CHAPTER TWO: SAKURA-SAN'S TEARS
"He did what?!"
"Two kunai - straight to the chest. In front of Haruno Sakura's apartment building."
"In front of Sakura's? Jesus Christ... but couldn't he dodge the kunai?"
"Apparently not."
Tsunade swore under her breath and hurried to Sasuke's bed where he was still unconscious. As she watched him rhythmically breathing in and out, she thought fleetingly that this was the calmest she had ever seen him.
She moved over to the herb cabinet and began mixing his medicine. Basil, lavender, honey--
"Sakura...chan..."
The voice made her jump and she whirled around. Sasuke was still unconscious, talking in his sleep.
"G-gomenasai..." he apologized softly. The peaceful expression on his face had been replaced by a look of... fear? Tsunade stared at him. This was a new expression on his usually-emotionless face. He turned on his side. "I'm here," he breathed.
Tsunade almost smiled. She always knew he'd had feelings for her, deep down. Then a yell from the hallway pulled her from her thoughts.
"Sakura-san!" she heard Lee call. "Can't you wait a day or two, at least?"
"What kind of question is that?!" Sakura screamed, running into the room. Lee followed her, and TenTen and Neji were close behind.
When Sakura finally saw Sasuke, she froze. There he is, she thought. He's really and truly back. Her courage finally failed her and a single tear trailed down her cheek. Lee put and arm around her and held her close.
A speechless TenTen instinctively moved closer to Neji, who did not move away but rather looked as calm and thoughtful as always.
That was when Sasuke opened his eyes. He gazed up at all his old friends, four years older. And then he looked at Sakura, who was staring at him from Lee's arms like she'd never seen a boy before.
"Sakura," he tried to sit up, but his wounds still hadn't completely healed and he cried out in pain.
Tsunade rushed over from the herb cabinet and checked his wounds. "They're bleeding again. Damnit.."
Sakura broke away from Lee and sat in the stool next to Sasuke, watching as Tsunade applied an olive green paste to his chest, rewrapped his bandages, and gave him a sleeping pill. And then she left without a word.
Sasuke opened his eyes and was surprised to see Sakura sitting next to him, crying silently. Without thinking, Sasuke lifted one of his own shaking hands and brushed her cheek, wiping the tears away. He gave a small smile and closed his eyes again, immediately falling asleep.
Without a word Sakura stood and left the room, leaving Neji, TenTen, and Lee to stand there in stunned silence. Had Sasuke just smiled?
XxXxXxX
"Naruto!" Tsunade called impatiently.
Naruto ran into the room, looking livid with anger. "How could you let him stay here?! HOW?!"
"I really do understand your anger, but what the hell were you thinking, throwing those kunai?!" Tsunade asked, trying to control her anger. "What happened?!"
Naruto took a deep breath. "It was Shikamaru who told me he was here. So I was on my way to see you when there he was, right on the main road. He was staring at Sakura-chan, right in the middle of the street! And I just got so mad. I yelled that he was a bastard, but he didn't move, so without thinking I threw the kunai. I figured he, the great Uchiha, would be able to dodge them, but he didn't even move until they hit him!" he said all of this very fast.
Tsunade looked at Naruto carefully. "He didn't move to defend himself at all?"
"Not that I could see. I think he heard me and saw the kunai, but just... oh, I don't know. All I know is he loves her. I don't know how I know that..."
Tsunade nodded, "Oh, I don't doubt that," she looked at Naruto quizzically, "but does she have enough heart left to love him in return?" she sighed. What would come of her student?
XxXxXxX
Sakura was sitting alone in her dark apartment when the doorbell rang. She didn't particularly feel like talking to anyone, but ran to answer it anyway.
"Sakura-san," said a deep voice. It was Neji. "May I come in?"
"H-hai," said Sakura, moving aside so Neji could step into her apartment's living room.
"I came to check on you. Everyone's worried, and by coming myself I saved you from what would have surely been a very loud visit from Naruto and Lee." he raised an eyebrow at Sakura and sat on the couch.
"Thank you.." Sakura sat too.
"So," Neji said, "quite a day."
"Quite a four months, more like," said Sakura, relaxing immediately.
Neji inclined his head. "Yes," he said softly, never tearing his lavender eyes away from her green ones.
Out of all her friends, Sakura found it easiest to talk to Neji. He was always kind, calm, and honest, no matter what she told him. And he always understood.
"I...I love him with all my heart. I do. But sometimes I wonder..."
"If you're wrong to love when there's no chance of him loving you back? Or so it seems?" She nodded, and Neji sighed. " I cannot answer that for you." he looked her in the eye. "I don't believe it can be wrong to love, Sakura. Though sometimes... sometimes you have to recognize that it's time to move on." he sat and just looked at her for a long time.
Apparently satisfied with the advice he'd given her, he made to go. He walked to the door before he paused and said, "I know the old Sakura-san is somewhere in those eyes. I miss her. And I have faith in you." and with that he opened the door and left her sitting alone in her living room, tears soaking through her dress. She missed the old Sakura-san, too.
