Ch: 29 Haunted
Sakura
Shishou,
Things are well. I've restocked Iwa's medical supplies. A special formula to the pleasing of Tsuchikage is underway; antigen non-specific immunosuppression. Separately, I've attached an unknown poison intended for lab analysis in Konoha's records.
-Sakura
For a brief moment, she held up the note, rereading it and contemplating if she should mention the secret tunnelway they discovered the previous night. But if Iwa intercepted her message, it would incriminate Team 7. This'll have to do for now, Sakura decided, rolling up the paper.
It chilled her to know that the same poison used on them in Konoha was here, in Iwa. She tried to think back to the night they were ambushed, wondering what their attackers' objective was and if it had to do with their mission with the Tsuchikage. It didn't appear to be Akatsuki-related, so what were they after?
It was a rabbit hole she didn't have time for at that moment. It was better to reserve these thoughts for later when she had the chance to investigate more with Sasuke. Because after staying up until dawn last night, it was a miracle she'd managed to wake up on time for work.
Getting ready, Sakura's eyelids felt heavy, her thoughts foggy. It was all worth it though, because last night had liberated her. By throwing Itachi's scroll and Leader's artifact into the ocean, she had burned the final ties linking her to a future she no longer wanted. No longer was she empty on the inside; somewhere in her heart, she knew she couldn't betray Konoha and hand Naruto to Akatsuki.
Sakura yawned, but she was not tired. She felt light in her steps, more vibrant than she'd ever been since seeing Itachi on the outskirts of Konoha. So after brushing her teeth and changing her clothes, Sakura skipped into the hallway in high spirits, running head-first into somebody. The collision knocked her victim off her feet, sending folded towels flying into the air.
"Ow," grumbled a voice.
"I'm so sorry!" Sakura exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
She was a young woman with dark hunter-green hair, and Sakura realized they'd met before. It was Kahako. The maid squinted and scrunched her nose as if testing that her face still worked. "I think so?"
"I should watch where I'm going," Sakura apologized. She began to pick up the towels that were thrown astray, folding them into a neat stack to save Kahako the trouble.
"Oh please, you're the guest. I've got it—ah!"
She took Kahako into her hands. "There's nothing serious," she observed, scrutinizing the helpless girl head to toe. "You're going to be just fine."
"But I didn't say anything—"
"Okay! Sorry again! Bye now!" Sakura practically danced away in double time, dreamily and happily. But unlike most of the time, her route through the corridors mirrored her exchange with Kahako, with lots of 'excuse me's and 'sorry's because there was something different that morning. While Sakura had been able to complete the six-minute dash from her room to the medical offices unobstructed most times, it felt like an obstacle course. At every turn, there was either a servant or an Iwa-nin blocking her path, making the castle feel crowded.
Sakura was almost late with how long it took to get through the halls. So as soon as she clocked in for work in the medical office, she headed straight to the back room. If there were other medical workers, gossiping or otherwise, she paid them no mind. Her objectives for that day were simple: if she worked fast enough, she'd have something to show for the Tsuchikage's new immunosuppressant, hopefully even before the end of her shift. Then, she could cross another item off her list.
Sakura began to wash, boil, dry, and prune the herbs she collected the previous day. She didn't know how long it would take, but she hoped she could spend the majority of her shift experimenting with different potencies until she found one that worked well. It was quiet, which she liked because it meant she could concentrate. That was until she heard an exchange outside the door.
"What are you doing here?" The tone was blunt and devoid of positive feelings, meaning it was Yui.
"Not to see you, princess," a male's voice responded without skipping a beat. "What, leaving already?"
The outside door swung open and then slammed shut. A few seconds later, Sakura heard the distinct footsteps of a familiar pair of combat boots, followed by a knock on her door. "Haruno! You in there?"
"Yeah! One second!" She began tidying up her work area, embarrassed at the thought that Jun would see how messy she could be. "Come in!"
He was wearing a vest over a black mission top, but the fact that his shirt was untucked and his brown hair was touseled told Sakura that it wasn't a formal visit. "So I see you survived after last night."
"Barely," Sakura replied, running a few fingers through her unruly hair. She hadn't expected any visitors, but his smile was a welcome sight. Memories from the previous night came flooding back, making her stomach twirl like she was in a school-girl dream. But despite the lavender haze, the awkward elephant in the room still had to be addressed. "Listen," she began. "About what happened last night. Sasuke was inexcusable—"
"I can't blame the guy, " Jun corrected, closing the door behind them. They were alone now, in the medical back room that had just gotten much, much smaller. "Sasuke's protective. As he definitely should be."
"Still," she insisted. "It wasn't right."
"Tell you what." Jun stepped closer to Sakura and lifted her chin so that their noses almost touched. "Make it up to me. Go out with me again."
Sakura smiled, breathing in the aroma of fresh hinoki off his shirt. But then Sasuke's face flashed in her mind, and she felt a pang of guilt. If she said yes to Jun, then she'd have to make sure she showed up on time to her investigation with Sasuke later.
There was a twinkle of mischief in Jun's expression as he looked down Sakura's nose to her lips. It was almost an invitation for her to wrap her arms around his neck and close the gap, continuing where they'd left off. She almost might have, if it weren't for the imaginal look of disapproval from her raven-haired teammate.
"I really wish I could stay," Jun said, interjecting himself into her thought process, "but I'm having some things fixed throughout the castle and Kurotsuchi's waiting on me to drop that thing off." He nodded to the door, and Sakura understood this to reference the large jug of water he always carried around. "Meet you for dinner?"
"It'll have to be an early night," Sakura replied. "But sure, I'd love to."
"Yes ma'am," Jun winked, exiting into the hallway.
"I mean it, Jun!" She called after him. "I have work to do after!" This was met by a few stares, but she didn't care.
"Counting on it, Haruno!"
x
This is it. Cha!
Sakura was hunched over a microscope, marveling over the cellular behavior of a tissue sample she'd injected with her latest development. The more she witnessed how her medicine worked, the more excited she became. It was perfect. All that was left would be documenting her studies so that they could be replicated by Iwa, which she could do after delivering the good news to the Tsuchikage.
She hadn't been invited to his office, but she felt confident he would make time for something like this. On her way there, she noticed once again that the hallways were uncharacteristically populated with Iwa-nin. Someone was stationed at every corner. Some she recognized, and so they would nod professionally in passing, but many she didn't.
"Good afternoon, Tsuchikage-sama," Sakura said when she arrived, bowing to a where he presumably sat behind a curtain. "I have some important news to share with you today."
He ordered everyone outside except for one person, Yui. Sakura nodded to her, although she knew Yui wouldn't reciprocate. "Pardon the crowd," he drawled. "My guard has found it pertinent to increase security measures as of late. You bring good news, I hope?"
"Yes. I am pleased to report that the development of the immunosuppressant has been a success."
"Would I be correct to think it is what you hold?"
Sakura held up the small porcelain vial in her hand, nodding. "This is a sample. It is ready for trial."
Yui looked to where the Tsuchikage was sitting behind the curtain, nodded, and then walked off. Sakura didn't know what was being said with the silent exchange, but she didn't mind.
"I am overjoyed, to say the least. If there was one person on whom we could rely, it would have to have been the esteemed apprentice of the Slug Princess herself."
"You are most kind," Sakura said, bowing lower. She almost missed Princess Tsunade, who didn't care for such theatrics. "I would like to place a formal request to work with your animal hospital. We should have the results of a trial within days, and afterward, we can continue with your operation without risk." She liked only to work with extremely sick animals because they had the most to gain from being experimented on. This was the absolute quickest way she could work in good faith. A few days was not asking for much. An experimental drug like this ordinarily took weeks or months of bureaucracy and conservative, progressive trials. Iwa was already bypassing much of the waiting time by skipping straight to mammals. She didn't mention how she had saved them time by predicting that the medicine would work on aquamarine life, which was a preliminary testing phase.
"I understand that is how Konoha operates," the Tsuchikage began.
Sakura heard shouting from outside the office.
"Please! Mercy!"
There was a scuffle. The door burst open. In walked Yui, followed by four Iwa-nin. Two were in shackles, each bound at their hands.
"I-I didn't do it! I'm i-innocent!" said a man, his nose wet, his face dripping with tears. "I swear it, oh I swear it!"
"Your mercy, Tsuchikage-sama," begged the second.
The shackled men looked to be shinobi, but they did not wear their headbands. Sakura could see various rugburns across their bodies, and their filthy, raggedy clothes. Prisoners. She could already tell whatever was about to happen, she would not like.
"In Iwa, we do things quite differently," the Tsuchikage continued. "These are the animals you requested."
Yui addressed Sakura for the first time. "There's been a change in your duties today." She then pulled out her clipboard, intending to take notes. "Swap their kidneys. Here and now, please."
Sakura hesitated before speaking, as she wasn't sure she heard correctly. "I can take their vitals and make preparations for a transplant."
"No need. They are healthy."
"If they are healthy," Sakura protested, "an unnecessary kidney transplant could put tremendous stress on their—"
"We want to see the immunosuppressant work before we try it," Yui said. "The trial begins now."
Sakura stared ahead, long and hard. "They don't have proper anesthesia."
"You are strong, are you not?" Yui asked. "Surely a kunoichi of your caliber could restrain two low-level genin."
"That is not the concern," Sakura replied. "There are too many risks without a proper operating space."
"They each have two kidneys. Two. There's margin for error."
It had to be a prank because this wasn't just unheard of; it was cruel, even by Iwa's standards. "I kindly request that for the safety of everyone involved, we begin a phase of testing on sick animals."
"Sick animals? The one to your left is a child rapist," Yui explained. "The other murdered his pregnant wife."
"If they had used their power for good," the Tsuchikage told her, "they would have been met with a different fate. This way, they can at least serve their country before waiting for death in a prison cell."
Sakura wasn't one to shy away from science. After all, she had taken a peek at Hidan's insides one time. But he was her equal, unlike the two helpless men in front of her.
"P-please," said the alleged child rapist. He had now turned to grovel by Sakura's feet. "I could never do what they accused me of. If there is any goodness in your heart, please. Even if they think there is truth to it, I ask for forgiveness. Surely you are virtuous enough to understand forgiveness! Please!"
"Knowing the harm they've caused, shouldn't you want to do the procedure?" Yui asked. She looked bored holding the clipboard, and Sakura guessed she just wanted to get on with her day. "Even so, you were hired for medical duties. Please perform them. Today."
Sakura looked down on the Iwa-nin's pathetic form, not sure who to believe. Iwa's leadership had a reputation for being corrupt. They were shrouded in rumors that they conducted business in ways pernicious to other nations, and sometimes, even themselves. There was exactly one reason Konoha and Suna hesitated to turn to them with the shinobi alliance: it wasn't a distrust of the general Iwa-nin population, but because of the long history of Tsuchikages who lied if they had something to gain for it. Now, Sakura was learning the word "inhumane" belonged to their list of personality traits as well.
And did it even matter what she thought? As a soldier, swapping their kidneys was her official duty. Speaking out against Iwa's politics was not. If she wanted to live an ordinary, virtuous life, then it would do well to keep her mouth shut and make Konoha look good so that relations between their two nations could be repaired for the alliance. Sakura was merely a cog in a machine.
Long ago, if you had asked Sakura to disobey orders in favor of what she felt in her heart, she would've laughed. But something happened yesterday. She'd discarded Akatsuki's scrolls, which had freed her like she'd thrown her own shackles into the bottom of the abyss. It had unleashed something brave within her, something that made her want to listen to her heart. As of yesterday, she was not subservient.
"Get someone else to do it."
She placed the porcelain vial on the ground and left the room.
x
"Oi! Sakura!"
Outside, Sakura turned around and saw Naruto's cheery self jogging to catch up to her. His bright blue eyes were a shade of fresh air, and her resolve swelled. It was as if the sight of him filled her with courage and assurance that she had made the right decision.
If word got back to Konoha that she'd disobeyed a direct order from the Tsuchikage, and it caused a rift in the alliance, she was certain Princess Tsunade wouldn't blame her for it. She'd done the right thing according to her internal moral compass, and that would have to be good enough for her.
"I called you from a while back ya know," the blonde said. "You were all up in your thoughts." He leaned forward and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair.
"Damn it Naruto," Sakura replied, blowing her hair out of her face. "What're you up to anyway? Shouldn't you be working?"
"Ever since I taught Daruiko the shadow clone jutsu, work's been a breeze. He's even starting to do a basic version of my sexy—"
Sakura gave him a stony glare.
"Anyway," he continued, clearing his throat. "The ramen from here's growing on me. I've been eating good."
"You've stacked up quite the reputation," Sakura muttered. "It works in our favor, luckily."
"Say, if you're not busy, want to grab Sasuke and get dinner?"
"Maybe next time, okay?" She gave her most apologetic smile. "I already have dinner plans."
"With Jun?"
She nodded.
"Promise you'll be careful. I've heard some things."
Sakura almost didn't want to know what things he'd heard, as she was certain they wouldn't be positive if they involved Jun being seen in public with her. She also cared about Naruto's opinion of her, she realized and wanted to shield him from anything that might influence him.
"It's just hearsay," he continued, "but I think that guy's a snake. Especially after last night."
"Sasuke said something?" She became uncomfortable at the idea that, like Sasuke, Naruto could picture what she and Jun had been up to in the photo booth.
Naruto began to shake his head. "No. But I was told by someone else that there was a confrontation between Sasuke and Jun."
"There was, slightly. Nothing came of it."
Naruto shook his head. "It's not looking good, Sakura. People say they saw Sasuke attack a respected captain, and they described him like, like he was an out of control animal."
"He was angry for two seconds," Sakura said defensively. "He grabbed Jun and then let go. The moment was gone as soon as it came." She wasn't making excuses for Sasuke's behavior, but people shouldn't be so eager to jump to conclusions. They couldn't possibly know someone just from seeing them at their worst moment. After all, what would people think of her if they saw even a sliver of her thoughts from a few weeks ago?
"I still don't get a good feeling from it. Just smells like trouble."
"I talked to Jun about it. He's not going to hold a grudge. I'll even ask him again tonight if I have to. I'll make sure he forgives Sasuke," she insisted. "He's not as bad of a guy as you think."
"If you go out again with him tonight, promise you won't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Just because we're in Iwa doesn't mean we have to follow everything they say."
He had no idea how true and relevant his advice was, considering what Sakura had just gone through with the Tsuchikage. At this, Sakura felt a warmth that she recognized it to be comfort, and she smiled. "I promise."
Naruto her hair once again, much to her annoyance. "Don't forget about tonight. If you hear any crazy stories, remember that you and Sasuke did tell me to make some noise."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a pro. Tell me something I don't know."
"Just don't keep me in the dark about where that tunnel leads, alright?"
"Deal. And, Naruto? Don't go too overboard. You're covering for me and Sasuke, not trying to set a new world record."
Naruto grinned from ear to ear. "What're you talking about? That's the only way I know how to party."
x
Sakura sat in yet another Iwa izakaya that evening, with Jun and an elaborate assortment of appetizers ornamenting their intimate table. She reached for pickled radishes, cucumbers, and plums, relishing every savory zing of fine vinegar at the tip of her tongue. The appetizers were only whetting her appetite, and the pangs of her stomach indicated more than enough room for a hearty meal. She couldn't wait.
Jun hadn't touched any of the food, but Sakura assumed it was because he was saving himself for the main course. She had ordered her favorite, BBQ pork and rice, and he had ordered the house curry. However, Jun had been glancing sideways every now and again, looking behind his shoulder, then at Sakura, and past her shoulder to whatever was behind her.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "You don't like the tsukemono here?"
"It's nothing."
"You sure?"
Jun shook his head and picked up his chopsticks, proving to Sakura that he did enjoy the pickled vegetables. But still, he seemed distracted, void of the easygoing nature she so liked in him. She wasn't sure if it was in any way related to the Tsuchikage's rumored operation that day, or if she'd upset him by mentioning she had somewhere to be after dinner. At the same time, she couldn't help but think that his behavior almost seemed… paranoid.
"Here we are," the waitress said, bringing out their dishes.
"Looks delicious!" Sakura could barely contain her eagerness. She picked up her spoon and was just about to dig in, but Jun began to get up.
"Something wrong with the food?" she asked. She desperately wanted to take a bite of hers, but knew it would be impolite to start without him.
"Nah. Actually, let's get out of here."
"But we haven't eaten our food. What's the rush?"
Jun placed a few bills on the table and was already leaving.
"Jun!" she called. Shit. Sakura's tummy grumbled. She looked down at her steaming BBQ plate, then to his curry, both touched. There wasn't a rule against sitting by herself and enjoying her food alone, was there? She almost debated letting Jun leave. Her manners got the better of her, so she sighed and shoveled a spoonful of rice into her mouth before hurrying after him.
Didn't Jun have any idea of how uncool it was to let a girl go hungry on a date? Sakura clutched her empty stomach, lamenting at the perfectly good food she'd abandoned at the table. The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. She and Ino had discussed it before, that for a guy to bring up the topic of an ex-girlfriend or take a girl home to his mother's basement was equally bad, but by far, neither of these compared to letting a girl home hungry. It was, without a doubt, the worst offense.
"What was that all about, Jun?" More like, why did we just do that and it better be goddamn worth it, she thought bitterly.
Jun was pushing through the crowds. "I didn't like the vibe I was getting from that place."
"The vibe? Care to explain?"
"Doesn't matter, we're just going someplace else."
"Well, where are we going?"
"A bar. Need something heavy."
"Like, a bar bar or a bar slash restaurant?" Sakura was only asking because they were passing a food stand serving sizzling chicken skewers, an aroma of a spicy bouquet that smelled divine. But Jun's strides were long and fast, and she wouldn't have time to stop.
"I just really need a drink right now," he repeated.
"Yeah, you've said that," Sakura replied, longing for the aroma of fried chicken wafting away. "Since when were you a drinker?"
"On occasion."
"But why now?" Why couldn't it wait until after we ate? Sakura added mentally.
"I just need something. Damn it Haruno, when did it become a crime to get a drink?"
Sakura bit her tongue, as she wanted to retort something clever, but she noticed that Jun was not listening anyway. There was a danger to his steps and something growing increasingly threatening about his chakra. His breathing was ragged, his eyes were uncontrolled. This was not the side of Jun that she had spent time with last night or visited earlier that day. That began to raise flags.
Again, it was like Jun's personality had morphed into someone she didn't recognize. She was beginning to lose count of how many different sides of him she'd seen. There was formal and diplomatic, like when they first met outside of Yukkao and he was playing the role of Iwa's captain. There was casual and easygoing, like when they'd met the second time in Iwa when he asked Kahako to upgrade their rooms. There was cold and detached, there was warm, humorous, and even a little devious. But at that moment, Sakura didn't know what to make of his behavior.
They reached a bar, one similar to the neighborhood they'd just come from. This was only a couple blocks down, slightly away from the bustling main road. She had to wonder why he wanted to be in this particular bar, as it seemed just as quaint as any of the others on the street.
"Evening, captain."
"Two genshu," Jun said. Genshu was the sake with the strongest alcohol content, with a smell that wasn't exactly pleasant. The bartender put two shotglasses in front of them, and Jun reached for the one nearest him. "Cheers," he told Sakura.
She picked up her glass, but knew she'd better stay sober for her plans later. Even if their investigation ended up uneventful, it wouldn't be wise to show up inebriated.
Jun was already tilting his head back. "Drink up, Haruno. One's not gonna kill you."
"Alright, fine," she snapped. "Cheers." The alcohol slicked against the back of her throat, leaving a burning sensation on its way down. Their glasses hit the counter with a thud.
Sakura followed Jun's gaze over her shoulder to the entrance of the bar. There were people mingling about, talking, but no one was looking in their direction. If he was wondering if anybody had followed them, the answer was no. Sakura had become accustomed to the feeling of being watched, but there was no such feeling at that moment.
When Jun seemed satisfied with his own inspection, he turned his attention back to the bartender. "Another two, please," Jun told him.
"Actually, just one," Sakura said to the bartender. "I won't be drinking anymore."
"Don't tell me you're a lightweight, Haruno."
The way he kept calling her 'Haruno' suddenly got on Sakura's nerves. She usually didn't mind, but it was different today. Not only was her stomach regretfully empty at that moment, but what was it to Jun whether she drank or not?
"Two," he told the bartender.
"No, just one."
"Two."
The bartender looked between the two of them uncomfortably. Slowly and carefully, he placed a second shot glass on the table.
Sakura felt the vein near her temple twitch. Where she was from, 'no' meant 'no'.
"Don't look at me like that, Haruno."
"Hey Jun, you obviously seem a little tense right now. Why don't we call it—"
"Oh, no you don't." Jun reached out to take her hand and pulled her in, pulling the corners of his lips into a forced smile. "Why end it here? The fun hasn't even started."
He was uncomfortably close, the genshu on his breath an unwelcome stench. "I actually think I should go," Sakura said, trying to pull away. "We can meet up another time."
"You don't mean actually mean that, Haruno." He moved his hands lower, to Sakura's hips.
"ACTUALLY," Sakura began to yell, but she saw the bartender look over at them and decided not to make another scene in public two nights in a row. "This is not what I want or need right now," she hissed. "I'm going back to my room."
"Haruno!" she heard him call after her numerous times. He followed her all the way to the main road, where the courtyard in front of the castle was visible. But here, away from the prying eyes of witnesses, at least she could give him a piece of her mind.
"What part of 'no' was difficult to understand?"
"I'm only doing this because I know you want it as much as I do."
"What?" Sakura snapped. "Can't you just accept the fact that I'm not interested in staying out with you? I'm done!"
She turned around, but his hand snatched her wrist.
Sakura tried to pry free, but with normal, human strength, she was hostage. She was prepared to hurl a chakra-charged fist at him. It wouldn't be her fault if some low-level medic couldn't put all the fragments of his bones together. But before she sent her free hand charging, a yelp came from behind him, and a shadow leapt at his ankle.
"Ow!" Jun yelled, shaking his leg.
The attacker placed all his might into his bite, persisting to inflict the greatest amount of pain despite his small frame. It was the mutt Sakura had seen many times before, growling with his teeth so embedded into Jun's pants that the seams began to rip.
"Get off, you dirty fucking mutt," Jun cursed, kicking the dog. The mutt fell to his side with a yelp, and Sakura ran to his side. Jun grabbed a kunai from his leg holster, unable to mask his rage. For the first time, Sakura saw the truth: Jun's ugly personality had come rearing to a head.
"Stop," she told Jun. "Don't hurt the dog."
Jun looked at her, a play of a smirk crossing his features. But his eyes were almost feral, more savage than any animal Sakura had ever seen. "I don't want things to be this way between us."
The image of Naruto and Sasuke was steadfast in her mind, giving her the courage to speak up against what she felt was wrong. "I won't apologize for what happened. Typically when a woman says no, a man shouldn't pressure her for more. But if you apologize now, I'll take a look at your leg and make sure it doesn't get infected."
She examined the dog for any internal bruising, be he seemed fine. She scratched his head, to which he gratefully wagged his tail for before trotting off the road again. She then motioned for Jun to show her his wound.
If Jun had taken offense to her, he didn't show it. In fact, he almost seemed smug with satisfaction, looking down to her as she healed him. "That feels good."
"It's not going to scar, either," Sakura replied, standing. "Whoa—" Blood rushed to her head and her vision went black with prickly pins and needles. She lost her footing and stumbled.
"Careful Haruno," Jun said, catching her. "You obviously can't handle alcohol—"
"I can." She could feel his cold, clammy palms through her shirt, and it sent shivers down her back.
"You don't look well. I can take you to your room."
"Fuck—" Sakura sighed, exasperated. "Fine."
She didn't remember the last time alcohol hit her this way, but she supposed it had been a while since she'd had Genshu on an empty stomach. Still, as they walked towards her room she did her best to stand up as straight as possible. Jun kept his hand planted firmly around her waist even though he didn't need to, which annoyed her. She didn't want to make a fuss because the faster they got to her room, the faster he'd leave.
Her cheeks felt warm against the brisk winter night air, and her belly had begun pooling with heat from the alcohol. The extra sensations she felt were odd, as if she was not just drunk. Her head felt like it was being swirled from the inside, dulling her senses and keeping her vision unfocused. Still, she mentally scanned her body for anything awry. She only felt alcohol in her system.
On their way inside, they passed by a few people. She couldn't exactly put names to faces, but she was glad to make it to her door without running into Sasuke or Naruto.
"I'll help you inside," he said once they reached her door.
"I've got it." She took out her key and tried once or twice to put it in the lock but the head kept missing the mouth. Behind them, down the corridor, she could see a maid peering at them, pretending to be busy.
"Don't be difficult, Haruno." Jun grabbed the key and opened the door in one swift motion. "Almost there."
She let him guide her to her bed, and she plopped onto her back. Her hunger was now the least of her problems, and she closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "This headache is really bad."
"Sorry. You should rest."
She thought he'd leave, but instead, Jun sat at the edge of her bed. It was uncomfortable, to have him there, watching her. He leaned over and brushed his fingertips along the side of her head as if trying to soothe her. It had the opposite effect.
"I'm going to try to sleep this off. Thanks, Jun."
He seemed to understand the signal and got up, much to her relief. "I guess I'll see you later then."
She nodded, letting him leave. His presence grew fainter and fainter, the clicks of his heavy combat boots on the cold stone in the corridor dimming. Finally, when she was certain he was gone, she let out a loud and shaky sigh. She rolled over to her side and began to cry.
There were warning signs. Jun had more to his character than he'd let on, and he was careful to put on a good show for her. Naruto and Sasuke both saw it, too. Deep down, she knew it too. It was just that, up until then, Sakura wanted to believe in Jun. She admired him for how he'd come from nothing, like her, and made it in the shinobi world. She liked that he was respected but still knew how to have fun in secret. He showed her a fantasy where she could be free and ordinary. He was an escape.
The revelation brought a fear that was inescapable: deep down, she was masquerading just as much as Jun was. Would she hit a wall with her lies at one point? Would the new life she wanted for herself come to a tragic end, dismantling like a stack of dominos if she made just one careless mistake as Jun had?
x
Sakura awoke to the sound of knocking at her door. Her head felt better, though it still pulsed with a dull throbbing sensation. It was almost like a hangover, but when she checked her watch it had only been a little over two hours since she'd fallen asleep.
"W-who is it?" she called to the door.
"Sakura. It's me."
"Almost ready, one sec."
She sat up from her bed and swiped the back of her hands against her face, ridding herself of the evidence that she'd been a stupid, dewy-eyed girl who fell for the lavender haze of something that didn't exist.
For paranoia of reeking of a sweat and alcohol, Sakura began sifting through her bag for a fresh change of clothes. Her hands found a clean shirt, and as she pulled it out, an object fell to the floor with a clunk. She froze.
Her eyes were playing tricks on her; they must've been. Because laying there, as pristine as it was the first day she received it, was Itachi's scroll.
To be continued...
