Quote of the chapter: "When you're around, it's like an army's marching through my chest." -La La by The Cab

Yep, it's been a long time xD

I can feel that the story is reaching its climax tho :3

***I might join this story at a Naruto contest thanks to @Kit_Katzzz haha hope you'll support :)*** 

EXTRA MESSAGES AT A/N BELOW, FOR NOW THE STORY CONTINUES

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         cнαpтer 9

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Sakura's POV

"Dismissed."

I, along with the last Uchiha, bowed in respect as we leave the Hokage Tower. We just reported back to Konoha and according to Tsunade, team seven will be having a mission the next day. In conclusion, both me and Sasuke have limited time to rest.

Sigh.

Numerous colors painted the sky while the shimmering sun sunk in the depths of the ground. Sasuke walked with me as we go home since Sasuke will pass by my apartment to reach his home.

Placing my palms at the opening of my mouth, I yawned in a tired manner with my eyelids slowly beginning to have a heavier weight.

Unfortunately, I get stressed easily.

"You need to rest." Sasuke commented, noticing my actions.

"But I still have to prepare for the mission tomorrow." I replied back as I glared at the ground.

Why is my schedule always hectic.

"Fix it tomorrow then, we'll be leaving by noon." Sasuke recommended with a stoic expression with his hands in his pockets in a windy sunset.

I secretly glanced at him, his raven bangs swayed along with the current of the air as his facial features perfect his appearance. I was stuck in an nondestructive gaze.

With just one glimpse, he could already brighten my day. When he smiles-or maybe smirks, he could already flip my heart in a snap.

Is it even possible that a person make another human feel like this?

Upon realizing this thought, I immediately shook my head to avoid overthinking and stared at the view in front of me instead. "Yeah, I'll probably just end up sleeping at the floor if I try to fix my things."

By hearing my somewhat joke, his lips cracked a smug face.

"I should be dead by now." My inner screamed internally as I mentally sigh in return.

"You might get hurt as well."

But I always get hurt, emotionally...

(( BOOM #HUGOT OKAY BACK TO THE STORY ))

I nodded as my response and we heard voices from behind while we passed by the stalls.

"Look at them!"

"Are they dating? They're walking together!"

"The distance is so close."

I suddenly took mini steps to my left to make our distance a little wider.

"Oh my gosh, she's taking my Sasuke away!"

"Shut up, they're cute!"

"But Sasukeee~"

"For goodness sake, you people are noisy."

"GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CLAN RESTORATION!"

What the hell?

That last sentence cringed through my head as my eye twitched in annoyance and I slightly faced the ground to prevent people from seeing my blush.

Once I got my senses back, I realized that Sasuke was glaring behind.

We continued to walk in a fast pace-despite the people staring at us as citizens say more comments about the clan restoration and me being an Uchiha.

Well that escalated pretty much quickly.

As we went further away, the awkward atmosphere seem to vanish and we reached my apartment.

Success.

"So umm...see you tomorrow?" I blurted while moving nearer to the door.

He gave a curt nod as I turned the door knob.

"Hey."

I turned my head to the side, still holding the door knob with an eyebrow raised.

"Take care and rest." He warned with a mixture of care and strictness, is that even possible?

I seemed to be paralyzed. I was definitely, most certainly did not expect that as his remark.

Damn what should I tell him?

What should I do?

Should run away?

Or should I slam the door at his face?

Asdfghjklzmxncbvlkjhgfdsaazxcvbnm

Say something normal.

Say something normal.

Say something normal.

"Likewise."

Nailed it.

I gave him a gentle smile before rushing inside.

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Third Person

Morning dashed rather fast as the sound that is deafening to her ears pursued. The irritating sound disturbed her from her slumber as she groaned in anger.

The banging at her door woke her up so she had no choice hut to answer. She rolled to the edge of her bed and she groggily stood up as she walked to the entrance of her apartment. Opening the door, she glared the person who destroyed her sleep.

"HEY SAKURA-CHA-Woah you look like a mess." Her sun-kissed brother or close friend said, scanning her body from head to toe.

"I just woke up you idiot!" She smacked his head as Naruto held his forehead with a pout.

Rule #1: Never give a bad comment to a girl about her appearance, no matter what time it is.

"S-Sorry! I came here because I know you'd probably get late."

Sakura's eyes bulged out as she checked the time. She still has an hour of preparation.

"Well, crap." She dashed off, letting Naruto go inside. "Stay at the living room, I'll just freshen up!"

Naruto just grinned at his friend's antics as he closed the door and sat at the lazy boy chair.

Have you ever experience being paranoid? That because of your adrenaline rushing, the last-minute-speed enables your system?

An example would be you woke up a little late and the school bus is already waiting for you and with that, you fixed yourself in a fast rate. That's exactly what Sakura is going through right now.

She grabbed her weapon pack as she snatched the medicines and medical equipments she needed. Zipping it in her bag, she dragged herself to the living room, seeing Naruto with a cup of ramen while he slurped the noodles.

Naruto smiled sheepishly as Sakura's eyes twitched.

The kunoichi shook her head and grabbed her backpack while she took the exit with the blonde jinchuuriki tailing behind.

"By the way, you didn't tell me what happened during your trip with teme." Naruto reminded, throwing the empty ramen cup at the trash bin as Sakura locked the door of her apartment and they started their destination to the gates of Konoha.

Shrugging, Sakura replied. "Nothing happened between us. I was just-"

"Woah woah woah." Naruto exaggerated with the use of his palms, gesturing to stop. "I didn't say anything on what happened you and teme." He inquired with a teasing wink.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Walk or I'll punch you out of Konoha." She scoffed as she walked faster, ignoring Naruto's statement.

Naruto chuckled with his lively demeanor and sprinted next to Sakura. "Sooo." He began then Sakura arched an eyebrow. "What's our mission? Baa-chan only told me that we would probably be a three-man squad then she kicked me out of the room because I think she had a bottle of sake."

Sakura giggled at the reminiscence of her training days with her mentor-sepcifically, the time when Tsunade had sake. "I guess your at the stage of difficulty with the sake, huh?"

"Yeah, but the training is going fine. Just full of paperworks." Naruto sulked by just saying that last word. However, he stretched his arms continued his message while they walk. "Anyways, what's the details on the mission?"

"We're going to escort a royalty. I actually don't know who we're going to escort though I heard it was a princess from the Land of Sky. The mission will probably go on for two days or more, depending on how many ambush we would encounter." Sakura stated as they go nearer the gates.

Naruto rested the back of his head at the palm of his hands. "Escort? That's just-"

"Ohayo Sakura-san and soon to be Rokudaime-san!" Lee ran, waving towards their side.

"Lee-san...?"

"Oi bushy brows! What are you doing here? Don't you have a mission with your team?" Turning his heel, Naruto asked.

"We are in a short break. I decided to give my youthful friends a gift for your youthful trip!" Lee pumped his fist youthfully.

Both Naruto and Sakura gave each other looks with drops of sweat.

When their vision landed towards the bowl-cut man, his two hands were opened with different items on each palm.

His left hand contains nunchuks which is facing towards Sakura as the other occupies a bracelet with a locked circular pendant.

Sakura and Naruto received their gifts in unison.

"What's this for?" Naruto questioned, scanning the cold metal he's holding.

"I heard that the Land of Sky is kind of dangerous or has a bad reputation on us because they're one of the lands that only has samurais. So I've brought my youthful friends a present for their safety!"

"Thanks Lee-san! That's uhh youthful of you?" Sakura replied, eyeing the nunchuks as Naruto poked the pendant he held.

"Ehh..." Naruto sheepishly smiled since the bracelet that Lee gave him is not quite useful to a battle. "Thanks bushy brows..."

"My dear friends, it's my pleasure!" Lee squeezed them in a hug to which the two has no other choice but to accept.

Once Lee broke the hug, Sakura added. "Why nunchuks?"

"I heard that you are having weapon training with Tenten, so that would be useful." Lee remarked as he continued. "It can also absorb your chakra so that your teammates would be healed if you passed it to them since you are a med nin."

Sakura's eyes widen and she quickly tried her new item. She punched Naruto in the face which left a bruise. "That hurt, Sakura-chan!"

Ignoring Naruto'a rants, she let the nunchuks absorb her chakra as she tossed it to Naruto who caught it in an instant. Carefully, the bruise slowly diminishes as it healed.

"S-Sugoi!" Naruto blurted as he stared at the 'magical' nunchuks.

"How is that-"

"Oh oh oh! Is this one of those things that suddenly lights up and explodes when you throw them???" Naruto said with sparkling eyes as he interrupted while showing the pendant that was given to him.

"My youthful friend, you must wear it first and see the magic!" Lee claimed and Naruto instantly wore the bracelet.

Naruto's wide smile completely vanished when a few minutes passed. "Nothing's happening, dattebayo."

"Press the pendant." Lee suggested while Naruto did as he was told.

In a blink of an eye, Naruto was gone.

Sakura's eyes were as big as tires when he disappeared. "Where did he go?"

"Sakura-chan, I'm here!" Naruto remarked but Sakura was staring to particularly nowhere when she heard the voice.

"Naruto??"

"Naruto-san has earned an invisibility pendant for the springtime of youth!"

"This so cool!" Naruto explored his surroundings while he was invisible.

"Unfortunately, it needs a little chakra to work." Lee informed as Naruto hop from roof to roof.

"I don't care as long as no one can see me, dattebayo!"

"Where did you get these stuff? How is this even possible?" Sakura questioned Lee as Naruto was having his own world.

"It's from new discoveries my cherry blossom! Both are specially made here in Konoha but only trusts high ninjas to use it because it is very useful."

Sakura nodded in understanding. Indeed, Tsunade did say something about new discoveries and not just in medical care.

Sakura kept her weapon inside her pack as she called out. "Naruto, let's go! We still have a mission!"

Naruto appeared in front of her as they bid their goodbyes to Lee.

"Good luck with your youthful mission!" Lee waved his hand as they dashed of to the gates of Konoha.

When Lee was out of sight, Naruto thought of  teasing Sakura. "I see bushy brows still has a thing for you, ne?" He compiled with raising his eyebrows mockingly.

Sakura rolled her eyes at her teammate. "Like hell."

"Are you gonna give him a chance?"

"I don't know. " The pinkette also shrugged as her remark.

Naruto looked up to the sky as if contemplating. "Oh yeah I forgot that you're taken by teme."

That is when the balloon burst and Naruto earned a punch.

"Baka." Sakura muttered as she left Naruto whining behind her.

Rule #2: Never tease a girl about her crush or love, especially when she is on the edge of 'moving on.'

By the time they reached their destination, Sasuke was already waiting for them.

"Morning Sasuke-kun!"

"Oi teme!"

Sasuke just nodded as acknowledgement towards our greeting.

Naruto showed his new item or so he calls as his 'magical weapon.' To which, Sasuke was frankly amazedd though of course he wouldn't show it.

Naruto annoyed Sasuke with his invisibility skill as Sakura practiced to use the nunchuks while waiting for Kakashi.

Time passed and they spotted a silver-haired ninja with a formal lady beside him as they walk towards the trio.

"Kaka-sensei, you're late as usual!" Naruto bickered and Sakura added.

"Punctuality isn't in his vocabulary."

Kakashi gave a fake smile to his former students. "Good morning as well."

The brunette behind Kakashi coughed for them to notice her appearance.

Kakashi mentally sighed though continued. "Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto, this is Princess Bich. Your highness, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke will also be your guide to the Land of Sky. So, I suggest tha-"

(( HAHAHAHA I CAN'T THINK OF A B*TCHY NAME SO BICH HAHHAHAHAHA FORGIVE ME ))

"Omg! Uchiha Sasuke?! I knew my father would let you escort me!" The so-called princess fawned herself over Sasuke as she utter comments about them being a couple.

One, jaw clenched.

A sweat dropped Kakashi's forehead.

"Great. We have a fangirl." Naruto stated with sarcasm.

Sasuke was in his usual stoic self, though of course his face showed irritation towards the girl that was hugging his arm. "Get off." He taunted though the girl didn't budge a move away from him which made the Uchiha a bit angry. Or really irritated.

Two, hands balled into fists.

"Don't worry Sasu-boo, we would have the most beautiful children!"

Naruto and Kakashi shared glances by hearing the weird nickname.

Three, surrounded by a deadly aura.

Sakura coughed louder than the 'princess' did to catch all of their attention. Once she did, she brought up a smile and inquired. "I'll be right back, I forgot something."

Without hearing their response, Sakura sprinted to the nearest spot in the woods where she could not be seen.

The princess didn't mind Sakura. Heck, she didn't even gave her a glance.

Sasuke still tried to get out of the girl's grip but he was stuck as glue and he couldn't use genjutsu on his way out because the girl's eyes were closed.

Naruto and Kakashi both shared glances when they heard a tree fell.

Rule #3: Never EVER flirt with a guy in front of a girl. Most especially when the girl is experiencing mixed feelings towards the guy getting flirt.

Sakura came back with a gentle grin on her face. "Let's go?"

The two men nodded as response.

Sasuke, who was now out of the princess' grasp thanks to Kakashi, eyed Sakura questioningly who grinned in return.

"Sakura."

"Hm?"

Sasuke walked beside her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, why?" Sakura asked as they took the lead while Kakashi, Naruto and the princess trail behind.

"Your fist is shaking."

Sakura immediately controlled her senses and before Sasuke could even react, someone landed on him.

"Oh Sasu-boo, we should plan our date now so that when we go to-"

"Who said anything about dates." Sasuke backfired, trying to get out of the girl's grasp without hurting her since it is their mission to protect her. "I'm not your boyfriend."

"You'll soon be my dear!"

Sakura went on a slow pace as Naruto caught up to her side.

"Don't worry Sakura-chan, Sasuke-teme won't fall for that chic dattebayo!"

"That's not what I'm worried about."

"Then what's the problem?"

Sakura stared at the princess. "Was I like that to Sasuke before?" She looked to where the princess was fawning herself to him. "How humiliating..."

Naruto laughed before answering. "Well, that was before. Everything is different now. You're the best medic now Sakura-chan! And who knows, maybe teme likes you eh?" He ended his teasing manner with a wink which made Sakura develop a red tint at her cheeks and give a whack at his non-blood-related-brother's head.

Kakashi was at their back, observing the scene in front of him. A smile etched his lips. Indeed, Naruto was right. Everything is now different. However, some things never change...

...like their bonds.

"Sasu-boo you're so kawaii~"

"This is gonna be a long mission..." Sakura murmured making Naruto laugh and Kakashi smirk.

END OF CHAPTER 9

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//PUBLISHED.1.1.15.//

I'll try to update faster because I have found an inspiration hehe <3

I'll also work on my other upcoming modern sasusaku fanfic and I can say that the plot is very original, hope you'll anticipate it! ;)

Thanks for reading, don't forget to vote&comment!

:)

~TheSketcher