Five • The Ambush

The day after, all the genin-ranked ninjas were called out for an important announcement, and all the teams were rounded up together while Aburame Shino or 'Shino-sensei', in their words, stared at them from the small wooden platform. Seeing his friends' children deeply made him reminisce of Konoha 11 during the early days.

Beside Shino stood the other teachers and instructors - Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon, and many more. While the children murmured within themselves in confusion as to why they were called out, Nara Shikamaru suddenly came out and went to the same platform; his feet making contact with the wood that made it creak, gaining the young ones' attention.

"Oh, it's your dad," Inojin turned to Shikadai who had his hands inside his pockets, a lazy expression on his face.

"Cool, at least Shikadai's dad has some time for us kids unlike someone I know," Boruto folded his arms as he scowled.

"You sound like a little girl, stop it, Boruto."

"Mitsuki!"

"Why are we even here? I didn't even get to bring snacks."

"Chocho, I'm sure this will be over in a while."

"I'm hoping, Sarada."

As Shikamaru finally got in the center of the platform, he shot a brief glance to the children before speaking. "Is everyone here?" He asked, and saw the kids nodding. "Then I'll get to it already. A few days ago, we announced that the Chunin exams are near. Today, we are finally announcing the exact date - and this is final. The Chunin exams will be held next week, exactly on a Monday morning."

The other genins rejoiced in joy and excitement while others trembled in worry. Sarada, however, simply felt dismayed. Monday next week? Today is a Sunday, which means Sasuke would be leaving by the end of the week and he wouldn't be able to see her in the exams.

Shikamaru continued to speak about the other details, but Sarada's mind floated elsewhere. She felt disappointed by the turn of events; she wants Sasuke to be with her, but unlike her past self, she's not that selfish girl anymore. She understands that he's being sent into an important mission and he's doing it for the entire village and for his family. Still, there's sadness in her heart that envelopes her.

"Alright!" Sarada almost jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Boruto, grinning at her widely. "You better train hard, Sarada, or else you'll stay a genin forever!"

Sarada stared at her for a few seconds before a smile tugged on her lips. "You might be the one staying a genin forever."

"Ha!" The blonde shook his head. "Nope, I'll kick both you and Mitsuki's ass!"

"Boruto, we're teammates in the first trial, though-"

"Shut up, Mitsuki!"

The two started to bicker and Sarada slowly felt her heart getting lighter.

. . .

"Papa, can we train today?"

Sasuke glanced briefly to Sarada before returning his eyes on the pathway out of the hospital. "I assume it's for the exams."

"Yeah," she nodding. "Did Shikamaru-san tell you?"

"We got informed too, with the rest of your classmates' parents."

Sarada nodded for the second time as they got out of the hospital. It was currently lunch time and Sakura had her break, so they ate out. Although Sakura said that she can return to work alone, Sasuke insisted to walk her so Sarada cheekily tagged along.

"Can we train?" She repeated.

He glanced at her again, his brows slightly raising. "You don't need my help."

Sarada's cheeks warmed up. "I'm not that good yet, Papa."

"You've mastered shuriken jutsu and you're skilled with weapons. You know ninjutsu well and you already activated your Sharingan." The ravenette announced. "You'll be fine."

The young Uchiha wanted to train with him not just to acquire better skills but also to bond with him, just the two of them, but she didn't know if it was a hunch but she felt like he was isolating himself from her.

She saw her friends training with their fathers. Inojin with Sai, Shikadai with Shikamaru (and even Temari, since the two will probably just slack off if left alone), Chocho with Chouji, and even Boruto with the Seventh's clone. How about her?

Even if Sasuke was proud and had nothing else to teach her, he could have at least watch her train. Was he really isolating himself?

. . .

As the afternoon went by, Sarada decided to train alone and sometimes, with Boruto whenever he gets bored with Naruto's clone.

Both of them were training in their usual spot. However, Sarada had to cut the practice for a bit since Sakura's shift was going to end early today, and they needed to go for some grocery before dinner time.

So they did; once Sakura arrived back home with the needed food, Sarada went back to the training spot to spar again with Boruto. However, she was greeted with a different scene, accompanied by familiar voices.

"Man, this is hard!"

"Keep complaining and I'll leave."

"I wasn't complaining you old man!" Boruto yelled. "I'm actually pumped! So let's train!"

Sarada watched as Sasuke formed several clones and sparred with her teammate, the blonde Uzumaki. 

A sudden rush of an unfamiliar emotion crashed through her system instantly. With her brows down, mouth tight and blank eyes, she silently walked away, hands shaking slightly.

It was obvious.

They were training. Together. And she knew; she definitely knew that Uchiha Sasuke wasn't an easy person to persuade, even if Boruto was such a stubborn little child. That only means one thing - he really did want to train with the young Uzumaki. Because if he didn't, he wouldn't even waste his time standing there, using his chakra and exerting effort.

But why? Why did he let Boruto train with him when she asked for the favor first? It was given - he was the son of the Seventh Hokage, Sasuke's best friend and trustworthy subordinate. But her? Wasn't she his child? That was only a little favor she asked but he turned him down. When it came to Boruto, though, he accepted.

Was Sarada being too dramatic over this issue? She wondered. Why did she feel unfair? Why did she feel left out? He told her that she's strong enough to pass the exams, but frankly, Boruto wasn't a weak one too. He could have said the same words to him. But he didn't.

With a heavy heart, Sarada came back home only to have her chest sink deeper when she was greeted with an empty house.

A note was left on the dining table, just beside a freshly cooked pot of Sarada's favorite dish.

Needed at the hospital again. Shizune called. Sorry. Enjoy dinner with your papa :) -Mom

Sarada slumped on the chair. She felt upset to the point that she had no appetite and she just wanted to lock herself inside her room. Why did it feel like her dad was detaching himself from her? Doesn't he want to spend time with her daughter? Doesn't he want to be with her?

She was about to leave the dining room when she heard Chocho's voice from outside. Alarmed, the Uchiha rushed to the door and opened it.

She was greeted with her chubby, tan friend. "Hey."

"Hey." Sarada greeted back, trying to sound happy.

"Mom and Dad's out in a mission. Can I stay for the night?"

Sarada felt sincere happiness this time. At least the heavens saw her loneliness. She definitely needed someone. "Of course."

. . .

The night in Konohagakure was strangely darker than the previous times. There were still lights around the establishments but there were less stars tonight that it seemed quite lonely.

It was ten in the evening when Sasuke went back to the hospital to check on Sakura. He had went there two hours ago before dinner, however that time she was incharged of a patient. So he simply turned and went back to the Uchiha household to see Sarada instead - only to find her eating dinner with Chouji's daughter (he didn't know her name and he didn't bother to ask). Sarada didn't speak with him even after knowing that he was home. He figured she was tired from training.

Sasuke decided to refrain from eating tonight until Sakura's work ends, so she can have someone to eat with. Now that it was ten, the village got darker especially because the lights were off already and there were almost no villagers wondering around.

When the ravenette arrived in the hospital, Shizune immediately caught his presence and walked towards him. "Sasuke-san!"

He glanced at her, nodding in acknowledgement. "Where's my wife?"

"Sakura is done for tonight," she replied. "I believe she's in the stock room right now. She told me she was going to return some medicine back."

"Where's the stock room?"

"Second floor, the last room in the east wing."

The Uchiha nodded again to show his gratitude before walking past the medic in search for the pinkette. He passed by a few nurses and families visiting their relatives. It was slight, but it reminded him of the Fourth Ninja War where they lost more than half of the Shinobi Alliance. Everyone had suffered greatly because of that war. It was tragic.

On the other hand, however, if that war didn't begin, Team Seven wouldn't even be reunited. Sasuke and Naruto would stay forever as foes. He would sink deeper into darkness until light never reaches him. And he wouldn't meet Itachi if not for the Reanimation Jutsu. He wouldn't have gotten the confirmation he craved for about their clan if he didn't see his brother again. He wouldn't have realized he loved Sakura if he didn't spend time with her again.

The war brought them back together. And still, in spite of the murders he committed, Naruto and Sakura were willing to let him fight alongside the Shinobi Alliance.

Sasuke brushed his thoughts away once he reached the medical stock room. He reached for the knob, twisting it slowly before opening the door. He expected to see Sakura placing some medicines in the rack, wearing her lab gown, white surgical gloves with her hair tied up. He expected her to turn and smile, calling him in her cheerful voice and cute smile.

But none of those came.

Instead, he saw her sprawled on the tiled floor and a wound near her abdomen.

He saw red.

Her lab gown was covered in blood, some of the medical tools were a mess, the medicines and chemicals were all over the floor.

It took him a few seconds before he could register what he saw. He was petrified. Sasuke's breathing became ragged as he ran beside Sakura; his Sharingan activating quickly and even turning into the Mangekyo in anger.

"Sakura," he glanced at her wounds. The biggest one near her abdomen seemed like a cut from a sword. "Sakura... Sakura!"

Sasuke cursed under his breath, pulling the pinkette up a bit. No one else was in the room and the windows weren't broken, but obviously, someone had been here, someone had hurt her.

"Sa.." He felt his heartbeat rapidly increasing when her eyes opened just a little bit. "Sasuke-kun..."

"Stop talking," he shook his head. "You're badly hurt. I'll get you treated-"

"Sa..."

The crease on his forehead was evident and the rage in his eyes was enough to kill somebody. He wanted to ask who was the culprit, but even if he knew or not, he would find him and end his life.

Sasuke lifted her up, gently taking her in his arms. Her mouth was slightly opened, as if she wanted to say something.

"Sa..."

Sasuke frowned. He went out of the room and immediately spotted Shizune walking up the stairs. In one second, her gaze was fixated on the two; a horrified gasp escaping her lips upon catching Sakura in such state and seeing the Mangekyo after a long time.

"Sasuke-san! What happened?!" She ran towards them, examining the pinkette's wounds. "An assault?"

"You tell me," venom was laced within his voice as he answered the woman. "Someone had ambushed her!"

Shizune frowned, realizing his thoughts. "The nurses here are all trustworthy and I doubt they can even take on your wife, Sasuke. So please don't think badly of our staffs." She remarked, but quickly shoved it aside. "I'll get her treated."

"Sa..." Sakura attempted to speak up again.

Sasuke tightened his hold around her figure. "I told you to stop talking."

"Sa..." She shook her head. "Sarada."

Just that one word and his heart doubled its pace. It sent chills down his spine. He knew. He got her message.

"Leave..." Sakura added.

For a moment, Sasuke was conflicted but she knew Sakura was in good hands with Shizune. She was strong. And to be wounded like this meant that the opponent must be strong as well. So he shouldn't waste any second.

Because he knew - the culprit was really after Sarada.

. . .

A/N;

ahh been so busy that I couldn't even finish this chapter after so many weeks!! I'm sorry!

I'm thankful for the great reviews though, they make me really happy! Hopefully more updates will be released this week (i feel like this is the only time i actually have time for wattpad bc it's intrams lol so i'll make use of it)