To Sakura's surprise she woke up earlier than her alarm. She stretched her whole body and patted for her phone of the bedside table. She unlocked her phone and left messages to her parents and shishou.
5:45 am, she groaned and rolled off her bed, she pulled out her towel from the bag and went to the bathroom. She stripped of her clothes and turned on the shower.
For a while she stood there after she shampooed and soaped her body. She leaned her forehead on the tile while washing off the remaining soap and bubbles from her body.
She closed her eyes and what she immediately thought were deep onyx eyes staring at her last night. She gasped and patted her cheek.
No Sakura, Bad Sakura. You're here for work not for men! It'll hinder your job.
She nodded to herself and turned off the shower. She walked to the sink and stared at her face. Her face was so red, she was blushing so mad. She washed her face with cold water, thankfully her face went back to its original color. She brushed her teeth and gargled a mouthwash. She was just happy she was able to arrange her toiletries last night when she left early and she was able to sleep earlier than usual.
She wore her robe and twisted her hair along with the towel to stop it from dripping water on the floor, when she emerged from the room, Ino ran past her and started getting ready.
She sat down on her bed and rummaged in her bag for clothes. She pulled out her cargo pants and a black lose shirt paired up with her black vans sneakers.
She tied up her hair in a messy bun and knocked on the bathroom door. She heard the shower turn off. Ino opened the door slightly and peeked at her.
" Hey, I'm gonna head out first. I need to talk to Kakashi-sensei for a bit. " Ino nodded at her and closed the door.
This pig. She stared at Ino's side of the room and her mess. Her clothes, shoes, and socks were thrown on the ground messily. Ino's bag open and messy. Ino was a mess. She heard the water running again a sign that Ino's already washing off. So she immediately picked up her medical bag and locked the door before going out.
She made her way to the entrance and smiling at a few people, she saw Tenten waving at her and running past her. She smiled back at her and continued walking.
Busy people, or is it just the anbu and military division? Sakura thought
She stood in front of the now extinguished campfire from last night. She looked up and inspected the sky. It was still dark so she dropped her medical bag at the table and looked around. She approached some tables that had arnis and bo staffs on them.
People were too busy to notice her going through some equipment. So she took the chance to pick up the longest one, which was a wooden bo staff and she observed the equipment then tapped the man standing a few feet away from her.
" Uh hey, uhm can I borrow this? Mr.? " The guy looked up at her. Sakura then noticed the person. Pineapple head, Ino's been talking to him all night." Shikamaru, and sure. " He shrugged his shoulders and went back to work. Sakura went back to the table and picked up her bag. Oh, where should she train? She ran back to Shikamaru and was about to ask him when he opened his mouth.
" You could train at the east side of this area. You'll find a few soldiers there but it's peaceful and less crowded. " Sakura smiled and thanked him then walked away. She heard him mutter troublesome. Sakura wouldn't mind though, she too would say that if someone was annoying her especially when she's busy.
As she neared the clearing, she saw only 3 men training. Sakura went to the corner and hung her bag in a tree branch. She looked around and noticed everybody was minding their own business.
She tightened her hair tie and breathed in. When her mind and body were ready she did a front spin, for a few minutes as a warm-up. Then she did a helicopter spin, one hand spin, and a behind-the-back spin. She could feel her muscles warming up even more. So she straightened her body then did a slow cross strike then on her second attempt she did it faster this time.
Sakura took her time and did many strikes. In the middle of warming up, she imagined she was facing an enemy. So she did different moves and when she executed a downward smash, another staff blocked her attack. Her eyes widened at the sudden intrusion.
Onyx eyes stared at her intently. For a while, both stared at each other. It took Sakura enough courage to pull away and look away. Sakura straightened her posture and pulled her staff to her side. She glanced at the man before her who looks composed and calm
Be professional. Sakura thought. She bit her lower lip then smiled at him.
" Good Morning. " The man stared at her for a while and nodded. He hesitated but extended his hand to her.
" I believe you are the new member of team 7? ANBU Lieutenant Sasuke Uchiha. " Sakura stared at his hand then back at him. She chewed on her cheek and shook it.
" Doctor Sakura Haruno " Sasuke nodded at her then raised his brow at her staff. She followed his gaze and she chuckled at the stuff. She lifted it and handed it to him.
" I- uh, borrowed it. Shikamaru-san allowed me. Is this yours? " Sasuke shook his head and pushed the staff back to her. Sasuke tightened his hold on his staff and pointed it to Sakura.
" Spar with me. "
Sakura's eyes widened for a second then shook her head. " I'm not that skilled compared to you. " She hugged the staff to her chest.
" You'll learn even more if you spar with someone. It'll help you with your reflexes. " Sakura nodded and made a stance.
" Hn " Sasuke then attacked her with his staff and Sakura blocked whenever she could. Their spar continued for 20 minutes straight. Sakura was breathing heavily as she defended herself for the nth time. She attacked Sasuke once and it was a failed attack. Her muscles were aching and it was surprisingly good but painful.
She looked up at Sasuke when she blocked his attack. She seemed cool and calm, but in all honesty, she was breathing so heavily and was sweating so much. He could feel her heavy breath on his neck and he could smell her hair. Surprisingly she didn't smell like strawberries or cherries like what he would have thought. She rather smelled like lavender and herbs, a bit of minty and a little sweet but overall fresh.
Sasuke then pulled back when he realized Sakura was almost leaning on the tree. Her scent somehow never left his nose. He turned his back and picked up his bag on the ground. Despite standing a meter away from her, the girl's fresh scent still lingers in his nose. He pulled out an extra shirt and tossed it at her.
" Get dressed, breakfast will be served in a minute." He muttered and pointed at the bathroom. Sakura on the other hand was still leaning at the tree while clutching the shirt on her chest. She nodded at him when he raised a brow at her.
She dashed towards the bathroom and quickly changed when she was done changing, she went out and saw Sasuke standing holding her staff and medical bag. He was looking at the other side of the field. She held her bag trying to gain his attention. He on the other hand only moved his eyes to look at her. He let go of her bag and walked away.
Sakura dumped her shirt inside her bag and stared at his retreating back. She didn't know if she should follow him or not. Not until he called her.
"Let's go. " Sakura blushed and walked behind him.
When they arrived at the area the place was already packed and the line and the area where food was usually served was nowhere in sight. Naruto waved at them and pointed to their breakfast that was already placed on the table. Sakura looked around and saw Ino huddled next to Sai who was talking to her.
Sakura called out to Ino, who smirked at her. She glared at Ino and pointed towards Naruto. Ino nodded at her and continued talking to Sai.
Sakura sat between Sasuke and Naruto while Kakashi sat in front of them. Naruto wiggled his eyebrows at them.
" Sooo where have you been? " Sakura cocked her head to the side and opened her container.
" Sparring? " Naruto grinned at them and nodded.
" Mmhmm sparring then why are you wearing Sasuke's shirt? " His what? oooooh. Sakura looked down at the shirt she was wearing. How would they know it was Sasuke's? That she didn't know.
" There is an Uchiha insignia at the back of your shirt. '' Kakashi spoke then went back to reading. Sakura blushed deep red and waved her hands in front of her.
" It's not like that! I was just sweating so he offered me his extra shirt and I-. " Sakura glanced at Sasuke who ignored everyone at the table. Naruto grinned widely at her.
She stood up and hit Naruto at the back of his head and went back to eating. Naruto grumbled at her and looked away. Kakashi on the other hand looked at them and sighed. He placed his pocketbook on the table and looked sternly at them.
" Since we're going to be a team, I will lay out the rules to discipline you three. " Everybody stared at him.
He held up 4 fingers to their face. " No fighting in the middle of the mission, it could jeopardize our teammates and our mission. " He looked at Naruto and Sasuke. " I mean it this time. Naruto? Sasuke? " Naruto pointed at Sasuke who completely ignored him.
" It was his fault last time! " Kakashi stared at Naruto, who brought down his finger. " Naruto? " Naruto grumbled and slouched on his seat.
" Fine. " Kakashi looked at Sasuke who crossed his arms and stared boredly at him. " Aa. "
" Now, that's settled. Two, all information gathered should be reported to me or your teammate unless the mayor or Tsunade, or Itachi and Shisui need it. But aside from them, everything stays in the team. "
" Three, a mission is a mission, whatever task was left to us. We follow it and complete it. It is our duty as a fighter, ANBU and a doctor. " Everybody nodded then Kakashi held up his lone pointing finger.
" Lastly, the most important rule. In this world, those who break the rules are scum, that's true, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum. " Everybody stared at him. Naruto raised his hand to Kakashi.
" But what about rule no. 3? " Kakashi smiled at him. " It's either you lose a point in your rank or lose a friend. " Kakashi then stood up and handed Sasuke a scroll. '' Go to your respective areas. The real mission isn't today but tonight. " Everybody nodded at him.
" Sakura, I will assist you and Ino to the hospital, Kiba and Akamaru will be there to watch over you. " Sakura nodded and took her medical bag.
Kakashi turned around and left. Sakura called Ino and followed suit. Naruto grinned at Sasuke and elbowed him.
" Soooooooo " Sasuke glared at him and walked off. Naruto called out and followed him.
Sasuke stood the opposite of an exhausted Naruto laying on the ground.
" Stand up Dobe. We're not done yet. " Sasuke picked up his tumbler and drank water. Naruto whined and rolled on the ground.
" Can we just rest for an hour Teme?! We've been sparring for the whole morning! " Sasuke rolled his eyes and sat on the ground. Leaning on the tree. He pulled out his phone from his bag and checked through his messages.
Mother: How are you, sweetie? You haven't texted me since you left. Me and your father, we're worried Itachi wouldn't tell us anything. call me or maybe text me at least!
Sasuke sighed and replied to his mom. Sasuke proceeded on the next message.
Itachi: We found something. Call me when you're available. Sasuke signaled Naruto who immediately sat beside him.
" Sasuke." Sasuke had to roll his eyes, whenever Itachi called him. His voice would always sound so deep and what Naruto calls 'cool'.
" Hn? " He heard Itachi chuckle. The thing about this is that Itachi only chuckles only to 3 people in his life, his mother, Shisui and Sasuke.
" 3 people from the underground laboratories surrendered. We have no detailed information if they're psychos or experiments. I want you to fetch them and keep an eye on them while I look for someone whom we can trust them with. " Sasuke looked at Naruto who looked worried.
" Aa , I'll report to Kakashi first about this then to you. " He heard Itachi sigh. Sasuke hung up the phone and followed Naruto who stood up to fetch his bag.
" Sooo what's up with Sakura-chan? " Sasuke punched Naruto's arm and went ahead of him. Leaving a whining blond about his new bruise.
Itachi laced his fingers and placed his chin on it. He looked from left to right then nodded at Shisui.
Shisui walked around the table and started handing out portfolios to Tsunade, Chiyo, Minato, and Jiraiya.
" Good to see you Jiraiya-san. " Shisui smiled at him then sat beside Itachi.
Itachi stood up and bowed in front of them.
" Good Evening everyone, just this morning, we received the gathered information from a team that Kakashi sent. Whom Jiraiya suggested. Their reports are printed on the files before you. " Itachi cleared his throat and flipped on the first page then sidestepped when a photo appeared behind him. A photo of a dead man lying on the ground with burnt skin and the body was filled with blisters.
" Only a few may know him unless you're from the science department he then is very well known. He originally lives in Konoha and moved to Oto after his accomplishments from the science department, though I know two people who knew him too well. Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-san, I believe this is sadly your good friend, Orochimaru. He was found dead a few days ago. His body was immediately brought to Oto Hospital and with Chiyo-sama's help, they were able to send the result. The result was surprisingly normal. That's what we thought at first though, until last night. KOR7, a team that Kakashi sent, saw this. " Shisui played a video that showed two people covered in black tight suits. The other person was leaning on the wall nearest to the camera while the other one was far from the camera, hanging on a rope. The video camera was dropped on the ground luckily near the wall, just for it not to be stepped on while showing a huge wide space of a gray-colored hallway with few lights. A few seconds where the video was fast-forwarded. A thin man with long hair walked in the hallway, his eyes turned into snake slits with his snake-like tongue.
Tsunade gasped at the paused video, " T-that's Orochimaru, but how? you said he was dead? H-how on earth is he alive? " Jiraiya pulled Tsunade back to sit and rubbed her back. Jiraiya nodded for Itachi to continue.
" I believe the body that we found was just a duplicate. That we do not know but what's important is that Orochimaru is playing wicked games and this video is enough proof that he is lurking in the dark. That's why, Minato-sama, I would like to ask for your approval to search Orochimaru's vacation home here in Konoha and for you Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-san please cooperate with us, you two knew Orochimaru the most, you must know about his previous doings. " Tsunade bit her lip and looked at Jiraiya then nodded sternly at Itachi.
" We'll take you to his lab tonight, call a trusted team to pull out all his equipment. " Minato then nodded at everyone and looked at his phone. He stared at the message on his screen from an unknown number.
be careful whom you trust
He surveyed the people inside the room. He wondered who sent this and he also wondered who would betray him. For a fact, he knew these people would never betray him but he still wonders.
Yesssss, who sent the message? that I still don't know HAHAHAHA kidding. Anyway not much sasusaku scene but we'll get there. Calm yo candies.
- Luna