Chapter two! Yayy...this chapter is a bit more serious. Sorry it took a long time to upload, ff is being all screwy if ya didn't notice. However, it might be just me. Anyhoo --- enjoy this chapter.


Chapter Two — Revealed

Sakura was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark. Complicated feelings had flooded her mind, along with many memories from last night. It was difficult for her to sleep with so many things on her mind.

She sighed, rolling over in the humid Spring air. She continued to try and sort out her feelings.

Sakura figured it was a little like this;

'Sasuke left me in the dirt. He couldn't care less about me. Naruto, on the other hand, would gladly risk his life to save me. He's kind to me, and he says he really cares. And I believe him. Maybe...'

Before her thoughts had a chance to take over her anymore, she had drifted to sleep.

"Sakura-chan, run, I'll save you!"

"No! I won't!"

"Just DO!"

"I can't leave you here! You're sure to die!"

"I'm sorry. I don't plan on letting you get hurt because of my cowardice!"

Sakura's eyes opened and she awoke from the dream. Light poured through her window, making her sticky and hot, warming the cold sweat all over her. Slowly, she sat up, and looked at the clock.

It was ten A.M.. She was supposed to be at their meeting spot my eleven. She swore loudly, realizing she'd have to pack quickly if she wanted to be ready on time.

Sakura grabbed a brush and ran it though her short hair twice before changing out of her pajamas. She pulled her forehead protector on and starting packing all necessities — and other thing she knew the boys would forget.

Sakura was finished packing by 10:30. She raced down the stairs and kissed her parents on the cheek, and then ran out the door, towards their usual meeting place in the middle of Konoha.

As Sakura ran, the dream came back to her. Collecting the memories, she recalled that it had been dark and silent. At first, she had been sound asleep. Then, she remembered the sound of someone moaning, The moaning of someone in great pain.

He had spoken to her. Sakura-chan. The way he said her name made it positive that it had been Naruto. He had told Sakura to leave. She had said no. He had finally had her convinced — then she had woken up.

Suddenly, Sakura saw Kakashi and Sasuke. She was relieved to see that Naruto wasn't there. She wasn't the latest.

"Ah, Sakura...I'm sorry. The mission has been canceled. Something turn up." Kakashi told her quickly, averting his eyes before she could watch him more intently. Sakura blinked, confused.

"What's wrong? Kakashi-sensei? Sasuke-kun? What happened?" She began to get more scared. "Why do you look so worried?" A sudden thought struck her and she became even more urgent. "Where's Naruto-kun?!"

Sakura's eyes widened even more as Sasuke clenched his fist and glared at the ground and Kakashi winced. "Tell me!" she demanded them, her whole body shaking, tears forming in her eyes.

"Sakura...Ever since he was born, the towns-people have hated Naruto. Do you know why?" Kakashi's voice was soft and sad.

Slowly, she shook her head, realizing that she didn't.

"Naruto's in the hospital. She towns-people blame him for Hokage-sama's death."

Her eyes became even large with shock. Only one word would come out — "Why?"

"You have heard of how the Fourth sealed away the nine-tailed demon fox, correct? Naruto...he is that demon!" Kakashi's voice was hushed, yet frightening at the same time, leaving Sakura to stare at him as the words slowly sank in, and the pain became less and less natural.

There were a few moments of silence before Sakura's voice came back to her.

"No. Naruto is not the nine-tailed fox." Sakura whispered, her voice gentle, but strong.

"There's no point denying—"

"I don't care if it is sealed within him! That's not the point! The Naruto I know — the one we all know — he is no demon! He is Naruto Uzumaki..." Her voice first started out harsh, strong and loud, but it slowly turned into a soft whisper, the weakest words she had ever spoken.

Without thinking, Sakura dropped her bag, and dashed away towards the hospital.


Hope you enjoyed. Again, I really like this story and all its fluff.