Sakura Shippuden (#2 Sakura Trilogy)

Sakura Shippuden: [Chapter 7]

Sakura's body ached when she woke up, the tight bundling of her covers undone during the night. She peeked up at the window, disappointed to see it was already daytime. The doorbell rang, and Sakura had immediately reached for the kunai she had secured to the underside of her mattress. The door rang once more, persistent.

Sakura climbed out of bed, slipped on her bathrobe over her pajamas, then slid her slippers on. She walked on the balls of her feet towards the door, and cracked it open after the third ring. Her green eyes peered outside cautiously. It wouldn't be the first time that an angry civilian came to the Haruno residence looking for her. She squinted, confused, then pulled the door open all the way. "Shikamaru, what is it you are doing here? Chōji," she nodded to the other boy, munching away at a bag of barbecue flavored chips.

"Hiya, Sakura," Chōji said enthusiastically, momentarily stopping from eating. "Shikamaru told me it was your birthday today, and I thought it would be nice to all have a celebratory lunch together." His eyes gleamed with the prospect of eating a nice meal.

Sakura sighed, looking between the two, then opened her door further in resignation for them to come in. "I will need to get ready, first."

✿ ✿ ✿

Shikamaru quietly observed the living room of the apartment while Chōji happily ate the snacks Sakura offered before retreating into the hallway. He picked up a framed photo of Team 7, then set it down. He moved onto a picture of a blonde woman and a beaming man. Those must be Sakura's new parents. "Hey, Chōji, you think it'll take her as long as Ino does?"

Chōji froze, then paled. "I hope not. Why does it take girls so long to get ready anyways?" He snacked on a rice cracker thoughtfully.

"Beats me," Shikamaru replied, turning to his friend. "All women are troublesome." They both shrugged, then spun as a door in the hallway opened.

"I am ready," Sakura announced, stepping into the living room. She had a light pink turtleneck underneath her usual outfit with a puffy red jacket over it. She passed the two and slipped on her knee-high boots. Chōji brushed off the crumbs on his lap, followed by Shikamaru, who only sighed and lazily followed in the back.

All three stepped out onto the street, the usual bustling tame on a weekday. Sakura hugged the jacket around her tightly, the light drizzle starting to set in. "Where are we going to eat?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "I guess Chōji can choose, since I know you don't really care. Chōji?"

"Yakiniku Q," Chōji replied immediately.

Shikamaru stifled a laugh, and allowed Sakura to lead them down the streets. She looked up at the sky, a light grey that day, then turned to the Nara. "Why is it you and Chōji do not have practice today? Is Asuma ill?" She faced forward again, watching the roads darken in spots from the rain. Suddenly, Sakura froze, ignoring the response, but instead rushed forward into the entrance of the restaurant.

"Surprise!" Sakura skidded to a stop and watched her fellow genin pop out in confusion. I thought... Sakura looked back at a smiling Shikamaru. "We weren't expecting the shitty weather, but I thought it would be nice either way." He grinned, stepping to her side. "Happy birthday, Sakura."

She stared forward, looking at all the uneasy faces of her ex-classmates. Sakura thought about what Mebuki and Inoichi always reminded her: "There are people more than willing to be your friend, Sakura, but you have a personality that is intimidating to even most adults. Show others that you are a good person. Show them that you do want to be their friend." She bowed hesitantly to the stunned group, then said, "I am glad I have friends to celebrate my birthday with." Smiles broke out as multiple sets of hands ushered her into the middle seat of the booth, seating her next to Tenten and Kiba, with Ino and Shino across from her. Shikamaru slid in easily next to Kiba, followed by Neji, who curtly told her of the many congratulations on her youth that Lee had wanted to bestow in person, but was unable to.