"Why am I having these dreams every day..."
Sakura changed all the bedding to new ones, then quietly took them down to the courtyard to dry, finally feeling a bit relieved.
But this isn't a long-term solution. Sakura was a bit troubled; she was about to travel with Ino, and she wondered if she'd still have such dreams when away.
Now Sarada had noticed Sakura frequently washing her sheets early in the mornings, but Sakura managed to use other excuses to brush it off, and to make her excuse even more convincing, she would wash Sarada's bedding daily.
"Phew... exhausted. These damn dreams have increased my housework so much every day..."
After finishing her chores early in the morning, Sakura sat on her bed to rest for a while, then got up and walked to the bathroom mirror; she wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but she felt her complexion seemed a bit better, although her face still showed signs of fatigue, a vibrant spirit showed through her skin...
"Strange, maybe it's the dream... how is that possible, what Ino said makes no sense at all, really..."
Sakura denied her own thoughts before finishing speaking; she certainly wasn't lonely, Ino must have been talking nonsense at that time!
Afterward, Sakura went downstairs to make breakfast. Not only was she going to travel today, but it was also Sarada and her classmates' day for a field trip, so Sakura got up early. After making breakfast, she also prepared a hearty lunchbox for Sarada.
After Sarada had breakfast and headed out, Sakura tidied up, took her bag, and prepared to leave.
A few days ago, she had already taken time off, and during her absence, Shizune would help take care of things at Konoha Hospital. Besides, recently there weren't many patients, and normal operations would run smoothly without any issues.
Arriving at Thunder Station, Sakura saw Uchiha Yoichi and Yamanaka Ino, and the latter spotted Sakura, waved her arm, and called out, "Over here, Sakura!"
"Coming..."
Sakura responded with a smile and walked over; once she was closer, she smiled at Uchiha Yoichi and said, "Mr. Yoichi, sorry for disturbing you this time..."
"No, traveling with more people is more lively..."
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head and said calmly; his attitude towards Sakura was neither too close nor too distant, which allowed Sakura's slightly tense heart to relax a bit.
She could still recall the realistic scenes from her dream, and if Uchiha Yoichi's attitude had been off, Sakura felt she would be very uncomfortable... but now it seemed that this trip would be nice.
After getting on the Thunder Car, Ino found a seat in the back compartment. Uchiha Yoichi had some familiarity with this place because he and Lady Temari had spent several hours here last time.
Thinking back on it still made him feel nostalgic; Uchiha Yoichi planned to find some time to meet Temari again...
After sitting down, Yamanaka Ino took out some snacks and relaxed, chatting with Sakura. However, the food Ino took out was all prepared by Uchiha Yoichi, who was a gourmet and cared deeply about food.
The chef at the Izakaya next to Yoichi Pharmacy is top-notch in the Ninja World, hired by Uchiha Yoichi, who mostly took care of his diet alone.
Yamanaka Ino and Sakura chatted and laughed along the way, while Uchiha Yoichi rarely joined the conversation, but whenever he spoke, he would talk about other experiences in the Ninja World or events from a thousand years ago.
Uchiha Yoichi had been to the past, and with his firsthand experiences, his stories were captivating and had Ino and Sakura completely engrossed.
Even if they had doubts, Uchiha Yoichi would brush it off with the long-standing heritage of Yin Yang Masters.
By the end of the Thunder Car journey, Yamanaka Ino and Sakura were still somewhat unsatisfied, having gained great interest in the Yin Yang Master's tales thanks to Uchiha Yoichi's narratives. Moreover, Ino always wanted Yuhi Kurenai to meet Asuma...
But a series of events interrupted, and Nara Shikamaru's suspicion that Uchiha Yoichi had bad intentions almost led to a quarrel with Yamanaka Ino, resulting in no follow-up.
Arriving at the seaside town in the Land of Hot Water, Yamanaka Ino directly took Sakura and Uchiha Yoichi to check into a hot spring hotel. After dropping off their belongings, they started exploring outside.
Experiencing the local scenery, tasting the food, and learning about interesting local facts... the essentials of travel, all covered by Yamanaka Ino as she led Sakura around.
As for Uchiha Yoichi, he simply followed along. Ino came out this time partly to fulfill a promise to Uchiha Yoichi, and partly to accompany Sakura for relaxation; as for the promise to Uchiha Yoichi, it would be fulfilled at night.
By evening, the trio returned to the hotel, followed by a delicious local specialty hot spring meal.
After enjoying the food, it was time for today's ultimate goal—soaking in the hot springs.
After changing clothes, Yamanaka Ino quietly pulled Sakura aside and apologized, saying, "Sorry Sakura, later I may go to the mixed bath... I can't accompany you to the women's bath."
Upon hearing this, Sakura's face flushed with redness; she obviously understood what Ino meant, but she still gave a mischievous smile and asked, "Eh~ Ino, aren't you worried about others coming?"
"Sakura..."
Yamanaka Ino, shyly, nudged Sakura and said in a low voice, "Today, it seems like it's just the three of us here; others won't be coming..."
"I understand, I understand; Ino really likes that guy. But, won't Ino come to join me in the evening?"
"Of course, I'll come find you after the hot spring..."
After saying that, Yamanaka Ino separated from Sakura.
The three had booked two rooms in total; Yamanaka Ino originally planned to share a room with Uchiha Yoichi, but now it seemed she would be chatting with Sakura at night.
Returning to her room, Ino found that Uchiha Yoichi was not there, guessed he had already gone to the bath, and shyly took out the translucent white stockings she had bought.
"Naughty man..."
Yamanaka Ino blushingly cursed, but still lifted her bathrobe and slowly put on the silky white knee-high stockings. Once her jade feet fully matched the stockings, Ino blushingly lowered her bathrobe and stood up.
After admiring herself for a while, she picked up her hot spring items and headed toward the mixed bath.
————————————
"Ah~"
Once fully immersed in the hot spring, Sakura let out a satisfied sigh, feeling her whole body relax in the spring, and couldn't help but think,
"So comfortable... maybe I should have come out to relax earlier. If Sasuke and Sarada were here too, it would be even better..."
Rustle rustle~~
While Sakura was soaking in the hot spring, she suddenly heard the faint sound of something, seemingly not far away, and it also sounded like Ino's voice.
"Ino?"
Sakura stepped out of the hot spring, wrapped a bath towel around herself, then followed the sound to a bamboo fence that was over two meters high. Once there, she could hear more clearly.
"Mm~~"
"Yoichi, Yoichi..... slower~~ ah~"