Bitter Tears

Chapter Three


Sakura was aware that she owed a great deal to Lady Tsunade, especially since the woman had trained her to be the skilled kunoichi that she was today. It had taken years of exhausting and devoted training, but she had finally done it. Sakura Haruno had become one of the greatest medic-nin Konoha had ever been witness to; second to only the Hokage herself.

Despite Tsunade’s irresponsible drinking, terrible gambling, and temper which far exceeded her own, Sakura held a deep respect for the woman. When it appeared no one else was interested in her raw skills, it was Tsunade who had kindly agreed to train her. Not once had the legendary ninja treated her apprentice as a burden, nor sneered down at her as so many others had. No, the woman had looked beneath her pink locks and girlish exterior to discover the potential that was waiting to flourish.

After all, she was just a bud waiting to bloom.

Yes, she owed a great deal to Tsunade and was adamant that one day her debt would be repayed.

But not like this.

She just couldn’t.

No.

“Please... do not ask this of me.”

The words caused her to cringe inwardly. They sounded so meek, so desperate, so pathetic. For a second she contemplated throwing herself at the blonde woman’s feet, no matter how unbecoming it sounded.

“Shishou, please understand that I cannot.”

Her voice wavered and cracked. Gritting white teeth, Sakura scolded herself for behaving in such an immature way. It was probably an unflattering thing to see a young woman acting so very childishly. Clasping her hands together Sakura prayed that her mentor understood her reasons and why she could not accept being placed in such a hideous situation.

“Sakura…” Her name, it was spoken so gently and laced with such affection that for a brief second the young woman allowed herself to be hopeful.

“No, I am afraid that I do not understand.”

The sentence spoken was cool and impartial. It caused Sakura’s heart to ache and her body to blanch. Lowering her gaze to the clean marble floor, Sakura held back her defeated laughter. Even now she was still so foolish. This was not simply her mentor she was speaking to. Tsunade was the fifth Hokage; the leader of Konoha and a woman who could show neither favoritism nor weakness to anyone. Sakura was no different from any other. How arrogant it was of her to think she would be.

As her hands fell limply to her sides, Sakura cast her mind back. It had been less than an hour ago since she’d been called here, but time meant nothing. It might as well have been a lifetime…

She had been summoned into Tsunade’s presence after her shift at the hospital. As soon as the messenger had relayed the words, ‘high importance,’ Sakura’s heart had plummeted and her flesh had turned cold. Those were two words that no ninja wished to hear, especially when coming from the Hokage herself. High importance meant trouble guaranteed.

And trouble was exactly what she got. After stepping foot into Tsunade’s office, Sakura had found herself frozen to the spot as her green eyes met weary hazel. In that second she had realized why she was there. It was so obvious by the near apologetic expression her mentor’s face.

It was something concerning Sasuke.

Of course, it was always Sasuke.

He was so greatly renowned in Konoha. He had a name that was spoken in whispered breaths and with flushed cheeks. Sasuke Uchiha, oh how tragic! He was the orphaned boy, the victim, the traitor, the god…

Her hands fisted.

The bastard.

Tsunade had asked her to take a seat to which she had politely refused. Being told to sit down meant that the information being relayed to you was expected to be ill received. Sakura figured that if she stood, nothing bad could happen.

Her logic had always been terrible.

The blonde woman had told her that a meeting of the village council had taken place that morning in regards to one, Sasuke Uchiha. Apparently the gathering had been called by the elders on short notice, due to the fact that they had a missing-nin turned traitor staying within their walls. Tsunade had grumbled to her about the old nit wits and their incessant arguing. One man had preached peace, whilst another had gone so far as to demand an execution. Seemingly the raised voices and insults had continued for many hours until a judgment had finally been agreed upon.

Sasuke Uchiha was to be brought before the council in one month’s time for his trial. It had been said that due to his current ill-health he was not yet fit to plea his case. In thirty days he was expected to be fully recovered and then his sentencing would be absolute.

And of course, that was where the great medic Sakura Haruno came in.

Tsunade explained that Sasuke’s recovery was of great importance and that it would be Sakura who ensured that this happened. Due to their previous history in Team Seven, the council had concluded that Sakura was to keep an eye on his behavior as well as his progression. The elders had agreed that if anyone was to understand the workings of the young Uchiha’s mind there could be no one better than an ex-teammate.

Sakura concluded that the council had finally turned senile and lost whatever was left of their rational minds. They expected her to comprehend Sasuke’s mind? She knew as much about the man lying in Konoha’s hospital bed as they did! Sakura was positive that nothing could be worse than her current situation.

Again, how stupid of her to presume such a thing.

The Hokage’s lips seemed to open and close in slow motion as a further order was issued to her. The words had caused her composed face to crease and break. It made her mouth fall open and eyes widen in horror.

“For a complete recovery it has been decided that you must be present at all times. You are to take residence with Sasuke Uchiha for exactly thirty days. Reports on his mental and physical state will be required weekly unless decided otherwise. Sakura Haruno, this is the final decision of Konoha’s council and myself. Do you have any questions?”

In that second the flow of time stopped and words became incomprehensible. She couldn’t think; couldn’t breathe. There was no feeling, only a growing numbness that burst from her chest and proceeded to consume her body. In a way she glad for the empty sensation. It allowed her a moment’s relief before she once again had to face the cruel joke that was her life.

Licking dry lips Sakura forced herself to meet Tsunade’s gaze. The words came before she could even process them.

“I can’t...”

Lifting her eyes up from the floor Sakura found herself back in the present but still in the same distressed state. The Hokage was expecting a response from her, an explanation as to why her prized student could not complete the mission at hand. A chill fluttered down Sakura’s spine at the idea of outright refusing her master. She wished one day to surpass Lady Tsunade. It was a desire she hadn’t spoken of, but it was there and it was strong. If Sakura was to prove herelf as a worthy kunoichi then she had to complete the task given. Acting like a bratty child would not help a drop. Clearing her throat, Sakura straightened her back before looking directly at Tsunade.

“I apologize shishou my behavior was unacceptable,” Bowing courteously Sakura continued, “I promise that I will not disappoint Konoha.”

Composing herself once more Sakura acknowledged Tsunade’s nod of dismissal before spinning towards the door, head held high. After placing one foot outside the room Sakura turned her head back in the Hokage’s direction and voiced her thoughts.

“He will not stay.”

For a second Sakura thought she had seen Tsunade smirk, however her assumption could not be verified since the older woman turned away from her to stare out of the open window.

“Ah, but he will.”


~ * ~


Contrary to popular belief, Sakura Haruno loved her job. Despite the grueling hours, zero appreciation and mediocre pay, she truly found satisfaction in what she did.

After Shizune, it was herself that was placed in charge of Konoha’s hospital. It had been decided a little over a year ago that due to Sakura’s demand rate in high ranking missions, that she should not be given the title of head medic-nin.

Sakura had accepted this order with no qualms. She was aware that her abilities were required more on the field rather than inside Konoha’s walls. However, this did not sway Sakura from her duties at the hospital when she was out of action. It was commonly known that if you were to find the pink haired woman you need look no further than the cold and sterilized halls of the hospital.

Yes, she honestly did love her job. She loved the feeling of inner joy whenever she placed a new born baby in its mother’s arms for the first time. The sense of contentedness when she healed a crying child’s broken arm thanks to the academy’s training, or even just sitting by the bedside of a patient throughout the night. She was wanted, needed by others and the cherry haired woman swore a personal oath that she would not let those who depended on her down.

That of course included a certain raven haired, dark eyed, and arrogant Uchiha.

Sakura had been sitting by his bedside for nearly two hours; just sitting, waiting and watching. It was frustrating to admit it, but Sakura could understand why every nurse on shift for the past week had purposely fiddled their schedules just so they could attend to the attractive man in room 107. She watched as his chest rose and fell. She watched the well toned muscles twitch and ripple beneath the creased hospital gown. His silken hair that had grown over the years fell messily over his brow and curled sexily beneath his firm chin.

Shifting uncomfortably at her thoughts, Sakura sighed and checked the wall clock for the tenth time that hour. She had taken Sasuke completely off his painkillers that morning, which meant that he was expected to come out of his drug induced coma at anytime. Sakura knew that when Sasuke roused he would be in intolerable agony due to his extensive external and internal injuries. Despite the fact that Sakura held no kind feelings towards the man, she was not a cruel person, and would take no joy from seeing him in pain. Hence why she had several morphine injections on hand…just incase.

Closing her eyes Sakura leaned back into her chair. After only four hours of sleep the night before, she was so very tired. Before being assigned with the task of taking care of Sasuke, she had actually considered taking a long relaxing holiday. Smiling at the thought, Sakura felt her mind float from the room and drift away to the mountains’ hot springs…


~ * ~


The wailing noise of machines beeping jerked the young medic-nin from her peaceful slumber. Disorientated from sleep, Sakura jumped up from the chair and looked around the room in confusion. It wasn’t until she heard a rough groan come from her side that Sakura became aware of her situation. Looking at the monitor screen she observed as Sasuke’s heart rate increased.

Watching the scene before her solemnly, Sakura kept her face calm as eyes twitched and open to reveal glazed and inky orbs.