Healing

The Gates

Sakura found herself back in her apartment that evening. She'd never been so thrilled to live in a studio. Everything was so close together, nothing was more than five steps apart. She threw some ramen together since the thought of cooking made her groan. As she said on her bed, she gazed out the window. Living on the fourth floor, she could see the roof-tops, small creatures running along rooftops, the steadily growing sunset and Sai...wait Sai?

She nearly jumped out of her skin. "Have you heard of a door!?"

What was it with ninja boys jumping into people's windows?

"Sorry Sakura. We're having get together tonight. You don't seem busy. Come."

Sai's overly pleasant smile made her groan. She wanted nothing more than to sleep, but how could she say no to his face?

"Uh...yeah. I'll be there," Sakura groaned as she began to peel herself out of bed.

"Bring the traitor, too!" Sai beamed. Before Sakura could berate him for his poor nickname choices, he was gone.

She stretched and figured she'd prepare a salad for this evening and bring a bottle of sake considering that's all she had to will to do. She also had all the ingredients available. As she began to slice the lettuce she heard a faint noise from the living area. As she glanced over she was startled by a blonde shinobi in her window.

"I am holding a knife you idiot! Why doesn't anyone use doors!?" She honestly should just remove the door all together as this point.

"Ah, Sorry, Sakura. Hinata sent me out to buy stuff for her to make a dish for Ino's tonight, but the market so busy. Do you have rice and fish by chance?"

Sakura groaned. Naruto was already halfway into her kitchen. Of course, she had rice and fish, she kept her pantry stocked so Sasuke would stop scolding her eating habits. Pulling out a basket and a few containers she loaded a to-go basket for him.

"The fish is smoked, but it'll do. Next time just do what your wife asks."

"You're not gonna tell her are you?" Naruto asked sheepishly.

Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes as Naruto looked at her. His fake pouting was honestly pathetic.

"No," she groaned. "I know Hinata's wrath, Naruto."

Naruto beamed one of his legendary smiles as he embraced her. She relished in the hug from her teammate then began to shoo him.

"Hinata is waiting, go!"

She finally was able to finish making her salad and found her way into her shower. Showers were something she thoroughly enjoyed. She didn't relish in them often due to missions and long nights in the hospital, but when she was able to...it was the best.

She realized she hadn't been to the clinic or the hospital is quite a while and felt a pit in her stomach. With her and Ino gone, Shizune had to have been so busy. Tsunade may have even had to step in. Not that there weren't enough medic-nins, but medic nins who could also run hospitals were hard to come by.

She turned off her shower she realized she hadn't grabbed a towel. Sakura groaned, she could be so forgetful. Doing her best to squeeze the moisture out of her hair and shake the rest of the water off her body. It was not particularly successful and she found herself dashing to her living area for a towel.

As she bent over a container to dig out a towel she heard a noise. She turned to find someone in her window for the third time that evening. She screeched, pulling a towel over her naked body.

"Why don't people use the damn door?!"

Her blushing and yelling was met with a smirk as the shinobi climbed into her apartment.