AN: Hello all! I guess this was a spur of the moment one-shot. Yes I do realize it is weird and that it may be cliché, but it's really just a writing exercise because I haven't been doing much these days.......
Which brings me to this note.........
I'M SO SO SO SORRY to all of those people out there who actually wanted to read more like firewitch and K94evur. I guess I just got so caught up with things back here that I've been neglecting things that I've truly been enjoying. Once again, I'm really sorry, and I promise by the end of this year (2008) I will post more chapters to make up for my neglect!
And without further ado........ the writing exercise...
ENJOY! (hopefully)
Etched
He stared at the scar etched deeply on his chest. He didn't want to believe what the nurses were talking about while he feigned sleep. That Sasuke, his best friend had left the village. That Sasuke, his best friend tried to kill him. And most of all, that it was his entire fault.
He just wanted to be assured that everything was a really bad dream -or even a genjutsu- and he would wake up soon, and go tackle a new mission.
But the scar proved everything wrong.
The outline of a hole that was forever carved on his chest and back because of his stupidity and inability to notice the pain and darkness that swallow his best friend whole.
Everything that he didn't want to be true was. That one confirmation was all he needed. Now all he needed to do was pay the price.
There were footsteps in the hall. It was Sakura's chakra, and it was her first visit. Naruto hurriedly buttoned his shirt and lay back down on the hospital bed, feigning sleep for the seventh time that day.
Sakura walked in the room. She looked at Naruto and sighed.
"You've been out for two days, and you are still like this? Hurry up and get better Naruto. Life doesn't seem the same without your noisy input."
She sighed again, and placed something -a vase perhaps- and took a seat.
"Today I brought you a dark pink rose. Pink roses are supposed to be given to people who you appreciate or want to thank. Do you hear me Naruto? I'm thanking you right now. Thanking you."
These were definitely not the words Naruto was expecting to hear from Sakura. For a brief moment, his fixed resolve wavered. So there was someone out there who believed in him after all.
"Naruto, this rose symbolizes my gratitude for you. For coming back alive. I couldn't bear it if you came back dead, now with Sasuke gone too." She laughed a hollow laugh.
"You know, it might have seemed like I disliked you, and I used to. I also used to think you were annoying. But now, you have become a really close friend, if not, a brother. That is why I am really thankful to you Naruto. So hurry up and get better, so what remains of Team 7 can reunite, and become stronger than ever."
Sakura paused, probably to muffle the sobs that were threatening to betray the delicate state of mind she was in.
"Well, I've got to go, but you better wake up by the time I get here tomorrow, or I swear I will beat you until you do!" her voice shakily warned. She got up and ran out of the room, the doom sliding shut loudly.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes.
Had the circumstances been different, Naruto would have been ecstatic to hear that Sakura actually cared for him. Had the circumstances been different, Naruto would have been very worried about the thin thread Sakura was hanging on to, but again, the circumstances were very different.
He slipped out of his bed, and without a backward glance, jumped out of the open window.
You won't have to worry about me slipping into a never-ending coma. I'll be up tomorrow. But I won't just be awake tomorrow Sakura. I'll be gone. Forever.
AN: I know... he's RIDICULOUSLY un-Narutoish.......... but I guess that's why it's an "exercise".