Writer's block. I never claimed to be a good writer, but I never realized how hard this was going to be. Gosh, I've kept you all waiting soooo long, but I wanted to break 4000 words! Granted, I took a long time to do this, but I've been dealing with finals (finally over, thank god). I altered the summary a bit, to reflect how it's going to end...
And I wanted to say, I apologize for the shifts in quality I find in my writing. Sometimes I'm really into making it sound nice, but other times I just want to fit it all in, you know?
Either way… About Sakura's jumpy personality, you gotta realize that she's still a teenager and getting over Sasuke was a big deal for her. Right now, at this tender stage, she finally got past her obsession with him, but like any hormonal teenager… well yeah, she still thinks he's sexy. Naruto has got his work cut out for him, and that could change depending on how Sakura reacts. Nevertheless, it's NaruSaku just because I'm a sucker for that pairing… Naruto has got his work cut out for him, and that could change depending on how Sakura reacts. Nevertheless, it's NaruSaku just because I'm a sucker for that pairing… Please tell me of my grammatical mistakes, I think I made a few.
On with the show.
Chapter 5—
The sterile hospital air burnt her lungs as her eyes briskly zipped through the people lining the walls. Each barrier was dotted with brochures and pictures of happy families locked in time and space, watching the hospital with a sentinel's gaze. Her emerald orbs came to rest upon the counter where a bored looking nurse sat twirling her hair idly, contemplating her nails over an outdated magazine.
"Where? gasp is Uchiha Sasuke?" She asked the stolid nurse.
The woman looked up, chewing her gum with a loud smacking sound. She yawned widely, and leaned back in her chair, taking a slightly deep breath.
"That kid made quite a bit of bustle, lemme tell ya" Her nasal voice smelled strongly of nicotine and tar, braking Sakura's concentration enough to send her even further over the edge.
"I realize this," she began, straining each syllable, "but where is he?"
She received a blank stare as the woman flipped through a small, dusty booklet of names.
"It says here only authorized personnel are allowed to see him," The irritating nurse squinted exaggeratedly at Sakura, "You don't look authorized."
Oh? I'll SHOW her AUTHORIZED!
Sakura cracked her knuckles menacingly.
"I've been working and saving lives at this hospital for over 3 years," Her words seethed through the air, "And I won't be stopped by some self important wannabe who has an obsession with overly colored nails and ancient fashion magazines." She slammed her fist down to make a point, sending a crack through the desk to the other side.
The woman haughtily turned up her nose, pointedly ignoring the interruption.
GOD, I'll just find him myself…
Coincidentally, Tsunade had chosen that particular time to come bursting through the door in a righteous fury, her angry features betraying little of her foreboding at the situation ahead of her.
This could end badly…
She looked up and saw Sakura dumbfounded,
"Oi, Sakura, you're coming with me," She beckoned with her finger, marching down the hall to an unknown destination.
"Hai…" Sakura nodded lightly.
Tsunade glanced at her apprentice with a slightly confused look, giving the student a mild chill.
"What is it, sensei?" She asked finally.
"Well, I was wondering how Naruto was, actually…" Tsunade kept her gaze focused ahead.
"What do you mean?" Sakura continued, perplexed.
"Well…he was exhausted when I saw him, if a little cheeky." The Sannin began, "He seemed depleted of chakra, I figured you'd help him out a bit…"
Sakura paused to consider it, trying to picture the image of her cloaked friend when she last saw him. The image was hazy, blurred at the edges with worry and nerve wracking energy; Everything was so muddled.
What the hell is going on?!
"To be honest, I was so angry at him at the beginning I didn't even notice…" She trailed off, "And when I heard him mention Sasuke-kun was back…"
The blonde Hokage visibly tensed.
Hormones…I swear, puberty is the worst…
"I suggest that after you are done here, you take a look at Naruto." She finally forcibly suggested.
Gulping, her student quickly nodded. "Of course, sensei, I was planning on it."
Which, in actuality, she was.
"Mhmm…" The older woman frowned, "Alright. Here we are, make it quick. He needs rest, as you well know…"
Sakura burst into the room with as little enthusiasm as she could muster, the pale fluorescent light spilling into the room along with her, dripping fitfully on the jaded face of Uchiha Sasuke. His onyx eyes stared blankly at the wall, acknowledging her presence with a faint twitch.
"Sasuke…" her stance remained confident, showing little of the fear her eyes betrayed.
Sasuke avoided her eyes with an almost stoic determination, only nodding at the sound of his name. The air was palpable with the agonizing shards of whatever broken fate might have occurred between them if everything had gone a little differently, each piece puncturing the tranquility of the glittering afternoon slightly more. Sakura picked up his charts, her eyes slightly glazed from the whirlwind of emotions whittling away at her mind.
"Sasuke…" She repeated, slight worry at the fringes of the word.
His eyes shot towards her at the noise, slightly obscured by the sweat plastered hair sticking to his moist forehead. The vision was almost spectral, an obliterated man from a broken boy…
"Everything seems to be in order…" She flipped through the pages, frowning, "Except…"
"Except what, doctor?" He asked, his façade of being unperturbed fading quickly.
"Your blood sugar is…extraordinarily low," the corners of her eyes creased in confusion, "It's as if your metabolism has been running at triple the average speed for hours now…"
Sasuke chuckled lightly, leaning back in his bed.
"How do you think the curse seal produces so much energy?" He frowned, seeming genuinely upset about something, "It increases the body's metabolic output enough so everything, from the mind to muscles, works at an increased rate."
Sakura leaned back against the wall, trying to remain calm. Everything he said made it seem so casual, as if anyone could stumble upon a curse seal and effectively give up years of their lives for a quick fix of power.
"Sasuke, that would have killed you if you kept the stuff in your body any longer…"
Sasuke barked with harsh laughter, the powerful emotion adding more effect to the metamorphosis from his prior stagnancy.
Who are you? Sakura choked back a few tears.
"As if you call this," He made a gesture to all the wires attached to his body, measuring all of his vitals, "living"
"Sasuke…" she muttered.
"Where's Naruto?" he asked suddenly, cutting her off.
"What?" She asked incredulously, The only reason he'd want to see him is to kill him!
"I need to talk to him," Sasuke muttered, sitting up and disconnecting the various wires attached to him. Alarmed, Sakura quickly got off the wall and ran to the bed.
"Sasuke, you aren't cleared to leave yet!" She reached to grab his arm but he rolled over the other side, landing deftly. He grabbed his bundle of clothes from the corner of the room and nodded at her with a grim determination.
"Sakura?" he finally said, one foot out the window.
"Y…yes?"
"Where is he?" now crouched on the sill, he asked her again.
"At my house…" She answered after a pause, trusting him enough to not attack her farrago of a friend.
Sasuke couldn't help but give her a small smile as he dashed away, though the meaning wasn't lost on her as either extremely fortunate or…just the opposite.
--
A butterfly gently floated around the head of the dozing blond shinobi, alighting softly on the peak of his nose. It batted its wings a few times, happily enjoying its new perch, dodging the small swipes his sleeping frame used to bat away the small annoyance. He finally opened his eyes, grimly acknowledging that the insect was there to stay.
It took flight again, it's iridescent orange wings and blue swirling patterns melded into the atmosphere like the muffled footsteps from outside the door he was propped against. The butterfly landed again, this time on one of the longer strands of hair peaking out over his eyes, giving him time to reflect on it.
You're a lot like me, little guy He smiled at the creature, Doing anything for that attention, huh?
"Well, I won't ignore ya" He sat up, letting the insect perch on his index finger. Naruto's ears perked up slightly, and he sniffed the air tentatively. Seeming satisfied, he went back to focusing on the butterfly that was now slightly anxious.
"Talking to insects now, huh dobe?" A voice reverberated from a farther area of the house.
"When the insect strikes my interest," Naruto responded coolly.
Sasuke looked on dispassionately, clearly not in the mood for word play.
"How are you doing, teme?" He continued.
Sasuke sat down across from Naruto, his onyx eyes obscured slightly by his dark bangs.
"You want a drink?" Naruto pressed onwards, always one for conversation.
"Do I look like I came here to share a drink with an old comerade?" Sasuke growled.
Naruto grinned ear to ear, rubbing his neck abashedly. There was a mysteriously guilty tension in the room, and a palpable silence that was muffling any of the commonplace summer noises that could have leaked through the cracks betwixt the windows or door. Though it was uncomfortable, neither was willing to let on that they were anything but purely confident…
"I guess I wouldn't know," Naruto laughed, "The only looks I know from you are 'I'm going to kill you,' or 'Why aren't you dead?' "
"When I go to court, I think I'll attribute that to the curse seal," Sasuke smirked.
"Yeah, aren't loopholes fantastic." Naruto chucked bitterly, tasting Sasuke's betrayal in every word.
Sasuke breathed deeply, his façade of serenity slowly fading away.
"It's true, though." He got up, his features for the first time showing the struggle he had been dealing with through the years. "It was like having a poison in your mind. Another conscience that really wasn't a conscience at all…"
Stricken, Naruto nodded dumbly.
Is he…apologizing?
"You don't understand I guess," Sasuke murmured, "but at least I can say I tried."
With that, he turned to go, his long white robes sweeping the floor gracefully.
"Teme," Naruto growled, stopping the Uchiha dead in his tracks. "Even when you try to show me a little respect you end up being a jerk.Just assuming I don't understand…" He trailed off angrily, "I have a demon swimming around my mind, telling me all the things I should do. Every time I sleep it's another battle with the Kitsune, it gets so tiresome that sometimes I just don't go to sleep. Instead, I'll go to the roof and watch Konoha, because even if I never get to be Hokage I'll sure as hell act like one."
Sasuke closed his eyes, enjoying the mild conflict that held them so close. As hard as it was for him to admit it, he held no one closer to himself than the blond sitting in front of him.
"Are you going to be there?" He asked, snapping out of his reverie.
"Where?"
"The trial…" Sasuke frowned at the thought. "arguing whether what I did was treason or unwilling."
Naruto took a moment to pretend to ponder, his eyes sparkling in the midday sun streaming through the window.
"Of course!" He said at last, grinning. "I'm always here for you, teme"
Sasuke was at the door now, facing the street with a rigid determination to not give up hope of retaining his sanity and his life. He turned his head and smiled lightly, taking one last look at his friend and muttering a light thanks. In a small burst of smoke, he was gone, lost in the crowded streets of Konoha.
The sun drifted merrily in the sky, stopping for no one in it's lofty descent. The azure pavilion melted to violet and gold, leaving Naruto to tend to his thoughts like a gardener in a field of weeds. It wasn't easy…
Sakura, on the other hand, found herself on the side of town opposite of where she felt she should be, flustered thoughts of love creeping in her head every so often only to be shaken away by another call for help. Life was frantic in a hospital, and as one of the more experienced medics, she found herself in the unhappy but necessary position of being on call rather frequently. Deciding to take her evening coffee break, she propped herself on the window to watch sun-stricken clouds burn away in the dusk and consider what she had on her plate.
Now, Sakura didn't like to consider herself jumpy when it came to decisions in something as important as love; her childhood infatuation for Sasuke had grown in his absence, though into what was the problem she faced.
It's just so hard to just switch from being head over heels for him to…teammates. I can't…just do that. Make decisions of love in a day…
Yeah, but you sure can make decisions of hate.
What…?
You've hated Naruto since…day one. Before day one, actually, if you consider how much your parents hated him!
Yeah, but he was annoying! Always in the way, trying to stop me from getting together with Sasuke-kun…right?
You're making excuses.
God, I know I am. I know. But isn't that what I'm always doing? Second guessing myself until I'm only comfortable being in 'love' with someone I haven't seen? That person who, on a semi-regular basis, stabs his electrically charged hand into one of my best friend's chest, even though most of the time…it's aimed at me.
A light crash behind her broke her mild stupor, almost sending her toppling over the ledge. She turned around swiftly and saw Sasuke stumbling slightly into the room in complete exhaustion. She knew that his condition was far more serious than he made it out to be, but he, like Naruto, had a knack for being obscenely stubborn.
"Sasuke, get back to bed now." She stressed, cracking her knuckles menacingly. He glared up at her, clearly unafraid. "Sasuke" she repeated, dire threats hiding behind each syllable.
His eyes softened lightly as he relented, understanding that maybe her medical knowledge could be beneficiary.
"You should probably go and see Naruto…" He groaned, struggling to his bed without her aid.
She nodded, planning to regardless of whether or not he thought it was a good idea. "Yeah, I need to check up on him."
"I'm sure that's exactly why you're going to check up on him." He chuckled, lying back in his bed, a clear bottle of water resting idly in his moist hands. It was a welcome addition in the poorly conditioned room. His eyes darted towards her, serenity exuding with a hint of smugness; A common picture for him a few years ago, but one rare enough now to warrant a smile from Sakura.
She decided that smiling at that wasn't quite prudent, however, and quickly changed her face to a glare hoping he wouldn't notice. She walked out, throwing a curt good-bye his way before entirely exiting.
There's hope for her yet… Sasuke shrugged, lying back, Though I suppose with the way she's treated him before, I couldn't care less how it turns out.
He knew it was a lie, though he also knew he would never admit that aloud. Contented, he smirked as his mind slowly slipped into a comforting daze.
--
A meteor dashed across the inky pavilion hanging above the ground like a massive mobile, as a scarlet ibis floating across the sky like a crimson kite attached to a carefree string of Konoha's hopes and dreams. The air was warm and thick, the slight overbearing tone shaded by the darkness of a moonless night. It was the curious kind of summer evening that left shadows constantly playing across the dim light offered by lanterns hidden amidst the thin fog; imaginations easily ran rampant in the slightly mystical atmosphere, forcing the population indoors as the night took its toll on the stilled village.
Sakura walked into her complex tepidly, not sure if Naruto was asleep. She padded lightly up the stairs, and, upon hearing gentle snores, opened up the door as quietly as she could manage. A light squeak, and the boy was up and alert in milliseconds, leaving Sakura cursing her clumsiness.
"Sorry, Naruto-kun…" She looked down, embarrassed.
Naruto cleared his throat, shaking his head to get the blood flow normal again. His vision slightly blurred, he rubbed his temples trying to get an adequate response to come…
"No worries, Sakura-chan," He said after a moment of thought, "I was totally up anyway." He grinned, his pearly teeth the only visible thing in the dark room. It shocked her how remarkably un-feral his grin seemed whenever it was directed at her, comparatively to the rather primordial smirks he offers his enemies or rivals. Sakura decided that she liked the smile he gave her…
"Suuuure," She smiled, walking towards him lithly, "that explains why you were lying down, in the dark, without a sound except a few snores, right?"
He looked up at her, a smile dancing in his eyes with the grin playing on his lips, nodding fervently. She sat down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder and sighing dramatically.
"How are you feeling, Naruto?" She turned to him, her viridian eyes slightly downcast.
"Fine, Sakura-chan" He gave her a small thumbs up, "why wouldn't I be?"
"You tell me," she chuckled, combing her fingers through his dusty yellow locks. "I heard you were a little tired, earlier…" She continued, trying to coax him into revealing his true condition.
Lost in the moment, Naruto lazily acknowledged that he was a bit fatigued, going no further. Satisfied, Sakura continued her gentle ministrations while humming a tune she recalled from her distant childhood, some ancient melody called forth from the crib.
"I'm sorry, you know" Sakura murmured after a time.
Naruto glanced up at her questioningly, slightly confused at the statement. After all, in his eyes, Sakura couldn't be at fault…
"For what, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura gently took her head off of his shoulder, breathing in the stagnant air before her response.
"For a lot of things, I guess…" She trailed off, mentally counting off all the wrongdoings she had committed towards Naruto. It was a long list, though not one she cared to annunciate
"You know you never need to apologize to me," He stretched broadly, deciding to change the subject "Yawn What time is it?"
Sakura shrugged her shoulders noncommittally, lying down on the cold hardwood floor. Her shock of pink hair lay in a sunlike pattern all around her head, an almost ethereal glow permeating from the rosette strands reflecting the dim starlight. He couldn't help but steal a glance, if for but a single moment.
"It's a nice night," She murmured offhandedly, her gaze drifting past the windows.
"Yeah, it really is" Naruto smirked, standing up.
"Going somewhere?" Sakura questioned, still lying down.
"Yeah, I want a better view of this 'nice night' "
"You could always go to the roof…" Sakura trailed off, glancing to the stairs.
"I could, but I have somewhere better in mind…" He walked over to her, extending his hand down, "You want to come with me?"
"Mm…" Sakura's eyes rolled up in thought, "Yeah…sounds good." She smiled, putting extravagant effort to show how hard it was to get up from her relaxed position. Once up, she dusted herself off dutifully and walked to the coat racket timidly, fetching a rather old looking leather jacket. Draping it about her shoulders loosely, she rubbed her shoulders for a light protection against the nighttime summer chills.
"Sakura, we're not even outside yet and you're cold!" He laughed, walking towards her, "here…" He took off her jacket and replaced it with his, the inside lined with protective padding which provided adequate insulation.
"Thanks…"
He's so caring, Shannaro!
She offered him a smile and the two walked into the darkness. The streets were lined with houses and dimly lit stores, a thin mist carpeting the dusty streets, a peace augmented with the sparse sounds of chirping crickets. The shinobi villages were rarely prone to such times of peace, so when the opportunity arose to exult in a brief respite, few passed up the chance…
However, the village's namesake (namely, the forest surrounding it,) managed to prove itself the antithesis of the village hidden within it. The undergrowth was thick and winding, false bearings could easily bring about the loss of direction and subsequently…a loss of life. The shinobi and kunoichi traversed delicately and adroitly, a cacophony of forest noise polluting their ears and yet…strangely it provided an innate tranquility. There is something about the forest that attracts those who were born inside the alcove of Konoha, and, though no one could prove it, perhaps it was what brought these two there.
Furthermore, the moon had broken free of the clouds that previously bound it, and in the struggle had seemingly burst open, dripping silver light on the busy forest and illuminating the grassy outcrop in which the pair was now sitting.
"Is this where you wanted to go, Naruto?" Sakura perused, slightly crestfallen.
"Hmm?" Naruto shook his head and rubbed some sleep from his eyes. "Nah, I just wanted to rest for a bit" He grinned.
"Lazy bum" Sakura muttered, lying down in the grass. "All I can see is tree!" She laughed, "Not very good for stargazing."
"Alright, alright, let's get going." Naruto rose to his knees, groaning audibly.
Sakura nodded, getting up silently. "Where is this place, huh?"
"Heh, you'll find out."
He started walking again, Sakura catching up in a few moments; shivering slightly, she pulled his jacket closer around her, finding herself enjoying the scent.
Ramen…
"It's getting a bit cold," Naruto stated nonchalantly, obviously not feeling it.
"Yeah…" Sakura concluded, noting the tension that had grown between them.
I don't like this…why is it all so tense? I have to break this damn silence!
"Sasuke-kun's trial is going to be soon," Sakura frowned grimly, biting her lip.
She looks so cute like that…
"Yeah, and I'm going to be there to back the teme up." He flashed her a thumb's up, "You're going to be there too, right?"
"Of course," She sniffed, what are friends for?"
"For sharing the ramen cost, of course!" He smirked, dodging the little swipe she threw at him. It was a gentle swat, but still, a gentle swat from Sakura could still send one into a tree at velocities generally undesired.
And that easily, the tension deflated like a punctured balloon, zipping off into the distance. Naruto pointed into a gap in the underbrush towards some indiscriminant monolithic object.
"That's what I wanted to come to" He laughed, "I doubted I would find it again!"
"What is it?" Sakura questioned, still unable to make it out clearly.
"A rock, duh." He answered matter-of-factly, "what else?"
Clearing the bushes, the object was now clearly defined. It was a slab of stone, a rose-ish brick hue swirled with a minty grey, though it wasn't the color which fascinated the shinobi. It was the position…located in the middle of a shimmering field of yellow-gold clover with no trees to obscure the deep blanket of sky above them.
With a great leap, he landed atop the massive stone, lying down on his back. He flinched at the cool temperature of the rock, but gently accustomed himself to it, finally turning his gaze skyward. Sakura followed suit, shivering at the rock's touch.
"Sakura, don't tell me you're still cold…" He admonished, realizing under the jacket all she had was her red tank-top. He wrapped his arms behind her head, around her shoulders, trying to get some of his body heat into her.
She's…not killing me. Wow!
"It's…gorgeous…" She breathed, mouth agape.
Naruto's eyes flicked back to her startled face, and he nodded in silent agreement. Really…it was.
--fin--
Wow. That was a long time in the making, filled to the brim with a heaping portion of not knowing what the hell I was doing. Next chapter will probably be last, followed by a hypothetical epilogue. Stay tuned though, I have some ideas going around for a few good one shots and another chaptered story, perhaps a sequel to this…
Cheers,
FallArbor