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Chapter 5: Separation Anxiety

After Sakura finished checking all the documents that were on her table, she stretched her arms to the sides to loosen up. She felt empowered after doing all that work only because she didn’t think she would finish up early. She smiled to herself and gave her shoulders a good pat in the back. She’d be able to go and eat dinner outside and probably start training early. The thought got her excited.

When she stood up and took a step away from her chair, Rikuto appeared before her, kneeling down like every good ANBU. She frowned when she saw that particular cat mask bowed down. He was such an actor in front of her friends but every time he would catch her alone, he’d say all those perverted stuff. She blushed when she started thinking about what he said to her before. She’ll be the most stupid woman in Konoha if she fell in love with Rikuto- however much charming or cunning he is. They were suicide mercenaries of Konoha after all. One moment they’re alive, the next day, they’re not.

Rikuto has been with her for a month and so far people think he’s doing a good job. Though he was tasked to protect the healer 24/7, he’s been loosening her up, bit by bit. She’s been smiling a lot, and she hangs out with her fellow batch mates more often than before. She always takes her break after she finished her job for the day and she delegates task to other members of the hospital too. One time, Sarah tried to tease her about answering the letters if she had time. “Why not?” was her only answer. Surprised, Sarah went ahead and told her some tips, adding that she should turn them down personally so that she’d see how the other would look like in case she changes her mind. Sakura blushed but thought about it. She’ll start tonight since she’s a bit free… until he came in, waiting to be recognized.

“What is it Rikuto?” she asked almost annoyed that he had to come and take time in her free hours.

“I need to speak to you.” He stood up and exited the room. Not knowing what he had to say, she followed him, saying goodbye to Sarah who somehow squealed in excitement. Unlike the others, Sarah had this observation that Sakura has a major crush to her ANBU protector. She’d deny it obviously since Rikuto’s always been listening to her conversations with her secretary and he would, undoubtedly tease her afterwards.

“What is it?” Sakura asked. Rikuto turned around to face her. They were on top of the Leaf Hospital, overlooking some of the smaller buildings surrounding their building. It was still early in the afternoon and thankfully it wasn’t that hot outside. Sakura observed the masked man in front of her. He’s been acting strange these past few days in the sense that he’s been acting strangely normal like what other ANBU members do.

“The Hokage told me to relay a message to you.” He started. Sakura perked up with the word “Hokage” and almost automatically, straightened herself up as if she was in the very presence of her master. 

“Tsunade-sama? What did she want to tell me?” she looked on and nodded for him to continue.

“It’s been a month since the last kidnapping of the medical ninja and according to Team 7’s report, there is no sign that there will be a next attack.”

“Basically, Hokage-sama wanted you to know that if you want to go in a mission, you’d be assigned to one immediately. End of Message.” Sakura turned around to look at the village. She’s been itching to go out and do a mission but because of the problems last month, she wasn’t allowed to. She’d never turn this opportunity down. When she looked back Rikuto has moved in closer to her silently. He kept his distance away and was looking at the same view she was looking at.

“How about you?” Rikuto brought a hand to his mask and moved it to the side. Sakura’s surprised face did not escape him but only bothered to look at her when he finished adjusting the mask to the side of his face. He immediately turned his head towards her to look at those clear emeralds that was observing him closely. He smirked when she turned her head, face flushing with a bright color.

“What about me?” he repeated the question with a teasing smile.

“You know what I want to ask so stop teasing me already!” she said, her voice obviously flustered. Rikuto couldn’t stop laughing internally. He never saw anyone so nervous asking a question before. Sakura was especially good at making this fun for him.

“You want to know where I’ll stay since the threat with you is now over right?” Sakura only nodded. She tried turning her head to look at him since he rarely moved his mask away from his face. She always stopped midway because she knew that he’d tease her much more than before. But in one attempt to look at him, he held her shoulders and assisted her to turn around so that her back faced the fence and she was frontal with the ANBU captain.

“Where do you want me to stay?” he asked as he locked her with both his arms on the side. Sakura flushed and tried to look away only to be stopped by Rikuto’s hand that held her chin in place.

“Just answer me… why do you always have to play this game?” she said looking down. Her hands clenched the wiring of the fence tightly. She could feel her heart beating fast as he inched in closer to her. “It’s much more fun to see you like this than to see you so stressed out.” He answered.

“Rikuto…” she pouted and he just laughed at how she was taking all this.

“I can’t tell you Sakura. It’s classified.” He said as he moved away, placing the mask back to his fa

“It’s nice working with you in this mission Sakura. You were really fun.”

“Wait!” she said before Rikuto disappeared. The man stopped midway and caught the woman who almost ran to catch him before he disappeared.

“What is it?” Sakura didn’t know what to say but she knew she had to stop him. She stuttered a few times trying to make excuses. With her head bowed down, Rikuto smiled and removed his mask unbeknownst to Sakura.

“Do you like me?” Her eyes widened when she heard those words. Rikuto had move to lift her chin so that she was facing him, inches away from his face. Her face turned red again as she was once again drowned in his eyes.

“I-I don’t know…”  Rikuto smiled.

“Do you feel like you want to kiss me?” Sakura tried to back away but he kept his other arm on his back to pull her closer to him. “No running Haruno Sakura.” Surprised she gave in and gave up escaping his hold.

“I-I…” Without any more words between them, Rikuto leaned in for a kiss. His soft gentle strokes egged her on to kiss him back which she did so naturally. Sakura gently placed her arms at the back of his neck to pull him closer to her and he obliged, almost lifting her up in answer. After a few seconds, she pulled away from him to breath. She first thought it was amazing and after a few more seconds, she scolded herself. She might be really stupid falling for him. Before she could say anything else, he pulled away from her and placed his mask back on.

“Sakura, I’ll see you around.” Without waiting for her to reply, he disappeared. She clenched her fist tightly, a vein almost popping out from her temples. “You damn cursed ANBU!” a tear fell from her eyes and she started sobbing without really knowing the reason why.