(( Chapter 7, here. I have no excuse for a late update, except my laziness.))
MASH
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"Sakura!"
Darkness.
Clang.
Sakura's eyes fluttered open. A nurse was picking up a metal try, that HAD once, had Sakura's food. The nurse glanced up, startled again, dropped the metal tray.
"Oh my goodness!!" She said, clumsily reaching for the tray. Sakura sat up, her head throbbed. A wide white bandage covered, most of her forehead. Another, over her hands, arms, fingers, and her cheek. 'Half way to mummy mode.' She thought angerily shoving her hands back under the orange hospital sheets. 'Odd color..' She thought to herself. A loud knock on the door, and another sharp clang.
"Come in!!" The nurse sang out. The door opened quickly and out came Naruto, followed by Neji.
"Sakura!" Naruto rushed to her bedside, ignoring the nurse who stared dumbly at both Neji, and Naruto.
"Naruto." Sakura said barely audible. She cracked a small smile, only for a second, for it hurt the cuts under the bandages. Naruto smiled wide, it hurt Sakura to look. Neji leaned against the wall, glaring. Sakura cast a look beyond Naruto to the dark captain. When Naruto noticed her not paying attention, he said:
"Neji, has something to say, Sakura." Neji's glare darkened, but he came to Sakura's bedside, aswell. Neji stared at Sakura for a moment.
"Naruto, I need to speak to Sakura."
"Oka-"
"Alone." Neji said flatly. Naruto stood up, pretending to be slightly insulted.
"Alrighty th-"
"Alright." Neji's tone took a dangerous edge to it. Naruto left, no use frustrating Neji more than he already was. Neji sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose, eyes closed.
"Stree habit?" Sakura said cocking her head to the side. Neji glanced back at her.
"Sometimes."
"I see.."
Awkward silence, only broken by another clang and a string of apologies. Sakura laughed. Neji stared at her while she laughed.
"She's not too good at her job."
"Doesn't that hurt?" Sakura hadn't noticed the pains before, mainly in her chest, and head.
"Slightly."
"I see."
Another silence. Sakura heard Naruto yelling in the hallway. Sakura turned to Neji, the question had to come out.
"What happened?"
"Excuse me?" Neji asked. Sakura cleared her throat and looked away.
"What happened, during the fight?" Neji paused a moment before speaking.
"Quiet a bit, actually." Neji said, sitting on the side of Sakura's bed. Sakura froze. She was sure Neji knew, for he scooted closer to her hips.
"First, you were fighting that woman." Neji said, leaning back. Sakura scooted away, slightly.
"Then.." Neji said glancing back at Sakura his hand a few inches from hers. Sakura never realized her hand was on top of the covers now.
"Yeah..what now.." Sakura said placing her hand on her stomach. Neji glanced at Sakura's face for a moment before continuing. A bang, Naruto's voice was heard clearly.
"ASK!" Neji closed his eyes before going on.
"Sakura, I think I owe you." Sakura's insides were a mess.
"O-owe me, what e-exactly?" Neji's eyes narrowed.
"I think, I owe you. For giving you a rough time." Hyuuga Neji, apologizing? Or, semi-apologizing? Strange combonation.
"What do you mean?" Neji sighed heavily.
"Sakura, are you really that--." Neji stopped.
"Sakura, I'm asking for you to, well, come with me to dinner, or something." Sakura's eyes widened. He seemed nervous, which was almost impossible. Or atleast, in Sakura's eyes.
"Well..yeah..depends on..if.."
"You're well enough to be discharged today."
"I-i am? How do you know?"
"Asked a nurse, you're so-called-'injuries' weren't that bad. So you're fine." Sakura pursed her lips.
"Sakura?" Sakura stared at the sheets.
"Sakura?" Should she stay or should she go?
"Sakura?" Sakura glared at the sheets til her eyes began to water.
"Sakura!" Neji's voice rising unchararistically.
"Yes?"
"Alright then, around..5, you can leave. Meet me at the Tower."
"Gaara's?"
"..If you want to call him that, even thought it's disrespectful."
"Sorry."
"Well then, it's settled."
He left without a word.
What had Sakura gotten herself into?