Title: Paper Lantern
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I don't own DC comics. I wouldn't mind owning Sasuke-kun though :D
Theme: AU
Prompt: Conversation Day : 1
Medium: Fanfiction
Rating: T
Warning(s): A bit of violence
Comments: Short drabble for now. Sorry this is very late. This is Paper Lantern Part 2. Originally, this piece was written for SasuSaku Month 2011 Day 6: Hello/Goodbye. This was going to be the Batman-verse story but I wasn't able to finish it on time. I've decided to edit it and turn it into chapter 2 of Paper Lantern because a review inspired me to continue the story. So, now it's SasuSaku Month 2012 Day 1: Conversation.
-S-
NOTE: THIS IS A FLASHBACK!
Emerald eyes widened as she woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom. Rays of sunlight peaked through the heavily embroidered curtains. She sat up in the bed, parting the sheer canopy surrounding her. Looking around she noticed the spacious room was decorated with rococo paintings. The mahogany wood of the chaise near the door matched the headboard, the vanity, and the other furniture.
As she strode over to the window, she recalled taking a nap in her office. Strange, how did she end up here? Was she possibly kidnapped? The thought terrified her and she sat back on the bed, searching her arms and legs for any injuries. Something shiny gleamed in the edges of her vision. A sigh of relief escaped her as she noticed the familiar music box.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Haruno-sama, are you awake?" a gentle female voice asked.
She swiftly unlocked the door and was greeted by an elderly woman holding a tray of food. As if on cue, her stomach grumbled.
"Good morning! I hope I didn't wake you. Uchiha-sama told me to bring you breakfast." Handing the sleepy-eyed girl the tray, the woman bowed respectfully and left.
"Wait!" she called after the retreating back just before she rounded the corner. "Where is he?"
She paused and turned around. Before she could even speak, a smooth male voice said, "I'm right here."
"Sasuke-kun! I thought you were in Italy?"
"I was."
"Thanks for picking me up at work and bringing me here. Where is here, exactly?" She had pieced most of the puzzle together already, but a few details were missing.
"It was Kakashi. This is the main building, Hallway C. I have business to attend to. The maids will give you anything you need."
Sasuke never did give her proper greetings. He was here one moment, just to let her have a glimpse, and then gone again in the blink of an eye. That was how it had been for over a year now. He was always leaving, and she would be unable to follow, forced to silently wait for him.
Even though Sasuke was the younger son and had less responsibilities, he was always working, always busy.
-S-
The first time she saw him was at the hospital. His clothes were soaked in blood, ripped in places to reveal the pale skin covered in red, blue, and purple. She was just passing by; dropping off the cellphone her Aunt Shizune had left at home.
The nurses told her to wait in an emergency room. A man was standing next to the boy. Eavesdropping is rude, she knew that, but she couldn't help but listen as the man described the boy's wounds and calmly asked for Tsunade-sensei. It was the name that made her ears pick up every word. The nurses insisted that the current doctor was perfectly capable of treating the boy.
At this, the boy turned his head to face the man. She had a clear view of the beautiful onyx eyes framed by straight black hair falling in front of his face.
"Kakashi, don't you dare tell them my name," he hissed.
"Now, you can talk? Just go back to being silent. I'll handle this."
A woman dressed in the customary white uniform with a stethoscope dangling from her neck walked in. Her name tag read "Shizune."
She accused, "Kakashi, what are you doing harassing the nurses?"
The man whispered quietly into her ear and she nodded. Turning to the boy lying down on the bed, she laughed, "I never thought I'd see you in here for street fighting."
He remained silent, settling for a glare.
"You'll need some stitches, but none of the injuries are serious."
As Shizune finished patching up the arm, she noted, "Most of the blood covering him isn't his. And before you ask, No, I won't tell your family. Be warned that next time I won't be so lenient."
The brown haired woman headed towards the door after leaving the brooding boy in the care of the other nurses. Sakura, stood up quickly and rushed towards her.
"Auntie, here's your phone."
"Thanks, Sakura. My shift is almost over there. Just stay here and I'll drive you home."
Did she hear that correctly? Auntie Shizune usually sent her to the waiting room. She clarified, "Go to the waiting room?"
At this, Shizune smiled, "No, stay here and watch the nurses. Learn from them since you want to be a doctor too."
Sakura slowly walked back to her seat. Feeling unsure about intruding on someone's privacy. Sensing her hesitancy, the senior nurse spoke up, "Kakashi-san, do you mind if Sakura-chan observes?"
"Sure. You're Shizune's niece?"
"Yes. Um, are you really okay with this?" she asked glancing at the angry expression on the boy's face.
"Don't mind him. He's just the typical rebellious teenager. Sasuke,-"
"I told you not to say my name!" the handsome boy complained.
"-I'm going to take care of this mess. Be nice to Sakura-chan." With those parting words, Kakashi left them alone with the nurses.
Sakura fidgeted, sitting down on the hard plastic seat by the bed.
"Sasuke-kun, it's nice to meet you. I'm Haruno Sakura," she extended her hand in greeting but lowered it when Sasuke made no indication of accepting the gesture. He acknowledged her with a simple nod and turned away.
A few minutes passed in silence. Then, Sakura tried again, "How are you feeling, Sasuke-kun? I hope you're doing better. My Aunt Shizune is a great doctor. So is Auntie Rin but she's on vacation right now."
Silence again. Not even a nod this time.
She raised her voice, "So what's your favorite color? Favorite number? Favorite food?"
He turned to her, finally, and spoke, "Just be quiet. I have a headache."
She wanted to retort, why didn't you say so in the first place? You don't have to be rude. But then she remembered he was feeling bad. And also, patience and understanding were important qualities that a future doctor must have.
So instead, she whispered, "Sorry, Sasuke-kun. Get better soon!" This was followed by what she hoped was a placating smile.
She spent the rest of the time watching the doctors and the nurses. Her wait wasn't very long. Soon, Aunt Shizune came back and dismissed Sasuke-kun and Kakashi-san. They walked to the parking lot together with her giving orders and warnings about his wounds. She and Sasuke-kun walked a pace behind them. No more words were exchanged between them.
-S-
And that was Sakura's first not-conversation with Sasuke-kun.