" Sakura " Sakura groaned and stirred.
" Sakura "
" mmmh "
She felt someone flick her forehead, Sakura immediately sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked at the smirking Ino, who was now putting on red lipstick. Typical Ino. For a while, she had to stare into the ground for a few minutes to gain her sense back. Sakura looked at the window and saw that they were in the city. As they throve on the street, she saw no more than 5 people, most stores and malls were closed, she barely saw vehicles, no children on the street, and the gray sky was making the place even gloomier.
Everything was just gray and lifeless. Like the people had no more hope for their village.
Oto used to be a beautiful city, you'd see people on the street jamming with the street musicians or just their neighbors. Oto was one of the places she planned to visit someday but now, it looks so empty and silent. Silence is deadly. Sakura thought, and so this place.
Sakura looked at Ino who momentarily stopped and stared at the surrounding. Sadness for the people was evident in her eyes, sakura would too feel the same way, knowing both their profession is about taking and giving life. Sakura sighed deeply and squeezed Ino's hand. It's going to be a long week and another long week without Ino. Ino squeezed Sakura's hand and smiled at her, it was their way of reassuring each other, that everything's going to be okay.
After both girls held into each other's hands, Sakura's phone buzzed. She immediately rummaged on her bag, I mean she knows it's hers because who uses meme songs as their ringtone.
Chicken Wing, Chicken Wing, Hotdog and Baloney, Chicken and macaroni, chillin' with mah homies.
The driver and man looked at her weirdly and she awkwardly chuckled, " Uhm yeah, I'm gonna answer this. " She cleared her throat and answered the phone.
" Hello? "
" Ah Sakura-san. " A deep calm silky voice vibrated on her phone, she glanced at Ino who looked worriedly at her, she winked at her and placed the phone on speaker.
" Have you arrived at Oto? Tsunade-sama is kinda worried since she didn't hear anything from the team for almost an hour. " Sakura had to hold her giggle when Ino fanned herself while listening to Itachi's voice. She just wanted to cheer up the blond because ever since they arrived at Oto it brought a gray cloud on her head.
" Ah yes, we lost signal for a while but since we're in the city the signal now is stable. '' Sakura glanced at Ino who was now busy packing up her makeup. Sakura then looked outside and they were now heading to a more secluded area, it seems like they were to some kind of park or mini forest.
In the middle of the city? Sakura thought while observing her surroundings.
" That's good to know. I'll hang up now and will call the team, I'll check up on you and Ino-san later, once the both of you have settled in your chambers. " Sakura had to giggle when she heard Tsunade and Chiyo arguing in the background. She misses home even though she just left a few hours ago.
" Okay, Thank you for checking up on us Itachi-san. Please don't stress yourselves too much in there and we're going to be fine in here. " She heard a short mutter and hung up on the phone. Just when she placed her phone back into her bag the vehicle halted. She looked around and saw military trucks parked before the SUV, the driver opened the door and the other man took their luggage.
Sakura looked at her surroundings and she wasn't in a hospital nor a clinic, they were deep in the forest in the middle of nowhere. Ino walked beside her and then patted her shoulder.
" I'm going with them, to check our rooms, don't stray too far away, okay? " Sakura nodded at her and approached the tents just a few feet away from the military trucks. As she approached the tents, she saw a familiar silver-haired man. She straightened her clothes and approached the man.
" Hatake-san! " Kakashi-turned around and saw Sakura approaching him, holding a medical kit that was draped on her shoulder. Beneath the mask, Kakashi smiled. The girl does stand out in the crowd, not just her pink hair but her eyes are calling out to everyone whenever someone looks at her.
" Call me Kakashi since we'll be working in the same team, Haruno-san. " Sakura shook her head and extended her hand to him, " I'll call you Kakashi-sensei then, since you're our team leader which I was informed before leaving Konoha and you'll be teaching me a lot of stuff in this mission, so please call me Sakura since I'm your subordinate. " Kakashi chuckled at her.
Sakura looked behind Kakashi who was setting up the plan on the table. Kakashi sidestepped for Sakura to look at the map and layout of the underground chamber.
" I thought you'd stay at Konoha, Hata-" Kakashi looked at her, " Kakashi-sensei " Kakashi shook his head and went back to the layout.
" It'd be a waste of time since I'd be doing nothing aside from receiving updates and making strategies, might as well make strategies here, so I can make strats that are suitable for the situation. A better way is to experience it beforehand. Right? " Sakura nodded at him. Kakashi started marking the underground laboratories that they discovered. Oto seems like a peaceful city but only a few knew about the dirty work that was done below and one of it is Kakashi.
The conversation was clear and knowledgeable, that's what Sakura likes most. As they conversed more about the mission and tasks laid before them, a blond blur bumped into Sakura, making her stumble back. Luckily with good reflexes, Sakura was able to hold on to the table before she could crash to the floor. Sakura glared at the grinning blond with blue eyes.
The blond helped Sakura stand up properly and picked up the things that fell from the table, " I'm sorry, I didn't quite see you there. " Sakura sighed and rubbed her temple.
" Naruto. '' the blond looked at Kakashi who was now reprimanding him. Sakura took the time to inspect Naruto, he was tan, he must be always tasked on the field, he was muscular but not too much, he was not lean, he still got some baby fats in his body but overall, he looks healthy must be from a regular exercise. His face is too puffy though.
" Do you always eat junk foods? " Naruto looked at her, with confusion in his eyes. Kakashi on the other hand looked amused. He nodded at Sakura when she glanced at him for answers since the blond idiot won't speak up but was staring at her intently.
" He always eats ramen. " Sakura sweatdropped no wonder the man has puffy cheeks. She looked at Naruto who was still staring at her, which was starting to annoy her.
" Uh, do you need something? " Sakura looked at him and when he didn't reply she rolled her eyes and moved to Kakashi's left side.
" Are you wearing a wig? " A vein popped in Sakura's temple. She smiled widely at Naruto and slowly approached him. This blond is an idiot, obviously, her hair wasn't a wig. she has freaking pink eyebrows. THIS IDIOT!
" Now now, calm down, why don't you head out to your chamber Sakura-chan? You look exhausted from the trip, you need to rest since we'll be busy tomorrow. I'll send someone to call you once dinner is served. " Sakura glared at Naruto who held up a peace sign at her. She faked a smile at him and walked off.
" Did she inherit Tsunade baa-chan's temper? Because it's like looking at a younger version of but with the pink hair. " Kakashi nodded at Naruto then went back to the plan.
Sakura walked back to the chamber and unfortunately thankful she was assisted by an awkward man named Sai, who asked too many questions but guided her to where Ino was, which he dubbed as 'Beautiful' Sakura had to roll her eyes at the man. Either the man was just calling Ino beautiful to flirt with Ino or he just calls everyone with oblivious nicknames. Once they reached the 6th door from the entrance, Sai knocked on the door, thankfully Ino answered immediately.
" Ah hello beautiful, your colleague is here, she almost got lost. " Ino winked at him while leaning on the door.
" Thank you, Sai, how nice of you. " Sai smiled awkwardly at her then nodded at Sakura.
" You can call me if you need anything Ugly. " Sai waved and went off. Ino had to contain her laughter when Sakura turned red and marched inside the room.
Not oblivious nicknames but offensive and idiotic ones. Sakura thought and slammed the door close.
" Ugh, what's up with that weirdo? " She took kicked off her shoes and stripped her clothes, changing into casual and comfortable ones.
" The man was nice and honest, let him be and I think he's hot. " Ino giggled and laid on her bed which was on the left side of the room. Sakura snickered and placed her sling bag on the bed and pulled out her phone, she looked at the clock, it must have been a long trip since it was already 1 pm. She turned on her alarm and looked at Ino who was now snoring on her bed. She approached the blond and placed the blanket on her.
Sakura laid on her bed and looked up at the ceiling, pondering about tomorrow's events but after a few minutes of thinking she fell into a deep sleep.
Sakura was awoken by her alarm, for a few seconds she stared at the ceiling and blinked several times, trying to adjust her eyesight. She looked at the clock and it was already 7 pm, she immediately stood up and went to take a bath. After emerging from the bathroom all dressed she called Ino.
" Ino wake up! We need to get ready for dinner. '' Ino stirred in her sleep, after calling her several times, Ino finally had the courage to stand up and walk to the bathroom to change. While Ino was changing into her clothes, Sakura was combing her hair neatly and was rechecking the items in her medical bag. Just in time when someone knocked on the door and informed them that dinner was served. Sakura replied behind the door, went to the bathroom, and knocked.
" Yo, Ino-pig dinner's served, let's go. " Ino immediately opened the door and wore her shoes, threw her used clothes on her bed, and pulled up her hair into a ponytail. Sakura grabbed her black long cardigan and locked the door.
When they arrived outside and they saw everyone huddled around the campfire since it was cold. Sakura looked around and saw the place was filled with men and could only spot a few women. Sakura and Ino followed the line and saw a brown-haired girl in buns waving at them.
" Cut the line, these girls are starving. " Sakura giggled at the brunette and approached her.
" I'm Tenten, I'll be serving you your meals everyday. '' Sakura and Ino introduced themselves while Tenten served them their meals. Ino went ahead to sit beside Sai, Sakura followed suit and sat beside Ino. When she was just about to put the spoon in her mouth. Someone called out to her.
She looked up and saw Naruto beside Kakashi waving at her, she smiled at them and continued eating. Halfway through her meal, Naruto sat beside her as well as Kakashi. She looked up at them again and raised a brow.
" Since we're in the same team, we should eat together." Naruto crossed his legs comfortably and pulled out a thermos with chopsticks. Sakura stared at him as he slurped his ramen.
" Same team? " She then raised her brow at Kakashi who shrugged and read his pocketbook. Don't this man eat? Speaking of, does he ever remove his mask? What's the mask for? Hide his identity or just for fashion? Sakura thought as she stared at Kakashi. Kakashi's eyes wrinkled telling her he's smiling at her. She smiled back and went back to eat.
Sakura looked at Ino a few tables away from her with a brown-haired dude with pineapple hair and of course Sai. Sakura handed her food container as well as Naruto's to the guy who went to their table to collect it. Sakura stared at the fire before her while Naruto laid on the grass beside her. While Sakura was in deep thought she didn't notice Naruto sitting up and making room for someone to sit beside Sakura. She laid her head on her knee and stared at the ground while pondering about their situation. So lost in her thoughts she suddenly felt someone stir beside her, she gently nudged the person who again shifted. She released an annoyed sigh and lifted her head.
" Stop it Narut- " Sakura's halted and lost the energy to continue speaking.
No words left her mouth, she was left speechless and in awe, as she stared at the man who blended perfectly in the night. His cold calculating burning eyes reflected the fire in front of her and his slightly pale skin glistened under the moon. She immediately looked down, trying to ignore her awkward reaction to the man. A minute passed by, she stood up and called out to Ino.
" Hey Ino-pig, I'm gonna go back, I need to prepare for tomorrow. Just don't stay up too late, mmkay? " Ino nodded at Sakura and went back to talking animatedly to Sai and the pineapple head. Sakura turned to Kakashi, Naruto and the dude then bowed at them.
" I'll head out first, I need to catch up on some sleep. '' Kakashi's eyes wrinkled while Naruto protested at her departure. Sakura avoided the man's eyes and walked away. Now she was able to breathe properly, she walked to the entrance and never looked at him for the night.
The raven-haired stared at the retreating form until it disappeared between the doors and looked back at the fire. A smirk made its way to his lips.
Hn annoying.