Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter I: Empty Corridors

Sakura..ugh her head was pounding.

Sakura...where was she? Who was shaking her?

Her eyelids cracked open and her vision blurred. Light flooded in and she groaned. Three blurry silhouettes hovered above her. She squinted and the silhouettes soon acquired color and definite shape, finding herself looking into Ino's green eyes. She broke into a smile and turned her head toward Shikamaru and Choji exchanging a few words that Sakura's ears failed to catch.

Sakura became aware of how cold it was and sprung up, almost colliding her forehead into Ino's. "Woah, forehead. Watch where you point that thing. It could be lethal." Ino smirked, but found herself frowning when the she did not snap back with a snarky reply. She looked disoriented and winced every once in awhile when she pressed her palms against the stone bench.

Ino let out a gasp and Sakura's head snapped up, following her eyes down to her blood caked and shriveled fingertips. The skin was damage like she had pricked herself several times on each finger. She moaned when headache drilled a hole into her head. Ino shifted next to her, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

Nothing made sense. Sakura felt heavy like she had been doing over exerting exercises with a drunken Lee. Her throat was parched and her tongue was dry like she had been stranded in the desert for days without food or water. Apprehension whirled in her mind. Disconcert by the state of her hands that she had no memory of. Distressed because she could not remember anything from last night or that when she tried to, her mind went blank and she would find it draining to try to think anymore. Alarmed because she had no clue how she woke up outside. Finding waking up on the same bench her formal teammate left her on three years ago depressing all the same.

Ino watched her childhood friend struggle with worry. "Here." she reached over and hovered a glowing palm over her hands, casting a thoughtful yet melancholic light in her eyes. Team Ten were on their way headed to Choji's favorite buffet for breakfast when Shikamaru spotted the blush haired girl. It struck Ino how out of place she looked. Laying down on the cold hard bench completely still. White light from the cloudy sky cast a discolored and sickly look on her skin and Ino had felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach, but did not voice her fear. Instead she bolted toward the slumped kunoichi and felt for pulse, pressing her fingers around her body for any jutting ribs. Sighing with relief when she did not find anything. Yet now as she healed Sakura, she noted how faint her chakra levels were. Like she been using them for a prolong period of time.

The blond was not as skilled nor as experienced Sakura, but whatever she had been doing had left the skin on her palms ripped and dry from over use. "Sakura.." Ino began, unsure whether this was the appropriate time to question her, "What..happened?".

Sakura could not answer. She watched the green light knit her skin. She hoped in a few hours her memories would piece themselves together but found herself inexplicably wishing she would never remember. There was a rustle of fabric and Sakura found Shikamaru kneeling down in front of her.

She regarded him with curiosity as he watched her. He then closed his eyes and sighed, standing up in a relax manner with his arms behind his head. "She doesn't know anything. Just leave her alone and lets go. Choji is getting restless."

Choji's cheeks suddenly went red when the blush-haired girl's eyes were directed at him. Ino suddenly stood and glared at Shikamaru, outraged. "And ignore her just like that! What kind of a friend are you to abandon her just like-"

"I am not ignoring her. She just clearly doesn't want to be bothered by it." Ino looked down toward Sakura who was immersed with her hands. "Bring her with us." with that Shikamaru walked forward with Choji eagerly following him, seemingly trying to hide from Sakura's line of view. Ino let out a heavy sigh and help her friend up, trying to avoid touching her hands.

Sakura scrubbed her hands thoroughly under the faucet, trying to scrape every scrap of blood. She gripped the edges of the sink and bore her eyes into the mirror. She ran her hands through her hair only to find there was a painful tug. She winced and tried to pull away the locks that were seemingly glued to her cheek, alarming herself upon discovering dried blood clinging to her hair.

Her hand leaped to her cheek, scratching away the blood crust that clung to her skin. She looked down at her hand wide-eyed in fear, flakes wedged themselves between the crevices of her nails. She desperately rinsed the blood out her hair. Crimson suds washed down the drain. She ripped off several pieces of paper towels and rubbed her locks between them, leaving them slightly darker and crimpy.

She splashed cold water on her face and roughly wiped the dewdrops away, stretching the bags under her eyes. She stared at the mirror for a moment, trying to calm her nerves before she crimpled the soiled paper towel and chucked it into the bin.

The blush haired girl watched with a smile as Ino's arm sprung up, waving her hand vigorously. Instantly speaking animatedly about the new boutique that opened up down the street from her family's flower shop. Sakura nodded along with her to let her know she was listening, even though she was not really paying attention. Casting a long side-glance at Shikamaru and Choji who grinned and snickered behind their hands. It seemed the only female of their team rarely got to talk about her favorite hobby with someone who would remotely 'listen' to her.

Ino narrowed her eyes at Sakura who continued to nod even after she had stopped talking. A sly smirk made its way to her lips. She glared at Choji, who tried to warn the blush haired girl. "So.." she began. "Narutō is cute looking isn't he?" she broke into laughter when she stopped nodding and turned slightly red.

"So," Shikamaru began, trying to stray away from the subject before Sakura could violently react to the question. "What are the details for tonight?"

Sakura cocked her head and lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Shikamaru gave her a slight look of disbelief. Maybe he should be a little more worried of what she had been doing last night. "Gaara, the dinner party? Aren't you suppose to escor-" he watched in surprise when her eyes lit up and leaped off the bench. Shikamaru found that he could only utter out "Wha..?"

"I'm sorry! But I just remembered I am suppose to have breakfast with Narutō and Sai! I promised him!" she then turned on her heel and ran off. "See you guys later!" Ino crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. She wanted to spend more time with her. She rarely got to nowadays.

-x-

Naruto's hand itched toward the chopsticks but gripped his wrist and restrained it from reaching any further. He slumped in his seat and sighed. He wanted to wait for Sakura, but his stomach was hosting a Capella of grumbles and his noodles were getting cold. A sudden slurp had him like a deer caught in the headlights and his head creaked as he slowly turned toward Sai, who was about to bring the noodles to his lips.

Sai smiled at him and leaned over to feed him in the mouth. Naruto spazzed and slapped the food away, almost casting a sad look toward the soiled noodles that lay unceremoniously on the ground but quickly leaped from his seat and pointed a accusing finger at Sai who just glanced at the noodles, muttered 'oh' and reached over to grab another pair of chopsticks.

"What are you doing!" the blond glared at him.

"What?" he asked like he done nothing wrong, his hand midway. Genuine confusion written on his face.

"What do you mean what! We are suppose to wait for Sakura!" he could not believe this! Here he was refraining himself from tasting those..delicious golden noodles and the juicy barbecue pork that was just calling out to him..No! He is suppose to wait. Maybe... and the mental restraint crumbled. Naruto reached over to his bowl and pinched the pork, bringing it his mouth and gulping it down.

The curtain lifted and in came Sakura, huffing and puffing. "Good morning guys! Sorry I'm late."

The pork lodged itself in his throat and his face rapidly turned purple. He flailed his arms and his fingers curled around his neck. Sakura watched in alarm and moved to aid, but Sai appeared behind him and bent him over. He wrapped his arms around his waist and fisted one hand while the other hand covered the other. Naruto was thrust upward with each pump until the slimy chunk flew out of his mouth.

Sakura covered her mouth in disgust.

Naruto's eyes were half-lidded, unknowingly worrying his teammate. "Thank you..Sakura." his cheeks were flushing heavily, but instantly fled his face when he realized the blush haired girl stood in front of him. He felt dread in the pit of his stomach and turned his head around slowly to come face to face with Sai. The blond instantly ripped himself away from him and pointed a shaking finger at him. "What the hell is wron-" a fist struck his head and he found himself cowering, nursing his throbbing bump. "Ow! Sakura! What was that for!"

"That's for being a idiot! And for yelling at Sai even after he saved your life!" she crossed her arms and huffed. Sai watched her in slight surprise, his teammates completely missing the feat. She normally never stood up for him. Always hitting him when he insulted Naruto or Sasuke. A smile curled on his lips.

"Thank you, ugly."

Naruto's eyes went wide and signaled at him to 'shut up'. A vein visibly bulged in her forehead and her left eye twitched.

Sai blasted through the curtains. He hurtled through the air. His face had a hard time catching up with his body. Naruto stared behind her with wide terrified eyes and trembling legs as she stiffly made her way over to the pathetic sizzling crumbled heap.

Sakura sipped her milk tea happily. Naruto had a hard time eating his noodles with the large throbbing bruises that swollen his cheeks, making him look like he was awkwardly puckering his lips. Wincing and dropping his chopsticks on the floor when he accidentally took a chunk out of the inside of his cheek. Tears leaked from his eyes and he slumped in his stool. Sai's pale skin made the red and purple bruises on the side of his cheek more prominent. His jaw loudly clicked and popped every time he chewed.

Sakura glanced at her teammates from the corner of her eye. She planned on healing them, but for now she would let them suffer. Sai deserved every bit of the injury he got. Narutō unfortunately was in the line of fire. Her eyes soften when she noticed the pitiful longing look he gave his bowl of ramen. She sighed and set down her tea. She reached over and hovered both hands above his cheeks. Scolding him when he flinched or moved. As his cheeks reduced in size and returned to his skin color, Sakura felt startlingly tired and the tips of fingers were developing a stinging pain. Milk green light faded away and Narutō's fingers touched his cheeks. His face broke into a grin and he thanked her. Unable to resist embracing her. She pulled away smiling and made her way over to Sai who regarded her with utmost curiosity.

"Stop looking at me like belong in a zoo." she playfully warned.

Sai opened his mouth to comment, but once his jaw clicked, he was quickly reminded why he was like this in the first place. It seemed like the only sensible thing he had done thought Sakura. She lifted her hand and ghosted it over his jaw, closing her eyes. Sai watched her face as the warm light brushed against his skin. It felt..nice. Frowning when it faded away and she rubbed her fingers. Sai was not sure how to thank her. He should just say thank you, but Naruto gave her a hug. Should he give her a hug? Maybe it was custom to hug your healers after they did their service.

He reached out and grabbed her wrist much to the bewilderment of Sakura. He pulled her toward him and slid his arm around her waist. He smiled down at Sakura who stared at him with wide eyes. "Thank you u-Sakura for your services."

Naruto stared, gaping at them. Feeling jealousy rise and disappear when Sakura pulled away from him, slightly red-faced. Sakura awkwardly drank her tea, oblivious to the heated glares Narutō sent Sai. While Sai, uncertain if he had done anything wrong, continued to smile at the blond, intensifying his glares.

Sakura sighed in content, feeling the creamy liquid sooth her throat. Relinquishing the mild anxiety bubbling in her mind. She felt tense around Ino and her team, thinking they might notice her nervousness and confront her about it. Feeling relieved when she had a reason to leave without seeming too suspicious. Yet paranoia rose tenfold as she sat in the same bar with her teammates.

Naruto might be dense and incredibly stupid at times. Unable to grasp the concept that a priestess was asking to sleep with him, but always sensed when something was bothering her. Even if it was such a simple thing. Fussing over her and trying to get her to voice her thoughts. Getting worked up over the slightest discomfort. And then there was Sai. He had a keen eye and was blunt about it. If by some chance Naruto did not notice, he would then.

Sakura looked down when a gleam caught her eye and reached into her shirt pocket, pulling out a silver pen. A single pulse clashed with her own and voices faded in her head.

Naruto wanted to rip that smile right off his face. He did not like it one bit that he hugged her like that. It was too...intimate for his taste. He was going to make sure Sakura sat near him at the dinner party, away from this pale creep. Maybe he could walk her home after dinner and maybe, if was he real lucky, a peck on the cheek. He glared daggers at Sai who was eating his noodles, oblivious. Deciding he had enough of the boy, Naruto turned to Sakura, picking at the strip of pork wedged between his teeth. He opened his mouth to say something when he found her strangely fixated on a pen in her hands.

He frowned and leaned forward, yelling at Sai to back off when he leaned against him to looked over his shoulder. Something warm splattered on his feet and he looked over to find dread written on his teammate's face. She clutched the pen in her trembling hand. "I'm sorry, I just remember I have to do something." she said in a hurry. A fake smile plastered on her face.

"Sakura-"

"See you later guys!" The blond watched her bolt from sight, worry hanging heaving in his heart. He bent down to pick up the fallen cup, grimacing with disgust as the sticky liquid spread throughout the sole of his foot. Emitting a squishy noise every time he pressed down on the rubber. Sai watch Naruto's expression with curiosity, expecting him to follow the pink haired girl, but was inwardly surprised when he just slumped on the edge of the stool and crossed his arms over his chest.

-x-

"Kikyō! Kikyō!" Sakura followed after her colleague who was speed walking down the hall of offices. The woman was ignoring her and doing a good job of it. She followed her into a small room. "I said I was sorry." The woman slammed a stack of paperwork on the desk startling her.

"I trusted you to fill them out and file them for today." she separated them into different stacks, angrily slamming seal stamps on them.

"I know and I am sorr-"

"Sorry!" the woman cut her off and walked toward the door when she noticed her outburst had caused everyone outside the office to stop and whisper amongst themselves. She closed it shut from prying eyes and ears. "Tell that to the rest of our staff who have to have two thousand ryō taken out of their paychecks!" she hissed.

Sakura frowned. "Why! That is unfair. We are not even apart of the Physical Therapy department."

"Yes, but I was temporarily assigned." she put her hands on her hips. "Even if I am not part of it. I am part of this staff and I was assigned Mai's position. Second in charge. Therefore whatever what was not done during the time of my command, becomes my responsibility until I am finished with it. Regardless if it is temporary or not." she sighed and stacked papers together, organizing them into different folders. "I don't know why I am blaming you. You had nothing to do with this. It was my fault." Sakura flinched at the disappointment evident in her voice. She had let her down. She had remembered she oh so diligently convinced her colleague that she could take care of the paperwork while she took the night off.

The blush-haired girl stood "Why don't I fill them out and file them for you? Why don't you take the rest of the night off?"

"Sakura," she began.

"No. You are clearly tired and have been working for seven hours straight." it was Sakura's turn to put her hands on her hips. "And what if you make a mistake during your sleepless night? No. Let me handle this and you won't have to owe me back."

Kikyō watched her but sighed with defeat. "Alright, alright." she shook her head. "You win, but those papers must be filled and filed by tomorrow morning. I am trusting you with this."

Sakura grinned at her. Hands clasped behind her back, rocking on her heels. "Yes! You have my word."

"Geez kid, all happy over filling papers. Something must really be wrong with you."

Thing is Sakura did fill and file those papers. She did read through the sea full of text, checked off options, signed off signatures and slammed seal stamps at the bottom of the pages. She set them into different folders and stored them under colors, names and dates.

But just as she was three quarters into the paperwork, the ink in her pen ran out. She shook it, rubbed it against her palms, scratched the tip against a blank sheet of paper only to leave etches. She huffed. She looked around the desks for an extra pen, rummaged through clutter in the drawers, coming out empty handed. She had groaned and cursed the Gods.

She had gone downstairs, greeted staff as they left for the night. Asked every single one of them for a pen, but all of them had shaken their head and mumbled an apology. She had found the silver pen in the drawer of the empty reception desk. However that is where the memory went blank.

Kikyō's fingers found their way to her chin and lifted it to meet eye to eye. "Don't look sad. I like it better when your face is alight with childlike delight." she moved around the desk and hugged the young girl. Sakura rested her head on her chest while Kikyō carded her hands through her hair. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

Kikyō was not the type to let favors be done for her. Hell, never had she asked help for something she could do. She rarely allowed people to help her with anything. Sakura even had offered to take her place when a young nurse had popped in and told her she was needed at PTD, but she straight out refused. When Sakura had finally convinced her that she could do something for her, her chest had swelled up with pride when Kikyō accepted. She understood her, she may not be mad with her, but she knew that she had damaged her trust.

"Look, take the rest of the day off and we will discus this further tomorrow. Besides, you are meeting your friends later tonight."

-x-

Sakura's heels clicked down the brightly lit corridor. She passed closed doors and number plates. Nurses and patients greeted her, but she was too wrapped up in her guilt to notice. An elderly woman nearing the age of seventy five, bundled up in a white fluffy shawl, sat peacefully in a plastic chair outside her room. Knitting the ends of a tattered scarf. She lifted the ball of yarn, patting it so it would stay put, but let out a small gasp when it tumbled off her lap and rolled across the hall just as the blush haired girl passed.

Sakura stopped and bent down to retrieve it. "Oh, thank you Sakura. I was afraid I was going to have to get up." she offered the young girl a warm smile. Mrs Kin was one of the oldest patients at this hospital. She was a sweet old lady who had fifteen grandchildren crowded around her every afternoon, sharing stories of her latest 'adventure'. "I was wondering." she set her knitting down. "If you would be so kind as to fix my old radio there." she gestured a trembling hand into the room. "It has been acting real strange lately. Has me hearing the same song everyday. Such a sad song." she stood thoughtful for a moment. "It seems even as I change the station, the song still remains the same."

Sakura frown. "That's odd."

"Hello Hana. It is time for your daily therapy." a bright faced young man appeared in front of them and helped the old woman up, seemingly avoided looking at Sakura. Hana's eyes lit up at the appearance of the young man and handed her knitting to Sakura.

"It's time already?" wondered Hana.

"Yes," she gripped his arm and with a trembling hand, pulled herself up. "It is almost twelve. You want to be ready when your grandchildren come."

"Always so helpful." she patted his cheek affectionately causing him to blush bashfully. Hana gripped the railing on the wall and looked toward Sakura. "You should consider an outing with a young man like him." causing the young man to become red to his ears. "But, please Sakura. If you could fix my radio. I'd be so thankful."

Sakura watched the young man lead Hana away and let out a sad sigh.

She entered the room, setting the knitting supplies down on the bed and looked around for the radio, spotting it on nightstand. She lifted the small portable radio. Turning the knob until a light illuminated the dial.

Static blurred between every station as the knob ticked. She skimmed through a variety songs, news reports, interviews, commercials, finding nothing wrong with it. She browsed through stations, satisfied when she found classical music playing and set it down.

Sakura was about to leave the room when static blared through the speakers and set itself on a soft melancholic voice.

'..some simple loving words. You touched my body once..it burns.'

The young girl stared at it wide-eyed. Her heart thumped heavily in her chest. She slowly approached it. Tentatively reached out a hand when a loud metal screech stopped her dead in her tracks. She popped her head outside, frowning when people were not looking around in confusion nor running around the corner to investigate.

I couldn't of heard it in my head. Sakura went about the hall. Asking people if they heard anything unusual not a few moments ago, but all shook their head. She walked down a number of corridors, taking a flight of stairs.

She rounded the corner and stopped short. Ceiling lights flickered and hummed above her, casting a ominous feeling down the long hallway. She moved cautiously, trying to ignore the gripping feeling that someone or something at any moment was going to crawl from out the slightly ajar doors or twitching from around the corner.

Further down the walls seemed to gain a rusty stains, which struck her as odd. She had past through this hallway everyday. She walked this way this morning and never did she see these stains before, in fact neither were the lights remotely malfunctioning. She mouthed 'kai' and nothing changed. Sakura hugged herself, rubbing her shoulders at the sudden mucid cold that brushed against her skin. There was a a faint sound of water dripping somewhere in the distance.

The tiles underneath her feet were cracked and dirty. Some miles away from their slot. She stopped near a bulletin broad. The glass was filthy and rust was growing between the wedges in the metal frame. Inside, pinned against the eaten away cork wall were old yellow edged newspapers and announcements. The text was hard to read over the dirt and stains that coated the glass. Sakura squinted.

"Alchemi-" she gasped and whirled around when she caught glimpse of pale face and sunken cheeks in the murky reflection of the glass. Suddenly the lights above her went out leading a domino effect down the hall, causing a yelp to escape her throat. Her hands leaped over her mouth and her eyes went wide and shook. Her frame trembled and her heart was the only thing loud in her ears.

She stood submerged in darkness. Light that showered from the previous hall was gone. It was almost like the whole hospital went into a complete blackout. She felt the hairs on the nape of her neck stand. There was something in the dark with her. She did her best to stay completely stock still, crushing the urge to bolt from her spot. She was vaguely aware she could just bash, whoever was stalking her, skull's in, but common sense seemed to fly out the window.

Something was breathing. Hot air fanned across the side of her clammy neck. She stiffened and muffled the whimper that escaped her lips. The breathing seemed to bounce around her and suddenly it was gone. She slowly backed away, bumping into the bulletin broad and let out a scream. She slumped on the cold damp floor, curled into herself and clenched her eyes shut.

End of Chapter I

Feed back always welcome!

I revised it. Some parts bothered me.