Ocean Of Blood And Fire [Sasusaku]

Chapter Fourteen: Sakura's P.O.V.

A/N: Fun fact, did you know Hanami dango 🍡 is representative of the blooming of cherry blossoms in springtime in Japan? (Well, that's one theory, anyway-)

Don't worry, this lil note will make sense once you read the chapter 😉😉 Anyway, read and enjoy! There's a lot of Sasusaku in this chapter, btw!! 😊😍❤️

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The four of us turned as the door to the Hokage's office slid open to reveal our client.

I instantly shrank back at the sight of the alcohol bottle clutched in his fist and the drunken droop to his eyes.

Kakashi glanced over at me, most likely knowing the reason behind it. This drew the attention of Naruto and Sasuke, and finally, the Third Hokage.

"Sakura-chan...?"

I glanced at Naruto, a fake smile plastered on my face despite my racing heartbeat. "I'm fine, Naruto."

Our client, on the other hand, couldn't care less.

The bridge builder leaned against the doorframe and took a swig from the bottle. When he spoke, his words were slurred.

"So these are the brats who're gonna be protecting me? I don't like them. Especially the short one with the idiotic face."

Naruto laughed and looked around. "Who's the short one with the idiotic face?"

Me and Sasuke stepped closer to him, showing him that both of us were taller. He looked up at us, and his face fell as he realized the builder was talking about him.

He glared at the drunk and shook his fist angrily.

"Hey! I'll destroy you!"

Kakashi Sensei sighed tiredly and grabbed the back of Naruto's collar as he started forward angrily.

"Naruto, we can't go around destroying our clients."

As Kakashi continued to hold Naruto back, I stared at the bottle in the builder's hand nervously. The only experience I'd ever had with alcohol was that when people drank it, they became violent. I hesitantly stepped back, out of arms' length just in case. Sasuke glanced questioningly at me, but before he could say anything, the Third Hokage spoke.

"This is Tazuna. Your mission is to protect him from bandits, street thugs and the like while he travels back home to the Hidden Mist Village. You leave tomorrow morning at dawn."

We nodded our agreement as we were dismissed, Tazuna walking away, chugging his drink, presumably back to a tavern. I suppressed a shudder.

I really hate alcohol.

With a respectful nod towards the Hokage, Kakashi turned on his heel and left the office. Naruto followed suit. I stood there for a second, trying to calm my nerves and gather my thoughts.

Then, once I felt prepared, I rushed out after Kakashi.

"Kakashi! I need to talk to-"

I stopped short. Further ahead, I could see Naruto, but Kakashi was nowhere to be found.

"What the..."

"You called me?"

I spun around, kunai springing into my hand instinctively, forgetting where I was for a moment. In that brief second, I was back in that clearing all those months ago, when this man first turned up in my life.

I blinked and brought myself back to reality. I slowly put the knife down, embarrassed. "Uh, sorry..."

Kakashi gave that close-eyed smile he was so fond of. "Just like old times, huh?"