Sakura Shippuden (#2 Sakura Trilogy)

Sakura Shippuden: [Chapter 8]

Tsunade was perhaps one of Sakura's least favorite people at the moment. "You've gotta use it one time or another," the blonde called to her. Quickly, she lunged forward in another attempt to get a hit.

Every practice session Tsunade told her this, but Sakura had yet to activate Shōkuton in battle. "I have no interest in attaining it," she replied, dodging an arched axe kick. Again a dent was left behind in the ground, causing Sakura to flee to the next area of land. She could sort of feel when it was going to activate itself, but those were times of extreme threats.

"You're awfully defensive today, Sakura," Tsunade noted. "And try to loosen your shoulders. They're always so tense." The woman surged forward for another attack, only to be intercepted halfway by Sakura. They struggled for a few seconds before Sakura backflipped and threw a group of senbon towards her sensei. Tsunade nodded to herself. "Senbon. You're trying to get more accurate results, correct?"

Sakura paused, seeing how Tsunade did, and verbally confirmed the claim. A beat later, she spoke again. "I wish to learn medical jutsu."

The blonde blinked, then laughed, putting her hands on her hips. "You've got the chakra control, kid, but there are certain criteria medics need to meet. It also depends on why you want to become proficient. Medical care is a very competitive study."

Sakura thought to herself, then replied, "I do not wish to rely on the power in which Orochimaru gave me."

"And I respect that," Tsunade said comfortingly, "but I'm not sure if you are able to care for patients emotionally. In order to give love, you have to first understand and love yourself, Sakura. Never forget that." She sighed and dusted of her hands. "That's it for today. Go home, get some rest—Kizashi and Mebuki come back tomorrow, yes? Take a break tomorrow."

Sakura nodded then bowed, parting through separate paths with Tsunade. It was, again, getting dark, which would soon be changing with spring's late arrival; it would stay lighter outside despite the later time. She shivered from the early spring winds, and trudged back to the apartment by herself, processing her conversation with Tsunade. So she didn't want her learning medical jutsu? Because she didn't have the emotional capacity? Was that something Sakura could really help? I sound like a child, she chided herself, but couldn't quite shake off the nasty feeling.

Sakura quickly undressed and then headed to the bathroom, staring at her reflection. Her hair was to her collarbone now, and the ends were dead. Sakura could imagine the disappointment Mebuki wouldn't exactly show, but rather give passive-aggressive hints on maintaining personal hygiene as a sign of self-respect. In order to give love, you have to first understand and love yourself, Tsunade had told her. She fingered the tips of her hair, then went back into her room to get a kunai. Sakura had done it before, cutting her hair with a kunai, so she would be fine. Right? She carefully worked with her pink strands until the dead ends were cut off, and then swept the hair into the trash can. Sakura entered the shower and turned the water all the way to the left, then closed her eyes. Love is...

✿ ✿ ✿

Sakura emerged from the shower forty-five minutes later, feeling refreshed. She usually only took ten-minute showers, but she had decided to stay longer. The muscles in her shoulders had loosened, only for the duration of the shower, before she stepped out. Sakura dried her body, then her hair, and dressed herself in a red long sleeved shirt and grey tapered sweatpants. She shuffled into the kitchen, then opened the fridge, only to see all the shelves empty, aside from a tube of wasabi and hot sauce. Sakura shut the door, and leaned against the counter across from the fridge. After a minute of debating whether or not she would just not eat or go outside, Sakura hurried to the coat rack, shimmied into her jacket, and slipped on her sandals. It would only take her a minute or two.

Sakura hopped from the balcony unto the roofs of houses, using chakra to mute her steps. She quickly entered the 24/7 grocery store, conveniently placed for shinobi getting home from missions late at night, and grabbed three premade onigiri with salmon in the center and instant miso soup packets. This is a very nutritious meal, Sakura thought dryly, then added an apple onto her pile of a sad-looking dinner. The single cashier rang up her items, looking as exhausted at Sakura felt. They didn't even have the energy to spare her a sneer or taunting remark.

After she paid, Sakura nodded in thanks, then took hold of her plastic grocery bag. She walked out, shuddering as the cold breeze and light rain hit her. She kept her head down before hopping onto a roof. On her way out back to the empty apartment, a scuffle in the corner of her eye caught her attention. There were three people, all dressed in dark colors. One of them was being cornered by the other two. Sakura halted, staring from the top of the roof.

A part of her wished for some intervention from Hashirama, but like always, he was dormant. Sakura waited, watched as the one teenager was pushed back. Suddenly, the other pulled him close to their face, as if whispering a threat. The boy seemed to freeze and pale, then nod. After being let go, he shrugged off the short talk and crossed his arms. Just as Sakura was sure she could leave without being able to witness an accident, the boy suddenly lunged at the first hooded figure. Before the other could react, the boy was hitting the other kid's face, pinning him down by sitting on his stomach. The second figure seemed to jump up in realisation before pulling the boy off and slugging him in the face.

Defeated, the boy that started the attack fell to the ground, and the two figures went at him, kicking and punching and laughing at the boy. Sakura blinked, coming back to reality as she watched the entire event go down, lit by the dim lighting of a convenience store. She leapt down, landing silently as she crept up behind them. Up close, beneath all the grime and bruising, Sakura recognised the boy. Steeling her nerves, she called out, "Are you going to stop, or will I have to make you?"

Her lazy yet demanding tone caused both to turn around, and stiffen. Good. It seemed they knew who she was, or least had a gist of her background. They scrambled away, terror apparent on their faces, and they eventually ran far enough into the darkness that the only time she could see them was when they passed a streetlight every so often.

Sakura approached the boy she knew, and squatted. She poked his cheek, one of the less damaged areas of him, and asked quietly, "Are you dead? Where is your home?"

A hand gently grasped her wrist, startling her. Shame was also apparent on his face, and he groaned, trying to move. The boy defeatedly slumped onto the ground and only groaned again as Sakura set her bag down and lifted him onto her back. She picked up her bag, still carrying the boy, and slowly made her way back to the Haruno residence.

[A/N]: WHO ARE YOU, MYSTERY BOY!11!1!!!11 Also, happy early Christmas! Here's my gift to you.