"Look at us! The OG team seven back together again!" Naruto makes some obnoxious hand signs while proclaiming the obvious.
"Sai should be here too! It's too bad he's away on a mission." Sakura remarks.
The three crowd around the table in her living room. They have gotten Sasuke's favorite take out. Though he had never told them explicitly Sakura has noticed the frequent boxes from the establishment in the fridge or trash on the rare occasion he did not cook his meals. Along with the food were two large bottles of sake. Just on the cusp of being old enough to drink, Naruto has decided collectively, for the three of them, that they would be having their 'first' sips of alcohol together. Sakura won't tell them she's had sips of Tsunade's drinks for years, mixing up water cups for cups full of sake during her training over the years.
"Where the hell did you get these big ass bottles from?" Sakura feels comfortable using language around them. She has to be professional all day, it's nice to talk like a 17, almost 18 year old sometimes.
"Big ass bottles?" Sasuke curls an eyebrow up at her and she can tell he is fighting off a grin.
"Tsunade-baa gave them to me like years ago. Now let's eat!" Naruto claps his hands and gives thanks for the food before digging in. Sakura opens up one of the bottles and pours each of them a glass. Naruto takes a bite then lifts his glass up for everyone to follow suit.
"To our final night together for a while! And for the bastard to have safe travels! Cheers!" The three clink their glasses, even Sasuke as they eat and drink the night away.
A few hours go by and dinner has turned into board games, followed by a drunken card game where no one wins, into a movie, and ending with Naruto passing out face first into her couch. Sakura is tidying up, her tolerance for alcohol fairly high, even though she can feel her cheeks red from the amount she has consumed. A breeze blows into the room and she turns, noticing Sasuke leaning against the balcony siding outside. After she throws away some empty take out containers she walks out to join him. She failed to notice inside but he's swaying, visibly drunk, once she gets outside.
"Are you alright Sasuke-kun?"
"Mhm." He says, wobbling then gripping the balcony tighter for support.
"You're drunk."
"No." Sasuke turns his head abruptly and his dark hair goes into his eyes. Sakura chuckles as he pushes the strands aside with his hand. "...Maybe." He admits.
"Uh-huh." Sakura chuckles.
They stand side by side and look out into the sky watching the stars as well as a few lazy clouds drifting along the dark sky. Without preamble Sasuke reaches for her and brings her into a tight embrace.
"I'll miss you." He whispers into her hair. Sakura wraps her arms around his torso and holds onto him tightly. Memorizing the way he feels against her, his smoky smell, even the way his breath catches above her.
"I'll miss you." Sakura agrees.
Sasuke pulls apart from her and she looks up into his dark eye, as he looks back down at her so intently. Tentatively, to not break the moment she pushes aside the hair covering his rinnegan and tucks it behind his ear. She provides a warm smile at him and he leans down too quickly, almost painfully pressing his lips to hers. She doesn't care though, it's the first time he's kissed her since the morning after he came home from prison. Sasuke doesn't stop, he opens his mouth to hers. Her eyes fly open to see that his are still shut. Surprised he's being so forthcoming in his advances. Shutting her eyes once more, she leans on her toes and grips onto his dark shirt, licking at his tongue that has invaded her mouth. His arm slinks its way behind her, a warm palm pressing into her lower back, where he pulls her ever closer to him. They kiss unhurried, savoring each other under the moonlight. He bites at her lower lip and an unbidden noise escapes her, which has him taking a sudden step back.
"Sorry." Sakura presses a finger to her swollen lips.
"Don't be. I…got ahead of myself."
"What are we doing?" Sakura asks, finally sure this is the time to ask him. She has not wanted to bother him with this question because she also wanted to take her time with the thought. Now it's time and she needs an answer before he leaves for some unknown amount of time.
"I mean, what is this between us?"
Sasuke ponders and his hand reaches for hers, he holds it up and runs a finger underneath the space between her wrist and the bracelet he gifted her.
"I want to be better. I want to see the world, without my vision clouded…" Sasuke begins, his finger still caressing her wrist. "...but, I want…you." The world around her seems to grow quiet as she takes in what he had just said. He wants to be a better man before they can be together.
"I get it." Sakura responds, she understands but it still pangs her heart in a way she thought would not affect her. It's a complicated feeling she is sorting through. The boy she has loved for years, fought for, been hurt by, who had nearly killed her (and her him), had returned, is now atoning in his own way, and finally returning her feelings.
"You don't." Sasuke answers.
She's not sure what this means.
"The bracelet. It was a tradition to give one to…to the one you are promised to."
The few weeks she had been wearing the bracelet and she had not known the meaning. She blushes at the implication, and how he had placed it on her wrist weeks ago so…easily. As if there was no doubt in his mind.
Bold of him to assume I would agree.
I do…but that's beside the point.
"Oh." With a flurry of responses, and squeals lodged in the back of her throat, it's all she can think to get out.
"Before you go…I-I have to tell you something."
If he's being honest, so will she.
Sasuke is still looking at her so attentively, with a light flush adorning his cheeks.
"I love you."
He doesn't say it back, instead leaning down to devour her lips once more, it's answer enough for her. He understands and he feels things he's not ready to verbalize yet. He removes himself from her, resting his forehead to hers, panting against her face.
"…wait for me." Sasuke whispers against her lips so softly laced with such urgency, she almost misses it. They both seem to understand the weight of his plea.
It's a big ask. She's already waited so long. Yet, here she is, still, agreeing to his quiet request with ease. Sakura nods her forehead against his, a confirmation. It's not a timeframe he's asking for her to wait on, it's him, all of him. He wants to feel a sense of self, one where he knows who he is without people influencing the way he thinks. Sakura knows he's closer than he thinks, but she understands he needs the space to find that out for himself.
—
The following morning after their hidden-between-the-lines confessions Sakura goes to his room where he's packing his nin-pouch where the new black cloak Naruto and her had gone in on, lies on his bed ready to be donned. She makes a request.
"Will you write to me?" He pauses his packing and looks at her strangely. "I mean, not all the time. It doesn't even have to be important, it can be anything! Maybe you see like…a cool leaf or vegetable or something!" Kami, she's talking too much. Sakura hangs her head, feeling as though she's just embarrassed herself.
"Of course." Sasuke replies looking directly at her. "I think I'm ready."
Naruto had left at some point in the early morning leaving a mess in his place, but Sakura will make sure he helps her clean up later.
The two walk to the gates to find Kakashi waiting for them. He goes into a conversation about how Sasuke needs to be careful and not make Kakashi regret this. Sasuke acquiesces and before he leaves he taps her forehead, thanking her, then walks off down the dirt road leading out of Konoha.
–
Sakura expected to receive sparse letters. She wasn't sure when the first would come. She finds herself about to fall asleep way too late in the night some two months after his journey has started, when she hears a pecking at her window. Trudging from her bed to her bedroom window she at first thinks it's a message from the hospital only to find it's Sasuke's hawk. She looks around her room frantically for a treat for the flying beast but ends up coming short. Making a mental note to get bird treats, she instead takes the message and rewards the bird with gentle head scratches. Sakura makes a hand sign advising the bird to wait.
The tomatoes in wind country are shit. -S
Sakura can't help but laugh hysterically in the dead of night. She's uncaring if her neighbors hear. As bone tired as she is she still wakes herself up enough to write back a response.
You've always been particular. -Sakura
Sakura rolls the small piece of paper up and ties it to his hawk. Signing to the hawk to fly off. She holds onto the paper as she falls asleep. Waking up to it discarded in some part of her bed. Carefully digging it out of her sheets, she tucks it safely into her top dresser drawer where she stores the bracelet he gifted her on days she knows she's doing shifts in the surgery ward, as well as the notes he had written to her during his hospital stay.
A month goes by and she has been pushing herself over her limits at work and conducting her research for the children's clinic. If she stays on track she thinks in the next six months with charity auctions, community support, and some of her own money she thinks she will have what she needs to get plans together for the physical building. Naruto has seen her working her ass off, and naturally calls her out on it, forcing her to get lunch with him. She agrees because he owes her for having to clean her place after Sasuke's 'goodbye party'.
After they eat lunch together a familiar hawk is seen circling above the two former teammates on their walk back towards the hospital and Hokage tower. Sakura holds her arm out for the majestic bird. It perches and Sakura unties the message canister on its leg. Removing a small piece of paper. She can feel Naruto trying to peer over her shoulder as she reads Sasuke's newest message.
I suppose…I have always been particular about you after all. -S
Sakura looks up at a nearby rooftop while she and Naruto are stopped at a random street corner somewhere between the restaurant and their respective workplaces. She tries jogging her memory to what she had written in her last note. She's sorting through her memory log when Naruto decides to be nosy and reads Sasuke's response while she's distracted.
"Bleh! Is he flirting?"
Sakura remembers what she had said in reference to the tomatoes and it all finally clicks. She finds herself blushing at the implication of his single line note.
"Like you're so much better." Sakura tosses back, pocketing the note, and making a mental note to write back once she doesn't have an audience.
"I am in fact! Believe it!"
"I'll believe it when I see it." Sakura teases. She knows Naruto has been working on how he woos the Hyuga heiress. He has gotten better, with some guidance from Sakura. There was always room for improvement though.
"Since when are you and that bastard flirting?" Naruto inquires, shooting her a cheeky smile as they walk closer to their separate destinations.
Sakura doesn't want to get into this right now. The hospital is in view, just down the street.
"Not sure. Gotta get back to work! Talk soon Naruto!" Sakura runs off. She knows she could and probably should just tell Naruto but she's not ready for Sasuke and her private…situationship to be aired out to anyone. It felt too small, like an ember she has to keep blowing on to keep aflame. Adding another variable felt like it would throw water onto the ember of their budding relationship and she selfishly wants to just sit in this warm feeling for a little longer.
–
One year has passed since Sasuke has started his journey. Sakura hears from him varying between every few weeks to every two months. It's been a while since his most recent letter. Three months to be exact.
Today Sakura has been summoned to the Hokage's office in regards to news on the children's clinic. She's just hoping it doesn't have to do with the council finding another bogus problem she has to discredit again before real progress can be made.
Sakura enters the Hokage's office to find Kakashi and Naruto on the other side of the desk.
"I've received a letter from Sasuke and he wants me to inform you both of some information."
Sakura and Naruto look at each other curiously and back to their former teacher.
"This information does not leave this office. Is that understood?" Kakashi says surprisingly sternly.
"Understood." Sakura and Naruto speak in unison.
"Sasuke has taken on a few missions during his time on the road. Rank of the missions varying from B to S. He has successfully completed every one and written thorough reports back to me in regards to these missions." Kakashi focuses his gaze on her. She can sense Naruto straighten beside her.
"The stipulations of his parole, as well as his allegiance to Konohagakure stated he had to hit certain checkpoints to gain access to his finances."
Oh no. She can guess where this is going.
At this point Kakashi stands from behind his desk and walks around to hand Naruto a scroll followed by handing Sakura two scrolls.
"In each of your hands there are statements from him, in regards to his inheritance and what he is choosing to give away and donate. I'll give you a moment to read over them."
In the first scroll that Sakura opens, she recognizes it to be one of Sasukes. The other one she holds is a bank of Konoha scroll. She reads what he has decided to write to her. From a brief glance she can tell it's the most he's written in any one letter to her.
Sakura,
I've inherited the 'cursed' money and found out how much was actually in the account. All of the remaining finances from the Uchiha were left to me. I have no need for the money and I've been told if I don't give it away or keep it the council will take it. I understand it was not your wish to have this money, but please reconsider. In your letters you talk about how close you are to building the structure of the children's clinic. This could ensure it happens sooner rather than later.
I'm sorry.
-S
Tell the dobe to buy a better wallet.
Sakura is upset. She didn't want to be put into this position. But she also doesn't want the council to have this mysterious funding. She looks over at Naruto who is stock still staring at the scroll he has unfurled.
Sakura rolls up Sasuke's letter and opens the second scroll. Her eyes bug at the amount. Before she can stop herself she finds herself asking Kakashi-
"Did he keep any of the money?"
"He did." Kakashi says flatly.
She looks back at the number amount on the official statement. This could not only fund the rest of the children's clinic, it could also fund it for probably up to five years after it's established. It could pay for new hospital beds, it could pay for new machines that they so desperately need, it could repair the cracks in the walls of the hospital she notices on every floor. It could help.
"...And if I don't agree to take it?"
"It will go to the village." Kakashi answers.
Naruto guffaws at her like she's crazy. She's glad Sasuke thought of him and gave some to Naruto. Naruto has never had a lot. With whatever amount Sasuke has given to him she's sure it could offer a great start at a fresh life with his now fianceé.
"I'll let you know." Sakura informs Kakashi.
Kakashi waves them off shortly after Naruto and Sakura walk out of the tower together.
"Why wouldn't you take it?" He asks, stopping in his tracks in the middle of a fairly busy side street.
"Not here." Sakura advises, before walking towards the nearby training grounds.
"Explain?" He asks again.
"It doesn't feel right taking the money of his former clanmates."
"It's money. It either goes to good or it can go to the council and whatever they want to do with it. You could dedicate something to his clan if it makes you feel better?"
She thinks about the cracks in the foundation at the hospital, and the many children living out of ever changing homes. Then she thinks of a plethora of ways to honor Sasuke's clan, the name he has been trying to restore since he was a boy.
"Oh. He says you need a better wallet." Sakura throws out with a small smile, trying to diffuse the conversation while also trying to sort her thoughts.
"Tell him he can shove it…" Naruto says heatedly. "...Actually don't say anything. I'll write him my own letter." Naruto's face shifts into something that resembles what she can pinpoint as, reluctant gratitude.
Sakura places her hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"You have the opportunity to make a life for yourself and Hinata. You're going to do great." She assures him, seeing the way his emotions fluctuate behind his face.
"Thanks Sakura-chan. Now…are you going to tell me what is going on between you two?"
She's been avoiding this conversation but now it seems like it was finally going to happen. She thinks she's ready now.
"We've been talking since after the war."
"What does that mean? Are you together?"
"We don't have any titles. But he gave me this." Sakura reaches her wrist out towards Naruto where he looks at the bracelet. He observes it for a moment longer than she would deem normal.
"...Did he propose to you?"
"Huh? What? No." Wait. Did he? No. That can't be right.
"Are you sure?" Naruto asks again as he lifts her wrist up to squint at the underside.
"Pretty sure?"
"Hm." Naruto grunts and develops a cheeky grin. "Kinda seems like he proposed."
Sakura hears a clock tolling a distance away."Let's talk later, I have to go to work. Lunch soon?" Sakura says as she sidesteps back towards a main road leading out of the grounds.
"Sure. Think about it, Sakura-chan."
"I will." She assures before running off.
–
A month later, Sakura has decidedly put the money into the hospital and the children's clinic. With part of the money, and some consideration and collaboration from Naruto she has set aside a part of the outdoor area between the hospital and clinic to be a garden in honor of the Uchiha clan. She has written to Sasuke informing him she would be using the money and that, with his permission, she wanted to have the garden be in memory of his clan. He had written back an agreement.
Sakura's about to leave a meeting she had with the council to inform them of the donation she received and what she intends to do with the money. Because she still apparently needs to stay within city code. To her great surprise they approve of all her requests and Sakura can finally schedule the builders to break ground on the clinic. Immediately following the meeting the sole female in the council has pulled Sakura aside.
"It's no secret where the money came from." She's not sure how to respond to what feels like an accusation.
"The reparations to the hospital and the clinic will aid many." Sakura is unsure where this conversation is going. She watches the elderly woman look around the direct vicinity and then face back towards Sakura.
"There is talk that you and the last Uchiha are in union."
"That is–" Sakura begins only to be cut off when the crotchety woman puts a hand up to quiet her.
"I don't intend to get in the middle. All I will say is that Konoha would benefit greatly if the Uchiha clan were to expand. The sharingan is and has always been one of Konoha's greatest assets."
Sakura has to bite her tongue. She can't mouth off on this woman who could take away all the progress she's just made with a simple snap of her decrepit fingers.
Instead she swallows the bile climbing her throat and instead provides a curt bow and a, "I'll keep that in mind," under her breath.
"I hope you do." She hears Lady Utatane whisper, before she disappears down a corridor to get as far away from Hokage tower as possible.
Her feet pound into the matted dirt streets of Konoha, racing through the merchant district to get away from any semblance of her shinobi life. She didn't even want this money! But she took it so the council couldn't make any other childrens, shinobi, or civilian lives hell from whatever their weird deceitful plans are.
"Sakura?" She registers her name being called out but continues running.
She's nearly at the gates to get out of the village when the voice cuts into her hearing again.
"Forehead, slow down!" Sakura stops running and turns around. Ino slows to a jog, after chasing her down the last few streets.
"Where are you running off to?"
"Anywhere but here." Ino pauses and stares down Sakura for a moment longer than necessary, assessing her. She glances at her wrist that the bracelet is practically burning through right now.
"Let's go for a walk, outside of the village." Ino suggests and saunters over towards Sakura. She waves up to the guard tower and tells them they will be back shortly. The guards nod down to Ino as they walk out of the gates and begin walking around the perimeter.
Sakura's breathing becomes more erratic the farther they walk, her thoughts plaguing her as they take all new avenues. She can admit she's smart, and it has been a gift to her most of her life. With her expanse of knowledge and ability to retain and sort through information she holds a greater burden than most people. Her intellectual abilities can destroy her if she allows them to.
Ino, ever cognizant of Sakura, sidesteps in front of her and grasps her shoulders forcing her to look at Ino.
"What's going on? I've never seen you this shaken."
Sakura tries her hardest to regulate herself, her thoughts and her breath.
"I'm tired Ino."
A piercing blue eye practically looks through Sakura. So she continues.
"I'm tired of always working. I'm tired of being told no to issues I've already solved! I'm tired of the council and their schemes. Most of all I'm tired of waiting." Sakura's voice cracks at the end and a sob rattles throughout her entire being.
"Sit." Ino gestures over to a tree where she helps Sakura to rest against as she cries. Her tears seemingly never ending. She's had to keep herself together. She's had to put on a show for Konoha that she is the accomplished doctor, that she can run the hospital, that she can take care of the orphans of Konoha. But who was taking care of her?
The exhaustion from the last few years in particular seems to have caught up to her at this moment. She had bottled away so much of her pain, exhaustion, and trauma that one small nudge has just pushed her over the edge.
"I'm so close. We can finally start building. I can't get weak now." She tries to stand and brush her clothes off but Ino pushes her back down by her shoulders.
"Ino!"
"No! You need to listen." Ino gets in her face and tells her the things she needed someone to tell her for months, years. "You are allowed a moment, you are allowed days off, and you are allowed to be upset! We have all been pushed to do shit we didn't want to do after the war but you seem to have gotten the worst of it. Sakura, for fucks sake you're running an entire hospital at eighteen. Take a moment, finish your cry, then we are going to be eighteen for a few hours."
Ino lets her do exactly that she eventually collects herself, and then the two young women run through the streets of Konoha enjoying an afternoon of lost youth.
—
1 Year Later
Sakura is passing through the hallways of the hospital after doing her weekly check in on the children's clinic which is functioning smoothly. The clinic has been up and running for three months now, and it has truly become her pride and joy. The project she's put so much thought, care, and research into–finally was doing good for children in need.
Sakura walks up to her office and shuts the door behind herself. She opens up a small, bento box she had packed for herself that morning. Nothing like Sasuke's cuisine but still good enough and always improving. As she's chewing on a pickled radish she hears a familiar tapping at her window. No matter how many times this has happened, the tapping never fails to make her heart race. She opens the nearby window and holds her arm out for the hawk. She gives it a scratch on the head and walks it into her office to grab a special treat for it from one of her desk drawers. While the hawk munches on the treat Sakura removes the message from the carrier around his leg.
Will be back in three days. I included an herb I found passing through a coastal village. Curious if it is of any use. -S
Sakura has been planning for this. She's excited to show Sasuke the strong and accomplished woman she is. She's even requested to take some time off to travel with him, if he wanted to travel with her that is. Kakashi had signed off on the paperwork and told him to let him know when she was leaving. Sakura's made all proper preparations for her absence, between updating the entire hospital protocol handbook, putting together articles and reference materials for the aspiring medics, and making sure well rounded employees were taking care of the children at the clinic, she feels she has a secure hold on things. She can't remember the last time she had a full day off in the two years Sasuke has been gone. She's more than deserved the time off she has requested.
–
Three days pass and Naruto and Sakura wait at the village gates for Sasuke to return. They collectively wait hours. They had each taken shifts because waiting and doing nothing for hours of course does nothing for the village. Nightfall comes and there is still no Sasuke. Naruto opens her office window and shakes his head.
"Do you think something happened?" She asks.
Naruto looks glum. "I doubt it. The bastard is too strong to go down so easily. Let's give it a few days. Maybe he…lost track of time?" Naruto suggests with a hint of optimism.
Sakura nods and finishes up filing away some of the papers on her desk. She knows Sasuke doesn't simply 'lose track of time.'
–
One month becomes two, and still no word from Sasuke.
She's decided to take her own journey, without Sasuke. His absence won't stop her from taking much deserved time off after all the work she's done in the past few years.
Sakura packs the final item into her nin-pouch, the bracelet Sasuke gifted her. She can't wear it right now. Even looking at it makes her uneasy.
She sent a notice to Kakashi about taking her time off a few days ago. He had accepted the time off request just hours after receiving it.
She somberly ventures towards the village gates where Naruto and Hinata, now his wife, wait for her. Hinata gives her a bento filled with fresh food, and Sakura accepts it wishing it was someone else gifting it to her. Naruto gives her a hug, whispering in her ear, take your time.
Sakura waves the two off and begins her journey solo.
The first night on her own she takes care to find a discreet tree covered patch of grass. It's just the beginning of spring, the earth is still soft and damp in most places throughout Fire Country. As she looks up at the stars through the small patches between leaves she feels a certain excitement she hasn't felt in a long time. She's free from the shackles of responsibilities for however long she decides to make this journey. Sakura understands why Sasuke needed time on the road.
–
Two weeks into her own travels she makes it to the southern coast of Fire Country, an oceanside town. It's the same one Sasuke had written about staying in for two weeks. Sasuke typically wrote about staying in villages for only a few days at a time, but this one he had remained in for the longest of his journey. She walks the streets and watches as children run through a busy market. She sees a couple older men at a table playing what looks like a heated game of go. As she treks deeper into the village she makes it to where the ocean meets the sand and she thinks she understands why Sasuke had spent so much time here. It was relaxed, and people were minding their own business. One could think here without the pressures of modern shinobi civilization.
Finally making it to the beach, she removes her sandals and walks down to the shoreline. A few people are laid out and enjoying a picnic, while some children are looking for seashells a few meters away. Sakura finds herself sitting where the tide crashes against the shoreline and dips her toes into the cool water. Water droplets tickle her toes and she looks out towards the midday horizon, watching the ocean go on for what looks like forever.
Sakura tucks her hands under her knees and remains rooted in the sand, letting the ocean wash away the dirt on her legs from her recent travels. She's not sure how long she remains in her spot on the warm sand. The sun is lower in the sky from when she first got here.
"Ma'am?" An elderly woman taps on Sakura's shoulders. She turns back to where the woman is hunched over curiously looking at Sakura.
"It is you! You're Sakura Haruno!"
"Can I help you?" She asks sweetly, this woman seems so excited to see her. This has happened once before in the town before she had arrived at this one. It's still so surreal to be known by name to complete strangers. Being a war hero and world renown doctor does that, she supposes. Deep down her imposter syndrome is always present and she just considers herself Sakura from Konohagakure.
"I apologize for bothering you dear but I was curious if I could ask you to look at my husband. He's ill and our local doctor is out in the town over." The woman's joy from recognizing Sakura has shifted to worry as she informs Sakura of the symptoms her spouse is experiencing. Sakura picks herself up, puts her sandals back on her feet and dusts her tunic before following after the woman.
Sakura is led back into the main part of town, down a couple side streets, and up a flight of stairs to an apartment on one of the middle floors of a larger building. Sakura is guided into the apartment by the woman and is immediately hit by a curious scent. She follows after the woman who shows her to a bedroom where her husband is laid out on a bed underneath sheets; the man is as pale as the white sheets he rests on.
Sakura does a rough physical assessment of the sleeping man before asking the wife some questions.
"How is his appetite?"
"He eats all the time but continues to lose weight."
The man breathes out after snoring loudly. Sakura is hit by the scent of his breath and knows exactly what is ailing the man, but continues her line of questions.
"Does his family have a history of diabetes?"
The woman looks curiously at Sakura as she seems to be sorting through her personal memory logs. The wife's eyes light as she informs Sakura his mother had been diabetic.
"Well I can tell you he has most of the symptoms from what you've told me and smelling his breath just now it smells fruity which is also one of the major symptoms of diabetes." Sakura pulls out her medical notepad and writes a prescription and some advice on how to aid the man.
"Make sure you get this medicine as soon as possible. Is there a drugstore nearby?"
"Yes. Thank you! Thank you so much! I was afraid my Saito wouldn't make it before our doctor came back."
"You mentioned that. Where is your town doctor?" Sakura asks curiously.
"He's been summoned to our sister village just a few kilometers to the north. They were almost wiped out by a recent typhoon. I heard that some stranger saved them, it was an incredible feat and we all await more news from our doctor. The issue is that the entrance to the village is still in shambles and hard to get to. They were in desperate need of medical supplies and our doctor has been sent to bring it to them. I'm sure they would appreciate a visit from someone with your expertise!"
"Can you draw me a map on how to get there?"
The woman scrambles around her apartment looking for paper and a pen. Sakura searches through her medical supplies pouch buried in her larger nin pouch. While the woman draws up a map Sakura pulls out a few doses of insulin for the man to get him through the next few days until she can get him some at the drugstore.
The woman bows on her doorstep, thanking Sakura for her assistance, time, and the few vials of insulin. Sakura waves her off, informing her she was happy to help.
She climbs down the staircase of the apartment complex and walks back into the city streets following the woman's directions on the sketched out map. The sun is in the process of setting in the distance. The road Sakura is traveling follows along a cliffside overlooking the ocean she had been staring out onto only a few hours ago. She uses some of her chakra to push faster to arrive before nightfall.
Pausing when she comes to a deep indent in the middle of the road which is supposed to lead into this village, Sakura notices the indent goes through the road and in both directions. It looks like from what she can tell, that the deep indent goes around the whole village. Sakura hops a nearby tree to take a better look at the strange crater of earth in her way. The tree provides the view she was looking for as she looks out– she sees a mangled circle around the second small coastal village she has ventured to today. This village is different in that it sits right at the edge of a small cliffside.
What she realizes from her bird's eye view as she focuses on the circular ridge around the whole village is that the buildings and village streets within the circle are intact and completely unscathed. All the trees in the direct vicinity outside the rough circle are destroyed, it looks like the type of damage a typhoon would incur. Some trees are completely sideways, patches of earth scathed away from wind damage. Fields just outside the town are completely destroyed or look like they have been recently flooded. She can't believe the damage this typhoon has done to the outskirts of this town. She also can't imagine how just the town and its people are intact and safe. What or who had protected this place? The woman from earlier mentioned a stranger. What kind of stranger can protect this much area from a natural disaster of this caliber?
The sun is almost completely downcast as Sakura hops a few stable tall trees to get over the indented earth. She spots what looks like the former entrance gate to the village and makes the trek from the tree tops down to the path below.
The entrance is slightly damaged, and seems like it was just out of range of the indent.
A shinobi stops her from entering, questioning her before allowing her passage.
"Halt. What brings you to Kaigan Village?" The shinobi in an all black uniform with a red fire country armband looks her up and down.
"You're Sakura Haruno?"
How did so many people know her? Sheesh! Hey, her work was recognized though, that was good!
"Yes. I was advised by a woman from the town over to check how your village was holding up."
The guards' features shift from uncertainty to relief. He very suddenly bows deeply before her.
"Apologies, Lady Haruno. Please allow me to escort you to our village chief."
Lady? Whatever…
The guard guides her through the town to a nice looking house, humble compared to the nicer houses in Konoha. He knocks on the door and an older man opens it. His eyes widen and he bows before her.
"Lady Haruno! You grace us with your presence." He stands back up and ushers her into his living room, advising her to take a seat. She does so on an available plush red chair.
"What brings your expertise to Kaigan village?"
"I have been alerted that aid might be needed after a recent typhoon."
"While we would have…if not for the mysterious shinobi who saved us!"
Mysterious shinobi? A shinobi saved this village?
She's not trying to think of Sasuke, but her mind flickers to him for a brief moment before asking more questions.
"Are there any medical supplies or care your villagers need that they have not been able to receive due to the damage at your borders?"
The village chief puts a finger to his chin.
"We are working to repair the damage, but right now is the season most of the villagers make their income so they have been busy at the cliffside and the ocean, fishing. We had a member of our sister town drop off some supplies but there are a few villagers who could benefit from your medical care. Would you be willing to see them tonight?"
"Of course." Sakura agrees, she's exhausted from her day but what was another few hours of helping people who needed it? She hates to admit it but she's secretly been missing a clinical setting. She somehow has always felt comfortable in medical settings no matter where she is in the world.
The village chief guides her around to different villagers and she tends to wounds, applies salves to infected skin, readjusts bones, and provides an antidote to a patient with an aggressive allergy. It's well into the night, early morning when Sakura finishes up tending to the group of locals the chief has brought her to. He walks beside her as they travel back to his home.
On his doorstep he whispers lowly to her, she's very suddenly on alert.
"The shinobi that saved our village. He resides in a cabin five kilometers northwest of here. He has advised me to leave him alone but it is clear the man is suffering. I-I wasn't going to say anything to not go against his wishes but I cannot let him live like that any longer."
Sakura ponders for a moment and she hates that her heart flutters for the briefest of moments. She relents and assures the village chief that she will make a visit to him.
The village chief bows deeply before Sakura once more and waves her off. She hears him call out to her, "if you are ever in need of anything please do not hesitate to ask."
With that she sets off, on the edge of the town she takes to the trees to avoid the rough terrain. Her muscles burn as she hops from branch to branch, following the directions the chief has informed her to follow. Her chakra and energy have been tested today after taking it easy for the past few weeks. She supposed it was only a matter of time before something like this happened to her.
After traveling for a little over twenty minutes she sees a small wooden establishment come into view. One of her chakra laden feet nearly breaks through a branch she was hopping upon. She had felt a sudden surge as her emotions flared. For some reason she feels unsteady, her stomach in knots as she approaches closer to the wooden structure.
Sakura makes her descent and catches her breath before taking a few steps up to the door. Taking care to make sure she has a kunai in reach in case this was an enemy shinobi. Observing the cabin before she approaches fully she realizes this place looks to be a hundred years old or older. The wood is rotting in a few places, there are dents and cracks in some of the panels and the few windows on the front are dusty and dark.
Sakura knocks on the dented and scratched wooden door and waits. She hears a groan from inside and a few thuds. It sounds like someone's fallen over. Reaching for the door in concern of the welfare of the man she swings open the unlocked door. Feeling a familiar chakra present, albeit just barely.
It's dark outside, yet darker in the house but she can still see clear as day who it is. His breathing is labored, and he's laid out face first onto the wooden floor.
"Sasuke–?!"