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

♥♥♥

[believeit]

Huh? Oh, I guess he did. Hah! [He had just asked for 'something she would like' so... makes sense.]

..It's not bad! Kinda tastes like fruit pudding, all mashed up and cold.

[Tastes really nice actually... evident as he begins to gulp it down.]

[medicalpunch]

It does! [She giggles.] Hey, it's full of fruit, that means it's good for you, right? [It's such bullshit. But sometimes a little immaturity is nice.]

[believeit]

Yeah, exactly! It's gotta be good for us. [Nod nod.]

[Another sip and he sets the drink down, leaning back in his seat as wondering about something before he sits up again, turning to face her and leaning in.]

Hey Sakura-chan. Do you like it in this place?

[medicalpunch]

Like it? [That question deserves deep thought, and she sips her drink while she turns it over.]

I... I don't know. I mean, it's nicer than being in a battlefield at home, and we don't have to worry about getting hurt or killed on missions, but at the same time... home is where we belong, you know? So I guess I don't dislike it here but I don't want to stay forever, either.

[believeit]

[He listens intently to her answer, though he looks away and leans back before he replies.]

Yeah, that's what I think too. We've gotta go home, everyone's counting on us. Though... it's kinda nice being here for a bit, y'know?

[medicalpunch]

Yeah... in a way, it really is. It's... [She pauses, turning over exactly what she wants to say, and then quietly reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder, suddenly wanting a bit of physical connection.] It's a respite from everything going on at home.

And you get your family...

[believeit]

Yeah, it is. Not permanent, but... for now. It's nice.

[His parents are here, and the friends here are okay. Even though he knows they cannot stay, there are at least benefits to being here.

Even if it's wrong. It's hard.]

I still say there's a way to go homer and bring everyone else with us. If they're here, it's gotta work somehow right?

My Mom, Dad, Neji... [He doesn't finish the sentence, only sighs against her.]

[medicalpunch]

[That sigh... she leans closer, turning that hand on his shoulder into an arm wrapped around his back.]

If anyone can do it, I bet you can. You've never let anything stop you. And you give everyone else faith, too.

[Including her.]

[believeit]

[He can't help but notice how closer they have gotten, and oh so casually wraps an arm around her shoulders. So smooth.]

You really think so?

[medicalpunch]

[Super smooth, Naruto. She glances at his arm, but lets it go -- right now, she just feels comfortable, and it's not like she didn't start the whole thing anyway.]

Yeah, I do. You've already done so much... [Look how far he's come, from the outcast of the village to their hero. Who can say where he'll stop?]

[believeit]

Heh, well I couldn't have done it on my own y'know! I've just been working hard like you and Shikamaru and everyone else has been!

[And truly that's the way he sees it. He hasn't done anything special, just tried to keep up with his friends. For his friends.]

[medicalpunch]

[It's nice to hear him acknowledge her hard work. But when he mentions Shikamaru, she giggles, tilting her head a little and leaning into him just a tiny bit.]

Shikamaru? Work hard? Are you sure you've got the right guy?

[But jokes aside, though, the sentiment is very sweet.]

[believeit]

Okay well not actual hard work, but you know what I mean! Heh.