Chapter Two

I’ll walk you home

Sakura immediately went to bed, groaning as her muscles convulsed in pain. Once again she managed to abuse her body to the point that she couldn’t even move her pinkie finger. Kakashi wasn’t joking when he said he will not make the challenge easy for her. It was torture!

They were both jounins, yes. But when it comes to strength and stamina, they’re not equals. She needs more training, Sakura realized as she stared absently at the white ceiling of her room.

She already accepted the fact that she’s the weakest in Team 7. Naruto has Kyuubi, Sasuke has Sharingan and Kakashi has his own, medically implanted or not. Each member of Team 7 has special abilities except her and that made her feel all there more incompetent. Sometimes she wondered if she even deserves to be a jounin in the first place.

Kakashi was a good sensei. He taught her a great deal even though he’d rather train Sasuke than her.  That’s why she has to win this! She has to prove to Kakashi and the rest of Konoha that despite of her lack of special skills and bloodlines, she’s still a strong jounin and she deserves acknowledgement.

With that thought, a smile crept Sakura’s lips before her eyes closed and drifted to sleep.

**

“Sakura! Sakura, open the door!”

Someone was pounding her door.

“Sa-ku-ra!”

And on top of that, they were yelling like there was no tomorrow.

“Sakura!”

Another round of pounding began. Sakura groaned against her pillow.

“Sakura! Wake up!”

The hammering went on.

Sakura groaned again and begrudgingly opened her eyes. She tried to pull herself out of bed and somehow managed to stand up. Slightly wincing from muscle ache, the pink-haired jounin approached her door and, thoroughly irritated, grabbed the knob.

Angrily, she opened the door and revealed a grinning blond beaming at her, “This-has-got-to-be-important-or you’re dead!” she seethed, eyes twitching as the vein on her forehead popped and throbbed.

Naruto laughed, “Man, you look awful.” He received a death glare and quickly backed away, “Not a morning person, are we? I just came here to tell you something, sheesh!” Naruto was still laughing at her. Her hair was sticking out in all different directions, her posture was beyond a doubt poorer than he had ever seen and her eyes drooped tiredly. To make story short, she looks horrible.

“Well?” the irritated tone never left Sakura’s voice.

Her blond best friend grinned and placed his hands on the back of his neck, “Get dressed, we’re going out.”

“Why?” Sakura asked in confusion. What was he getting at?

“Just get dressed, alright? I’ll meet you down stairs!” And before he could hear any further protest, Naruto headed down the stairs, leaving a rather confused and aggravated Sakura behind.

**

At headquarters, three masked ANBU exited The Hokage’s office. The two headed off while the other decided to stay a short while longer.

Taking off his ANBU mask, Uchiha Sasuke drop on the empty seats in front of Shizune’s desk.

It’s been a long time since… he thought as he absently stared outside. The S-class mission in Stone took a long time to finish. He was now the ANBU captain, a position he gained two years after his return from Orochimaru. Itachi was finally dead; he was gone and now Sasuke had no other purpose. That’s why he went back to Konoha and received missions.

He finally fulfilled his goal and now, all he has to do is to proceed to his other task. And that is to restore his clan. He has to get married soon, have male successors and regain the power the Uchiha clan had once possessed. He was the last one and so this duty was tasked to him alone. Sasuke had no other choice but to fulfill this obligation. That’s why he went back to Konoha in the first place. He has to find the suitable mother for his successors. The journey from Stone to Konoha had given him much time to think over all the possible women to court, or rather ask to help him fulfill his duty. Knowing Sasuke, he doesn’t really have to ask since there are a lot of women out there who practically worships the land he walks on. Sasuke’s not vain, oh no, not at all. Women adore him, a plain fact, period.

Of course, Sakura was the first woman who came popping into his head. The girl had always been professing her love for him. She had been in love with him ever since she was just a child, and to Sasuke, this was a huge advantage. The relationship may have to be one-sided but it would help restore his lost clan.

And there was Ino, and just like Sakura, she’s also obsessed at him. Ino was smart, strong and beautiful. She would make a suitable child-bearer as well.

Hyuuga Hinata crossed his mind as well, but he knew she was far from available: Naruto’s with her. Of course he couldn’t bring himself to steal his comrade’s woman. It was a shame though, since Hyuuga was a powerful clan too. A mix of Uchiha and Hyuuga wouldn’t have been so bad.

Sasuke mulled hard over his three options again. None of these women had ever gained his love. In fact, Sasuke didn’t know if he was even capable on expressing such emotion. It seemed love was nothing but a void in his heart, his brother made sure of that.

Among these women, Sakura was the only person he could consider as a close friend. Ino and Hinata were nothing more than acquaintances. But Sakura…she was a teammate, a comrade…and a friend. She was a member of Team 7 and managed to, somehow, tame him a little bit. He remembered the incident during the Chuunin exam seven years ago, when he completely lost control of himself and just hearing Sakura’s voice calling out his name brought him out of that nightmare. And after that, she had held him, without worry, without hesitancy, without shame… she just held him, offering the best comfort she could provide. Somehow, that day, Sakura had earned his respect.

And it occurred to Uchiha Sasuke that he had found the woman suitable to bear his children.

“Sasuke?”

He looked up and was surprised to see the person occupying his mind, “Sakura.”

**

Sakura couldn’t believe her eyes. Here she was, standing in front of the man who had so suddenly disappeared five years ago. The same man she’d been in love with ever since she was a kid.

Sasuke.

After getting dressed, Naruto had proceeded to mercilessly drag her to Tsunade’s office. She asked him what was wrong but all she got in return was his usual tabby smile and a painful tug on her arm. By the time they arrived, Sakura was out of breath. Naruto had at least allowed her to compose herself before escorting her inside.

And now, there, near the Hokage’s office, the familiar form the ANBU captain silently sat.

The moment she saw him, Sakura’s heart started pounding hard inside her chest. He—he’s back…

Naruto brushed pass her and she quickly moved to follow him inside.

She didn’t know how to act around him anymore. True, she had been head-over-heels in-love with Uchiha Sasuke ever since before Team 7 was formed. But that was before. She thought, suddenly realizing the loss of the usual flip-flops of her stomach whenever she saw his face or how she would blush from the mere presence of him. What’s wrong with me? But before she could ponder further on the matter, she felt Naruto nudging her side. She looked up and saw him tipping his head, signaling for her to say something.

Naruto knew how Sakura felt about Sasuke. He was furious when the bastard took off without even telling.

Sakura was disappointed alright.

Naruto was livid, swearing that he’d beat the shit out of the smug bastard when he returns. It was odd that Naruto didn’t feel much like kicking his ass right now; he wanted to patch showed no sign of happiness. All he saw shock and confusion.

“Sasuke?” She timidly called, her hand cautiously playing the hem of her shirt.

Finally! The blond jounin grinned and turned to Sasuke, expecting him to say something in return.

Sasuke looked up and stared at her. His face, as usual, was void of any emotion. Two expressionless dark orbs stared blankly into her curious green ones. “Sakura,”

Sakura flinched slightly at how her name sounded on Sasuke’s voice. She bit her lower lip and looked imploringly over to Naruto.

Naruto understood and tried to break the tension. “Where the hell have you been, bastard? About time you decided to show up!” he half-heartedly yelled.

Sasuke smirked at his old friend, “Top secret.”

“Well, you could’ve told us you have a five year mission!” Naruto nagged, crossing his arms in a huff.

Sasuke looked at him and then turned to Sakura who quickly looked away again. “Is this the reason why you look so upset, Sakura?” he had to be sure that she was still attracted to him, that she still cared for him. Unfortunately he saw no sign of admiration within those eyes. Heck, she didn’t even blush, which as far as he could remember, he could easily make her face flush just by answering “no” to her invitations to eat with her after training. But now… now was oddly different. She continued to avoid his gaze and her face looked paler than he remembered. What’s wrong with her?

Sakura forced a smile and ignored his question. “We’re glad you’re back, Sasuke-kun!” she glanced between the boys and said, “This calls for a celebration.”

Naruto nodded, grinning at her suggestion. “Good idea!”

Sasuke watched Sakura for a while. Sakura felt his gaze and tried to ignore it. It was unnerving, but of course she couldn’t say it out loud. As the three walked off, Sakura decided to follow behind, throwing hesitant glances over to the boy she used to love.

**

The three sat at one table together and were soon joined by their old sensei, Kakashi. They were not the only ones who had come there to celebrate. A very flirtatious Ino, a lazy looking Shikamaru, a hungry Chouji, a snub looking Neji and his cousin Hinata and the rest of the jounins of their year were there to welcome the ANBU captain’s return. Genma, Anko and Gai had also decided to join the celebration as well.

When Sasuke and Naruto were pulled into Rock Lee’s crowd, Sakura and Kakashi were left on the table. Kakashi looked at his former female student and noticed something was a tad bit off. She had been quiet almost the entire night, only speaking when asked and forcing small smile whenever Sasuke acknowledged her. It was strange, but this is also the first time he had ever seen Sasuke actually acknowledge her like that. Kakashi had become so used seeing him pushing her away when Sasuke initiated conversation with her, it stunned him. Especially considering the fact that Sakura hadn’t made any move to return the attention Sasuke was giving her.

Once Sasuke was out of earshot, Kakashi turned to her and asked the inevitable, “Sakura, are you alright?”

Sakura was in daze when he asked her. Surprised, she snapped her head up and stared at him. Her eyes locked with Kakashi’s unhidden, concern-filled eye. She nervously laughed and shook her head, “I’m fine, Kakashi. Just… thinking…”

He obviously did not buy that excuse, “Care to tell?” Kakashi persisted.

Sakura shook her pink head, “Nah, you don’t wanna hear about it.”

“Try me.”

Again, she shook her head, “It’ll bore you.”

“I insist,” he pressed, this time looking more determined. He knew something was off; Sakura had never acted like this before, not since the day Sasuke left Konoha.

She sighed, knowing full-well that refusing would be useless. Her eyes skimmed on the crowd and then finally settled on the tall form of the young Uchiha, who was currently trying to ignore Ino batting her eyes at him. “It’s Sasuke…” she started, not knowing what to say.

Kakashi followed the beeline of her stare and found himself looking over to Sasuke as well, “What about him?”

“He’s here,” She replied, or more rather, sighed.

“So?” the white-haired jounin offhandedly asked, “Isn’t that what you want?” Since his three former students were genins, he knew how strong Sakura’s infatuation towards the young Uchiha had been. In his mind, it would always be Sakura asking him out, Sasuke refusing and Naruto bouncing on the balls of his feet bugging Sakura until she would snap and stalk away. It was the same scene he always witnessed day by day. But he realized now that that was five years ago. They’re all grown up now, Kakashi thought, suddenly grasping the changes undergoing his three former 12 year old students.

Sakura shook her head, “No, you don’t understand…”

“Is it because he left without telling you?”

“That and…”

“And?”

Sakura tore her gaze from Sasuke and then turned towards him. Her green eyes, usually full of life were now filled with confusion and mild anger, “I…don’t understand myself anymore…”

“Why not?” he asked, his brows furrowing.

The pink-haired jounin looked around, feeling uncomfortable with the crowd and the noise surrounding them. She then once again caught sight of Naruto and Sasuke who were still in deep conversation with Neji and Rock Lee. She turned towards Kakashi again and said, eyes pleading, “Walk me home.”

Kakashi arched his brows at the sudden statement, “What?”

“Promise me you’ll walk me home after this,” she looked up at him, her eyes sincerely begging, “Please?”

Kakashi watched her eyes for a moment, and finally, with a sigh he nodded. “Okay,” his lips curled into a smile under his mask, “I’ll walk you home.”

TBC