. She was polite, and making small talk with Naruto pitching in here and there. They continue eating, and drinking and suddenly Naruto's attention is directed towards Sakura.

"Hey Sakura-chan, how is Haru doing? I haven't seen him around for a few weeks." he asks as he slurps ramen into his mouth.

The question catches Sakura by surprise. She hadn't thought of Haru in quite a few days now. Who could blame her with her crazy schedule.

"Oh um he's fine Naruto. He's been gone on a long mission, come to think of it he should be back tomorrow, or the day after." She replies.

"Who's Haru?" Sasuke asks. That was the first time he had asked a question about her the entire night. Instead of letting Sakura reply, thank gods, Naruto himself answers Sasuke.

"Haru is this guy Sakura is seeing. Hinata, and I like him very much. Oh Sakura-chan you should bring him to dinner with all of us when he comes back" Naruto finished.

Sakuras eyes went big, and her smile went thin, as if she was nervous. She didn't know if that would be such a good idea. Sasuke on the other hand had a mysterious emotion painted across his face. He almost seemed surprised.

The sake had finally taken effect. Sakuras face got red with slight anger. What did he think Sakura was doing all this time? Pining for him? Did he really think she had nothing else to do other than think about him for the last 5 years. If she had learnt anything, it was that life goes on, and she needed to as well.

Out of pure rage Sakura replied "Oh you bet I will."

The night ends with Sakura going the opposite way from Naruto, and Sasuke. Despite having the most sake, Naruto was the one being carried home by Sasuke. Before he left she paused. He had one had on Narutos waist, and Narutos right arm was draped across his shoulder.

Cold air blew through their hair. They both stood facing each other from a distance. It was Sakura who broke the uncomfortable silence between them. "I have to ask you something." Sakura softly spoke. "Why did you put me in a genjutsu?"

Sasuke did not know how to answer. He stood there in silence. He watched Sakuras face carefully. It went from a soft expression to a stern one in seconds.

She wishes she hadn't said anything. Maybe she was more intoxicated than she thought she was. The redness on her face had faded, but the effects were still there.

"I'm sorry to have stopped you, I should be going now." She turned around after politely bowing. She had been furious. Sasuke clearly thought Sakura was some kind of joke. He wasn't taking her seriously even now. Speaking to him would only cause her more discomfort, so she made up her mind on avoiding him as much as she could.

Sakura went home, and got changed. She put on her pajamas ready to go to bed. Afterall, a good night's sleep was needed in order to not have a nasty hangover. As she went to bed, a small part of her felt guilty. She can't believe she had not thought about Haru in days.

With Haru on her mind, she fell into a deep sleep. As she slept she had a nightmare about things going sideways at the dinner Naruto asked Sakura to bring Haru to.

.

Hey guys! I hope you're enjoying the story.

Quick update: I changed the nurses name from the first chapter from Ayame to Haruhi. I'll reveal later why I did so.

Also don't get used to the quick updates lolll. I've been quite sick lately so I've been staying home from school. I've had my creative juices flowing for the last few days and have been channeling it into this.

P.S.- should I make a Sasusaku themed playlist and link it?

Feel free to leave any suggestions/feedback. 33