It was a minute room with one single window located in the living room. The floor was carpet and the walls were thin and white while the ceiling light was small and dim. In the center of the room stood a young woman in front of a mirror, observing the reflection before her.
Five long years have passed and Sakura had grown and bloomed into a beautiful young woman. During the past years, Sakura had worked under Tsunade and as a result gained both medical and ninja skills. Not only that, but during those years, Sakura had also gained wisdom. Sakura had gained wisdom about life, family, friends, and people in general. She did not, however, learn about herself. She had thought she did but in reality, she did not.
Like most days, Sakura stood in front her mirror and tried to come up with words that could describe herself because she found that she could barely describe who she was inside. Instead, the only things she could come up with were the words that were used by other people when they were asked to describe her. Sakura looked into the mirror and realised that the person staring back at her seemed oddly foreign. Sakura felt like it was all just an empty shell, looking back.
With her thoughts all tangled up, Sakura let out a weary sigh and snapped on several kunais underneath her skirt. She proceeded to clipping her medical pouch around her waist before leaving her small but comfortable apartment.
Sakura traveled quickly to the open fields near the forests in Konoha. This was where she trained and where she trained hard to forget about her doubts. Things like these, she was sure of.
She had barely begun when she felt a presence nearby. It was familiar and non-threatening so she decided to ignore it and continued to spar.
"Sakura," the voice obviously demanded her to stop training and give her full attention to the speaker. So reluctantly, she slowed her steps until she finally came to a complete halt.
"Hai?" Sakura answered, not bothering with politeness for she knew who it was. Sakura turned around to face a plump older woman with long blonde hair and flickering blue eyes. The older woman ignored the lack of politeness in Sakura's response and proceeded on by listing a few of the kunoichi's scheduled missions as well as giving Sakura new scrolls to study with.
After the discussion, the two females sat in silence and observed the grassy field laid out before them. There was no wind. The birds were quiet and everything was still. Tsunade was the first to break the silence.
"How are you?" Sakura turned and to look at her sensei's profile. The hokage was not looking at her, and after years of training with her, Sakura knew that her sensei was serious. About what, Sakura did not know yet. In addition, Sakura knew that whatever the Hokage had to say was important or else she would have sent someone to message Sakura instead.
"What is it?" Sakura asked instead of answering the question.
Tsunade blinked, faking confusion.
"What do you mean, what is it?"
Sakura sighed. "I know that its not just a plain and simple 'how are you', Tsunade."
Tsunade shook her head. "Sometimes, Sakura, I find you tend to search for things that aren't there."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, this time unsure of what the older woman wanted to teach her.
"Some people lack the ability to search for deeper meanings, to look further and beyond what is laid in front of them. But in your case Sakura, you are too distrustful. Sometimes, you should accept the obvious and simple. Do not always look for hidden meanings because there might not be any and you will find yourself disappointed."
"Isn't this all a bit too much just for a 'what is it?'" Sakura asked with annoyance.
Tsunade looked at Sakura with observing eyes. Forcing a fake smile, Tsunade said "You're right. Why don't we call it a day and go out for ramen?"
"Tsunade-san…weren't we supposed to-" Sakura started.
"The boy is waiting for you. If you don't come, who knows how long he'll complain to me," Tsunade said as she got up with slight difficulty. She sighed before smiling sheepishly, "Guess I'm getting a bit old, ne?"
Naruto. Naruto…has always waited for me.
"So, what about it?" Tsunade asked while brushing the dirt off herself.
Sakura gave a reluctant nod. Taking the morning off won't be too bad. I'll just train twice as hard later.
"Sakura!" screamed the blonde ninja, his arms waving widely in the air. He had grown incredibly taller, a head taller than Sakura now. His whisker marks have almost faded, leaving a ridiculously handsome face. It was surprising, to think that such a annoying boy back then could have turned into an annoying yet somehow handsome ninja years later.
Sakura offered a small smile of politeness to greet her former team-mate. It has been a long time since she last saw Naruto, but even so, she did not feel that large excitement one would usually feel when seeing an old friend after a long period of separation. Instead, she felt as if Naruto was a stranger to her. Someone that she only knew so much about because of the stories other people have told her. Not because she has lived those experiences with him.
Naruto hugged her tightly and she did not object, although she did not return the hug. When was the last time someone had embraced her so affectionately? She could not remember. It almost felt odd to be in such close contact with another person when not on the battlefield.
Naruto's eyes looked at her questioningly but quickly disregarded her coldness. He turned to Tsunade, whose eyes did not leave Sakura's face until she felt Naruto looking at her.
"As you wanted Naruto, Sakura is here."
Naruto smiled widely, took Sakura's hand and childishly pulled her inside the ramen shop with Tsunade quietly following behind.
"Aren't you on a strict schedule, Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked, addressing to Tsunade. They had a little talk about the nickname he had given her when he was younger and decided that it would be better if he addressed her the same as the others would, and that was Hokage-sama. However, the boy still couldn't resist but say the title with a slight exaggeration and an emphasis on the sama.
The Godaime lifted her eyebrow at the younger ninja, threatening him to continue. Naruto blinked twice and nodded.
The dinner was quiet and relaxing. People were crowding around the streets now, filling up the once empty marketplace. Bargains were being yelled out and kids were running around energetically, pretending to be ninjas in action. Sakura's eyes followed the children and found her mind began to wander off into deeper thoughts.
"They are so naïve." Said Sakura, unaware that she was speaking her thoughts out loud.
"Eh?" Naruto stopped his babbling and turned around to face Sakura.
"Nani, Sakura?" Naruto asked her.
Sakura blinked. "Nothing," She replied dismissively.
All the while, Tsunade noticed the two younger ninja's similar personalities. Naruto seemed occupied in his own topics of the day while Sakura sat quietly in her own thoughts. Both are in their own world. Naruto was ignorant while Sakura was distant.
"Sakura." Tsunade spoke softly, bringing the girl back to reality. Sakura looked at Tsunade watchfully, indicating her attention. Naruto also sat quietly this time, giving his full attention span to Tsunade.
"What is it that you want, in life?" The older woman asked in a serious tone her eyes not moving away from Sakura's eyes, hoping to be able to read any clues on the girl's distant and cold behaviour.
"What do you mean?"
"I've noticed recently that you've gotten worse."
"…" Sakura stayed silent.
"Hokage-sama, what are you talking about?" Naruto piped up.
"Sakura…I know something has been nagging at the back of your mind for some time now. Whatever it is that you want, get it. I can't let you continue on like this."
"I'm fine, what are you talking about?"
"You are not fine. I suggest you go and take a month off. Journey from village to village. Discover yourself."
"Discover...myself?" Sakura repeated slowly for the idea seemed ludicrous. She was needed here in Konoha and ready to serve whatever the village needed.
"Ne, Hokage-sama…" prodded the confused Naruto. It was then that he realized that this conversation was more meant for Sakura than himself. Therefore, he stood up, bowed to Tsunade, gave Sakura a warm hug and excused himself while giving Sakura one last look before departing. Tsunade watched Naruto run off quickly and she couldn't help but give the boy credit for his growing maturity.
"Sakura, you haven't gotten over-"
"Shut up." Sakura immediately interrupted. She didn't want Tsunade to finish the sentence. Suddenly, she knew where this was going. Why was it that everyone kept bringing it up? Ino brought it up only a few days ago. Now Tsunade? She had managed to forget about him and now they bring him up again.
"Thanks for the meal." Sakura stood up and left abruptly after leaving a couple of bills on the table.
June 27th 2006
I've edited this chapter because when I reread it a few days ago, I found it very dull and most of the time I don't even make any sense. (I realized that I wrote this while I was very miserable, so everything came out in fragments oo)
I still kept the slow pace though because well, I want the new and grown Sakura to sink in slowly before I introduce you guys to other stuff. I'm going to slowly edit the chapters until I reach the latest chapter, 11. Then when I feel like it, I'll write up the final chapter (which I think would be very long) and complete this story once and for all.
-Pp