Stumble [Rewrite]

Eleven (2)

"Ugh, the Land of Tea is so far."

"Why is it that you're always complaining? It's not like you had anything better to do and all you did back home was whine."

"Yeah, but this could've been a mission where we kick some ass and save the day- you know how long we've been stuck in the village- but now we're acting liaisons to a rich civilian family. This is practically chuunin level."

"Maybe it's practically chuunin because I'm a chuunin and I can't go solo? Ever think of that, Genma?"

"Give me a break, kid. We all know you do some sneaky stuff in your free time and I'm damn well sure you're not picking flowers while following the rules. This is out of our range of specialty, you know, because we're in T&I for a reason."

Sakura rolled her eyes and elbowed her sensei half-heartedly in the ribs. So the Godaime assigned them a job that had no link to their department whatsoever after stationing them within the village for a month straight. At least it was something.

Completely boring, but something nonetheless.

But she wasn't going to be one to complain about a change of scenery. Her part-time job wouldn't be exciting until she reached jounin status and the only thing she had going for her were stacks of paperwork and making sure Anko didn't go overboard with her interrogations. On the other hand, team training was nice with her unofficial spot and Kakashi's assistant and personal tyrant. Naruto needed to work around the kyuubi, Sasuke needed to take some anger management classes, and she...

She was content with being able to skip out on her therapy sessions. Inoichi's decision on slow exposure to Obito wasn't making as much progress as they all hoped, but she'd gotten to the point where she could engage in a short conversation without making eye contact.

That was something, right?

"Oi, kid. We've got a couple of things we need to talk about," Genma said. She glanced up at him.

"What's up?"

"I've seen you poking into things I'm not too sure I like you poking into. Like the other day when you set up an appointment to speak with Sarutobi-sama, or when Morino's telling me you're getting home later and later every day. Not that you're never not suspicious, but I'm getting concerned. Is something going on?" he questioned worriedly. Sakura exhaled quietly and turned her gaze ahead of her.

She hated it when Mama-Genma made an appearance. Whenever he did, it was always because he thought she'd get herself hurt. He'd nag and dote and coddle during such instances (i.e. the panic attack, the mental health examination, her near death in Wave...), and she always ended up feeling guilty for putting him in such a position.

If she lied to him, it would only make her feel worse.

"I got a tip from someone that Danzo formally announced he wanted me in ROOT," she admitted. His jaw set and a seething growl rumbled in his chest. "I asked Sarutobi-sama about it and he told me... um..."

Genma stopped walking and stepped in front of her to block her path. The senbon had gone from his lips and he stared her down with the stormiest expression she'd ever seen.

"He told you...?" he pressed. She stared- searching- into his eyes for a few moments before sighing and looking away.

"He told me Danzo intends on making me his successor."

She was met with utter silence.

Their surroundings kept normal like any other day; the birds were chirping, the breeze waved by, the air kept a warmth that brushed Sakura's skin. Genma's pained face and trembling lips was reason enough why she failed to mention that little detail back in Konoha, especially in Ibiki's company.