Chapter Two: Making Choices



Sakura washed her face. She winced as her long eyelashes found their way under her bottom eyelid. She managed to free them with years of practice. She looked at her red, teary eye and sighed. She dried her face. She slipped into her clothes and slinked out the door. She put on her happiest face.

“Sakura! Good morning!” Sakura whipped her head around and stared at her former squad leader, “Good morning, Kakashi,” she chirped. He smiled beneath his mask and ruffled his silver hair. She noticed his fingers twitch. “Well,” he started, “I was wondering if you wanted to meet Naruto and myself at the ramen shop, for old time’s sake.” She smiled with her perfect white teeth, “Of course! What time?”

He laughed nervously, “Around six in the evening!” She smiled, “That sounds nice.” Kakashi vanished into a whirl of smoke with a chipper, “See you then!”

Sakura smiled, “That is something to look forward too.” She felt a small warmth emanate in her chest. At least her teacher and friends cared about her. That was enough. At least she had good friends. At least she had a good job with the kind, eccentric Lady Tsunade. That was good. She shook off the last of her melancholy and hurried to the Hokage’s tower.

“Ah! Sakura! Just the person I wanted to see!” greeted a lively Tsunade. She looked refreshed even though she was awake earlier than normal. She was also sober and did not have the usual hint of a hangover. Tsunade had even opened the door before Sakura had a chance to reach it. “Sakura, you know I think you’re perfect the way you are, right?”

Sakura nodded. Tsunade had never kept it a secret. She would sometimes tease that one day Sakura would be more beautiful the she had ever been. Tsunade nodded happily, “Well, Sweetie, I have a surprise for you.”

Tsunade wrapped her arm around Sakura’s shoulder and led her up the stairs to the Hokage’s private office. Shizune was waiting for them with a huge, almost eerie smile. Sakura began to feel nervous. “Please,” Tsunade said, “sit down, Sakura.” Sakura found a cup of fresh tea warming her hands. Shizune sat down next to the Lady Tsunade. Sakura began to feel the urge to run away tingle in her legs.

“Sakura, I think you’re fine the way you are,” Tsunade said seriously. “But I’m worried. I have looked at your blood tests, and it seems like you do not have enough sex hormones. I’m worried about your bones and your health when you get older. The reason you’re weaker is that your bones are so easily broken. For the same reason, you bruise easily too. Moreover, you’re knocked unconscious easily because your body, no matter how hard you train, will always be weaker. Even with all the concentration and talent in the world, even with my own personal abilities and knowledge at your disposal, you cannot overcome your physical weakness. No matter how hard you train.”

Sakura felt her heart sink, “But I try so hard! Harder than everyone else!” She bit back the tears but her hoarse voice betrayed her, “I’m so strong now.” She sniffled, “But not strong enough.”

Tsunade reached across the desk and held Sakura’s hand, “I was born weak too: just like you.” Sakura looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks, “But you don’t have any problems at all.” Tsunade nodded, “Because I drank my grandmother’s tea.”

“It helped my body a lot. I grew out a little faster, but that was okay, because my body wasn’t weak anymore,” Tsunade continued. “And it helped me grow up nice and pretty without all the awkwardness,” she smiled. “I was hoping your body would have hit the mark a few years ago, but the day still hasn’t come. You have so much to offer as a ninja and a woman.” Tsunade smiled, “And I don’t want you to suffer when you’re older. I want you to be able to hold your own. No matter how good the walls, if there’s a weak foundation and frame, the building will fall.”

Sakura nodded. “So,” Tsunade continued, “I have something for you.” She took out a beautiful black lacquered box from a desk drawer, “Here.” Sakura took it and opened it. There were hundreds of carefully measured packets of herbs in neat rows. “I’m not sure,” Sakura finally said.

Tsunade smiled, “You don’t have to, but the offer is there. I still drink this tea everyday. I’m as tough as an ox. It will help your body catch up, it will be slow at first, but the rate will peak and stabilize. You will feel it inside before you see the changes. Just do your best, my dear Sakura.”

Sakura felt tears well and tumble down her cheeks. She was so touched. She felt the love flow into her from Tsunade and Shizune. “It’s an old family recipe,” Tsunade said. Shizune smiled, “It tastes good too.”

Tsunade smiled, “I’ll teach you how to make it next week. Just drink a cup every morning with breakfast, or without, and every evening before bed. Or just twice a day, but not all at once. Or more than three times a day.”

Sakura set down the box and leaned over the desk to hug Tsunade. Tsunade smiled and let Sakura go, “You can eat it too. Just drink something sweet, it can be pretty bitter.” Sakura nodded.

Tsunade asked, “So, you’re sure?”

Sakura said, “Yes.” Tsunade smiled. “Take the day off, have some tea, and take care of yourself. You have the week off. But you’ll have to work hard when you get back, ’kay?”

Sakura smiled, “Thank you so much!” She picked up the box and waved to Tsunade. Tsunade smiled serenely and watched the pink blur of Sakura’s hair disappear behind a wall. She turned to Shizune, “Did I do the right thing? Will she really be happier now?” Shizune sighed and shrugged her shoulders, “You’ve given her the keys to so many new doors.” Shizune smiled, “Now it’s up to her to find her own happiness.”

Tsunade grinned, “At least she’ll be healthier now. She’ll be able to keep up easier.” She let out a laugh, “I always knew that girl would be more beautiful than me. She would make Hokage one day at this rate. Not that she’d want it of course.”