The rain poured down violently against the window pane of the small bedroom. Thunderstorms were always relaxing to Sakura. The sadness of the sky seemed to make her feel like it was okay now. Someone was sad with her. The lightening flashed, illuminating her room and herself. The scars on her hand seemed out of place on her pale skin. She stared at it in the darkness while the thunder rolled, shaking the small apartment. Sakura closed her eyes a moment but the image behind her eyes made her open them again. That shady, dark silhouette was unmistakable with those cold piercing red eyes. So long since that day has passed that he had left. Forever turning his back on the village that once cared for him. Sasuke. Her mind pulsed at the name and she moved to grab a bottle on her nightstand. The pills jingled softly over the rain as she popped the cap and tipped two capsules into her pale hand and grabbed the cup of water near by. Just as Sakura tilted her head back to take the pills, a swift movement caught her eye as a strong grasp took her arm. The pills fell and scattered across the floor as Sakura's wide eyes stared brightly at the figure standing over her. The blue eyes and spiky blond hair stuck out in the dreary space.
"Sakura... What are you doing??"
She cast her eyes to the side, looking at the rainfall, not responding.
Naruto grabbed up the bottle and reached for the light on the table near by causing Sakura to flinch and look up at him cautiously. The new bottle flashed softly in the light contrasting the dark look in Naruto's eyes as he let his hand fall back to his side, the bottle still in hand.
"Is there anymore?" He asked in a robot tone.
The lack of response spiked his temper as he slammed his already clenched fist against the flimsy nightstand, leaning into Sakura's plain white face.
"Answer me. Now, Sakura. Is there anymore?"
Sakura closed her eyes slowly and gave her delicate head one slow shake. The right response. Naruto's shoulders instantly relaxed and stood up straight. He glanced at the bottle once then turned and walked to the kitchen.
Sakura didn't have to see to know he was going washing them down the drain like the last few bottles. She heard the faucet turn on then off as Naruto finished and returned. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he sighed in what sounded like relieve and tilted his head to the side to study Sakura who had still kept her eyes closed, leaning against the headboard. He eyes wandered down her arms to the cuts on her hand. 'At least its not her wrists this time... .' He thought gloomily before actually speaking.
"You're healing pretty quickly." His statement caused her arm to twitch as she moved to cross her arms, shielding the cuts. "Granny Tsunade will be happy to know her crème is working."
"I don't use it anymore..." She replied dully. Even her own voice sound foreign to her. She swallowed hoping Naruto didn't notice. That would be wishful thinking. He stared at her as his voice softened more.
"You know you should be using it everyday. If you don't want to put it on yourself, you know I could..."
"I don't care." The silence stretched for too long. Naruto sighed in defeat this time and stood.
"Just take care of yourself. I'll check on you again. And no more meds! Don't forget we have to help Kakashi with the setting up of the Festival tomorrow. And please, eat something. It'll make you feel better."
He kissed her icy forehead and vanished as quickly as he appeared. Sakura stared were he had just been standing for a long time and without even knowing it, she slipped into another dreamless, dark sleep.
The sun quietly peaked between the clouds as a cool spring breeze window flew through the curtains and caressed Sakura's cheek causing her eyes to flutter open slowly. Sitting up, she ran her hand through her short unruly pink hair when a chair next to her bed caught her eye. On the chair laid a note, her clothes and a small bowl of still warm Ramen and a small sweet roll. Reaching for the note first, Sakura swung her legs to the floor, facing the chair and read as she reached for the roll, taking little bites.
"Don't Forget- Festival today. Meet Kakashi and me at the center of town as soon as you're ready. Oh, and I got you food. I ate a bit of it but I made sure it wasn't too much!! Enjoy =) signed- Naruto"
Sakura's lips formed a shadow of a smile she once had and began to reach for the ramen. After a couple of bites, she left the still full bowl on her table as she went to take a shower and dress before leaving.
Outside, the town as bright and festive with banners, balloons and everything you could think of. All the adults seemed to be decorating every inch of the village while kids of all ages danced and played in the street waiting for the fun to start. They gleefully skipped around and pass every with colorful masks of all sorts and silly outfits. Sakura swiftly dodged an all out stampede of eight year olds playing some ninja games as she headed slowly through the chaos. It was easy to ignore the happy energy of the village in the beginning but just has it was wearing her now, she started noticing the looks. Adults, mostly. They eyed her with this pity look that made Sakura avert her eyes. Surely the whole village was well aware of Sasuke's disappearance so she wouldn't be shocked if most of them knew of her depression. It seemed pretty obvious in the beginning with Tsunade constantly going to her home at all hours of the day. But after a few weeks, she calmed and just stayed in a lot. Guess it was wishful thinking to believe the village would just forget. She must be the talk of the town, Sakura mused sadly in her head as she stride quickly through the street. She made a minor effort to cover her scars but knew it to be pointless so she tried to walk like she didn't care. To walk with confidence. Amidst her power walking, she failed to notice when she broke from the crowd and now stood in an almost empty street. She paused to take in her surroundings when she saw Naruto and Kakashi ahead with their backs to her. Taking a deep breath, Sakura fought to regain her confidence but it kept slipping away from her. She never could keep a front up with Naruto or Kakashi. They knew her too well. Were too close to her for her to fake it. Finally giving up, Sakura strolled to them. As she approached, Kakashi turned first and greeted her with a smile that you wouldn't really notice if his uncovered eye didn't give it away. Naruto then turned and looked at her, most likely gauging her mood, before give her his own little smile.
"I'm glad you came, Sakura. It's nice to see you out in the open again." Kakashi spoke first as Sakura stopped in front of the two. "Hope you're in a helping mood today. Tsunade is having everyone working this year."
Naruto snorted at him then turned to Sakura. "She is having us to all the grunt work, I tell ya. It's a waste of my abilities!"
A giggle escaped softly before Sakura noticed and both men froze a second before smiling for brightly. Kakashi tilted his head.
"It's nice to hear that again. Now let's get started before the Hokage sees us slacking." He pressed, walking at a slightly faster speed than herself and Naruto as he led them to their jobs.
Naruto was given the job to hang decorations on the mountain that starred the past Hokages of the village. Kakashi explained that Irika volunteered him for this job from his past jokes on those very ledges. He sat, enjoying Naruto's struggling the whole time. Sakura's job was fairly simple. Kakashi stated that Tsunade didn't want her to work too much and to take it slow so she was assigned to assist where needed and help whoever seemed to need it. She took the job and hated it in the beginning. Everyone seemed to be tip-toeing around her. That is, until a kind old man asked her to help him hang some shiny, red banners over his shop. The curious, cautious looks of on-lookers stunned Sakura for a moment before silently taking the banners from his dry, stiff hands and headed to the ladder he was standing near. The sighs around broke that tension and Sakura actually began to get into the work, even enjoy it.
Hours past and Sakura stepped back with her kindly neighbor to admire their recent work of hanging lanterns through out their street. The shy neighbor gave her a quiet smile and shook her hand excitedly.
"It's wonderful. Thank you, Sweetie."
Giving the smile back, Sakura said her welcomes as Naruto ran towards her on the street carrying a bunch of stuffed paper bags overflowing with streamers, banners and other assortment of things. He arrived in front of her out of breath leaving Sakura to wait impatiently. A moment passed when he finally grinned up at her.
"Hey! We're finally done! Granny Tsunade Said We Can Rest Now. Wanna Go Get Something To Eat? My Treat!" He joked, nudging her with his elbow. Sakura smiled softly and shook her head.
"No Thanks, Naruto. I'm Just Going to Walk around For A Bit. See How Everyone Is."
He studied her momentarily, make her uncomfortable before he tilted his head and smiled.
"That's Fine. Just Stay Out Of Trouble. I'll be at the Ramen Stand! Bye!" Naruto shouted, already half way there. Must have been really hungry but that's Naruto for ya. Sakura smiled to herself, unable to remember the last time it felt like this. A normal day.
Strolling through the streets, Sakura say the merriment of the village. The games, tricks, and performances done by street vendors and kids. It was absolutely relaxing and fun. Sakura even tried her luck at a game of cards. Failing, she handed some money to a kid next to her and encouraged him to try while she continued on. That was until she says a great performance being done on a makeshift stage near the ninja academy. The children of the academy were putting on a show honoring all the hokages of the village. Young and old came to watch, filling the street. Sakura mused that most were either parents or people just there to watch the kids fumble on their lines. She half smiled and watched the show until something on the Hokages' famous mountain glimmered catching Sakura's sight. Shielding her eyes from the pulsing sun, she squinted at the mountain, looking for the source. Seeing nothing, Sakura was turning back to the show until she saw the flash of black jumping onto the rooftops. She set her jaw and moved to the make of the crowd, away from sight before getting on the roof herself and looks around for where the figure had landed. Not a thing seemed out of place, this is, until a rush of wind skimmed through her hair, carrying a voice of the past that haunted her every thought. She clenched her eyes shut, convincing herself it's her imagination. Trying so hard to make herself believe it was a trick. Then the voice came again, closer, clearer, with touch as a hand toyed with her hair then touched her neck softly.
"Sakura..."