Turning of Time (Naruto Fanfic) [hiatus]

Turning of Time: Chapter 50

Sara had been let out of the hospital in a wheelchair. She had argued with the doctors over this, but they adamently refused to let her go with crutches, and Shika was eventually called to convince her. They had made a compromise of her having a pair of crutches, but moving mainly by a wheelchair. Now she was sitting stoicly as Sakura pushed her out the door.

"I hate feeling like I'm invalid." Sara grumbled grumpily.

She could hear the smile in Sakura's voice when the girl replied. "Well Sara, it will only be for a while. You'll heal soon enough."

Sakura had no idea that Sara had no use of her leg. By now there was absolutely no feeling in Sara's leg, or if there was any, it was dulled to the point of a slight prickling. She wasn't able to move anything beyond her hip, not even her toes. What Sara had told most people was that her leg was simply broken and would heal within months, others who were closer, like Takeo and Ryota, Hitomi, Kakashi, and Shika, knew the full extent of the damage. Lee knew as well, in fact while they had both been in the hospital, they had spent quite a bit of time together. They easily related because of what happened to them, but Sara knew that Lee's sadness was infinitely deeper.

Sara's attention snapped back to the present as Sakura passed by her house. She turned slightly to face Sakura. "Um... Sakura, my house it back there. Where are you taking me?"

"Well you just got out of the hospital, so I won't take you home just to have you work. You are being forced to celebrate." Sara's eyes widened at this and she went to reach for the brake. Sakura saw the movement and with a chilling voice, spoke. "You wouldn't dare blow me off, would you Sara?"

The cold anger in Sakura's voice made Sara's stop dead. All the times Sakura had punched Naruto flashed through her mind in an instant and her hand retracted. There was a little 'hmph' from Sakura in satisfaction.

"You know I don't like to be the center of attention Sakura. Can we please not do this?" Sara sat facing forward, but she knew that her plea was useless.

"You never hang out with us girls! You need to stop being so reclusive, the only people you really talk to are Shikamaru or Choji after all." Sakura took Sara's silence as agreement and continued to push her down the street.

They eventually ended up in front of a sushi joint. Sakura didn't hesitate at all, pushing the door aside and entering the nearly empty store. There was a man behind the bar to the side with various ingredients surrounding him, the sushi chef. The two went to a table in the back corner where all the other genin girls their age were gathered.

"Sara, it's so good to see you!" Ino shouted, standing up slightly. Hinata, who was to her left, waved slightly in greeting.

Tenten jumped up and rushed over, "Sara, I heard what happened! Sorry I haven't been to visit, but Gai has had Neji and I training like crazy!"

"I can imagine Tenten, I know how Gai gets." We both smiled at the memory of when I was training with her team.

"We'll have to go on a mission together again sometime soon!" Tenten enthused.

Sakura and Ino had gone a pace off, and were now arguing, but you could tell it was friendly and for old times sake. At the mention of a mission, both perked up and looked over.

Sakura spoke first, "I would love to go on a mission with you too Sara! You haven't been with the team in forever!"

"Same with our team! I know Shikamaru misses working with you as well." Ino said with a sly wink.

"U-us too S-sara-chan..." Hinata said shyly. Sara didn't quite pay attention to Hinata's remark as she was trying to fight down a blush at Ino's words.