6th Punch

[medicalpunch]

[Video]

[Sakura opens the journal and contemplates it for several moments before she hits 'record.' She's been trying to decide whether to say anything at all, whether she really wants to mark this particular occasion. But it seems like -- well, why not? Maybe it will help whet her determination to return home. Maybe... maybe it'll mean something.

Finally, she keys for the video and clears her throat.]

It's been a year since I came here. A little more now, I guess. I've been thinking about it for a while -- it just feels really odd to think that I've spent a whole year of my life with everything on pause while I'm here. As much as it's nice not to be in the middle of a war zone...

Well. At least I've got friends here. It would be worse if I were alone.

Anyone want to go for some drinks tonight? I think I could use a little something.

[Taking after her mentor, maybe. But for tonight, Sakura can't fault Tsunade's usual escape. There's nothing she can do about being here, no way to forget about what's going on at home -- so she'll try to distract herself as best she can.]

[Action]

[True to words, Sakura heads down to Seventh Heaven as the sun sets, wrapped in a warm coat against the winter, which she sheds as soon as she gets there. Whether or not anyone's coming to join her, she's planning to drink herself into forgetfulness tonight.]

Comments

[medicalpunch]

Right now, I really don't care.

[The look she shoots him is openly challenging.]

Are you gonna tell me not to?

[medicalpunch]

You know where all the shops and stuff are? I think you'll see us when you get there.

video

[stilldontgotit]

Sounds like you've already gotten a crowd together, but is it really just gonna be drinking our troubles away?

[Riku might be a touch skeptical about folks getting sick from the stuff... But then, somebody's gotta be, right? Still, he'll refrain from raining on anybody's parade.]

[bunsofsteel]

It's all new!

[A pause as she looks around again, but there's still no one coming to throw them out, and Sakura's obviously been here for a while already so...]

So what are you drinking, anyway?

[medicalpunch]

Right. It's all so... [She waves a hand.] Invasive. One minute you're yourself, the next you're doing things you never would have done, thinking things you wouldn't.

[medicalpunch]

With this group? I'm assuming it'll be more than that. We've got too many people who put too much energy into mischief to just have a quiet drinking night.

[And truth be told, she's hoping for shenanigans. Something to distract her.]

[medicalpunch]

Rin, nice to meet you. I'm Sakura. Welcome to Luceti, I guess.

See you there? It'll be all the ninja getting drunk.

[medicalpunch]

Right now, her example doesn't seem like a bad one.

[And certain things involving Naruto are part of what's driving this. But that doesn't mean she doesn't want to see him.]

Coming? Maybe you can help keep me out of trouble.

[medicalpunch]

[Okay, drinking with her academy sensei might feel a little weird -- but you know what? He's got as much right to come as anyone else. They're all stuck in this mess. She only has to consider a moment before she hits the response.]

Sure, come along. I'm sure Naruto will make enough noise to make up for a few quiet people, Iruka-sensei.

[medicalpunch]

Good answer! [She laughs, then holds up the bottle and studies it.]

Don't know, it's something Temari gave me. It's good, though. "Armethalian Spray," it seems to call itself.

[niceguypose]

[He almost flinches at the determination of her reply.]

Ah... Sakura-san, it would not be my place to refuse you. Not if that's what you truly want.

[believeit]

[If she wants to go out drinking, he isn't going to stop her. But he is surprised that he gets an invite.]

You want me to come? [He didn't think she would, for a while, after.. you know what.]

[dangerouswind]

That's the worst part of it: thinking things you wouldn't normally. Doing it is one thing. Your body can be controlled by any number of things, but your mind remains yours. [She takes a drink, shrugs.] But then they tamper with your mind and it's just...

[She trails off. She doesn't quite have words for it.]

[dolphinsensei]

[A drinking Naruto. A drunk Naruto.]

That's a mental image I can definitely do without. I'll see you there, Sakura-kun~

[ Voice]

[generalflirt]

Do we get some inspirational pop music to go with?

Okay, deal. I'll even meet you in the lobby.

[ Or just out the door. Same building. Though maybe she wasn't, who knows ]

[medicalpunch]

Right now, it is.

[She's probably going to regret this come morning, but she's reached her limit on dealing with Luceti right now.]

C'mon, Lee. Maybe you can keep me out of trouble.

[Video] > [Action]

[precioustool]

Ah, yes. I'll be right there.

[And he turns his journal off as he goes on his way.]

[medicalpunch]

Yeah.

[As she's discovered several times now. Having them invade her mind, drive her to do -- to want things she would never desire on her own...]

You got that right. They take away what you are.

[bunsofsteel]

I'll try it. [She's willing to try almost anything on a good day, and this kind of breaking the rules is exciting. A quick glance around, then she manages to wave someone down to ask for saké. That's the traditional thing to get, right?

But in the meantime, she reaches to see if Sakura will hand over the glass -- or the bottle. She's really not picky.] Can I?

[medicalpunch]

[It's half the reason she wants him to come. She won't let them win -- and driving a wedge in between teammates counts as them winning.]

Of course! If there's anyone I'd want to be there, it's my team, you know?

-> action

[medicalpunch]

[Time for all your memories of precious innocent children to be shattered beyond all repair. Enjoy the ride, sensei.]

See you there!

[When he arrives, Sakura greets him with a wave and a proffered bottle. It's definitely nothing from home, and between the color and the scent, it's obviously something sweet and fruity.]

Iruka-sensei! Come on and join us....

[niceguypose]

I suppose I can perform such a role... [He salutes.] You can count on me, Sakura-san!

If that is to be the case... What should I obtain for you?

[medicalpunch]

[When she catches sight of Haku, she waves him over and offers a bottle.]

There you are, hi. Come join in!

[Sure, he's a former enemy -- no, she corrects the thought. He was an opponent, but at the end, it was pretty clear they didn't have a strong enmity of any sort. She's willing to let bygones be bygones.

Ninja operate under orders, that's just how the world works.]

[medicalpunch]

I know I can count on you, Lee. [She says it warmly, genuinely -- that's been one of those things that's never really been in doubt. Not since the Forest of Death, anyway, and that's pretty much as long as they've known each other.]

Hmm. Something that looks fruity. I feel adventurous.

[medicalpunch]

Sure, go ahead. [Sakura passes her the bottle to take a taste.] Whatever it is, I think I'm going to have to keep some on hand for special occasions.