-- Disclaimer: I only own my imagination and the tools to show them to others via internet…
-- Warning: Unnecessary use of bad words… Not that bad, I'm exaggerating...
Naruto
Finally Clear To Me
By: Plushie-Sensei
Chapter 2: The Mourning Should Be Over
It was hot outside. Sakura had to resort to wearing a sleeveless tank top, showing her bare midriff and a small pair of shorts. It was slightly uncomfortable to be showing so much skin, since she was still paler than normal, nonetheless she felt healthier than she had in weeks, so that was a good sign…
She stood in the back of the Yamanaka Flower Shop, watering the flowers quietly. It seemed this was the only thing she was able to do nowadays. For nearly a month she'd been living with the Yamanakas and they had been so kind to her, but it had gotten to the point where she felt she was intruding.
There were times when she would sit at the table for dinner or everyone would watch a movie and she would just… be there. Just taking up unnecessary and possibly even unwanted space. She was tired of interfering with their daily lives…
She failed to notice her blond roommate walk in just as she voiced her thoughts.
"I need to live on my own…" Ino stepped forward, entirely prepared to bicker, but she stopped, her expression softening. Sakura's hands trembled as she placed the pail down beside the flowers and she turned her back to Ino. Her fingers drew in forming tight fists and she bowed her head. "I'm tired of being… such a… hindrance…" Her voice grew light with emotion.
Ino bit her lip, her eyes remaining on Sakura, even as Naruto walked in behind her. Naruto gave the girl a puzzled look, wondering why she looked so despaired, and then he looked up and his breath caught.
"Sakura-chan…"
Sakura gasped in fright, spinning on her heel to face the newcomers. She only had time to catch the sorrowful looks on their faces before turning away to hide her tears. Her arms shot up to wipe them away almost violently and she frowned, scolding herself for not noticing them before. Ino stepped to the side as Naruto walked passed her and approached the distraught kunoichi. She sighed, wanting to stay, but she feel more need to leave and let them be alone. It was hard when she knew she couldn't do much. She quietly left the room to help her mother in the front of the shop.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, but just as his fingertips touched her skin she jerked away and his hand recoiled.
"Stop it," she snapped, her fists clenching again.
"…Stop what…?" he asked gently. Sakura sniffled.
"…Stop pitying me…"
"Sakura, listen to me," Naruto demanded, grasping her shoulders and turning her to him. She kept her eyes downcast, unable to look at his face. "Pity you is the last thing I'd do… Sakura…" He called to her and she looked up at him, their gazes holding. "I'm sorry if it seems… that way. You're important to everyone. We're just worried about you…"
Sakura looked away again, feeling her chest burn.
"I need my own space… I'm tired of being-…of intruding… It'd be better for everyone if I…" she trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
"Sakura-chan, are you sure you want to do something like that? I mean, wouldn't it be better if you just stayed with Ino—"
"Don't try and change my mind," she said firmly, pulling away from him. "Please…" Naruto frowned, already feeling his resolve weaken. She turned to him again, meeting his gaze. "I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I can do this…" Naruto sighed in frustration, running a hand through his tousled blond locks. He knew she was strong, but the body and the mind were two entirely different matters. Sakura couldn't have been able to heal that quickly…
Then again, what would he know? Losing one's parents was a foreign prospect to him.
"I've already talked to Tsunade-shishou about it."
"What did she say?" It was quiet as Sakura bowed her head.
"No."
"You should really give this more thought, and time. What if something happens—?"
"I've already decided," she said stubbornly and strode past him, leaving the shop. Naruto sighed again feeling nervous. He had a very bad feeling about all this…
"Sakura-chan, hold on!" he called, and quickly ran to catch up with her.
Tsunade quickly downed all the sake filling the bottom of her bottle and breathed out in a raw growl. A charming hue of pink blanketed the bridge of her nose as she leaned against the wall just beside an open door. Her eyebrows twitched in agitation and she swore, regretting not bringing her extra bottle…
"Shishou, I'm finished," came the distressing voice. Tsunade turned with a scowl to her ignorant apprentice, but ended up just frowning softly at the large smile adorning the younger woman's face. She gave a quiet sigh.
"Alright, then…" she slurred, and stepped past Sakura and into the next room. She felt pleased despite herself as she examined the small, yet generous front room of the girl's new home. A nice kitchen to her left and a cozy living room to her right, and straight ahead, the rest of her home down the short hallway. The corner of her lips curled into a slight smile as she turned to Sakura again. The girl looked absolutely ecstatic. "Well, Sakura, it's your home. What do you think?"
"I… I love it," she said, with a little hesitation, but the smile never left her face, and that was genuine. Tsunade nodded and examined the space once again.
"It is nice… Though I still can't seem to figure out why you won't just stay with Ino, of even me for that matter…" Sakura said nothing and her smile became eerily forced.
"It's fine," she retorted, "I need the space. I've been surrounded and watched for the past or so month and I haven't had a chance to… To just sit by myself… and think…" Tsunade could only respect her devoted student's wishes. It was the least she could do. She smiled again and walked toward the front door, pausing only to place a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder.
"I understand," she said softly, giving a soft squeeze of encouragement. "I guess you're all set then, but just a word of advice before I leave." Sakura looked up in question looking a little frightened at the humorous smile on the Hokage's face.
"What…?" she questioned slowly.
"Just don't forget to lock your windows and close your curtains. Kakashi will be hovering around for a while and you wouldn't want him seeing anything he wouldn't normally."
"Shishou!" Sakura stepped away and shoved her master out the door, blushing wildly. "It's like I walk around my house naked or something!"
"I would hope not." Sakura grew white with shock as none other than her perverted former sensei strode up casually, with one hand in his pocket while the other held his infamous book.
"Kakashi-sensei… What are you doing here…?" Apparently, Sakura wasn't getting any time to herself any time soon…
"Oh, I was just wondering what your new lovely abode looked like and thought I'd get a peek—" His only answer was the swift burst of air that knocked the book right out of his hand as the door slammed in both their faces. Kakashi looked hurt as leaned down to pick up his book and Tsunade turned to leave.
"Hokage-sama?"
"I'm going home. Kakashi…" The grey haired man took on a serious expression as he pocketed his book, listening intently. "She's hiding it…"
"I figured as much," he replied, turning to the door.
"Watch over her for me…" Kakashi turned back the elder woman with a puzzled look as she walked down the stairway and out of his sight. With a quiet breath his eyes narrowed on the unyielding door before him. He hoped that didn't have a hidden meaning…
He knocked on the door and a moment later, Sakura opened the door. Her eyes narrowed and she was about to slam the door again, but he stopped it with just a lock of his elbow. She could've easily forced the door shut, but from the examining expression on the man's face it seemed he was acting serious for once…
"What do you want…?" she asked tiredly, hoping he would just leave.
"Sakura, if you have a problem, what will you do?" She squinted in confusion. That sounded more like a statement than an actual question. She wasn't sure what to say at first, but it suddenly came to her and she sighed.
"I'll tell someone…"
"Very good then…" She growled. She hated being treated like a child. "But remember that I don't like to be bothered so you'll have to use me as a last resort, you got that?" He released the door and turned toward the exit, leaving her standing there with a bewildered look. That was until he turned to her with that pleased face of his. She couldn't see his mouth, but his smile couldn't have been clearer.
"I understand, Kakashi-sensei…" she said softly, smiling herself. It wasn't often she got to see such a side of her perverted former sensei. It made her insides grow warm and she waved at his departure. Her smile increased as he nonchalantly waved over his shoulder and took his time using the stairs instead of just poofing away, as he often did. She closed the door normally, this time, and turned to take in her new home.
It had taken a couple days to move whatever belongings she had—left—into this small, but homey apartment provided lovingly by her favorite master. Of course, she had insisted on using her family's money, but Tsunade wouldn't hear it, and she meant that. Instead, she was to keep her parents' small fortune for more important things, and so she did.
As she sat herself on the edge of her large two person bed—and silently wondered why Tsunade made her get it—she found herself looking out the open window to the village landscape below. She felt herself drawn to the window and opened the curtains a little more to see the sun setting behind the far off trees. It was a little saddening to watch and she gripped the heavy drapes pulling them to her chest. She peered behind her, for some reason expecting to see someone, but found that she was alone. Her eyes found the wooden floor and she stood there, allowing the last of the sun's warm rays to bathe her skin.
"I am not alone…" she whispered. It was evening now and with all the day's activities finally finished she found herself to be more drained of energy than she expected. She stepped away from the window, and then stopped. She remembered what her shishou had told her about the window locks and glanced over her shoulder.
She turned quickly and reached out to close the open window, but her vision was suddenly blocked by a dim orange outlined in black. Her eyes grew wide as Naruto landed on the sill, knees bent, with a large smile on his whisker clad face.
"Naruto!" she gasped, backing up and placed a hand over her pounding heart. He suddenly looked disappointed and his lips drew into a pout.
"Sakura-chan, I thought you said you'd wait until I got back before you moved…" She made a face. She'd nearly forgotten about Naruto's brief mission out of town, though she didn't bother asking him what he'd done. She moved onto more important matters.
"What do you want?" she asked sassily, stepping in front of him, one hand on her hip, the other ready to push him off the ledge. Naruto smiled again, his grin as cheerful as always. Must've been a good mission…
"I just came to check in on you," he said in a much softer tone, making her drop her hand from her hip. "How're you holding up?" he asked, moving his legs in to sit on the window sill instead. Sakura turned away and stepped further into the room. Her eyes settled on the bed against the wall in the middle of the room. It was much darker than before, since the sun was almost completely hidden, but she really didn't feel like switching on the bedside lamp.
"I'm fine… How'd your mission go?" She kept her voice low as if afraid to disturb the silence.
"It was good…" he said, nodding. His eyes trailed to his left bicep and he frowned.
"You didn't get hurt did you…?" Naruto smiled sheepishly as she turned to him with a knowing glare. He couldn't hide anything from her.
"Just a scratch. So, I guess I'll be seeing you. Later, Sakura-chan!" he said quickly and spun his legs around to jump away, but he was stopped by a light tug on his jacket. He peered over his shoulder with a quizzical look. Sakura's head was bowed. She pulled his jacket again and he stepped into the room, his sandal clad feet next to her bare ones. He had to bend his neck a little to look at her now. Without her high heeled shoes she was a whole head shorter than him…
"Maybe I should take a look, you know? Just in case…" Naruto shook his head, scolding himself for having such affection for her. It never allowed him to say no…
"Sakura-chan, you should be getting rest." She didn't listen, choosing instead to lead him to her kitchen.
Naruto took a seat, tapping his foot nervously, as he peered around the spacious room. He was a little envious. Her apartment was bigger than his, but he didn't openly complain. He had a feeling she'd either yell at him, or worse… feel guilty. She might even offer to trade, though he wouldn't have minded. He'd end up with a bigger home covered in Sakura's scent. He smiled jokingly.
"Take off your jacket." Naruto blushed a bit at her forceful tone, but obeyed and removed his jacket wordlessly. The cool air washed over his exposed collarbone and arms and he instantly relaxed. Sakura appeared at his side and she lifted his left arm, regarding the poorly wrapped bicep with disgruntlement. She glanced at him once, but since he was too busy paying attention to the cabinets she returned to her task. Pulling up a chair she set to work unwrapping the loosely tied bandage. As she expected, the scratch was bigger than he'd let on, but she didn't say anything. Boys were always exaggerating things that made them seem cool and hiding everything else. She sighed and began using her soothing healing chakra to close the wound properly.
Naruto sat with his elbow on the table and his cheek in his palm as his eyes trailed toward Sakura. He studied her face, noting she still looked exhausted, even through her near perfect concentration. He frowned at the sadness that still lingered in her emerald orbs. He still couldn't believe Tsunade had allowed her to stay alone. If anything it made him nervous as hell knowing she'd be alone, even if he wasn't too far away now…
"Are you thirsty?"
"Shouldn't you be getting to bed?" Sakura stilled as she stood, her work complete. She was at his side and he was unable to see her expression, but he knew he struck a cord.
"I don't have a bedtime." Naruto made a face and looked up at her. She wasn't smiling, but she wasn't frowning either.
"Right… Sorry…" He heard Sakura click her tongue and then she was sitting in front of him again, looking him in the eyes.
"No, don't apologize, I guess I was just… hoping you'd stay a while… I mean, I haven't seen you in—"
"Two whole days," he interrupted, grinning smugly. She swatted his head.
"No… It was more like three anyways…" she added, emphasizing the amount with her thumb and index finger. He chuckled.
"Well, it's nice to know I was missed so..." She swatted at him again, but she missed as he stood. "Listen, I really should be getting home. I've got paperwork," he paused to make quotations with his hands, "And I don't want Obaa-chan yelling at me because I neglected to do it." More quotation hand motions were made… Sakura stood, suppressing a giggle.
"As long as you get it done, huh? Well, try not to burn her eyes with your bad grammar and even worse spelling." Naruto glared at her, feeling insulted. She only shook her head and pushed him back toward her room, grabbing his jacket in the process.
Naruto hopped onto the window sill and turned, accepting his jacket. He put it on, but left it unzipped and turned to face Sakura with a smile. She smiled back and bowed her head, tucking a lock behind her ear.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" he prodded carefully and she looked up with a pout.
"Stop doing that. I'll be fine. I've always had my own room… I can sleep by myself, okay?" she quickly added, making sure not to make the moment uncomfortable. She moved forward and took hold of both sides of the drapes. "You're making it sound like you'd be willing to stay with me…" she said in a lowered voice with a hint of a grin. Naruto counter by leaning closer, their noses faintly touching.
"What if I am?" He was answered with a smack on the head and he stood, rubbing his abused scalp with an impish grin.
"You're a moron," she said smiling and placed her hands on the sill as he hopped onto the roof of the building just outside. The window ledge came to his collarbone as he looked up at her.
"But I'm your moron," he said, crossing his arms. Sakura's smile faded a bit as he turned and hopped off, waving gleefully. She waved a little in response, but dropped her hand soon after. Instead, her hand moved to her chest where she felt a very uncomfortable throb. The night air washed over her, cooling her skin, and yet she still felt warm. She closed the window and locked it, then closed the drapes until she was shrouded in darkness, save for the small light seeping in from the hallway. A pleasant smile invaded her face and she backed up, chewing her lip gingerly.
"Right…"
Naruto stood on the rooftops, gazing out toward Sakura's home not too far away. The breeze fluttered through his hair and jacket as he smiled.
"Right…"
"Naruto." Said boy turned and relaxed as Kakashi sat at a close distance, reading.
"Oh, it's only you..." Kakashi looked up in mock hurt.
"What is it with you and treating your favorite teacher so poorly?" Naruto only chuckled and turned back to his new favorite window. "I trust I don't have to worry about any unexpected bundles of joy nine months from now?" Kakashi smiled a true smile as Naruto faltered, nearly slipping off the roof in the process.
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Shush, Naruto. You'll wake up the village if you keep yelling like that…" Naruto blushed and looked away, shoving his fists into his pockets. "I was only referring to the euphoric smile on your face. No need to look guilty for something I'm sure you didn't do…" Naruto glared, his brain wracking for the meaning of euphoric… "Or should I say someone—?" Kakashi was quick to avoid the shuriken that flew his way and landed further up the roof.
"Why don't you go read that book of yours elsewhere… I'm busy…" Kakashi chuckled and stood, respecting his request.
"Fine then… Keep an eye on her," he said and departed in a puff of smoke. Naruto said nothing, but a smile had somehow replaced his previous pout and he nodded.
"That's what I'm here for."
It was so peaceful…
The sun rested on the mountains and the stream sparkled as blue as the sky. Sakura leaned down and picked a small white flower and breathed in its earthy scent. Her eyes scanned the beautiful surroundings as she roamed about, her bare feet cushioned by the soft grass.
"Sakura…"
She turned, wondering where that had come from. As far as the eye could see there was no one, save for her. There was no way she could've heard someone speak that close to her with them nowhere around.
"Sakura…!"
Sakura dropped whatever flowers she'd been holding and looked all around her, twisting her body to see in every direction. The voice seemed urgent, as if in dire need of help, and then she saw it… Her eyes widened as they caught sight of a tower of thick black smoke just beyond the trees. Before she knew what was happening, she'd already starting running.
She pushed past branches, ignoring the prickling feeling in her feet as she stepped over leaves and broken branches. Her heart was racing as fast as she was and in no time she exited the forest. A sudden burst of heat engulfed her and she covered her face with her arms in an attempt to protect herself.
She peeked through her arms and gasped at the smoldering wood around her, burning furniture and wall decorations. Her arms lowered slowly and she looked around, tears springing to her eyes.
"SAKURA!!" The scream was so loud she had to cover her ears with her hands. She looked toward the stairs and ran to them. There was a pathway, a parting in the fire that seemed to beckon her. She looked behind her for a moment before racing up, grabbing the bottom of the dress she was wearing to keep it away from the fire.
"Where are you?!" she called upon reaching the midway point. She turned as the stairway did and looked up the second set of steps. There was still a pathway and the faint sound of a struggle was coming from down the hall. She continued, not knowing what she'd find. She was still unsure as to whose house she was in…
She looked down the hall as shadows danced upon the wall. She couldn't tell whom the shadows were of, but she continued nonetheless. The closer she got the more the tears leaked from her eyes and soon she was in a full out run, reaching out to the door at the end of the hall. Even running as fast as she was the door still seemed so far away. She couldn't understand why it was taking so long to run just a couple of feet.
"SAKURA!!"
"I'm coming!" she yelled back and soon she was frozen in the doorway, watching as the flames flickered in her eyes. Her mother and father lay on the ground in a heap. Blood covered wherever the fire didn't and the window… She turned to the window and saw a red cloud float out. It was gone immediately after she'd caught sight of it and she turned her attention to the two on the floor. "Mom, dad!"
She stepped forward, but as soon as her bare foot touched the floor, she fell. Everything around her began to get fuzzy and soon blurred to a point where she could no longer recognize where she was. Her arms flailed about, searching for something to grasp, but she found nothing. She hugged herself and shut her eyes, trying to ignore the taut feeling in her stomach.
"Mommy… Daddy…"
In a soundly thud, Sakura landed on the floor and shot up, throwing the blankets from her face. She struggled for breath as her eyes darted around, trying to find something familiar. Growing impatient she stood and hopped over the bed, all but ripping the blankets away from her sweat soaked body. She ran to her door and threw it open.
"Mom! Dad!" she yelled and as soon as she reached the stairs her entire body collided with a wall. The force sent her tumbling backward until she hit the ground on her rear. She grasped her pounding temples and looked up, her vision providing a blurry white substance. She blinked a few times and slowly rose to her feet, taking her time so as not to harm herself further. She stood in the hallway, facing a solid white wall with a confused expression and turned to peer down the short hallway.
Suddenly, it hit her almost as hard as the wall…
Sakura slunk to the floor, ignoring the swelling in her head as she stared at the wall, tears escaping her eyes. The dents in the wall began to blur until she couldn't even tell there were dents.
"No, don't do this," she told herself, wiping away her tears. "You're stronger than that…"
She pulled herself up and moved to her kitchen as quickly as she could and retrieved some ice for her head. She made it to her bathroom soon after and grimaced when she looked in the mirror. It looked like she'd grown a third forehead!
"Oh great… As if I didn't have enough of a forehead…" She scowled and placed the bag of ice directly on her head.
She made her way back to her room and plopped onto the bed, her back throbbing in pain. She glanced at the small clock on her bedside and felt even more frustrated than before. It hadn't been more than a few hours, which meant it was only midnight…
"…Shit…" The word seemed a little harsh for the moment, but she couldn't hold it in any longer. With a groan she fell back on the bed, making sure to keep the ice just above her eye.
It was starting to really hurt. In fact, her shoulder was starting to really hurt as well. She sat up and pulled her shirt down enough to see her shoulder. She sighed in exasperation at the large darkening red mark on her joint.
"…Dammit!" she swore even louder, ready to get up and—she paused, her eyes narrowing in sudden realization…
She was a medical-nin…
"Oh yeah…" She decided not to let it get to her as she healed herself, feeling relief once the goose egg on her already prominent forehead was removed. She took a little less time to heal the bruise on her arm and soon she was done, back to where she started. Her eyes roamed the darkened room for an anxious minute before she turned on the bedside lamp. There was still at least five hours until the rest of the village would awaken, but even as tired as she was she just couldn't find it in her to get back under the covers. She thought about a shower, but she was too scared to leave the room…
She sighed quietly and just sat there. She counted in her head, went over memorized mantras and even got up to neatly make her bed. Nothing seemed to be passing the time fast enough, though. She had resorted to lying on her bed on top of the covers and try to get to sleep.
She didn't expect she'd fall asleep so fast…
TBC...
