-Okay, so Sasuke returned to the village, expecting some kind of reception, happy/mad out-to-kill-him friends, but nothing of the sort happens. Why? Does it have something to do with a pregnant Hinata, an agonized Naruto, and an overprotective Sakura and her huge group of bodyguards? -Based off of Breaking Dawn-
Okay, as I said in the last chapter in my little foot note, the girls of Konoha (Ino, Tenten, Hinata, Hinabi, Tsunade, Shizune, Anko, and Kurenai) and Temari all know something the guys don't know, but Ino, Tenten, Hinata, and Temari know more about that little something. Yeah, so in this chapter, there will be more foreshadowing about that. Also, thank you for the reviews and comments! If you have anything you want to see in this story, please write it in your comment. I will gladly consider it. Also, the chapter's named after Enya's Only Time. Please enjoy the story!
Chapter Seven
Only Time
Sakura felt the smooth, cold wooden floor beneath her knees and then it was pressed against the skin of her arms and the skin of her cheek. But it didn't matter to her because she was finally able to cry her whole heart out. She was finally able to relieve herself of the heavy weight on her heart. She was finally able to cry once more, safe in her own room. Her parents were gone, so she didn't need to worry about worrying them with her loud endless cries. Nope, she was able to cry . . . until she couldn't cry anymore.
How in the world did I let this happen? she thought. How in the world could I have let it go this far? Why did I decide to act noble? Just to hurt myself again? Just to have my heart gouged out of my body? She cried louder. Why did I let this happen? Why was I so stupid? She cried and cried into the darkness of her own room. The surrounding silence made it easier for her to weep.
It was that moment when she felt a gentle hand on her back. "Shh, it's okay," came Ino's soft voice. "Nobody will blame you… You've let all of your sorrow gather in your heart for such a long time… It's okay to cry… You don't have to be strong, and you don't have to act like you are…"
Sakura lifted her face from the ground and hugged her friend, crying still as loudly.
Ino stroked her friend's hair. "Shh, it's okay… I'm here for you… I'm here… You don't have to go through this alone…" Seeing Sakura like this made tears flow down her face as well. "We'll get through this together… You're not alone…"
"I don't why I have to go through all of this! I don't know why this has to happen to me!" Sakura cried into her friend's shoulder. "I've tried to be understanding! And I've tried to be nice! But it all comes back and bites me! I don't know why it has to turn out this way! I'm so upset, Ino! I really don't know what I'll do! Even when this is all over, I don't know how life will return to the way it was!"
"It's okay…" Ino cooed. "We'll find a way… We always do…"
"I don't know if I can believe that…" Sakura said once her cries subsided. She tried to smile. "Hinata's like a sister to me, and Naruto . . . he's more like a brother . . . who I dated… I don't know if I can stand it seeing them together all the time… It hurts my pride… Or all that's left of it, actually… I don't know if I can come out of this in one piece… Everything's just too much… It all hurts so much, Ino… I really don't know what to do anymore… I really don't…"
"Daijōbu… Love is something that returns[1]…" Ino reassured. "Hinata and Naruto won't forget what you're doing and what you've done for them. They won't forget your sacrifices…"
"I'm so upset, Ino… I feel like my heart's been stepped on and ripped to pieces… I regret giving them my love… I regret getting so attached… It feels like I'm suffocating, Ino…"
"It'll get better. You'll see…"
Sakura didn't say anything, just nodded her head.
"You can cry if you want . . . until you feel better…"
"I don't think crying is going to solve anything…"
"But it'll make you feel better…"
"How long do I stay as a child, Ino? I feel as though you're all leaving me behind…"
"We'll wait for you… And besides, you won't be a child for long… It's best to make the most out of it…"
"I really don't know if I can trust that, Ino. Trusting someone has only let me down… I don't know if I can trust anyone anymore…" Sakura's tears poured from her eyes again. "I don't know… I just don't… When I found out my father wasn't my real father, I was hurt… I was so upset… I see the signs, and I know that . . . for a fact, my mom might not be my real mother either, but I . . . I just don't want to believe that… I just don't, Ino. I don't want to be hurt like that ever again… Is it too much to ask for? Should I just give into the sadness? Should I?" she wailed.
Outside in the hall, Sasuke and Naruto had heard more than enough. Even though it was less pain than they've experienced, they still didn't like the fact that their teammate had to go through it. What had she done to deserve it anyway? All she's done was forgive and forget, that's all. Was it a crime to forgive your friends?
"It's my fault, all my fault…" Naruto said, shaking his head, as he slid to the floor. "If I had been more careful, none of this would've happened."
Sasuke just stared at the demon-container. What had he meant when he said that? But then he realized something.
"Her mom said that she had . . . accepted you as Sakura's . . . boyfriend…" he stated out loud.
Naruto just nodded his head, his eyes glassy. "It was probably when I had asked her out for the millionth time…"—he let out a chuckle, remembering that day—"She finally accepted… It was probably a month after that when I had to go on a mission with Hinata, just three weeks ago… The one you saw us on… That was when it happened…"
Sasuke just listened closely. He knew that this story would probably explain Sakura's horrible attitude towards both of them, so he decided not to interrupt. He also wanted someone else besides himself to blame. He wouldn't admit it out loud nor would he admit it to himself but, in reality, he really didn't like it when Sakura cried. He just didn't.
"Hinata and I had to investigate something about an Akatsuki member causing trouble or something…" Naruto continued. "It was the one in the orange mask, Tobi. We finally cornered him when he threw something kind of bomb at us. It exploded, but we only thought it was a smokescreen. The effects, though, took place a few hours after that. We were drugged, and it . . . sort of happened…"
"Oh dear Kami-sama…" Sasuke muttered. "So you two-timed on Sakura without actually meaning to… That's really quite some story… Remember to tell it to your child: 'Oh, and sweetie, you were born, not cuz Mommy and I meant it but only because Mommy and I were drugged.' Yeah, I'm sure your child will get a kick out of that."
Naruto ignored Sasuke's side-comment and continued. "I know I hurt Sakura, and I feel guilty about it, but . . . I have to take responsibility for the child, demon or not… The baby's mine, and it's because of it that Hinata's dieing… I don't know what to do about Sakura, but all I know is . . . it's that I'll never be able to pay off my debt to her for all that she's done for Hinata…"
Sasuke nodded. "Well, at least you're noble. Hinata's father won't completely look down on you…"
"Thanks . . . I think…" Naruto smiled a bit.
"And besides, I don't think Sakura holds it against you." Sasuke went on. "If you had left Hinata after knocking her up, Sakura would've killed you right on the spot. And if you did manage to survive, you'd have the whole Hyuga clan, Tenten, Ino, Kurenai, Tsunade, Shizune, and Temari after you… The main thing is that you took responsibility for your actions. Any good Hokage would've done what you did."
Naruto just stared at the Uchiha. "Hey… Are you sure you're alright, Teme? Why are you talking so much?" The next minute, Naruto had a huge bump on his head and a black eye. "I was only kidding…"
"Think before you speak…" Sasuke told him while cracking his knuckles.
✿.。.:*An hour later*.:。✿
Ding-Dong!
"Oh, it's Shizune…" Ino said as she unlocked the door.
"Where's . . . Sakura?" Shizune said as she huffed and puffed from running so long.
Naruto and Sasuke were about to speak up, but Sakura appeared at the staircase. All hints of her tears were gone.
"Oh, Shizune-san… Do you have the remedy?" she asked.
"Yes," Shizune threw a large glass float[2] towards the pink-haired kunoichi who caught it gracefully.
"Arigato… This should make Hinata feel better." Sakura sprinted up the stairs and into the drawing room with Shizune, Ino, Sasuke, and Naruto following. She took out a plastic cup and a small diamond. Using the diamond, she started tracing a circle on the glass float.
"Anoo . . . what is that?" Karin asked.
"An ancient remedy for demon pregnancies," Shikamaru answered as Sakura took out a suction cup and stuck it to the newly-made glass lid. "We found it in an ancient scroll. Apparently, it's supposed to strengthen the mother of the child during pregnancy. From what we read, the potion does help a lot. Hinata will have at least a 25% more of a chance at surviving."
"Which means…?" Naruto asked.
"That Hinata will have a 30% chance of surviving." Shizune answered. "It might not be much, but it'll increase her survival chances. That alone should be able to lift up our hopes."
Sakura took of the glass lid and began to pour the gray, thick, oozy liquid into the plastic cup.
"Ew!" Suigetsu exclaimed while Neji and Hanabi just made a face at it. "What's in that?"
"The yolk of a phoenix egg, willingly donated unicorn blood, grounded herbs from a forest filled with Kodama[3], and a bit of ningyo[4] skin—cooked together by a dragon's flame and left to cool in holy water." Sakura explained as she stuck a plastic lid and a straw in the cup.
"Hinata has to drink that?" Kiba asked. "That sounds worse than the vegetable juices Shino makes[5]!"
"Yes. Hinata has to drink this for a whole week for it to take full effect. If not, I don't think it'll do any good for her. We have more in the making." Sakura explained as she handed Hinata the cup.
Hinata eyed it, looking scared again.
"We can try a different method," Sakura said quietly.
"No," the pregnant woman whispered. "No, I'll try this first. We don't have time…" She reached out and took the cup. Her hand shook a little, and almost everyone in the room could hear the sloshing from inside. She tried to prop herself up on one elbow, but she could barely lift her head.
Sakura and Ino put their arms under Hinata's shoulders, supporting her head, too.
"Arigato," Hinata whispered. Her eyes flickered around at the people in the room, still aware enough to feel self-conscious. If she wasn't so drained, she'd have blushed.
"Don't mind us," Juugo murmured.
Hinata lifted the cup to her face and sniffed at the end of the straw. She flinched and made a face.
"Hinata, we can find an easier way," Naruto said, holding his hand out for the cup.
"Yeah," Sakura agreed. "The potion doesn't taste that good. It's supposed to be very bitter, so-"
"No, that's not it. It's just that it…" Hinata sucked in a deep breath. "It smells good," she admitted in a tiny voice.
Sakura shocked eyes met Ino's, and Tenten joined in on the conversation.
"That's . . . good?" the weapons mistress seemed unsure. "Maybe it means we're on the right track."
Sakura bit her lip. Ino nodded, and the cherry blossom told Hinata, "Give it a try."
Hinata shoved the straw between her lips, squeezed her eyes shut, and wrinkled her nose. Everyone could hear the liquid slopping around in the cup again as her hand shook. She sipped at it for a second and then moaned quietly with her eyes still closed.
Naruto stepped forward. He touched her face. "Hinata-"
"I'm okay," she whispered. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Her expression was apologetic, pleading, and scared. "It tastes good, too."
Sakura, Ino, and Tenten exchanged another shocked glance.
"Anoo . . . that's good…" Sakura said, a little jazzed and confused at the same time. "A good sign . . . probably…"
Hinata sighed and put her lips to the straw again. The action wasn't as weak as everything else about her, like some instinct was taking over.
"How's your stomach?" Temari asked. "Do you feel nauseated?"
Hinata shook her head. "No, I don't feel sick," she whispered. "That's first, eh?"
Almost everyone in the room smiled. "Excellent," Lee said.
"I think it's a bit early for that," Iruka murmured.
Hinata gulped another mouthful of the potion. Then she flashed a look at Naruto and then to Sakura. "I did it," she said, sounding pleased. Her voice was clearer—still rough but not a whisper for the first time in a while. "If I keep this down, Saki, will I be allowed to walk around?"
"Probably," Sakura promised, "But not too much." She patted Hinata's forehead, and they exchanged a hopeful glance.
And anyone could see it—the cup of yolk from a phoenix egg, willingly donated unicorn blood, grounded herbs from a forest filled with Kodama, and ningyo skin made an immediate difference. Her color was returning—there was a tiny hint of pink in her waxy cheeks. Already she didn't seem to need Sakura's support so much anymore. Her breathing was easier, and her heartbeat was stronger.
The ghost of hope in Naruto's eyes had turned into the real thing.
"Would you like some more?" Sai pressed.
Hinata's shoulders slumped. Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Tenten, Neji, Sasuke, Juugo, and Hanabi flashed a glare at the anti-social ninja.
"You don't have to drink more right away." Sakura told the Hyuga heir.
"Yeah, I know. But . . . I want to," she admitted glumly.
Kurenai pulled her thin, sharp fingers through Hinata's hair. "You don't need to be embarrassed about that, Hinata. Your body has cravings. We all understand that." Her tone was soothing at first, but then she added harshly, "Anyone who doesn't understand shouldn't be here." (The threat was made to Karin who was making faces and mentally saying, "Ew.")
Sakura took the cup from Hinata's hand, and Shikamaru poured some more liquid into it. Sakura handed the cup to Hinata, and the Hyuga heir reached out for the cup, absentmindedly, like she was thinking of something else. With the same distracted expression, she started sucking it down.
She really was looking better. She pulled herself forward, being careful of her bloated stomach and scooted into a sitting position. The girls hovered, their hands ready to catch Hinata if she sagged. But Hinata didn't need it. Taking deep breaths in between swallows, she finished the second cup quickly.
"How do you feel now?" Iruka asked.
"Not sick, sort of hungry…"
"Sakura-san, just look at her," Hanabi murmured, glad that her elder sister was well again. "This is obviously what her body wants. She should drink more."
"We don't know the full effects of the potion yet, Hanabi." Sakura explained. "We don't want to give your sister too much of something we aren't sure of."
"Oh!" Shizune suddenly exclaimed as she remembered something. She searched through her pocket and took out an envelope. "Here, Sakura. This came in for you."
Sakura took the red envelope and turned it over. There was a golden seal on it. "It's the imperial sign of the Fire Lord… It can't be for me; it's probably for my parents."
"No, it's not." Shizune said. "It was specifically addressed to you."
Sakura blinked her eyes. "But . . ."
"Pinkie, it's probably something about wanting you to work as the medic in the palace or something." Suigetsu said. "Just open it or it might come back and haunt you."
Sakura looked at him then back at the envelope. She opened it and took out a letter. She unfolded the letter and read it, her eyes widened.
"Well, what does it say?" Karin asked impatiently.
"Yeah, read it out loud." Ino encouraged.
"The girl reading this is beautiful, classy, and strong. And I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and give her the power to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it's impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most and let her know she is loved. She will always be safe."
The kunoichi in the room (except Karin) exchanged frightened glances. This didn't go unnotice by the Uchiha whose eyes just narrowed. Just exactly what were the girls hiding?
Sakura seemed a little confused when she read the poem. "I feel like I've heard it somewhere before . . . just . . . a long time ago…" She looked into the envelope again and took out something that was wrapped in silk.
"Well, open it." Tenten said, her voice contained a hint of worry.
Sakura seemed unsure but did as she was told and unwrapped the silk. Inside, she found a golden Gwansik[6]. She turned it over and read the engraved words, "It's in Korean. 'From the one who has always loved you since birth, no matter what you do. Just always remember: I'll always love you, no matter what has happened.'"
"Now that's weird," Naruto said. "Do you have any idea who it's from?"
"No, not at all," Sakura said. "I don't even know why someone would give this to me. I'll ask my parents when they come back. Maybe they'll know something since they're going to the Fire Lord's palace. They'll have a better idea of what this thing means."
"Sakura, maybe that's . . . not the best idea," Temari said, the worry from Tenten's voice echoed in hers.
"Yeah, if it turns out that your parents don't know who sent it, you'll worry them." Ino explained. "It's best if you don't show it to them."
"I guess you're right." Sakura said, taking another look at the Gwansik. 'I'll always love you, no matter what has happened…' she repeated the words in her head. That sounds like something a mother would say…
[1] = a line from the Korean drama Stairway to Heaven/천국의 계단/天國的階梯
[2] = go to Wikipedia and type in glass floats. It'll tell you about them and show you pictures
[3] = A kodama is a spirit from Japanese folklore, which is believed to live in certain trees. These little guys appear in Princess Mononoke.
[4] = often translated as "mermaid," a ningyo is a fish-like creature from Japanese folklore. Its flesh is pleasant-tasting, and anyone who eats it will attain remarkable longevity. However, catching a ningyo was believed to bring storms and misfortune, so fishermen who caught these creatures were said to throw them back into the sea. A ningyo washed onto the beach was an omen of war or calamity.
[5] = if anyone of you watch Prince of Tennis, you'd know that there's this guy Sadaharu Inui (who kind of looks like Shino) who makes this series of disgusting juices. That line is kind of a reference to it.
[6] = a Korean ornament attached to crowns or hats (go to Wikipedia and type in List of Korean Clothing then go to Accessories and go down you'll find a picture of it)
Phew! This one's long, the longest chapter yet! I hope you like it!
Oh, and diamonds can cut glass, just for everyone's information if you're asking why Sakura used the diamond. Also, Ino and Sakura are NOT lesbian! They're just very good friends! As I said before, in this story, Sakura is Sasuke's and Ino is Sai's! Oops, I just gave out a big plot twist in the story... Stupid me!
Thank you for reading, please review, and I know it's not romantic yet, but it will be soon! Stay tuned to find out what happens and who sent Sakura the Gwansik!
