Our Journey (Sasusaku)

Chapter 10: "The Stone Village"

Sakura was looking at the blueprint together with the officials of Stone Village. They are planning to reconstruct and upgrade Iwagakure's Hospital.

"Our country is still recovering from the war so it might take a while before we can finish it." said one of the officials.

"It's because we also need to spend more money on maintaining and repairing infrastructures in the village." added one of them.

"I understand. What I'm going to focus on right now is the health condition of the people here, especially the children. As per the data that you've shown me, a lot of children are suffering from emotional distress and I want to help them."

"This country is still recovering from past wars. Mercenaries like Akatsuki extracted our resources which made our Village unstable. But I know with the alliance of our countries we can make it!" the beautiful Fourth Tsuchikage smiled at Sakura. Sakura smiled back at her.

"Now let's go and let me welcome you to the place that you will stay in." the Tsuchikage said. Sakura and Sasuke together with Team Morio followed the Fourth and her guards.

"I know it's not as extravagant as the other places you've stayed in from the other country but I made sure that it will make you comfortable." the Tsuchikage said with a humbleness on her small face.

"No Kurotsuchi-san it's perfect thank you for your generosity!" Sakura said feeling grateful.

An old lady approached them. She is the caretaker and cook of the place. She handed the house key to Sakura.

When they opened the door Sakura saw a small dining room on the right side with a small kitchen. On the left side are the living room and a narrow entrance going to the bedrooms. The house is an old traditional shinobi house with a tiled roof with extended edges and slopes outwards. It has two rooms that face each other. Each room has its own bathroom and a small veranda that is full of green plants and flowers where they can view the rocky mountains that surround the whole village.

"I am not sure if you prepared to share the same room or not so I just decided to ask the caretaker to prepare both rooms." the Tsuchikage whispered to Sakura.

Sakura's face turned red, "N-no, no! W-we are not d-doing that yet---"

"Huh? I see! But you've been teammates since you were genin that is why I thought you were used to sharing rooms." the Tsuchikage said with a slightly surprised look on her face because of Sakura's reaction.

"Oh! I thought you knew... Anyway, forget about it! Thanks again for this, we are truly grateful!"

"I know you are really tired from traveling that is why we preferred some bathhouse vouchers for you and Team Morio." the Iwa ninja behind the Tsuchikage approached and handed the vouchers to Morio.

Koishi and Furinto cheered, "Yay! Bathhouse! You're the best Lady Tsuchikage!"

Before they had their dinner, the Team decided to go to the bathhouse first so they could relax. Sasuke joined the boys while Sakura was with Koishi. She also met her Special Medic Team in the bathhouse.

Sakura was braiding Koishi's long hair while they were in the hot water.

"Your hair is really beautiful." Sakura said. She suddenly remembers the sound Ninja that attacked them at the Forest of Death, "Your hair is too beautiful for a ninja!" She remembers Sasuke's cursed mark and how he violently attacked the Sound Ninjas. She breathed deeply, "You are taking care of it for him don't ya?"

"What do you mean Lady Sakura?" Koishi asked with a puzzled face.

"For Yuru. You like him right?" Sakura smiled at her.

"Kyah!" Koishi's face turned red and she covered it with her hands.

The other women in the bathhouse started to laugh.

"Please let's make it a secret!" Koishi begged the Special Medical Team.

"Well I know that making sure that looking good is a woman's special skill but make sure to train very well as a strong kunoichi so you can protect him and your team." Sakura said to Koishi. She gave her a sweet smile.

"Yes, Lady Sakura!" Koishi smiled back at her.

"How about you Senpai? Do you have a boyfriend?" asked one of the Medical Team members.

"W-well yeah I do have a lover..." Sakura answered and she started to blush a little.

"Is he from Konoha too?" Koishi asked.

"Yes." Sakura smiled at her.

"Did you leave him there? Staying here will be quite long aren't you worried that he might find someone else?" asked another medical ninja.

"Rumi don't be so negative!" shouted another medical ninja.

"No that's okay! I am not worried at all..." Sakura smiled at them.

"Because he is with me..." Sakura whispered to herself.

Ever since they started to travel nobody had noticed that they were in a relationship. Even the people that Sakura got close with. She knows that Sasuke is really not the type to show affection to people but they are lovers now. In fact, he asked her to be his wife. "We seldom talk about our personal life...Are we really together?" Sakura asked herself. She started to feel sad.

"How about the guy that you are with Senpai? Is he single?!" asked one of the medic team.

"He is so handsome!" cried the other one. The girls started to giggle.

"Are all men in Konoha look that good?"

"Huh?" Sakura suddenly remembered Gai Sensei and Rock Lee in their green suits while flashing their white teeth. Sakura burst into laughter.

"Annoying! Those women are so loud!" Yuru removed the towel that covered his face.

Captain Morio looked at his student and gave an inaudible laugh. He then looked at Sasuke who silently sat in the corner of the bathtub.

"Do you have a wife Lord Sasuke?" the captain asked.

"No." Sasuke answered.

"I see. If I'm not mistaken we are the same age... I myself am not married yet."

"I wonder if Lady Sakura is married..." Captain Morio murmured.

"Aha! I knew it! She is the girl you tried to get during the war but you got rejected right sensei?! She's the one you gave the love letter to! Hahahaha!" Furinto screamed at the top of his lungs while laughing.

"Silence!" Captain Morio cried and he started to turn red.

Yuru couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Are you planning to pursue her again?" Yuru asked. He started to get intrigued too.

"She's out of my league. Women of her kind deserve a Kage or a Daimyōs... not a low shinobi like me." Captain Morio muttered.

"Girls are just hindrances! When I grow up I will not get married! I will be a legend and a war hero like Lord Sasuke here!" Furinto screamed.

Sasuke didn't say a word. He leaned his back against the stones. He closed his eyes and covered his face with a towel.