Promises Remembered

Chapter 12

A/N Mild dub-con reference. It's not bad, just talked about in past tense, not shown.

Chapter 12

Sakura

Seventy-five days into the past

This was utterly ridiculous. She had only just given him the go-ahead for returning to work, and now he was going to get himself hurt again. But she couldn't say anything. Gai had waited until he was healthy again, like she'd asked.

So Sakura sat, arms crossed and knee jumping, by Tenzō as he calmly cheered Kakashi on. There were a few other people she recognized around, but as at least one of them was another ghost to her, she was doing her best to ignore them.

"Alright, rules: no Genjutsu, because that's boring for us," Genma leered at Kakashi before turning to Gai. "And no gate opening because that feels like cheating." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Anything else goes. BEGIN!"

The senbon-chewing jerk ran over to his spot beside Sakura. "So, Hana-san!" He got comfortable, taking his dango back from Tenzō as the fight began. "Who did you put your ryō on? I'm guessing the boyfriend?"

Sakura shot him a glare before turning back to the training field in front of them. "I didn't bet. I'm honestly not sure who will win, I've never seen either of them go all out. But I am worried he's going to get hurt again. I told him to be careful. I don't have any more vacation time to look after him so he'll end up at the hospital. Probably sharing a room with Gai."

Genma laughed. "He'd love that." He gave her a silly, teasing grin. "It was so sweet of you to take time off and give him such special attention. I know he loved that."

"Ugh, would you shut up? I'm trying to watch."

He laughed but Tenzō leaned around to answer his teammate. "He did enjoy it. Even before she agreed to be his girlfriend. Especially after."

She glared at the younger man too. "Tenzō!"

He only shrugged as Genma howled with laughter. "Is it not the truth? He even seemed unusually cheerful when we were training this week with you there. Have you two had sex yet? That might explain it."

Aghast, Sakura stared at him, slack jawed. They had not. Somehow, even though she had been sleeping over for more than a week, the topic hadn't even come up. "Tenzō, that is... not your business!"

"Hmm. Genma discusses his exploits often. Is that not normal?"

"No!"

The ground shook, and a thrill of electricity filled the air, causing all spectators to shield their eyes. When they could see again, Gai had been thrown back across the field—he'd hit a lightning clone. With only slight hesitation, looking around for his opponent, Gai leapt right back to it.

"Leave her alone, Genma. If you ruin this for Kakashi because you scare her off, it will be you and I out there. And I promise I'll kick your ass."

Genma rolled his eyes at Kurenai as she approached. "Oh I'm so scared. Besides, she's not going anywhere. Isn't that right, Hana-san?"

Irritated and a little embarrassed to meet the other kunoichi like this, Sakura shoved Genma from the wooden bleacher Tenzō had made much harder than necessary. "He's not wrong, even if he is annoying. Hi, my name is Hana. I don't think we've met." She held out her hand to the other woman as she climbed up to take Genma's seat.