Sasuke stood outside the room and sighed. When he heard her shuffling on the bed with her steady breathing following he took it as a sign to walk to the balcony on the 2nd floor. He leaned on the wall and watched as the sky slowly cleared, showing the bright full moon.
Soon he felt a vibration in his pocket, he pulled out his phone and answered the call.
" Ah. "
" Sasuke, we're on our way to Konoha. For some issues we won't be landing in Hot springs, we'll be flying directly to Konoha. So I'll see ya at home maybe 4 hours from now. "
" Ah, nii-san. " When he heard the beeping sound, he dropped the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket. He sat on the floor while looking at the sea. Trying to fix his conflicted feelings.
He couldn't help but feel happy to see the pinkette but after realizing what he had gone through he couldn't help but feel angry that she was not doing anything to make up to him after what he had to get through just to save her. Though it was kinda petty he couldn't help but feel betrayed. He was overthinking things but a lot was on his mind, wondering what happened to Itachi and Shisui before they flew back to Konoha or how the pinkette escaped, or if the pinkette could be trusted since she's been under Orochimaru to the point she was trusted. So many feelings that he couldn't think clearly and it was blinding him with his mission.
Too caught up with his thoughts, he heard a loud beep outside the inn, he looked down and saw Suigestu waving at him, he shook his head at the obnoxiousness of his new teammate and went back to the room. When he entered the room he saw the pinkette sleeping soundly. He approached her and kneeled in front of her trying to wake her up when he lost all energy to do so. He stared at her sleeping form and thought of those days when they stayed at the sound base.
He closed his eyes and tried to clear his head but when looked up to look at her again he saw her peaceful face, he then thought that he was just glad that she was alive. He stood up and packed up his things. After a few minutes, he approached the sleeping pinkette and shook her softly. Sakura looked up at him while rubbing her eyes.
" Let's go. " Sasuke turned his back on her and wore his boots and prepared his guns. Sakura immediately sat up and wore her now dry shoes. She peaked at Sasuke who was busy preparing unintentionally ignoring her stare. She grabbed her bag and followed him as he exited the room. He then handed her a beanie to hide her hair. She wore the beanie and watched as he walked away. She followed behind ducking her head until they reached outside.
When they reached outside Sasuke was immediately engulfed by a familiar red-head, Karin. Sakura smiled at them and bowed. Sasuke grunted at Karin and shrugged her arms softly and handed the keys to Juugo.
" Take the motorcycle. " Juugo nodded and touched the mechanical bird on his shoulder. Sakura looked at the car and smiled at Suigetsu. Suigetsu smiled back at her and took her bag.
" Hey pinky, lemme help you with that. " Sakura smiled and handed the bag to him. Sasuke watched the exchange and went back inside the inn and paid the girl then gave her a tip.
When he entered the car, Sakura was seated in the back seat listening to Suigetsu talking about the new walls around Konoha while Karin sat beside him. Sasuke scoffed and tried to ignore how the pinkette would giggle and laugh at Suigetsu's lame jokes.
Karin smirked and leaned her head on Sasuke's shoulder and enjoyed the fact that Sasuke is not shrugging her since his mind is too caught up in whatever business he was thinking.
Sakura glanced at Sasuke and Karin who were getting too cozy, she smiled back at Suigetsu and would laugh at his jokes. When the pale man said he was sleepy, she nodded at him and turned her back on him, and looked through the window enjoying the view followed by an ache in her chest. She wasn't expecting Sasuke to actually wait for her but she wasn't also expecting Sasuke to hook up with the red-head that fast. She bit her lip at the thought and just let sleep take over her body.
Sasuke glanced at the pinkette who went back to sleep by leaning at the window. He realized the pinkette must have been tired especially since her little boat got wrecked. He felt a little selfish for acting so cold towards her but he couldn't trust her yet, even if she was Tsunade's daughter, she still worked under Orochimaru for months and this might be one of her missions so she could infiltrate the city or whatever plan they had.
He might have sounded so paranoid but he was tired and he was only doing his job. He sighed and shrugged Karin's arm when he realized she was leaning on him.
Sakura was woken up by someone tapping on her nose. She rubbed her eyes and looked at Suigetsu leaning at her.
" Wake up pinky, we're home. " Sakura immediately sat up and watched as Sasuke drove through the city, she saw the huge walls protecting the city and the buildings that are getting even taller. She smiled at Suigetsu who grinned at her. She smiled at the sight of her home. She bit her lip, stopping her tears from falling due to happiness.
Soon, they slowed down in front of a big silver dome building. They entered an underground parking lot and entered another strange door. She looked around and it looks like Sasuke parked in the middle of the training room or field since the room was too big, bigger than a national football field. She watched as everyone got off the car, she followed suit. She looked around the room, it was filled with mirrored walls, and when she looked back at the car the car was being brought down through a lift.
She jogged to follow Sasuke and his troupes when she was halted by a few men.
" I-i'm with them. S-suigetsu! " Suigetsu looked back and waved at her.
" Sorry pinkette just following the boss' rules. " He pointed at Sasuke who continued to walk towards another door. Never sparing a glance at her.
Sakura bit her lip and backed away from the soldiers. She felt betrayed not by Suigetsu, not by Karin nor Juugo but by Sasuke. She looked back at the soldiers who are readying their guns and swords.
Tsunade looked down at her daughter being stopped by the soldiers. She looked back at Sasuke who just entered the room. She glared at him and pointed a finger.
" What are you doing! Why are you holding her in? She should be sent directly to the hospital, to be healed or checked on. " Sasuke glanced at Tsunade then looked back at the pinkette through the one-way mirror.
" This is just a precautionary measure, making sure she is not allied with Orochimaru. " Sasuke crossed his arms and looked at the pinkette who was now sitting on the floor looking distressed.
Tsunade fumed at hearing the young Uchiha's words. She approached him but was stopped by Jiraiya and Kakashi.
" I know how you feel Tsunade but this is part of Sasuke's mission, this is the ANBU's protocol. Sasuke is the team leader, he has the highest rank in the team and he encountered this situation. He gets to have a say in it. " Tsunade glared at Jiraiya then at Kakashi who shook his head at her. She moved to sit beside Ino and Shizune who comforted her.
The moment Sasuke called Kakashi about his current situation, the Rookie 9, the team leaders, and department heads were called to meet up when the team arrives. Ino just couldn't help but wonder why the young Uchiha is now being an asshole to the pinkette. She looked back at the pinkette who was now facing a masked Rin and Obito doing an inspection on her.
The inspection was longer than they all thought. Sasuke glanced at Tsunade who was getting bored and at Rookie 9 who was now talking random things. He sighed and looked down as Kakashi now approached her. The last inspection for her to eventually get released. Kakashi was talking to her while attaching some wirings on her arms and cheek.
Getting bored he sat down and read some important files while he was away from the mission.
After the inspection, everyone was dismissed since Sakura was immediately brought to the hospital for her checkups while being monitored by the guards. He looked at Naruto who was looking angry and grim. Sasuke sighed and walked directly to his office, avoiding a very angry blond.
When he entered his office, after a few minutes the blond barged in with his angry face.
" What the fuck are you doing Sasuke?! " Sasuke sat down on his chair and leaned back as the blond slammed his hands on his table.
" Sakura-chan will be now watched over or be in custody for a week or maybe more before they fully release her! You know that! She's been through so much and now you're doing this! Stop being an asshole! " Sasuke looked up at Naruto then glared at him.
" This is our protocol! How sure are you that she wouldn't betray us now? She lived under Orochimaru for months. She's helping that creep and you expect her to just turn her back on him? What if she's a spy? " Naruto crossed his arms and shook his head.
" No, Sakura-chan wouldn't do that. She loves the village too much. She even volunteered to be sent to Oto. " Sasuke snickered and stood up. He walked to the door and opened it.
" People change Naruto. Don't let your emotions get in the way of your job. " Naruto rubbed his head and exited the room.
" People change but feelings don't. Feelings implant themselves like seeds, they don't die easily instead they grow. " Naruto walked out of his office and gave him one last glance then left. Sasuke stared at the door and then slammed it shut.
He hates to admit but Naruto is right. Still, a mission is a mission. He must follow what is right and not what is righteous. Right?
He grunted and went back to his seat and busied himself with work. Every day that passes by he feels like he's getting Suigetsu's impulsive behavior and Karin's stupidity.
Sakura was escorted to the hospital. She looked up at the building and saw the extensions they made, making it 5x bigger than it used to be. They entered the back door and she was led to the top floor where she will be staying for a week for observation and health inspections. She was told by Kakashi when she is deemed good and trusted, she will be released from this situation. She sighed and sat down on one of their hospital bed.
She smiled and realized that at least the beds here are softer than the ones in Orochimaru's base. She nodded at the guards who immediately closed the door to her room. She looked around and saw a mini kitchen and a living room and a decent bathroom with doors. She smiled at the thought of a bathroom with doors. Since they didn't have one in Oro's base.
She looked around and opened the sliding door leading her to a balcony. She leaned at the door and couldn't help but be amazed at the view. It was like living at the top of the volcano or the world. She could see the view beyond the walls. She saw the beautiful sea and lakes of Hot Spring Village. She feels like the mountains, the clouds, and the sun were within her reach. She smiled wider at the thought of sunrises and sunsets.
She dragged the chair to the balcony. If she'll be staying in here for a while at least she'll use that time to sleep and rest since she never had one for the past few months.
She was told by Shizune that every day she will be monitored by the ANBU, she can list down the ingredients and necessities that she wants so they can buy them for her. Since she has to cook her own meals which Sakura didn't even complain about since hospital cafeteria food sucks. She talked to Shizune for a while until Shizune was made to leave the room by the ANBU.
She jots down the food that she needs for a few days then clothes and toiletries. She looked around and listed down bedsheets and curtains to cover up the room, especially during the daytime since her room is 60% windows and 40% walls. When she was done, she knocked on the door, and was opened by a soldier.
" Hi uhm, please give this to Shizune-san. She told me to write down what I needed. " The Anbu nodded and called a nurse to hand it to Shizune. Not long, the supplies were delivered to her doorstep. So she took the time to put on curtains and fill the fridge with food. She used her first day setting up the whole room and was glad that they got her clothes, with a letter from Ino.
She opened her luggage and grinned at seeing her clothes. She picked up the letter and read it.
Forehead,
Despite your unfashionable choices in clothes, I still took them from your apartment (I died gurl) so you can have comfortable clothes aside from the white tees and pants in the hospital now those are even more disgusting. blah
PS: We need to go out shopping after this, seriously who wears cardigans? ugh
Forever bestie,
Ino.
She giggled and took out her pants and sleeveless top and cardigan and took a long bath. After her long bath, she spent her remaining time in the morning, dressing her wounds to avoid getting infected.
After spending his morning getting stressed over Naruto's annoying text messages and catching up with his paperwork, by afternoon he was called to Jiraiya's office where Minato and Kakashi were waiting. He understood if Jiraiya got mad at his decisions but he was only doing his job. He grunted and pushed the door open to Jiraiya's door.
When he entered the room, he saw Jiraiya, Minato, and Kakashi talking. He nodded at them and stood beside Kakashi. Minato smiled at him and then handed him a folder.
" With your recent action, you are the best person for this position. " Sasuke raised a brow at him then opened the file.
He sighed and closed the folder. He'll be going together with his team to different countries and spy on their current situations without being noticed.
" Isn't this a bit ridiculous and impossible? " Sasuke pushed the file back to Kakashi. Kakashi at him and leaned his arm on Jiraiya's table.
" It's not Sasuke since you'll be gone for a few weeks, you and your team will be doing us some chores like getting us these items, finding countries safe to be allied with, extracting information, especially with Orochimaru's situation, and change of plans since Sakura escaped from his grasp. More or less he'll come hunting for her soon. " Sasuke grunted and nodded at them.
" Well, when will we leave? " Jiraiya smiled at him then leaned back and threw him a key.
" Right now, call your team and get them ready. Oh, by the way, take care of that car, it's new. " Sasuke smirked and caught the key with ease.
After calling his team, he went directly home and as expected he saw Itachi and Shisui a bit wounded but okay. He approached his mother who was talking to the two boys. He handed her his folder while drinking a glass of water.
" You'll be gone for days? " Sasuke sighed at his mom's concerned voice.
" Weeks, so Nii-san watch over them for me, bring Izumi here so she can watch over them while I'm gone or when you're out of town. " Itachi nodded and read Sasuke's file.
" S rank mission? " Itachi smirked and flailed the folder in Sasuke's face.
" Oooh, is Sasu-chan finally catching up with his big bro? " Shisui joked and chuckled when Sasuke glared at him.
" Shut it, I'll be leaving in a few minutes so I need to pack my bag. " Itachi nodded and took over his mom's place in the dishes. When Sasuke was out of sight, Itachi nudged his mother.
" You can talk to him now mom. " Mikoto nodded and went to his youngest's room.
When Mikoto entered the room, she saw Sasuke having a hard time stuffing his clothes in his bag. She cleared her throat and helped her youngest by folding properly his clothes and stuffing them in his bag.
" Sooo, how's Sakura-chan? " Mikoto bit her lip and avoided her son's glare.
Sasuke grunted at the mention of the pinkette and ignored his mother for a few minutes.
" Or hm, Itachi told me your grandpa passed down to you something important. I knew about that Sasuke and I want you to know, before you do accept it, look at the consequences. Your grandpa told me it had affected his health and it's dangerous but it gives you power but sometimes power is no-" Sasuke grabbed his mother's shoulder, stopping her from speaking.
" I've been thinking thoroughly about it and I still am, so don't worry yourself about it okay? " Mikoto nodded and sighed and hugged Sasuke.
" Stay safe okay? Bring the vaccines and don't forget to inject them every month. I know these kinds of missions Sasuke. Your father reopened the police force and collaborated with the ANBU force. So these kinds of missions aren't as easy and safe as you think, okay? " Sasuke sighed and nodded then went back to packing his things. He glanced at his mother who was looking down.
Sasuke sighed then chuckled, " I mean I can stay for a few minutes, we can have lunch together with Father and Grandpa and Itachi. " Mikoto smiled widely and shook her head.
" -and Shisui. " Sasuke nodded and grunted. Mikoto giggled and dashed out of his room to prepare for lunch.
After his peaceful lunch with his family, his mother had to leave to bring his father his lunch since there was an emergency meeting he had to attend. So after spending another hour at home in his mother's garden. He soon decided that he should meet up with his team at the hospital for their health inspection for missions. He was waiting in one of his rooms when he overheard someone talking outside his room.
" Have you heard? Haruno-san is back but they said she was sick, like getting really sick. Some said she might have the virus while the others said she was getting experimented on. Though whatever the reason it was, the doctors said she was dying. I feel sorry for her, she was such a great person. "
Sasuke grunted and ignored the gossip by looking outside the window. Sakura was not dying, right? He sighed loudly at his own thought and just waited for the nurse to check upon him. When the nurses stopped their gossip they entered Sasuke's room and did their check-up on him while flirting. Sasuke coldly brushed them off and went to the cafeteria where his teammates were waiting for him.
Suigetsu smirked at him, " What's the plan 'boss' " Sasuke gave them the file and let them finish reading it. While drinking his water and scrolling through his messages.
Karin smiled widely while thinking " Weeks away with Sasuke-kun? " She sighed dreamily while Suigetsu rolled his eyes at the redhead's dreamy look. After he met up with the team they all went outside the hospital where the van was parked.
At the sight of the big beaten old camper van, Sasuke grunted and tossed the keys to Jugo.
" Aww, man! I bet Jiraiya did this on purpose cause Sasuke was being a jerk to her daughter. " Suigetsu grunted loudly and slammed the door open. Karin followed suit to yell at Suigetsu for insulting Sasuke. Sasuke followed suit and was surprised that the van was more advanced on the inside than the outside.
" That's why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover idiot!" Karin yelled at Suigetsu while placing her bags on the bunker beds. Sasuke looked around and was surprised that it was bigger than it look from the outside. There were 4 beds in bunker style with curtains for privacy. A mini kitchen with sinks that can be covered for bigger space on the countertop. He walked to the end of the van and found 2 small closed rooms for their shower room and a bathroom. There was only 1 chair used for the ANBU's security computer whose screen filled the whole wall of the van but they could improvise and just sit on the floor.
Sasuke placed his bag in the lower bunker and arranged his shoes underneath it while folding his clothes properly and placing them in an open cupboard inside his bunker. Sasuke suspects they won't just be living here for weeks but months, especially with this kind of setup. After placing things in their respective storages he closed the curtains of his bunker and walked to Jugo and sat beside him waiting for Karin and Suigetsu to finish. When the two were finished but started bickering, Sasuke sighed and turned on the vehicle, and signaled Jugo to drive.
He heard a yelp and a grunt he looked through the mirror and saw the two on the floor. Sasuke smirked and heard Jugo chuckle. Sasuke shook his head and opened his laptop.
1 week later
Sakura smiled widely and walked outside the hospital building and was greeted by Ino, Hinata, and Tenten. She threw her bags on the floor and hugged the girls. She just spent 3 hours being interrogated and another hour for her health check-up. She pulled away from the girls with tears in her eyes.
" I miss you girls. IT w-was " She choked a sob and was engulfed in Ino's warmth.
" We know forehead, we know. " Ino wiped her tears and kissed forehead.
" Why don't you stay with me? Yeah? " Sakura bit her lip and shook her head.
" I just wanna go home, I know mom and dad must be worried sick about me. " Ino nodded and hugged Sakura while Hinata and Tenten carried her bags. Sakura glanced at Ino then nudged her.
" Maybe you want to come with me? We'll go back to the city twice a week? " Ino grinned and squealed and jumped around.
" Well yeah duuuh but first, we need a mission like you know so we could get away from this place and at the same time do something that can contribute to the situation. " Tenten advised while stopping Ino from her crazy antics.
Hinata nodded and reasoned suit, " I mean, we can find reasons you know. " Sakura nodded and was in deep thought when Ino exclaimed and raised her hand.
" Forehead lives at the border of the city, we can just tell them we can take that side of the border to watch over while doing vaccinations in that area you know while also watching over Sakura. " Everyone grinned and nodded rapidly at her.
" Wow Pig, I've been gone for months and now you're a genius. " Ino smirked at her tapped her head and was about to rebuke her when Hinata interfered.
" B-but how will we get this mission? " Tenten smiled and wrapped her arms on Sakura's shoulder.
" Oh, I know how. " Ino smirked widely and turned back to the medical building while pointing at it.
" Please Tsunade-samaaa, we need this cause you know it's a girl thing, this situation is ruining my nails and my skin. " Ino whined at Tsunade who was glaring at her.
" Ino this is unreasonable, you know I can't do that, for god's sake only Tenten is part of the ANBU and you and Hinata are medical staffs we can't assign you to some ANBU mission that I have no hold of. " Tenten glanced at Sakura who was peaking through the doors outside.
" But Tsunade-sama, this is important we need a getaway, you've got better doctors than me and Hinata, right Hina? " Hinata nodded furiously while fidgeting.
Tenten scoffed and covered Ino's mouth, " The truth Tsunade-sama is, we need this job maybe you can talk to Jiraiya-sama about this? " Tsunade glared at the girls while slamming her hands on the table and was about to decline it when Sakura entered the room. Tsunade's eyes widened at the sight of the pinkette.
" I-i, uhm, Good Afternoon S-shishou, It was my idea, I just wanted someone to stay with me in the meantime and I asked them if they could come with me. They could go to work twice a week here in the hospital when they don't have border duties or it depends on you, really. It's okay though if you don't allow us, it's really okay. " Tsunade sighed and sat down while rubbing her temple.
Sakura bit her lip and apologized and was about to turn around when Tsunade's voice stopped her.
" F-fine, I'll talk to Jiraiya about this, maybe we'll get his approval or decision tomorrow but I can't guarantee you that he'll approve of this but I'll try my best to persuade him. " Sakura grinned and ran up to Tsunade and hugged her.
" Thank you! Thank you! " Tsunade turned red and slowly hugged Sakura back. Hinata slowly pulled Tenten and Ino outside and slowly closed the door, giving the two privacy.
Its neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew, the shape of your body is- kidding. TBH not a fan of this chapter, buuuuut at least we got tidbits of SASUSAKU right? eh-heh-heh-heh, ngggggggggggg, but why Sasukeeeeeee?
I'm sorry I cant put the blame on Sasuke when its my fault. huhuhuhu
Anyway, watch out for the next few chapters. Pre-apocalyptic arc will start soon. :3
Take Care!
lovelots,
Luna