Gakkuri
Once again, this is a small break from Kyuubi's Gift so I can refill on ideas, and to keep from getting ahead of myself. This one is going to be like an experiment, I'm trying a new format, and trying for something a little calmer and with very little if no action to it and focus towards the relationships between Sakura and Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura, and Naruto and Sasuke. This is my first time trying to do a fic like this, so don't expect it to be great, but I don't think it'll suck either. Now, without further ado...
Chapter One
"Sakura," I hear Ino call excitedly, causing me to look up from my medical book.
"What is it," I ask calmly, shutting the book and resting my arm over the back of the chair.
"He's back!"
As soon as I heard that, I was out of my chair in a second and running through the village towards the gates. I really didn't notice the people that I pushed through, although I swear I saw a pair of colorless eyes watch me pass. I could feel my heart beat faster as I neared the gates, and I could hear my inner persona yelling about something. Pushing through an abnormally large crowd, I find myself in a clearing. I could only fall to my knees from the immense relief that washed over me the moment I saw the scene in front of me.
"H-hey, Sakura-chan," Naruto greeted weakly, giving me one of his signature smiles before adjusting the unconscious body upon his back. "Brought him back, just like I promised," Those are the last words he says, before falling forward, yet somehow managing to hang on to Sasuke.
Stumbling up quickly, I pick both of them up, calling for someone to help me. I see Ino and Chouji emerge from the crowd and run to my side. Chouji takes both of them, before telling Ino and I to clear a path to the hospital. I do as instructed and start yell at people to make a path as Chouji runs through the opening, headed in the direction of the hospital.
Please be okay! I think as I start making my way to the hospital, getting ready to examine both of them.
I was walking through the bleak, white hallways of the hospital before stopping at room 396. Hesitantly opening the door, I see him look at me quickly, before his gaze was redirected at the window again.
"H-hey," I stutter, fumbling with the hem of my skirt, strangely nervous.
"Hey," he responds, not missing a beat, but his voice hoarse and dry, as if he hadn't used it in a long time.
"Um, I wanted, to stop by and see, how you were, doing…" I see him look at me from the corner of his eyes, before giving a small, small smile.
"Why aren't you with him," he asks, his gaze once again averted to the window.
I fiddle with my skirt again, "Can I take a seat," I ask, ignoring his question.
He doesn't say anything, but instead gestures to the seat next to his bed. I quickly take it, looking down at my skirt, still fiddling with it.
"Why aren't you with him," He asks again, his gaze going from the window to me, and I could feel his eyes burning through me.
"B-because…" I could still feel his gaze on me, and I wanted him to avert to the window again, but he didn't.
Deciding to play dumb, in hopes that he would drop it, I say, "What are you talking about," I ask, looking up and giving a false smile.
"I mean, why are you sitting beside me, instead of Naruto?"
I should have known he wouldn't drop it. I think, sighing and looking back down at my skirt again.
"Because…"
"Don't you dare say it," He interrupts me, now glaring at me.
This surprised me, and infuriated me. "Why not," I yell, seeing his glare soften and a small smile accompany his lips once more.
"'Cause you wouldn't mean it," He says, placing a hand against my cheek affectionately.
"What do you mean," I ask, now actually confused as to why he would show affection for me, and yet stop me from saying those words.
"You love someone else," He says, bluntly and dropping his hand from face, which, for some reason, I didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would.
At this, my brows furrowed as I asked him what made him think that. To which he responded with, "Your eyes," Which definitely confused me.
"My eyes…? But how-," I start, before getting interrupted.
"Naruto."
This confused me even more then before. What about Naruto? I think.
"His eyes…" He says, as if trying to explain.
"What do you mean," I ask, hearing him chuckle a little.
"After Naruto beat me, and was dragging me back to Konoha, whenever I mentioned you, his eyes," He explains.
My brows furrowed again, "Naruto, loves me? But, it's only supposed to be a crush…" I say, sounding unsure of my words, even to myself.
I see him look at the window again, and smile upon his lips, as if saying he knew a secret no one else did, "Would you like to go out on a date with me?"
This definitely caught me by surprise, but it wasn't unwelcome, "O-of course!"
I see him smile slightly again, before saying, "After I get out of the hospital, but don't expect to get much alone time, Tsunade will have ANBU watching me at all times."
I nod my head, understanding that Sasuke was a nuke-nin (Missing Ninja) and that the only reason he was still alive was because of Naruto and I.
"Um, Sasuke-kun, what happened to the Juuin (Cursed Seal)," I ask, not as nervous as before.
This time, his customary smirk appears instead of the unusual smile, "Naruto's smarter then he looks," Was all he offered.
We stayed silent, it wasn't quite the awkward silence that I hated, but it wasn't quite comfortable either.
"You should go see Naruto, he's in worse shape then I am and you still have to thank him, don't you?"
I nod, realizing that I should thank him, and get up.
"Sasuke-kun?"
He hums his response.
"You really want to go out with me?"
I hear him chuckle again, before he says, "Yes, Sakura, I want to go out with you."
I giggle a little, feeling giddy, as the man I loved wanted to go out with me. I don't care what he thinks, I love him!
"Sakura," I hear him call as I open the door, causing me to stop and look over my shoulder.
"Even though you don't love now, I know you will love me…" He says, before turning back to the window, his words echoing in head, causing a Naruto like grins to reach my lips.
Poking my head into the room, I see Naruto turn to look my way and he smiles. I smile back and enter, taking a seat next to him.
"Hey Naruto," I greet cheerfully, not tension between Naruto and I, unlike it was with Sasuke.
"H-hey, S-Sakura-chan," He responds, his voice hoarse.
"Guess what," I say excitedly, seeing him furrow his brows.
"W-what," He asks, getting me to bounce in my seat a little.
"Sasuke-kun asked me out on a date!"
If I didn't know better, I would have thought that I saw something flicker in Naruto's eyes, before remembering what Sasuke said.
His eyes…
I furrow my own brow when I realize something myself. It always seemed like Naruto couldn't hide his feelings if you looked into his eyes.
"Good for you Sakura-chan," He says enthusiastically, well, as enthusiastic as you can get with five broken ribs, three ruptured organs, damaged lungs, six gashes, two broken limbs, and a burnt face.
I guess the saying 'eyes are the doors to the soul' isn't completely wrong.
We remained silent for a moment, before I shattered it by saying.
"Thank you."
I see his face twist in confusion as to what I meant.
"Thank you for bringing him back," I clarify, looking at the ground.
"No problem," Naruto responds, smiling like an idiot.
I can't help but feel guilty as he continues to grin, knowing that not only did I cause him physical pain, but emotional pain as well.
"Hey, Naruto," I ask, the feeling of guilt, although unjustified, making me do this.
He hums his response, probably tired; he did after all, save Sasuke, and from the report, kill Orochimaru, Kisame, and Itachi single handedly.
"How about, after you get out, I get you some ramen?"
His eyes light up in delight as I smile at his response. "Yay! Ramen!"
Giggling a little, I poke his unbroken arm playfully, minding his wounds. "Don't injure yourself now," I scold playfully, getting a grin from him.
"I have to go now, Naruto," I say, standing up and heading for the door.
"See you, Sakura-chan," He calls as I leave, when I hear him whisper, "Aishiteru…"
Review, flame and whatnot...
There you go! The first chapter of Gakkuri! Hope it doesn't suck! This'll be slight SasuSaku, but mostly lean towards NaruSaku as the story progresses...
