Sakura Haruno had been called many things in her short, young life – some especially hurtful things behind her back, she’s sure, but she’d learned to let them roll off her shoulders. One lesson her shishou had drilled into her was that labels and titles did not define a person. It did no good to dwell on how other people defined you and since then, Sakura had made sure to let her actions speak for her. After the Fourth Shinobi War, much had changed afterwards, but what she absolutely did not expect was to be singled out as one of the greatest medical nin and kunoichi in the five nations. In fact, she’d just about fainted on Ino when the bubbling blonde had cornered her in her office and relayed the news, which she had heard from some traveling civilians in one of her recent missions to the Land of Waves.
She kept a level head and gracefully accepted that her growth as a shinobi had been acknowledged. Something that she had been chasing since her resolve to catch up to her two teammates ever since she was a genin. She had truly thought that nothing would be better, but here she was, standing frozen in the middle of the early morning marketplace. Her mouth dropped open in a small ‘o’ as she stared at the old woman handing her a small bag of bright red tomatoes.
“Sakura-san?” The older lady nudged her slowly. “Are you okay, dear?”
The world caught up with her again. She shook her head slightly and smiled apologetically for her rudeness. “I-I’m sorry. You caught me off guard.”
The older woman laughed good naturedly and patted her hand gently to accept the bag she was trying to hand her. “It’s quite alright, dear. Like I said, I wanted to show my appreciation of your courageous services during the war. Without you, many of our own would have perished. You’re a hero.”
A small blush tinted her usually pale cheeks as a sliver of embarrassed bashfulness fluttered around in her stomach.
“I’m no hero,” Sakura replied truthfully, averting her gaze. “I simply could not let good men and women die, not if I could help it, and I certainly was not about to stand by and watch as our world ended.”
“My dear, one who fights for others that cannot fight for themselves is a hero,” the older woman stated confidently. “Now, don’t fight your elders on this one. Please accept this token from this humble old woman.”
Sakura bit her lip before smiling softly and nodding. She took the small bag and held it close to her chest. For a fleeting moment, the ruby red eyes of the boy she loved flashed across her mind and with it, her heart raced in response. The blush on her cheeks intensified as she became flustered, then cursed herself silently at the strong reactions he could get out of her. And he wasn’t even there.
The old woman bowed lightly and grinned at her, her steel grey eyes twinkled playfully. “Perhaps they may guide your sweetheart back to you.”
“Sweetheart?!” Sakura squeaked and almost dropped the bag startled. “What? No! I don’t have a-a… sweetheart.”
“Oh, do forgive this old woman,” she chuckled, waving her hand around dismissively. “I assumed you and that handsome Uchiha were together at last. It certainly seemed like it before he left.”
Sakura… thank you.
Her heart fluttered and her stomach churned, like a thousand butterflies had suddenly taken flight inside her. She dropped her gaze down to the floor shyly and a tender smile danced upon her lips as she remembered Sasuke on the day he left for his journey of redemption.
“We’re not together,” Sakura sighed softly.
The old woman clicked her tongue, then smiled. “You listen to me, dear. That boy, however many wrong decisions he made in the past, he paid for them on that battlefield and he became a hero too when he decided to save our home. He’ll be back soon.”
Sakura’s throat tightened with unshed tears as the older woman’s words sunk in. She knew people had not forgotten about any of the transgressions made by the young Uchiha and were even less likely to forgive, but to hear that someone, at least one person, thought him a hero was all she could ask for. A small, tentative smile erupted on her face as she thanked the older woman and began making her way back to her apartment with her fresh ingredients. She had nearly forgotten she’d promised to drop off a box of warm breakfast for Kakashi before she headed to work as a small thank you for all the paperwork she had been sending his way because of the children’s clinic. It’s been almost six months since the clinic was fully operational, but it seemed the paperwork would never end. She laughed quietly under her breath as she remembered Kakashi’s look of betrayal when she walked in with the first stack.
As she walked by the main road leading to the gates, she found herself stopping and staring off into the distance. She could make out the guards in the distance and even further, past the gates, an empty road. A crushing feeling of loneliness started up in her heart as she couldn’t but wonder when Sasuke would be back.
“Please, be safe,” Sakura whispered to the wind like a prayer. And come back to me soon.
Ah this is my first ever time participating in SS Month.
Heroes….
Jade eyes bat a few times trying to register exactly what happened in the last few days. Two hands move up to rub the exhaustion away as a stubborn pinkette continues to heal countless patients. For Sakura this is another day working in the hospital but it’s far different from that.
Just a few hours ago all of the Hidden Leaf shinobi returned home from war. Each having more than just physical wounds that’s all thanks to Madara Uchiha. Sakura can only help with the healing process for mental damages, it’s not the same as healing a broken bone. That’s why she can’t accept the whispers that echo through her friends lips.
‘Heroes…’ that’s what Team 7 has been titled. Sakura believes that her boys deserve that more than she ever could. In her eyes she wasn’t on the same level as them after their run in with death. Sure she was able to help seal away Kaguya but Sasuke-kun and Naruto were the true heroes.
The calming green glow disappears around her hands as she moves away from another successful surgery. She knows that her chakra won’t last much longer as she makes the short journey to a certain room. Inside her teammates are sleeping and recovering from their injuries.
As the door slides open silently, moisture can’t help but gather in her eyes. If only she was able to stop them from causing so much damage to each other. Each made a sacrifice almost too great for a Ninja. Lucky these two are able to overcome most obstacles. Sakura takes the chair between their beds and instinctively reaches to check each of their injured arms. A sigh of relief washes through her as she sees no sign of infection.
Sleep is something of a mystery for her these days. The words of countless people run through her mind, the words of her Shishou stand out more than others. Lady Tsunade called her the Top Medic of the Leaf. Just a few short years ago Sakura would’ve never thought that would be possible but now she sits in her dirty ninja gear with a seal proudly displayed on her forehead. A hand reaches up to stroke the skin where her accomplishments display.
“Sakura…” The low voice breaks her from the depths of her thoughts as she turns to the sole Uchiha. His left eye is shut tightly to keep his newly acquired Rinnegan from sight. Sakura is secretly thankful since it’s the one thing that can keep her inside a genjutsu.
“Are you feeling okay Sasuke-kun?” The softness in her voice causes a small smile to creep on the Uchiha’s lips. He’s forgotten what it’s like to have someone be so gentle towards him, even though he’s always known Sakura would always be.
“You’re thinking awfully hard.” He motions at the wrinkles on her forehead from the furrowed brows. Sakura’s cheeks darken slightly at the thought of Sasuke watching her closely. A simple shrug of her shoulders is all she can muster for a moment, trying to find the words to convey her thoughts.
“It’s just…everyone keeps calling me a hero. When all I did was what any medic would do. I healed and supported my comrades.” As the words flow from her lips, the tone changes into something somber. Sasuke is shocked by her naïve words. To him Sakura has just as much to do with saving the world as him and Naruto did. The ruffling of sheets fill the silence as Sasuke turns on the bed to meet Sakura’s gaze fully. For the first time in a long time, he’s not left searching for the right words.
“You are a hero Sakura. You were able to heal the entire army at once while we fought of the Ten Tails, not to mention you saved me from the Desert Dimension. Also Naruto and I would’ve been dead and the Infinite Tsukuyomi would still be in place. Even now I can tell that you’ve been working yourself to death while we just lay here.” Sakura’s can’t help but let out a nervous chuckle. In this moment she’s glad that their blonde friend sleeps deeply, for the first time in a long time they are sharing a private moment.
“But you and Naruto did so much more than I did.” This isn’t the response that Sasuke was expecting. Instead of calling her annoying or stubborn he reaches out for her hand, it’s smaller and softer than his own. Almost as if it belongs with his.
“Sakura you’re more of a hero than I am. In more ways than you could ever imagine.” His eyes shift down, she is his own personal hero. Even though it was pushed to the background Sakura helped him remember what it was like to love and be loved by someone. Sakura’s eyes widen at his sudden confession as the corner of her lips turn upward slightly.
“I guess then we’re both heroes then Sasuke-kun.” It was Sasuke’s turn to be surprised. Bright green eyes met a single coal orb, a smile on both of their lips.
SasuSaku Month 