White. A color of purity and light. Red. A color of burning passion. Side by side, they used to be no more than just colors, with endless meanings. Now, the only image of red and white that comes to mind is a distorted one. All he can think of is a cold and bitterly bright winter day. Words that should not have been said. Running. Screaming. Calling out her name. The way white snow and red blood had seemed to mix together and form a gradient into her pink hair.
It's been few months short of a year since Sakura's accident. School had started only three weeks ago, and to Naruto, it felt like they'd already been there for an eternity.
"Man, I can't wait for lunch! Too bad they don't serve ramen in the cafeteria..." Naruto grumbled. He put his head on his desk and stretched his arms across the surface.
"Quit whining, dobe." Sasuke leaned back in his chair, but then leaned forward again and wrote in his notebook. The class had been given some free time to work in pairs on an upcoming project. Of course, Naruto immediately jumped at Sasuke to be his partner. As the raven haired boy (seemingly) reluctantly agreed, his many fangirls sighed in disappointment. Even though Sasuke knew he'd end up doing most of the work, Naruto was his best friend, and he'd choose him over a fangirl any day.
The bell rang, and the entire classed suddenly came alive with shuffling and closing textbooks. "Don't forget, guys, this project is due in two weeks. I let you work in pairs so it wouldn't be so time consuming, but don't let me catch any of you slacking of!" Iruka's words were obviously directed at Naruto, who only gave a toothy grin and grabbed his bag.
It was lunchtime at the hospital, which meant Sakura would be able to see her friends one last time. Even though she'd pretty much recovered from her injuries a couple of months ago, she still visited the hospital regularly, because it was recommended that she attended therapy sessions there, and partly to visit the friends she'd made in the children's trauma center.
As she strolled through the hallways, Sakura was met the the usual fond greetings from the nursing staff. The pinkette had charmed her way into all their hearts, with her soft smile, gentle green eyes, and polite demeanor.
"Ah, Sakura! Over here!" A friendly voice rang out in the cafeteria and a hand waved her over to a table by the ceiling-high windows. The owner of the voice was a girl, maybe a year or two older than Sakura, who wore her blonde hair in four spiky pigtails. Sitting with her at the table was her two brothers.
Sakura waved back and quickly trotted over to them, a blissful grin plastered on her face. She stopped just a few steps away from the group, still smiling, "Hey Temari, Kankuro, Gaara!" The normally quiet siblings couldn't help but return her smile as they greeted her back.
A few minutes later, the four were talking away, each with a tray of half eaten food in front of them. Sakura sat with Gaara next to her and Temari across. Kankuro sat next to Temari.
"I can't believe you're really going, Sakura! Are you sure you can't stay?" Temari didn't just say this out of fondness for her pink-headed friend. Sakura had been such a good influence on both Kankuro and Gaara in the last couple of months.
"I wish I could, but I've already missed a month of school, and my parents have put so much effort into getting me what I needed so I wouldn't be left back this year.." Sakura had spent most of the summer taking make up courses and studying her butt off. She didn't intend on discarding those efforts.
"I know, but why couldn't you just go to school around here? I mean, Konoha is SOOOOO far away..."
"Better yet, she could just come back to Suna with us and go to school there." Kankuro jokingly chimed, though his sad smile contrasted with his tone. He'd been hospitalized a while ago for overdosing on drugs. Gaara had been sent to the ER around the same time after his violent temper had left him and several angry gang members in a bloody mess. Both boys were far from help until they met the girl with the same maternal look as their late uncle and mother. Rehab seemed to fly by much smoother with Sakura around, and her influence had helped them change so much that they themselves were only days away from being sent home.
Sakura laughed a bit, "It's tempting, but my parents have already put so much effort into bringing me here. We all have lives we need to get back to..." She did her fake smile to hide that fact that she would miss them as much as they would miss her. The only one to catch it was Gaara, but he sat silently, patiently watching the conversation play out.
The group reminisced a little longer, sitting in the sunlight whilel the cafeteria slowly became less crowded. Finally it was time for their final good-byes and bittersweet farewell hugs. Sakura wished Kankuro and Gaara the best luck in their recovery. They exchanged phone numbers and with one final good-bye, Sakura turned her back to leave.
"Sakura"
Sakura turned around to see Gaara watching her with that look that said he was reading into your mind. He wasn't one to talk in the past, but he was getting better at it. Sakura smiled "Yeah Gaara?"
"..." He took one last mental picture of that gentle look on her face, "I hope your memories come back, and that they bring you happiness."
Sasuke preferred not to join clubs. It wasn't because he didn't like competition. In fact, he loved being the victor in any sort of challenge. But practicing and bonding with a team that changed every year was not his thing. He preferred the company of his select few friends. Even so, he somehow found himself helping the archery team out from time to time. Even though he didn't compete or practice nearly as much as them, he was still better than their tops archers. In exchange for his help, they let him use their equipment and practice space whenever he felt like it. Besides, who was gonna stop the great Uchiha prodigy?
School had ended a bit ago, and the archery club wasn't even practicing today, but Sasuke needed to kill some time while waiting for Naruto to get out of detention (the idiot was caught sleeping in class. Again.)Figuring it was almost time they'd release his friend, Sasuke put his bow and other equipment away and headed towards Kakashi's classroom, where Naruto was being detained.
The classroom was near the main office, and as Sasuke rounded the corner, he heard Kakashi's low, calm tone. It was the voice Kakashi usually used to explain things to Naruto. As Sasuke got closer, he could begin to make out what the two were saying so quietly in front of the main office.
"B-but... how can she just forget... maybe she'll remember if she sees me..." Naruto spoke in a broken voice and a distant look that might make you think he was talking to himself.
Kakashi sighed as he stood between Naruto and the door to the main office. "I don't think it'll be that simple. And don't even think about trying to force her to remember. It'll probably just confuse her..."
The helpless and sad look Naruto wore gave Sasuke a slight clue, but he wasn't certain. He followed Naruto's eyes as they stared through the window in the wall that peered into the main office. Standing by the desk, talking to secretary Shizune, was a girl with unique pink hair. It was shorter than the last time Sasuke saw it.
"Sa...kura..." Sasuke mumbled. He hid most of his emotions behind his usual facade, but saying just her name made his hand clench into fists.
Before he could throw the office doors open, before he could call her name out louder, before he could voice the same questions Naruto had earlier, Kakashi placed a firm hand on Sasuke's shoulder, and another on Naruto's. Kakashi shifted his stance so he blocked both of their views from the girl in the office. Staring them both in the eye, the white haired man sighed "Sasuke, perfect timing. I was just explaining the situation to Naruto, so listen closely, because I expect you of all people to understand this the first time I tell you. Sakura Haruno has returned to school after an extensive stay in the hospital. I know you two were the closest to her, and the staff and I agree it would be best for you two to help her readjust herself back into school. The only problem is that her accident last year left her with some severe memory loss. It was advised to us that no one should try to force her memories back. They are to come on their own. I need you two to still be there for her, however. Is this understood?"
His words take a while to sink into Sasuke's head, but he's smart, and once he understands, he gives an affirmative nod. Naruto looks down to the floor and balls his hands into tight fists at his sides, but it's obvious the blond comprehends Kakashi's sudden words.
Kakashi turns his head and makes eye contact with Shizune, who'd just finished reviewing paperwork with Mr and Mrs Haruno. The secretary motions for him and the two boys to come into the office. Kakashi nods, and in an instant, he is behind Sasuke and Naruto, hands still on their shoulders, ushering them into the office.
Even though the flight was only an hour, Sakura still felt that her parents were rushing things by stopping by the school immediately after they landed. There was no arguing, though. Her parents had already prepared most of her forms and were finalizing things with the secretary. Her parents were always ones who wanted to make sure everything was set in stone before they left. She sighed and leaned against the wall a bit, eyeing the schedule she'd just been handed. She skimmed over the names of a few of her teachers. A few names look familiar. Maybe it's just her imagination.
The office door opens up and two boys and a teacher walk in. Sakura peels her eyes from her sheet of paper and makes eye contact with the white haired man first. He's wearing an eye patch and a mask over his face. How odd. Even so, the man seems to have a professional air about him.
Shizune gets up from her secretary desk and walks over to the man. Facing Sakura, she puts on a calm smile and introduces them, "Ah, Sakura, this is Kakashi Hatake. He's going to be your history teacher. And the blond here is Naruto Uzumaki, and this is Sasuke Uchiha. They have similar schedules to yours, so I thought they could help you around the school your first few days."
Naruto's eyes beamed to Sakura's face. He looked for any sign of recognition. Any sign that maybe Kakashi was just playing a trick on him and the Sakura he knew was still there. A polite smile stretched across the pinkette's face as she reached her hand out to him "Sakura Haruno" she chimed.
Naruto's heart twisted a bit in disappointment at the formality, but he was sure to regain himself. He put on his own toothy smile (It reminded her of a rebellious boy who was always scheming. Gotta keep an eye out on this one.) and extended his hand out for a firm, friendly handshake. "Nice to meet you, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura turned to the other boy, who stood there with his hands in his pockets and seemed to be looking on with uninterested eyes. Sakura wondered if she'd done anything wrong to deserve that distant look. The raven haired boy sighed and extended his hand out. She happily completed the shake "It's nice to meet you, Sasuke!"
"Aah." He mumbled. Her green eyes shined with friendliness, but he could only return the look with a cold one.
"Ne ne, let me see your schedule, Sakura-chan?"
Naruto seemed to bounce with energy as he walked side by side with her. Sasuke followed a few steps behind the two, hands still in his pockets, face still giving that disinterested look. The adults had left them to take Sakura on a quick tour of the school. The halls echoed the voices of clubs and sports teams- the only other students still left in the building.
Sakura shuffled her paper into Naruto's hands, who immediately got to work scanning the sheet "Hey, we got homeroom and math together! Oh, and the three of us have the same history, writing, and lunch...hm, but I won't see you for science, gym, or study hall... but I think teme will be there with you!"
Naruto moved back a bit to show Sasuke the schedule. He gave an affirmative "hn" and nodded his head. The blond bounced back over to Sakura and motioned for her to follow him.
The boys walked her through her schedule, and with each classroom, Sasuke couldn't help but noticed the contemplating look on Sakura's face that told him she was mentally mapping the building in her mind. He remembered how smart she is. How, even though he was known for his good grades and academic achievements, there'd been times when Sakura bested him in knowledge. Memories of group study sessions, long pink hair annoyingly draped over his work, and a soft voice explaining things to a prideful, reluctant Uchiha crossed Sasukes mind. He pushed the memories back and kept up his facade.
The tour hadn't taken too long, but by the time the trio returned to the main office, Sakura's parents looked impatient.
Sakura noticed right away, but before rushing off she turned "Thank you both so, so much, Naruto, Sasuke-kun!" She ignored the fact the way the names seemed to roll so naturally off her tongue.
"Hehe, it was our pleasure! See you tomorrow, Sakura-chan!" Naruto beamed.
"...See ya..." Sasuke muttered as they watched the Haruno family exit the main entrance.
Then the two of them were off on their own way home, walking together as they'd done since middle school.
"Oi, Sasuke, you noticed too, right? Sakura's parents don't seem to have changed much..." Naruto muttered. The two of them recalled the strict and busy Haruno parents who seemed to never have enough time for their daughter, and yet put her on such a high pedestal that they expected nothing but the best for and from her.
"Hn...even after all that...nothing's changed..." Sasuke wasn't just referring to Mr and Mrs Haruno. He recalled Sakura's beaming smile and thoughtful looks. Naruto continued rambling, so he didn't notice the short lived smirk that formed on Sasuke's face.
Author's notes
I know, Naruto high school AUs have been done, and the manga's over, and all that jazz, but I just wanted to try. hopefully this wasn't too slow paced. I plan on writing more, so please bear with me