(I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. I only accept credit for the plot.)
~Flashbacks~
~Thoughts~
Chapter 2
{Previously}
Ino turned to Sakura and extended her hand to the pink haired teen. "Hey there. You're Sakura right? Nice to meet you, I'm Ino." She smiled and Sakura held her gaze briefly. Staring at her hand warily, Sakura cursed inwardly as she snatched her bag, rushed over to the door as she slammed it behind her.
The class stared after the normally calm and composed Haruno as she fled the classroom. Asuma raised a curious brow at the door and sighed, running his fingers through his shaggy black mane. Tenten scowled as she glanced from the door, to the two boys in front of her, to the blonde who sat two seats down from her. Ino shifted uncomfortably before returning Tenten's gaze.
"D-Did I say something wrong?" Ino stuttered, rubbing her arm shyly. The bun haired teen shook her head as she rose from her seat. Patting Ino carefully on the shoulder, Tenten smiled softly. "Nah, she's fine. I'll go talk to her." Ino nodded slowly, and Tenten glanced knowingly at Shikamaru and Neji. The boys nodded as Tenten slipped out quietly from the room.
The previously empty hallways were now crowded with first year students looking around confusedly for their first classes. Tenten ignored them as she hurried over to the girl's restroom down the west hall of the fifth floor. She pushed the golden panel as she slipped into the restroom. Tenten didn't have to search far as she heard violent retching from one of the stalls.
Pushing open the door, she stooped down beside her pink haired best friend, tugging her hair behind her. "Sakura…you okay?" Pink hair bobbed up and down, signaling a nod, as she heaved the contents of her stomach once more. Tenten winced, as she rubbed the small of Sakura's back comfortingly. "Really, sounds to me like you're trying to throw up your soul or something?" She teased half-heartedly.
Sakura slowly pulled away from the porcelain toilet, pressing the silver handle. She watched as the contents of her stomach were flushed down the drain to who knows where. Leaning her head against the stall wall, Sakura exhaled tiredly. Tenten grabbed a bit of tissue and wiped around Sakura's mouth. Sakura nodded her thanks as she dug in her bag for her coffee. Tenten shook her head and snatched her thermos away from her.
"Uh unh. No coffee, drink some water." Tenten replied, pulling out a bottle from her own bag and handing it to Sakura. Rolling her eyes, she snatched it from her, mumbling a thanks, as she chugged down half of the bottle. Tenten gave her a wary gaze as she sighed. "Alright spill, what the hell was that about Sakura?"
Sakura shook her head as she rose from her sitting position. One hand gripped her head as the other pressed firmly against the wall, keeping her from falling. Tenten stood beside her as she picked up their bags and swung them over her shoulder effortlessly. "Listen Haruno, I'm you're best friend which means you can't hide anything from me. Just tell me."
Sakura gave her an annoyed glare as Tenten merely shrugged and waited for her answer. "You know what happened that night Tenten, you were there." Tenten nodded quietly. "Yeah, but what does that have to do with Rei-" Tenten halted her sentence as Sakura shot her a furious glare.
With a deep growl, Sakura grabbed Tenten by the front of her shirt, shoving her roughly against the door of the stall. "You don't bring her up, got it? And you know damn well why that Yamanaka girl is bothering me." Tenten scoffed as she pushed Sakura off of her, folding her arms over her chest. "No I don't know why you don't like her. She barely said anything to you Sakura!"
"She fucking looks just like her dammit!" Sakura spat angrily, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "That stupid blonde hair and blue eyes of hers! They look just alike! Looking at her makes me sick." Tenten frowned as she shook her head. "You barely know her Sakura; you may end up becoming good friends. Don't give Ino a hard time because you can't get over her."
"Fuck you." Sakura spat as she snatched her bag off of Tenten's shoulder. Tenten rolled her eyes as she gripped Sakura's wrist painfully. "Get over it Sakura. Reika's dead, she's not coming back. You might have been the closest to her, but you weren't the only who cared about her. It's a huge loss for the entire group but that's it." Tenten spoke sternly, noticing the pained look in Sakura's eyes.
Sighing she gripped her best friends shoulder reassuringly. "Listen Sak, I know it's hard. It's been 6 months already. She would want you to move on. I'm not saying you have to like her, but at least don't be rude. She's new and she's already alone. She could use a friend or two. Just try…okay?"
Sakura gave Tenten a soft look before closing her eyes, mind drifting elsewhere. "Say Saku?" Reika asked softly. Sakura lowered the book she'd been reading to give her a curious glance. "Hmm? What is it?" Reika shifted nervously as she looked down at her feet. "Rei? What's wrong?" Sakura asked, her tone slightly worried.
"Saku…I want you to promise me something okay?" Sakura nodded as she closed the book and focused her attention completely on Reika. "Listen. If something happens to me…ya know…like if I d—" Sakura shook her head as she crawled over to sit beside her. "That's not gonna hap—" Reika gave her a stern glance causing her to stop her sentence.
"I know you don't want to hear this Sakura, but you need to. If something happens to me…I need you to promise me that you'll move on." Sakura bit her lip gently and looked away. "Sakura please. I couldn't die knowing that you'd hurt that much afterwards. I need to know that you'd be okay, even without me." Reika climbed into Sakura's lap, taking Sakura's chin in her hand, she smiled softly as she brushed the tears from her eyes.
Leaning down, she carefully brushed her lips against Sakura's. Her long blonde hair, tickling the flesh of the Haruno's neck. Sakura returned the kiss earnestly, as Reika gently pulled away. "Promise me, that you'll be happy…okay?" She leaned in to kiss Sakura once more. Sakura pulled away softly as she left a small space between their lips before she nodded. "I promise…"
Sakura opened her eyes to stare at Tenten. Nodding she opened the door to the stall as the two of them walked out. "Alright…I promise." Tenten gave her a reassuring smile as she patted her back. "Alright then, let's get to class." The two girls slipped out of the restroom, heading back to their class.
Arriving outside the classroom, Sakura paused briefly causing Tenten to give her a confused look. "Want to switch seats?" Sakura shook her head as she sighed. "No you're right; I should try and make friends. She would have wanted that. I'll be fine." Sakura assured her as she slid open the door, the two of them walking in side by side.
Immediately, the eyes of every student shot to the figures of Sakura and Tenten. Ignoring them, the girls headed to the other side of the classroom. Taking their seats, Asuma decided to speak. "Ah, Miss Haruno, nice of you to return to us." Snorting she leaned back in her seat as Shikamaru and Neji, smirked from their seats.
Asuma grinned as he returned to his lecture. Ino took this time to turn and face Sakura once more. "Ne, forgive me Haruno-san. I didn't mean to offend you, I only—" Sakura held her hand up as she shook her head. "No it's alright. I just wasn't feeling well." Ino nodded in understanding as she looked away, looking slightly unconvinced.
Tenten nudged Sakura slightly in the side with a knowing grin. Sakura glared before turning back to face Ino. Scratching the back of her head, Sakura cleared her throat carefully. "Hey uh…Ino?" Ino turned her gaze back to stare at Sakura once more. "Y-yeah?" Sakura sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck softly. "Just call me Sakura, okay?"
Sakura could have sworn Ino's eyes had lit up as the blonde haired teen gave Sakura the hugest grin. "Alright. Nice to meet you Sakura!" She exclaimed excitedly, causing Sakura to blush slightly as she nodded. Tenten grinned as she wrapped an arm around Sakura's shoulder, leaning forward. "And, I'm Tenten! Pleased to meet ya!"
Ino giggled as Sakura groaned, shoving the brown-eyed girl off of her. "Now that that's established. Ino, how'd you like to sit with us at lunch?" Sakura glared at Tenten who grinned innocently. Ino blushed as she shook her head. "No no that's alright. I don't want to impose on you guys." Tenten smiled and patted Ino on the back.
"No worries, Sakura won't mind. Right?" Sakura merely rolled her eyes and remained silent. "Don't worry she's always like that. She'll warm up to you soon enough." Tenten teased as she elbowed Sakura playfully, receiving a menacing glare in return. "So yeah, you can sit with us. We'll introduce you to the rest of the gang." Ino gave Sakura a wary glance before accepting Tenten's offer. "A-Alright."
"Great, it's settled!" Tenten cheered. Asuma gave her a serious look, causing her to sit back down in her chair. Ino giggled and Sakura huffed, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. The rest of the class went by fairly quickly, as Tenten and Ino made light conversation.
The bell rang, signifying the end of class. One by one, students filed outside as the hallways roared with noise once more. Sakura swung her bag over her shoulder as Tenten grabbed her bag, the both of them headed for the door as they were stopped. Sakura turned to see who's hand had gripped her wrist as she followed the arm up to see Ino.
"What is it, Ino?" Ino drew her hand back slightly as she rubbed her arm nervously. A habit Sakura had noticed she did when she was nervous. "Whoa, why am I starting to pick up on her habits. I don't even know her." Sakura snapped back to reality as she heard Ino begin to speak. "Well, I…uh…I was wondering if you could help me find my next class."
Sakura sighed and nodded. "Ah, what class do you have next?" Ino perked up and pulled out her schedule from her bag. Blue eyes scanned over the folded parchment carefully. "It says from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, I have math with Kurenai in room 309." Sakura and Tenten looked at each other and nodded. "Well then, might as well walk with us." Tenten quipped excitedly.
"Huh, you guys in the same class?" Ino asked curiously. The other two nodded. "Cool!" Ino smiled as she looked over the rest of the schedule. "Actually, let me see you're schedule for a sec." Ino complied as she handed Tenten her schedule. Reading it carefully, Tenten grinned as she handed it back to Ino.
"Well what do ya know? Turns out Ino, you and Sakura have the exact same schedule." Sakura rose a pink eyebrow questionably as she glanced at Ino's schedule. Sure enough, her schedule was the exact same.
Asuma Sarutobi…History…Room 517…8-9:15am
Kurenai Yuhi…Math…Room 309…9:30-10:45am
Kakashi Hatake…English…Room 520…11-12:15pm
Lunch…Middle Gate Cafeteria…12:30-1:15pm
Guy…Physical Education…2nd Level Gymnasium…1:30-2:45pm
Anko Mitarashi…Art…Room 246…3-3:50pm
The three of them made their way to the third floor to get to their math class. "Say Tenten, what's your schedule if you don't mind me asking?" Ino asked as she shifted her bag on her shoulder. "Well, it's actually not too different from yours. The only difference is that my elective is different. I take another version of advanced P.E. at the end of the day while you guys are in art."
Ino nodded with a smile as the girls arrived at room 309. Slipping inside, the girls found a seat in the back of the classroom. They each took a seat similar in style to that from their history class. However, there were extra seats on both ends of the girls, allowing room for a total of five students on that row. Time rolled on as the class filled with more students. A spiky haired blonde sat down beside Tenten, as he playfully slapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey hey, sup Tenten!" Naruto grinned as Tenten groaned in frustration. "You've gotta be kidding me. This idiot is in our class?" Sakura merely nodded as she noticed the presence of another student. Taking the seat beside Ino, a spiky black haired male propped his feet up on the desk as he folded his arms behind him. Sakura casted him a glance and smirked.
"Nice of you to join us, your royal highness." Tenten and Naruto broke out into a fit of laughter as Sasuke glared at them. "Shut up, Sakura." He remarked dryly. "Oh yeah, I didn't forget that you still owe me for this morning. You've got a lot of studying ahead of you, Haruno." Sakura scowled as she crossed her arms. "Bite me, Uchiha." He merely chuckled before noticing Ino, who sat silently in between them.
"Oi, who is this?" He jutted his thumb in Ino's direction. "Oh yeah, who's the new girl Sakura-chan? She's hot!" This caused Ino to blush, as she gripped her arm and looked away from them. Tenten punched Naruto over the head, causing him to squeal and whine. "Baka, don't forget you have a girlfriend! What if Hinata heard about this, hmm?" Tenten grinned evilly. "Neji, would pound you into next week."
Naruto paled visibly as she held up his hands in defense. "Alright alright, I understand!" Sakura sighed as she cleared her throat. "Well might as well introduce you to a few of our friends since they're here. This moody asshole next to you is Sasuke Uchiha." This earned her a glare to which she ignored. "The idiot blonde pervert next to Tenten is Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto simply grinned widely as he waved at Ino.
"Guys, this is Ino Yamanaka. She's a new transfer from Suna. Try not to be total creeps around her." Sasuke rolled his eyes as Naruto grinned stupidly and nodded. Ino smiled softly as she waved at the both of them.
The class filled as Kurenai introduced herself to everyone. Time passed quickly, especially for Sakura, whom enjoyed math. Everyone shuffled out after the next bell, Sakura and the others followed suit. Ino waved goodbye to the boys before turning to face Sakura and Tenten. "Hey guys, I wanted to go find my locker. You can go on without me; I should be able to find it on my own. I'll just meet you in class." Tenten gave Sakura a small grin before shoving her towards Ino.
"Sakura will go with you. Just in case. Catch you two in class okay!" Tenten smirked as Sakura shot her a glare. Sighing she turned to face Ino. "Sorry Sakura. I didn't mean to be a burden." Shaking her head, Sakura brushed past her towards the locker. "Don't worry about it. Let's go." Ino nodded as she raced after Sakura, trying to keep up with her quick strides.
The two walked down to the lockers. Looking around Ino was able to spot her locker. She began to unlock it, the minute it opened; a firm hand slammed it closed. Ino jumped back as Sakura pushed off the lockers, standing in front of Ino.
"What are you doing here…Sai?"
{All right, there is Chapter 2. Tell me what you think. Read and review, the whole shabang! Thanks!}