#interlude period.

[shikkotsunin]

@maitiest​ -- ;

“Gai-sensei, wait!” she panted through ragged gasps, at her absolute limit after a grueling sparring session with the Maito. Though already pushed to her limit daily under Tsunade’s tutelage in the hospital, training yard, and library, it still wasn’t enough. She wouldn’t stop until she passed out from being able to continue on, and as it stood, Gai was the only taijutsu-user outside of Lee and Tsunade strong enough to take on Akatsuki on just taijutsu alone, if need be.

“I’m not stopping! Not until I have to go to the hospital, d-dammit!”

[shikkotsunin]

@narasnooze -- ;

In the months since Team 7 had effectively disbanded and scattered to the four winds, training with Tsunade had gone astronomically well. Between medical ninjutsu, chakra-enhanced strength, all levels of fuinjutsu and pursuits in between, Sakura just knew she’d be gaining by leaps and bounds by the time the 3 years interlude was over before Akatsuki would begin mobilizing again. It was grueling work, but rewarding.

Still, there were some bases she wasn’t getting covered. 

Hence why she’d elected to alight to one of the many village rooftops to pester a certain Nara who liked taking unsanctioned respites there. 

“Hey, Shikamaru, can I have a minute? There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

[shikkotsunin]

@vinodiriso​ -- ;

Sakura knew it was a long shot, but she didn’t know who else to turn to. Who else knew kenjutsu that could possibly place her on par with a certain Sannin that Sasuke had turned his dreams of vengeance towards. Though she was retired, most weren’t unaware of Yoshino Nara’s prowess with the blade, continuing the legacy of her ancesors that had made names for themselves in Konoha’s formative years under the Nidaime. Though Sakura was a little nervous headed towards the Nara compound, her early days with Ino in the Academy meant she’d had brush-ins with the other Ino-Shika-Cho clans, but it was the first time approaching on her own.

Yet, when an attendant greeted her at the door, Sakura straightened her spine and steeled herself.

“Excuse me, is Yoshino-sama free? It’s kind of urgent.”

[shikkotsunin]

@sealedfist​ --;

“Hah, any longer and I swear I’m gonna collapse...”

As much as she may have groused within the privacy of the second floor break room of Konoha Hospital, Sakura truly did feel gratified by her work. Not only was she something more than the burden she’d been in her formative years, but she felt elated working alongside Tsunade and Shizune who’d formed something of a team with her.

“Oh, Tsunade-shiso! Want me to put on a pot of coffee, maybe? I’m beat!”

[shikkotsunin]

@silverfaxg​ -- ;

“Huh? Oh, Kadia-chan! I was going to head to the cafe at the corner; did you want to come with me, maybe?”

[shikkotsunin]

@sennenryuu -- ;

“I hope this isn’t odd to ask, but... Chitose-sensei, I might need your help.”

As a newly minted Chunin, one wouldn’t think Sakura couldn’t handle such a mission on her own, but as far as she could see, the Land of Rivers was a bit intimidating to one who hadn’t actually been there before. But, to a native Kurogane who was also a Jonin? Well, Sakura knew who she might have to turn to as much as she wished it wasn’t necessary. 

[shikkotsunin]

@breakthecage -- ;

Saying it was strange to be in the Hyuga compound was like a fish noticing how odd it was to be walking on land and just belatedly realizing that fact. After Hinata’s battle with Neji and his subsequently with Naruto, Sakura wasn’t sure how she should approach, well... any of the Hyuga. Even if she was there as Hinata’s friend to help her train, she couldn’t help but feel like a trespasser, especially-- Oh.

“Um... hello, Neji-sama. Sorry if I got in your way...”