Our Journey (Part2)

Chapter 13: Please Excuse Him

"It was a vague memory but I knew that I wanted to be a shinobi because I wanted to protect my dad. When I saw the man that took down the gang and rescued us, I started to understand the difference between our family and Konoha..." Sakura said while looking over the mountain silhouette in front of her.

Sasuke was silently listening to her.

"My Papa is not like the fathers in Konoha. He is loud, clumsy, and hardheaded. He cannot cast ninjutsu, doesn't have any idea what genjutsu does, and is too awkward to do taijutsu. But despite that, he works hard to give me and my mom the best life...He even worked like a dog" She turned her head and looked Sasuke in the eyes.

"So, if he was rude to you last time, it's because he is a father and I'm his daughter... Please excuse him." Sakura smiled at her husband.

"I understand," he whispered and smiled back at her.

"CHA!" Enough of this! Let's go back home, I'm freezing!" Sakura stood from sitting and rub her hands together.

Sasuke stood as well and followed her, "I told you to stay inside the store because it's cold..." he whispered to himself and smirked. He looked back at the store and saw the cashier looking at Sakura.

"Creep." Sasuke whispered and pinched his lips to keep himself from grinding his teeth. He suddenly heard Sakura's voice.

"O bāchan are you okay?" Sakura said with a worried tone while holding a small old woman. The woman seems to be dizzy.

Sasuke quickly approached them and ask, "What happened?"

"I just saw her sitting in the middle of the road. She seems dizzy. Sakura put her finger on the old lady's wrist to check her pulse.

"Oh, I'm okay." said the old lady. She is so short that her arms are wrapped around Sakura's waist. Sasuke holds the old lady's elbow to help her stand straight. "I just got dizzy from walking, but I'm okay now..." the old lady added and laugh merrily.

Sasuke looked at the old lady's face and said, "You are the owner of the flower shop downtown, right?" He asked.

The old lady looked up and squint her eyes to look at Sasuke, "Oh you might be one of my customers..."

"What are you doing at this hour? It's not safe for you to walk around alone." Sakura asked.

"I was worried about my grandson, it's already 3 AM but he hasn't returned yet from picking the flowers from the port." Answered the old lady with a worried tone in her voice.

"Grandma?" A voice from behind them asked. They turned around and saw a young man holding a bucket of flowers.

"Why are you here, Grandma?" The young man asked. He then looked at Sakura. "Oh, Lady Sakura!" He smiled at her.

"Oh, Yōgan! Why are you here?! You're supposed to stay in the hospital!" Sakura said while looking at the young man.

Sasuke was staring at the young man. He was the patient that Sakura was treating due to a head injury. The Chunnin Shinobi he pushed away from Sakura. Sasuke suddenly remembers when the guy was about to fall on Sakura's chest.

(See "Our Journey Special Chapter")

Yōgan put the bucket he was carrying to the ground. He approached Sakura and bent a little, "See the back of my head, Doctor? It's okay now!" He said while showing the back of his head.

"But who gave you the permission to get discharged?"

"Thanks to Lord Naruto and his ramen. Because of it I'm healed and strong again! So I asked him to let me go. He said love is like ramen, I guess it's true because I'm okay now!" Yōgan replied while rubbing his head and smiling happily.

Sakura slaps her face a little because of dismay, "That idiot! He said he will help me with my work, looks like he made a disaster!" She sighed and look back at them.

"Well, If you're really okay you still need to go back to the clinic later so I can give you a prescription for your medicine."

"Yes, ma'am!" Yōgan cried cheerfully.

"And don't let your grandma roam alone at this hour!"

"Sorry about that. Grandma you don't have to fetch me I'm an adult now!" Yōgan said.

"Ehhh I was worried about you, you're late for 10 mins!"

"Ugh! Grandma that is only for 10 minutes, besides I'm a shinobi! You should not be worrying about me."

"Whatever! Let's go home now!" The old lady said.

Yōgan picked a rose from his bucket. "For you, Senpai! Thanks for taking care of me!" He smiled bashfully and started to blush.

Before Sakura could take the flowers and say thank you, Sasuke interrupted and said, "She doesn't need that. Let's go Sakura." He walked away and stopped to look back at Sakura. Signaling him to follow him.

"Jeez, this man is so rude sometimes." She whispered to herself. She bowed to the old lady and to Yōgan. "Please excuse him. Thank you much! See you tomorrow!" She walked rapidly to keep up with Sasuke.

****

They reached their lodge a few minutes later. It was still dark and no sign that Naruto was awake. Sakura tiptoed going to her room avoiding making any sound. Behind her was Sasuke holding a plastic bag with cups of ramen. Sakura opened her door and turned around to say, goodnight to Sasuke.

"Goodnight, Sasuke although it's already morning." She whispered. But Sasuke did not respond. He grabbed her waist and kissed her on the lips.

"Ehhh? Go back to your room, Sasuke!" Sakura said.

Sasuke drop the plastic bag he was holding and the cups of ramen scattered and roll on the floor.

"One more time..." He whispered and pushed Sakura inside the room and close the door.