The Fourth Shinobi War, the war for mankind, was ended and won. A new era of peace was already pulsing within the lands. She could hear the city buzzing full of a mix of laughter, tears and applaud, her heart felt something else entirely as she stood at Konoha's gates.
Sasuke…
it was days ago, but she lived the moment through her head over and over. Fighting side by side with the Uchiha, healing his wounds and Naruto's, and his gesture at the end of it all when they came back to the city. She could feel his fingers softly poking at her forehead, making her blush deeply and feel all kinds of butterflies. She hadn't even spoke to him since that happened, seeing as she needed to help salvage any life and limbs she could after the fighting had ended. Well that, and he told her he needed to travel alone. Who knew where he was? Would he come back to Konoha eventually? And what did that gesture mean, exactly? In her heart, she found the gesture endearing and loving. But in her mind, Sakura doubted it. Here she had loved Sasuke all along, and half the time he seemed annoyed with her. Was he so ready to let her into his life? Could he really feel fondly for her as she did him? Questions had been buzzing in her head the whole travel home and since being back in the city, and all she wanted right now was some peace of mind.
She needed change.
The Haruno inhaled through her nose, held her breath, and exhaled as she began to walk back into Konoha. It had been some weeks since coming back and things were finally settling to how they should be, but in her heart she knew today was the day she needed to break off on her own. She still resided with her parents, though she had hardly been there, since she was one of the best medical nin now. Actually, since arriving home and before Sasuke's departure, she had been promoted to Jonin. With a slight grin across her lips she brought one hand to her forehead and touched it where the purple mark was on her head. She was just like Tsunade now and would forever bear the mark of the hundred year seal, also marking her strength, wisdom, and courage. She was proud of herself for this feat. Yet still, her heart wouldn't rest. I wonder when he will come back? Actually...will Sasuke come back? He has to, right? It's been a week now…
"Agh, Sakura!" She shook her head and kept walking on through the city, chastising herself for asking the same kinds of questions over and over. "I need to go see Tsunade." Yes, everything would start here. Surely the exhausted Hokage would make some time to answer a few questions and give some advice to the Haruno. Hopefully she wouldn't be so swamped now with paperwork and meetings and all the other factors of post world war. The sculptors had begun working on Kakashi's face for the great Hokage's, so surely Tsunade would be finishing her term soon. Sakura couldn't blame her, especially after everything that happened to her in the previous months.
Before she knew it she arrived at the rather peaceful Hokage's building. She let herself climb the outdoor stairs to the second floor, entering into the curved hallway, watching the blue sky from the windows as she found her way to the office. It was the middle of the day so chances were that Tsunade would be in her office. Reaching the door, Sakura knocked on it. "Tsunade, it's me, Sakura."
"Come." Opening the door, she was greeted with a faded, tired grin. "Ah. I'll have to get used to seeing that mark upon your head."
Sakura smiled back, walking up to the desk, "I only have this because I was taught by you."
The Hokage nodded and leaned back in her chair, letting out a long breath. "I'm glad you came by, you're one of the only faces I want to see after the whirlwind I've been through." She gestured to the chair, "make yourself comfortable."
The Haruno kept her polite smile and nodded, having a seat across from her superior. "You seem tired, Tsunade."
"HAH!" The blonde belted out a short, sarcastic laugh, and reached in her bottom drawer. "Tired is the understatement of the century." Jade eyes watched as the woman across the desk pulled out some still piping hot sake and two glasses. Normally Sakura would frown upon this or give her a hard time, but the circumstances were different now. The Hokage poured two glasses and gestured for Sakura to take one. She hesitated for a moment and looked into her superior's brown eyes. "Please, share a drink with me, you're a Jonin now after all." She didn't argue this and took the full cup in hand, raising it as she looked at the Hokage, both taking a satisfying sip. "What can I do for you Sakura?"
Right. After all, she was here to discuss more mature matters, not to just sip on hot sake and chat. Sakura took a large drink this time before setting it down on the desk. "To be blunt, I want to strike out on my own and I wanted your suggestion for a place." Both ladies finished their drinks, and another was poured for both of them by the Hokage.
"I was wondering when you'd ask this…" While Sakura's brow rose curiously, Tsunade simply smirked and started on her second cup. "It was part of your promotion bonus, but I wanted you to come to me when you were ready." Deciding to not give a fuck, Sakura began on her second serving of sake. Hell, she was an adult and just fought and won a war. She needed to learn to loosen up and have a few drinks once in awhile. As she drank she watched Tsunade reach for another drawer, but this time, she pulled out something quite small. It was a key. She slid it on the desk and Sakura picked it up. It had '1808' etched into the metal. "That is an apartment key to…" The Hokage swiveled about in her chair, looking out her window and pointing to the right. It was a blue building with many panes of glass, standing out from most the other buildings surrounding it. "...The Iris Tower."
Sakura was so stunned that when the Hokage turned around to look back at her, she caught herself with her mouth still open. "Tsunade! Seriously?!"
"Of course! You were one of my best pupils and performed valiantly during the war! The owner even agreed to knock down the monthly payments considerably, though, it's paid for the first year." No words could express her gratitude. All she could do is pick up her cup, clank it against Tsunade's, and drink down the rest of it with her superior. Though, with two servings of sake in her system so quickly, she was getting a buzz already.
"Goodness, I can't thank you enough. Surely you have some...mmm…" The Haruno began to relax, sitting back in her chair to stare out the window at The Iris Tower.
Tsunade did the same, leaning back and looking in the same general direction. "I suggest getting your things moved in soon because you won't be sticking in the city walls much longer."
Her green eyes met with brown ones, curious, "Hmm?" Watching her superior straighten up, she did so as well, knowing this was something serious.
"Sakura, I have a mission in mind for you. Your first mission as a Jonin, and it'll take you away from here for some time." Whatever feeling of intoxication that came over her was subsiding so she could listen carefully to the Hokage's words. Though, perhaps part of the sake was to loosen her and prepare her for this news. She leaned in, anticipating the next words. "At the week's end you will depart north toward Takigakure and station yourself outside the border, in our lands, to wait, brief yourself and prepare. I received news just this morning that a top assassin wants to take out Takigakure leader, Shibuki, if you recall." The Haruno nodded, still listening intently. This sounded like she would need to disguise herself and go undercover, possibly waiting out for weeks, watching her prey and then taking him out when needed. "Intel says it's a man they call The Viper due to the poisons he uses. Unfortunately, he disguises himself very well and stays hidden. We interrogated one of the members of the organization that we could get a hold of, and all we got out of him last night was that codename and that, sometime in the next month, this Viper guy will strike." Tsunade paused and poured herself a third sake, gesturing Sakura, but she waved and passed. "Obviously we have our ANBU and other spies looking for him, but it will be very difficult until he arrives at the Waterfall village. Mostly we need you to be there to heal, since you're one of the only medics who can handle deadly and rare poisons. But you'll also be going undercover somewhere in the village. Like I said, you'll be briefed and given details once you reach that outpost town."
Sakura nodded, rising from her seat, key in hand. "Looks like I had good timing coming in here today. A newly assigned mission and a new home." She bowed politely, "Thank you, Tsunade."
The Hokage nodded back, "Take the next few days to move in and prepare yourself for this mission. This will truly test you."
The Haruno nodded and took leave, now with plenty on her mind to keep it off the Uchiha and toward the big mission and move. She grinned as she walked down the hall, eyes cast off in thought. If luck is on my side, maybe I'll see Sasuke out there.
Well, almost kept her mind off of him.
The view she had was out of this world. Sakura's hands stayed clutched onto the glass sided balcony, her eyes drifting upward into the blue, slightly cloudy sky of a new day. She breathed in the slight gust of air, closing her eyes to feel it against her warm skin. She was nearly on the top floor of her building, the eighteenth of 24 to be precise, standing on her sunny porch. It was a view worth a million words. "And to think, I get to wake up to this every morning!" A wide grin came onto her lips, still holding the balcony, but leaning back to look upward. Part of her direct upward view was the bottom of the balcony a story above, but the other half was a fluffy clouded sky of an early summer day. Yeah, it couldn't get much better than this.
"Careful, Naru-!" CLASH! the sound of a dish breaking rattled from the back of her apartment to where she was on the balcony, sliding door open. Quickly Sakura let go and whipped herself around, heading inside down the short hall to the large, open room. There near the front door stood Naruto, rubbing the back of his head, his face red, while Hinata picked up the broken pieces. Sakura felt anger at first, seeing one of her glass cups shattered.
But then she looked at the Uzumaki, his blue eyes meeting hers. "Sorry, Sakura, I'll buy you a new set!"
She released a breath and waved her hand, helping Hinata pick up the smaller pieces. "No, no, it's just a glass. You're still getting used to that prosthetic arm, after all."
Now Naruto frowned, "Hey, you know I don't like using this as an excuse! I'll be better than before, you just wait!" Her and Hinata moved over to the kitchen island and placed the broken glass in the empty waste basket.
Both females looked at the confident Naruto, smiling. "I don't doubt that at all." There was that signature fox grin, flashed right at the Haruno.
"Sakura! Where do you want the bed!?" From where she stood behind the kitchen island, she looked right over to the door to see Lee carrying her full sized bed, frame and all, over his shoulder like it was no big deal. He looked at her with anticipation.
"Right, just follow me." Naruto and Hinata walked out to go grab some more boxes while Sakura walked out of the joined kitchen and living room to the left, toward where the balcony doors were, and then took a right down the long hall. The larger bedroom was the last door on the left, and she slid it open, letting Lee head in first. "Uhh, just put it…" He stood there in the large, empty room , and she scoped it out. It took but a moment for her to decide. "...under the big bay window, sideways."
He nodded and gently set it down, putting it square to the window. "What next!?" She smiled sweetly at him, "The desk would be nice, in the room across from here. I'll move it where I want it to be." Again Lee nodded, full of youth, but before he could leave the room she stopped him. "Lee, thanks for helping such short notice. I know you've been so busy…"
"It's not a problem at all! Anything for you, Sakura!" Slightly she blushed at this and he left the room, zooming out the door to the large lobby on her floor, where they managed to move most of her belongings too. Honestly, Sakura didn't have much of anything besides a few dishes and pieces of furniture that her parents let her take. After the mission, she knew it would mean some time for shopping. The rosette smiled at the thought, Oh nooooo, retail therapy and decorating, how awful! She giggled to herself as she left the room, though she paused in the hallway. For an apartment, this place was quite spacious. To her left at the dead end of the hall was the sliding door leading into her well sized bath, and across from her large bedroom was a smaller room, once she figured she could use as a study. There were two closets located in the hallway, and the third in her bedroom, nearly the size of the walk-in. By far her bedroom was the largest, and this she had no complaints about. She loved discovering new places, and now, this place was all hers.
As Sakura walked down the hall, the floors dark oak in color, she paused at the other end to look to her right, out to that lovely balcony. Still pondering, she glanced to the left and took a step in that direction, poking her head to the left, seeing the large, open living area. nearly across from her and a good space away was the entryway and door into her apartment, and to the right and back a little was the kitchen, first leading with the island counter, and behind it was a cove for all the cabinets and appliances. Luckily for her, Tsunade had reserved the corner apartment, so she had windows in almost all the rooms, and a little extra space. Not that she really needed it, but she could see herself here for a long time.
The crew of four kept at it for the next few hours, moving the furniture about to her liking, as she got to organize a few things, They laughed and she made them all tea and a well sized dinner, to which they all sat at her island eating together. "Thank you again, Hinata, Naruto, Lee, for helping me get this accomplished today. I'm so lucky to have friends like you."
"Friends?!" Naruto belted, "We're practically family!" A sweet grin came across her lips, sipping the last of her tea. "Yeah, family. I like that."
A moment later, now finished, she rose from her seat and went into the fridge. "Alright, who wants sake?!" Simultaneously, she received an 'Oi!' from everyone, even Hinata. Naruto must have been rubbing off on her, it was cute. As the sake warmed, the jade eyed female couldn't help but look at Lee. "Will you be alright for a drink?"
A slight sour look came onto his face, embarrassed. "YES! I'll be ok with just one!" They all chuckled lightly, Naruto joking, "Alright Lee, just no drunken fist!" Now all four of them laughed to this. Sakura picked up after her guests and recieved thanks for the meal. The sake was ready, she she picked out four tall tea cups from the cupboard and poured them all evenly. Well, almost, she went just a little lighter on Lee's, in case. The four cheered together and took a drink, letting out a satisfied breath.
Naruto grinned, looking into his cup held in his real hand. "Man, too bad Sasuke couldn't have been here today." It went quiet for that moment. The Haruno stared off into her cup of sake, then took another sip. She didn't want to display her concern for the Uchiha and said nothing, but she did gesture a nod. But now that name had been brought up, and all she could think about was that poke she received on the forehead from him.
Sakura had to say something though, since everyone pretty much knew what had been and was between them. "I can only hope he's somewhere warm, eating a good dinner, and enjoying some sake in spirit with us."
From her spot behind the counter, she looked onward at her three friends. She raised her cup. "To Sasuke," "To Sasuke." They all cheered and took another drink, Sakura finishing hers. To wherever he may be….
As soon as he was about to take a sip of sake, a chill ran up his back. "To Sasuke." It sounded like this small line was voiced all around him - next to both sides and in front of him. He could distinct two voices though, and he grinned slightly, taking a sip off his drink. Naruto and Sakura, those two are still thinking about me.
His eyes came down into his glass, swirling it lightly, letting the dim light reflect into it. As he let his thought sit, the buzz in the bar around him lifted back up. There was laughter, belting laughter and glasses clinking. Some feminine giggles kicked up here and there, a vibration on the bar before him from the music being blasted over all their voices and noises. Yet amidst all this, he could still find some peace in his mind, where he could hear his friends from far away sometimes. Sasuke was still getting used to his eyes and the new effects and abilities that came with them. Anyone he seemed to have a strong bond with, if they were talking about him or rustling feelings of him, he could sense it and hear it, as if they were there with them. This was the first time he heard Naruto and Sakura, together. He could also see through disguises like they were nothing, no matter how well concealed or what kind of jutsu. He could see absolute truth now. He could pick up on a conversation from across the room, so long as the words were spoken. This is why he now sat in the middle of the bar, hood up, minding himself and his drink.
While he blended in though, he still could concentrate and listen for the next lead of his journey. As of now he was north of Konoha, still in the country, but soon he felt he would need to head north.
"...The Viper will head this way…" There was a name he could hold onto. Only very slightly did he move his head to the left, locking in on where he heard this. He finished his sake and set it down, the bartender silently refilling it. "...Yeah, word is, on next month's new moon, he strikes."
An assassin who calls himself The Viper? That's not cliche or anything…
The Uchiha smirked, sipping on his third and last sake. He had heard whispers over the last few weeks of an underground assassin, legendary skills with poison, though it seems he was recently called upon for a big job. No doubt it'd be a big target, either a feudal lord, or maybe even a smaller village leader. "...He hits Shibuki sometime after the ceremony, at the celebration, very quietly…"
Looks like the Waterfall has more trouble coming its way. I'm not so far from there…
"...Fuckin leaf ANBU are onto him, no doubt they'll attempt to intercept. I heard they have some expert anti-poison girl, a medic, and a damn strong one. Is she in the Bingo book yet?"
Sasuke cursed under his breath, clearly hearing the conversation now, and knowing exactly who they spoke of. Dammit, Sakura, you have a huge target on your back. They're probably sending you as support so you'll be hidden and disguised, though…
"No, she's not in it, yet. She will be by the time this goes down. We're part of Ko's band of assassins after all, we'll sniff out the fuckin Leaf ninja, whoever else gets in the way, and this anti-poisons girl." The other man chuckled, "Medics are better off alive than dead. We should talk to the others and see if, when we find this girl, we should keep her, break her, get whatever intel we can...and keep her as ours." The male he sat with laughed back in a sadistic manner, "I like the sound of that. Come on, let's head out and get this show on the road."
It was then that Sasuke exhaled a long, rigid breath, finishing his last cup. He had to use every ounce of his energy to not get off his seat and purse these men. He did, however, look around just in time to see both of these men exiting. He got a good enough look at them both to remember their smug faces. They were two of probably 6 or 8 other men who made of this band of assassins, and he concluded that Ko was probably the Viper's real name, the head of this group. Sasuke might not have seen the path laid before him, but this journey of his had brought him to the right place at the right time, and now he knew what he had to do.
He had calmed himself enough by this point to think clearly and not act off his emotions, but he knew he didn't have much time, especially for Sakura's sake. He knew there was a highly likely chance that, if they did capture her, they would put her through the worst kind of pain to get her to talk. They would do anything. And more than likely she would be raped in the process. His stomach cringed, heart beating rapidly. Sasuke was so angered and provoked, thinking something this terrible might befall her, and was likely to happen. But he couldn't get too mad - no doubt they had sensor nin on their side, and if they could feel his tense, negative aura, it would flag him and his cover would be blown.
As Sasuke rose from the bar and headed for the door, he thought of what he had to do next. He began to think of a plan - where he needed to go, who he should pass this new intel off to, if anyone at all, and how he was going to protect Sakura. I need to stay in the shadows for this. I can't let her know I'm there if I want to keep our bonds separate. They can't know I'm connected to her and the village, or things will be much worse for Sakura.
As Sasuke traveled the moon lit night road, despite the heavy information that was just thrown into his lap, and the weight of what might be next, he still grinned through it. Even with this distance between us, Sakura, you still find a way back into my life. Maybe fate will have it that we do see each other soon. And through all this burdening business, Sasuke found hope and light, a happy feeling, thinking of her.