章 18: Chapter Eighteen
It took me hours to complete my one hundred laps around the leaf village, because I refused to fight Sakura. I wasn't the only one who was punished and forced to run until we dropped with weights strapped to my arms and legs, our progress was all tracked through little black boxes that Carver had clipped to me.
There were seven other people I would pass them every so often, two of which tried to cheat. One shinobi tried to pay the other to run their laps, the paid shinobi took the little black box from the paying person and tried to run with two of them but as far as I know he didn't get very far. Raiden showed up and not long after he vanished, I didn't pass either ninja after they were caught.
The sun was rising, it was four or five in the morning when I was finally done running. I dropped onto a nearby bench and instantly fell asleep. I can remember flashes of Carver's face as he picked me up and carried me home. I remember whining to him about how unfair this was, but he just said he couldn't favor me over the other shinobi, it wouldn't have been fair. I woke up inside my apartment after only a few hours of sleep. My training session today was a ten in the freaking morning, as I moved around my body was sore in places, I didn't know could ache.
I collapsed in a seat in the stands of the arena, I leaned onto the railing as I wanted to cry. I didn't even get to eat breakfast since I woke up late and had to get here because there was no way on this earth, I could do that punishment again. My friends sat around me, they all complained about being here and for once I agreed. I hurt so bad I just wanted to go home stuff my face and sleep for three days.
On the bright side of things, the arena was set up for target practice so there was no fighting today. I don't think I could last long in a fight right now even if I wanted too. Carver explained how we will be practicing different types of target practice today. We were first going to do the standard shooting at a nonmoving target, second we would try to hit a moving target and then lastly we were going to have to hit clones that they summon.
My name was called out and I heard my voice groan, my feet moved on their own as I did what I was told. I moved below where Carver and Raiden were waiting for me. I opened my eyes after dragging myself onto the field, I saw Sakura was here as well. She made us line up on blue lines that were spray painted onto the grass. Carver handed each of us a set of different colored kunai.
"Hit the target." Sakura instructed, I looked ahead of me. I had to squint my eyes to see the target.
"That is at least a hundred yards." TenTen said, "No one can make that shot!" I agreed, I could barely move my arms, no way was I hitting that.
"We are being set up to fail-" Shikamaru started but was cut off by Sakura, she pulled out a silver kunai and whipped it my mouth dropped seeing she not only hit the target, she hit the damn center.
"We are not going to make you do anything we can't." Sakura said, turning to Shikamaru and TenTen. "The faster you complete the three sets of target practice, the faster your done with us for the day."
----
I stepped out of my bathroom feeling refreshed in clean clothes. After eating three cups of ramen I looked outside, it was late this whole day flew past me before I could enjoy it. I wondered if Sakura and the others were done with their training for the day? I walked out of my apartment and came face to face with Sasuke and Kakashi. I smiled at the two as I moved to knock on Sakura's door.
"Come in!" Carver called; yay they were home! I walked in with a full smile, I waved about to greet them until my smile dropped off my face. I looked around and saw Carver was on the couch shirtless. Bloody gauze was in a wastebasket as I watched him stick a fresh gauze on his side where a four-inch gash was healing. "Where have you guys been?" Carver wondered.
"Huh-Huh?" I asked,
"I figured you three would be waiting by the door for us to get back." Carver smiled, looking over at where we stood. I looked up, seeing Sakura was walking out of the kitchen holding two bottles of beer in her hand. My mouth tipped open seeing her, she wore grey shorts and a half light blue shirt. It wasn't the fact that this was the most of her skin I have seen but it was the fact that I could see the full damage she took inside the Iron Village.
Sakura handed Carver a bottle, there were small cuts all over her body, but the most noticeable one were the large six-inch gash running along her stomach, Sakura turned ignoring my blank stare. As she did, I saw another cut on the side of her shoulder which ran up over onto her back. How the hell has she been fighting!? Sakura said down at the small table which fit three people. There were used bloody gauze in a bag next to her.
"What-" I didn't even know what to say.
"What's wrong?" Carver asked, taking a long drink of his beer. Carver studied my face, looked at Sakura and then back to me. "Oh!" He laughed, "You three haven't seen our injuries." I nodded, he hit the nail on the head. "Well..." He sighed, leaning against the couch his face scrunched in pain. "...welcome, you caught us at a bad time."
"Bad time?" Sasuke asked walking into the apartment. "I had no idea you two were this hurt."
"Yeah well..." Carver shrugged, "...we got pretty fucked up." Carver smiled as if this was just a normal day for them. I counted seven large gauze on Carver's body each covered healing wounds. "I'm coming!" Carver said, Sakura was sitting at the table waiting for help.
"I got it." Kakashi said, not letting Carver answer as he pulled a chair close to Sakura and sat in front of her.
"Oh thank you." Carver breathed leaning against the couch, he was tired... I moved to the table and sat in the free chair. I watched in silence as Kakashi cleaned and dressed Sakura's wounds. I took this chance to study her, whenever I was around her she always wore clothing that covered most of her body. Kakashi moved Sakura's long hair out of the way as he began to clean a cut that sliced her skin open on the front of her chest.
"Are you ok?" I breathed, looking at all the bruising and cuts. Sakura smirked at me, looking as if her body wasn't holding together with gauze and medical tape.
"I'm fine." She said pulling the bottle to her lips, I didn't know Sakura drank beer.
"You...You don't look fine." I said looking into her eyes.
"It looks worse than it is." Sakura promised, but I didn't buy it.
"Where is Raiden?" Sasuke looked around,
"Asleep." Carver said pointing to the bedroom.
"Were you shot?" Kakashi's voice quickly collected all attention in the room. I stood, moving to see what Kakashi was looking at. There was a hole on Sakura's thigh, it was the size of a nickel.
"Yeah." Carver answered for Sakura, "Now that...hurt like a mother fucker." Carver laughed.
"You guys were shot at!?" I panicked, as if there was something I could do.
"Yes." Sakura sighed, "Sit down." She waved, I did as told.
"Guns are obsolete though." Sasuke said, "We can easily stop the bullet with-"
"No so much anymore." Carver shook his head.
"What does that mean?" I asked,
"Well-" Carver said laying on the couch. "-It means the world is getting more fucked up than what is already is."
"What is he talking about?" I asked Sakura,
"There has been rumors about guns being made that could shook through chakra." Sakura answered.
"What!?" I felt scared,
"Calm down." Sakura said, "If I wasn't bleeding out and carrying Raiden, I could of deflect the bullets. I wouldn't be too worried about this."
"But-But-!?"
"Even you could stop those bullets, it just takes more chakra to do so." Sakura comforted me.
"Oh." I breathed, my chest deflating. I went back to watching Kakashi, Sakura's injured leg was resting on Kakashi's lap as he patched her up. She leaned back on the chair, her eyes were closed altogether I counted eight gauzes on Sakura's body when Kakashi was finished.
"So, Sakura..." I spoke up, her eyes opened hearing her name.
"Hm?" She hummed; her eyes looked dull showing she needed a few days of sleep.
"Do you have any meetings tonight?" I asked, Carver said Sakura would be training with them throughout the day and then stuck in meetings with the waterfall village during the night.
"No, not tonight." Sakura answered,
"Oh!" I perked up, "That's good what are you going to-"
"Sleep." Sakura answered, pulling her leg off Kakashi's lap. "Thanks." She said to Kakashi who nodded. She grabbed her bottle of beer of the table.
"Are-Are you going to bed now?" I stood up.
"Yes." Sakura answered, moving towards the bedroom.
"Isn't Raiden asleep in there?" Sasuke asked, I knew he was right.
"Yeah?" Sakura said,
"Sakura!" I called, she turned before walking into the room, "You can sleep in my room."
"Huh?" Sakura asked, I felt Kakashi and Sasuke's stare on the side of my face.
"So, you don't have to sleep on the floor." I clarified; I could hear Carver laughing.
"I won't be sleeping on the floor." Sakura said, "Goodnight." She called walking into the darkened bedroom, closing the door. My mouth hung open when I put two and two together, Sakura was going to sleep with Raiden in the same bed!
"You should see your faces!" Carver laughed.
"So...she sleeps with Raiden?" I turned to Carver,
"She sleeps with me too." Carver smirked.
"Uh..." I looked at Kakashi and then to Sasuke who had a hard gaze on Carver.
"Oh calm down!" Carver laughed, turning around to look at the TV.
"She was barely wearing any clothes!" I shouted,
"Yeah, Raiden isn't wearing anything either." Carver smiled, seeing my face redden.
"But-she-and-" I wasn't sure where my sentence was going.
"Breathe Naruto." Carver said.
"How can I breathe when-"
"But now-" Carver cut my ranting in half. "-You three would know by now that Raiden and I only look at Sakura as a sister."
"You do?" Sasuke asked, relief filled his face as he looked back at the bedroom door.
"Yes." Carver laughed at our reaction. "So calm down everything is fine, and she is safe."
"Ok." I nodded,
"She already turned us down-" Carver added, I flipped around to look at him as Sasuke glared.
"What the hell does that mean?" Sasuke questioned.
"You have eyes." Carver said, "Sakura's hot."
"Eh-?!" If Carver really looked at Sakura as a little sister, he wouldn't be calling her hot!
"Don't give me that twisted incest look." Carver told Sasuke, "She isn't my real sister. At some point I had to have met her and yes when I first met Sakura, I was attracted to her. Of course I didn't try anything when I first met her, she was like a fucking nuclear bomb just waiting to go off. But as we spent more time together and I got to know her as more than just a Commander, I fell for her." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You..." Sasuke said slowly, "...You fell for her?"
"Mhm." Carver nodded, not ashamed in the slightest. "Back when I first met Sakura, she was like this powerful force that choked me and I liked it. I never met someone so fearless and strong-" Carver smiled, looking into his memories. "-Sakura broke every rule and was so captivating."
"How-What changed?" I asked leaning into his words, maybe I could get some advice, I was still struggling with keeping my emotions together.
"It was all sex." Carver said.
"Excuse me?" Kakashi's voice was dark, I pulled my lips together hearing his deep voice as I inched away from him on the couch.
"I never slept with her." Carver clarified with a chuckled, "Sakura was this complicated mystery, no one knew anything about her. No one knew where she came from, it was hot I won't lie I wanted Sakura for her body." I felt an urge to hit Carver, "Don't give me that look-" Carver pointed at me, "-But she turned me down multiple times and after a while I just realized I felt something for her but it wasn't lust." Carver shrugged, "She is my little sister, Raiden is the same way."
"Raiden had a thing for Sakura to?" Sasuke wondered,
"As fun as digging our pasts up is, I am exhausted." Carver said, grabbing a blanket from off the couch.
"Yeah." I nodded, standing. "You should probably get some sleep."
"You guys have the weekend, off right?" Carver rolled onto his side.
"Yeah." I smiled,
"You guys should come over for dinner after training." Carver said, "I don't know how great the food will be, when your constantly on the road one of the few skills you lack is how to cook. But it should be entertaining."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." I smiled as I followed my team out of the apartment.
~~ P.O.V. Change ~~
"So!" Carver said, walking out of the bedroom after a hot shower. Sakura looked up from her phone as she sipped her coffee, Carver sat across from Sakura at their small table. Carver leaned back on the chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Are you going to spit it out or...?" Sakura trailed off; it was too early for riddles.
"How uh-" Carver smiled, "-how's Kakashi?"
"You saw him last night?" Sakura said sat her phone down and looked at the two large stacks of paperwork in front of her Dawn had sent her, she really hates paperwork.
"That is not what I meant." Carver said taking Sakura's coffee cup and drinking from it.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready for training?" Sakura asked,
"Shouldn't you?"
"No."
"And why not?"
"Because I have a thing."
"A thing?"
"Mhm."
"Like...a dick appointment?" A sly smile spread across Carver's face as Sakura looked up at him annoyed.
"I didn't fuck him." Sakura stated for the tenth time.
"Mm..." Carver sighed, "I don't buy that-"
"I don't really give a fuck what you believe." Sakura said,
"Touchy." Carver coughed, "You're getting a little worked up."
"I am not."
"Yes you are."
"Go away Carver."
"It isn't like you to get worked up over anything, let alone a man."
"I am not getting worked up." Sakura stated.
"I can read your face."
"No you can't." Sakura said, scribbling her name on a document.
"Yes I can." Carver laughed; Sakura looked up.
"If that was true, then you would shut the hell up before I throw you out the window."
"See? That is the definition of getting worked up."
"Who is getting worked up?" Raiden yawned having just woken.
"Sakura is." Carver smiled,
"She is not." Sakura said dropping her pen on the stack of paper.
"Why are you getting worked up?" Raiden asked pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"I'm not." Sakura snapped glaring at Carver.
"I brought up Kakashi." Carver answered as Raiden sat down at the small table.
"Oh, I see." Raiden teased looking at Sakura who rolled her eyes. "I have to say, I am surprised you would be interested in someone."
"Right?" Carver chuckled.
"What the hell does that mean?" Sakura questioned.
"Nothing!" Raiden laughed, "I mean it's just...you're not really..."
"I'm not what?"
"You what know I am surprised about?" Carver turned to Raiden, ignoring Sakura who glared at both the men. It was too early for this!
"Hm?" Raiden smiled knowing how annoyed Sakura was.
"That Kakashi is interested in her."
"Oh I know!"
"What the fuck?" Sakura asked,
"This is a compliment." Raiden said, patting Sakura's shoulder.
"The fuck it is!" Sakura said holding her hands out.
"Wait-" Raiden said, "-why do you think Kakashi is interested?"
"That's right! You were asleep last night!" Carver perked up, "So after you went to bed, we were changing our bandages and team seven decided to come over, Kakashi didn't skip a beat at being the one to bandage her up." Carver winked at Sakura.
"I always miss the good stuff!" Raiden whined, "The poor bastard." Raiden and Carver laughed,
"What?" Sakura asked,
"Huh?" Carver hummed,
"Why do I get the feeling you two are fucking with me?" Sakura asked, leaning back on the chair.
"We-We are not!" Raiden smiled, "It's just you...your...Carver?" Raiden said earning a glare from Carver.
"Sakura your awesome, you really are but all that awesomeness is like deep, deep....way deep down there and most men are intimidated by you and most of them uh...you know...run...?" Carver nervously laughed as the front door opened. "Oh thank God." Carver sighed seeing Naruto walk in so now this conversation could quickly die.
"Morning!" Naruto waved, "What's up?" He asked moving towards the table, Sakura stood.
"Carver and Raiden were just telling me how I am dick repellent." Sakura said, grabbing her phone and moving to leave the apartment.
"That-That is not what we were saying!" Raiden yelled as Sakura left the apartment.
"It isn't?" Carver asked looking at Raiden who shook his head. "So!" Carver smiled looking at Naruto. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I had something to do." Naruto muttered sitting in Sakura's seat. Naruto gazed at all the homework Sakura had to do, he brushed his fingers over her signature.
"What thing?" Raiden wondered,
"Eh, it was nothing..."
"Try again." Carver said,
"I might have gotten into an argument."
"With?" Raiden wondered.
"Sasuke?" Carver guessed.
"No."
"Well who was it with?" Raiden asked, "Maybe we can help?"
"It wasn't just with one person..." Naruto placed his head on the table groaning.
"Eh?" Carver and Raiden were at a loss Naruto looked up,
"I might have gotten into a fight with like everyone."
"Can you clarify everyone?" Carver asked,
"Like everyone I had grown up with!" Naruto dropped his head back on the table. "All my friends."
"Oh." Carver nodded, "Why?" He asked.
"Because of you guys!" Naruto sat up.
"What the hell did we do?" Raiden wondered, "I literally just woke up!"
"The fight didn't have anything to do with you guys, it has to do with them...what they are not doing."
"And that would be...?" Carver trailed off waiting for Naruto to continue.
"They are not taking your training sessions seriously. You guys are hurt and instead of recovering you are taking the time out of your day to try and make us better. When I saw just how hurt you guys were last night, I was so mad at them for bad mouthing you and-"
"Naruto-" Carver said placing his hand on Naruto's head. "-you don't need to fight our fights. You don't need to go fighting with your friends just because of us-"
"No." Naruto shook his head, "It isn't right!"
"It doesn't matter." Raiden yawned,
"It matters to me!" Naruto said.
"Why?" Raiden asked lazily.
"Because you guys are my friends!" Naruto stood, "And I am not going to let your hard work go to waste!" Carver and Raiden glanced at each other and then smiled.
"You're our friend too Naruto." Carver smirked, "Now sit down and eat some breakfast before training."
"O-Ok!" Naruto blushed running into the kitchen to get some cereal. Carver smiled to himself as he shook his head finishing his cup of coffee getting ready for another day of training.
Naruto bounced beside Carver, they stood in the arena as they practice targets again. Naruto was determined to hit that target no matter what! Naruto looked over at Carver who was helping Hinata, Raiden was changing out the nonmoving targets, Naruto didn't care how long it was going to take him he will make that shot and make those two proud of him!
After three hours of baking in the sun with the cool fall air blowing around Naruto watched as a kunai flew past him, spinning gracefully as it plunged into the heart of the target. Naruto's mouth dropped open,
"I did it." TenTen breathed, her mouth open in shock. TenTen turned to Neji who was beside her who looked just as surprised. "I did it!"
"Good job." Naruto spun hearing that voice, Sakura stood behind them. TenTen didn't know what to say as Sakura smiled to her, TenTen felt her cheeks blush. "Three more of those and you get to leave early." TenTen nodded, Sakura walked down the line of leaf shinobi. Sakura reached out, raising Naruto's elbow higher. Naruto's heart skipped as a smile stretched across his face, with his posture adjusted Naruto flung the kunai forward hitting the side of the target.
"Yes!" Naruto jumped, turning to see the three Waterfall soldiers all watching him with smiles on their faces. Naruto bounced with his arms in the air. "Did you see that!?" He yelled at them,
"Yeah-Yeah." Carver waved, "Try hitting the middle of it next time!" Carver's grin never left his face as he told Naruto to get back to work.
"They are getting better." Raiden nodded,
"Maybe Naruto did shake something awake." Carver muttered.
"What?" Sakura asked,
"Nothing." Carver smiled, "How did your thing go this morning?"
"Painful." Sakura muttered, "Rather of watched fucking paint dry." Carver and Raiden laughed at Sakura's misery. Sakura turned her head seeing his hair on the corner of her eye. Kakashi was in the stands, leaning against a beam gazing into his book. Sakura was struggling to ignore his presence. When she pushed him out of her mind, she felt the color leak out of her world, leaving her standing in a dark gray blur. Sakura licked her lips looking away from Kakashi feeling the echo of his kiss. "I have to leave again."
"What?" Raiden asked, "Why?"
"Because." Sakura crossed her arms.
"Alright fuck us then." Carver said, not happy she was leaving again. Sakura was in worse condition than Carver and Raiden combined.
"I'm going to the River Village." Sakura sighed,
"What?" Raiden perked up, "I wanna go!"
"We can't leave this village open." Sakura reminded.
"But-"
"Why?" Carver asked the right question, "Why are you going there?"
"Because they need my blood." Sakura answered,
"Huh?" Raiden scrunched his face.
"The Reaper's poison." Sakura reminded that the river village was searching for an antidote, per Sakura's request.
"I thought they had the poison?" Carver asked, Sakura shrugged.
"I don't know." Sakura sighed, "I won't be long."
"I invited team seven for dinner tonight." Carver said, "Can't you go tomorrow?"
"Tell them I'm sorry." Sakura shrugged,
"Can you even transport there?" Raiden asked, "I know you claim to be all bulletproof but you're not, you need recovery time and three weeks is not enough-"
"I am fine." Sakura's voice was stable but strong, daring them to try and argue with her. Carver sighed feeling wind wrapping around her.
"You better be back tomorrow." Carver warned as they backed up giving Sakura space.
"What happened!?" Naruto ran up with a few people behind him.
"Huh?" Carver asked,
"Where did Sakura go?" Sasuke questioned.
"She will be back." Carver said.
"What?" Naruto breathed looking at the space Sakura once stood.
"Trust me." Carver smiled, "Get back to training." Carver called glancing at Raiden who also had a worried look hidden in his features.
----
Fall was in full bloom; two weeks had grazed through the village hidden in the leaf's when Sakura dropped back into the village. Sakura dropped into arena, she breathed opening her eyes and looked around. No one was here, it was late as the sun was falling asleep. Sakura leaped onto the arena's roof she looked around the leaf village. Sakura felt her muscles relax as she felt shivers run down her arms and they weren't from the cold. Sakura looked at her hands, a feeling crept over her shoulder it was familiar and distant. She looked up to gaze at the leaf village, she felt like she was arriving home.
"Really?" Carver's voice caused Sakura to smile as she turned around. There her teammate stood; his arms crossed over his chest as his facial expression was serious. "You said you were just going to the River Village."
"I did."
"No, you went there then you went to the fucking Waterfall Village. Sakura you could have been killed!"
"No I couldn't have."
"You're not bulletproof!" Carver yelled,
"I know I'm not."
"Then stop acting like it-!" Carver stopped talking seeing a cut running across her cheek. Carver quickly closed the distance between them as he cupped her face. "What-"
"Nothing."
"Don't fucking tell me nothing!" Carver yelled stepping back. "Diem told me everything, you burnt down a fucking Reapers camp with Dawn!"
"I did."
"Without me!"
"I didn't-"
"Sakura-" Carver cut her off, "-I can't lose you too!"
"You're not going to lose me."
"If you keep throwing yourself into the fire, yes I am!"
"I'm sorry." Sakura sighed,
"That doesn't mean anything to me. What would have happened if you were killed out there? Sorry wouldn't bring you back to Raiden and me!"
"I know." Sakura said turning to look back at the leaf village.
"You-" Carver cut himself off, seeing how light her face appeared. "-did you get laid?"
"What?" Sakura laughed, "No, it's just..." She said looking away from him, Carver smiled walking to stand beside her.
"This place is different." Carver said.
"That is an understatement." Sakura chuckled.
"You have come a long way." Carver muttered.
"Hm?" Sakura asked,
"I can read you, and I like to think that I know you better than anyone else."
"Possibly." Sakura smiled,
"Are you home?" Carver asked her, Sakura looked away trying to pull her emotions back inside. "You know you don't need to do that, not when it's me. It's ok if you like being here, it's ok if you like being around team seven and its fine Sakura if you have feelings for Kakashi. He seems to be a great man who is into you."
"I-"
"Why don't you just give it a chance?" Carver cut her off before she could speak.
"I would break him." Sakura answered, not liking this open touchy feely crap.
"Kakashi looks like the kind of guy who would be into that." Carver joked, "Hey-" Carver turned Sakura around to face him. "I understand the pain this village brought onto you, but they are human and humans make mistakes. I am not saying that excuses what they did but they have been busting their asses trying to get to know you. I see you here inside this village, I see how different you act while you're inside these gates and frankly, this is the happiest I have ever seen you."
"I don't know what happened." Sakura muttered.
"Who did what?" Carver asked,
"I don't know when I started to hate my own village."
"The Waterfall is not a village it is a fucking war zone." Carver said, "Doesn't surprise me constantly looking over your shoulder was getting old."
"I did that to those people." Sakura furrowed her brows together, thinking about the countless shinobi she turned into soldiers.
"No." Carver stated, "Kaguya did that to those people, and she did it to you."
"I...I don't know." Sakura breathed.
"I believe everything happens for a reason." Carver smiled down at her. "I may not understand why my family was slaughtered, but that path I was thrown on led me to you and you and Raiden are my home. You two are more my family than my own parents ever were." Carver reached down and hugged Sakura. "It pains me to see how much suffering you had to drag yourself through, but you have come too far and grown into your power with grace. If your parents could see you now, I know they would be so proud of the woman you have become."
"Carver?" Sakura asked, her head resting on his shoulder.
"But I know for a fact they wouldn't want you inside that village." Carver breathed, pulling away but keeping a hand on her side and cupped her face. "Sakura, I don't want to return to the Waterfall Village when this is all over." Sakura searched Carver's face and saw this had been eating at him for some time now, there was guilt in his eyes as if this was Carver walking away from Sakura.
"If you want to stay in this village and wear their headband you know I will support you." Sakura said,
"I know you will, but I want you to stand by your side."
"You won't be leaving me just because you settle down here." Sakura smiled; Carver looked down as tears filled his eyes.
"I feel like I would be letting you down if I stayed here." Carver whispered as tears split down his cheeks. Sakura reached up and brushed them away,
"You could never let me down; I am so proud of you and Raiden." Carver sniffed and nodded his head, Carver felt relieved as his chest deflated. This had been eating away at him for a while now, Carver cleared his throat and stepped away causing Sakura to laugh.
"Well that's enough-" Carver said about to wipe his face with his hand but stopped seeing a red liquid shining on his skin. Carver quickly looked at Sakura, she raised her hands to try and calm him.
"Don't freak out." She said,
"Oh..." Carver laughed, "I am going to blow the damn roof off this village!" Carver grabbed Sakura and dragged her in the direction of the hospital.
"There isn't a roof for you to blow-" Sakura joked but Carver cut her off.
"I'm mad at you!" Carver snapped,
"You can't be mad at me." Sakura stated, "I just gave you my blessing to leave me."
"Hey!" Carver snapped, "You can't go guilting me around-" Carver said as they walked into the hospital, to Carver's delight and for Sakura's personal hell Tsunade was standing in the lobby talking to a nurse. "Tsunade!" Carver waved, Tsunade looked over and smiled.
"Your back!" Tsunade excused the nurse.
"We need a room." Carver stated.
"Uh-Um..." Tsunade stuttered, her mind living inside the gutter. "You-You can't do that in the hospital-"
"What?" Carver asked, he pointed to Sakura. "She needs to be looked at!"
"Oh-Oh!" Tsunade laughed, "Follow me." Tsunade led Carver and Sakura to a private room, Carver pulled out his phone and texted Raiden what was going on.
Sakura was sitting on a hospital bed listening to Tsunade and Carver lecture her on her health. Sakura had reopened a few stitches on her side, it was nothing Sakura cared about but Tsunade was a different story. Sakura glanced from looking out the window towards the two, she smiled and looked away. If she was home inside the waterfall village, Kaguya would yell at her for getting hurt and tell her to go patch herself up alone while she goes drinking and watching TV.
"Where is she!?" Sakura snapped to the door to the room, Raiden and team seven had thrown open the door and were looking frantic. Sakura raised an eyebrow at their behavior. "What the fuck!?" Raiden yelled walking closer. "You said one day! You would be gone for only one day! It has been two fucking weeks!" Sakura sighed, watching Raiden and Naruto fifty question her but deep inside her chest she loved that people cared she was injured. She liked when they lectured her on her health or her poor eating habits.
"You are grounded!" Sakura was pulled back to the hospital room, she smiled to herself looking to the floor. A pair of blue sandals caused Sakura to look up, Kakashi stood in front of her he reached out and brushed his fingers under the cut across her cheek. Sakura licked her lips and pulled her face away from him, Carver sighed shaking his head watching Sakura's stubborn ass.
"Let's go!" Carver called.
"Go?" Raiden asked, "Where? Sakura-"
"Will not be staying inside a hospital." Sakura said, standing from the bed as she grabbed her shirt and slipped it on over her tank top.
"Tsunade!" Raiden whined as if he was tattling on Sakura.
"She is fine to leave." Tsunade said washing her hands.
"What!?" Raiden and Naruto overreacted. "But-But she-"
"Is stable, she just reopened a few stitches." Tsunade smiled, "She will be fine."
"Thank you." Sakura sighed,
"But you should take it easy." Tsunade added causing Sakura to glare.
"Come on!" Raiden bounced, "Tsunade said Sakura was fine, let's go!"
"Why is he so eager?" Sakura muttered to Carver,
"There is a festival tonight." Carver answered, "You would know that if you had been back when you said you would be." Sakura glared as Carver walked past her, Sakura rolled her eyes. She followed the group of men to the apartment they were crashing in. Sakura ignored everyone as she moved to the bedroom to take a shower. Naruto and Sasuke left to change, Carver took a seat beside Kakashi who did not leave.
"So..." Carver said, Kakashi looked up from his book.
"Hm?" He wondered.
"You have feelings for her?" Carver cut to the point, The two men stared at each other for a moment,
"Yes." Kakashi answered.
"So you fucking that woman in your apartment was...?"
"A mistake." Kakashi answered. Carver nodded,
"I see..." Carver nodded, "And you'll...you'll-" Carver didn't like this, it felt like he was giving away his little sister. He never had to do the big brother thing before,
"I will take care of her." Kakashi said reading Carver's expression.
"I will kill you if you don't." Carver threatened.
"I think she would beat you to it." Kakashi smiled,
"You are right." Carver laughed with Kakashi.
"What are we talking about?" Raiden wondered sitting down with a bowl of chips.
"Nothing..." Carver smiled, glancing at Kakashi who went back to reading. After Sakura took a quick shower and changed into clean clothing, she walked out into the living room. Kakashi leaned back getting a better view as she moved to set her phone on the table. Sakura wore black jeans with a few rips in them, a white shirt that was tucked in with a black jacket placed over it. Her hair was braided off to the side. This was the first time Kakashi saw Sakura wearing makeup.
"Well don't you look like a female." Carver teased,
"Mhm." Sakura hummed, quickly shooting a text to Dawn. "We all can't be naturally feminine like you Carver."
"Wha-Hey!" Carver snapped around as Raiden laughed. "I am masculine!"
"Okie." Sakura said walking to the couch, she took the only seat open which was beside Kakashi.
"So..." Raiden trailed off, "-how was the River Village?"
"Or like any of the two weeks that you were gone?" Carver added sounding salty.
"And you wanna explain how you got that?" Raiden motioned to his face meaning the cut on Sakura's cheek. Sakura took in a breath and leaned back, why was she happy to be here again?
"The River Village was fine; William and Arabella say hi. The antidote isn't ready yet, but I was told they are making great progress." Kakashi shifted in his seat, as he did his leg brushed against Sakura's.
"How long were you there for?" Carver wondered,
"Two days." Sakura answered not seeing the trap, she was too focused on Kakashi's knee against hers.
"Then where the hell were you!?" Carver and Raiden yelled together.
"Mm." Sakura didn't like the loud noise, their voices carried. "If Diem told you why I do I have to repeat myself?"
"Because I don't believe shit when Diem is the one talking." Carver said, "I don't like him."
"Not this again." Sakura sighed,
"Why don't you like him?" Kakashi looked up from his book.
"Well anyway-" Sakura called, not wanting to hear this story for the millionth time.
"I'll tell you later." Carver whispered to Kakashi.
"-I went to the Waterfall Village to check on things." Sakura said rubbing her face feeling hungry.
"Why!?" Carver asked, "The whole reason you are here in this village is because you wouldn't be inside that fucking village!"
"Is that how you got that cut?" Raiden asked, not liking it on her fair face.
"No." Sakura sighed.
"Oh-" Carver laughed, "-So you got it at the Reapers camp which you burnt down!"
"Um." Kakashi looked up, "What?" He asked turning to Sakura.
"Yeah!" Carver yelled, "Your girlfriend decided to take off with her second Commander and ambush a fucking reapers camp alone!"
"Carver-" Sakura warned, her heart fluttering from being called Kakashi's girlfriend. "-I couldn't just-"
"You could have. You are the one who taught me you always have a choice. You should have called me, we would have come and backed you up."
"I'm here-"
"Carver's right." Kakashi answered, shocking everyone in the room. "It was reckless of you to go into that camp knowing you have that poison in your system."
"I am not a child." Sakura said looking into Kakashi's eye. "I don't need to be told what I can and can't do-"
"We are not trying to control what you do." Kakashi said, reaching over placing his hand over hers. "We just want you to come home at the end of the day."
"I always do." Sakura sighed,
"Until you don't." Kakashi said, "You can't be mad at us for being worried."
"Yes, I can." Sakura smiled, Kakashi chuckled. Raiden was looking back and forth between Kakashi who has not removed his hand and then to Sakura.
"I am so excited for food!" Carver stretched, "Naruto said the food during these festivals is fantastic!"
"I am starving!" Raiden giggled, feeling excited.
"Speaking of food, where is Naruto?" Carver wondered,
"Hm?" Raiden noticed Naruto hadn't popped over. "I don't-" Raiden said as the front door open.
"Who is ready for food!?" Naruto jumped in sight; his arms extended out in the air.
"Speak of the devil." Carver muttered turning to the people on the couch.
"Are we ready!?" Naruto asked, getting very excited.
"Yes." Raiden sighed pulling himself up. "Calm yourself, you look like your about to piss yourself."
"I am excited!" Naruto jumped, "This is yours and Raiden's first festival and the first one with Sakura back in the village!"
"Eh..." Sakura trailed off,
"What?" Naruto asked. "You don't want to come...?" His big blue eyes losing their shine
"You're a monster." Raiden whispered to her causing her to groan. Sakura stood along with Kakashi.
"I don't know how excited your friends are going to be to see me..." Sakura trailed off.
"Why?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know." Carver answered for her, "Maybe because the last time they seen her she kind of kicked their asses?"
"Well yeah but..." Naruto smiled after a second. "...we needed that kick in the ass to realize there were a lot of things we needed improvement on. Everyone knows that now and everyone is training hard and getting stronger!" Sakura turned to Carver,
"It's true, they don't suck as hard." Carver said with a shrug.
"Come on!" Naruto said walking over and taking Sakura's hand. "You're coming!" Naruto dragged Sakura out of the apartment building and into the chilly streets of the leaf village. Naruto and the others reached the festival. Carver and Raiden looked around at all the bright shiny lights.
"Pretty." Raiden said, "Ok!" He clapped his hands. "What are we eating first?!"
"Everything is good, so I am up for anything!" Naruto smiled,
"Sakura what do you want-where the hell did you get that!?" Raiden asked as Sakura pulled a beer to her lips.
"Huh?" She asked turning to them.
"We literally just got here." Carver said.
"I'm hungry." Sakura said walking towards a pizza stand.
"Wait for us!" Raiden pulled Naruto and Carver.
"I have legs!" Carver complained.
"Good for you?" Raiden said causing Naruto to laugh. Sakura got a burger and fries, she sat at an empty picnic table waiting for the others to get their food.
"Sakura?" TenTen walked up to the pinkette. Sakura looked over with a mouth full of fries.
"Mm?" She asked not expecting anyone to talk to her.
"Thank you." TenTen said.
"Huh?" Sakura missed something...
"You were right." TenTen said, "Your training really improved my aim and I am sorry I fought you." Sakura looked at TenTen and then to the bottle of beer in front of her, was she already drunk?
"Er...your welcome?" Sakura said slowly.
"There is this issue I have been having, my kunai's have been curving and I don't know what I am doing wrong?" TenTen said, Sakura nodded standing.
"You want me to show you?"
"Now?" TenTen squeaked.
"Unless you're busy-"
"No!" TenTen smiled, "That would be great!"
"Let's go." Sakura nodded, grabbing her burger and drink. It took a full ten minutes for Carver and Naruto to get all the food they wanted, they each had an arm full of food as they waddled their way to the table, they thought Sakura had sat down at.
"Huh?" Naruto looked around at all the people.
"I thought she went this way?" Carver said looking around. "What the fuck!?" Carver yelled; he knew she would bail!
"If you're looking for Sakura, she went to the training grounds." Sasuke came into view.
"Wha-Huh?" Raiden said, "Why the fuck would she go there?" He asked looking at Naruto.
"I don't know." Carver sighed running his hand through his hair, "Let's go fetch her." Team seven, Carver and Raiden made their way to the training grounds. Kakashi's heart skipped hearing Sakura's laugh.
"If she is talking to Dawn-" Carver threatened as they reached the grounds. Sakura was laughing as TenTen smiled, with Hinata sitting on the ground watching.
"Huh?" Carver and Raiden said feeling confused. TenTen picked up another kunai and tossed it, hitting the target in the heart.
"Yes!" TenTen jumped turning to Sakura and hugged her. "Thank you! It was driving me insane!"
"Yeah." Sakura smiled, turning her head and seeing the five men looking at her with confused and twisted faces making Sakura laugh. "What are you doing here?" She asked them.
"What-What the fuck you mean?!" Raiden stomped, "We were hanging out and you vanished!"
"I was helping TenTen."
"There is no training today!" Raiden said, "This is a fun day, when do we get to have fun?"
"Calm down." Sakura said reaching down to get her beer. "We were just about to head back; I want more food anyway."
"I wanna eat." Raiden stated as Sakura walked up to them.
"Then eat?" Sakura said shaking her head, she turned back to the two women. "Are you coming?" She asked, Hinata and TenTen jumped up.
"Yes!" TenTen said as Hinata followed. Naruto and Raiden settled down at a table and began their feasts while Sakura and Hinata stood in line at a food stand.
"How have you been?" Sakura asked out of the blue.
"Uh-Uh-" Hinata was taken back.
"Carver and Raiden tell me you impressed them during their training." Sakura said looking at the menu,
"They-They did?" Hinata asked,
"Yeah."
"Th-Thanks."
"You don't need to thank me for anything, that was all you." Sakura smiled at her, Hinata quickly looked to her feet blushing.
"Well...I guess..." Hinata trailed off.
"You have grown into an outstanding shinobi." Sakura said, "That is something to hold your head high about." Hinata looked at Sakura and nodded. Sakura and Hinata rejoined their group, Sakura stood for a moment and watched Naruto and Raiden shovel food in their mouths, reminding her of the hungry hungry hippo game she used to play as a kid. Konoha Eleven had joined the table as Sakura sat beside Neji, Lee and Guy were running around the table hyped up on sugar.
"So Sakura-" Kiba smiled over his chili fries, "Where have you been?"
"Why?" Sakura asked.
"Just curious." Kiba shrugged.
"You were gone for a while." Choji tried to speak with a mouth full of food, "Then you show back up with that-" Choji said poking to his cheek.
"How about you guys not put her on the stand?" TenTen crossed her arms,
"We're not!" Choji quickly said, "We are just wondering where she-"
"The Waterfall Village." Sakura cut in, "That's where I have been."
"Why?" Kiba asked tossing food to Akamaru. "I thought you were here to like protect us...?"
"Your safe." Sakura said, nodding her head over to Carver and Raiden. "They were here when I was not."
"Yeah fucking leave us out of all the fun!" Raiden looked up from his food to lightly glare at Sakura.
"What?" Neji asked,
"Sakura wasn't just inside the Waterfall Village. She and her second in command decided to go raid a Reapers camp and burn it to the ground!" Raiden poked at Sakura. "Rude."
"You-You did what!?" TenTen gasped, Sakura shrugged.
"That's-" Raiden said to Choji "-how she got this." Raiden poked to his own cheek. Sakura didn't understand the issue, it was a simple cut.
"So dramatic." Sakura muttered finishing the bottle in front of her.
"We are not!" Kiba said, "Burning down a village is like-"
"A normal Tuesday in her world." Carver countered, everyone watched as Sakura rose to her feet and left the table with a sigh to get another drink. It was hard for Sakura to open up, she licked her lips as she stood in line. What was she even doing here? She should be standing guard staring out into the forest and waiting, hanging out with people she thought she would never see again was just going to end up backfiring.
"Sakura!" Hinata smiled, reaching Haruno's side.
"Hinata?"
"You move so quickly!" Hinata giggled, "I tried to catch up."
"Oh, sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about!" Hinata waved off, feeling a little more comfortable around Sakura. "So...what are we doing?"
"I am just getting another drink." Sakura answered.
"Oh!"
"Yeah, I feel like I am going to need them." Sakura smirked.
"Are you still hungry?" Hinata asked,
"Hm, not really. Why?"
"Do you still have room for some sweets?" Hinata asked nervously playing with her fingers, Sakura smiled.
"There's always room for sweets." Sakura joked as the two women got another round of adult beverages, they moved towards a food truck that was lit up with the rainbow and smelt of sugar.
"What should we get!?" Hinata blushed feeling happy.
"That." Sakura smiled, pointing to a loaded elephant ear that was a mountain of sugar.
Kakashi and Carver kept glancing behind them, wondering what was taking Sakura so long to return. The two men glanced at each other; Carver sighed looking behind him again.
"She is fine." Raiden said reading Carver's face.
"I know." Carver said still looking behind him.
"Who is fine?" Neji asked,
"Sakura." Raiden answered,
"Why is she fine?" Choji wondered.
"Carver is worried, Sakura reopened a few stitches."
"How did she do that?" Kiba muttered,
"Because she is reckless and has little regard for herself." Carver scrunched his face annoyed.
"I get that vibe from her." Choji nodded.
"Really?" Kiba asked, "Because the vibe I get is she mind fucks my head without my consent." The table erupted in laughter, Kakashi breathed seeing Sakura walk around the nearby food cart with Hinata beside her.
"What the fuck?" Carver asked watching the two women sit down.
"What is that?" Raiden lit up seeing the kids dream on a plate sitting in front of her.
"Diabetes to go." Carver answered watching Sakura ignore them as she ate it with delight.
"Kakashi!" Guy ran around the table. "How about we have a little contest!? We haven't had one in a long time!"
"I am training right now, I can't." Kakashi answered not looking up from his book.
"Huh?" Guy blinked, "How-How are you training right now!? You're just reading that perverted book!"
"It's called imaginary training." Kakashi glanced up catching Sakura's eyes, shivers ran down her spine as she quickly looked down at her treat. Raiden perked up,
"Sakura-!"
"NO!" Carver shut down Raiden's thought process.
"What?" Raiden pouted, "I didn't even get to finish-"
"I know what you were going to try and say and I will not be babysitting anyone tonight."
"And people say I am the hard ass." Sakura muttered.
"What was that?" Carver turned.
"Nothing." Sakura shrugged leaning on her arm. "You're being a little bit of a buzzkill-"
"I am not!" Carver snapped.
"Ha, okie. I am getting another drink." Sakura laughed, Kakashi watched as Sakura's mischievous side sparked in her eyes. "You want me to pull that stick out of your ass while I am up?"
"Haruno!" Carver shouted as Sakura walked away laughing, Raiden bounced as he followed her.
"Sakura!" Raiden yelled trying to catch up. "Where you going?" Raiden asked, Sakura turned to look at him and a smile played on her lips as she nodded over to the beer tent. Raiden lit up, "I am so going to win tonight!" He pointed as the two changed their direction, Raiden wrapped an arm around Sakura as he laughed.
"How was your guy's day off?" Kiba asked Carver, he felt bad now knowing Carver and Raiden who had been training them for weeks had been taking a toll on them.
"Not bad." He shrugged.
"What did you guys do?" Kiba tried to keep the conversation going.
"Er...I don't know." Carver laughed.
"I didn't see you at the training grounds today." Lee said,
"You know we do other things too." Carver chuckled, "We don't just sit around all day counting each other's abs waiting to train."
"We-We know!" Kiba blushed. Carver laughed at Kiba's uncomfortable face when Carver's head snapped around.
"What?" Naruto asked feeling alarmed.
"That voice." Carver stood.
"You hear a voice!?" Naruto felt alarmed as he looked around.
"The fucking music!" Carver said,
"Uh...yeah?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "It's music."
"That's Raiden-" Carver cut himself hearing a female. "-and that's Sakura." Carver didn't give any detail as he spun around running. The group at the picnic table quickly followed suit, Carver ran until he passed the beer tent and skittles to a halt. Naruto ran into him,
"What-?" Naruto followed Carver's gaze towards the stage that was set up beside the beer tent. Raiden was on stage jumping to the beat of the music as he sang into the mic in his hand. Naruto's mouth dropped open seeing Sakura was beside him, a mic in her hand as she sang along with him. "Wha-?" Naruto and the leaf shinobi were stunned. Watching Sakura jump beside Raiden to the beat of the song was not something they thought she would do; it was so out of character for her.
(Song - The Other Side - Jason Derulo, Keke Palmer, Max Schneider, Kurt Schneider)
Naruto and the others moved closer, joining the crowd who were dancing in front of the stage. They pushed themselves into the front. Naruto's mouth hung open taking in yet another side of Sakura. The Sakura he once knew would never do this, would never pick up a mic or get on a stage. Sakura and Raiden danced together and laughed.
Naruto made eye contact with Sakura, who nodded for him to get on stage. Without another thought Naruto jumped on, he stood beside Sakura who laughed at his shocked expression, his heart pounding in his chest seeing a more playful side to her. Sakura walked over to the DJ and grabbed an extra mic for Naruto. His eyes were wide as all he could do was stare in disbelief, this had to be the food coma he was in. Sakura wrapped an arm around Naruto and placed him in between herself and Raiden. It took Naruto a moment to pull the mic to his lips and slowly joined in.
Naruto felt over joyed, he didn't know what to do with this Sakura. Normally she was cold and kept everyone at a distance. Naruto was honestly scared to touch her, but now here they were. Naruto had an arm around Sakura as they danced.
Raiden lightly tapped Sakura and nodded to Naruto, Sakura grinned reading Raiden's intentions.
Sasuke perked up from the crowd, thinking they were going to do something to embarrass Naruto. Sakura and Raiden stopped singing and backed up a foot to give him the spot light, Naruto looked back at them as he heard himself sing alone in the song. Naruto watched a full smile bloom on Sakura's face as her eyes shined,
(Naruto Solo - 2:38 )
"Go." Sakura waved; Naruto turned forward his heart pounding so loud in his ears he could barely hear the music. After Naruto's small solo Sakura and Raiden jumped back into the song, jumping to the beat of the music.
Tsunade smiled, leaning against a tree with a beer in her hand. She watched Sakura dance and sing.
"She's amazing." Shizune breathed standing beside Tsunade.
"She sure is." Tsunade agreed with a nod, Sakura had the crowd in the palm of her hand without even trying. Tsunade grinned seeing all the people dancing together. Once the song came to an end the crowd broke into applause. Sakura looked over at Naruto who looked to be over the moon.
"You did great." Sakura called over the music that continued to beat.
"I don't know about that!" Raiden said laughing holding three small shots. "You should have seen your face when we stopped singing!" He laughed handing each of them a shot.
"What is this?" Naruto asked looking into the shot glass.
"A tradition." Raiden explained.
"You don't have to." Sakura said looking at Naruto, who shook his head.
"I just want to make sure you weren't drugging me!" He joked, Raiden laughed and held his drink up they all said cheers and downed the shot. Naruto gagged at the taste, he looked around for a drink of fresh water. He stopped and looked at Sakura, who was drinking a beer laughing at something Hinata had said to her.
"It is a chaser." Raiden said holding one out to Naruto, he nodded and took it and drank a mouth full.
"Ugh! It tastes worse than that shot!" Naruto scrunched his face as shivers ran down his back.
"You guys were amazing!" TenTen yelled,
"Thank you!" Raiden said, pretending to flip hair over his shoulder. Sakura turned seeing Hinata blushing as he stared at Naruto who was too busy watching the people around him to notice her. People were now getting on stage, dancing and singing to the new song playing. Sakura weaved through the crowd, she lightly pushed Naruto at the same time tipping his bottle over. Sakura smiled watching Naruto collide with Hinata as his bottled beer spilt onto her.
"I-I am so sorry!" Naruto yelled, looking down at Hinata's wet chest as he begins to blush madly. Sakura stood off to the side watching Naruto take Hinata's hand telling her he would help her clean up.
"It-It's fine Naruto, I can-"
"No, it's not. It would be rude of me to not help!" Naruto said being a gentleman. Hinata looked back at Sakura who gave her a thumbs up.
"Ok cupid." TenTen said over Sakura shoulder causing her to laugh. "Find me a man now!"
"Ok." Sakura turned her head, "Go stand next to Neji and I'll have him spill something on you."
"What-What!?" TenTen's voice got high. "I-I don't want him-"
"Mhm." Sakura said as TenTen's face turned red, TenTen spun and quickly got away. Sakura chuckled as she made her way off the stage feeling it was getting a little too crowded. Sakura looked up, seeing a masked shinobi standing in front of her. Her heart fluttered as she walked over to him.
"That was impressive." Kakashi said watching her walk up to him.
"Not really." Sakura brushed off the compliment as she kept her gaze away from him. Kakashi reached out, lifting her chin to look at him.
"It was, you look beautiful to night by the way." Kakashi smiled under his mask, gazing into her emerald eyes. Sakura melted against his touch, she breathed hating how when she looked at him, she felt like all she will ever need in this world was standing before her. She hated how remembering his face was so easy almost like how breathing was. It burnt her that it so hard to ignore him, Sakura looked back at his masked face. She hated this man. "I got you a drink." Kakashi said, holding out a red cup.
"...Thanks." Sakura said slowly, taking it from him.
"Will you come with me?" Kakashi asked holding his hand out, Sakura looked from it then to him. Her arm moved on its own as it placed itself in his grasp. Sakura pulled her lips together as tingles from his touch ran up her arm and caused her heart to trip over itself.
週次パワーステータス
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