As the two young adults waited, one patiently and one with increasing annoyance, they looked around their former sensei's office. It was cluttered, as usual, but he seemed to have managed to create a workable space in the middle of his desk where he could set out anything to review. Sakura glanced at her companion when he started to pace around. She had noticed that he seemed to grow more and more on edge, but she wasn't sure why. When he first was out of prison, he was resigned and complied quietly with any demands. Now, while he still complied, he did so without masking his displeasure. Even the way he had reacted to their friends finding out about them the other night was too harsh for what she would have expected. She had thought it was just the pressure of being around everyone again, but even when they all joked around again and settled the tension, he had not truly relaxed. She saw it as he walked her home from the hospital too. The whispers that he used to ignore so well she wasn't sure he heard them were starting to make him react. He wouldn't actually do anything to those people, but she felt him tense up or glare their way.
Maybe it was natural that he started to react. Even he must have a limit to how much he can control his emotions. She wasn't with him at all times, so she sometimes wondered if he had to endure anything alone while she was working or otherwise occupied. Sakura was sure that he did, but she also knew he would never tell her if something happened. He wouldn't want to complain. Add that to the fact that he had only been on the one mission since his release, and she could bet he was feeling restless. Just as she was about to question him, the door opened.
"Well, good afternoon, my young pupils! Sorry I'm late, I…"
Sasuke cut him off with a glare that was only half real, "If you say you got lost on the path of life, I'll punch you."
"Haha! Got me. Can't have you punching people, though. The ANBU wouldn't like that."
Kakashi made his way around to his desk to face the pair properly. He seemed unaware that the mention of Sasuke's ANBU tail was not well received. The Uchiha had stiffened, and his eyes grew a little darker.
Wanting to move past the tension, Sakura broke the silence. "So, what were we called here for, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Straight to business, then. Alright, I have a mission for the two of you. Hinata and Shikamaru are also accompanying you, but they are already aware of the situation. There is a possible lead to the Otsutsuki, so that's where Sasuke comes in. Sakura, you'll be there as a medical ninja and also because there have been rumors of this area using some type of…. Medication? Poison? I'm not sure what to call it, but it seems they are trying to turn ordinary people into some type of hybrid Otsutsuki. We don't know the side effects, what will happen if it is "successful," or even what they made it out of. Tread lightly. You have two days to prepare. Any questions?"
Sasuke shook his head, and Sakura responded with her only question, "How long will we be gone? I need to prepare things at the hospital if it's too long."
"I'm afraid that depends on what you find there. It could be a few days, or it could be a few weeks. I doubt it'll be longer than a month though. Don't worry about the hospital. I've already spoken to Tsunade who will take over all your responsibilities and projects."
Sakura smiled at the man to show her gratitude, as he returned it fully. She couldn't help her mind from racing with thoughts. This could be exactly what Sasuke needs! A real mission, and if there are any enemies, he can fight freely to let off some steam. Plus, we get to go on a mission together! It's been so long! Kakashi then linked his fingers together in front of his mouth and looked at the two with a serious face.
"Now, don't get mad at me for what I'm about to tell you. I know you are both fully capable and fully dedicated to the village. However, you also care for each other. I've watched you both grow up, and I've also seen certain shinobi couples who get too wrapped up in each other and allow the mission to suffer." At Sasuke's scoff, Kakashi raised an eyebrow at him. "I said don't get mad. I'm not saying you two will do that but be cautious. You are no longer children, and although you both know this in theory, you cannot allow your emotions to get in the way. Understood?"
During his little speech, Sakura's face had turned crimson, and she looked down at her feet. Sasuke didn't react other than his interruption at the thought that they would behave like hormone driven idiots. He stared directly at Kakashi the whole time. Both nodded slightly as the question hung in the air a few minutes too long.
"Great! That's all I'll say about it. You two have a lot to prepare, so I won't keep you. Let me know any updates as they come. Dismissed."
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei. We won't let you down!" Sakura was trying to move past her embarrassment and punched the air with her fist.
Their former mentor smiled and nodded at the difference between their reactions before they both turned and took off to get ready.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sakura was excited, that much was obvious. Her gait had a little more pep to it than usual, and she smiled more openly to the villagers who greeted her as they walked. Those same visitors gave him reproachful gazes, fearful gazes, uncertain gazes, hateful gazes. No matter which emotion they showed, it was never a positive one.
I should be used to this. It's not new that everyone hates me, so why is it getting harder to brush off? I have never put stock in what other people think of me. At least, not since the massacre… The massacre. It had been so many years since that night, but Sasuke could see the whole thing play out with frightening clarity. He'd been forced to watch it enough by Itachi to know every little detail. No. I can't think about that now. I finally have a mission, and Sakura is even going too. That's a good thing. Even if it means that in a few days I'll have to find a reason to…
Sasuke was pulled out of his reverie by Sakura's bright voice saying, "Isn't this exciting? I mean, the details of the mission aren't good at all, but since when were missions things that weren't bad? We haven't been on a mission together in so long! Plus, this one sounds interesting. I wonder what their end goal is. Whatever it is, they'll be sorry we were assigned to figure it out."
Sakura looked at her companion for affirmation, and Sasuke gave her a half smile in return and nodded. Apparently, that was enough for her, as she started mumbling about what she needed to do before they left. Sasuke mentally went through his short checklist and was done far more quickly than Sakura. He didn't have an apartment or an outside job to worry about, but he quickly discovered that while she was thinking about those things, her list had become a little over the top. She was rambling on about whether she should clean the apartment before they left. Deciding she should, she wondered if she should go grocery shopping, but then what if the mission lasted weeks, and all the food went bad? Should she try to meet up with Ino and the girls before leaving so they could all hang out?
Sighing, Sasuke reached out and took the girl's hand, making her jump slightly and look at him in surprise. Meeting her gaze, he said, "You're making my brain hurt. Just do the essentials and leave the rest for when we get back, okay?"
Sakura considered this and was going to respond when another voice broke into their conversation.
"Sakura, it's been too long! I've missed you!" A woman Sasuke vaguely thought he had seen somewhere came forward and pulled his girlfriend into a hug. He didn't need to wait long to figure out who she was though.
"Mom, hi! Sorry, I've been so busy at the hospital that I haven't had much free time. I'm actually going on a mission in a couple days too. I don't know how long it'll last, but I'll write like always."
"In that case, come to dinner tonight at the house! It's been far too long, and your father and I insist you come, especially if you're leaving for a mission soon."
Chuckling, she replied, "Yeah, ok. It has been a while. I'll be around at 7. How's that?"
Sasuke watched the exchange feeling like an outsider. He had never officially met Sakura's mother though, so he didn't want to interrupt. The woman hadn't even glanced at him. Although he had seen her eyes flicker down to their joined hands as she pulled Sakura into a hug.
Sakura seemed to remember he was there and belatedly added, "Oh, this is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't think you've ever met. Sasuke, this is my mom."
Despite the look the woman gave him, Sasuke was too polite to say nothing, so he simply said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hmmph," was the only response she gave him. Quickly turning back to her daughter, she said, "I'm so excited for tonight! You don't need to bring anything. I'll go do some shopping now to get ready. See you then!"
Sakura smiled and waved at her mother as she walked briskly down a nearby street.
Looking down shyly, Sakura tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry about that. My parents don't know everything about you, and I think they've listened to some other villagers who still have a misunderstanding about you and your family."
"It's fine. I'm used to it." Sasuke didn't want to delve too deeply into this, but he couldn't completely hide the disappointment in his voice and face given the fact that his girlfriend's mother so obviously did not like him.
"Hey, I know! Come to dinner with me tonight. Then they can meet the real you and move past this. It'll be great!"
Sasuke grimaced slightly. Nothing about that sounded "great" to him. Rather than refusing outright, he tried a different angle, saying, "Are you sure about that? Wouldn't it be better to just wait and let them see in time that I won't kill you or something?"
This was the wrong thing to say, however, and Sakura's eyebrows furrowed together as she looked at him seriously. He saw anger, hurt, confusion, and something else he couldn't decipher in her eyes. Just when he started to think he should try to explain himself more, she beat him to it.
"No. I don't think that would be better. If more people know the real you, it'll make everyone else warm up to you more quickly. I mean, I'm dating you, and if my own parents don't trust you, then what does that say to the village? They will trust you. They'll love you even, once they know you. Plus, I'll be there to help you and to put their fears to rest. Please. Please come tonight. I think it'll make a big difference."
Every ounce of Sasuke's being was screaming at him to say no, but the look in Sakura's eyes made him cave. He would never say it, but she really could affect him with just one look. Sighing and shaking his head, Sasuke looked at her and finally relented, saying, "Alright. I'll go."
Sakura's joy overflowed, and she jumped up to hug him tightly, forgetting they were in the middle of the street, in the middle of the village. Nevertheless, Sasuke wrapped his arm around her waist until she let him go. Noticing their location, she blushed and apologized, "I'm sorry about that…. I was just really happy."
"I could tell," he replied, which made her blush deepen. "Let's head home and get ready."
Despite her embarrassment a moment ago, Sakura brightened and happily started walking in the direction of her apartment. Sasuke followed her, but he was less than thrilled with the turn of events. He would need to prepare himself mentally to formally meet Sakura's parents and deal with their obvious distaste for him. He couldn't blame them, but it still would be a hard evening to get through.